Canswer

I work in a cancer hospital.  When I first got this job, all I could think of was how inspiring it would be to work here.  Sounds strange, I know, but I was really excited about being a part of something that was doing great things.  I was excited to be a part of the clever "Breast Canswer" advertisements and go to the photo shoots of administrators and nurses and doctors- who all play a critical role in saving lives. I really believed that I would be able to watch hope and love flourish in a place like this.  And it does.  Hope and love are most definitely present.  But so is illness and death.

Today, my coworker, a breast cancer survivor, went in for her yearly checkup.  She's been cancer-free for 11 years but she says that every time she has to get checked, she gets extremely sick and nervous, filled with fear that the cancer might come back.

This woman is a believer, with a very sweet heart and a love for Jesus.  So I knew that I could pray for her before she went in, to at least calm her nerves.  After she came back, she explained to me that she just wanted God to tell her it was going to be ok.  That she didn't want this guessing game of not knowing if she's sick or not.

It's hard to relate to her when I've never been sick (as in serious diseases).  I've never lost anyone.  I've never really even seen a terminally sick person until I came here.  (I've lived a VERY sheltered life).  So of course it was easy for me to pray for her.  It was also easy for me to tell her that God has a plan and that He is good and that her faith is encouraging to me.  It was also easy for me to tell her that even if God didn't directly speak to her, that Jesus says, "blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed."  It was easy for me to tell her to have some faith.

She took everything I said with a sincere smile and a quick thank you email, but I still feel like I haven't been able to help her.  Her appointment today left both of us feeling like life is so out of our own personal control.  I really am so inspired by her faith and by her love staying constant for God, even when things are REALLY rough for her.  She has taught me a lot, in a very short amount of time. 

Now, all I can do is pray that she will stay healthy.  Even though she hasn't yet received a prophetic word or had a vision of Jesus walking towards her, giving her the thumbs up that she's cancer-free (yes, that's how I dream it happens, thanks to facebook), she and I both have faith that He will take care of her, one way or another...

Conversations of Courage Vol 2

So several months ago, my loving and smart boyfriend came to me and told me that he was going to write a section in a book that was to be published sometime in 2011.  I was super excited and thrilled for him and could not wait to see his dream of writing come true in book form!

It was amazing to be able to help him along the way, not only being his cheerleader and number one fan, but also to be able to read it ahead of time and give him my thoughts.  His writing is superb and I was so pleased to be a small part of his writing journey.

Now that the book has been published, I've been able to read through every story and see how God has moved in on these people's lives.  It's a really encouraging experience to be able to share with others the power of what God can do, if you let Him.

Check out his blog to read more about it and find out how you can read his story! 
http://nathan-womack.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

Birthday :)

As you get older (and I use the term "older" very loosely here), it seems that you start to look at life differently each year.  At least I have.  I turned 24 on Monday and amidst the cards and flowers, the lip gloss and Sephora gift cards, the jewelry and Gondola rides (my personal favorite), there's this thought of age and life and purpose, that looms around me. 

I have had 24 long years on this planet.  What have I done with 24 years?

Sure, I've graduated college successfully and quickly.  Then I landed a steady job with benefits, too!  And I have some really fabulous people in my life.  But WHAT have I personally done? 

I think it's time for me to start thinking more carefully about my life.  I've gotten myself positioned in a good spot where I'm making decent money, I drive a new car, I have nice things, and I do fun things.  I'm comfortable.  On paper.  But there is a part of me that's yearning for something more.  Something big.  Something different.  Something new.  Something borrowed?  Hmmmm.... ;) 

All joking aside, I'm excited to see what this year holds for me.  I'm excited to see where God takes me and how He uses me.  I want to live my life in the most self-less way possible, and I hope that I can take this next year doing just that.  Serving Him and others in as loving a way as possible...


"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky" -Philippians 2:14-15