Don't jump off the plane...

Ok...so can I just say WOW?! First of all, I just want to say that God is SO good! I'm sure most of you know that and those of you that don't-HE IS! ("Taste and see that the Lord is good."-Proverbs 34:8). This year has definitely started off right. And what I mean by that is my attitude. I have spent more time in the Word the last couple of days than I have in a long time. It's what I have needed and it's been awesome. I spent almost a whole entire day listening to Louie Giglio & Andy Stanley sermons online and lemme tell ya, they are PHENOMENAL if you've never heard them. Those 2 men can certainly preach the word of God. I got so much out of their messages and I know for sure I was led to those sermons for a reason. My roommate, Natalie just got back from a retreat with our sunday school class and it was so exciting just listening to her talk about everything that happened and listening to her share what their sessions were about. A lot of what she shared with me were definitely things I needed to hear, but there was one thing she told me that really stood out and has definitely stuck with me. It had to do with waiting..basically..which is the story of my life (by the way).

Here's the analogy: Think about being on an airplane. You're on the airplane and you're anxious, you're anxious just to get off because you know where you're going or where you want to go, but you're still in the air. You have a pilot-you can't see him, but you know he's there because you can hear him over the intercom every now and then telling you about the weather conditions and how much longer it may be til you land or he may just tell you that he can't land and not always give you a reason. He's constantly in touch with air-traffic control waiting to land at the perfect time. In the meantime, you are still very anxious just to get off the plane, so you decide to take matters into your own hands and jump out of the plane to get to the ground quicker. But what happens if you do that?....you die, right?

So many times in life we get anxious and get tired of waiting (Lord knows I do!) and we try to take matters into our own hands. We think that we can do things better and we know the right time in which to do things. The truth of the matter is, we don't...because what happens when we DO take matters into our own hands?...it leads to death. We have to trust in our ultimate pilot that He's going to land our plane at the right time because we knows that's the safest way. That analogy spoke to me and my heart so much because I am so guilty of trying to "jump from the plane" before it's ready to land. Lately so many good scriptures have been brought to my attention. Here are a couple:

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."--Job 42:2

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.."--Eccl 3:1

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."--Isaiah 40:28-29

Something else that really just jumped out at me and literally made me say "WOW!" out loud was, I was just opening up my Bible a little while ago to look something up and the first page I happened to open up to was the story of Isaac & Rebekah. On the first page, I happened to look down and something I had written (I write all my notes in my Bible instead of a notebook) that Mrs. Karen Scoggins said one morning in sunday school blew me away. It said "God's delays aren't necessarily denials." When I read that, it made me want to keep reading and so on the very next page, I wrote "God calls us to WAIT & when it does happen, its so special." Another said, "If God is trying to bring about something in your life, let Him do it-don't try to manipulate it." God knows what we need, when we need it and actually, even before we need it or think we need it. He loves us and is on top of things. Remember...He sees the BIG picture while we are just seeing this small portion of it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."--Oren Arnold

So...... I figured that since I'm up BEFORE the crack of dawn like a kid on Christmas (and I barely slept after work yesterday), I needed to write a little something.

"Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age." --Carrie Latet

I was actually scheduled to work last night, but THANK GOODNESS I got put on call. I worked the night before (Christmas Eve, eve) and when I got home, I only slept about 4 hours and woke up and for the life of me, COULD NOT go back to sleep. I got up, got ready, went to the early Christmas Eve service at church and luckily they put me on call. I was able to go spend some time with Natalie's family, exchange presents with her and just chill out last night, of course watching A Christmas Story. Now, here I sit, not being able to sleep once again.

But I have another reason for this post. At first I was kind of frustrated for having to work around the holidays. This is the first year ever that I've had to work on the actual holiday (even as a nurse). I worked Thanksgiving night and the night before Christmas eve and was supposed to work Christmas Eve. I kept thinking about how I just really didn't want to work and how tired I was going to be on Christmas day trying to do that family thing and the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I got. One day my sweet friend Lee, who is a CONSTANT voice of reason for me reminded me that on the Eve of Jesus' birth, I would be helping to bring the greatest gift of all to mothers and that's the gift of life since I work in Labor & Delivery. I had never thought of it that way, and she had a good point but it still didn't settle all that well with me. I mean who wants to be at work on Christmas?? Allow me to continue...

Over the last month, I have had a patient on our high-risk OB unit who was scheduled to have her C-Section on Christmas Eve morning. She has been such a wonderful patient. She has had her 3 yr old daughter there with her almost everyday as well and she has really become like family to all of us. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and just incredibly grateful for everything. I have had many talks with her late at night and one thing she said to me that I will never forget is "you can't miss something you never had". She will admit that she has had a rough life and that's what makes her so grateful for any blessing God gives her. She often talked about how much of a blessing I, along with the other nurses were to her, but what she didn't realize was what a blessing she was to me. I am truly going to miss her. I am going to miss seeing her get excited to see me walk in her room and seeing her daughter run up to me and beg me to pick her up. Just knowing that I have a patient that is excited to see me and appreciates me that much, makes me job worth it. Every morning when I would leave, she would always ask when I would be back. I got the priveledge of being with her and running the OR room during her C-Section Christmas Eve morning and everything went great! It was so neat to be with her during the last month and then be there with her during the "finale" so to speak. To be able to be there to meet her little boy when he was born on Christmas. Life really is the greatest gift of all, and being in that operating room that morning reminded me that's what Jesus being born on Christmas is all about. He was born to ultimately die on the cross to give US LIFE. That's what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. I know am just as bad as anyone else about getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and such, but Jesus really is the reason for the season.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." --Luke 2:10-12

Tis The Season to be MERRY!

Well...the Christmas season is in full force. Our christmas trees are decorated (almost), as Natalie put it the other day, "it looks like Christmas has thrown-up on our house" and my iPod is continuously playing the sweet tunes of Christmas. I must say...I LOVE IT!! I am always anticipating this time of year...well...year round! There is something about Christmas that is different to me. I'm sure most of you would agree with me. I'm so glad my roommate shares the same passion about the holidays as I do (thank goodness I don't live with a Scrooge!) We have our tree up (but it's not completely decorated yet-we got tired), our house is decorated and I even put a little tree up in my room! I had this little 5-6 foot tree from a couple years ago and decided that since my room was plenty big enough, I should have my own. I got some of those big bulbed/old-timey lights and used some of my "meaningful" ornaments and decorated it up. Here's the finished productNot too bad for a small tree huh? Anyways....my next favorite thing..MUSIC! Over the last couple of years I have created a pretty big Christmas music playlist on my iPod. Every season I continue to find new stuff I like that just adds to the list. I have such a wide variety I have everything from Louis Armstrong to Jack Johnson to Amy Grant to Shane & Shane to Bing Crosby to Ingrid Michaelson to Third Day to Mariah Carey to Kenny G to Trans Siberian Orchestra and more! Right now, thanks to Tyler, my favorite album that is on constant repeat is the Shane & Shane Christmas album Glory in the Highest.
I have to admit though, not only do I love the old classics, but I love finding new artists that take a new twist on the old ones. I also like new artists that have completely new songs. Don't get me wrong some of them just totally not right for Christmas music (such as Lady GaGa), but here are a few that I've come across that are some of my current faves:

1.) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear- Sixpence None the Richer

2.) The Christmas Song- Gavin Degraw

3.) Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow- Michael Buble (the whole album is good)

4.) Snowfall- Ingrid Michaelson

5.) Christmastime is Here- A Fine Frenzy

6.) Wintersong- Sara Barellis & Ingrid Michaelson

7.) Greensleeves- Vanessa Carlton

8.) Auld Lang Syne -Mairi Campbell (anyone that is a fan of SATC will know this version is from the movie)

9.) Last Christmas-GLEE cast (LOVE LOVE LOVE this show!!)

10.) Mistletoe- Colbie Caillat

11.)Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer- Jack Johnson

12.) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Tyler Hilton ( I also like Coldplay's version too)

13. ) Winter Snow -Chris Tomlin & Audrey Assad

14. ) O Come, O Come Emmanuel- Enya

15.) Silent Night- Priscilla Ahn

16. ) Eternal Gifts- Leigh Nash

That's just a few of many. Hope everyone is having a great start to the holiday season! 

God sees the big picture...

I read this and it was definitely something that I needed to hear. Just thought I would share it! 

Today, choose to keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Begin to thank Him for the opportunities that are just ahead for you. Shut the door on fear and let God lead you by His peace through the door of opportunity He has prepared for you! "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close" -Revelations 3:8

I know there are lots of times that I get scared or worried about the future or what's going on in my life. Sometimes I doubt the fact that God is working in MY favor.  The Bible tells us that God works for the good of those who love Him. A great quote that I read just the other day goes along great with this. It says:

"When God takes something from your grasp He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

I have to believe that's the truth. Even when I don't understand why things don't work out when or how I want them to. I have to know that there's a reason...GOD'S reason. He is only doing it because He loves me and can see the big picture while I only see what's going on right now. Last Sunday my pastor, Brother Steve preached a great sermon on worrying. He talked about how worrying is a sin and no sin is any worse than the other. I think about how much I worry over the smallest things sometimes and really, it's ridiculous! Truth is, if we're worrying, we aren't trusting. I have faith knowing that whatever God has planned for me (which has to be good) will happen. I love the verse in Job where it says, "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." (42:2). That's so comforting to know! And I can think back to times in my life where I can clearly see that the Lord's will was done one way or another. I may have fought against Him hard, but in the end, He won and it was most definitely for the better. Of course I didn't think so at the time, but I am able to see it now....

Perfect Love

I remembered someone giving me this to read a couple years ago when I was going through a tough time and it really spoke to me. Just thought I would share it....

"Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God, to the Christian, says, "No, not until you are satisfied and content with living, loved only by me alone to have an intensely personal and unique relationship. I love you my child, and until you discover that only in me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that i have planned for you. You will NEVER be united with another until you are united with me - exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan exsiting, one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow me to bring it to you. Keep watching me, expecting the GREATEST things. Keep that attitude knowing that I AM. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait, don't be anxious and worry. Don't look around at what others have gotten or who i have given them. Don't look at the things or relationships you think you want. Just keep looking up to me, or you will miss what I have to show you. When you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you will ever dream. You see, until the one I have for you is ready, (I am working this minute to have you both ready at the same time) and until you are both satisfied with me and the life I have prepared for you, you will not be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me -PERFECT LOVE"

GIVING..it's the gift that keeps on giving!

"Everyday, we get to give the gift of life. It can be painful. It can be terrifying. But in the end,it's worth it; Every time. We all have the opportunity to give. Maybe the gifts are not as dramatic as what happens in the operating room. Maybe the gift is to try and make a simple apology. Maybe it's to understand another persons point of view. Maybe it's to hold a secret for a friend. The joy supposedly is in the giving. So when the joy is gone, when the giving starts to feel more like a burden, that's when you stop. But if you're like most people I know, you give till it hurts...and then you give some more." --Meredith, Grey's Anatomy

This quote was from the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy which was the "holiday" episode. When I heard her say it, it really struck me. When the holiday season rolls around, a lot of us get caught up in the shopping and all the superficial stuff. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely all about some shopping and I LOVE the holiday season; it's my absolute favorite time of year, but sometimes I have to stop and remind myself of what it's really all about. I have found that when I give a gift, give of myself or of my time that's when I receive the most joy. I was starting to feel sort of down about this holiday season because of various reasons, but a very dear friend of mine reminded me that I will be doing a great thing on Christmas eve (working) which will be bringing life into the world on the day of Jesus' birth! How neat is that?! That really helped me change my perspective on things. Because helping bring life into the world is really the greatest gift of all. God gave His one and only son, Jesus for each and every one of us. That's what Christmas is all about...and I'm constantly having to stop and remind myself of that when I catch myself getting caught up in other things...

Taking time to stop and smell the roses...

Have you ever felt like you were waiting to hear from God and you couldn't hear Him? Have you ever felt like you couldn't hear His tiny whispers and if He wanted you to hear something He was literally going to have to shout it to you? Sometimes we hear those tiny whispers and it's such a wonderful feeling because it's almost like feeling something soft & simple...like a cool breeze blowing through your hair. But sometimes, for me, I feel such unrest about something and for whatever the reason may be, I'm not hearing His soft, gentle whisper. For that reason, I NEED Him to SHOUT to me; put it RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE where there is NO WAY I can miss it. Let me share with you what God has been literally been shouting at me the last couple of days. 

CONTENTMENT! God has basically been saying to me to just be content with where I am in my life RIGHT NOW and not worry about WHERE I AM GOING or WHERE I WANT TO BE. That topic has been brought up on several occasions in the last couple of days and I have just felt like God has wanted me to hear it. Not only has God used people to speak that to me, but also for me to voice that to others that may need to hear it. It's really an awesome thing! My roommate, Natalie and I were enjoying a great moment together the other night. We had spent the entire day together (which contrary to popular belief, doesn't happen often even though we DO live together) and we were starting dinner, drinking some hot apple cider together and Natalie said, "It really doesn't get any better than this does it Amy?" and me being negative said "Well, I guess it could" and she boldly started saying how we need to enjoy where we are because if we are constantly worried about the next step in our lives then we can't enjoy the moments now. The cliche that comes to mind is "taking time to stop and smell the roses". I know, it's a horrible cliche, but it's true. And a great quote that goes along with that is:

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; 

remember that what you now have was once among the things 

you only hoped for."

A great way of thinking about it is that when you graduate high school, all you can think about is moving out, then when you move out, all you can think about is graduating college and starting your "grown-up job". In the middle of all of that I'm sure you're thinking about dating and such...your heart longs to find "that person". Well, you find someone...you start dating and it's perfect, everything you dreamed it would be (but of course it's not enough), you start thinking about when you will get engaged and get married because now that's ALL YOU WANT is just to be married, while at the same time you don't want to live with your rooomate anymore, you JUST want to buy a house of your own (because at this point you are in your "grown-up" job that you so badly wanted a couple years ago). So, now you're "happily" married and you've just bought a new house. You've been married a couple of years, but now ALL you want is children and of course you need a new car because you can't drive that 2 door sports car  anymore because kids can't fit in that!...I won't continue with the story because we all know how it goes....we are never completely happy and we all know that once we attain one level of what we think we want, we always want more...it's never enough, that's just life and our sinful nature I'm afraid. But what God is teaching me right now is really just to find contentment in where I am and more importantly in Him. He is going to give me what I NEED.  If we don't take time to enjoy the season in which we are in, we will miss it! We will miss out on SO many memories and fun things we could be doing RIGHT NOW and what God is teaching us RIGHT NOW because we're too worried about what's down the road or what we aren't getting. Trust me, I'm the world's worst about doing this, but I've realized that it's time for a change. I think I'm definitely going to try my best to take more time to stop and smell the roses because if I don't, I could miss one that smells REAL sweet! :) 

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." --Romans 8:25