It's All About Attitude

So today was one of those days that started off not so great but then ended up being fabulous! Honestly, it probably didn't need to be stressful but I have this new thing where I stress myself out and put far more pressure on myself than I really should. I know. I know. Not so smart. Thankfully, I have sweet friends and family who step right in and feed me truth and pray for me! I am so grateful for them. I constantly kept trying to remember in Psalms where it says, "Cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you..." (Psalm 55:22)

The rest of my day was so great. After the initial unnecessary stress in my first class I had three more. How is this good? Well, in case you didn't know or couldn't tell..I LOVE my major. Really I do. No, class isn't always fun and I cannot wait to graduate but overall, I really do enjoy my classes and try to soak up all that I can in them. I have amazing teachers who are passionate about what they do which probably helps. After class I went to the intramural fields and walked with my sweet friend Julie. I love the time that I get to spend with her. What an incredible encouragement she is to my life. Now, I am sitting in bed, listening to worship music, blogging. :) What a perfect end to the day. I was looking through some pictures from Christmas that I was just now able to load on my computer because of "technical difficulties." Most are of Virginia...so obviously I have like over 200 and it takes forever to edit each one. Here are just a few that I love....

I mean seriously.....precious.

I love this. She loves to be rocked by her daddy. It is so fun to see Eric and Lindsey with Virginia. They are such great parents...

Jimpa and Lili

I know you are thinking you have never seen anything more beautiful....it's true. :)

On that note...I am off to bed.

An Inspiration

Happy Friday! Yay! Weekends are going to be what I long for this semester..I can already tell. I am having early days every single day except for Friday. This is definitely preparing me for the rest of my life as a teacher :) I was back at my school this week and it was so great to see those smiling fourth graders again. I loved being back. This week was actually really good but definitely was tiring. Only about fourteen more to go. I know that doesn't seem like many but I am sure that this time will drag on....

Can I just say that the weather outside was beautiful today! I went for a run and it was so good to run outside again. The weather made me wish it was summer so badly. I love the cold weather but I definitely am more of a summer girl. I especially love running when it is really hot outside which is crazy I know. Needless to say...hurry up summer! :)

Anyways, so a couple of months ago I came across a blog about a girl who is my age and lives in Uganda. Katie went to Uganda for the first time in 2006 and God put it on her heart to start a child sponsorhip program, matching orphaned children who are unable to afford schooling with sponsors anywhere in the world. Katie began Amazima ministry. I am so encouraged my her and all that she has done. I have been following her blog for only a few weeks but love reading her stories. Pray for her. I am the same age as her and cannot imagine taking on all that she has taken on in the last few years of her life. She has fourteen adorable little girls living with her in Uganda. 21 years old...mother of fourteen plus more on some days. Her servants heart and willing spirit is so encouraging to me. She has inspired me and I would encourage you to pray for her.

Have a great weekend everyone!

So Much Joy

This past weekend was great. I was able to relax a bit and we had today off from school. Starting tomorrow....busy, busy, busy. Anyways, Friday was dads birthday so we celebrated that with family. I love my dad. He is truly the most amazing father. He is such an example to me. He just recently became the teaching leader for the evening men's BSF class. BSF is Bible Study Fellowship. This ministry began many years ago. It is a weekly Bible study that now involves men, women, and children all over the world. My mom began doing BSF about 12 years ago and it has truly transformed her heart and life which has been transforming our family as well. Now that my dad is beginning and evening mens class I can only imagine what this is going to do for the city of Mobile. My dad's obedience to the Lord and his walk is so encouraging to me. He is the most selfless and giving man I know and I am so thankful for him!

Saturday I spent the day doing homework with Brett. We also ran errands and attempted to give blood. Brett was successful...I, however, was unable to give blood. My poor little arms don't have many great veins. The nurse did not feel comfortable sticking me. Oh well. I will try again! :) Saturday night Brett and I went on a date.

I swear we don't take pictures every single time we go out...it had just been too long since we had taken a good one so I figured..why not! I just love him!

Tonight, just like every Monday night, I got to spend it with this precious little girl. Well, she would hate knowing I called her precious....we'll just call her cool! :)

I know...she is great! I love hanging out with this 6...almost 7 year old!

As I drove out to pick her up I was driving way out. Not exactly the country but kinda...it was beautiful out there and I couldn't resist taking a quick picture. Sorry for the not so great quality...

Seeing this is just a reminder of how great our God is! I have been learning so much lately. First of all, I am constantly reminded that I am a huge sinner and Christ is a huge Savior. When I was studying in John yesterday I came across something I had never really noticed or thought about before. John 11:9 says,

"Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

This verse spoke to me. "Day" is referring to the knowledge of Gods will and reliance on His guidance. "Night" is talking about our own self-reliance. If I am walking with complete reliance on Him and His Word, I am not going to stumble. I really needed to hear that. So often I think I rely on myself and I know I shouldn't. He is a definitely a much firmer foundation to stand on. I pray that I constantly remember that truth!

Well, back to my fourth graders tomorrow. I am definitely excited even though it is going to be an early morning! :) Until later....Goodnight!

Great Memories and New Beginnings

So, I have to say that 2009 was pretty much great! I have definitely had my ups and downs but overall it was fabulous. I had the privilege of spending three amazing months in Belo Horizonte, Brazil with a great team!

I also met some pretty amazing people while I was there... :)

No...seriously...they were great! I miss them dearly!

I also celebrated a year of being with this amazing guy! He has definitely been one of the greatest blessings that God has given me!

I also celebrated two special days with two of my very best friends! Katherine and Blake got married in August and Colleen and Jason just got married in December. I had the privilege of being part of their special days. Each wedding was different but both girls looked unbelievable and had perfect weddings! Colleen's wedding also gave me the opportunity to travel to Canada which was so much fun! Wish I could share pictures but I still do not have the software on my computer to add my pictures!

Of course, my family and I welcomed the newest member of the Blackman family into this world and have celebrated many of Virginia Louise's "firsts" with her!

Including...her first Christmas! :) She is precious!

There were way more things that happened this year but these were some of the major events!

This past year God taught me so much. I have to say, I definitely learned that God is so faithful even when we are unfaithful. He has blessed us with so much. It makes me think of the verse in James:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

-James 1:17

How great it is to know that He does not change.

Now that I am thinking about the next year there are many things that I would love to change. Call them New Year's resolutions....I guess. I've never been one for them but as I think about the last year there are things that I have seen in my life that could be improved and changed.

*I want to be more faithful with my prayer life. I want to be consistent in praying for my family and friends and ask them specific ways that I can pray!

*I want to be more consistent with my time in the Word and with memorizing Scripture!

"I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."-Psalm 119:11

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." -Matthew 24:35

*I want to read one book a month...I saw this on someone else's resolutions and I think that this is such a great idea and although school is overwhelming and crazy...I believe that this is completely reasonable and beneficial.

*I want to take better care of my body as far as what I put into it with the things that I watch, listen to, read, and eat!

*I will write letters or an encouraging note to someone once every couple of months....not emails or facebook messages. Snail mail!

*I want to remember that my role towards Brett is first and most importantly, his sister in Christ.

*I want to cook more and learn more about it from the best, mom!

*Save money. Give it to those who are in need.

*Blog more consistently...haha. Lets not be too specific. :)

*Be intentional with all that I do and not waste time.

((These are just a few. There are plenty of things that I can be improving on over this next year. Most importantly, I pray that the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. I know that this world is full of so much darkness. I pray that I will not be sucked in, but instead will be a light. Thank You Lord for a new year!))

A Wonderful Life

Hello all! So..thus far I am up to a second post this month. Yes! :) Anyways, since the last post I have stayed busy. I made a quick trip to Phenix City to spend some time with Brett and his family. It was great and we decided to try one of our favorite things that we had in a Brazil, pizza de chocolate! No, it wasn't exactly the same but I'd say we did a pretty good job! :)

Serious Concentration :)

Turned out pretty good right??

When I got home from Phenix City we had a welcome back banquet for international students! It was such a great night with fun, food, and friends.

So, now school is starting tomorrow! 18 hours and observations in a school. I am so excited! I know it will probably be an overwhelming semester but I cannot wait! During this craziness I have been reminded of God's faithfulness. He is so good and I am thankful for His provision. I am seeing His goodness in my life as well as so many others around me. God is teaching me so much about being patient and content in my circumstances. I have a year and a half left of school and I know that the Lord has planned all of my years according to his perfect will so all I can and want to do is trust Him. He knows me better than anyone and I want to be obedient and content. Thats all for now...

Back to Reality..

Hello all. So...first of all I pretty much sucked at updating this while I was in Brasil so hopefully you all got my emails and it didn't matter. My bad. I arrived back in the states this past Thursday and oh my what a bittersweet thing it was to be back. My summer in Brasil was so unbelievable. I met the most amazing people and learned so much about myself, other people, the world and the Lord. Here are a few pictures from my trip this summer...

Oi From Brazil!

It is truly amazing that I have been given the privilege to be in Brazil this summer! I have been here for two weeks so far and already the Lord has been so gracious. First of all, the summer has already been far more challenging than I ever imagined it would be. This is definitely a good thing and God is truly stretching me! Secondly, Brazilians are the most welcoming and most loving people I have ever met! They are so patient with us and so willing to serve and help us! God has been so good to allow us to have such sweet friends here.

We have been on the campus of UFMG for about 2 weeks as well. I have met so many people which is a challenge because I have so many names to remember! The girls and guys I have met are amazing. One thing that has been a challenge is the language barrier. Unfortunately, I do not speak Portuguese fluently but it has definitely been a fun experience to learn different phrases! Did I mention that Brazilians are extremely relational? Oh, and I'm pretty sure that they do not get tired! Being here has been a challenge because I am not used to staying up so late! One thing to pray is for our team and that we would take time to rest!

Well, that is all for now. Sorry I have not been updating regularly! Our time is so limited here! We are constantly busy! Until later.......

4 Days Away

I cannot even believe that I will be leaving for Brazil in four days. I am so incredibly overwhelmed but so excited. In thinking about leaving I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts....

First of all, the Lord is truly amazing. I am not even in Brazil yet and my, how I have seen His hands all over this trip. In raising support to go I have had some major ups and downs just thinking that I was never going to reach my goal. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) This verse has proven so true, as if it wasn't true before. :) We serve a great God and "he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20) I am in awe of all that He has taught me over the past few months. He has shown me my lack of faith and I have learned better how to trust Him.

As I am preparing to leave for Brazil, I am getting anxious about leaving for the summer. I am anxious to leave my family and nervous about being in a completely different place for 2 months. I know that God has so much He wants to teach me this summer. I am begging the Lord to continue to make me sensitive to His Holy Spirit. I want to be a learner and pour my life into this summer. I want to be teachable. I want to embrace it all. I was reading in Romans the passage that has truly become a verse for "those going on mission trips." "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (Romans 10: 13-15) I am thinking about my summer realizing that God truly has called me to go to Brazil, however, this is not a summer thing. From the moment that I became a new creature in Christ I was called to bring the good news. I am excited about the opportunity to go and to experience a whole new culture and to hopefully, see the Lord use me. But, I am called to share the good news all the time. I know that I fail daily but I pray that my life reflects the Gospel.

I am so grateful for this opportunity. How amazing is it that God would choose to use us. He definitely does not need me at all...but He picked me to go to Brazil this summer and to be His hands and feet. What a wonderful God! For now, I would ask that you would pray for me as I prepare to leave. Pray that God would continue to mold me into a humble learner as I go to Brazil. Pray for the hearts of those who I am going to be meeting. Until later, Love Wins. :)

Let's Start Things Off

So, I'm new to this whole blogging thing....we'll see how it goes. I'm starting this so that I can keep my friends, family, acquaintances, etc. updated about my summer. I am going to Belo Horizonte, Brazil with Campus Outreach this summer. I absolutely cannot wait. We literally have less than two weeks before we leave! Between now and then I have to move out of the dorms, take finals, and pack for being out of the country for two weeks. Sounds easy enough. Well, I'm out because I have an insane amount of stuff to do and also because I'm not really feeling witty at the moment. P.S. Don't expect much from this blog :) I'm new so give me a break. Also, some quick updates as far as Brazil. Pray that the rest of our support comes in before we have to leave! We are so so close! Also, pray for our team (which is studly by the way) as we prepare to leave..I think everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed. Until later.... Love Wins.