Fall Books

Here are the books on my fall list:

 3 down, 4 to go....I'm excited to read the entire series! They're so fun!

I'm excited to read this!!! I read The Kite Runner last fall and just haven't gotten around to reading this second one by Khaled Hosseini.

This is our development book for this fall. I've never read it before. I look forward to growing in my conviction of evangelism (the basis of the book) and hope to find some very applicable points.

I read about this book on this blog and pre-ordered it for half off (a one-day special, sorry!)!! I plan on reading this to go along with the "Becoming a Woman of Faith" Bible Study I'm leading this fall. I hope there will be some great ways to connect the 2! 

I'm currently reading this and plan to finish up over the weekend.
I mentioned Counterfeit Gods in a way previous post but I kind of stalled out on that one....I'll pick it up again at some point and try to update you when I do.

Do you like to read? If so, what books do you recommend?!

Summer Books

I read SO many books this summer and loved it!! Honestly, I can't remember them all right now (my list is at home) but here are some of the ones I remember!

I loved this book!! It's basically filled with tidbits of info Kay, Emilie, and Donna wish they had known at an earlier age. It will definitely be one I read again when I'm in the wife/mother phase of life!

I read these 3 of Chronicles of Narnia. I know it's out of order but I'm reading the rest in order!

This was our summer development book. I really enjoyed it!!

I could NOT put this book down! This book looks to the past mission movements (all started by COLLEGE STUDENTS) and applies it to how college ministry is still strategic today. I LOVED this book!!

Of course I also read HP 5,6,&7 this summer.....

Well, there are some of my summer reads! I definitely recommend all of the above books to any of you looking for a great read! If you want more information on one of them, just ask!

Fall

My brain has already switched over to fall in every aspect - weather, colors, foods, fashion, etc. However, it's still mid-August and it's still 110 degrees outside. This poses a problem. Yesterday, I went to the "other side" of Conway where the good shopping is. (Geography lesson - Conway isn't very big but it takes FOREVER to get to other areas because there are only only a few major roads and lots of cars. So, to go to this area of town, which isn't really that far away, it takes planning because it's not just a simple trek). I had some errands to run but also wanted to browse Old Navy, Target, TJMaxx, etc. But, I couldn't enjoy it! It was so hot. I would sweat from the car to the store and then not want to try anything on because I'm sweating. Man, I love summer but this 110 is a little much. I look forward to wearing scarves, boots, jackets, and sweaters. I look forward to being able to wear my hair down and not having my make-up melt off. I look forward to the changing leaves, cool breezes, and being able to run outside. Until then, I'll stay in the AC :) and you should too!

Bittersweet

Today, one of my best friends moved overseas for 3 years. While I'm so proud of her obedience to our Father, I'm SO sad she's gone. I was blessed to get to go to the airport to spend some time with her and her family this morning. I really didn't think I would cry much because most of my friends live over there (story of my life), but I did. When I got to my car, I wept. I couldn't hold it in. As I was driving back to Conway, the tears just kept coming. The tears are a mixture of sorrow because she will live so far away and joy/proudness for the life she is living.

I met her her freshman year of college through her ex-boyfriend (yes, our Father uses random situations!!). That semester, I had just gotten back from my first summer project and I was asking our Father to bring a girl into my life to disciple. In November of that year, He placed her on my heart as a girl to pursue for this type of relationship. The Father was working in her heart and mine and He gave me the opportunity to start pouring into her spiritually. I recruited her to be in my d-group at the next summer project and she rejected me. He told me not to give up on her! I recruited her again the next summer and she came!!! After that, she started reaching girls in her sorority, went back as a D-Group Leader, and now she is moving overseas for 3 years. I'm so humbled to have been chosen to be a part of her spiritual life. I'm humbled that He chose me as one of many tools to cast vision for the nations into her life. Friend, thank you for being faithful and obedient to His voice! You're an inspiration to me!

I love you and I will miss you so much!

Year 24

i have a feeling my 24th year is going to be a good one. there are so many things i'm excited for and many things i want to accomplish this year. right after my bday, i came  up with a list of personal goals for my 24th year.
[some of my goals]
-become a morning person = i long to be someone who can wake up early to workout, get ready, and spend tons of time in the word and prayer
-lose 2 pants sizes and stay that size = this coincides with the above goal. i know it's possible....i've been that size before...24 is the year to do it again
-put effort into getting ready everyday = let's face it, some days it's easiest to throw on a hat, white v, and smidge of powder and mascara. i don't want 24 to be like this - i'm going to make an effort to look cute, fixed, and put together everyday for work (which leads into the next goal...)
-find my fashion niche = the recent trends are thrifting and DIY. i've been thrifting once, loved it, and was decent at it. It's a great way to shop more but save money. i'm also on pinterest and love how many DIY jewelry crafts i find. this year, i want to pay attention to trends, thrift, make some DIY jewelry, and become more fashionable. i'm pumped.
-fall more in love with Christ = this summer, i've grown closer to Christ than ever before. i'm at a place with Him that i've never been before and it's glorious. i want this entire year to be no different. on my 25th birthday, i want to be able to look back and say "i'm at a place with Christ that i've never been before"
-become a prayer warrior = this summer my prayer life has grown so much and i've seen God answer prayers in such cool ways. i want this to become a habit in my life that lasts until i meet my maker.
-memorize scripture consistently = for staff development, i'm required to memorize certain verses each semester. even though it's required, i don't do a good job. i want to get better. i long to know Christ's word better and have it hidden in my heart for times of trial and times of sharing with others.

[things happening during year 24 that i'm excited about]
*i'm excited about beginning my 2nd year on staff! my first year was a year of growth and learning and was, at times, a little rough. i know i'll keep learning in my 2nd year and things will change, but i'm excited to have year 1 under my belt.
*i'm looking forward to having a personal ministry outside of work this year. i am leading a Bible Study through my church for women in Conway. i'm also leading a Bible Study for some sorority girls at UCA. i'm excited about the opportunity to be pouring into women around me!
*i absolutely cannot wait to get involved with 501! it's a young professionals ministry at a church in LR and i'm thrilled to be going this year. i know a lot of people involved and i've heard great things about it. Since there aren't many singles in Conway, this will be a great way for me to meet people and make new friends. i'm so excited! it kicks off tonight!! i am counting down the hours until i get off work and head to LR!

blogger friends....keep me accountable for these things. it's out in blogger world now - feel free to ask me how it's going. i'll be honest with you. i long to accomplish these goals and only by God's grace, accountability, and discipline will it happen.

Highlights of my 23rd year

Saturday I turned 24. That's right...I'm officially in my mid-20's. Let the fun begin.

In honor of a new year, I am going to look back at the previous year and pull out some highlights.

 

-I passed the NCLEX and officially became a (non-practicing) RN.

-I started working full-time for StuMo. This job fits me. It's better than anything I could have imagined or dreamed up for myself.

-I moved out of the nest and into my own apartment!

-I experienced everything about year 1 of the real world - new place, bills, first year of a job - and learned so much!

-I co-led DC4K. I was blessed by those kids and loved loving on them each week.

-I grew so close to my co-worker, Allie, since we only had each other in Conway.

-I put 16,000 miles on my car. The highlight about this fact is I travel a LOT for my job and I love it! I go to Fayetteville, Tulsa, OKC, and KC a ton. I really do love getting to travel throughout the year!

-I got to be a part of my brother's wedding!

-And, I got to welcome a sister (in-law) into the family!

-I've grown a ton in my walk with Christ. I have fallen more in love with Him. I've had to rely on Him for new experiences and situations. I've been humbled by Him in multiple ways. I've faced trials. I've faced joys. I've loved every step of the journey I'm on with my Creator.

-I've grown closer to so many friends and I am consistently reminded of how incredible my friends are and how blessed I am to know them.

 

23 was a tough year but a good year. I look forward to 24!! A post will be coming soon of some goals/things I want to grow in/things I want to see happen in this next year. Thanks for reminiscing with me!

 

Picture Post

Nursing Friends on Macy's wedding day!



When I visited Kaleo, all the single staff went to Mobile, AL for a Singles Retreat. The girls did guy things on our free day! BBQ, Battleship, Submarine, and Fighter Jets.





All the girls before dinner and the Mobile BayBears Minor League Baseball game!

 

Wedding day: Me, Mom, and Mom's mom. We take this 3-gen pic at major events :)



My beautiful new sister-in-law!
This was right before she went to see Cam.