Worst Blogger Award. . .

WOW! I can't believe it has been about a year since I last updated my blog. Well then again I can believe it because it's been a CRAZY year. So, I will now accept the Worst Blogger of the Year Award..thank you, thank you.

Well now that that's over, I fully plan to get back to blogging on a regular basis. The whole point of me making a blog wasn't to attract readers (although they are nice), but it was to pretty much document my life, so I could look back and reflect on it. A public diary or online scrapbook if you wish. However, there is already a WHOLE year missing! That ends now. So, a fresh start to blogging again also meant a fresh new blog! I changed the background, color scheme, font, and updated my bio. I did it to hopefully motivate me to continue writing this time. ;)

I wanted to keep my first post back short and sweet, so there you go! Expect to hear from me soon :)

As Always,
God Bless!

Pride and Humility.

My boyfriend lately has been me sending me, and a few others, verses that he gets in the mornings. The verse that he sent me this morning struck a cord with me and made me think about it off and on throughout the day. That usually means something from the Big Man upstairs. So I'm going to blog about it! ;) The verse he sent me was Matthew 23:11-12, I believe it was NIV but below is the Message version (I've been on a kick with MSG lately).

Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.

If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you.

But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

- Matthew 23:11-12 -

So I believe the huge theme in these two powerful verses is humility. In my NIV bible, humility is defined as "the absence of pride." We live in a world nowadays that is slap full of pride. People are always competing to be better than others and boasting about their own successes. Am I wrong? Everyone gets caught doing this don't get me wrong. Whenever you are successful in something or can do something really well, you are proud of yourself and tend to want others to notice your talents too. However, pride is also defined in my NIV bible as well. Pride (negative): the attitude that one is better than others; Pride (positive): a healthy self-respect or sense of satisfaction. Yup, there's two definitions of pride! Good and bad..like everything else in the world. The good approach to pride is being able to perform something well and feeling satisfied with yourself about how YOU did. However, the bad approach can start out as the same thing..but lead to something destructive. Bad pride comes from thinking how you perform something is much better than others. I'm sure you can easily think of an example of each right now where you have either been caught in both scenarios or know of someone who has. Either way, there is healthy pride and destructive pride.

Matthew 23:11-12 tells us what will become of us when we have both types of pride. Healthy pride leads to a fruitful life. A life that has satisfaction and self-respect for yourself and for others (hint..servant.) But, destructive pride will leave you lower than where you started with nothing to account for. Jesus instructs us to STEP DOWN if we want to STAND OUT. Gosh, society tells us the complete opposite!!! Society tells us we have to do something crazy to stand out, we have to pretend to be something we're not! But Jesus says, if we enjoy being who we are, who He created us to be, and enjoy serving and promoting others, then life will be fine. If we're humble, then we will be rewarded. "Your life will count for plenty." Now that's a sweet promise.

So don't feel like you have to boast about yourself or the work you have done. Especially work done for the Lord. Too many Christians nowadays want to post on facebook, twitter, instagram, and whatever else that they're going to church, serving at a Christian camp, posting verses, etc. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying doing that stuff is bad (I do the same thing..)..but it's why you're posting it. Are you posting the verse because you found it really interesting, helpful, encouraging, etc. and would like to share to fellow friends? Or are you posting it because you want everyone to know that you're a "Christian" because you're posting it? The latter is a result of pride..of boasting yourself to be better than possibly non-Christians. So, before you start doing things that seem harmless or normal..think of the reason why you're doing...is it prideful? And then is it the good kind of pride..or the bad? Be humble in all things you do. Have humility.

One last thing that crossed my mind about having humility. God created each and every single one of us. He is the reason why we have certain talents, fortunes, successes, and anything else that we may boast about. So why in God's green earth are we boasting about ourselves when He is the one that has allowed us to have these things? It isn't like we granted them upon ourselves! He has given them to us. If it weren't for Him then we wouldn't have anything to be proud of at all. But He has given us certain talents and fortunes so that we can turn around and give it all back to our Almighty God instead of ourselves. We can boast about how great our Father is!!! We should always be humble and always show humility because if it weren't for the Lord, we would have nothing. His blessings are what should humble us because we do not deserve them..yet He gives them to us anyways. When we are happy with ourselves and current standing, that is being thankful for what the Lord has given us. So do not "puff yourself up," but put yourself down before the Lord.

These are the many thoughts that crossed my mind while thinking about these verses. My own thoughts may or may not make sense, but I hope Matthew 23:11-12 spark some of your own thoughts. Humility has always been one thing I always try to live by. I always try to maintain a humble character and boast others before myself. These verses were very encouraging to me by reminding me of this and why to do so. :)

As always, God Bless!



My boy is a UAB Graduate!!

So, my boyfriend of four and a half years graduated from UAB this past Saturday, May 11th!!! I am so incredibily proud of him and I am so excited to see what God has planned for him! He graduated with a double major in Secondary Education and Mathematics with Cum Laude honors. He has been waiting for this moment since he knew he was called to be a teacher his junior year in high school. Me and +Lance Higdon started dating my freshman year in high school and his senior year in high school. So we've been together all through his college career. Knowing what all he had gone through to get his degree made me even more proud to see him FINALLY walk across that stage!!! I started tearing up a little to say the least ;)

He has had several schools interested in him which is a huge blessing. Even though his subject is one of the most demanding ones out there, he was still a little worried he wouldn't find a job. However, that worry is completely gone now. He has one certain school in mind that he would love to become a part of. He had an interview today with the principal, and I am STILL waiting to see how it went! Fingers crossed ;) So happy for my boy! :)))

So, here is a blog dedicated just to my awesome boyfriend! I can't wait to see the path God has for him and us!! Below are some pictures from his graduation, enjoy!

 

   Class of 2013!                                                        

 

      Me and the Graduate ;)

Celebration!!

AwEsOmE Song Alert!

Ok, so I lied...I will post before the semester ends! So, I was just doing Calculus homework (and well...now I'm not haha) and listening to my Spotify playlist when I felt like listening to a certain song. Well, after listening to it, I thought I should post about it! :) This is a song from an album that I believe was released in 2012, but the song just started playing on the (Christian) radio about a month ago. The song is called "Changed" by Rascal Flatts!! Man, it's a good one! Rascal Flatts is typically a Country group, but this song is heavily rooted in Christian faith. Check it out, it's a good one!

Also, I want to mention other awesome ALBUMS!!!! Jeremy Camp has come out with yet another awesome cd titled "Reckless"....you'll definitely be missing out if you don't check it out! Annnnd, another album that I've just started listening to is Jason Castro's "Only a Mountain!" His single "Only a Mountain" is a great song, so I started listening to the album as well..which is great too :)

ENJOOOOOOOY!!!! :)

Overdue much?

It's been almost two months since I last posted...so it's long overdue. I'm still alive, don't worry! ;) My last post was about being stressed and overwhelmed with school only a few weeks in. Well, I have about a month left and stress hasn't left my side. It has by far been a very tough semester mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I would say I wasn't quite prepared for it to say the least..school wise at least. School has completely kicked my butt, but I keep trying to come back up and return the favor ;) My faith has definitely been affected by it because of worry and anxiety focused around school. However, I've tried to keep my eyes focused on the Lord the whole time. I'm just a little ready a lot ready for this semester to be OVER. Both fortunately and unfortunately, this past week has been spring break. It was fortunate because me and +Lance Higdon visited his aunt, uncle, and cousin in Georgia! It was a great visit and very relaxing. However, it's unfortunate because now I don't have too much motivation to do the school work that I should have done the entire week...#collegeprobz. I have a calculus test next week that I am no where near prepared for, a lab module due, and chemistry and calculus homework due. WHOOP-WHOOP!!! So if any high schooler out there is reading this, college is not a joke. Might I add, this is coming from a 4.0 honor grad who was top 5 out of 160 in her class. So my simple advice for this posting is: Enjoy high school while you can :)

Anywho, but I do have something so exciting to look forward to in a couple of weeks!!! Last November I went through a Christian retreat that was called Vida Nueva. Well, this April I am returning to this retreat to work for the first time! I am so super excited to be the servent that God has called all of us to be and serve the girls that will be going through. I will be surrounded by such faithful women and more importantly God's love and grace! I hope this weekend will be a complete refresher for me and will allow me to focus on what really matters in life......which is not derivatives, limits, ice tables, acids, or bases (Calculus and Chemistry references btw). This weekened is approaching quickly, so if anyone is reading this I ask that you please pray for the weekend. Please pray for the girls going through and for all of the workers that will be assisting them in any way! Thank you in advance :)

Thankfully, May 1st is the last day of classes...so only about a month away!!!!! Now THAT deserves a WHOOP-WHOOP!!!! I will be taking Organic Chem and lab over the summer, but I get about a month break before it starts :) Alsooooo, May 11 is a VERY important date!!!! +Lance Higdon will be GRADUATING from UAB!!!! Gosh, I am so incredibly proud of that boy. He will be a great teacher, and his future students will be very lucky to have such a great math teacher! He isn't sure as of now where he will be teaching, but he would love to stay at the school he is currently student-teaching at. Prayers for him would be greatly appreciated as well :)

Hopefully I won't stay gone for so long again, but please bear (or bare? oh well...) with me :) My next post may or may not be when I am officially done with this semester...we'll see!
Till then,
God Bless!

Is it time to graduate yet?!?

Man, oh man. It's only been 2.5 weeks of school, and I'm ready for it to be over already! I just wanted to do a quick update on how life's been. STRESSED. But getting easier :) Calculus and General Chemistry 2 are going to be my hardest and most demanding classes for sure. Overall I'm taking 17 hours and working. But, work hasn't added to the stress any....yet.

In other news, I got a new roommate! The change was initiated by myself for several reasons, however, it's been all for the good! I absolutely love my new roommate, such a sweet girl! She is also a Biology major like myself, but unlike me, she plans to go into the medical field. I'm super excited to see what the semester holds for us!

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned I'm a gym-goer on here or not, but I am! I work out about 4 times a week, and I am currently doing a workout program called Wendler 5-3-1. So in order to start this workout program I had to get my maxes on the four major lifts (Bench, Overhead Press, Squats, and Deadlifts). Well the only thing that I'm proud of are my squats...everything else is a bit of a struggle to say the least ;) But anywho, so I maxed my squats at one rep of 125. I tried 135 and dominated like a BOSS failed epically. Weeeeell, two months later I had to do 125 again but I did 8 reps this time!! Whoop whoop! But it gets BETTER. I tried giving 135 another chance....and I got one!!!! I probably could have done maybe 1-2 more, but I decided 1 rep was enough for bragging rights! ;) This 110 lb girl has beast legs. Totally just joking. . .but I was pretty proud of that accomplishment.

Well, I think that's about it. Anyone reading this post I ask that you pray for me this semester. I've been praying that I give all of my anxiety to God, but the hard part is actually doing that. I know He can handle mine x6billion, but I just bottle it up. So, prayers would be appreciated! Please and thank you :)

God Bless!

"Whom Shall I Fear" [God of Angel Armies] by Chris Tomlin

NEW FAVORITE SONG!!!
This song is absolutely beautiful and so powerful. It is a perfect song to worship to. I believe it can turn any worry, anxiety, fear, etc into HOPE! "The God of angel armies is always by my side" like WOW. But this is so true! Even when we go through rough times God is still there. He isn't only there during the good times. Therefore, we should praise Him in BOTH tough and easy times. And how awesome is the phrase "God of angel armies?" I personally thought that was just awesome when I first heard it. We know that angels are with God, but armies of them? And if you have an army, then there is some type of war or preparation for it...right? Well, I look at is as God's armies are fighting FOR you and the line continues to say "is always by my side." God is very protective over His creations, and again, will never leave them. It is us who tends to leave God. Anyways...I didn't plan to go into a big spill about that but just post the song and lyrics. SO HERE YOU GO! Check it out!! Please? :)

"Whom Shall I Fear" Lyrics

By: Chris Tomlin

*P.S. I highlighted my favorite parts of the song ;)

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though trouble lingers still

Whom shall I fear

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The God of angel armies is always by my side