I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy...

I shared with a dear friend the other day that while I'm in school I have been struggling with JOY. I desire JOY to be an expression I regularly behold, showing Christ to others by having joy in situations that are seemingly not joyful, but I find that during the craziness of juggling school, work, and life in between, I often let that slip and fall away from me. I asked for prayer regarding JOY...

Yesterday, my friend shared with me the following verse:

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

I love it! What hit me most was the "in your presence" portion of the verse... God will FILL ME with joy when I'm IN HIS PRESENCE. That's key... He's waiting for me to meet with Him, and the filling will begin. Time to spend some extra time with my Jesus... that's where the JOY is going to come frame. Of course! What a great reminder and a perfect way to begin my next season of nursing school. Thanks TK!

Closing

Tonight ends my 13 day break from nursing school's Spring Trimester to the Summer 2012 Trimester. I completed Adult I and Pharmacology... passing both, which allows me to continue to the next phase. It has been the quickest 13 days of my life - but days that I am thankful for. I obviously did not blog a single moment of my break (until now) and honestly never really sat down long enough to do so.

Mr. McGoo and I took the approach with my break that we should do things we haven't had as much of an opportunity to do while I'm in school... we hung out together, we hung out with family, we hung out with friends, we went to festivities and events, we I threw a couple parties, we babysat our niece & nephew, and so on. We worked to fit as much in as possible.

Here are a few photos from the last several days...

hosted a family baby shower for middle sis

hostess sisters with the sister Mommy to Be

went to see the Redbirds play with friends - it was packed!

got pedicures with mom and the sisters

our adorable niece and nephew

Lots has really been going on and God is doing some awesome stuff in Mr. McGoo and my life. I miss documenting it all through blogging, but as soon as blogging becomes a stress and not an outlet, it's not a good thing. If and when able, I'll try to share some of the cool things God has been up to! What about you? He's always moving, how have you seen Him lately?

I'm trying to wrap up a few more things before the Summer 2012 trimester begins, but I realize the hour is getting late and good rest is really what I need to begin the next phase of nursing school.

night!

Live Forever

One of my favorite people posted this on her blog the other day... I've heard it before (maybe once, twice max) but had never seen the video (simply beautiful!)... definitely worth the listen/watch.

Enjoy.

Easter Weekend

As you've noticed (as if there are any of "you" still around), I've been MIA in the blog-o-sphere. I've missed it, missed writing. But especially, I have missed keeping up with the many blogs that I follow and being encouraged, challenged, entertained, and informed by you them. I'm behind in the blog-o-sphere for sure. Life has been at a tempo, I'm not sure even this normal busy body is able to keep. The ability to "make it" truly has only come from one source, Christ and I find myself meditating regularly on three key verses: Isaiah 40:21-31, Philippians 4:6, and Matthew 6:25-34. He has been so faithful, and I've made it this far... 8 days to go to complete the trimester. I'm super close to saying, "one more down!"

Considering the pace of life these days, my blogging isn't the only thing that has suffered. I feel out of touch with friends, family, and at times, even my mate. I don't mean to sound like Nancy Negative - but at the same time I don't want to be fake... it's hard right now. Thankfully the Lord has blessed me with an amazing support network all throughout... lately I've been more humbled than ever by that network (husband, family, friends, church, etc) God has provided and their abundant support, encouragement, and provision.... seemingly just when I need it, right when I'm at breaking point.

Last month, Mr. McGoo and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary! It's doesn't seem like it's been that long, but at the same time it feels longer - - - I'm quickly forgetting what life was like before Mr. McGoo. And have been abundantly blessed the last 5+ years as God has blessed me with him in my life. To celebrate - I got Mr. McGoo a ring:

To celebrate our anniversary, Mr. McGoo took me to Hot Springs, Arkansas - but due to our schedule, Easter weekend was the earliest opportunity for our trip's date. So... this weekend we enjoyed Thursday night thru Sunday morning in Hot Springs and had a great opportunity to hang out with one another without distraction. It was grand! So without further adieu, here is a quick photo log of our trip.

We slept in (YAY!), read, ate a massive pizza at Rod's Pizza Cellar, went to a Secret Church simulcast, watched the races at Oaklawn Park, and ultimately just laid low. It was a perfect weekend.

We made it back to Memphis in time to worship and celebrate Easter with our church family. Following service, we headed to the rents' casa. We enjoyed some time with family, ate a delicious Easter lunch, got Mom and youngest sis signed up on Instagram (encouraging them that surely my BIL would be posting pics frequently once Baby Fisher arrived, no pressure Brent), watched some of the Master's, and headed out to bring our furbaby home.

Home now... back to the grind.