Merry Christmas!

Another year has passed, and it is with a heart full of gratitude that I sit and write tonight. Thank You Lord. I recognize that every good and perfect gift is from You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus. I am so grateful for His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection! Thank You for salvation. Thank You for life to the full! You are the greatest gift. Because Your love is better, my lips will glorify You. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Be Merry!

I recently had some friends over to celebrate Christmas. We work so hard, and I felt like we needed a little breather. So, we made it a girls night! It was really a lot of fun to get to be with everyone outside of the work place. I wish I could have invited all of our amazing staff. There are so many that I love! This time, it was just therapy girls and our dietitian. I am truly grateful for the new friendships God has given me through my work place. It was great to be able to open up my home for us to visit, eat, and play games. Here are a few pictures from the evening...

Enjoying each other's company!

Poppy loved Beata and Marci!

Everyone getting excited about Catch Phrase!

Fun!

Marci!

Beata!

Hannah!

Holly & Hannah!

Passing it on!

Two truths and a lie! We played with the theme being

the "worst" Christmas gifts we've ever received!

Gayle! (Mother, Grandmother, Co-Worker, & Friend!)

Thankful!

Mary Martha!

Wow! November. Where did you go? I feel like my mind is all over the place tonight. Lord, help me. I have so much to do, so much to decorate! I can't believe that it is already December 2nd! Jesus, I want a "Mary" heart on this "Martha" day and on every other day that there is a lot going on... You are worthy to be praised, served, thought about, talked to...Yes, You are worthy! In the midst of all that needs to be accomplished, let me find You! Thank You for reminding me that everything else can wait. Of all the things I need to do, I need You more. Of all the things I want to do, I want You more. I'm seeking! Thank You that You promise the more we seek, the more we find! Forgive me where I've not sought hard enough. Thank You for the grace to choose You, to love You, to obey You. In and of myself, I am completely incapable of doing any of the above. I long to serve like Martha and sit like Mary! And I know that sitting with You, being content to linger, only leads to serving like You did and changing the world! Lord, this is my heart! I love You Jesus!

Fall Review!

My Sweet Girl!

Thanksgiving in Arkansas!

Hanging out at home!

Amazing friends! They got me hooked

on Monavie!

How did I get this old?

Love these people that came to celebrate

26 years with me!

Fall Festival. Our crazy crew at Hope Works!

Love my church! So fun to reach out

to our community together!

Surprise Party for Jen's 26th Birthday! Barrett was so thoughtful

and put together a wonderful celebration for his beautiful wife.

Homecoming! What a great weekend! I didn't take nearly as

many pictures as I would have liked. Ha! (I know, I'm ridiculous.)

Teaching the most amazing children

how we can count on God!

Family Dinner. Celebrating the birth of

my incredible Dad & Sister!

My best friend got married!

Visited Jen, Sidney, & Captain!

Christmas in Cowtown!

Dinner with Meg!

Things I've gotten to do or be apart of this fall...

* Lauren's Birthday Dinner

* Regan's Birthday Lunch

* Baylor vs. TCU Football Game

* Anna's Loft Warming Party

* Fall Festival @ Hope Works

* Worship with our amazing kids @ Hope Works

* Home Group

* Ranger Games

* Boot Camp

* Zumba

* Body Pump

* Lunch with a former patient

* Hanging out with old and new friends

* Monavie Meetings

* Eating a lot of yogurt (I love TART!)

* Game Nights

* Family Time

* Commuting to Garland for work

* Sweet times of prayer and worship with family and friends

* Decorating for fall (Must get ready for Christmas!)

* Enjoying my fireplace

* Read "Choosing To See" by Mary Beth Chapman

* Fiesta at work

* Be still and KNOW that He is God

There's been so much more! But this is just a review of the few things that I have been apart of and some of the sweet people I've gotten to be with! Thank You Lord! Fall is flying by so fast! Time flies when you're having fun!

BECAUSE HIS LOVE IS BETTER...

Name change. When I first began this process, I knew of one person that actually blogged. I was in graduate school, and one night (when I should have been studying) I thought I would give it a whirl. I never liked the name "Casual Conversation With Morgan." However, in the moment, I was just trying to think of something. My friend had a blog named "Chelsey's Chatter." I thought it was cute, and I really didn't think my blogging adventure would last very long. So, I typed chatter into the thesaurus. And the rest is history... Somehow, I came up with the longest blog name possible. Well, I don't know that I have shortened it, but I've given it more meaning. At least, to me. You see, names are a big deal to me. When I looked at what I wanted my blog to be about, I feel like that part was easy. It was like the words just rolled off my tongue, truly an overflow of my heart. That did not happen with the title of my blog. Now, almost three years into this journey...God spoke the name to me this morning. "BECAUSE HIS LOVE IS BETTER..." kept resonating in my heart. I thought, of course! How could it be anything else? Because His love is better, my mouth will speak, my hands will type, my mind will think thoughts that are worthy of being written down. Because His love is better, I will choose to be a blessing, to encourage, to spur others on in love and good deeds. Because His love is better, I will remain thankful. Because His love is better, I will remember His faithfulness. I will choose to be authentic, to be vulnerable. Why? Because He loves me. Because He loves you. Because He deserves all of the glory, and honor, and praise.this isn't just a cool phrase that popped into my head or something i was just trying to think of...it's straight from the word of god. it is truth. it's the cry of david when he was in the desert. he said, "you, god, are my god, earnestly i seek you; i thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. i have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory. because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. i will praise you as long as i live, and in your name i will lift up my hands. i will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. on my bed i remember you; i think of you through the watches of the night. because you are my help, i sing in the shadow of your wings. i cling to you; your right hand upholds me. those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. they will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. but the king will rejoice in god; all who swear by god will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced." Jesus, You are truth. I thirst for You. My whole being longs for You and all that You want for me. Silence the father of lies. You have the victory. You have the power. I rejoice in You and what You enable us to overcome as Your children. Thank You for that kind of love. When I look back at what You have done (even in the last three years), I am amazed. I have seen You. I have beheld Your power and Your glory. I know that Your love is better. Forgive me for the moments that I forget. I hate when I'm like the Israelites. How soon we forget. I trust You. Thank You for Your right hand that upholds me. You are faithful.

Perfection...

"...forget your perfect offering,
there's a crack in everything.

That's where the light gets in."

-Leonard Cohen

Happy Birthday Regan!

We are so glad that you were born!

Short Term Goals!

September 21-October 5:

1. Read 1 Corinthians, Psalms, & Proverbs

2. Go to gym 5x/wk

3. Read one professional article

4. Register for VitalStim course

5. Say no to bread and fried foods

6. Brainstorm for kids' worship at Hope Works

7. Write two new blog entries

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!

Slightly sad that it's all over, but happy our friend is MARRIED!

And the honeymoon begins...

Being silly! Love this girl!

Father of the Bride!

Mother of the Bride!

A priceless moment!

It's about time! I caught the bouquet! Ha-ha!

Fun!

Here we go! Tonight's gonna be a good night!

Team MOH!

Family! We missed you Mere!

Sweet Ash and Dancing Ruth!

Daddy & his Cinderella!

Presenting Mr. & Mrs. Brian Boyd!

The two become one!

Could they be any more beautiful?

All the girls!

Going to the chapel!

It's time!

Kimberly's best friend, Angela. One day, this will be me and Savannah!

Hanging out!

A gift from her groom!

Thank the Lord for amazing Mothers!

Family!

Rehearsal Dinner...So in love!

The Boyd Women!

Bridal Luncheon!

Gorgeous!

My Best Friend!

Here Comes The Bride!

War Eagle!

I just got home from Greensboro, Georgia. My best friend, Savannah, married Brian Boyd this weekend in a beautiful ceremony at First United Methodist Church. Followed by a reception at the incredible Ritz Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee. Everything was perfect! We kicked the weekend off with a tailgating/game watching party to cheer on the Auburn Tigers to victory! And that we did! War Eagle! Auburn beat Mississippi State 17-14! The bridal luncheon was held Friday morning and such a sweet time with all the girls. We had a little down time by the pool, and headed to get ready for the rehearsal dinner! Wow, all I can say is that I am so thankful for Brian Boyd. He waited on the Lord, and because he did...We all had something to celebrate and something to say that made the rehearsal dinner one that I will never forget! So many tears of joy and thankfulness were shed! I was completely and utterly overwhelmed by God's goodness once again! This brings me to the actual wedding day. It feels so good to say that my best friend married God's very best for her. My heart is so full. I had the privilege of serving as Maid of Honor, and I could not have been more proud for my best friend. I could not stop smiling. She was radiant. He was speechless. As she walked down the aisle, I was beaming for all that God had done and all that He will do through these sweet friends of mine. I love when two people really recognize what marriage is about and their goal becomes serving, the ONLY ONE who is worthy, better together than they ever could apart! Brian and Savannah get it, and I am so thankful that I was able to witness it! This is just a summary of the weekend. There is no way I could put into words all that we experienced together! I am not that good of a writer. But here are a few of my favorite pictures to express the joy in our hearts this weekend! Brian and Savannah and their families really went all out to make the weekend one we would all enjoy! More than the breathtaking setting or the precious details of this blessed event, what stood out was the extravagant love and faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Written by: Nathan & Christy Nockels

Our God is, a consuming fire,
A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom
Our God is, the only righteous judge,
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You

A mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your Name
Your Kingdom is unshakable
With You forever we will reign

Our God is, jealous for His own
None could comprehend, His love and His mercy
Our God is exalted on His throne
High above the heavens
Forever He’s worthy...

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
So we can set our hearts on You
Lord we will set our hearts on You!