Molly and Me

If you have seen the movie Marley and Me you can pretty much imagine the way my life is with our dog Molly. She not only looks like Marley but acts like her too! We were blessed last year about a month after our wedding to be able to adopt Molly into our home. Molly and 6 of her other brothers & sisters were left on the side of the road in a box. We could never understand how anyone could do that but we were so happy to give her a loving home. When we got Molly she weighed a total of 5 pounds. Now that sweet little dog weighs in at about 70 pounds. Even though she can be a trouble maker she is a really great dog. She loves us so much and listens very well. She is just a tad bit on the hyper side when it comes to meeting other people. She loves people and doesn't realize sometimes that other people don't love her as much as she thinks they do. When she was just a little puppy I would put on the movie Marley and Me when I left for work or school so she wasn't bored while we were gone. BIG MISTAKE! I think she memorized Marley's habits and has taken up a few of Marley's trait. Here are a few examples of Molly acting like Marley: The other day my sweet neighbors came over to bring me flowers. As soon as we opened the door Molly took off chasing their little girl around the yard and finally Molly won and tackled the little girl with kisses. Then today I took her for a walk and run at the park. As soon as we hit the trail Molly met a friend. I couldn't hold her back and within an instant she had jumped on this poor old lady who never saw it coming. Finally I got on top of Molly to tackle her to the ground. Needless to say, Molly learned her lesson because she got a few spankings! Even though she sometimes drives us crazy we love her so much! She never talks back (well I guess sometimes if she doesn't get her way she barks:)), she loves us unconditionally, she never keeps account of our wrongs, she always loves my cooking, AND she kisses us all the time even after we go for a run! Molly's First Birthday is on our Anniversary! Since we won't be in town we will be celebrating her this next week! I am thinking a doggy birthday cake is in the order and maybe a doggy manicure/pedicure...Scott thinks I am crazy...But I just tell him dog's deserve a special day once a year just like we do! Right!?

Mix it up a bit!

Many of you have emailed me asking for a few recipes so I thought I would mix it up and write them for you all on my blog! I love to cook but unfortunately school does not allow for me to pull out my Betty Crocker skills too often. Tonight was the perfect night though! I finished my third final and with only two left to go I figured Scott and I would celebrate with me cooking a feast. So I set out to find us a good healthy meal with less than 5 ingredients...I love simple too! I was raised in a southern home where everything was homemade, we went to Miss Manner's classes, took cotillion, and learned how to make good sweet tea. Growing up though my mom did all the cooking and I just watched. Why should I cook when she did it so well is what I thought. Well then when I got on my own I realized she wasn't there anymore and I needed to figure it out on my own...so I set out to master my skills in cooking. It definitely is never perfect but I would like to say I make my momma proud!

I figured every once in a while I will share a recipe or two so here we go:

Pecan Crusted Chicken: super easy and super yummy! It is one of Rachel Ray's so you can't go wrong!

Ingredients:

1 cup pecans. toasted
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried basil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
1/4 cup honey mustard

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Using a food processor, grind the pecans into fine crumbs. Transfer to a wide, shallow bowl and stir in the bread crumbs and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Rub each chicken breast with honey mustard, then coat with the pecan mixture. Place on a nonstick baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.

The next one is a family recipe and I might get in trouble for sharing it but everyone always wants to know how I make it!

Mom's Favorite Macaroni and Cheese:
1 box of ziti (cook the noodles)
6 eggs
2 cups of Milk
1 stick of butter
2 cups of Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Mix the eggs and milk together. In a baking dish make layers starting with pasta, then egg/milk mixture, then cheese, then top with slices of butter...Continue this until dish is full.

Hope you enjoy! I will post more next week!

Worry Wart

I have wasted many years of my life worrying about things that I can not change or do anything about. I can trace way back and remember specific things I used to worry about. I worried if my mom was a minute late getting home that she was in an accident somewhere, I worried if I would do well in my cross country races or not, I worried what college I would get in to, I worried if I would get a high enough score on my PCAT, I worried if I would get into pharmacy school, and they go on and on. I know that sounds kind of crazy that I can name those but I remember these specific things for a special reason. The reason is that in all of my worry and all of my fears God had a perfect plan and ultimately provided the desires of my heart. For example, I never did get a real high PCAT score BUT I got into 4 pharmacy schools of my choice. God played a HUGE role in that and ultimately paved my path to the correct school. The whole entire time he knew the plan and I spent all my time worrying whether or not he could handle all my worries. The truth is he can handle ANY and ALL of my worries, fears, setbacks, problems, etc. He is GOD and He can do ANYTHING!

The problem is all those years I spent worrying about things that God already had in his hands I can never get back and do another way. The thing that is so hard to remember (since I still worry too much) is that God is going to meet all of our needs. As long as we are doing our part (trusting in him) the Lord will continue to do his part.

I look back now and realize I wasted so much time worrying about things that were not in my control. I have made a decision to trust God with my life and with that comes trusting him with every aspect of it. Yes, I fall short sometimes but that is the promise I have given to him.

I love this verse Hebrews 13:5
"Let your character be free from love of money(including greed, avarice, lust, craving for earthly possessions) and be satisfied with your present (circumstances and with what you have); for God said, I will not fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not leave you helpless nor forsake you nor let you down."

After my test today I took a little break and hiked up Stone Mountain with a friend. Standing at the top of the mountain was a perfect illustration of worry! God made that huge, beautiful mountain. I had to walk up a HUGE hill to get to the top and yes it was hard work. But once I made it to the top I could be in awe of God's beautiful scenery and take in all the beauty around me. Sometimes I think even though the things we worry about seem so hard to surpass, if we just work a little harder and give it to God, the beauty of his plan will PREVAIL.

Always - Kristian Stanfill - Passion 2011 - Lyrics [HD]

Great worship song!

Church On Easter for Us!

Well as much as Scott and I love Jesus we do not actually get up and go to church on Easter. Don't worry! We do our own little church service here at our home. Our main reason we don't go is because two years ago we tried to go but the line to get into church was so far backed up we did not even get into church until after the worship was over:) We were in awe at how many people were standing in line to praise Jesus! And then the thought came to us that on Easter we would give up our seat in the congregation so that someone who maybe did not know Jesus could have a seat! There are probably a million differing opinions on this BUT it is just what we felt led to do. So every Easter weekend we go to the Good Friday service at Verizon. If you have never been you really should go! It is amazing. BUT this year I was amazed once again by all the love for Jesus! When we got to the amphitheater there was a line stretched back about 2 miles long! Longest line I have ever seen!! And all these people were there for one reason: To give thanks and praise the KING! Then I thought how cool would it be if we took our praising and thanksgiving for Jesus even farther! How cool would it be if lines stretched far back for HIM every single weekend? Yes, we should give him extra thanks on Easter and praise him for paying our debt on the cross and giving his life for our sins BUT it all boils down to we need to be giving him thanks for this every single day. Because yes he died on the cross on Good Friday, and rose from the dead on Easter BUT because of what he did our FUTURE has been changed forever. We have eternal life and all of our sins have been forgiven if you choose to trust him with your life! That is GREAT NEWS for not only on EASTER but every single day of our lives!

Listen to the song: Always by Kristian Stanfill I posted it above:)

How Great is Our God- Louie Giglio FULL

This is one of my favorite sermons Louie has given. He has so many wonderful sermons but I encourage you to listen to this. Give God 42 minutes of your life tonight. This sermon is life changing.

Disappointment

Most people would keep the struggle I am going through to themselves but I find that when I write about my journey it helps people while at the same time gives me a little relief. We were getting really excited this past week. I was a full week late and we were thinking I could be pregnant! Sure enough, this morning at 4am (the same exact time my miscarriage occurred) the my lovely monthly gift showed up! I just sat there for a minute and prayed. Really God? How come you are making this so easy for everyone else but so hard for me? I can honestly say for the first time in this whole journey I got angry with God. I got back in the bed and snuggled really close to Scott. I just needed to feel some kind of comfort. I did not shed one tear. I realized in that moment I had not cried since the day of the miscarriage. I have been bottling it all inside trying to stay strong because that is all I know to do.

Well, after Scott left for work I got real honest with God. And the tears just started pouring. I don't really have words for anyone right now because I truly am in the hardest struggle of my life. I can't begin to explain the doubt or the hurt I am going through. Questions like Will I ever be able to have a baby again? haunt me in my weakest moments.

Today I decided though I was going to give it all to God. Really let him be in control of my life because he is bigger, and greater than any struggle I could ever go through in my life. I prayed this morning that even when the bad thoughts enter my mind and I start to turn weak for him to remind me he has me in his hands.

I don't know the struggle you are going through right now but I do know whatever it may be NOTHING is too BIG for God to handle. Throughout my day today three special people helped me realize how strong I really am. One of my friends told me to go home and make a list of everything I am thankful for in my life. I am including the list so you can see that if I allow Satan to put thoughts in my mind the one BAD thing in my life can trump the 100 great things in my life if I am not careful....


Here is my list
1. I have a God who cherishes me. And I have salvation!
2. I have a wonderful husband who loves me with the greatest unconditional love I could ever ask for.
3. I have a mom who gives me the best advice and let's me be weak & completely honest about how I am feeling. I also have a dad who will do anything in the world for me even go get pedicures with me. I have a sister and step-dad too who absolutely adore me.
4. I have three beautiful sister in laws who love God just as much as I do and who constantly remind me of this weekly.
5. I have the best in-laws a girl could ask for.
6. I have friends who let me cry when I need too and love me even though I have not been my perky self lately.
7. I have a sweet dog Molly who kisses me even when I am hot and sweaty from my runs.
8. I have a house, car, running water, food, and a kitchen aid mixer:)
9. I have two legs that I can use to do my favorite activity in the world: RUNNING!
10. I am going to be a pharmacist in less than a year.
11. I got pregnant without even trying, it was a surprise, I got the feelings of joy of pregnancy for three whole months and I had the opportunity to have the most awesome, smartest doctor in the world for the three months I was pregnant.
12. God is trying to teach me patience.

These are just twelve off of my list of about 58 things. I encourage you to do this when you are feeling down. It helps so much! That is all for today! I hope you have blessed day!

A Little Girl's Fight...

I will never forget the day last year I heard the song Little Light by Audrey Assad that was sent to me by a friend asking me to pray for this sweet little girl who was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer. I had never really been asked to pray for a stranger before or even thought about praying for someone I knew nothing about but as soon as I heard her story I just knew this family needed as many prayers as possible. Right away I started praying for this little girl daily and following her story that her mom would share on their blog. The family's strength and love for God is absolutely, ABSOLUTELY refreshing and amazing. Well, this past week I realized real quickly that you can't just come to God and pray when everything is going bad and stop when everything is going well. The little girl had fought all odds and kicked cancer's butt last year. I continued to read the blog every now and then but my promise to pray for this little girl drifted away once it seemed as though she was well again. Then for some reason this week out of no where during my quiet time I felt God leading me to pray for her again. I had not checked the blog in a while so after my time with God I got on the internet to find out the worst news ever... her cancer had returned. It put an awful pit in my stomach. Going back reading through the posts I just stood in amazement. This family is taking a horrible situation and honoring God fully! And by golly are they a blessing for the 10 million people that read their story. People all over the world are raising this little girl up in prayer and I am writing this blog tonight for that specific reason. Please lift her and her family up in your prayers. God can definitely perform miracles.

Here is the website as well if you feel compelled to give: www.prayforkate.com

Let's Get Honest

All day today I prayed about what I could write on my blog and the words God kept telling me were Honesty and Expectations. Two completely different topics but two very important lessons God has taught me over the years.

When God put honesty on my heart tonight I took it to a different meaning and different level for my specific situation. So here we go.....I am about to get a little vulnerable so please don't judge me:)

I had this really sweet girl from school today come up to me and apologize because she was cussing a lot when she was sitting behind me the other day. At first I kind of took it as a compliment and was flattered that she thoughtso much of me but then when I got in my car I just kind of laughed. If only she knew how often I sin and how often I fall short just like every other human in this world. Just because I have Jesus in my life doesn't mean I have everything together....Actually I don't really have it together at all.

Let me give you a few examples:
1. On saturday I left my hair dryer on the floor in the bathroom. As I walked in there I stepped on the prongs on my hair dryer and they proceeded to go through my foot. It hurt so bad. And even though I don't normally cuss something came over me and I screamed a few bad words. (Not too bad but bad enough that I had to pray for forgiveness)
2. Just a few weeks ago we were blessed with something way unexpected and only something that God could do. I found myself feeling greedy and wanting to figure out a way to get more out of the situation. I would pull out my Bible and try to get the greedy feelings out of my heart but it was inevitable. So God put it on my heart to give a lot of our blessing away. As soon as I started listening to God I felt no more greed
3. Miscarriages suck! They are emotionally and physically draining... Most hours of the day I trust God fully but there are some hours where I completely fail miserablely. The questions like Does God really have this? Is he really listening to the desires of my heart? Because if he is I should already be pregnant! One of the most important lesson someone can learn as a christian is to be patient for God's will. He ultimately does provide.
4. My expectations of other people sometimes are just too high. God has to remind me he is enough for me. After the miscarriage we were flooded with emails and calls but as we got further away from it my friends started to not call as much. What they did not realize because they could not read my mind was that I still needed them. I am generally that person there for everyone offering advice and just this one time I needed people to lean on. Why wasn't God providing them!? But thankfully God made me realize that my expecatations were way to high and that he should be enough for me. He loves me and that is all that matters. I love our God!

So my lesson that God has taught me is be honest with yourself and lower your expectations. No human on this earth is perfect and every person sins. That is why Jesus died on the cross for us so unselfishly. My point was even though I have Jesus in my life I still fall short and need to ask for forgiveness. One thing that never changes though is my abundant love for God and his unselfishly, unconditonal love for me.