I've Gone Granola!

Today was a monumental day. I joined the Arkansas Natural Foods Co-op!! Yes, that's right. Now I can buy organic foods, support local farmers (my grandfather would be proud) and get to be an owner with 6,000 other hippies!! :) It feels good to be green.

Engagement Photos

Photography by Frozen Exposure

I Have Arrived!

Just wanted to send a quick update to let you all know I've arrived in AR safely and finally have internet at home! :) Here are a few pics of our new place:















I couldn't fit all the pics on here but just know my favorite parts are the jacuzi tub and the huge walk in closet with built in shelves!!! Its just perfect!! We still haven't bought couches and a few other necessities, but we plan to shop when Ed makes his first visit...this weekend (I can't wait!!)! I'm also loving having a king bed. Mac and I can spread out and still not touch!

Work has been great. My first week flew by in a whirlwind. It is really fast paced, but I'm having a blast. I really think I will enjoy being in the hospital setting and getting to see first hand why we do what we do. It's very rewarding, not to mention I'm learning a ton!

I couldn't have made the move without the help of mom and Bob so a HUGE shout out to them for their help in getting me loaded, moved and unpacked! It was nice having them here for my first weekend in AR!

More to come.......off to sleep. I have 8 hours of orientation tomorrow. Yikes!

I'm a CPA!!!!

I just can't even begin to comprehend all the amazing things that are happening in my life right now. First, I got a promotion at work that is moving me to Arkansas. Then I got engaged. Then I found out on the same day that we got an offer on the house and that I PASSED MY EXAM!!!

After 5 long years of studying, it is finally coming to an end.....sort of. Now I have to pass an ethics exam and pay some more money HA before they will give me the license. However, the hard part is over and I couldn't be more relieved!!!! Once again, God is GOOD!

Thanks to everyone who supported me and prayed for me over the past few years as I studied, passed, failed, laughed, cried, stressed, etc. It was all so worth it! Now I have those three little HARD earned letters after my name.

Megan Walker, CPA (almost) ;)

House is SOLD!

We received an offer on the house after only being on the market two weeks (obviously we haven't closed yet so anything can still happen)!! God is amazing and must really want us to move to Arkansas! ;) It is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but it also means this is getting so real. I can't believe that in 2 weeks I will live in Arkansas! Crazy!!!

Home for Sale!!

My house is officially on the market. If you are looking to buy a house (interest rates are at all time low!!), please check out the website HERE!

I'm Engaged!!

Ed and I got engaged Friday before our trip to Chicago! I had no idea because he kept saying he hadn't talked to my dad yet. Well, he lied. HA So Friday we met at my house at 4pm to go to the airport. When I got out of the car, I heard a low, deep voice say, "Ma'am, I'm with homeland security and I have someone who needs to speak with you. Please come with me." I turned around and there was a huge security guard with a black suit, bald head and black sun glasses and he motioned me toward the white stretch HUMMER in the street in front of my house....I was freaked out. Then he opened the door and Ed was on his knee with the ring!!! It was georgous!!! I was totally in my Arkansas t-shirt from work. Not looking good. But it was super special because he caught me off guard and I had no idea!!!!! So we rode to the airport in the limo and had celebration drinks at Tootsies before our flight!



Our trip to Chicago was a blast! The hotel was AWESOME and overlooked the shops on Michigan Avenue and the water! Saturday we shopped, took a segway tour (most fun, EVER!) and then had dinner at MK. They had printed special menus that said congratulations on your engagement. We had a wonderful dinner and then they brought us dessert with congratulations written in chocolate and champagne! Then we went out and met up with some friends for drinks! The next day we went on a shopping spree to try to find my wedding shoes but no one had my size!

Overall, BEST WEEKEND EVER!!! :) Everything about it was perfect and just confirmed I'm the luckiest woman alive!!

National College Apparel Day

Every year to kick off football season our office lets us wear college apparel. As usual, I woke up this morning and slipped into my Kentucky Wildcats t-shirt...GO CATS!! But much to my surprise, I walked into my office and found an Arkansas Razorbacks t-shirt hanging over my desk chair. I just knew "the girls" were up to this and wanted to break me in for my upcoming move to "the Natural State", but then they came out of their offices and they were wearing them, too!!! Almost everyone in my dept had Arkansas shirts on and they said, "If Megan is moving to Arkansas then we are team Arkansas"! How precious! I almost cried!! It's been such a fun day "pretending" we are all Razorback fans and snorting around the office. Soui!

*Disclaimer: No one in my office is ACTUALLY a Razorback fan and I appreciate them sacrificing their team pride to make me feel special (plus it cut down on the massive amounts of tacky orange)!

New Adventure in Arkansas

Hi friends! I'm sorry I haven't written in a while but life is upside down! I just finished my CPA exam (please keep your fingers crossed that I'm done!), got a new job with my same company that is moving me to Arkansas in October and I have to sell my house, find a new house, etc. I am really excited about the opportunity (my first day there is Oct 18th). I will be the controller of a 3 hospital market and am looking forward to the challenge!! I went to Arkansas two weekends ago to interview. There is one exit that is sort of like a city with restaurants, shopping, etc. They have Abuelos (upscale mexican)so we'll be going there when you visit! I'm pretty sure I'll live off that exit and never leave that exit because the further I drove away from that, the less oxygen I was getting in my lungs HA. I found a few nice condo places that looked "Nashville-ish" but then there would be a cow field next to it. Oh brother! The people are SUPER nice there, but some have those weird ponytail braids down to their butts. We're gonna have to do something about that! I visited a church which was super cool and the music was great....but it was no Cross Point. I'll miss that ALOT. Please pray for me as I go through this transition. I'll have one weekend to go out and nail down my living situation, etc. and I'm going to be really busy as soon as I get there! I would love to get together with you before I leave so please call me and let's grab dinner/coffee!!!

Issues

Clearly I'm having blog issues. I guess my blog decided to look like my life. Dark. Drab. Tired. For real. All I do lately is work and study so maybe my blog is tired, too. Hopefully I can get this problem resolved but it won't be until after my test, Saturday. Then I get my life back. Hallelujah! More to come....and hopefully a new blog background....anyone who loves to create beautiful blogs, feel free to comment right now with your contact info.

Less than $1.25 a day will buy you.......

....the joy in knowing you TOUCHED a young child's life. I am blessed to be the sponsor of Sergio David Rodas in Honduras. He is 11 years old and is precious! His birthday was in March so I sent extra money that month so they could buy him something as a gift. I will admit, I was a little skeptical that the money wouldn't reach him in the way of a wrapped toy with a bow but I had hope. It wasn't until yesterday when I received this letter that I realized that hope is all it takes to change the world! Here is the translation from Spanish:

Hello my dear sponsor, Megan Walker. How are you? I hope to God that you are well. I am really happy and grateful to God and to you for blessing my life. It made me really happy to receive the football, the 2 t-shirts and socks. Thank you. May God bless your life more and more. I always play with my little brother Cesar. I thank God for allowing me to be part of the student center. I ask that you pray for me and my family always. Receive many kisses and hugs from my part. I bid you farewell with much love and affection. I also send you a photo of me receiving the gift at the project. God bless you. -Sergio



Um, can you say PRECIOUS?!!?

Hogs, Bonkers and Big City Lights

One of my dear friends, Ashley, just started a guest series on her blog called "A Childhood Summer". I was lucky enough to make the first guest appearance!! You can read all about my childhood of hogs, bonkers and big city lights here! Keep checking back on her blog to catch many more hot Summer stories from many of our closest friends. Hope your Summer is off to a great start!! Here is a sneak peak of my favorite childhood memory:

Yard Sale brings in almost $500!!

Last Saturday, I had a yard sale to raise money for flood victims, specifically a dear friend's mother who lost pretty much everything! With the help of many friends and shoppers, we raised almost $500!! In addition, Ed agreed to match the proceeds by giving to Cross Point's Flood Relief Fund! I can't believe that the "things" that were worth nothing to us, could bring $1,000 in relief to families in need. God is good!

A special thanks to Cross Point small group members, many friends, and specifically Ashley and Ed for helping make this such a success! I couldn't have done it without your donations, time and effort!

Yard Sale for Flood Victims

This Saturday I'm participating in my neighborhood yard sale from 7 am-2 pm and I'm giving all proceeds to Nashville flood victims! If you have stuff you were going to give to Goodwill or that you are no longer using, please contact me and I will arrange to pick it up! Also if you want to come buy things, leave a comment and I'll email you the details! There were so many who lost EVERYTHING in the flood so the least we can do is sell the things we don't want so they can buy things they NEED!

The Flood

This weekend Nashville had one of the biggest floods in its history! The remarkable 13+ inches takes the record for the most rainfall in decades. Many lives (and cars) were turned upside down in less than 24 hours. Houses were flooded, businesses ruined and many were stranded for days. PLEASE pray for those affected by this flood who lost homes, family members, cars, jobs, etc. It will take MANY months to rebuild what was destroyed. Nashville also lost many landmarks and historic places that will never be the same: Opryland Hotel, Grand Ole Opry, downtown Nashville, etc. just to name a few. Here are a few pictures of the devastation: This last pic is from I-24 about 4 miles from my house. That building is floating down the interstate with the vehicles! Insane!

Out of Touch with Reality

One of the biggest problems outsiders claim to have with the Christian faith is that we are judgmental and out of touch with reality. I would agree. There are many Christ followers who preach at others in an attempt to "scare" them into faith when in reality they scare them away. Others send a vibe of arrogance and superiority which sends people running in the other direction. Sometimes, we become judgmental of others and we don't even realize we are doing it.

Those of you who know me, know that I don't watch much TV at all, I only listen to Way-FM radio, and I can barely put an actor's face with a name. I'm just REALLY out of touch with reality. Period. I never thought that had anything to do with me being above it, just the fact that I don't have TIME to watch TV (due to studying for the CPA exam), it doesn't really interest me (because I can't sit still for very long), and I don't have any more brain cells left (again, studying for the CPA exam) to remember names of people who don't really matter to my life. Hear that? MY life. My self-focused life.

I just read a blog post by Jonathan Acuff titled "Bragging about being clueless about pop culture" that REALLY put me in my place....and made me laugh hysterically. I am SO guilty of bragging about being clueless about pop culture, although usually followed by embarrassment when I don't know things like Tom Cruise = Jerry McGuire (yea, that was bad). I just never thought others might see that as me claiming to be in this world but not "of" it or being better than them.

After reading this post, I've realized that even though I might not say the things he mentions in his blog post, I may be thinking them. This comes back to a heart issue. Trust me, I'm not saying I have a problem with a little Family Guy, etc. After all, I have seen every episode of Sex and the City on DVD. I'm just realizing that sometimes I am guilty of giving Christians these horrible perceptions and I don't even realize it!

So, to all you TV buffs, keep doing what you do. And when I brag about being clueless about pop culture, just know that I am not judging you for how you spend your time, I'm really just embarrassed that I can't even contribute to the conversation or that I'm so busy studying for this exam that I keep failing to watch with you! :)

Please check out Jon Acuff's blog for more posts about Stuff Christians Like. To read another one of my favorites, Click here!

Next In Line

Hello blogger friends! I have the most exciting news to share! This past weekend, my mom got married in a private ceremony (which I knew was going to happen just didn't know it would be Saturday until, well, Saturday). I wasn't invited to the ceremony (only their mothers) but she told me how much she wished I could've been there to share in the moment with her.

Well, apparently, she meant it. I was going to be a part of her wedding one way or another...and more importantly, she was going to give me a chance to catch that bouqet and be next in line (I mean, a girl needs all the luck she can get...thanks mom).

So, what does mom do? She drove 2 hours on the back of a motorcycle on Easter Sunday with bouqet in hand to ensure the deed was done. Knowing nothing of this secret plan, I agreed to meet her and Bob after church just to get a hug since they were cruising around on the "hog" and ended up in Dickson. So, I suggest we meet at Sonic because it was a central location. Yeah. You're getting the picture now.

We pull up to Sonic. Mom and Bob on the Honda Goldwing. Its about 9:30pm. While Ed is ordering his Oreo blast, mom proceeds to turn around toss the bouqet through the crisp Spring air and I caught it!! Woo hoo! My chances of being next in line are well....1 of 1. Not bad. I'm not sure what that says about me that my mom would drive 2 hours to make sure I caught the bouqet, but I'm grateful to have been a part of her weekend. I don't think either of us will forget that moment for quite some time!

Five Things That Inspire Me

My friend Ashley posted 5 things that inspire her and asked that I blog it forward! What a fun challenge! I'm excited to share the long overdue....5 things that inspire me!

God's Creation



I am in awe of the beauty of His masterpiece and am inspired to know that God is in all things!

Serving Others



Pouring into the lives of others and seeing the impact it can have inspires me to do everything I can to help others.

Music



Singing is one of my greatest passions, but I get goosebumps when I just close my eyes and listen to my entire church worshiping at the same time. What a beautiful sound! I am also rediscovering my love for playing the piano. There is something inspiring about making the notes come to life and creating your own song!

Reading



There is something magical about a good book! I used to not be able to sit still long enough to read a book so now I think my inspiration comes in knowing that I actually completed the task! HA

Cooking



Being able to take my mind off of a hectic day and cook inspires me to be creative! There is nothing better than smelling a wonderful aroma in the kitchen....well...next to eating it!!



Thanks sfgirlbybay for creating Blog It Forward! Now I'd like to pass my umbrella to my girlies Tara and Tanya. Be sure to check their blogs to see what inspires them and pass it forward!

Chasing Daylight Chapter 9

The final chapter of a great book!

1. “Often lost potential is a result of lack of investment”. Are we guilty of this? What excuses do we make for our lack of investment? “Potential is a glimpse of what could be, yet there must be a shift from where we have potential to where we are potent” (pg 237). McManus speaks about the ages where we should shift from potential to productivity. Are we at that stage? Have you done this or are you missing out on opportunities that God has put within your potential?

2. McManus discusses four types of people affected by divine moments: faithful, paralyzed, prodigals, and dysfunctional. Which one are you most like? Are there people in your life who fit these categories that need to be unleashed or restored? Is God calling you to show them a glimpse of His Glory through your influence in their life?

3. We were created for relationships and to live in community with one another. Everything we do affects others in some way. Are you hurting or helping others through your actions? “It is extremely dangerous to make yourself all you care about”. “We get better when we give ourselves away” (pg 253). Divine moments are not “self-serving”, but moments where we, through our obedience and movement with God, allow him to change others. Let’s move out of the way and let God’s love shine through.

4. “God is always the Source of life. Wherever He is, there is always a future and a hope. He raises us from the dead, never intending that we would spend our lives leaning against our tombstones” (pg 256). Are we just hanging around in our Christian bubble or are we impacting the “world by fighting the battles that are on God’s heart” (pg 257)? What can we do to ensure that we seize every moment instead of letting them slip away?

Challenge: Imagine what your potential looks like in God’s eyes. Are you living up to that potential? Are you using every gift/talent/opportunity to spread Christ’s love to others? Ask God to show you areas where you have great potential that needs to be unleashed. Set a goal for this week to seize one opportunity that uses your potential to further the Kingdom. Let’s impact the “world by fighting the battles that are on God’s heart” (pg 257)!!

Chasing Daylight Chapter 8

1. McManus talks about being one step behind: praying when we should be obeying, acting when we should be waiting, etc. Do you feel you are one step behind seizing God’s divine moments in your life? What causes this? What can we do to ensure that we are in the right place at the right time?

2. The Father knows what you need before you ask him. So, why pray? “Prayer is not about informing God of your needs, nor is it even about trying to convince God to help you. Prayer is about connecting to God” (pg 215). Also, “we are not positioned to seize divine moments when we neglect to pray. Prayer keeps you in step with God’s Spirit and in tune to His voice” (pg 217). But McManus also talks about the danger/emptiness in meaningless repetition of prayer. What things to do we need to focus on in effective prayer and what is the goal?

3. McManus talks about the importance of obedience before prayer. Do you agree? Many situations are black and white in the Word and some feel they can’t act yet because they “just need to pray about it” when really they just need to take action. Are there any situations in your life that you are constantly praying about that can be answered through God’s word and pure obedience?

4. This chapter focuses on movement. If we are obedient and move with God, we have no idea the impact it can have on others. Others then see Christ in us and are drawn to the movement. It may at first just open their eyes to Christianity and raise questions, but that is the first step. We may never know the number of people changed by our simple acts of obedience. When you move, what do others see? Do they see Christ?

Challenge: Let’s focus this week on seizing every moment to move in line with God’s heart. If we are obedient and walk with Him, others will see Christ in us. We have the ability to influence others through our obedience. Pray that God will show you areas that are clear in His word so we can start obeying instead of praying about things that should be clear! Pray that God will use our simple obedience to make a huge impact on those around us!

Chasing Daylight Chapter 7

1. We shouldn’t always wait for God to open doors because many opportunities are within the walls; they require “genuine effort”. Christianity often suggests that “if God is in it, it comes easily” (pg 183). Therefore, when we struggle with something, we assume that God isn’t in it or we are pursuing the wrong thing. Have you ever struggled through a situation wondering if God was in it? Have you ever given up because the way was too tough? If God speaks through open doors and sometimes through walls, how do we know it’s Him?

2. Has God ever asked you “what are you doing here”? Many of us settle for mediocre, average lives, but God has called us to so much more. “The solution is to stop running and hiding from God and to listen once again to His voice. Wherever you are, God will find you. This is not a threat: this is a promise”. “When we run from His purpose, we run from His presence” (pg 189). Could this be why He feels so distant at times and we aren’t hearing His voice clearly? Do you often feel like God isn’t there?

3. McManus discusses the story of Elijah (1 Kings 19). Sometimes we must take a few steps back before we can see the light. Describe a time in your life when God had you go back before moving forward. Sometimes our efforts cause backward movement even when we feel we are moving in the right direction. “Are you willing to do the right things even if the result is decline?” (pg 192)

Challenge: Are you willing to bear the initial impact of following Christ alone? What are you running from because you are afraid that God will not come through or you will be alone in the journey? Pray that God will give you the courage to step out and take a leap of faith. “Whenever we are willing to bear the initial impact, whenever we choose to seize those divine moments whatever the cost, we create the opportunity for God to make visible the invisible, for God to shake things up, for God to make Himself known” (pg 202).

Chasing Daylight Chapter 6

Sorry to do this but I have to play catch up! Here are the last 4 outlines for the Chasing Daylight study. Then I can blog about whatever I want! :) (Ashley your "What inspires me?" blog post is coming)

1. McManus uses the analogy of God’s party. God was throwing a party for his family in LA and if they didn’t RSVP there would be two empty seats. What excuses are we making not to attend the party that God is inviting us to? Why would we ever want to miss out on the greatest party of all times? “Many times when we claim we are waiting on God, He is waiting on us” (pg 162).

2. “When you’re moving with God, you must move with an advance mentality. You move forward unless God tells you to stop. You advance unless God tells you to wait. There are certain things that you do not need permission to do. You’ve already been commissioned to do them. There are certain things that you do not need a calling to do. You’ve already been commanded to do them” (pg 159). What are these things and what sign are you waiting for?

3. Society makes us think there is a road map for every aspect of our lives and if we don’t accomplish that checklist we have messed up. God doesn’t give us a detailed outline of what to do each day and how to accomplish His will for our lives. Instead, he gives us a compass. What has he given us to use as a guide? How are we to use these things to move forward in the journey? We must remember that everyone’s journey is different and that there is no set path to following Christ. It is as unique as each of us.

4. Once we decide not to turn back, our only option is to move forward, “to face [our] giants”. We must “make clear our priorities. Are we in it for what we can get or for what we can give?” (pg 175). What is your mindset and how can we ensure it aligns with God’s character?

Challenge: Are we filling our lives with friends and family who want to seize divine moments and capture all that life has to experience? Pray that God will help you overcome your fears. Don’t wait on God, just advance. “No phobia, no fear, just pure defiance-leaning forward, seizing the divine moments, advancing the kingdom of God” (pg 173).

Safe Haven

I am so blessed to be able to hang out with the kids at Safe Haven, a Christian homeless family transition center designed to give families a fresh start. Twice a month, they bless me with their SWEET smiles and laughs...not to mention I get a workout trying to keep up with them! A few weeks ago we had a fashion show with some Halloween costumes that were donated. Check out these adorable smiles!!

If you love kids and are looking for a way to serve the Kingdom, I encourage you to come up to Safe Haven and just meet these sweet kids. You'll fall in love and be hooked just like I am!! Leave a comment if you want more information on how to get involved in this ministry!

Chasing Daylight Chapter 5

Sorry, playing catch up!

1. McManus talks about removing our cloak of invisibility and “stepping up and making sure [our] life counts”. “There is something about divine moments that requires us to go through the pass, to venture beyond the point of no return” (pg 135). Where do you see yourself in this area? Are you in the backdrop or the forefront? Is God asking you to step out and be a light but you are too afraid to make yourself visible?

2. In talking about taking risks and putting our well-being aside for the well-being of others, he describes failure as “part of God’s environment for shaping our character” (pg 145). He isn’t referring to a punishment from God, but an activity that helps mold us and develop our character in Him. Have you ever failed in attempts to step out and take a leap of faith? Did God teach you something in the process?

3. McManus alludes to the importance of the “middle” of our lives. “In between “once upon a time” and “they lived happily ever after” is called now” (pg 148). So many times we focus on our successes and failures that we forget to realize the impact of the journey. How can we shift our focus to the “middle” of our journey?

4. “The center of God’s will is not a safe place, but the most dangerous place in the world. God fears nothing and no one. God moves with intentionality and power. To live outside God’s will puts us in danger, but to live in His will makes us dangerous” (pg151). Discuss this statement and what McManus means by this.

Challenge: What is one area of your life that you fear? Focus this week on the reason you are afraid to take a risk in this area of your life or in this calling and face that fear. Face the risk and take action. We might fail, but God will be with us, will protect us and see us through the struggle and we will come out on the other side stronger and closer to Him.

Chasing Daylight Chapter 4

1. Describe the differences between manipulation, authority and influence. Manipulation and authority relate to controlling others for “personal gain”, while influence is “a power affecting a person…without any direct or apparent effort” (pg 117). “Authority can shape what a person does, but influence shapes who a person becomes” (pg 114). Wow, think of the power that holds!

2. Influence travels through relationships – Whose lives are you impacting? “Through our character, we pass on attitudes, values, and other life-shaping virtues. All of us pass a bit of ourselves on to others” (pg 115). Think of someone who has influenced you in a positive way. How was their character contagious and what made you want to be more like them? Are there any negative influences you need to flee from?

3. Sometimes we think we are exempt from influencing others’ lives because we don’t have the resources or knowledge that others were given. None of us are perfect. Many times we place so much guilt on ourselves for our shortcomings that we don’t feel capable of influencing others. Do we really need resources or wisdom to be a positive influence? Here’s the formula: “Having a right relationship with God results in having right relationships with others” (pg 116).

4. “Influence is not limited to our present condition” (pg 125). Our lives may not be perfect but that doesn’t mean we don’t have the ability to influence in a positive way. Influence is about who we are but also who we desire to become. When we are open to confess our sins and shortcomings, we show others what we value as the right thing to do.

Challenge: “The relationship between character and influence is like breathing – the deeper you inhale, the stronger you can exhale” (pg 126). What are you inhaling in your life? (i.e., friends, work, TV) Let’s focus this week on inhaling the character of God. Let’s breathe in His Word in a deep way and then exhale a positive influence on those around us. Take time this week to call someone who has had a positive influence on your life and let them know you appreciate them.

Chasing Daylight Chapter 3

1. Our days are numbered. We have no control over when or how we will die but we do have control over how we live. What has God been prodding you to do that you keep putting off? Is it a relationship that needs reconciling? Loving someone who is hard to love? Showing Christ to a lost soul?

2. God promises that “we can be certain about who He is and we can be certain about our relationship with Him, but how the journey plays out is full of uncertainties” (pg 72-73). We can choose to play it safe, give up and miss divine opportunities or we can trust “in the character of God, being certain in who God is and follow Him into the unknown” (pg 75). What can we learn from the story of Gideon and his trust in God?

3. The focus of our faith shouldn’t be to believe that something will happen; our faith is believing in someone and putting our complete confidence in Him. Our first-dimension faith is trusting God with all areas of our life: our finances, relationships, careers, etc. and making decisions based on His character for each. What area do you need to surrender completely to God?

4. “While first-dimension faith sees realities in the realm of possibilities, second-dimension faith sees realities in the realm of impossibilities.” If we only follow God when we know we will succeed, we limit God’s power. We often put contingencies on our faith: God if you do this one thing, then I’ll do that…..but by limiting our faith in God we are “squeezing Him out of the formula” (pg 82). How can we place full confidence in Him while letting go of our need to know all the details?

Challenge: “The door we fear going through the most may be the very one where we will meet God most profoundly” (pg 101). Take some time this week to pray that God will reveal to us who He is and allow us to be okay with not knowing every detail of the journey with Him. Let’s change our focus from what is going to happen and place it in the heart and character of God. Pray that God will remove our fears and let us get out of the way so that He can do mighty works in and through us!

Verses: 1 Sam 7:3; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Ephesians 2:10; James 4:17; Luke 22:42; Jer 1:7-8

Chasing Daylight Chapter 2

We had 18 in attendance last night at my "small group"! A new record! We even met at the church because we outgrew my lil house! Exciting stuff!!! Here is the Ch. 2 outline:

1. Many of us grew up learning what we should “not do” instead of what we should do. “We have put so much emphasis on avoiding evil that we have become virtually blind to the endless opportunities for doing good. We have defined holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to” (pg 36). How can we shift our focus? What will happen as a result?

2. Jonathan did not “allow his circumstances to limit the impact of his life” (pg 38). What excuses are you giving God because of the circumstances you find yourself in (i.e. consequences of your past, financial struggles, a demanding schedule, lack of experience/courage, etc.)?

3. Many times we don’t act at all because we feel God hasn’t spoken to us in a “clear and undeniable way” (pg 44). We don’t always have to know exactly where we are going as long as we know why. If our “compass [is] the heart of God” he will “make sure He gets us to the right place at the right time. What God can do through a person who’s willing to act is limitless” (pg 45). Is there something God has placed on your heart that he is waiting for you to carry out?

4. All of us dream big, but for most “the closest we get to fulfilling our life’s dreams is watching them” through a TV screen (pg 48). “God counts it as a tragedy when we choose to simply watch life rather than live it” (pg 46). We cannot put our lives on hold; life moves forward whether we like it or not. Are you a sideliner? What can we do to take charge in our lives and live each moment to the fullest? What dreams are you “watching” instead of living?

Challenge: “Once you’re moving in a direction that is aligned with the character and heart of God, you find God’s personal mission for your life begins to come into focus” (pg 56). Spend some time this week praying and aligning yourself with the heart of God. That is the first step in discovering His purpose for our lives!

Verses: Acts 16:6-10; Psalms 37:4; Isaiah 43:19; John 10:10; James 4:13-17

Chasing Daylight Chapter 1

Last night my small group started our study of Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. We had amazing discussion about how to seize every moment of our lives to fully live for Christ! I will post our discussion outline each week (written by me so don't expect much) but we would love for you to study along with us! We are a 20s and 30s co-ed small group of 10 going on 30 (literally) so pray for us as we make this transition and find a space to fit us!

1. What fear, doubt, pain or disappointment is keeping you from a life FULLY lived? McManus says “to play it safe is to lose the game” (p5). Do you agree/disagree? What does he mean by this?

2. We sometimes put God in the backseat because we want to control the outcomes of our lives. What area(s) of your life do YOU control that you need to let go of?

3. Do you ever feel like your past is so ugly that God couldn’t possibly make anything of your life? Perhaps you are currently not making the best choices in the moments you are given. Even in our deepest, darkest place, God will PURSUE us and set out in search of our hearts. What HOPE we can find in that!

4. “A moment is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever” (p17) WOW! Our journey is defined by the CHOICES we make in every moment from here on out. We can’t change past moments but even “at our worst, good is only one decision away” (p24). So what are we waiting for?

Challenge: Find something to be a reminder for you this week to live for the MOMENT! (I’m using a rubber band bracelet) Pray that God will create in you a clean heart to start over from this very moment to make the most of the short life we have on this earth!

Verses: Psalms 51:10, Phil 3:13-14

We can Make a Difference!

I know that everyone is saddened by the tragedy in Haiti. Thousands of lives are said to be lost, children have lost parents, injured can't get the medical help that they need, and food and water are in short supply. It seems that in times like these, our hearts break during the initial shock and then we move on with our lives because the tragedy seems so distant and it seems that there is nothing we can do from here to help someone so far away. PLEASE realize that if every single one of us committed to pray for those people daily or agreed to give a one time gift to a reputable organization like Samaritan's Purse who already have a team on the ground in Haiti providing food, water and medicine, we CAN make a difference! It is up to us to change the world! I urge you to pray for the millions affected by this earthquake and to pray about what YOU can do to make a difference in a life there!

College Nights and Lights Tours

This year I hosted a few College Nights/Lights Tours around the holidays. That just means you stay in with your girlfriends with dinner and wine like we used to do in college! We did cheer stunts in the living room and played tons of games!!! Except now that I live next to the most festive street in town, we get to add a lights tour in the mix no matter WHAT the holiday! First there was Halloween.......none of the lights were on but we still did the tour anyway! We saw a few ghosts and spider webs....and a baby swing! HA Then there was Christmas.....need I say more!!!! And no the lights weren't on the night we went by, but I went back later and snapped a photo of what it WOULD have looked like had the neighbors cooperated with my lil party schedule! HA

Christmas Highlights

This Christmas was definitely one to remember! I went to KY for 4 days (probably a record for me) and got to spend lots of time with family!! I spent the first night with dad and Beverly and made a lasagna for his birthday. Christmas Eve was spent with my mom's side of the family, eating too much and watching all the kids get so excited about their gifts! Then I got to exchange gifts with mom and Bob and celebrate their December engagement!! ON Christmas Day I played with my niece and nephew tons (pics below). Funny story here: I told Brady that I missed getting to see him open his gift in all the excitement and he said, "I didn't like it anyway. I don't like penguins (Party with the Penguins) or magaskar (Merry Madagascar). Can you go to the store right now and get me a Wall-e movie?" HA HA I was laughing so hard! He is five! HA After Christmas I spent a whole day with my paternal grandmother going through some family things/keepsakes and learning more about her life growing up. Then we went to a late lunch with my aunt and just had a great girls day out! I didn't get to see my brother much because he always has to work holidays so I'll have to make a special visit soon just to spend some time with him! Last but not least, I got back to Nashville and found a letter in my mailbox from Sergio, my Compassion sponsor child. He even drew me a picture!!! A gift from Honduras...that made my Christmas complete! I'm truly blessed!