Bye 2012!

Hello!
I am back! On the very last day of 2012! :) I'm excited!
So, I wanted to let you know of a few things that went on for my christmas and such. I definitely had a great time in New York. My mother was there and she will be for the next few days! I am very happy and thankful that she is here visiting my sister and I. That woman is my hero, my angel, my mother. I'll probably write on more of that next year! ha!
Anyways, it was a good time with family, with friends who actually came up with us, and joy! Here are some visuals for you to see :)

The beautiful tree at the Rockefeller Center. 

The three of us little women.

Cool shot of part of this awesome city 

Can't miss the shot with my Kevin

With Brooke! She is awesome! 

Surprised Cynthia on her bday! :)

Of course. 

I must say that he is a great barista already! Passionate about coffee? This guy right here!

Passionate about the love of their lives? These two up here! ;)

So these are just a few of the events that took place for my Christmas. It was a great time overall. I cannot complain one tiny bit.

I also wanted to write a little on what my thoughts are on this year we are about to conclude. Honestly, I am thankful. I was taking a moment earlier today to just look back and reflect on the things that the Lord allowed and didn't allow. In the end I became overwhelmed by gratefulness and joy for the things that I did and that the Lord allowed me to accomplish and enjoy, but the one thing I hold dear in my heart and am forever thankful for is His salvation. His work accomplished in the cross, for His glory, because He loves me. In the moments I was down or felt weary and weak this year , God was there. To think of such a thing amazes me. The God of gods, the God of the universe was there.....with......me! For that and more, I give him the credit. I have definitely seen how the puzzle pieces that were handed to me this year have fallen into place (not all of them of course, but many). 

I found some great encouraging words in Ephesians 1 today. Paul prayed this for the Ephesians and this is something I am praying for myself and you this coming year. May you hold it close to your heart and hang on to such solid truth always. 

From verses 15-22 it says:

¹⁵ For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰ that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

I hope you have a great day and that you have a great start to the new year too! :) I am glad to be here sharing some thoughts with you and thank you for reading the silly/random things that are posted on my blog. :) 

P.S. Here is my bench! I like the color it came out to be! I must confess I freaked out a little bit because it looked pink at first when it was drying......but thank goodness it turned out to be the color I wanted! :) I love it! 

Like it?

Life lately...

Hi friends! :)
So I am going to ignore the fact that I said I'd try to be consistent with this blog! ha!
And friends, I am setting the "I'm in the process of decorating this background and such" as a new year's resolution and goal. :) One day you will click to see this blog and it'll be different and pretty.

Much has been going on in my life and after feeling like I do nothing with my life, it has turned into an event after event after event! :) I've enjoyed it, but I have missed my "doing nothing" days! lol I have been really caught up with the cutest baby though...

And now, this past week, I had an interview for what I have been waiting to work as since I've been in college...as an official RN! :D There's a small story behind it I want to share with you. My interview was on Wednesday.

Rewinding to the day before I got a call to schedule my interview: I had a moment of complaining and being sad because life just didn't seem how it should be like (in my mind), and comparison had crept and settled in my head as well. I was sensitive to any comment that was thrown at me such as "Beverly, have you heard from anyone yet?", "No answers back yet?", "So are you gonna continue decorating some more? *giggles*" (People, I got into decorating and cooking ever since I graduated and took them as hobbies! lol), "Still in your pj's?" "I'd go crazy if I were you" ....etc. words that probably didn't mean anything but what the question in and of itself was, but I took them as offensive at this point where all I wanted to do was slap someone and have them empathize a little. geesh! 

LITTE did I know that the next day I'd be getting that call to ask if I could come in for an interview. That day I remember feeling this little and coming before the Lord apologizing and thanking Him for his consistent love towards me. Guys, originally I was supposed to continue living life and enjoying it as I had been, but I got blinded with pride, comparing myself with others, and ultimately became ungrateful. I was not content with that one puzzle piece I had with me at that time. I wanted more! I wanted to see what in the world was supposed to happen! You know, like the light at the end of the tunnel? Well, it wasn't coming fast enough for me...and now, I look back and can only be thankful and amazed at the Lord's grace and mercy. 

Next thing to prepare for: My interview. haha. I attempted to practice a few possible questions with my boyfriend. FAIL! I felt unprepared. I kept saying that my answers had no substance, I had no confidence...etc. I, once again, failed to embrace my one puzzle piece and enjoy it as it came. The day of my interview I got ready and got through my day, which btw was on 12/12/12 :P. 

These pants are remembered always! :P I was complimented bc of them too! :)

I was thankful for the opportunity that had been given to me to do this. I got an official call today actually from the facility's recruiter offering me the position. I happily accepted and am very happy and in awe of how the Lord can seriously take a rainy and gloomy day and change it when He pleases. I think we all go through periods of complaining and comparing ourselves with people around us and such. 

The Lord goes through no periods of change. He is the same and his love remains the same EVEN when we become like this. You know how I wanted to slap someone when I was asked something before this whole thing even started? Well, I was actually slapped by the Lord, in a good way of course, and am looking forward to embracing each moment that is given to me and enjoy what seems to be like the "little things" in life. I am more than thankful with the Lord. I share this with you because I don't know what you might be waiting for or if you are going through something that has made you get side tracked by pride, comparison, you name it. I want to encourage you to keep looking forward and continue seeking the Lord and remembering His love demonstrated to you daily. He is good whether things go our way or not. I say that because I believe He is sovereign, and because whether you believe it or not, he listens to you and he answers too. 

Would I go back and wish I could have been a better person and more confident and thankful? No. I learned something that has always been really hard for me to grasp, and that is to actually know and believe that the Lord loves me the same no matter what I do or not do. The times I expected and deserved punishment or a cold shoulder because I knew I had been wrong, I received love and mercy instead. That kind of love is the love I got and get. It's the kind of love I want to give too. So now I can say I am officially an RN ready to embrace my first job ever! :)

On another update note:

Man, we look so short. 'tis reality though :)

There was a pre celebration for my sister's, angela's, Jo's, and Ryan's birthdays on Sunday. We got them some good Coldstone coffee ice cream (duh) cake! :) 

This was after our church Christmas dinner. Found this little place and of course, took advantage of it. :)

Now this bench is a new project of mine. I found it at a dumpster. I inspected it and dusted it and am now excited to paint it! :) I think it'll be nice to see it painted and added as part of our seating situations we have at my place. :) Very sturdy and vintage! :) I like it. 

Ok, I'm done for now. I have updated what I could for now. I hope to come and write soon! Christmas is coming soooo soon! :) Hope you have some good days coming up and remember: Enjoy it! :)

This week...

So much for writing everyday on here! (Except for weekends unless it as something completely urgent to get on here!) :(

Failed attempt #1 

I definitely need to get better about taking pictures and being able to summarize a whole day or anything for that matter, into a small paragraph ha! (I'm also still working on the whole layout of this blog! Fear not, it will not be looking like this permanently!) 

I say I start putting into practice the whole "keeping it short" right now. At least today anyways becauuuuse...this week is a long long one for me. It has consisted of taking care of the happiest baby I have met in my life (this is the first baby I take care of in my life too lol, BUT still, I believe he is the happiest!)! 'Til this day I am still shocked how good and awesome this little baby is.

Allow me to introduce you to Baby Jacob! 

Those two fingers...instead of the thumb! 

This is when I freak out and say "Careful!" (He loves to bounce!)

Isn't he cute!?

I was with him all day yesterday and today! And I have the rest of the week to go! I have learned much with this baby! I love him to death and am grateful for being able to take care of him. I will say this though: To all of you stay at home mommas, I do not know how you do it! I admire you and encourage you to keep it up! I bet this is like a tee nee glimpse for me of how it is to have a child! I am sure it is worth it though! 

 I also wanted to blog yesterday of how my weekend was, and of course, it did not happen. So I will show you my highlight of it today! 

Went to Charlottesville on a double date with an amazing couple down below!

Diego and Daniela AKA "Los Diegos"

We were COLD. 

Being able to talk to people who have been where you are at in life is not only awesome but helpful and a blessing. I am thankful for them. Daniela is not only an example, but someone I can call a friend and be myself with. It's just nice to get advice from someone else too, someone who can say "been there, done that, I understand"....someone you can approach and trust that whatever it is you are going through, struggling with or doing, they are there to understand and either pick you up or lovingly push you to be a better person because the goal is mutual from both sides: Be like the Lord. :) Ever since I started dating Kevin, I have prayed for someone like this. I think my prayer was answered. :)

Have a good rest of the week! :)

A week after thanksgiving...

I am going to be honest and say that I originally wanted to start this blog on thanksgiving day. 

Didn't happen. Sad day!

But....I figured I can still write and let you know what I thought of that day and show you literally ONE picture that was taken on that day! Go me! I stink at keeping up with the pictures, and on top of that, not the best poser. 

Thanksgiving...I love this holiday. Not only because of the history behind it or the amazing food you get to repeat over and over  enjoyed, but because being thankful is such a soother for the soul! 

I was able to not only meditate on earthly things that I am so thankful for, but for this one thing I guess I keep in the back of my mind too often, and that is what the Lord did for me. I am saved because of HIM. THIS is what really matters. The Gospel. Yes, the story we heard (past tense) in order to be saved, but how about that same story we should be reminded of daily because it is the power of that message that can continue transforming us and sanctifying us into people we ought to be like? 

You know how sometimes, we get so caught up with things life throws at us and we tend to lose focus? 

Have you ever had someone tell you, "go back to the basics", in order to better solve or deal with the issue? I've been told that several times actually. And in the moment it has just sounded so dumb to even think about the basics because in the moment "I KNOW" this is much "more" difficult in order to do such a silly thing as to going back to "THE basics" haha......little have I known and discovered that....yes....the basics, the foundation of what my so complicated issue was, was found by going back to it. I believe it's the same thing with the Gospel. We forget about it too often, and I firmly believe that a Christian life should have a foundation or "the basics" to hold onto. 

For us who know the Lord, that foundation should be the greatest story ever told: the Gospel. Found from Genesis to Revelation. It is something that should not only be thanked for on a thanksgiving or "Lord's supper day"....it should be daily. That's been my challenge and desire because slowly, I have come to realize that is that what has sustained my life 'til this day, and it is that what has saved my life for forever. Thanksgiving to me, should not only be a holiday, it should be something we do in our hearts DAILY. What better way than to start the day giving thanks for such comforting and encouraging truth? (Besides the cup of coffee or tea of course :)) 

Anyways, I just wanted to share one of the main things I was thankful for on thanksgiving and want to be thankful for always! 

If you read this and would like to know about this amazing truth and solid foundation for your life, please.....feel free to contact me! I'd love to share more! Or anything you'd like to add or share too! And for those of you who already know it, I encourage you to take some time of your daily lives and be encouraged by it and give thanks!  :)

It was delicious! :) Worth the extra pounds gained...:P
Spent with the bf's family! :)

Something to share...

Yesterday I read and listened to something that impacted my life and I just wanted to pass it on to you. It's from a woman called Nancy Guthrie. She shared her testimony and a few words with pastors' wives at a Sovereign Grace Pastors' conference. These are some of her words in her speech:

“I wonder if anyone in this room has ever sensed that God has said “no” to you? You prayed for there to be reconciliation in the marriage and it ended in divorce. You prayed for resources and you were willing to work and yet still the house went into foreclosure or the business went into bankruptcy. You prayed for that child to turn toward you or turn toward faith and he has lingered in rebellion. You prayed for and begged God and believed God for healing and yet have had to learn to live with the discomfort or the disability. I know many of you know what it is to go to God with a righteous, rigorous, repeated prayer and sense that heaven is closed to you, that God has said “no” to you. Sometimes God glorifies himself by delivering us from the difficulty and sometimes he glorifies himself by delivering us through the difficulty that he does not take away from us.”

         You can listen to the complete speech here :)

It was challenging and encouraging to listen to someone who has gone through something so painful and hard, deal with such a situation, and at the same time be content by the truth she holds on to and honest about it all. As Christians, I think we tend to either fake it and pretend things are well (because we convince ourselves that everything will be alright) when something is wrong or hard in our lives or to become discontent with life and eventually bitter with it. This woman puts something so valuable yet something that is not preached as often anywhere into perspective, and that is the Gospel.
I was reminded of many truths yesterday, and though I may not be facing the worst right now in my life, I was able to put things into perspective in my life and be thankful for where I was, who I am, and how my life is because of Him.
Don't get me wrong though, I have gone through things I consider hard and difficult in my life and have felt the same way Nancy Guthrie worded it, but to know and trust in someone who is Sovereign, is.....hard....yet...possible. :)
Maybe you are not going through something hard, maybe you are...either way, the encouragement should be for everyone because we are still loved by the same God with the same love!  :)
If there is anything I can pray for, please, email me or contact me. I would love to do so.
Requests or praises....everything is welcome! :)

Welp, here goes my first post...

:) Hi!
My name: Beverly 
I'm a twenty something year old girl who loves the Lord because I believe He loved me first. I have  been attempting to make a blog for about a while now. Never did I think I'd do something like this in my life, but I do have people who actually blog to thank! It was encouraging to see how people who are bloggers really encouraged me to do it! Mainly though, I thank one of my best friends from college, Danielle Turner (who did not have that last name when I met her! SO strange yet awesome to type it out!) for introducing me to blog world! She has an amazing blog you can visit here. She is an awesome person for sure, so I'd say after this, you go and check out her story! :) She's a writer too so you have nothing to lose! :)
I still have yet to figure out the whole layouts and things on how to design this blog of mine, so there is no "about me" section or anything that can tell you of who I am. It'll come though...it'll come. On that note, I would like to mention a few things about this blog I am starting up!
Slowly, as life has gone by for me, I have discovered that sharing a thought, a quote, an opinion, a life lesson is not something that SHOULD be kept to yourself ALL the time...ESPECIALLY when it comes to something that has eternal value (like the Gospel). Sometimes I have been left with so much information and amazing resources that I know could benefit others, I just have found myself keeping it all in! Things that I only leave in my journal...for no one else to see (maybe when I die? :P)! And it's not because it's private...it's just....because. With this blog I have decided to change that! If you ask anyone who knows me or of me, they'd start off by saying that I possess the quality of being quiet. This quality has got me through many good things in life, but I also know that there have been numerous times when I could/should have said something, and I never did. So I've written. Still do. And I love it! My whole point of telling you this is because I know that at least when I write on here, there will be someone out there like you :), who will read this. My intentions are to be real on this blog and let you know what my thoughts are on certain things, lessons I've learned from my past and present, fun things too of course, but I would also love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I am completely open to hearing what you have to say! :)
This got a bit long, so to wrap it up I would just like to thank you for stopping by and reading my very first blog post...means alot to me already! If there are any tips or ideas to blogging that you know of or that you have learned through this whole experience, please do share! :) I'd love to hear it! Have a great rest of the day!