when it's what you want

As some of you may or may not know, I'm waiting a response to nursing school. I've applied, done all the hard work. And now I'm sitting in wait.

And every day there's a battle. Of checking the mail. I'm so anxious to check, but then I want to avoid it altogether. It makes me sick to my stomach. I go daily, anxiously anticipating the letter. Of playing it in my head going either way. Yes. Or No.  I was told the answer will come in March of 2013. And now, for the better part of a month, we play this game every day.

And my daily prayer is to hold my plans with open hands. Wishing and wanting and hoping for this dream, but not idolizing school. Knowing the One who holds our future has good for us, not harm.  But when I'm honest, I know it's what I deeply desire. I can't imagine a future without nursing school. But more than that, I know what I can't live without daily is Jesus. So I'm holding it with open hands. Pleading and praying and making my deepest desires known to the only One who really plans our futures.

If you find yourself in a place like this. A place where your dreams are laid bare and your heart feels raw, take it to the only one who knows our futures. And take that step to the mailbox with confidence.

January + February Reading Recap

sooo... Remember how I finally showed you my book list for the year a couple of days ago?
and now it's the middle of March?  Well, it just seemed like the perfect time to recap what I I've read so far.  Take note: not all of these books were/are on my list for 2013. You can thank half price sales for that. They are all books on my list, and some happened to be cheap/on sale/borrowed from friends.

Cutting for Stone:  This book gripped me from the very first page.  It's a love story with such depth that you are hurting for both sides of the couple.  The twins born of the nun-nurse mother and surgeon father lead a life unlike any other.  The complexity, depth, and twists of this book kept me up late into the night to finish.

Life of Pi:  Honestly, this one took me awhile to get into.  I just couldn't get into the flow of it.  About halfway through, I started to enjoy it, but not near as much as I had expected.  When it ended, the ending left me with more intrigue and questions than a sense of closure.  I don't think all books need closure to be good, but I desired a bit more with this one.

A Clash of Kings:  I'm so into this series. It's fantasy--set in a time and place long ago. The story of 5 kings, at civil war with each other. And no, I don't watch the TV series.  If you want to step into fantasy, this is a great series to start with.

Beautiful Boy: This was an awesome book. Raw, real, and it doesn't hide or sugar coat a thing. It's a rare look into what drugs, and specifically meth do to families and people.  In the best way, it left me empathizing with all of the characters.

What are you reading? On my shelf this month: Bossypants and MWF seeking BFF

An influential woman

I'm linking up today with some pretty rad women. The influence network is a group the sweetest of women who strive to make Jesus the center of everything. Life, love, business, He's the goal of all of it.  Today we are linking up to learn a little more about each other. If you're not a member, I hope you'll at least go check it out. But seriously, you should become a member.

For the linkup today, this is what we're supposed to be sharing:

A photo of yourself that you love. Three get-to-know-me things.

One valuable thing you've gained from the Network.

1. I'm a runner. Marathons are my love language, and I spend a lot of my free time running, thinking about running, or planning my next race.  I love the solitude of a good 4 hours spent running, and get giddy with the endorphins after.  I'm running a half marathon in March with a sweet friend, and thinking of running another full marathon in April.

2.  I love science. I was the nerdiest kid in high school, and it's pretty much stayed the same since.  I used to work in cancer research, and now I do genetic testing on infants.  I am in the process of applying to nursing schools, and hoping to go back to get a second bachelors and become a nurse within the next year.

3. To me, the best days go a bit like this:  waking up early-ish to lay in bed for a bit and stare at the sunlight streaming though.  Breakfast with my husband, followed by a morning run.  A good book (I'm an avid reader), afternoon outside, and lots of time in the sunshine are the key to a good afternoon.  A home cooked dinner with some quality time in my kitchen and a bottle of wine makes for one of my favorite evenings.  Simple? Probably. But to me--that's the perfect day.  

To me, the influence network is an irreplaceable network of learning and community.  I LOVE the online classes--and each one teaches me so much while enriching the community around me.  I'm signed up for Advanced Handmade later this month, and already giddy about what I will learn to advance my shop!