because of the ones I am loving along the way

Tonight as I read in my book, The Woman I am becoming by T. Suzanne Eller, which I am LOVING by the way the topic was on FRIENDSHIPS. As I was reading I began reflecting on my friendships throughout the years. Some where filled with hurt, and Some brought me joy-but they all made me who I am today!
In this section Eller talks about how important friendships are to our mental and physical health, and I have to agree. I have been blessed to have friendships old and new that fill my life with laughter, and despite the distance or the amount of time its been since we have talked we always pick back up where we left off. My favorite part of this section is a quote from Tammi Steele that says " A good friendship is knowing each others heart and being there for each other- especially during the difficult times." As I grow older I know my friendships will change, but one thing that will not is my priority to have amazing friendships and invest time in each one of them!

Now I would like to take some time and Thank the ones that have loved me along my life journey.

Brittany: This girl is simply amazing-and that is the best way to describe her. She is filled with a HUGE heart that loves God, and Challenges me to be a better christian just by being around her. I loved her ever since she took me under her wing at chick-fil-a and taught me the ropes to my first job. Though we dont see each other nearly enough, she is the best friend a girl could ask for.

Paula: My sister is My BEST FRIEND. I know she will be there for me in anything and everything I ever decide to do. She takes care of me WAY to much-but i wouldnt want it anyother way.

Rachael: The only other 20 yr old that still enjoys Hannah Montanna. We have had our share of difficult times, but its only made our friendship stronger. We are at two different places in life, but we always find a way to connect to eachother. Life would not be the same without you.

Holly, Jenn, Karen: Each are all individually different, but have a huge place in my heart. These girls are not only friends, they are sisters. I know I can come to them with crazy stories, ambitions, and problems and they will give me advise that I need to hear. My college career would not be the same without any of them.

If you have a true friend cherish them, if you are a true friend know you are a gift to someone. Because its the ones who love you along the way, that make your life so wonderful.
Love,
Mindy

The Woman I am becoming

Yesterday I finally got to go shopping (something I have not gotten to do since the semester started.) My sweet boyfriend Brett told me that we could go to Hickory and go to Old Navy, Target and anywhere else I wanted to go with no complaints of how long I spent in one store coming from him. So I decided to take this opportunity and run with it-because they do not come every day.

Once I got into Old Navy I spotted the new ankle jeans that they have ever so frequently sent emails and commercials my way every time I watched TV. I dug through the piles of jeans, and found my size and put them in the pile for the dressing room. Once I walked into the dressing room, I felt something that anyone HATES to feel. That feeling that nothing looks good, and nothing fits, that feeling that you are HUGE-but you know your not HUGE! As I stood standing in the mirror waiting on a text back from my sister giving me here opinion on the jeans I had on, I started saying things to myself about my body-mean things! Things I would not really ever say unless I was in that situation.

As I stood in that dressing room the lower my feelings of my body image slid down. Needless to say I walked out of the store with nothing in my hand, and a bad attitude about myself.
Once I got home that night still feeling upset I picked up a new book that I have started ready by T. Suzanne Eller called, The Woman I Am Becoming. It just so happened that the chapter I read last night spoke right to me-I do believe almost all of the chapter is highlighted!

In this chapter Eller talks about how special we are though we do not fit into the molds of our society, and being true to yourself is vital. I have never had a poor body image, but why was I having such a difficult time in the dressing room that night? As I continued reading there was a section that just stabbed my heart. As I was standing in the Old Navy dressing room, I was pulling out things I thought were wrong with my body. But I was also "telling God that he didnt know what he was doing when he created me!"
"God knows you. He formed you. Your quirks. Your laugh. Your funky or traditional personality. Stop fighting against that, and stop molding yourself or your passions to look like someone else." God gave me curves, God gave me bigger bones, God made me! I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I would look sick if I was as skinny as some of my friends-even though they look great! God made me! I cant say it enough.
Maybe I am the only girl that has meltdowns in the dressing room, but tonight I have discovered a new approach. God made me, he made no mistakes, and I am comfortable in the skin I am in. Instead of looking in the mirrors and telling God what he did wrong, I am going to praise him for what he did right!

Love,
Mindy

Stronger

Spring Break starts TOMORROW! I am so excited, but it was a push to get here, and it is a bitter sweet thing that is finally here. I know your reading this and Im sure you just said "Is she crazy?" to yourself! Trust me I am saying that too. I am crazy. The weeks after spring break are jammed packed, and filled with papers, and observations, and just pure business.
Today as I was talking to my beautiful sister during my break while on the verge of a meltdown about all this stuff that is about to hit me the up comming weeks, and how I just wanted today to be spring break so I could finally go home and have nothing to do, no where to be at certain hours and just destress she told me to listen to this song by Mandisa, Stronger.


When I pulled it up on youtube I imminently fell IN LOVE! This is seriously my theme song for the rest of my semester. And it is so amazing how God can give you the perfect person to talk to during these situations. My sister is absolutely amazing and she always finds a way to make me see the strength that I can and have gained from any situation whether it being at a college away from home that I didnt like, roommates, to just having a bad day.
God puts people into your life to lift your spirits when you are down, who are better at seeing things that you cant see or dont want to see at that exact moment. I am so lucky that that girl is my sister, because she has to love me regardless. But God will plant someone in everyones lives that will help you grow and become stronger in the end.
"when the waves are taking you under, hold on just a little bit longer, he knows this is going to make you stronger. The pain cant last forever!"
So when your stressed with your daily life- God knows that it is not going to last forever. Hold on just a little bit longer, dont give up! The end will soon be near, and you will be stronger in the end!

Love,
Mindy

The Ugliest Days

Today was actually a beautiful day here in Boone. The sun was shinning, the weather was so nice, and I even wore short sleeves with no jacket. But today was an Ugly day for me. Tuesday's are my LONGEST days of the week, but I also woke up feeling sick: head, stomach, and throat. But my momma always taught me to keep on and not let anything keep me from going-not even a sickness. So as I trekked through campus with my head feeling 5x heavier than normal and going from class to class, I was trying to think of beautiful things that I could thank God over. I came up with a list of five things.
1. I was alive-even though I felt terrible God gave me another day.
2. It was a beautiful day today- unlike Monday's rain and Thunderstorms
3. Boone has the best blue skys just when you need them
4. Someone always knows when your feeling down, I got a sweet voice mail from my boyfriend wishing me a great Tuesday. (That hardly ever happens with our busy schedules)
5. Though I am stressed I need to remember that each day is a new day, and God gives me nothing I can not handle.

So as I got myself through the day and made it straight to my bed when I got home (and have not yet moved.lol) I am reminded of this verse:

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

Think of some ways God has blessed you, even on the Ugliest of Days!

Love,
Mindy

Psalm 139

You search me
You know me
You see my every move
There's nothing I could ever do
To hide myself from You
You know my thoughts
My fears and hurts
My weaknesses and pride
You know what I am going through
And how I feel inside
But even though You know
You will always love me
Even though You know
You'll never let me go
I don't deserve Your love
But you give it freely
You will always love me
Even though You know

You search me
You know me
You see my every move
There's nothing I could ever do
To hide myself from You
You know my thoughts
My fears and hurts
My weaknesses and my pride
You know what I am going through
And how I feel inside
But even though You know
You will always love me
Even though You know
You'll never let me go
I don't deserve Your love
But you give it freely,
You will always love me
Even though You know

You will always love me

Even though you know

-Rebecca St. James

I Am Second

Today I was on the website SheSeeks and I came across a little devotion that hit home with me, and everything that has been going on in my life here lately. Please take a moment and watch this video from a child actress, Bailee Madison, as she talks about how she is second to God and how she is living out her faith in Hollywood.


Life lessons are so important, but most importantly staying close to God during these lessons. Change is something that is both "awesome and uncomfortable." And I personally struggle with change. It is hard for me to go from what is considered normal in my life to something totally different. That is why I am asking God to help me be more comfortable to this "awesome yet uncomfortable" gift he gives us.
God never promised us that our life would be comfortable. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9) Be STRONG. BE COURAGEOUS. There is nothing about COMFORT.
If you are in barking in a season of change for your life its not going to be comfortable, but God is going to be with you every step of the way! God will pull you through this uncomfortableness and bring you to the awesomeness.

As you are going through your change I leave you with this verse.
“The Lord is the one who makes the path of the righteous level and smooth…” (Isaiah 26:7)

Take delight in your season of change and be in prayer that God will revel to you his awesome path.

Love,
Mindy

Fork in the Road

Has your life ever felt like your at a fork at the road?

today that is what my life feels like.
My grade for a class is not where I want it to be but yet I do everything in my power to make the grade, Life is not making the most sense to me at the current moment, and things are being thrown on me that I feel like I can not handle (but they always get done).
I feel like I am standing still looking up at the sky and saying "OK GOD WHICH WAY???" but thats not going to be the way he will answer me.
Though I am at this standstill in my life-as many of my friends are, we have to pray and as God for the right direction. God's timing is everything, I have learned that in my life. It is not about when we want it cause he will not give it to us then. We must wait.
So as I stand at this fork in the road, I will wait on God to direct my path and show me the best direction. I will seek him in prayer.
Yes, my life isnt going the way I want it, I may not have the gpa that I want because of this ONE class, but it isnt about me. It is about God.

"less of me and more of God" -Thats my prayer today.

Love,
Mindy