BECAUSE HIS LOVE IS BETTER...: January 2012

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Life Changing Words!

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Proverbs 17:17

"Honesty guides good people." Proverbs 11:3

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7

"Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." Ruth 1:16

"The Lord protects those who are loyal to Him" Psalm 31:23

"The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep His covenant and obey His demands." Psalm 25:10

"If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is." 2 Timothy 2:13

"Each generation tells of Your faithfulness to the next." Isaiah 38:19

"The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."
2 Thessalonians 3:3

"If we are faithful to the end, we will share in all that belongs to Christ." Hebrews 3:14

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Then you will...earn a good reputation."
Proverbs 3:3-4

"If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in His ways, the Lord will establish you as His holy people." Deuteronomy 28:9

"They couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy." Daniel 6:4

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8

"We can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments." 1 John 2:3

Celebrating My Bridesmaid...Chelsey Moss!

I've decided to feature a different bridesmaid on my blog (in no particular order) from now until the wedding. Today, I am choosing Chelsey Moss. Chels and I met through Chris in 2007, and we quickly became great friends. I remember the first time I met Chelsey we went to a movie with Chris and then sat in the parking lot talking for hours afterwards. At the time, Chelsey was single and just beginning her professional career as a teacher. We were able to connect on so many different levels. I also remember her beginning to call me and make an effort to go deeper in our friendship since I was dating one of her good friends. Even though I lived in Waco and she lived in Rockwall, it seemed like she was always willing to help. For example, when I needed to move out of my home that I had lived in through college, Chelsey ("the packing machine") was right there to help me. I had never seen someone put a box together so fast. Over the years, there have been so many ways that she has served me and loved me. Besides sharing the same passion for Christ, music, and food (We are total meat and potato girls!), Chelsey also married my best friend since first grade, Bryan Moss. I always joked with Bryan about introducing him to his wife one day, but God sure did make that one happen! Before I knew it, Chris and I had broken up and Bryan and Chels were getting married. Yes, Chris and I definitely stood on the stage with our best friends as they tied the knot and we were falling apart. God had a different plan for us though! And it was beyond anything we could think or imagine! We are so grateful that the Lord has allowed us to journey with Bryan and Chelsey through dating, engagement, marriage, and now having little Abigail Morgan Moss (their first baby girl!). When I first met Chelsey, I knew we clicked. But I had no idea how our hearts would be joined for life. Chelsey was a little older (not right out of college) when she met and married Bryan. She waited and I can hear her singing now "I ain't settling...just getting by..." by Sugarland. So many times we were in the car singing to the top of our lungs the lyrics to that song! Chelsey is a woman of God that reminds me not to worry, to be patient, and to trust Him. Thank You Chels for being a friend that is always there when I need you! And thanks for being the sweet wife you are to Bryan. I can't wait to see you as a Mother. You are beautiful. I don't see you nearly as much as I would like, but I treasure our conversations on the phone and our skype dates!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Sister, Sister!

Meredith is absolutely, positively one of the most all natural beautiful girls I've ever seen. She is fresh, fun, and full of spunk! She has gorgeous hair and eyes.

Everything about her is authentic. Either she will come right out and say it or you will know by the look on her face exactly what she is thinking.

Rarely does she get emotional (unlike her sister). She is rare. Feminine but quite strong.

Ever since we were kids, she's always been an athlete and determined to do her best.

Devoted to her friends and family, she is always honest. I can always count on Mere to tell me when I need to change clothes AGAIN before I walk out of the house.

I am embarrassed to say, but she often reminds me of what's most important. She really knows me, so when she sees the "ugly" in me come out...She's the first to hold me accountable. Yesterday, I had a poor attitude in a certain situation. Mere looked at me and said, "What about that facebook post you just put up? Didn't it say something about being grateful?" I couldn't argue with her. I get so frustrated with myself sometimes. I don't speak the Word of God to others or post facebook statuses to preach, but I do it to encourage. Often, it is the very thing I am begging God for in my own life. I am totally aware of how much I need Him.

Thankful for a sister who knows what I want out of life and holds me to it, who pushes me, and makes me uncomfortable at times. She is the first to defend and protect me, the first to tell me the truth, and I am so grateful for her love.

Her words are sometimes misunderstood (by me), but I know her heart. I don't know what I would do without my sister. Every day God is opening my eyes to the wonderful woman that she is and the great privilege I have in living with her in my last days of singleness. We may butt heads at times, but thank You Lord for Meredith. Thank You for her heart for You and others. Thank You that we have to rely on You to understand and love each other. Thank You for how much fun she is and that she always has my back. Thank You that she is fashion forward and can help me in my fashion backward ways. Thank You that she is healthy and able to stand beside me and be such a great help through this engagement and wedding season. Help me to see every way we are alike and more importantly every way we are different...as a gift.

Meredith Leigh Smith...I love you forever and always. I am so honored to be apart of your amazing life. Thank you for celebrating with me and Chris in this joyous season. Thank you for understanding but helping me rise above painful seasons. I love who you are, and I love that you are my sister!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Just be...Grateful.

Just be...grateful. Every problem I have can soon be seen in a totally new light by giving thanks. Thank You Lord. Keep my eyes fixed on You and all that's pure, lovely, and true.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Funny Story!

Today I was addressing memory goals with my patients as I normally do, and asked a simple question. "Have y'all played this game before?" One of my patients replied, "I have, but it was with a different therapist." Feeling sure he had not seen another therapist recently and wondering who it could be...I said, "Oh, was it Elisa? Alison? Kimberly? The patient responded, "No...her name is kind of different. It starts with an "M." She's about 5'3, blond hair, blue eyes..." He goes on in his description, and I am thinking he doesn't realize that it's me. Then, before I could say that it was me...the patient says, "Um, let's see...her figure is pretty good for her age." So embarrassed, I said, "Hmmm...not sure who that could be!" and moved on. Of course, I kept my composure in therapy, but I wanted to erupt in laughter. I kept thinking that he probably thinks I'm a totally different person on the days I wear make-up or wear my hair different. I love my job.

Lately!

My very first bridal show with Mom & Mere!

Dinner with Brad, Laura, Tim, and Brittany!

Wedding dress shopping with Mom & Mere!

Bella Bridesmaid with a few of my bridesmaids!

January Highlights!

First week of January...visited loved ones in the hospital, lost two people I love, did some wedding planning, celebrated Tara's birthday, went on a great date night with my fiance, welcomed baby jeremy into the world (congrats kristin & matt), went on a walk with kim, ran some errands, spent some time reflecting...

Second week of January...attended dedication service for the community at lakeridge, reunion lunch with old friends from home, celebrated boo and mommom's birthday, went to camille's memorial service, found bridesmaid dresses for the wedding, had dinner with the girls in dallas, had another wedding planning meeting at aristide, went wedding dress shopping with mom and mere, found the perfect dress for me, had dinner with tim, brit, laura, and brad (charleston's is our favorite), tried to get some rest...

Third week of January...celebrated savannah's birthday, went to my first bridal show with mom and mere, started reading love and respect with chris, had a four hour meeting with our potential dj for the wedding (we love him), celebrated my mom-to-be... karen's birthday, got my ring back from being sized (fingers are shrinking with this cold weather), had a roomie dinner date, started planning for court's baby shower, worked prn, started planning for chelsey's baby shower...

Fourth week of January...planned a trip to visit boo, spent the night in hospice, prayed and worshipped with my family, started planning funeral arrangements, gave my first memorial with mere and kel, spent quality time with family and friends, grieved, reminisced, grieved, reminisced, experienced once again that JESUS is close to the brokenhearted...

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Dinner & Dancing!

I love date night, especially in the middle of the week. It was so good to just get away and talk. Chris took me to Eddie V's, and we both went for the snapper! We weren't disappointed. With some great music in the background, we had a meaningful conversation, and we even did a little dancing. I love You Lord for giving me the opportunity to love and be loved by this man for the rest of my life.