Happy Birthday...to ME! :)

Birthday post to follow tomorrow...hopefully! :) I've had an excellent "28th" birthday today. Thanks to everyone for all your sweet voicemail and text messages, my fun facebook messages, emails, cards in the mail, and all your thoughts today! I'm richly blessed with abundance of incredible people in my life! What a fun day! :)
The Mister with his Aunt Mae Mae on her special day!

"Nisi Dominus Frustra" AKA "Without the Lord, Frustration!"

I learned this new "phrase" from my quiet time today and I gotta tell you, this totally hit home and pierced my heart today exactly where I needed it to. The majority of scripture that was used in my study today was Psalm 127: 1& 2 "If the Lord doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the Lord doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing. It is no use for you to get up early and stay up late, working for a living. The Lord gives sleep to those he loves." We can bascially summarize these passages by simply saying that if God's not in the work or effort - whatever the work or efforts may be - the labor is in vain and is useless and meaningless. I started thinking through some of the things in my life, both past and present, that I have worked so hard at accomplishing or bringing in to fruition in my own strength, without Him. It's not a good feeling at all to think that this work has been for nothing. What in the world made/makes me think that I don't need Him? This excerpt was also included in my study today from Benjamin Franklin's "Speech to the Convention for Forming a Constitution for the Unitied States": "In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered....And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived for a long time (81 years), and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."

I was asked in my study about when the last time was that I realized I was wasting my energies, the last time I experienced "Nisi Dominus Frustra"? I won't go into my personal answers, but I will say that looking more closely at these situations, I have most certainly experienced frustration, and today He has brought to light the root of those frustrations...because I've tried to build so many things without Him, without His guidance and strength, without His blessing. What areas in your life are you working in vain? Maybe it is your workplace, maybe it's within your home, in your relationships or lack thereof.

I think that God is also telling us from verse 2 that we need rest! Work done while we should be resting is work done and energy burned in vain. God knows that our bodies need sleep and when we deprive ourselves of that rest, it can be dangerous: physically, emotionally and spiritually. So, like I read today, "work where God words; then rest."

I love that God wants to build an amazing life for me. I love that His blueprint is so much higher and grander than my own. My prayer is that I would follow His work in my life and be thankful that He allows me to help Him build but that He doesn't need me to be the master carpenter.

Thank you, Jesus, for frustrating the works in my life that I try doing without You, so that I may be drawn to You.

Ok, so maybe it IS a big deal!

Today has been a catch up day for me. I had the day off from work because I have to attend a mandatory workshop tomorrow for work, so today was my day to get everything done that I would have done tomorrow. One of the things on my list was to go get my liscense renewed. I didn't have to actually go to the DMV to get it renewed, I could've just sent all my info in through the mail and gotten it renewed that way. However, this chic wanted a new picture and I wanted my weight changed. Hello! I've lost over 75 pounds. Of course I want an updated picture and my weight changed! Who in their right mind wouldn't want that?! So, I get there this morning lookin' all cute and the line wasn't even long. GREAT...things are totally in my favor! I go and fill out the little piece of paper stating that my address has not changed, my eye color has not changed, I still want to be an organ donor and no, my liscense is not being held because of any crimes I've committed. You better believe I paid careful attention to the "weight" box though and I proudly wrote in a new, lower number from the one that was on my previous liscense. This made my day. So, I waited a minute, got my new picture made (which turned out great, I must say), received my new liscense and head out the door. As I headed down the road to meet my friend Emma for coffee, I pulled out my wallet to admire the new, improved piece of plastic and glanced at the weight. Oh yeah, you guessed it. It didn't get updated. SAD DAY! My first thought was, "what the world?". I'm sure I frowned a minute, but it didn't take me too long to get over it. I mean, really...does it matter all that much? So, I had a wonderful coffee date with my sweet friend Emma and after that I headed to my sister's to play with the little mister before his nap time. I took my workout clothes so that I could just change at my sister's and head out to the college after leaving there for a good walk. I ended up just staying at my sister's and waloging (walking/jogging) on her treadmill. I think I walogged the hardest today that I have in a long time. Into my second mile, my muscles started to really burn...almost to the point of me wanting to give up, or throw up one. (thankfully neither of those two happened!) It was in that moment of pain though that I realized and said to myself, "Self, maybe it really IS a big deal that they didn't change that number on that piece of plastic today! This is dang hard work!" I'm sure I could've gone back to the DMV with my sweaty, smelly self, explaining the situation, pointing out their mistake and demanding a new liscence be made for me. But after all, it is just a piece of plastic...and my picture wouldn't have been nearly as cute. Such is life!

Tofutti Cuties!

Oh my! I am so thankful that I got to spend a day this weekend hanging out w/ my old roommate, Gina! We don't get to see each other very often so I absolutely love the times I do have with her. We took a little trip to Harry's Farmer's Market to see what fun things we could find there. If nothing else, getting a picture with the "Tofutti Cuties" was totally worth it. We then went and had a fabulous lunch at Don Pablos, followed by a funny trip to Barnes & Noble (see picture below in the last post) and then we headed to the Cumberland Mall and did a little shopping. Thanks for such a fun day, G! I'm thankful for you - and remember...if it ain't fixed, don't broke it! Such wisdom from Gina herself. She is the smartest girl I know. More pics to come from our fun day together...

This makes me happy.

Mind Dump! - stolen from my friend Hannah

Sorry it's been a few days since I've written. It's been wacky around here! My mind is way too full from all the craziness and before I can even sort through my thoughts so that I can post a decent blog, I think I need to dump them all first. They aren't necessarily bad thoughts (ok , some of them maybe are), but nonetheless, they need to come out! Maybe this will help "unjumble" some things. :) Thoughts that I'm dumping/unloading for the time being... -Do I have enough money to make that happen? -The Lord knows exactly what I need and how much money I need. If He tells me to do something, He also prepares the way to make it happen. -I LOVE it when my sister calls me at work to tell me that my sweet nephew just ran to the front door yelling, "Mae Mae, Car! Mae Mae, Car!", because he wants to see me. -I'm sad that my friend Emily didn't get to go walk with me tonight, but thankful that my Mom did. -What are all those people thinking that are suffering the effects of the hurricane? Sad! -I have NOT been drinking enough water this week. -I'm going to be 28 very soon and I don't know what to think about that. -I'm so glad that I get to see lots of cool people (i.e. my patients) at work everyday. -I'm a really nice person, but if I don't have love, it doesn't mean anything. -A good friend is waiting to hear back from a super important exam he took - I hope he gets the result he's looking for because he worked really hard for it. -My car's oil change is overdue. So is my car's bath...inside and out. -I am SO excited that I get to see my friend Gina on Friday. I love her. -It's been a week since I got my hair cut and it's finally starting to cooperate. -I have lots of friends having babies REALLY soon. I love it when they give me what I ask for! :) -I don't deserve the incredible friends that I have but am so thankful for them! -I really need to get back on track with my eating this week - Weight Watchers has certainly looked down upon me over the past few days. -I don't like the new facebook layout. -I wish I wouldn't filter everything I'm going to say to the max before I say it. Sometimes it just needs to be SAID. -The "Biggest Loser" starts back tonight! -I'm a big loser and proud of it - too bad I'm not in the race for a million bucks! :) -I can't wait for our girl's weekend in October! -I need to spend some really good time in the Word before the day is done. -Maybe I should be doing that now. -I think that just ended my mind dump! :)

She said......YES!!

In the picture above, you see my friends Justin and Karla. Justin and Karla's story began a LONG time ago...perhaps even when we were 12 or 13 years old, all knee high to a grasshopper. They just didn't know THEN that their paths would lead them to where they are NOW. Karla and Justin began dating after we all graduated from high school...they've been "together" going on 7 years now. We really are pretty lucky that Justin has stuck around as long as he has...us "sisters" have drilled the mess out of him for years now as to if he was EVER going to ask Karla to be his bride. Poor thing. (We only did it because we love him SO much!) So, thanks Justin, for putting up with us sassy girls who love Karla more than anything. You're stuck with us now...like it or not. :-) Karla and Justin went on a trip last week and on Monday morning I get a call from Karla. I really kind of knew why she was calling, but I still had to ask, "Whatcha doing?" Her reply..."Oh, not much...just sittin' here ENGAGED!" It amazes me that no matter how much we know something is going to happen and have anticipated the moment for literally years, we still scream like little school girls! I am still giddy at this news and LOVE that these two are going to spend the rest of their lives loving each other. You are both absolutely precious to me and I'm thankful that I get to be a part of this season in your lives. Know that you are loved, know that God made you especially for each other, and know that He has an amazing road ahead for the two of you together! Justin, we are so glad that you asked. And Karla, we are so glad that you said YES! We all say....YES!!! :)

Of course us "sisterhood" girls had to see Karla (and her incredibly GORGEOUS ring!) the very next day that she and Justin returned home from their trip. Enjoy these pictures from our celebration dinner with Karla the other night! We love you, Karla, and can't wait to help you plan for your big day!
Karla and Kacee
Karla, Kimi and soon to be Baby EJ!
Look at that rock! (and the fun magazines!)
I love this picture!

Meredith and Karla
Karla and Courtney
Karla and Alyson

We are ALL about sharing some cake...no shame!
Courtney and Meredith

Kacee, Karla, and Kimi
No comment on the cake...but CONGRATS!! :)
Meredith and Aly

Alyson, Meredith, Kacee, Courtney, Karla and Kimi...we are pretty girls...don't you think?

This is one of my most FAVORITE pictures ever...such a glowing bride to be! :)

Alright fellas, this only leaves one of us girls left. Get on it!

We love you, Karla and Justin!!

A Love that Surrounds

Hey my sweet friends!

Hope you've all had a great Labor Day weekend. Mine was great...I was able to spend some good time with good friends and family and am a little sad that it's back to work tomorrow! :) I realize that I just sent out an update email a few days ago, but I needed to share again today. You know me...I'm all about sharing. :)

Today was a day that I just really needed to feel loved and that I'm thought of. I know that sounds crazy because I truly do have an excellent life and KNOW that I'm loved by so many people...but it's just how I felt today. Not because anything in my life is wrong or that I'm upset about anything, I just needed reassurance that I'm valuable. Come on...we all have those days!

My Mom and I were keeping my nephew Luke for most of day today and if anybody makes me feel like I'm loved, it's him. It didn't matter how many hugs or kisses he gave me today though, I still needed something more to make my heart less heavy. Around 4:30 this afternoon, Luke still had not taken a nap and was very tired...and I was tired of him being tired! :) I decided that I'd put him in his stroller and that we'd go for a walk around the block, in hopes that he would fall asleep. About 10 minutes into our walk, I started singing "Jesus Loves Me" to him. I don't know how many of you know this about me but a while back I decided that anytime I saw a red bird, that I would choose to take that as a reminder of God's unfailing love for me. A little cheesy, I know. But don't forget who's talkin' here! Anyway, as I got to the part of "Jesus Loves Me" that says, "Yes! Jesus loves me. Yes! Jesus loves me. Yes! Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.", I saw a little red bird perched up in a tree. I'm sure when I saw the bird that my voice probably kept getting louder and louder as I was singing "YES!! Jesus loves me!" I didn't care. I serve a big God and I knew that this was Him saying to me today, "Yes! I love you with an everlasting love and you ARE valuable to me!" But as great as that is, it doesn't end there.

Luke was a champ and fell asleep on our walk despite my loud singing. I brought him in from our walk and layed him on a pallet that I'd fixed up for him in our spare bedroom. I sat in my favorite chair and just watched him sleep for a few minutes. I cried as I watched him sleep - just thinking of how blessed I am and how the Lord's favor in my life has been so sweet. (Can you imagine what I'll be like with my own child? Scary!)

I picked up my Bible study book and began to have my quiet time for the day and the title of my lesson today was "A Love that Surrounds". Couldn't be more fitting, huh? I thought so too. The main passage of scripture was Psalm 125:2, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people now and forever." I love the picture that this painted for me today. Just like the mountains surrounded and protected Jerusalem, God's presence surrounds me from every direction! As I read today, "nothing can close in on me without closing in on Him first. He alone can be both the watchman and the wall." God knows that even though He's always with me and always surrounding me, that I'm still going to have moments like I had today - a heavy heart. The fact that His Word tells me that He is "near to the broken hearted and binds up their wounds" shows me that there will be situations in life that will be crushing. Passages that speak of His great deliverance prove that there will be things to be delivered from. I realize that sometimes it's necessary to go through some tough days to continue developing my relationship with Him, allowing Him to prove Himself faithful to me through the process. I'm learning that it's ultimately a matter of trusting Him to be Who He says He is. My trust in Him was magnified today. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us like you do and for surrounding us with Your great love.

Love y'all!
Meredith