God-sized Dreams Come True

This past weekend was proof that God-sized dreams really do come true.  After a year of prerequisite classes, two years in the dental hygiene program, dozens of patients, thousands of tears, lots of struggles and doubts, and a lot of sacrifices, my God-sized dream came true.  I graduated Friday night with my Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.

I heard my family cheering as I walked in.  I raised my hand, with many others, as a first-generation college grad.  I looked into the stands to see my husband grinning from ear to ear.  I made it across the stage before I started crying with pure joy. 

The night before, my husband surprised me with a big graduation party.  It was the most amazing few days, and definitely one of the proudest moments of my life.

 

I still have a few more steps to take.  I've already taken my national board and am waiting on the results to come in.  Saturday I will take my regional (practical) board.  Once all my test results are in, I just have to apply for my license, and within a few weeks, I will officially be an RDH (registered dental hygienist).  God-sized dreams really do come true!

 

Saying Hello Mornings

I haven't always been a morning person.  In fact, this pretty much sums up how I used to feel about mornings:

Don't you love Grumpy Cat?  (Ok, confession - I still feel that way until I've had my coffee.  My family knows not to talk to me until I'm caffinated.) 

I wasn't a morning person, but a few years ago, everything changed, thanks to the Hello Mornings Challenge.  This amazing group of ladies have supported me and encouraged me through three years of college and a lots of ups and downs.  I've been honored to serve as an Accountability Captain for the past several sessions, and I'm excited to start the summer challenge tomorrow with my group. 

If you're wondering how to start having daily time with God or how to structure your quiet time, here's an example of what I do:

 

If this seems overwhelming, start smaller - start with a check in, prayer, and Bible study.  The most important thing is just to start and stick with it.  It's about making a change and finding grace.  Ready to start with me?

Five Minute Friday: Jump

I'm not brave. Honestly, I'm a chicken. A scaredy-cat. Whatever names you want to throw out there. I blogged for a long time before I told close friends and family, because I would rather hear from strangers that I stink than from those close to me. I changed my mind a hundred times before I finally took the plunge and went back to school. I like the "run and hide" approach better than the "rush in and face it" approach.

But God is slowly changing all that. One of my favorite quotes is, "Great women aren't made in comfort zones." Over the past few years, I've learned that God doesn't like comfort zones, and He has a way of forcing us out of them. In order to go where God had called me, I've had to learn to face my fears and jump in head first, even when I'm shaking in my boots - which is pretty often. He's always there, holding my hand as I jump and leading me in my leaps of faith. He is faithful, even when I'm scared. Especially when I'm scared. I just have to jump.

The Giver of Dreams

I talk to God a lot about my dreams, especially when the road to them gets rocky.  I'm just weeks away from graduating with an associate of science degree in dental hygiene.  By the end of summer, I will be a registered dental hygienist.  It's the culmination of a dream, but this has been, without a doubt, the hardest two years of my life.  It has never been an easy road.

I asked God why a few months back.  Why has this road been so hard?  Why has it been such a struggle when I felt so strongly that this was the right path?  God's answer, then and every time since that I've asked that question, is the same: "Do you trust Me?"

Sunday night, we had one of our conversations as I fought off another panic attack brought on by school...
Me: "I'm so scared, God.  I have to pass this semester."
God: "I've got this."
Me: "We've invested so much in this, and I'm almost out of time."
God: "Have I ever failed you?"
Me: "No.  You've never failed me."
God: "Even when it came down to the wire?"
Me: "No, not even then."
God: "And I won't start now.  Do you trust me?"

Going back to college in my 30's has been a long, hard lesson in fully trusting God, and I'm sure this isn't the end.  I'm getting ready to move into new dreams, and I know chasing my writing dreams  will bring its own set of struggles.  Recently, I asked God to confirm some things about my future in writing - and He did, loud and clear.  I'm ready, because I know that God will be there to lead me through it.  He gave me these dreams, so He's going to be with me every step of the way.  I just have to trust Him.

An Exciting New Launch!

I'm so excited!  Today marks the offical launch day for How They Blog, and I'm so happy to be part of the launch team.

I knew NOTHING when I started blogging several years ago.  I've learned a lot over the years, but there is so much more that I'm still clueless on!  How They Blog will give a sneak peak into the world of some of the best bloggers around.  They will share tips and tricks, favorite tools, and so much more to help me and you become better bloggers.

I've been stalking following Kat for several years at her blog Inspired to Action, where she shares great practical advice that every mom can use.  I've also been an accountability captain for several Hello Mornings challenges.  Kat launched Hello Mornings to provide encouragment and accountability as women strive to start their days by spending time with God.  The challenge has grown to thousands of participants, with groups across the world meeting via Twitter or Facebook.  I know she's going to do just as great with her new project as she does with her current ones.  Hop over to the new blog today and check it out!

Five Minute Friday: Here

It's overwhelming sometimes - the here and now. I'm drowning in my lists - to do, should do, need to do (but can't do because there's no time). The stress piles up, the pace becomes even more frantic, and the never-ending circle of chaos just spins faster around me.

In these moments, I want to shut myself off. I want to daydream and lose myself somewhere else, anywhere else, outside of this mind-numbing busyness. Sometimes all I want to do is let my mind run away and escape and give up, because no one told it would be this hard.

But I'm not somewhere else. I'm here. This is my reality, my calling, my life that God has painstakingly laid out the pieces of, one by one. When it's good, He's here, and when it's bad, He's still here. Here and now is right where I need to be, too.

Coming Into The Home Stretch

Graduation is approaching so fast it's scary.  Honestly, I can't even think about it, because I'll end up feeling completely overwhelmed by everything I have to accomplish to graduate as planned.  I'm trying to work in a little time to relax, and this weekend was a perfect example.

 

 

I have a quote on Pinterest that says, "There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man."  That's so true.  There is nothing so relaxing, so soothing, so stress relieving, as spending time with horses.  I had a great time grooming, grazing and riding with a friend. 

 

I love horses, and I've been riding for twenty years, but with the craziness of life, it has been pretty limited the past several years.  In fact, this weekend marked the first time in four years I've been on a horse.  But the love never goes away.  Hanging out with Reba, Scout, and the sixteen other horses at my friend's place was amazing.  After all, you can take the girl out of the country...but you can't take the country out of the girl.