Closing of 2012

I feel like 2012 was a blink. I think that begins to happen more as you age in general, but I can't help but think that my life of full-time work, nursing school, etc (i.e. being on the go 90% of the time and rarely home but to sleep) has a lot to do with it too!

I'm reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and one of the main focuses of the books is about taking the time to see the gifts all around that God has blessed us with, being in a state of thankfulness regularly! I'm just over one hundred pages into the book, but she has already spoken a lot about time. She quotes:

"Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing. . . Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away."

In the midst of work to dos and school to dos that seem to pile up, at times, it's hard not to be in a hurry all the time. It's difficult to enter fully into the current moment. I think I hurried a lot in 2012, and likely another reason it feels like I blinked and it's gone.

So with the closing of another year, I believe it's imperative that I take the time to reflect on the year that was and give thanks for God's constant and awesome provision for me and Mr. McGoo.

2012.

• Nephew Neil Fisher Kee born, May 16th
• Furbaby Tango added to the family in July
• Mr. McGoo lead a team to Ethiopia for a short term mission trip in June for Central Church
• Mr. McGoo went to Uruguay for a mission trip in October
• I turned 30 in October
• I successfully completed 3 trimesters of nursing school 
• Youngest sis, Kelsey graduated college in May
• Youngest sis, Kelsey got engaged in December
• Traveled to Cincinnati with Mr. McGoo & enjoyed King's Island in August
• Our Godson/nephew was dedicated in September
• Traveled to Arkansas to visit with Ethiopian friends and meet their son, Ben in December
• Traveled to Kansas City with Mr. McGoo to celebrate Christmas with family in December

Although when put on "paper"it doesn't sound as eventful as it felt. . . 2012 was a year on the go. It was a blessed year that God provided abundantly for me and Mr. McGoo.

I believe most of 2013 will likely be the same, but Mr. McGoo and I are looking forward to the new adventures the Lord invites us into. I'm praying we say "YES, LORD" for every invitation He gives. . . it will be worth it!

Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

Somehow December has already come upon us and quickly the memories of Thanksgiving begin to fade. Crazy how that happens. Before we get too far into the Christmas season, I wanted to take a quick moment and say that Thanksgiving was great.

This year was different than ever before for Mr. and Mrs. McGoo. We did not travel this year... something that has not happened since I became "us". Due to Mr. McGoo's family moving and scattering all throughout the nation, this Thanksgiving we decided not to travel. A first for us. Instead of traveling, we enjoyed Thanksgiving here in Memphis.

I must say that I found the experience to be....

restful!

We definitely missed visiting with Mr. McGoo's family, but I forgot how much traveling can "take it out" of you. Not traveling gave Mr. McGoo and I some extra rest and relax time, as well as fun time with our furbabies. It was fun. I completely ignored school work and soaked up the time as much as possible. 

There are definitely photos from the long weekend that I could share, but I'm waiting for Mr. McGoo to write his own blog post about the events... they will be more entertaining from his perspective. He was there.

UPDATE: Mr. McGoo's Thanksgiving blog post - DEFINITELY worth checking out!

Blessed

We have so much to be thankful for today, and every day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Below provides some, often much needed perspective...

We Did It!

There is no other way to describe the completion of this past trimester of nursing school except what is exemplified in the image above and using the simple but larger than life words: "We Did It"!

The last 15 weeks have been the most difficult in all of my schooling history! Mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining! More than ever before this past trimester I questioned, "why am I doing this"?

Oddly enough, however not surprising when I really think about it... I now feel the most accomplished I have ever felt regarding my education with the completion and passing of this trimester. It was the hardest ever - it didn't come easy, and therefore required much of me. I love what Isaiah 26:12 says about being "accomplished"...

"Lord, you establish peace for us; 

all that we have accomplished you have done for us."

There is no doubt that the Lord was faithful this trimester, providing constant encouragement for me through my fabulous husband, amazing family, great friends, and terrific study mates! I'm ever thankful for making it to the next step - 1 year to go!

In the same breath that I'm praising God for His provision for me through this trimester, I am also lifting up and asking my Father for comfort, wisdom, encouragement, and direction for many of my classmates! There were more than a few this go around that did not pass this trimester with the minimum 77C - anything less causes you to fail and repeat (only 1 repeat is allowed throughout your entire nursing coursework at our school, the need for a 2nd repeat is the end of your school career at our college). As a class, we become very close considering the substantial hours we spend together at school and in the hospital. Therefore, I ache with my classmates and work to fight and encourage them to continue. I'm praying that they allow God to give them the strength necessary to try again! They are not far from my thoughts as I celebrate my completion this trimester.

So with the Summer 2012 Trimester completed, I get to enjoy 2.5 weeks of "free" time without school. Yup, I get to go home or visit friends after work, rather than hopping on the interstate straight to campus or the hospital each night. I'm looking forward to the time and will be updating the blog frequently to catch up on the last 15 weeks of life, as well as share some of the fun things I get to experience during this trimester break. Can't wait.

It's Okay

The first week of May was the beginning of a new school trimester and the most recent full emotional breakdown by Mrs. McGoo. The first Thursday and Friday of the month were some hard days. Feeling inadequate, incapable, unable, tired, worn out, dragged, beaten, and OVER this journey called full time work and nursing school... I was broken in a way that I haven't been in awhile.

Sure I have random, but regular crying moments here and there when I'm worn out and emotional, but this "full emotional breakdown" almost left me in a stand still. I prayed and prayed for peace and comfort through the verses I so regularly turn to - Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 6:25-34.

But thankfully I have an amazing husband that can read those emotions from me and not run out of the room, but instead pray with me, encourage me, and call on women in my life to support me when I'm down. Right when I absolutely needed it, I was flooded with texts and emails that reminded me of God's truths and His ability to strengthen me. Reminders that I didn't have to do it on my own and wasn't really called to do it that way either.

Mom and Dad even surprised me with flowers at work Friday afternoon, which overwhelmed me with emotion and sweet reminders of their unconditional love for crazy me.

So by Saturday morning... the load was lighter and the sun was brighter. He provided as usual! He even provided through others.

This sweet email spoke straight to the heart of the matter I needed to hear that day. I love that! I have a feeling I'll be reading through this more than once over the next 15months.

Thinking of you and praying for you today. 

You are a super woman! But you know that you don't always have to be strong and hold everything together. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, stressed and emotional. It doesn't mean you're weak or unable. It's just a reminder that God wants us to rely on Him. 

Praying that you will cast everything on Him today knowing that He loves & cares for you.

We love and care for you too! Praying you through this semester and season of life!

So for those that need to hear it today... it's okay!

Compassions Never Fail

A dear friend is praying over me with this verse this week. So thankful and such a beautiful reminder I need daily, hourly, all the time! The Lord is MY portion... He IS ENOUGH! Even when it is hard. Even when it feels overwhelming. He gives me all I need, I just gotta tap into Him!

Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV)

21 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

Blessed

The Lord has been and I know He will continue to be SO faithful in this crazy journey we call nursing school. He has blessed me abundantly with study mates that help carry the load, classmates that push me to be better, coworkers that encourage me as I leave my work day to tackle another clinical rotation, family that loves me and reminds me regularly, friends that send short words of encouragement and hellos, and a mate that is nothing short of the best teammate in the world!

I don't know what I'd do without Mr. McGoo and the way he carries the load with me. The other night, I soaked up a short THE WALKING DEAD date with my main squeeze. I get so nervous during that show when it's intense that I had to do something random to distract myself while watching so I did not fret... here is what I came up with...

Thanksgiving

I fell off the wagon with my "thankful for" posts... school and work and preparations for Thanksgiving travels became too much and something had to give... I chose the blog. It probably will continue to be that way for the most part until I get past my final check-off for school (2 final exams to go & one MAJOR skills check-off)... end date is Tuesday, December 13th. I'll be "free" for a couple weeks starting Wednesday, December 14th morning! Whoo hoo!

Thanksgiving was fabulous due to the fact that I completely unplugged for 4 days and had some quality time with Mr. McGoo. No internet connection and minimal technology. The days were composed of travel, family, food, fellowship, rest, fun, and reading.

I took the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off from work to use the time to clean house - something that had been neglected recently - and prepare for our travels to Lexington, KY. We left Memphis about 315pm with our buddy Steve and niece, Grace. Our time in KY was good and a needed break from the typical pace of Mr. McGoo and my life lately.

We really enjoyed visiting with family and having extra time with our niece. The highlight of the trip was taking Grace to tour part of Claiborne Farms. It was a really cool experience.

Some photos of our Thanksgiving adventures:

THANKFUL FOR My Study Group

Without my study group, this photo above would be me... all the time. Seriously. Nursing school has so much information to retain and learn, and often in a short amount of time. Learning the material requires lots of time and without my study group of five folks counting me, I would be alone with a pile of books and a cup of coffee regularly.

Instead, I am joined with four other classmates regularly, talking through and hashing over all the concepts, body systems, and nursing skills we are taught. I am thankful for my study group. We lean on each other and teach each other along the way. Plus, this group sure makes nursing school more fun.

THANKFUL FOR Friends

When times are busy, tough, and hard, the amazing blessing of friends comes more fully into focus. It's not doubt that Mr. McGoo and I have some wonderful friends.

We are blessed with some awesome people in our lives that we call friends! God regularly uses them to encourage us, challenge us, entertain us, love us, uplift us, pray for us, and enhance our daily life on this earth in many ways!!! We're so blessed! I am thankful for friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

THANKFUL FOR Kodi

This morning we received some very hard and unexpected news. Our fur baby, Kodi passed away. 

Mr. McGoo and I are so thankful for the time we had with Kodi. For 12 years, Kodi Bear has been my husband's greatest companion. For the less than 6 years that I've known Mr. McGoo, I've had Kodi within my life. The greatest of dogs.

I'm lacking words today, but know that I can say... I am thankful for Kodi. Thankful that the Lord blessed us with him and many great memories of his life with us.

Life in the McGoo house is going to be different without this alpha pup. It's proving to be a tough transition, but we're so thankful for his loyalty and friendship for so many years! This fur baby is one that will most definitely be missed!

To read the entire story of Kodi's passing and hear from Mr. McGoo, definitely check out his blog post about Kodi. Here.

THANKFUL FOR Fall Leaves

With the changing of the seasons comes my favorite change of the year... the change of the leaves into beautiful colors of yellow and red. So peaceful. So beautiful. 

I am thankful for the fall leaves.

THANKFUL FOR My Family

I've mentioned it in a previous thankful for post that I love and am thankful for my parents. This is still fact, but I think I need to more fully extend the thankfulness. I am thankful for my family!

God has blessed me abundantly with an amazing support system in this group of 5, now 7 individuals. Dad, Mom, Middle sis- Robin, Youngest sis- Kelsey, Hubs- Mr. McGoo, and Brother in Law- Brent. They are all fabulous in their own special way.

I look forward to family time whenever I can get it. They can be a crazy bunch at times, and be careful when you get the Wilson ladies laughing, we can't breath and the high pitched nature of the tones coming from us definitely increase... but the men folk in good fashion simply shake their heads and smirk or laugh with us.

It's time for some updated photos - I will have to work on that this December - but for now... here are some fun ones from 2006 forward.

Family Cruise - 2006

Family Cruise - 2006

Reba Concert Night - 2007

Hmmm... I think 2009 August Family Bday Celebration

July 2010 Family Vacation

And when I mention family, I cannot really stop at this group of 7... I am so blessed to have an amazing in-laws and extended family too! From grandparents to aunts to uncles to cousins and more on both my side and Mr. McGoo's... I grew up with tons of love and support. Now that I'm an "adult", I really enjoy spending time with these folks, even though the availability to do so is less frequent than we'd like.

I am thankful for my in-laws and extended family, too! Not everyone can say that - so I know I'm blessed!

THANKFUL FOR Healthy Family Rivalries

They won't say it out loud, but my Uncle and my Hubby love each other. They enjoy many of the same things, sans golf, and frequently bond over electronic discussions, sports talk, tv shows, movie reviews, and everything in between. Putting this duo together can sometimes be bad news for the wives. They are truly a mess.

Ironically, one of their favorite past times is debating over UK vs KU. It's definitely a rivalry. They make me laugh and often shake my head as they debate and battle about which program is best. I am thankful for healthy family rivalries, never a dull moment.

THANKFUL FOR My Parents

If Mr. McGoo and I are able to one day be half the parents my folks are, we will do alright. I love my parents. They have taught me so much throughout my life and I continue to learn from them!

For Christmas, my sisters and I decided to give an early gift to my folks. We paid for a photo shoot for them with the same photographer that did photos of us in 2009 that we gifted to my rents. You can see some of the fun shots from their shoot by going to the photographer's blog: http://katiedunlapphotography.com/blog/2011/11/l-c-32-years/

I am thankful for my parents. Aren't they super cute!?
Thanks Katie Dunlap Photography for capturing their awesomeness!

THANKFUL FOR Freedom

This weekend we celebrated FREEDOM through the acknowledgement of Veterans Day -  a day to thank all of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country - and the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It's so easy to take our freedom for granted.

On Sunday, Mr. McGoo and I woke up and went to church without any fear of being captured or found out by the authorities. We do not have to hide the Bibles in our home or worry about the Bible in my purse. We have the freedom to worship Jesus Christ with a multitude of believers. To sing His praises without fear.

I am thankful for freedom. I am thankful for the men and women who have fought for those freedoms.

I want to remember my brothers and sisters in Christ who are not living in a land of religious freedom. Men and woman who are courageous about their faith in Christ. Give them strength and perseverance, Lord!

THANKFUL FOR My Car

Although it can be expensive keeping up with its needs and filling it with gas, my car is something to be thankful for. It's reliable and gets me from place to place with ease. I don't have to walk to work 22+ miles away, or journey on foot for food or water for hours. I do not have to think through the lacking public transportation schedule of Memphis when I want to go somewhere... when I need to get from point A to point B I jump in my vehicle and go.

I am thankful for my car. Now here's to hoping I remember that the next time it's in need of repair.

THANKFUL FOR Literacy

I am a book lover. To curl up with a delicious cup of coffee and enjoy a good book is one of my favorite things to do.

I would not be able to enjoy this joy and pleasure without the ability to read, or literacy. It's such a blessing. Not only does it allow me to read for pleasure, but it opens up multiple doors through further education. I was blessed with parents that read to me as child. I grew up watching my mother enjoy reading... and I have fallen in her footsteps.  

I am thankful for literacy. I do not want to take this gift for granted.

THANKFUL FOR The Forsaken Children

The Lord used an organization called The Forsaken Children to rock Mr. McGoo and my world. This ministry works to care for, equip, and share the love of Christ with Ethiopia's children at risk. It's an awesome ministry.

If you have not gone to their website recently, definitely check it out because changes and additions have been made. Also, for those Facebook users out there, you can follow The Forsaken Children at http://www.facebook.com/theforsakenchildren.

I am thankful for The Forsaken Children. God used this ministry to capture my heart for a population of people greatly outside of my typical network of interaction. People He greatly loves and cares for immensely.

I bet He wants to do the same with you. Rock your world for people He loves outside of your comfort zone. Will you let Him? It may not be people in Africa or China or India, but it might be those in a town a few communities away or those living downtown.

Trust me, it's worth it!

THANKFUL FOR a Sense of Safety

I was thinking about it the other day, how thankful I am that I do not have to be in a state of fear at my home or in my neighborhood. Throughout the city, the United States, and the world there are people that sleep in fear with one eye open or walk around with the uncertainty of harm to come. Always concerned, am I or my family next? There are neighborhoods that have regular drive by shooting issues, there are countries and villages that are in fear of slaughter by the rogue forces, and many more unstable situations all throughout the world.

I am so blessed. I do not live in this sense of fear and uncertainty when I am home or going from place to place in my community. I am thankful for a sense of safety and the ability to live without fear. I don't want to take that sense and feeling for granted.