change.

Alright, I'm just going to go ahead and put it out there- I LOVE CHANGE. I love the mystery of starting over and making something different. Not only do I love change concerning my room layout, hair color, or favorite color. But to the more complicated things such as jobs, school, and my faith. If you were to ask any of my college roommates they would tell you "Yes, Abby rearranged her room about once a month." My poor husband, is going to come home to the house completely flipped upside down. :) I just can't help it though. Change is wonderful, it gives me the sense that any thing, any situation, and person has the potential to be great. Some times that just takes some: change. Its all about perspective. Take for example the room scenario. All of the stuff in the room is the same, you're just seeing it in a new and different way.


Change is great in faith, too. Throughout college I learned SOO much about the Mennonite culture and the little world they are all connected to. I loved it. Since I've graduated high school I have regularly attended so many different churches. It has been a great experience to hear or experience things I had never come into contact with. I've attended my home church, United Methodist, then 2 Baptists church, all the Mennonite churches in college, and my most recent-Pentecostal. All of these churches have given me something new to "chew" on and digest. From sitting down to sing hymns in the Mennonite churchs all the way to seeing people speak in tongues at the Pentecostal church- the change is wonderful and great for forming my own, unique faith and relationship with my unique and amazing creator. How wonderful though, really?? Having certain things He says that are nonnegotiable, but others that are free for interpretation to help form that deep and meaningful relationship. :) 


"Christians are supposed not merely to endure change, nor even to profit by it, but to cause it."

Harry Emerson Fosdick


I'm gonna change the world.


Ab

"Like" round 2

It's time for another "like" post. So here we go--
Some things I like===>


*Chick-fil-A (as a job and as a restaurant) 
*Cameras
*Polo's
*Internet at my house
*Friends
*My coworkers <3
*Purple
*Christmas lights
*Sharpies
*Pictures
*Scrapbooks
*Organizing
*New beginnings
*Letting go of the past
*Bible verses 


To end on that note, this has become my favorite Bible verse:


Phil 2:14- "Do everything without arguing or complaining."
         Help me do that if I fail.


Humbly,
Abby

First of many.

So lately I've been working on my bedroom and trying to "cheaply" make it more grown up. I initially was going to go with an earthy toned room-darker blues, greens, and deep purple. That didn't go too well. I realized that I need bright colors in my room otherwise its just sad and it's not really me. It's still not complete but it has come a long way, and it has bright colors! :)

Before

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthy things." Cor 3:2 reads the green wall decoration.
The blue reads:
"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed for His compassion's never fail. They are new each morning." Lamentations 3:22-23


This is one of my favorite things about my room so far.

My .50 coke glass to hold all my necklaces. :)


Stay encouraged! <3 

Blessings

There are certain singers that I know God speaks to me through. No matter the song, I feel him when they sing. Britt Nicole is definitely one of those and so is Laura Story. I just happened upon this song today and it was what I needed to hear. :)


Blessings-Laura Story


"We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?"

Changes.

This week has been a week of sheer emotion. Everything seems to be falling into place and it is all just overwhelming. For those that don't know---WE ARE MOVING. Anyone who knows where we live will understand why this is such great news! We are moving out of ghetto life and into a cute, nice, QUIET place over in the tree streets!! :) 


Insert funny side story: 
Until today, we had been doing daily drive by's to get to know the area and make sure that it really was as quiet as it seemed. Our new neighbors across the street must think we are crazy because every time we ride by they are outside. Luckily, today we got the keys and actually got to stop and go inside (so hopefully they realize we weren't just creeping all the time). 


Anyways we are sooooo incredibly happy and thankful because our God is working things out just beautifully and according to his plan.


Another change taking place this week is mom having her first day of work in over 6 months! Praise God!! :) Not only has this whole moving situation worked out perfectly but top it off with a job for mom and we are just ecstatic! As well as tons of offers to help us move, and also free furniture being given to us. I am just humbled at how PERFECTLY God is providing for us. 


Mom shared this verse with me yesterday and it is us to a Tee...he heard our cries and prayers to get out and he provided..


 Psalm 34:4-7
"⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them."

If only you believe it

"Hey, heard you were up all night 
Thinking about how your world ain't right 
And you wonder if things will ever get better 
And you're asking why is it always raining on you 
When all you want is just a little good news 
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather 

Oh, don't hang your head 
It's gonna end 
God's right there 
Even if it's hard to see Him 
I promise you that He still cares 

When the waves are taking you under 
Hold on just a little bit longer 
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger 
The pain ain't gonna last forever 
And things can only get better 
Believe me 
This is gonna make you stronger 
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger 
Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger 

Try and do the best you can 

Hold on and let Him hold your hand 
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus 
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end 
God's right there 
Even when you just can't feel Him 
I promise you that He still cares 

'Cause if He started this work in your life 
He will be faithful to complete it 
If only you believe it 
He knows how much it hurts 
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this 

When the waves are taking you under 
Hold on just a little bit longer 
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger 
The pain ain't gonna last forever 
In time it's gonna get better 
Believe me 
This is gonna make you stronger"


Mandisa, Stronger


Love this song.

"Are you ready?"

This is an excerpt from the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. This story should be a daily reminder for everyone that this life is fragile and every second should be about praising our God. 


"As a pastor, I'm often called upon when life "vanishes like a mist." One of the most powerful examples I've seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful businessman who was well known in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, "You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there's nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?" Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do-just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier.


I'll never forget receiving that phone call and heading over to the Gerlach house. Stan's wife, Suzy, was just arriving home. She hugged me and cried. One of her sons, John, stepped out of the car weeping. He asked me, "Did you hear the story? Did you hear? I'm so proud of him. My dad died doing what he loved most. He was telling people about Jesus."


I was asked to share a word with everyone gathered. There were children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. I opened my Bible to Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."


I asked everyone to imagine what it must have felt like for Stan. One moment, he was at a memorial service saying to a crowd, "This is who Jesus is!" The next, he was standing before God hearing Jesus say, "This is who Stan Gerlach is!" One second he was confessing Jesus; a second later, Jesus was confessing him!


It happens that quickly. And it could happen to any of us. In the words of Stan Gerlach, "Are you ready?""
Pages 46-47, Crazy Love by Francis Chan




Just beautiful and humbling. 

"Like"

Today's blog is a list of things I like, and am thankful for. :)
-Kitties
-Moms
-Boyfriends
-Music, more specifically:
Katy Perry
Britt Nicole
Glee
Addison Road
Taylor Swift
-Sunshine 
-Chick-fil-A
-Freinds
-Love
-Midnight Pomegranate lotion
-Warm shower water
-Snow
-Scooby Snacks
-Jewelry, more specifically earrings!
-Nail Polish, more specifically Justin Beiber nail polish :)
-Forests
-Mountains
-Beaches
-Differing opinions
-Hugs
-Babies
-GOD <3 


"You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road"
-Katy Perry, Firework

So this weekend I was blessed to spend some time with my roommates from this past year- it was much needed! In honor of them, and the great time I had this weekend I figured I would dedicate an entire blog to them and tell you a little about them. :)

Breanna-Although I only saw Breeze for a short time on my visit… she is a great girl. She is the type of person who knows exactly what she wants, and works hard and is patient until she gets the to the end. I admire the way she never strays from her beliefs about anything. She is very strong in what she believes and doesn’t let anyone change those views.

Nicole- She isn’t here this semester, as she is gallivanting across the country of India…lucky. Anywho, Nicole is the most non-judgmental person I think I have ever met. She is the type of person who accepts everyone for exactly who they are. Living with Nicole was definitely a great experience and I loved talking with her and the roommates about controversial topics and I always loved Nic’s responses to those. I love her ‘earthy’ style and the tons of scarves and jewelry she had. We miss you Nic!! J

Erica- This fool left us all last semester and I miss living with her dearly. This weekend was a blast hanging out with her. She is the most generous and loving person. She is the type of person that if someone is need, she will do anything she can to help you and if she can’t help you she’ll at least make you laugh or smile. I never cease to have fun with her! I love this girl with all my heart and I am extremely blessed that even after months of separation, nothing has changed we are still best frans <3

Becca- As I’m writing this now, I’ll have you know that ‘Need You Now’ is on… funny. ;) Becca was my roommate last year and “through it all nobody gets me like you do.” ;). She is always there with an open heart and open ears. Becca is the type of friend that loves at all times, and even if she doesn’t…you can’t tell. :P I guess I get the “all the time” benefit though. Freshman year we butted heads frequently but something about living together last year, changed all that. Becca is my best friend and I am so thankful for her friendship! <3

It has been different being so far away from my best friends, but weekends like this past remind me that they're still there. I love you girls :) 

Joy

So this is my little cat Boo.

We found her and 3 other little babies this summer in one of the many heavy thunderstorms we had. The three kittens, probably about a week old, were under our porch and were completely flooded. We found them, and of course rescued them and brought them inside. One died right away, probably from taking in so much water. Another died about a week later, but Boo and little Spice cat survived. The funny thing about these two kittens from the same litter is that they were soooo different in size. Boo was a normal growing cat, where as little spice cat was always half her size. She was so small! Needless to say, little spice cat didn't make it. We think something was always wrong considering she was so tiny. Boo and spice cat could not see for the first month or so of their lives. Their eyes were closed shut with that nasty puss stuff kittens get when they were babies. We tried every medicine out there, and cleaned their eyes daily but they just wouldn't stay clean. Boo is my little trooper. She has survived a flood, survived being blind for half her little life, and survived fitting in with the other big kitties around here. This week she has discovered she is big enough to jump into things. Here is a little snapshot of her new favorite hideout.

She now loves the bathtub.

This is my joy for today. :)

What would you do?

There are times in life when everyone is forced with difficult decisions. Each circumstance is unique to each individual and not everyone will go through extremely difficult times. Most people would probably agree that I am not one of those who good fortune likes to keep company. 2010 would probably take one of the top spots for worst years of my life. Starting out the year with financial uncertainties and a hospital trip for my mom was definitely not how I would have pictured or wanted my year to start. Around April things got pretty bad and ever since then we have been playing catch up. The summer was definitely the high of the summer, my mom finally got a steady job with benefits after months of searching; yet the devil never rests does he? In September, she was back in the hospital and because of this hospital trip she once again lost a job in November. December showed no real signs of improvement and we were still struggling.

Here’s some numbers for the year 2010-

Number of times my mom was in the hospital- 2

Number of different jobs my mom held in 2010- 4

Number of times we had to have extensions on our rent or bills- 10+

Number of broken cars-2

Number of times I’ve prayed- countless

I don’t tell you these things for a sob story, or sympathy. I tell these things because many people don’t know my story, or the extent of it really and the fact that yes my life may be tough-but I wouldn’t change it. The one thing I never doubted or gave up on was my God. God is faithful, and I am certain he never puts you in any situation that you cannot bear.

“And as I look upon your name, circumstances fade away now your glory steals my heart, for you are holy; you are holy. You are holy Lord. Evermore my heart, my heart will say: Above all, I live for your glory, and even if my world falls I will say, above all, I live for your glory.”

-Evermore, HillsongUnited

One day we’ll be in a place where worries are no more, and worldly issues will dissolve… but until that day I will remain faithful and do what God wills. So often our plans are never what God’s are, and I am excited to see what he has in store for me.

¹³No test  has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

So yes, I may have to take classes at Blue Ridge this semester in order to save money and help my mom will bills and rent, but I am not sad or disheartened by it. And yes, I may have to take the public bus to work because neither of our cars are fixed but hey, what is the shame in that? People do it every single day, why is it weird if I do it? Yes, I live in the ghetto and may not have a nice fancy house but I do have a house with water and heat, four loving cats and the most wonderful mother a girl could have. Yes I am happy with all of the amazing things God has blessed me with and I don’t look at what I don’t have. Could you say the same???