Weekend Recap

This past weekend I got to go to Fayetteville for work! I love going up there and getting to see so many precious friends!! Friday night, I went out to eat with a group of our new staff. Then, we headed to a short session of training. When that was over, it was time to have fun! A few of us headed to a coffee shop across the street while the others started their Scavenger Hunt. Then, Hayley and Taylor joined me at the coffee shop and we got to catch up on life! Oh, how I LOVE that couple and can't wait for their sweet wedding! Saturday started (after 4 hours of sleep) with slipping on a HUGE patch of ice in the Kappa parking lot. If you don't already know this about me, I'm extremely clumsy, and it's never on purpose. I just did not see this ice patch. But, I did feel it. Without even a warning, I was flat on my back with my feet in the air, laughing hysterically. (I have to laugh at myself when this stuff happens, otherwise, I'd just live my life crying!) So, we had a day full of trainings then I headed  back to c-way. I unloaded at the office, went to the grocery store, then headed home to relax. I took a short bath to relax my sore back muscles, convinced I'd wake up Sunday barely able to move.

I let Sunday be my day off since I worked in Fay. I needed some rest since I'd been sick the week before and still not 100%. I slept in and was surprised to be able to move when I woke up! haha. The ice didn't defeat me this time! :) I literally just laid around watching The Office, reading book 2 of The Hunger Games (Catching Fire), cooked dinner, went for a walk, and took a couple short naps ;) It was such a nice day! My dinner turned out delicious. I made a Greek style pizza - some olive oil for the base, Cavendar's Greek seasoning, tomatoes, spinach leaves, mushrooms, feta, and some mozz cheese. Yum!

my new motivation for working out ;)

Yesterday was a nice, calm day too. I enjoyed seeing the snow outside while I was inside my apt spending time in prayer for friends, family, ministry, and supporters and reading books and spending time in the Word. I love days when I get some extra time to devote to growing in my relationship with Christ! How sweet it is!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and were able to stay warm!

New Mercies

Today is a much better day than yesterday! God definitely provides new mercies each morning, just like His Word promises! I did not get up at 6 today...I woke up when my alarm went off but I reset it. When I'm out of town for work, I stay up super late and I just want to "pre-rest" (I know that's not possible) so that I'm safe when driving and can enjoy my friends. There will be an awesome amount of time this afternoon and tonight to spend some time with God in a coffee shop so that's when I'll enjoy my Quiet Time! This morning, I needed that extra boost of sleep to get me prepared for this weekend! No more headache. Work is going well. Meals are ordered for trainings. Dinner plans are made. Housing plans are made. My heart is ready for some quality friend time and some India discussion.

Get me to Fayetteville!

Thriller Thursday

Honestly, nothing about today is extra-thrilling.... Today's been hard. I'm trying to be more disciplined in EVERY area of life so I've been setting my alarm for 6 and not letting myself press snooze (easier than I thought...most days). Well, today, it went off, I sat up, and my head was THROBBING. I don't know why. So, I made some toast, took some advil, drank some sprite, and went back to bed. I was sad because I've been enjoying my quiet times in the morning. But, I couldn't even sit up...much less joyfully read the Word and discern what God was telling me. So, my alarm went off again at 8. My head was not throbbing as bad so I showered, pushed through, and came to work. My head is still aching. Work is happening. I'm answering emails. I'm prepping for a weekend of out-of-town trainings. I'm listening to some quiet pandora country. I'm drinking my water and munching on pretzels. I'm looking forward to 501 while praying this headache goes away.

But...in the midst of this pain and annoyance...I'm grateful God took away the intense throbbing. I'm grateful God allowed for the creation of advil and He's given me the resources to buy it. I'm grateful that He loves me even though I physically couldn't spend time with Him first thing this morning. I'm grateful He hears my cries for healing. I'm grateful for the job I get to come to, even if it's hard to work with this headache. In all of this, God is with me, He's listening, and His plan is active. That's what He's been teaching me recently. When I ask for something, He hears and He will answer. When I meet with Him in the mornings, He is there to meet with me and teach me. He wants me to grow. He wants me to learn. He wants to stretch and challenge me. He is the King of the Universe and He still chose me. I'm humbled. I'm grateful. I'm undeserving. I'm in awe of my King, my Father, my God.

Thanks for letting me be transparent today. Sometimes, life is just hard. I know a headache is menial compared to thousands of other things I could be going through. But, for me, it's here, it's hard, and God is using it to teach me. Happy Thursday, friends!

Traveling the World

In the past month, I've been in Kansas City, India, Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Tulsa. Just call me a World Traveler! I'll update in a few different posts so I don't bore you with 1 long post! ;)

Kansas City: Staff Training. Lots of fun with staff friends!
India: This was my favorite place to be :) My heart is here. I'm already counting down to when I can visit again/move there. Here are pics!!!!!!

Last stop on our way there! In the Frankfurt airport.

Everyone at Chili's the 1st night!

Reunited with my fave child!

Friends!!!!!

Midnight bike ride in Delhi!

bestie!!!!

Midnight bike ride in Hyd! So fun!!

I LOVED getting to be back in India. It felt normal. It was fun. I love my friends. I love the culture. I love the people. I love everything about it. It was a great 10 days. Definitely worth the exhaustion and jetlag I experienced when I got home! :)

I'll update again soon!!

Best Trip to Fay EVER

One of my best friends is engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tuesday, I got a Facebook message letting me know the day had come....Taylor would propose to Hayley Friday night and they wanted me there for the party. You better believe I made plans to drive to Fay Friday night! Pace, Allie, and I hit the road after work. When we got to the party, there were a million people there and a lot of waiting around, but it was a great time of catching up with Fay friends! Then, the time came, and they walked through the door! Her expression was priceless. Me and her best friend from high school were the first people she saw - it was great. I am thrilled for them!!!!!!!!!

She's engaged!!!!!!!

Future Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Hall!!!

The 5 hours in the car for only 3 hours of a party was totally worth it to celebrate such a happy night with such a wonderful friend! Friday night's trip to Fayetteville was the best one I've ever taken!!!

On an unrelated note, my brother is such a stud. He helps out at our church with lights and stage design, in his free time. This weekend, he was at the church for over 26 hours with 2 other guys preparing the auditorium for Christmas. He voluntarily does this and he was up ALL night. Who does that?! My awesome, tech savvy, can do anything, servant  hearted bro...that's who!

This picture doesn't even do it justice. There are Christmas lights all over the ceiling - over 1/2 a mile of them! (He was on the catwalk stringing them for hours). There are lights and decorations on stage too.

I spent all yesterday evening doing laundry, cleaning, and packing. I was super productive but I'm still slightly overwhelmed. It was not easy getting out of bed this morning. When I sat down for my quiet time, I realized the only way things will get done well over the next month:

Bible, Prayer Journal, & Coffee

God is the only way my to-do lists will be completed, everything will get done on time, and I'll have the energy to work for Him. I love knowing that truth. It's so comforting knowing I don't need to be overwhelmed or anxious because He is all that I need and He will make it all happen. I love resting in His promises.

God is so cool

Guys, God is so cool. His plan for your life and mine is better than you or I could EVER imagine. He loves us. He provides for us. He hears our prayers. He answers our prayers! He cares for us. He blesses us. His mercy and grace are unfathomable and undeserved, but He still grants them. He is incredible!

This week, I have seen Him answer multiple prayer requests! It's so cool to be a part of His work in other people's lives! One request was prayed for Monday night and He answered Tuesday, with the exact answer my friend needed!!!!!! Another request, I've been praying for a friend for a while now, and found out this week that God answered exactly how we've been praying!!!!!!!! Guys, how cool!

I'm constantly blown away by God's willingness to listen to a sinner's prayers and answer them! Pray for big things. Trust God. Ask Him. Take everything to Him. Even take what you think to be the smallest thing in the world to His throne. He wants to provide for you. He wants to answer you.

I want to challenge you to take big requests to Him this weekend. Ask Him for your heart's deepest desires and wait to hear from Him. It will change your life! If you want me to join you in praying for anything, I would absolutely LOVE to do that. Just email me (listed on the right side) and I'll be lifting you up in prayer.

Love you, friends!

What?!

I leave in 9 days. How is my trip already that close?! Where did the time go?!?!?! #cantwait #sososoexcited

Also, I can't wait to write a post at the end of the weekend....lots of fun weekend plans (including thrifting-hope I find some great items!!!!!)

Happy Thursday afternoon!