one thousand gifts

I recently took a girl's trip to Cancun, Mexico with my mom, sister-in-law and close family friend (kathy!). let me just say it was such an incredible trip. mainly because all we did wasrelax and bask in the beauty of God's creation. We would wake up and look out our balcony and there would be the sunrise coming up over the ocean. Out on our balcony, Kristyn would give us our daily verse or passage and we would sit and do our devotions. Then the rest of the day was spent out on the beach. It definitely was the life!(view from our villa!)

One thing that Kathy inspired me to start was a list of one thousand gifts. And so that is what I have started. I know it is going to take a while to reach 1,000 but I'm already enjoying this new perspective in a sense. In the past few days it has shifted my focus. I have caught myself starting to complain or wish something was different, then I switch to something that I am thankful for in that situation or how God has brought me to this point.

For example, already being home I wish I was back in Cancun because of how relaxed and carefree I was...but what a gift and blessing it was for me to actually go on that trip!

Back to reality and back to life, but praising Him through it all :)

Romans 8:28

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

My daily devotion this morning was focused around this verse out of Romans. This particular verse is familiar to me, and I'm sure to a few of you as well. It's so hard to see that God is working even amidst the struggles and trials-but He is! I think back to 3 years ago, I guess it is, when I was struggling with an eating disorder. Hardest time in my life...but through that I have seen the Lord work in SO many ways.

For one, I'm sharing my struggle, never in a million years would I imagine telling, or even blogging about having an eating disorder. Thankfully the Lord has brought me through this struggle (2 years now!), and it has been incredible seeing how He has worked through it. Through my struggle I have grown to have a passion for teen girls. I started helping out at my church leading a 9th grade small group and helping out with the student ministries. I can't tell you how much I love doing this. I love sharing and hearing the hearts of these teens. I love being open and honest with them. It's like mini camp time...I love investing time into each girl and praying for them and what they may struggle with. While not every girl has gone through an eating disorder like I have, I hope through me sharing and being open with them, they in return will do the same. Vulnerability is not bad as long as it is with people you trust and who will love you just for who you are (a precious child of God).

This is something I learned a few years back while working at a camp. In fact, my boss' wife was probably the biggest help and influence during my struggle (thanks Brooke! that's her and I on the left). I can't tell you the countless times I cried (probably balled) to her just feeling so broken. It was her love and prayers that encouraged me and helped me through that summer.

Identity is a hugeeeee struggle for girls, and my prayer is for them to know that they are treasured and loved by an incredible God who loves them JUST AS THEY ARE. I still have to remind myself of that. When I fully wrap my head around the unconditional and everlasting love that Christ gives me, maaan do I feel so much better. It's comforting to know we have such a loving God.

(btw...This summer, I'll actually be going back to work at a different camp...and this time as a counselor! I'm soooo pumped just to let the Lord work through me. Christ has set me free and I know that this summer will be incredible.)

I'll end this post with a quote "We don’t have to figure out how God will bring good, we just have to stay on the journey with Him and watch Him work."

expectations

I feel like there is so much going on inside of me...especially since the last time I blogged. I could write about 5 different topics about how the Lord is working and refining me, but today I'll focus on expectations.

I'll begin with a quote:

"Expect nothing and experience the unexpected yet incredible blessings from God"

My mom constantly has told me, "kelly, you can't expect that" or "kelly, don't place expectations on others". and so often i'm like, ok ok ok. but recently i've come to realize how true that is. because let's face it, people are going to disappoint us...but if you expect nothing out of others, then you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This may seem harsh. But I disappoint people all the time, not meaning to, but that's human nature. And oftentimes the expectations I have are unrealistic. Recently I had the privilege to be an 'adult' (yes, you can laugh that i'm considered an adult in charge of teens) on a mini mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama with 10 highschool teens (I'll probably blog more about the trip tomorrow). I remember the first night as we were looking out over the city of Birmingham, praying, and just sharing with each other, one of the students asked what people expected. Immediately, my head went to think about that...and honestly I didn't know what to expect and didn't really hold any expectations with this trip-sooo great, right?! Especially because I feel that the Lord was able to use me without myself being a hindrance-which is so often the case. And our team was also incredibly blessed throughout...things that I didn't even think would happen! (like sleeping in a bed for the first night...yeah didn't even expect a bed!)

Reflecting upon that trip, I keep thinking how I can incorporate that mentality of no expectations to everyday and my relationships...and why was it so 'easy' for me not to even expect anything on the trip? Is it because I want to control my relationships or my life? Is it because I'm too consumed with what I want or how I want to feel or how I think something should be? It could be all of these...

Anyways, I'm trying to step away from my life and give it completely to God...living life without expectations and pushing what I want aside. Remember, He knows us better than we know ourselves..and he knows exactly what we need.

Irish Day!

So I started out St. Patrick's Day by waking up at 6 am to cook the roommates green banana pancakes (with vanilla and cinnamon of course!). They were ohh soo delicious! They may not look appetizing, but oh they were!

So I recently moved to where I am living right now and I absolutely LOVE it! God has truly blessed me with 2 wonderful roommates who love the Lord and life, and it so refreshing and uplifting for me. I'm closer to my church, my internship, Nashville, and a lot of my friends and in these past 2 weeks I have noticed that I am less lonely and happier. Not that I wasn't happy before, but driving 2 hours a day takes a toll on ya!

Anyways, today it is absolutely beautiful outside! I am loving this weather...not loving my allergies that are kicking in, but the sun is beating down and it makes me smile :)

I hope you all are wearing your green today! When I was in highschool I made a shirt that said "Kiss me, I'm Irish" haha, I wish I still had that ;)

I DID IT!

YAAAAY!!! I did it!!! I finished my first half-marathon! After being injured a year ago in the middle of the Disney Princess Half, I have been through crutches, physical therapy, biking (i hate biking), and finally back to training to complete my first half!! My goal was to finish it in 2 hours...and I went beyond my goal and finished in 1 hour, 50 minutes, and 3 seconds! I feel soo accomplished! And it was a beautiful Nashville day!

I'm going to take a little break from running to rest my knees and toes...and I'm going to start Insanity (like p90x).

I think I'm going to do another half in September time? I hear there's a great one in VA beach...I may have to take a trip there!

kid in a candy store

sometimes I feel like a little kid in a candy store. it's the little things in life that get me super

excited...

like when I see a Steeler's fan or anything related to the Steelers or Pittsburgh :)

when someone gets engaged

when someone is from anywhere I've been (ha, that happens often)

bouncy balls

when my favorite flavor is at sweet cece's (york peppermint

patty)

moving into my new home

cooking or baking

justin bieber - he's just so catchy!

fantasy football

traveling and visiting people

working at camp

making the perfect cup of coffee

puzzles

when i see guys being super sweet to their girlfriend or wife(especially my brother)

the sun!

seriously tho. i always feel like a little kid, but i love it! people always laugh at me when i do my giddy dance (yes, i have a giddy dance), or get super pumped at random stuff. but that's me :)

tough love

so i haven't posted in a few days...and partially because i just haven't known what to write about. i recently moved this past weekend so my life has been kind of upside down. especially because i don't have a room yet and my stuff is all over the place! but that'll be fixed this weekend :)

anyways. i recently had a conversation with my sister-in-law and she mentioned tough love, and how it may not be the easiest thing...but how it is ultimately beneficial and for that person's good. i say this because i was given a bit of tough love this morning. and yes, it was hard and still is to be honest, but i know it will only help strengthen and refine me. i think i get the most tough love from my family. only because they know me more than anyone, and they want to see me be the best i can be.

honestly, i hateeeee being told that i am wrong, or having someone notice a flaw in me. but the truth is, i'm not perfect-no one is. i feel blessed to have close family that will tell me how it is...there may be tears, but in the end there's always hugs! now i'm not saying my family does this all the time or even out of spite. i think it's quite the opposite, they love me so much that they want to see me grow and become that better godly woman.

with all that being said. tough love is tough. and today i got a little bit of tough love. but i pray that the Lord will use this and refine me and continue to mold me into His image.

never say never

never say you won't go see a movie. because then it will happen. and you may actually like it. yes, i will admit. I went and saw the justin bieber movie with these two precious girls below (they're part of the 9th grade small group i lead!)

they're doing the universal justin bieber sign--> the heart, of course.

we didn't plan on seeing it in 3D, but when the other showing was sold out we had no choice.

we even got to sit in the special 3D chairs outside the theater! yes, the little things in life get me excited =D

when i went to see the movie i didn't expect to actually like it, but i did...yes i did. bieber is a wholesome guy and honestly, if i had a teeny bopper girl i would approve of her listening to

bieber rather than others (cough*mileycyrus*cough). and this movie/documentary is actually pretty interesting. and ya gotta hand it to him, he is a talented guy.

so on my day off this past week I took these 2 beautiful girls to go see Justin Bieber in 3D and it ended up being enjoyable. plus...i always have fun with these girls :)

(by the way for any of my blog readers that grew up in VA around IBC-the one on the right is the youngest Easley child...yes, I lead her small group! makes me feel old)

Bucket List

Have you ever created a bucket list?

I sort of have. Well more when I do something super awesome I go-oh check that off the bucket list! Here are some of the

things I want to accomplish:

-bungee jump in New Zealand

-go to all 50 states

-complete a half marathon then a full marathon

-sing the National Anthem at a Steeler's game

-create a cookbook/baking book of my creations and treats (like my peanut butter brownies!)

-go sailing

-ride an elephant (i love elephants)

things I've done:

-repelled into a cenote

-been on and in the Amazon River

-held an Anaconda

That's all for right now. I'm sure I'll think of things as life goes on. for now I'm just loving life :)

What's on YOUR bucket list?!

pretty pink petals

Valentine's Day was the other day (as you all know) and this year I had the privilege of helping a Nashville florist deliver and take orders allllll day. It was exhausting and crazy busy, but well worth it in my book. I say it was a privilege because it really was...I mean, what could be better than speaking to nervous and clueless men who are either in love or trying to win that special someone over. They were presh. And then to know that some woman was being made very happy...it just made me happy!

On one of my deliveries (to the Bridgestone Arena), I dropped off some flowers at the front desk and chit chatted with the security lady for a bit. She said that flowers have been delivered all day, but she waits to call the girl because she just loves having all these pretty flowers across her desk! She also said it's fun to see the looks on some of the girl's faces because they didn't expect anything. Loveee it!

So my Valentine's day was not depressing and was not a "single's awareness day", in fact it was so busy I never even had a chance to think about being "alone" on valentine's day (even though I know I am never alone...I've got Jesus with me :)!). I am loved with the greatest love of all. Unconditional and everlasting.

I did get a pretty pink rose from the flower shop :) It was going to get thrown away because it didn't look pretty, but I pulled the bad petals off and now it sits on my desk at work! Yaaay!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Continue to love, and love well through Him

dreams

Don't worry, this won't be a totally mind boggling post about dreams like Inception...just some of my thoughts!

Do you ever have dreams and wake up thinking they were real? Or do you dream about something and then you worry about that issue? Well that sometimes happens to me. In fact this past week, I have been having dreams about one particular thing that I have totally been at peace about until I started dreaming. Funny how that works, eh? It has started to affect my thoughts during the day and really has made me stress out...totally unnecessary! Well this morning started a new day and I must say, the Lord is conquering for suree today! (sorry that rhymed, really didn't mean to)

I typically have trouble sleeping anyways, so this whole dream thing is definitely not helping. I woke up this morning as usual and checked my e-mail. I signed up for this daily devotional-and todays was on sleep! Of course. Well I didn't even read it until I got to work today...before I even read it-while driving-I was praying and asking the Lord to just take everything from me. All my worries and fears and stresses. My first reaction is always to go to my mom or best friend and seek their advice...then I analyze the situation with person after person. Well instead, in my car, I gave it ALL to Him...while it is such a blessing to have a mom and friends who can give me sound advice, I haven't truly surrendered it all to my Heavenly Father.

I then got to work and read about anxious toil (Psalm 127:2) and Christ keeping us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Totally what I needed to hear!

What does this have to do with my dreams? Simple. I'm giving those dreams up to Him, and my worries, and my sleep issues. All to Him. This is for sure a daily surrender...but it needs to be done. He knows what lies ahead and right now, but He still wants us to come to Him.

We are SO blessed to have a Father who is gracious enough to love us unconditionally. Love it =D

travel adventures

This past weekend I traveled to visit some of my close friends in Oklahomaaaa! (boomer sooner! haha) This was the first time that I can recall to visit oklahoma, and my first impression: SNOW! yes, they got hit-and are still getting hit with snow. Nonetheless, I still arrived to the arms of Megan and Sarah. First stop: trying to see if we could start Megan's car. It didn't work-but it was fun attempting to act like we knew what we were doing (they might have, but i had nooo clue!)

After a sleepover that night with the girls-we ventured to Texas A&M the next morning. yep in the snow. It took almost 9 hours-with a stop in waco for some

common grounds coffee yummm! once making it to college station, we just had sweet friend and loving your life time. SUCH a blessing! I hadn't seen some people in almost 2 years! That's what happens when you work at a camp in Texas and live a million miles away...it's so great though how we just pick up right where we leave off.

Came back to OU Sunday just in time for the superbowl (don't worry, I'm not bitter...it was a good game. my boys can't win every year). It was me and the girls watching it-the loudest they got was when Usher came out during half time. hahahaha. love them! Monday I got to tour campus with a good friend while we ran 8 miles. yes, 8 miles and it was freezing!

All in all this weekend was exactly what I needed. The Lord has blessed me with such amazing friends and sisters that are with me forever. I just wish I lived closer to everyone!

here are some other pictures:

paige...showing us how she would hold her child...ohhh goodness. lol

And then there's me and Lainers: I had to do a BOOMER SOONER #1!

birds

for those of you who know me, know that I do not like birds.

why is this you ask?

well for various reasons.

1. they fly at you and scare you

2. there are millions of them...they are everywhere!

3. they poop on you...

#3 being the main reason why i don't like birds. Yes, I have been pooped on by a bird...not once, not twice, but three times. (do they say it's good luck? I don't know...I don't particularly think so since they keep pooping on me)

the tale of 3 splats starts NOW.

unfortunate event #1- I was in middle school I'm pretty sure...our family was in Mexico on vacation. I was playing mini golf and what do you know. splat-right on my shoulder. Luckily I had a swim suit on and could immediately run to the pool and jump in. gross. just gross!

#2 - I was sitting on the lifeguard stand at Pine Cove one summer watching the campers play water polo or something and boom-right on my thigh! I started screaming and freaking out. The campers all turned and kept saying "Miss America, what happened?! What's wrong?!" (for those of you who don't know, at Pine Cove Camps we have camp names...yes, mine is Miss America) I yelled "A bird pooped on my leg-get it off get it off!" I couldn't jump off the stand into the water because I was on lifeguard duty. Luckily, another gracious lifeguard got me a paper towel and I was able to rub the grossness off my leg.

#3 - This is the most recent one...I was walking in downtown Franklin, TN...minding my own business...and plop on my shoulder...AGAIN! When I heard the noise and felt something on my shoulder, I knew...I slowly turned my head to discover the nastiness right there. I flipped and ran into the nearest store-Binks and started jumping up and down...i just wanted it off of me! My friends were hysterically laughing and my mother too. The closest thing to a paper towel the store had was a receipt...so we wiped it off with a receipt and once we got to another store i properly washed my shoulder. Oh my mother also apologized to the employees at Binks for me being crazy pretty much (they really did think I was crazy.) I'm sorry, i just don't like birds! the rest of the day, i ran from covered area to covered area. thanks bird.

why the sudden topic of my dislike and fear of birds? well simple. there are TONS of them in Tennessee...and the flock by the thousand. I was running the other day and they came out of nowhere. I look like an idiot running by them with my hands over my head. I have no escape when I'm running, but you can bet if i see birds while i'm in the car-i won't get out until they are gone!

And of course, right now...on my windshield where the wiper fluid can't reach...a bird left me a present. so i am reminded every time I get in the car and drive. thanks, and pleaaase leave me alone?

perfect peace

a great song that i've been listening to. It's called "Perfect Peace" by Laura Story. Check it out! here are the lyrics

stay close by my side

keep your eyes on me

though this life is hard

I will give you perfect peace

in this time of trial

pain that no one sees

trust me when I say

I will give you perfect peace

and you'll never walk alone

and you'll never be in need

though I may not calm the storms around you

you can hide in ME

burdens that you bear

offer no relief

let me bear your load

'cuz I will give you perfect peace

stay close by my side

and you'll never walk alone

keep your eyes on ME

and you'll never be in need

though this life is hard

no that I will always give you perfect peace

I will give you perfect peace

When you think about peace, what do you think of?

How have you felt peace in the past week?

blessed

today i feel incredibly blessed. i went for a run this morning (4 miles...training for a half marathon babbbyyy!) and listened to a Matt Chandler podcast on my ipod. i started podcast listening while running instead of music and kind of enjoy it. i listen more. weird, i know. anyways, it was really insightful - talking about Habbakuk and how God answers our prayers-whether we realize it or not. one thing Matt said is how he answers our prayers by allowing us to breathe each morning...wow! umm so true!

so i got to thinking about the blessings in my life...instead of pouting because this hasn't gone my way, or because i'm feeling lonely...i decided to praise God for the precious friends and family that are in my life. I mean let's be real, I can text/call any one of my closest friends and ask for prayer and they will. just yesterday i was having a difficult time and texted my best friend from home and asked for prayer. she immediately responded via text with prayer. i was driving (don't read this mom and dad) and immediately teared up. why? well many reasons...i'm an emotional girl...and because i feel so loved, even by that simple prayer.

nonetheless-God has placed SOO many people in my life...from all around (virginia, tennessee, texas, illinois, etc...) who love me for ME. and who lift me up when i am down, who hold me accountable, who laugh with me, who cheer for the Steelers with me, and who will be in my life for years and years to come.

how are you feeling blessed today?

(one more 'blessing'...the Steeler's are in the SuperBowl!!!!!)

back and blogging

So...I'm back blogging! It has been almost 2 years since I've blogged, and for some reason I just want to start it up again...A lot has happened over the years, but I just want to focus on the here and now. Where God has me...and the journey He has me on :)

My goal at this time in my life is to enjoy and love the life that God has blessed me with. I hope to share with you where God has me and my heart, as well as just fun things going on in the life of kelly. I don't know where I am going or where God will have me next...what I cannot see-

God CAN! love that! Anyways, here goes nothing...

So: HI blogging world. I am back!

And what better way to be back then a classic 'kelly' face...

a life that counts

so yesterday at church, our pastor spoke about David and finding the strength to carry and fight on.  We read from 1 Samuel 30 and went through David's life (how he was chosen King, then went through a lot of hardships, and finally was anointed King as God's vision was fulfilled)

At points in his life, David felt that there was no energy left to even care!  As I think about that, I realize that sometimes I'm in that same exact spot...I just don't want to care or do anything.  But the real question is how do we find strength?

2 Timothy 4:17 says "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth."

and

Isaiah 40:30-31 (one of my favorites) "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men 

stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar 

on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

David fought on because the Lord stood with him:

I continue to fight because the Lord stands with me.

a life that counts finds strength

routines

do you ever feel like your life is  a broken record?  just going and going...doing the same thing.  we get into these daily routines and forget to really live.  i feel like i get caught up in doing the same stuff that i start to live just to get by...i'm not living each day to its' fullest.

so how do we get out of that funk?

that daily routine?

just some thoughts...

yes or no

So the other night I watched Yes, Man.  I thought it was a pretty funny movie!  But it got me thinking.  The basic gist of the movie is that this guy (Jim Carey) always says no to people until he goes to this "Yes" meeting and vows to say yes to everyone and everything.  I think Jim Carey is hilarious, so I loved how the whole movie played out.

But anywayyyys.  I'm kind of the opposite of this guy.  I tend to always say yes...and I've thought to myself, why is this?  I think a lot of the reason is that I'm afraid to let people down and disappoint them.  I love doing things for people and helping out, but sometimes my life gets too busy that I don't even have time for myself.  I weasle my way around saying no (even if it's a legit reason!).  In the last few months I really have begun to actually say no, and I don't think it's a bad thing.

I think it's key to have a balance between saying yes and no.  You can't always say yes, because you'll lose a bit of yourself.  But you can't always say no, because then you're not really doing anything.  So that's what I'm working on.  Saying yes and no-because I believe that makes me healthier.

Are you a yes or a no person?  Or both?!

bye-bye teenager

today is my last day of being a teenager.

crazy!!!

any ideas on what to do on my last day?!

or my first day of non-teenaged years?!