To the cross I cling

I'm going to jump right in being blunt, that this past week was a hard one.  There was a very sudden, unexpected death that happened in my family.  It really shook me and had me thinking a lot about suffering and salvation.

About a year and a half ago, our pastor had a seizure and was then diagnosed with stage 3 malignant brain cancer that had a low survival rate.  He made this video right after he found out about all this.   He has such a great, Godly perspective on suffering that has really encouraged me. 

It can be so easy to put your identity in the things around you: your family, your money, your job.  But when suffering happens, all of that can fall apart.  If your hope is in anything apart from God, it can all be taken away with this world.   I can't imagine what it would be like to go through the valleys of life and not have God to carry me through it.  It breaks my heart.

Being Easter weekend, I'm especially thankful that Jesus is alive.  Death and pain still happen, but He is bigger than that.  Jesus died for me, knowing my sinful heart at its worst.  I'm forever grateful for his mercies, and that He has counted me worthy to glorify God in the good AND in the bad.

Recycle Life

I just want to let everyone know that April is donate life month!  My family is all about swappin' organs.

My Mom's life was saved because my Aunt Kathy gave her a kidney.  (This was snapped at my wedding, aren't they cute? Sisters are great)

My Dad gave a kidney to save my Uncle Raleigh's life.  (Sorry, could only find an older picture here)

We are so blessed that our family was able to be living donors for each other.  But there are still hundreds of thousands of people who are still waiting for a transplant.  If you aren't an organ donor on your driver's license, I strongly urge you to change that.  You never know when you could save someone's life!  Someone like my family.

Fresh air

At least in Texas, I think its safe to say that Spring has officially arrived!  It's sunny, 80 degrees, and breezy. 

And all of God's people said "amen." 

David and I went to the arboretum with one of my dearest friends today.  Here are a few pictures I snapped.  It's tulip paradise over here right now.

I like the lonely orange one sticking up in the middle.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the pretty spring time weather as much as I am :)

927.10

 

927.10....that's how many miles David and I are moving.  Dang, we might be a little/a lot crazy.

Well, the previous post was about my trip to Augusta, Georgia for a graduate school interview.  I'm here now to tell you that I got accepted and will be starting the Masters in Occupational Therapy program this fall at Medical College of Georgia!

Sometimes it's terrifying thinking about leaving Texas and moving half way across the country to a place we know nothing about (What if they don't have unlimited good Mexican food?!?!)  But we know that God is faithful and that He's opened this door for us.  This has been something i've been working towards for that last 4 years, and i'm so very humbled and thrilled for this opportunity.

I also have to take the time to brag about my husband:  He's been so supportive and is just as excited as I am about this whole thing.  He's willing to leave his home state, his family, our friends, and find a new job...and he's never even visited the state of Georgia once in his life.  He's sacrificing all that and move to the "unknown" to allow me to pursue my dreams.  Saying that i'm blessed is the understatement of the year.  Thanks to everyone, family and friends, who have been praying for us.  You have no idea how encouraging and powerful it was.

 "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."  Psalm 40:5

Georgia on my mind

Last weekend I flew to Augusta, Georgia for a graduate school interview I had.  It was an exciting, nice little "break" in the day to day.  My parents drove down from North Carolina (which was a HUGE blessing), and I also got to spend time with my cousin who lives there.

This was the morning view I enjoyed at my cousin's house...definitely different from what i'm used to in Dallas (there are trees!!)

The city had nice, old charm to it.

And I mean reeeally old, this church was originally built in the late 1700s.

 

The Savannah river.  I'm sure it will be even nicer when the trees are in bloom.

The last day of my trip, I spent in Atlanta with my parents.  After lunch we pretty much hung out all day at my favorite spot, Piedmont Park.  It was gorgeous weather for relaxin' and people watchin'

Even with the pressure of an interview (and having to wear clothes that needed to be ironed and tucked-in), it was such a nice weekend.  It's always a treat to unexpectedly see my parents.  Family and a change of scenery is always refreshing.