UPDATE- It's a NEW YEAR!!!!

   

       Um, hold on, the last time I blogged was almost a year ago? February of 2016 and here it is January and 2017! A new year! So many exciting things, adventures, new people and places and SO MANY lessons learned which led to so much personal growth!


      I spent the rest of winter and all of spring in Greenwich. What an amazing first assignment I had! The people, the adventures, it was all so wonderful! (And so worth me back-blogging and documenting it all on here even if through photos!)

So, for the summer I spent my assignment in Augusta at University Hospital which was also full of amazing people!! I love that as nervous and anxious as I get about each assignment the Lord has provided such wonderful people for me to meet and spend time with! What a relief that has been!


2 0 1 6 also had lots of tough lessons. And, to be completely honest, was probably one of the darkest years I've ever had. I remember having thoughts of feeling helpless and even at times HOPELESS. My heart felt broken and my relationship with the Lord felt dry and like I was lacking passion. I learned that even though you love someone, and even though they may (or may not) love you, it just might not be the RIGHT thing for you or for them. Let me tell you, that was a hard pill to swallow and many tears were shed over that. But, I also have to admit that making such a hard decision and going through something so difficult allowed me to be reminded that I HAVE to seek the Lord and place all my cares, hurts and sorrows in His hand (1 Peter 5:7). Because honestly, I wouldn't have such a peace about my decisions without knowing His promises. I cried, a lot, and begged the Lord to show me a sign, or make the decision for me. I FINALLY realized that He had shown me exactly what I needed to do but it was up to me to surrender and follow His plan. WOAH! Talk about hard but talk about a peace that came with it that I don't think I've ever had before. So, even with a broken heart, knowing I was doing what was right, and not just for me, I followed the Lord's lead. And to know that God never wastes a hurt (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) that made it all the better.


Which leads me to where I am today...LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA! I can remember, probably all the way back in high school, that I would tell people I was going to be a nurse, a travel nurse. Little did my teen mind and heart know that I'd actually become a nurse and that God would lay the foundation that would allow me to do just that, TRAVEL!!! This doesn;t go without saying that even though I know deep down this is what and where I'm supposed to be, it is NOT easy.

I've had anxiety in the past but never like the heart racing, cold sweating, sick feeling I got as my parents drove me to the airport Friday. We were halfway to the airport and the anxiety overcame me so quickly. Right as I was texting my girl friends to please pray that my anxiety would go away ASAP one of them called! Can we say perfect timing?! I think knowing I would be further than I have ever been from home and family just really had me homesick before I even left yet. And not knowing when I'd be able to come home again! But, after a long flight and an Uber journey to pick up my car that had been shipped here, I started my LA adventure! Made it to my apartment only to find out I basically have no cell phone reception (because this place is basically in a valley of a canyon). Sure, who doesn't like to disconnect from the world every now and then? But not when I'm thousands of miles away from my family and have no idea where to start exploring! So, today, Tuesday, I finally have internet in my apartment which means I have wifi and am able to connect to cell service via my router! YASSSS!!!

Okay, enough rambling! Here are just a few of the pictures from my adventures here so far! Can't wait to explore some more this weekend...

 I know I said the cell phone reception at my apartment completely sucks but the view from the rooftop y'all? AMAZING! Completely doesn't suck! 

And these pancakes at Du-par's after going to Hillsong LA on Sunday AM? The best. (Or it could've been that I was hangry and anything I ate would've tasted great) but really though, they were great!

 This is the spectacular view from the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulloholland Drive! (It was already dark and me being alone I figured it wasn't a great time to try and walk the trail to the actual overlook.)

 Got to briefly check out Santa Monica and the Pier! 

 And this was the amazing supper I had in Santa Monica at Blue Plate Taco. If you're in the area, I highly recommend this place, their atmosphere and food were great! 

Not too mention I got to enjoy this sunset with my dinner! 

I'm sure I will have lots more to share soon! I hope I didn't ramble too much! 

Also, if anyone has any suggestions of must see/do/visit while I'm in the LA area please SHARE!

Oh and where am I in all this? Just taking it all in! Enjoying each new experience and reflecting during my time "alone"! Excited about what each day of this new year holds!

 Here's to you, 2017!

Mom and Dana visit NY!

I was so excited I could hardly stand it! Family was finally coming to visit me! I had been home once already but besides Aunt Neesie making the move with me and then going back home nobody had come to visit me in my 1st place along this new journey! 

I picked mom and Dana up from the LGA airport on a Sunday evening! It was later in the evening and they had a whirlwind of a day getting to NYC! So we decided to have NY pizza for their first night of being in NY! We decided on a little place in Tarrytown that I've tried before, Capri Pizza & Pasta! And all of us agreed it was a GREAT choice! Dana still says she wishes there was a way she could get that pizza in GA! We all shared their Margherita Pizza! Its so fresh and can you say DELISH!?

Dana and I had a little surprise in store for mom that we decided to share with her during dinner! Instead of coming back and forth from the city to Tarrytown each night we booked a hotel for a night in the city at Park Central Hotel! After dinner we settled back in at my apartment and gathered our things for our trip to the city the next morning!

Waiting for our Uber to take us to the train station!

Being silly waiting for the next train!

Dana enjoying gorgeous views of the Hudson from the train!

We made it safely to Grand Central Station!

Taking in the historic and iconic views of Grand Central!

Now it was time to head to our hotel! Which included mom and Dana's first time on the NYC Subway! After we stopped for some yummy baked goods of course!

The subway venture was interesting to say the least. We saw our first rat while waiting on the subway to arrive! Dana was afraid they'd crawl up the wall and onto the landing where we were waiting! It was definitely a laughing matter for me but I don't think she found it too funny at the time! 

Once we made it to our hotel, we dropped our bags, freshened up and headed out to explore!

We definitely enjoyed some baked goods from Carlo's Bakery!

After exploring we went back to the hotel to rest our feet and decide where we would go for dinner! We wanted to try Parm but when we made our way to the Subway and saw how full it was and realized it was rush hour we decided we'd go somewhere within walking distance! We ended up at Trattoria Trecolori! It was perfecto! Dana enjoyed a perfect pasta dish and mom and I both decided on one of our favorites- chicken parmigiana!

Dinner was followed by some more exploring and of course, some DESSERT! 

After walking about 10 miles that day we were headed back to our hotel for the night! We had an early morning in store for us the next day!

In all honesty...

I logged into my blog tonight planning to begin a post about my new journey and all the awesome things I've had the privilege of getting to experience the past few weeks. But to be completely honest. there was more on my heart. And then I was reminded of the place I was in when I posted last on my blog. It was May of this year and I was in a place where I wasn't completely sure which direction my life was headed in, in many aspects, but God revealed to me that I was in a "waiting" phase of life. And I honestly felt peace about that. Little did I know He was preparing me to "move" in a spiritual and literal way. So here I am, living in New York. 850 miles away from the place and people I have called home for 26 years of my life.

As great as this transition has gone, as smooth as it's been, I can't say that I haven't felt lonely at times. Truthfully though, I feel like I am exactly where God planned for me to be. As lonely as I've been at times, I have felt so surrounded by His love and I feel so confident that this is only the beginning of God's great plan for my life. I often wonder why God had me in a "waiting" phase and why hadn't I met "the one" when it seemed like many of my friends were entering that phase of life. And now, WOW! His plan is making PERFECT SENSE. If I had been tied up in a relationship I would have probably never made the decision to actually pursue my dream of travel nursing. What an awesome realization. You often hear things like "God's plan is best", "He knows what He's doing" etc., and as much as you want to trust that, it's really difficult. We try to fulfill the desires of our heart with what we think is best, what we can "make work" even when we know deep down it's not God's best for us. I think that's what often leaves us with this desire of wanting more or wanting better. All too often we lay out our plans and unknowningly allow ourselves to settle because we think that's what is best for us but honestly, if we would remain patient and have faith, God really will provide the desires of our heart. And when He provides those things, they are far better than we could have ever imagined. Things we never may have dreamt on our own.

So tonight, I am reflecting on how awesome the experiences of the past three weeks have been. But I'm also reflecting on how faithful God has been, is and will continue to be. I am so excited to see what God has in store for this journey. Something about being 850 miles away from what you've always been used to puts life in a clear perspective, in the best way possible!



And of course I can't end  without adding a song...the truth in this song blows me away!

Trust In You...

My sweet mom and I were just talking about how we keep hearing and reading devotions lately that remind us we need to sometimes WAIT. Whether it be wait for God to move, or wait for Him to tell us to move. Sometimes though, that's not the answer we want to hear. 

Recently, should I say, an "old door" reopened in my life and as enticing, wonderful, and EASY as it sounded, I know in my heart that's not the path God has intended for my life, at least not right now. So, I will continue to wait until God says "move!" Or until He moves. Either way, His way will be what's best for me and my future.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Of course the Lord needed me to hear one more reminder of the need to wait. Y'all have probably heard the amazing song, How Can It Be, by Lauren Daigle. Well, if that wasn't amazing enough, you should hear her song- Trust In You! Wow!

 

"Trust In You"

Letting go of every single dream

I lay each one down at Your feet 

Every moment of my wandering

Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess

My hands are weary I need Your rest

Mighty Warrior, King of the fight

No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through

When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings 

There’s not a day ahead You have not seen

So, in all things be my life and breath

I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through

When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort

You are my steady hand

You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher

Your plans are always good

There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move

When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through

When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!

http://youtu.be/qv-SXz_exKE

Until next time, y'all!

Erin Elisabeth

Serenity...

Most of you have probably seen or heard this prayer at some point in your life. For me, I didn't know the second half existed until about a year ago when I learned it during Celebrate Recovery. And wow, how much of an eye opener the entire thing is.

First off, what exactly is serenity? Serenity is the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.Let me tell you, I have a lot of un-serene problems over here in my life. And guess what I find myself doing about them? TALKING ABOUT THEM! Not praying (or not as much as I should), and definitely not doing something to CHANGE them!

I definitely haven't had the COURAGE to change the things I can. Why? Because I constantly allow satan to fill me with guilt. Whether it be fear of "stepping on someone's toes" or feeling like I'm partially to blame for situations. I haven't stopped and asked God for that courage. He is waiting on me to ask, when I should be the one waiting to receive the courage.

Not to mention, have I even tried to receive the WISDOM it takes to know the difference between what I have the ability to change and what I don't. Definitely not! Even though this prayer begins with the granting of serenity and courage I think what I need first is the WISDOM! And wisdom isn't found by constantly talking about my problems, the same problems most of the time, over and over and over....you get the picture. 

So, how do we gain wisdom? The Bible tells us in James 1:5-6 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." That's it, it's that simple. We just have to ASK God. Which means, stop complaining, stop "venting", stop WORRYING and simply ask God and have FAITH that He will answer. Because the Bible also reminds us in the same chapter of James that those remain steadfast in a trial will be blessed and given the crown of life, promised by God, to those who love him.

I won't go into the depths of the rest of the prayer, today, but it has a simple message that most of us have missed out on! We can only live one day at a time, one moment at time. If we try to live in another moment in time by worrying about something we will find we missed out on so many moments as they were happening right in front of us. We are also reminded that there WILL be hardships but they are a pathway to a peace. A peace that God grants us that, according to God's word, will surpass all understanding. Recognizing that this world will never, ever be like the one we want it to be but with God, we can live REASONABLY happy in this life, and SUPREMELY happy in the next with God, FOREVER.

 I don't know about y'all but SUPREMELY happy with GOD, FOREVER is the high I want to be on! Until next time y'all...

Erin Elisabeth... In Between.

Feeling the desire to blog again. I have so much that lays on my heart and mind and I need somewhere to share it rather than writing a Facebook post that's ten miles long.

What's been laying on my heart heaviest lately? Feeling like I'm in an "in between" stage in my life. That may not make sense to some of you, but to those who understand, you probably know exactly how I'm feeling.

I'm on the verge of 26. I have an awesome job. An awesome family. A church home that I will be forever grateful for. And so many other awesome blessings in my life. But honestly, at times, I feel like I'm stuck in between. In between the stage of being graduated from college and settling down with a spouse. Lots of friends my age have reached that stage of being married and even starting families. Then I have to remind myself that I'm not the ONLY one who is "in between". Honestly, I know there are so many others who are in the same stage of life as me.

I am also "in between" where I want and need to be health wise, physically. I'm not at my goal weight, I still struggle with making the best decisions that affect my health but, each day is a new opportunity to make the right decision and having the right tools and support make that much more attainable.

Spiritually I'm not where I once was, but, I'm also not where I want or need to be in my walk with the Lord.

Here's the thing, I can sit here and list all the things that make me feel like I'm in an "in between" phase in my life and I can dwell on the fact that I'm not where I want to be in my life or that I'm not where society says I should be. But, instead, I can focus on the fact that "in between" is right where God wants me to be during this time. I can focus on the fact that I recognize I'm not where I want or need to be in several areas of my life and with recognizing that I can do something to change my circumstances (for the most part).

It's OKAY to be "in between" because it means I haven't made a decision to settle with the mediocrity life throws at us sometimes. Instead, I've made a decision that where I'm at right now isn't a permanent situation. I have the ability to take control of this "in between" and do something to create a change where it's due because I know that my Heavenly Father created me for something far greater than to be stuck in idle in the "in between" phase of life.





"through every circumstance, every season of life, there's not a single situation that's too far from the reach and the touch of God and His goodness" Housefires Never Run Dry


Until next time, y'all!