simple the longest night

Tonight mother and I went to an amazing church service. This was one that I really want to share with you guys.This service was different than most church services. This one was to help us with the comfort of a death of a loved one.

Exactly seven days ago, I came home to news about the death of my only uncle on my mom's side. We lost him to depression. This was the type of news that I did not expect upon walking into the house. This past week has definitely been a rough one for all of the family. Mother and I figured out that the "waterproof" mascara wasn't "tearproof". Saturday was the day that we buried my uncle, and I have missed him so much. Everyone in my family realizes how hard of a Christmas this will be and we do not know exactly how we are all going to deal with this. I personally believe that we will be drawn closer together to comfort one another. I also believe that this service tonight helped both mother and I with the coping of Uncle Tim.

These were the scriptures read tonight at the service.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelations 21:1-5

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I give Egypt as your ransom.

Isaiah 43:1-3

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7

This last verse is one from the Christmas story. People generally take Christmas for granted, thinking that they should have the ideal family gathering with many presents to open and lots of food to eat. Many people over think what the main reason as to why we celebrate Christmas is. It is not for the children, where they tell Santa what they would like for him to bring them because they were good that year, or for the adults who bake and cook all day for the family gathering that night, or even wrapping all the Christmas presents and unwrapping them that morning. There are some people in the world that do not get this opportunity to receive presents. They take this time of the year to be with the people that they love the most and actually spend time with them. They also take this time to thank God that they are living and blessed with what they have. I think that they understand the true meaning of Christmas. Even though there are the happy times of Christmas, some people go through the sad times as well. It is said though that you can't be sad at Christmas, you have to be cheery. This is where you would feel isolated because you believe that they don't understand your situation. This is where the name "The Longest Night" comes from. Where you feel like you have no one to turn to and no one understands what you are going through. It seems like the night will never turn to morning and you lay in bed thinking about all of your problems. Whenever you feel this way, turn to God. He will always listen and he gives comfort to you in every form possible. The comfort of Christmas is the amazing gift of God's love. 

Also tonight, instead of the advent wreath, we did an alternative wreath lighting. These candles represented giving words to the ones that we lost. These are the inspirational words that were read as the candles were lit.

The Candle of Sadness

As we remember loved ones who have left us, relationships that are no more, our lives the way they used to be, we acknowledge sadness at their passing.

The Candle of Courage

As we face the loss in our lives, we realize that Jesus has promised never to leave us. We find courage in that assurance and in our own experience of God's gift of courage to us in the past.

The Candle of Memory

As we remember the stories, happy and sad, about the ones we love, about times when life felt whole and secure, we can find healing. As we weave these stories into our new life, we can find peace. As we remember the story of Jesus, we can find hope.

The Candle of Hope

Our hope is that for each of us there is more than only a past. Our hope is that for each of us there is also a future, in this life, and in the life to come.

The Candle of Love

Jesus Christ is the true source of our love. Jesus is the light that always shines in the darkness. And the darkness did not - and will not - overcome it.

So I challenge you, blogger world, to spend this Christmas with God. Thank him for all the blessings that you are given each day. Thank him for living as long as you did. Thank him for knowing that your loved ones that you have lost are sitting with him in heaven. Also spend this Christmas with your family. This is a holiday where you are to be drawn closer to your family. Don't be one of those people that are caught up in the glittery commercials on tv of how Christmas should be.

simple failure.

I failed.

I didn't get the scripture for you guys.

I have been super busy with college.

This past week, I had 2 tests, 2 quizzes, and a paper due. 

Talk about stress to the max. 

Currently I have been looking for new ways to relieve my stress. Does anyone have any ideas?

BUT:

I did go home. I did celebrate my brother's birthday. AND I went shopping with mother. These were very successful days, just saying.

On Friday, I met my brother at a small restaurant in Pilot for lunch. We then went to Winston to look for running shoes that he wanted to buy for his wife. How sweet is he?! Then that night we went to Mount Airy, to eat out with the family. It was a good night, filled with so much laughter. 

On Saturday, mother and I went back to Winston to shop for winter stuff. Anything you can think of we pretty much bought. After the shopping adventure, I packed back up and came back to Charlotte.

ALSO:

We do have I Am Second this Monday so be prepared for a post on that. I promise to blog that night.

Have a great weekend :)

simple i miss you.

This guy graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.

This guy will be my future dentist.

This guy just recently got married.

This guy currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

This guy is my cousin.

This guy is one my favorite people.

This guy is my idol.

This guy I love and miss tons.

This guy helped me throughout high school, by telling me what to take.

This guy is simply amazing.

This guy was one that I took many beach trips with.

This guy knows how to brighten up the room.

This guy is one that I wish would hurry up and move back down to North Carolina.

This guy has a strong love for Christ.

This guy has the same birthday as my mom.

This guy is one that I haven't seen in a while.

This guy is Daniel Wayne Driskill.

I miss you! 

Please come home soon!

I love you!

taken at his UNC graduation dinner.

simple prayers answered.

I want to first off apologize for my terrible blogging. I was able to spend a week at the beach with my brother and his family (blog coming soon), and I had NO time to blog.

Anyways, today was a day of mixed emotions. My father had to undergo surgery to have his parathyroids removed. To put it simple, my dad had surgery on his neck. Last night as I was going to bed, I prayed to God that he would take care of my father during his surgery. I have never been more nervous about one of my family members going under the knife than I was for dad.

Backstory:

Back in March/April, my dad went to the doctor for a checkup and found some things wrong with him. They didn't know exactly what was wrong, just that something was. Dad then went through tons of tests, to find out that his body was producing too much calcium, and he would have to have his parathyroids removed. Before this day came, dad was growing much more tired and running out of energy much more quickly than normal. I knew something wasn't right and I just prayed that this surgery would help him gain more energy.

Back to today:

This morning dad went for surgery at 6:30. He would be under until 9:30, and I didn't get to see him until 11:30ish. Mom took him this morning and my brother and I came down right after he came out of surgery. Mom told us that the doctor had told her about what all went down. Dad's parathyroid's on one side were very enlarged, and his thyroid had a malignant nodule on it. They just went ahead and took out the entire thyroid and said that they had removed all of the cancer. They did leave the other thyroid so dad will not have to take any medication. He does have to stay overnight but if everything goes well tonight he will be able to come home in the morning.

I just thank God that he was watching over my dad today during surgery and that they found the cancer and removed it immediately. God answered my prayers today and I'm thankful to have such a loving God that shows us how precious life is. He helps us to not take everything for granted and to be grateful for the little things in life.

simple intros.

This would be my first time blogging ever.

I love to talk, about anything, so why not write it all down?

 Let me just start by introducing a few amazing people in my life.

senior night. please excuse the hair.

Mother and Father.

They are awesome beyond words. They love everyone and everything and will always lend a helping hand no matter what. They have taught me so many life lessons. Of course they do know how to embarrass me, but whose parents doesn't do that.

right after we won states.

Brother.

Oh where do I even begin on him. He knows how to make me laugh, whether I'm happy or not. He is the best big brother anyone can ask for. He was actually the one that influenced me to my college choice of UNC-Charlotte; he is an alumni from there. He is so supportive of everything I do and tries his best to always be there for me, anytime, anyday.

Da bestie.

Aerika aerika aerika. This girl is just simply amazing, I love her to the moon and back. She is hilarious and never fails to crack me up on a daily basis. We have gotten rather close this year. We do everything together, from hanging out at civic, to just riding around and showing off her "dancing skills". We know how to have an awesome time together. I will miss her so much next year, but she knows that I will be back to visit. She even jokes around and says that I will be attending the University of Aerika.  

Ashley Smith.

Oh my word I love this girl to death. We did everything together during softball and came up with our own pre-game hang out. We always had the craziest "dates" whenever we hung out. One day I believe we drove everywhere possible, but we had the most fun ever. Like I told her after we won states, I love her to death and I will miss her beyond words next year.

Emily and Jessie.

These two lovely ladies are like my sisters. We have been together since middle school, even though we all separated to different high schools. I love them beyond words and I don't know who I would be without these ladies. Yes, it is difficult being able to get together as a group with them, but when we do we know how to have a good time and we always ending laughing until our cheeks hurt. 

 Like I said I love to talk, hence the semi-long introductions, but I just had to show you a piece of my amazing life and all the people that are involved.