This is the day the Lord has made, let us REJOICE.

2010-05-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.
11 I, I am the LORD,
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed,
when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”
Isaiah 40:10-13

One day at a time

2010-04-29T20:34:00.001-04:00

"The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived--not always looked forward to as though the 'real' living were around the corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow." Elisabeth Elliot

Grace for THIS day.

2010-03-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

“God has not promised to give us the grace to face all of the desperate situations that we might imagine finding ourselves in. He has promised to sustain us only in the ones that he actually brings us into. He therefore doesn’t promise that we will be able to imagine how we could go through the fire for his sake, but he does promise that if he leads us through the fire, he will give us sufficient grace at that time. Like manna, grace is not something that can be stored up for later use: each day receives its own supply” Iain Duguid

Enjoy every moment

2010-03-23T19:42:00.004-04:00

Encouraged today in my current rotation to remember the Lord's faithfulness in the last... from one month ago during my geriatrics rotation in Mt. Pleasant, SC

February 23, 2010

I had a revelation at work today. I realized for the first time why the medical field is such a unique challenge!!! Its because there is never an end to the work which needs to be finished!! Instead of working on various projects with deadlines and end dates (like in school, swimming, etc), everyday I work with people whose problems are dynamic and ever changing. As soon as you get close to "finishing" a project, a new one pops up! I'm learning that if you're going to last in this field very long you have to be intentional to celebrate small victories along the way with your patients. In such a day to day work environment, I have to make TODAY my project to be completed and CELEBRATE victory in the small things like a patient's smile.

I'm learning that I miss the element of having a large project to work on till its completion, and even the element of procrastination and adrenaline rush that usually goes with it! Instead, I need to learn to channel this excitement and energy into my patients TODAY. It seems like the paper work is never ending. Today I worked 8 hours continuously. I was so incredibly productive and was able to take care of over 10 patients, all their charting and at least 30 others through documentation and phone calls. At the end of the day I thought to myself, "wow I have worked so hard today and accomplished alot in Christ's strength!" only to realize that the fax machine was already FULL of MORE PAPER WORK to be completed!! While I felt discouraged in this moment, the Lord used it to teach me a very powerful lesson.

Isn't it the same with the most important aspects of life? We live in a society that glorifies hard work, projects and deadlines. But the reality is that the crucial elements of life are like my patients, day to day relationships which are dynamic and continuous. There is only one deadline in life that is of significance: death. The Lord says that our days are numbered before one even came to be, He knows when we are born and He knows when we will expire; we however do not know this for ourselves or anyone else! We are deluded and dangerously distracted in this world by thousands of other insignificant deadlines and "priorities" while we are often blind to the great eternal deadline which we and everyone in the world must all face with certainty. Procrastination does not pay for this one! Dead = Deadline!

Anything of worth or significance in this life is like my patients. At our final deadline when we stand before Christ, we will give an account our lives and relationships with others: mainly our relationship with the Lord, the body, and the lost.

Our relationship with the Lord is the most important and is SO dynamic though He is constant. We are ever being changed from glory to glory through the sanctifying work of His Spirit! This relationship never reaches a climax or end. After we overcome a stronghold of sin in our lives, there is always a new one for the Lord to reveal, or maybe even an old one in a new circumstance! What a joy to have CONTINUOUS areas to grow in and work on. It is a JOY to have more work because this means I am still alive and able to glorify Him on earth (just like my patients! if there is more work to do that means they are still ALIVE and have TIME before their final deadline!!!). And what an encouragement when someone comes along side me to encourage me in this journey with Christ; to help me when I am down, to encourage me when I am weak, to correct me when I am living destructively, to affirm me when I am growing and doing well in previous areas of struggle. Should I not be doing the same with my patients!?

Joshua is the most significant relationship I have with another believer. What a joy it is to walk through life with this precious brother and best friend! And what a JOURNEY it is! No two days are alike! We are constantly having new experiences and new seasons of life as I continue to move every 5 weeks and as Joshua finishes his term in India. Hormones definitely add to the complexity and zest of our relationship--sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse!!! Though I am often difficult to love because of my sin, Joshua continues to pursue my heart passionately in a way I don't deserve. He is able to look past my sin and delight in me the way Christ does. Joshua is able to do this in a special way as we approach marriage; he realizes that I am bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, a helper suitable for him personally and uniquely. He delights and cherishes me as beautiful creation of the living and true God. I am made in His image. Should I not also approach my patients with the same delight!? Are they not also made in the image of the only true God? For our Lord is GREAT and does MARVELOUS DEEDS, He alone is God. And with this He is Creator God of my patients. O for grace to see them as the intricate and intentional handiwork of the risen Christ.

Finally there is the lost. Any friendship I have ever known with a lost person has been a challenge. The Lord taught me back in college that it is so easy to think of them as projects. In my sinful mind I used to think of them this way with a goal and agenda in mind, their conversion. And yes, in some ways this is a goal! My deep desire should be for their joy in Christ!!! But the project or transforming work is not mine to complete. Only Christ can intervene and change hearts! Anyone who is in ministry will tell you that the ground is hard and the way is narrow. Pouring into the lives of sinners is no easy task. It can only be done by the supernatural prodding and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. (though I have not had this experience yet, I am sure that all this will apply when we have children who are lost! Children are a LIFE LONG COMMITMENT!!! Oh my! Lord I pray even now that our children would hear the Gospel and see Christ as beautiful and satisfying! May Christ be the treasure of our family!). We do not naturally love the unlovable. We do not naturally long to spend time with people who are desperately sick, weak, needy, wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Yet this is what we were. And still are in many ways due to indwelling sin! O Lord forgive me for my pride in dealing with others when I too am so undesirable!!! Yet you pursued me with an effectual grace which was irresistible. You pursued and won my heart though I had wondered far away from your loving arms, the arms that made the universe. May I also pursue my patients zealously with passion and deep love which is rooted in the person of Christ! Though my old people are needy, complex, demented, smelly, and deaf, may I pursue them as a soul which still has precious moments to live before a final deadline. Though my moments with them are few, may I somehow share a glimpse of the reality of Christ. My I shine so brightly as a daughter of the King. Like a beautiful diamond, may the light of Christ brilliantly radiate through me to pierce through physical and spiritual blindness. May I learn from my patients who are wise saints with keen perception of eternity as they approach a nearing encounter with their long awaited Savior. May I beckon those who have wasted their entire lives on the things of the world that do not satisfy. May they be drawn one step closer to the true Satisfier of souls. The Living Water. The Bread of Life.

O that Christ would change my heart. May I know the brevity of these passing breaths and the vastness of eternity following our unrelenting, ever-nearing deadline. Until Christ returns the task is great. The work unending. The laborers few. O that the Lord would raise up laborers for His harvest field in all the world. May He raise up soldiers for His mighty army amongst the unreached peoples of the world. Their deadline is sure yet they know not of it. O my soul, may you be burdened greatly for the souls of the perishing who sit in darkness as their blind hearts and expectant ears wait eagerly to hear the precious name Jesus. There truly is no sweeter name.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I Will Go

2009-08-29T07:26:00.003-04:00

Suprises

2009-08-10T01:56:00.008-04:00

Well after 24 hours of traveling I finally made it to Bangalore, India. Joshua completely suprised me and met me there!! I did not expect to see him until next week. It has been such a joy and blessing to reunite after 7 months! I have missed him greatly but the Lord has been so gracious to us in our time apart. Joshua has been taking good care of me, touring me around and helping me to get the things I need for my stay in Bangalore (money, water, food etc). Yet another incredible provision of the Lord! Thank you Joshua!

Yesterday was a very busy day! I was quite tired most of the day from jet lag. After Joshua toured me around the hospital we met up with the Langley family. I experienced my first autorickshaw ride!! This family has been a blessing to Joshua and I. It was deeply encouraging to hear how the Lord is working in their lives and their community.

I toured the hospital this morning and arranged my schedule. I will be working in pediatrics, obstetrics, and community health. The hospital is unlike anything I have ever seen. I am looking forward to seeing how God changes my life through my time here with these beautiful people.

India! SO EXCITED!

2009-08-07T10:01:00.003-04:00

I will be leaving for India today and will return on the 27th. I will hopefully be able to give updates and pictures along the way!

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, ALL THE EARTH! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; TELL of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the NATIONS, His marvelous works among ALL the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary! Psalm 96:1-6

Wonderful Summertime!

2009-06-28T16:58:00.008-04:00

I just got back today from a wonderful weekend in Hilton Head!! It was such an encouraging trip! I was able to stop by and see Leah, Joshua's sister, on my way into town and then spend the next couple days with some of my dearest friends! I haven't had that much fun in a while! It was so refreshing to catch up with each of these dear women, especially Meredyth, April, Jenna, Tara, Elizabeth, and Liz. The Lord has used each of them to spur and encourage me in my walk with Christ. Even though we are separated by distance, I love that every time I reconnect with them I am CLOSER to them because we are all growing in Christ and HE is the center of our friendships!

This ones for Madeline :) I wanted to have some good sandels for India so I finally broke down and purchased my first pair of Chaco's, and I love them! Thanks for your influence Mad!

I am getting so excited for India! The Lord has opened so many doors to make this possible! I leave in less than 6 weeks! I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to finally see and experience India after reading and learning so much about the country and the people. I'm sure I'll learn and see more in these 3 weeks than in all the years of preparation thus far. Joshua and I are also very excited to be reunited! We previously thought that it would not be until December so this is simply an added blessing! My sweet friend Becky from ECBC is letting me borrow several of her outfits until I can go shopping myself in India!

I am so blessed to live in Charleston! This was taken early last week at Sullivan's Island. I was able to have some wonderful "alone" time at the beach after our first block exam of the summer! He never ceases to amaze me with His beauty!

He is risen!

2009-04-13T18:34:00.000-04:00

It was such a blessing to celebrate this weekend! HE IS ALIVE!! The Lord was so gracious to remind me in a fresh way of the gospel, O how I need to be reminded often! Easter is my favorite day of the year and its my birthday into the kingdom of God so it is always a double celebration! I am continually in awe of how the Lord would choose a wretch like me to be His treasure!? This weekend was full of reflection, thinking back over how the Lord has worked in my life, how He has been ever faithful!! He has redeemed my life from the pit! It is amazing to me to look back especially over the last 4 years since I began walking with the Lord, He has literally changed everything!! The Lord answered prayer this weekend for much needed revival. I am so quick to become discouraged but Christ is a shield around me, my glory and the LIFTER OF MY HEAD! (psalm 3:3)

This weekend was also special because Joshua and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary. We were able to have an awesome extended tea "date" over skype without having to worry about schedules and timezones. Joshua did such a great job planning, it was such a blessing to me! It was so refreshing to just hang out! We have been learning so much about communication recently, specifically growing to know one another's heart. While there have been many difficulties we are growing in this area. We are both learning more than ever our NEED for the Lord and that we cannot communicate or love one another apart from Him!! We need His grace EACH DAY! It was encouraging to reflect on how we are doing well and how we can continue to grow and improve. I was reminded by a sweet friend that this season with Joshua is preparing me for a future season, a much harder season but one which will bear even more fruit. If the preparation is this challenging then I can trust that God is preparing us for great things for HIS KINGDOM! I can expect these things to be much harder than a long distance relationship. Praise God for how He PREPARES US for each season! He does not give us more than we can handle. He has brought me through many difficult seasons before to prepare me for my season today.

The semester countdown is on! only 3 more weeks and 8 final exams! I will be thankful when this semester is over, it has been by far the most difficult since being in Charleston. It has been hard but so good to be taught new lessons by the Lord about humility, change, patience, flexibility, and relationships. I will find out early May concerning my clinical rotations which will be all over the state, moving every 5 weeks for a year! I know I will learn much during the coming year! I find myself frustrated with school often, changing schedules, late professors, unorganized teaching, and sometimes wonder if I will really learn all that I need to. Today was especially discouraging, but I pray that the Lord would help me to trust that He is teaching me exactly what I need to know to serve Him. He is calling me and all of us to cast ALL our anxieties on Him because He cares for us!!

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save" (Isaiah 46:4). "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides thee, who works for those who wait for him (Isaiah 64:4).

where I was a year ago... what special memories!

2009-04-05T16:39:00.004-04:00

Blessings this weekend

2009-03-22T16:00:00.006-04:00

I was so blessed this weekend to spend time with precious friends from Clemson. It was great to spend quality time with Meredyth, my roomate and best friend from college, and also Elizabeth who I swam with. They have both been such an encouragment to me, I am excited to see and hear all the Lord does in their lives in the next few years! I was also able to spend time some sweet time on the phone with Madeline and have dinner Saturday night with Meredith Reock. I am so thankful to have each of these beautiful sisters in my life!!! Each one is so different and the Lord uses them in different ways to draw me to Himself.

Divine Power

2009-03-16T20:37:00.001-04:00

His DIVINE POWER has granted to us ALL THINGS that pertain to LIFE and GODLINESS, through the knowledge of HIM who CALLED US to His own GLORY and EXCELLENCE, by which he has granted to us His PRECIOUS and VERY GREAT PROMISES, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

For this very reason, make EVERY EFFORT to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with LOVE. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more DILIGENT to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11

Christ the Solid Rock

2009-03-15T14:37:00.001-04:00

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

When darkness veils his lovely face

I rest on his unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, his covenant, his blood

Supports me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my HOPE and STAY

When he shall come with trumpet sound

Oh may I then in him be found

Dressed in his rightousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I can't believe that I am less than 5 months away from being finished in the classroom! In some ways it seems that the past year has flown by while at the same time SO MUCH has happened since graduating from Clemson last May! I am amazed at all the Lord has done, how He has poured out abundant grace into my life through each season. Why does this suprise me? Has He not always been faithful to His bride?

This current season is so unique in many ways. While school at times can be overwhelming, I know that the Lord has called me to this place for this season. He has called me to exploit my singleness for Him. I am learning more each day about how singleness is God's GIFT to me for this season!!! It is amazing to reflect back on the process through which the Lord lead me to PA school, even though at times this was not my desire. The Lord has been SO FAITHFUL to me since moving back to Charleston and since being here He has continued to grow a passion within me for medicine. I have to be reminded often of WHY I am studying so hard in this season; ultimately that I might be the hands of Christ and that I might be able to PROCLAIM HIM amongst a people who are hurting, both physically and spiritually. During spring break this past week the Lord really used a shadowing experience to grow my passion for women's health. People who know me well can testify that the Lord has been growing this desire in my life for some time now but the past few months He has really been opening my eyes and growing my heart to be able to minister specifically to women. I was able to shadow this past Thursday at an OBGYN office in Summerville with one of my PA faculty members and it was incredible. I was in awe at how many women truly opened up to share about their lives, several of which shared deep, intimate struggles of either their past or the present. And all this with what you and I would consider a stranger! I was reminded Thrusday that each person DESIRES the love and concern of another, we WANT to share our lives with people we can trust, we want to be KNOWN! Ultimately, the LORD fulfills all these desires in our life! I am thankful to be entering a field where there is a unique relationship between the caregiver and the patient, I pray that I would be able to love on women in this way some day and that the Lord would open up many opportunities to proclaim His greatness.

This week has also been a great week of growth and reflection concerning my relationship with Joshua, he has been in India for almost 2 months now. This has been the first break since entering PA school that we have been apart. Its hard to believe that the Lord brought us together almost a year ago. It is still a miracle to me that the Lord would bless me with such an incredible man. While the Lord has brought many wonderful people into my life in Charleston, I have still be struggling somewhat with loneliness. I long for deep, intimate relationships with others, and I find myself often missing the physical presence of some of my dearest friends. But I am learning so much right now about embracing those the Lord has brought into my life for this season! I am so thankful that I am still able to enjoy fellowship with Joshua half a world away. We are so thankful for modern technology! We are both growing so much right now, with the Lord but also with one another as we seek to learn one another's hearts. I won't lie, long distance is challenging and difficult, but the Lord has poured out so much grace and joy these last 2 months. He is teaching us to communicate in ways we never imagined and we are still learning!! I have to remind myself daily that this is a PROCESS, just as with our relationship with the Lord! I feel like so many things I am learning with and through Joshua tie directly back to my relationship with the Lord. O for grace to trust Him more!

So I'm starting a new week of school tomorrow and am looking forward to all the Lord has in store for this next season leading up to my last semester this summer. I have no idea what He has in store but I am TRUSTING that His plans are good. No circumstance has been brought into my life apart from His sovereign love. While I am rejoicing over how the Lord has moved this past season, but I am eager for more, I want to see the Lord work in my life in ways I have never imagined. I want to see His name high and lifted up in Charleston, among my classmates, in my family, in India, in Clemson. I want to meet with the Father INITMATELY each morning before I start my day, I want to come expectantly to hear from Him as I read His word, I want to seek Him on my knees in brokenness over sin and pleading for the souls of lost friends and family. I want to see the Lord pour out His grace into my relationship with Joshua, that we might grow to display the Gospel more fully in our lives, that His way might be known on earth, His saving power among all nations. I want the Lord to teach me to LOVE Joshua and others in ways I have not, I want Him to teach me to be CONTENT in my circumstances, GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus! I want to see the Lord open doors for the Gospel to go forth in power, that WHENEVER I open my mouth, words might be given to me that I might fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel. I want to see the Lord bring FRUIT from the lives of brothers and sisters around the world. O HOW I AM IN NEED OF HIS GRACE!! Only the Lord can produce these good things, apart from Him I have no good within me! I pray that this would be a season of ABIDING in the vine, and as a result I am trusting God to bear FRUIT that will last.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; youhold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26

2009-03-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

His steadfast love endures forever...

2008-11-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

Although I've never been a "blogger," I love to write so I figured I'd give this a shot. I love to read other blogs and to learn and be encouraged by how the Lord is at work in others. I hope that mine can be a source of encouragement in that same way.

I am currently living in Charleston, loving PA school, new friends, and new adventures. While the shift from college has been difficult, the Lord has been at work in amazing ways, I pray that He would continue to pour out His grace!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!...

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lordthan to trust in princes...

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation...
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it!

The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us... You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118