Nelle's Notes

Matthew 6:30 reads, "And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!"

I think often times (many times), we do not give God credit for all the mighty things He does in our lives. He provides so much in so many ways that sometimes we forget to mention that it is all because of Him for what we have.

Recently, I have seen an overabundance of God's blessings and faithfulness. It truly has taken me to a level of understanding where I want to draw closer and be more faithful through my thoughts, words, and actions. So much of my life has been spent worry about this or worrying about that. I have taken all those precious minutes and truly wasted them away on petty little things. Why?! Why is it so hard for one to be continuously faithful? Why is that after He provides we go back into our old ways and let them marinate into our minds? God's faithfulness is overflowing. It is overflowing in such a way that we should desire to be more faithful to Him through all that He has done for us. Just like it says in Matthew, God even cares and is faithful to that little thistle that may just rot away. The beautiful thing is that he takes that thistle and makes beautiful flowers. Now he probably doesn't literally make the thistle the flower, but you understand what I am saying.

Many times we need to remember that God is faithful and He will provide. It may not be in YOUR timing, but it always seem to fall into this timing that can never be explained. Be faithful. The very thing you may be worrying about may just be here today, but will be gone tomorrow.

School bells ringing, kids playing on the playground, enjoying the games of tag...

Had my last first day of school two days ago. Kind of crazy how time flies right by and then you look back and say the ever so famous line... "Where did the time go?" Days turned into months, months turned into years, and then by the time you know it you are walking to get that simple 8x11 piece of paper signed by some important people saying you are finished. But are we ever really finished? In John 19:30, it is written, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." Now that is a true finished moment, but is it really? I really feel like when Jesus said 'It is finished', he truly was beginning something in history that would be the basis of everything that ever begins and ends.

I will continue to walk up to the little carriage house and try to swallow as much knowledge as possible, but when does this time of learning and educating become complete? Never. Everyday is a continuing motion of learning and growing... making memories and enjoying the games of tag.

...so, I had my last first day to another chapter of my life. These times will be different. There will be different feelings of emotions and moment by moment recognitions of God's faithfulness (Now that's amazing!).

How will you choose to walk in His faithfulness, grace, and mercy? It's your choice. Choose wisely.

Wow! The biggest class in Oklahoma Wesleyan history and here they are! I think they are going to be a great year. New faces, new friendships, and lots of newness. :)

You know what warms the heart? Seeing students serve other students. When I see the Eagle Movers help move in the incoming freshmen, it just fills my heart with overwhelming joy. It makes me look back on my freshmen year... there was posters, there was people shouting my name, there was a lot of heart. Seeing this and being reminded of what it was like when I was a freshmen was a beautiful reminder of why I am where I am. I thank the Lord for taking me on all these different steps of my journey (and how he continues to do so everyday). Life is a journey. You are going to have to stop to fix blown tires, to change the oil, and of course to fill up your gas tank. You have to have maintenance. But, I would not change my journey in a heart beat. This is my personal journey... the one the Lord has designed perfectly for me.

These faces, the faces of OWU... it's a good place. There is a much love and heart within each of these people. They each have desires, passions, and willingness to serve. OWU.... where I'm suppose to be for a time as now.

Well the big hype here at school today was that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were coming to visit. Ok... maybe not coming to visit, but they were in town. And by 8am, everyone in Bartlesville knew they were in town. 
Now you may ask if I saw them? Did I get an autograph? Did I take this picture? Well... I did not see them, but via my Facebook/Twitter/Text friends, they were "spotted" at Weezies, Walmart, Gap, and Two Sisters. You know, I don't know if I would even recognize them if I was walking down the street. They are normal people just like us. Hopefully, they weren't bombarded with too much paparazzi.

And that's the scoop at school today. You never know what kind of exciting things will be happening next...

I'm back to this place I call school. I am back where there are four core values: the primacy of Jesus Christ, the priority of Scripture, the pursuit of Truth, and the practice of Wisdom. I am back to where I like to drink Creme Brulee coffee at the local coffee shop and read a few good blogs and scripture. I am back to studying until midnight and where books are piled so I high. I am back here... just for a year. It will be an adventure full of differences and change. Let me take it on and conquer the world through studying, photographing, and learning more about who I am.

Well... I had a great summer. I loved being at home and just living life the best that I know how. I head back to school tomorrow. Kind of crazy that it is already here, but you know... I am ready to finish out and take this year on. It is going to be different. That is for sure. Different people, different classes, different professors... lots of different. But you know, I am just going to take it on the best that I can and find the best in the moments I have. I will choose to make this a great year.

1. All the traveling I did with my family in the big blue Ford truck. We traveled back and forth to football camps for Colby, to Topeka for Church conference, to Colorado for relaxation (and the firework show that was a flop), and many other places. I saw many beautiful sunsets, crazy yet engaging summer storms, and lots of flat lands.

2. The first few hours of every morning this summer. I know I sound crazy, but this is my most favorite time at home. I wake up to the smell of creme brulee coffee brewing in the coffee pot, kjil jamming on the radio, and lots of chatter and prayers being lifted up for the day. It really makes every day better!

3. The simple walks with Tucker. What's great about our dog is that even though he is on a leash, he stays close by to you. If he gets too far ahead of me on the walk, he waits for me to catch up. He always walks right beside me. He is loyal, faithful, and very passionate!

4. Traveling to see people I really care about. I had the wonderful opportunity to go places to see people I care deeply for. To be with people you love in really important times in their lives, is such a tremendous feeling of family and friendship. Going through lots of pray to lift up NCLEXs, interviews, church leadership, illness/hurting family, and so much more... It really brings joy to my heart and encouragement.

5. Having the privilege to have goals and to successfully follow through with them. I set goals for my photography, and through the Lord, they were met. Some of the goals include: connecting with ten more clients, building a successful website and personal domain, recreating my image/name for my mini business, and becoming more confident in my photographs. Praise the Lord... I met each one of these and I am so thankful that I did.

Now for this upcoming year... It is going to push me farther in nursing and teach me more and more about the Lord and who He is in my life. A few goals I have for this year include...

1. Passing my ATIs (I passed my first one in the Spring to my hardest class [OB] so I know I can do this)
2. Every day continuing to grow and learn something new about my relationship with God
3. Keep balance and consistency throughout my life