HUGE Life Changing Chapter!

It's been forever since I've written, but I was shocked at myself when I noticed that I hadn't shared the big news!! 

It all started over a year ago when a girl and a guy bonded over a certain doctor (more info on that here and here) and that guy made a very big decision that was going to change both of their lives.

On July 19, 2013 that guy made this girl the happiest one in the world. Just watch:

This man is a gift from God and I'm so lucky that he was made just for me. He is my missing piece. We've been engaged a little over 4 months and I'm still in the clouds. I'm the luckiest woman in the world that I get to call him my husband next March :)

Also, he went to Jared ;) 

And, yes, he picked it out himself! Got me a keeper ;)

Wedding plans have been in the works for a while now and things are coming together perfectly! Of course I'm rushing things because we really only get the weekends to get anything done, but hey, what can I say? I'm excited :)

We are so blessed and give all praise to God for this amazing chapter in our lives. He is the only one that has made all of this possible. :) He is the center of all we do and we can't wait to see what He has in store for us. :)

Come on March 29th!!

Giving it to God

Right now is a transition phase in my life. I'm finishing up my last semester of college and I'm on the hunt for a job. It is not a cake walk, it's been absolutely miserable. 

The past semester has been one of the best and one of the worst. I'm accomplishing something that once seemed so far away...I'll be gaining my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education on May 11th and it's a surreal moment. I'm scared and excited, but I know that something wonderful is going to come from all of it. Honestly though, I'm scared. 

I bet you're wondering...Why? How could you be scared if you know that God is going to take care of it all???? Well....let me explain: 

Being the flawed human that I am, it's hard for me to relinquish control of my life. So, of course, I stress, I worry, and I doubt over whether the places I've applied will accept my application and whether or not I'm really qualified and ready to be in the classroom as the head teacher.  I'm human and I'm scared. You can't say you haven't been in that place of wonder and doubt before. 

It's been hitting extremely hard the past couple of months because people are starting to hire. I've done my duty and I've applied for placements (total of 8 right now) and now all I can do is wait. It's hard, I've seen friends get interviews and actual job offers and I'm so happy for them, it's just hard seeing them moving forward while I feel like I'm standing still. 

There have been countless days/nights of crying and doubt, but it's taken me a while, some long night conversations, and more crying for me to finally come to that point where I'm finally giving God full control over the situation. 

Takes me a while to give up control because I'm a control freak and I'm stubborn - it's sad, I know, I'm working on it though!

I know that by relinquishing control over this situation and letting Him do His work, I'll be more blessed than if I tried to do it all myself.  I know that He will open the position He wants me in when He wants me to have it. I know that He will provide my every need and I lean on that understanding and I know that He won't leave me and He'll guide me through every step, as long as I let Him. 

Are you struggling with any transitional stages? Relinquishing control and letting Him take the reigns? I understand, I'm working on that right now. You're not alone. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Praying Through Every Moment

Summer is coming to an end for some, and some of us still have a few weeks of freedom left before the rush to Wal-Mart to get all the supplies the teachers/professors want us to have for their class. All I see at that point is money flying out the door, but for a good cause.

[side note] Have you guys been keeping up with the recent news about Memphis City Schools? It's sad and I ask that you keep the children, their families, and the teachers in your prayers. School for those teachers and children has been postponed indefinitely until they figure out the budget. Being an aspiring teacher myself, this is sad, it is....Please, as you lay your head down tonight, pray that a door opens for MCS (Memphis City Schools).

Keep you chin up, that's all you can do, and bear those bad days with a smile on your face, no matter how bad the day is...you can make it through. :) God has you in his hand and is there for you when you're struggling and when you're rejoicing. It's taken me a lot of time to figure that out for myself...I've been struggling with a lot lately, and it's not like I'm stressed out with loads of homework or tons of things going on at the office...nope...I'm struggling a lot with personal issues of my own.

Like many people out there, I struggle with my weight, and I have all my life, and I'm really trying to take charge over it now that I've hit the age of 20 and getting close to going into the working field. I've joined a TaeKwonDo class, I've started working out daily, drinking nothing but water, milk, & Gatorade. I'm also keeping track of my calories on this nifty app on my iPhone...BUT I've forgotten one of the most important things a person can do when they're trying to achieve a goal.....

I haven't been praying about it. Plain and simple as the nose on my face.

I make excuses to myself as to why I don't pray...

~My favorite show is on

~I'm too tired

~I'd rather read this book

None of them...NONE are valid excuses for why I shouldn't pray. I know that God does miraculous things, I know He will provide...but I've become so caught up in everyday life that I forget to do the one thing He's asked us to, and that is, to worship Him. I feel ashamed, but I had to admit it to myself, and to you, dear readers.

So, along with my goal of losing weight, I have a goal to pray everyday. There is no time limit to how much I'll pray, I just know that I want to be happy again, and I know that the only way I can get to that point is if I pray and keep His word fresh in my heart. 

I want to thank my friend and fellow classmate, Nicole, for her inspiring blog and she doesn't know this, but every blog she has writeen cheers me up on a bad day. I think you should check her out. She's pretty awesome :)

Amore

Love...love is a strong word when it comes to some things...like relationships with your significant other, family ties, friendships and what not.

What do I love?
hmmm...lets see...*counts on fingers*
God
my family
my boyfriend
all my friends
music (could seriously rock out all day)
watching tv (not sure what I would do without it, sad I know)
reading (depending on the book...on the Harry Potter series now)
coloring/drawing (creative by nature my mother tells me)

So, that's a lot of things that I love...and yes, I love all of them, just not equally...

Can you guess what today's photo challenge is?? If not...please do NOT become a detective.

DAY TWELVE:

Picture of something you love.

(fits huh? it's a valentines day cake I made for a roommate)

I love baking....like LOVE baking! It's my creative outlet and it's just so much fun to express myself through the cakes that I make and decorate. I know, I'm not Buddy from Cake Boss, or Duff from Ace of Cakes, but I aspire to be part of that crew one day. It's a dream that found me and I want to hold onto that dream and pursue it as much as I can!

What is it that you love?? 

If it's baking, I would love the help!! I have a wedding shower coming up that I'm making the cake for and I get to make my first ever gum paste flowers!! I'm sooo excited!