it’s been a long but fun week! after convocation and graduation, i can say that i have earned a master of science degree in nursing. i had a blast with the fam and look forward to the day when the national certification exam is also completed–the final check in the box!
until then, a few pics to peruse…

i had my first real experience with bathroom caulking yesterday, and let me tell you–it ranks right up there with cleaning out waxy ears. i thought i’d be a good lil’ wife and surprise David with it when he got home from work. it was a lot tougher than i thought! the caulking itself wasn’t too bad, but getting rid of the old stuff? not the most fun i’ve ever had.
but, i’m proud of the result–so proud, in fact, that i think i’ll hire someone to do it next time around.

yesterday marked the 11 year dating anniversary for David and me, and may i just say that i love doing life with my best friend.



my profound thought for the day comes from something i heard in church on Sunday per Pastor Russ:

‘Forgiveness is releasing the right to be someone’s punisher.’

I just love this holiday season–have I mentioned that lately? Lots of parties, people seem happier, crispness in the air, good times. Today was no exception. We went to friends’ church to see the holiday stage tranformation–very impressive remake of Charles Dickens‘ old stompin’ grounds, gave my first Christmas gift of the season, had brunch with good friends and filled up the belly to coma-status, and am settling in to do a little studying to the tune of NFL in the background. Ahhh–another nice Sunday in Jax.

To make it even better, my folks are in Florida too–just a few hours south with my Nana then up to visit later this week!

it’s official–i have taken my last grad school exam!

To quote one of my all-time favorite shows: “Victory is mine! Victory is mine. Great day in the morning, People, Victory is mine…. I drink from the keg of glory… Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.” (Josh Lyman, West Wing)

just 8 more days until graduation is here! another check in the box, and 1 step closer to CRNA status.

in other news, we’re getting out internets switched today to a business line in hopes that it’ll be faster overall and easier for David to work from home.

and in still other news, while i’m not a cat person, i saw the cutest clip of a kitten today on youtube. check it!

yep. it’s been f-o-r-e-v-e-r since i last posted–months, in fact. but, i’m tickled pink to take another stab at this and hope to be more consistent as school comes to a close and i can get my life back!

school is winding down quickly, and this past month has been spent mainly switching into intense study-mode for this lil’ quiz they call the board certification exam. tomato, tomahto. i have completed the practicum portion of school and am working on finalizing the classwork and board prep.

we had a most lovely thanksgiving–filled with all delectable edibles, parades, football and food comas.  and i’m proud to say that the halls have been decked and the Christmas tunes  are playing in the Rosai abode.

we even had some chilly weather that threatened the need for our heater to be turned on! but alas, Florida sunshine has welcomed December in as it should be.

i think these holidays are my favorite time of year–i love the cinnamon stick candles, the pumpkin spice lattes, the scent of fresh pine, the challenge of finding the perfect yet affordable gift. it just makes me smile.

We were blessed to have Pastor John Seibling from Life Church in Memphis come and preach at our church today. I feel like I need to share the cliff-notes version of his message because it really spoke to me and I think it is meant for others too.

Exodus 34:6 says, And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”

First off, this is an important verse–God decides to just stroll on by Moses and give Moses some descriptors of Him and His character. Of all the words and phrases He could use to describe Himself, the above are some of the words He chose, so pay attention! More often than not, in the Word, faithfulness and love are talked about together.

Faithfulness is the greatest expression of love. Think about that for a moment–it can be applied to a relationship with Jesus, a marriage relationship, an employee/boss relationship, or really any relationship. Being truly faithful to that person, that relationship, is the greatest and highest expression of love and commitment.

Pastor gave a definition of being faithful as 5 parts: 1) show up 2) on time 3) with a good attitude 4) every day 5) and get something done. Faithfulness = fruitfulness. Rewards and opportunities will overflow as you remain faithful, and there may be things that  you miss out on if you show up to things habitually late.

Pastor talked about 3 rewards of faithfulness:

1) Significance of a good reputation

Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

2) Strength of longterm relationships

There’s something powerful about being in a relationship for a long period of time. Whether family, friends, or employer, there is strength in that consistency, loyalty, and trustworthiness that is not easily undone.

3) Blessing of accomplishment

When you are faithful, you will eventually walk into blessing. Remember the story of Jesus going to the prominent Pharisee’s house and He tells the story of the wedding feast (Luke 14)? “8 When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.”  You see, it’s not about assuming the highest seat or rank automatically. But if you are a faithful friend, your friend will want to place you in a seat of honor and will want to bless you. That longterm friendship will yield rewards and blessings.

When you are faithful, you will eventually walk right into blessing. If you focus on faithfulness, you WILL accomplish. Don’t focus on the accomplishment, as many of us are prone to do, but focus on faithfulness.

He closed with Matthew 25:23 which says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” The journey of having few to having many is the result of faithfulness.

So, David and I have been reading through an interesting devotional book together called Spiritual Classics and we’re reading through the selections on prayer. While it’s been very challenging to me and my walk of faith, we also heard a good word from the pulpit this Sunday that I wanted to share.

Acts 9:36-42 says:

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

The significant piece of this story is in the prayer. Here is Peter who’s been a very busy preacher and healer for a time now. When he came to this circumstance, the order of events and posture in this time of prayer is key. This situation was overwhelming–a blessed woman of God had died, he was surrounded by people mourning her loss, and he was possibly shaken at all of this. What did he do? He sent everyone out–he silenced the many around him to get his focus on the One Voice that mattered. He turned away from the body and prayed to get the faith he needed to face the body and situation. Looking at the circumstances and the facts head on was more than he could handle in his flesh. By turning away from that circumstance, he was able to clear his mind and focus on God. When he got the faith he needed through prayer, THEN he was able to turn around and face the circumstance head on. Isn’t it funny how when we get our steps back in order and let God be Lord and King that everything seems to fall into place?