New Year

I know it is already the end of January but I haven't had time to post about this new year, 2013! I have really high hopes for this next year and am so excited to see what the Lord will do.  When I reflected on last year and tried to sum it up in one word, that word was difficult. I had a lot of hard times come my way but the Lord was faithful through it all and I am now stronger because of it. This next year I want my word to me Intentional. I want to be intentional about my faith and in my relationships with others.

This New Year is going to bring about changes which I am excited about, normally I cringe at the thought of change. In August I plan on moving back to the town where I went to college, it is about 30 minutes away from where I live now. I am going back there because that is where my job and church are. I also know the Lord is calling me back there. I feel like Jonah from the Bible and I tried to escape Nineveh but at last I am done being in this belly of a whale and I am ready for whatever the Lord has for me! I am also applying for a new job in that city and am excited about the opportunity to work in a different nursing home.

I am also excited to begin a new Hobby! I have been saving up to purchase a nice camera so I can take and edit nice photo's!

This past weekend I traveled a few hours north to see two really good friends from college and it was like we had never been apart. We talked for hours, watched movies, drank coffee and painted our finger nails. It was so exciting hearing about what these two women were up to and what the Lord has been doing in their lives. I really missed them and already can't wait to see them again!

The drive home was not so fun however, there was a big snow storm! You could not even tell if you were on the road or even in your lane. The snow than turned to freezing rain and the sky kept lighting up with lightening, so strange in winter! I stopped at a McDonald's half way home to call my other friend and warn her about the roads, meanwhile I got stuck in the parking lot! Thankfully some employees and customers were able to help push me out! Always thankful for the kindness of strangers. It also reminded me that even when there are storms and life gets tough, the Lord will provide for me and help me.

I am going to go catch up on some reading on this cozy winter day!

XoXo,

Valerie

It's been awhile!

It's been awhile since I've written but I've had a lot going on! For starters I moved to another city about 20-30 minutes away from where I was living. I am now closer to my hometown and am living in the city where a lot of my friends live and go to school. I just got the Internet up and going, I'm telling you a week with out the Internet was brutal! Let's just say I may have visited a few coffee shops through out the week so I wasn't completely without Internet. More to come later, for now I should finish unpacking!

Gearing up

It's about that time where some changes will once again occur. I am excited for these changes for the most part anyways. With change always comes anxiety. Thankfully while in college I memorized a verse that got me through a lot of my days.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Yes that verse was easy to memorize because I had to read it just about every day! In a couple of weeks I will be moving to a new city, it is only 30 minutes from where I live now so I'm not moving that far. I will also be closer to my family and friends from back home. I am still a little nervous about how things will go when I move but trusting that the Lord will provide me with friendships, fellowship, and everything else I need.

I have been working less hours at work. I now have to part-time jobs instead of my full time job. This was a hard decision to make, while I did not like my full time job it meant a lot of hours and a lot of money to provide for my needs. Now I only work when I call and there are hours to pick up, risky I know! I prayed about this decision and really felt like this is what I was to do at this time. I hoping to use my extra time to minister to those around me, especially college students.

Last night at Bible Study we talked about if we really are relying on God to provide for us. For my entire life I have never had to worry about where my next meal will come from or if I will have a place to sleep. I never really had to rely on God in those areas of my life. I now need to trust God to provide me with enough hours at work to meet my needs. This is exciting, yet terrifying at the same time. Thankfully my God is greater than anything and I know He will provide for me, it just may not look how I think it should.

Thanks for reading my ramblings .... Until next time, Hope you have a wonderful day!

Moving & Change once again!

I moved once again today but now it was to my apartment because I got a job as a RN!!!! I will have the apartment all to myself for a month and a half until my other 3 roommate arrive. I am excited to live with them but for now I will enjoy the alone time.....although I need people to interact with frequently!! So we will see how that goes! I start orientation tomorrow at the Rehab Center where I will be working. God has blessed me with finding a job that is less than 10 minutes away from my apartment! I am so excited to begin my nursing career, all I have left to do is pass the BIG test, which is the most important part! I take my test on Thursday, I have been studying hard and praying so I hope I pass on the first try!

As for moving......Let's just say my room is full of boxes and bags that need to be unpacked!!

Moving

I spent the last 2 days moving and now I am really tired! This was a unique move because I moved into 2 places, a new apartment and my dads. I signed a lease for an apartment with some friends and moved most of my stuff there however my current summer job is located near my dads house so I am staying with him until I find a job closer to my apartment, I'm looking for a nursing job so I can use that wonderful degree I worked so hard to get! I'm hoping to be fully living in my new apartment within a month, I've already applied for over 40 jobs! (I've got to get one of them, right?). I know that there is a great job out there for me, I'm just praying that it is sooner rather than later!

My summer job starts tomorrow so there was no time to relax. Thankfully tomorrow I don't have to go to work until 8am, all the other days I start at 5:30am! I know, I find it a little crazy too that I spend my summer waking up at 4:30am, its still dark when I leave for work but on the bright side I'm done every day at 2pm and have the afternnon to enjoy myself.

This summer will be so different, for starters I will be spending the next month or so studying up for the NCLEX, the state board nursing test to become a RN. Secondly, I won't have to return to classes in the fall. I don't think this as all sunk in yet!

Well, I am exhausted and still have a little more unpacking to do, although i'm trying to live out of boxes as much as possible so there will be little re-packing to do in the hopefully near future!