Day 31

So it's been a whole month since I started this 365 project and already it has proven to be a whirl wind.

Thankful today for surviving 4 weeks of CI I, ridiculous nights with friends, phone calls with family and good books.

Day 30

Today was a hard day. Lots of pulmonary patients at work and on top of that I just wasn't motivated to be there. My CI gave me Friday off so I can go to Houston to be with my family. I am so thankful for her understanding in all of this.

I am also thankful for ridiculous lunches with co-workers, ghost hunters and fro-yo.

From my devotional today: Sometimes we may hesitate to ask God for something we desperately want or need because we assume we will be turned down.
I WILL NOT put God in a box. He is so much bigger than my imagination, fears, and dreams.

Day 29

Thankful for detox baths, good books, productiveness on days off, delicious cooking, pride and prejudice, Mr. Darcy and girl time!

Still waiting to hear when Dad is scheduled for his biopsy. He sounds stressed and tired so praying for God to be his source of strength and peace. Praying for patience.

Day 28

Today I am thankful for understanding clinical instructors and co-workers. I am also thankful for ridiculous friends who send me text messages just to make me smile. Still waiting to here when Dad is scheduled for his biopsy. Continuing to pray for him.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)


The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalms 51:17 ESV)

Day 27

Thankful for restful sleep, hugs from friends, powerful praying church, and God's all encompassing love. Taking everything one day at a time. Praying for my Dad's biopsy and for God to heal and be glorified through it all. Prayed with one of the pastors tonight who said everything I couldn't articulate. God is bigger than cancer. We are asking for co,plate healing not just best case scenarios. We are praying for God to ring my Dad closer to Himself in a way that my Dad has never experienced before. And we are praying for God to be magnified through it all.


The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the Lord . (Zephaniah 3:17-20 ESV)

"Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak
Won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray

Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord"

-Hillsong

Day 26

Incredibly thankful for my network of prayer warriors. I know that God hears all prayers and even better than that is the fact that He wants us to pester Him and to tell Him all things. I ask that you, whoever you are, wherever you may be, would continue to lift my daddy up in prayers. I know that prayer is powerful. Today I am thankful for prayer.

I am also thankful for friends who come over just to wrap you up in hugs and to bring you coffee. I am thankful for Half Price Books. I am thankful for home cooked meals. I am thankful for family.

Please continue to pray constantly.

"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:2, 5-10, 12, 13 ESV)

Day 25

Honestly I have no idea what to type. Before 9pm I would have posted a typical TGIf post, but life happens. My Dad has cancer. Even writing that sentence seems unreal. People on television shows get cancer but not my Dad. He's the rock, the stronghold. He's who I turn to when my computer stops working, when my car breaks down or when someone steals my debit card. He's the first man I ever loved. And he's supposed to be there to walk me down the aisle and play with my kids. He's supposed to call me sweetheart every time I talk to him on the phone even when I have kids of my own.

It's all really hard to comprehend right now. I can't seem to stop crying or thinking. But I rest in My Abba. I know everything has a purpose and I know My God is bigger than cancer.

Tonight I ask for you to stand beside my family in prayer. Pray with expectancy and urgency. For the doctors to be skillful and full of knowledge. For my mom and brothers and myself to be strong and loving. For my dad to rest in the arms of his Papa and to fight. For peace and rest. And for God's glory to be known even in the darkness.

I will be thankful today. I am thankful for encouragement and love from friends. I am thankful for early detection screenings. I am thankful for Lance, who stayed till 1am to make sure I was okay, who didn't expect me to talk but just stayed by my side as I continually cried my eyes out. I am thankful.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalms 73:23-26 ESV)

But now thus says the Lord , he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, 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, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. (Isaiah 43:1-4 ESV)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:3, 4 ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Day 24

Thankful for besties who allow for rant phone calls, ihop Belgian waffles, ridiculous PT school jokes and ankle braces.

Day 23

Thankful today for lunches outside the hospital. I love working with patients but it is refreshing to get away for a bit! And it was WHATABURGER

Day 22

Definitely feel like I am finding my stride at the hospital. My CI is gradually increasing my patient load and is beginning to give me more challenging diagnoses. I really enjoy meeting progress on my patients and am thankful for the career path The Lord has blessed me with!

Day 21

Bittersweet day...said goodbye to the bestie after enjoying a delicious brunch. Spent the rest of the day cleaning up the living space. Thankful for wonderful weekends and relaxing days off from work!

Day 20

Getting to spend an entire day relaxing at home and eating delicious food with the bestie...yep ideal Sunday!! God is good!

Day 19

Best feeling ever? Waking up knowing you get to spend the entire day with your bestie!!!! Spent the morning being productive at Starbucks then headed to Fort Worth to explore! Ended the evening at Twisted Root laughing with friends and eating delicious food. Thankful today for adventures and new experiences!

Day 18

Friday!!!!!!!!!! Worked dragged by today but its because I was anticipating the arrival of my beside, Ms. Megan Fenney! Successfully completed week two of clinicals which is crazy. I can't believe how quickly this experience is going by! After work, went to dinner with Megan and Lance. Phillip was supposed to come as well buttttttttt someone got "stuck in traffic" for over an hour. Haha! Afterwards, we all went tithe Dallas Museum of Art. They open the museum at night and have different activities. It was really fun especially people watching all the Dallas-ites. Today I am thankful for incredible friendships that withstand all the barriers!

There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord !" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord , make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:6-8 ESV)

Day 17

Busy busy busy day and I am sure tomorrow will be even more so because our electronic documentation system crashed around 2pm...this means all of the new patients were not added onto our evaluation orders....so tomorrow will be a catch up day! But! I came home and listened to some ridiculous music while getting ready for a date with my dear friend Alley. I love her so much. She is such an encouragement and blessing to me. I am so thankful for her and her friendship over the past, wow!, 10 years!! Thankful for enduring friendships despite high school drama, distance, and rival universities :)


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26 ESV)

Day 16

I can't get into details because of privacy laws but I currently am co-treating a man who has a very odd and poorly researched medical condition. I spent the majority of my evening attempting to find sound research to justify a treatment plan and sadly I came up rather empty handed. It's frustrating and heart-breaking at the same time but it pushes me to use the best of my education to help this man. Today I am thankful for my own good health (despite my whining about aches and pains) and the health of my family.


God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10 NIV)

Day 15

Today is my off day from work for the week. I woke up to snow on the ground and immediately felt a sense of peace. God answers prayer. He is filling me to the brim with love and compassion, but also yearns for more. I spent the morning sharing all of the good things God has been doing over the last few months with my dear friend Phillip. I am always encouraged by Phillip's zeal to do God's work and cannot wait to see how The Lord uses him to change hearts here in Dallas. Thankful today for snow, warm coffee, and close friendships.


The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7, 8 NIV)

Day 14

Today was an off day. Things just didn't seem to line up correctly. I have been having issues with my blood sugar again and today at worked I nearly passed out because it dropped so much. I need to start taking care of myself but I am easily rundown by stress. I find excuses to not eat like I should. My body is not my own, but rather a vessel for the King of Kings. It is through my body that I can live out the truth of The Gospel. My prayer for today is that God would, in His mercy, give me a deeper trust. That I may lose myself in Him and turn to Him as my ground of rest and spring of being. Even in struggles I am thankful for Christ. I am encouraged by His love and rejuvenated by His strength.

I am the Lord , and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord , and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:5, 6 NIV)

Day 13

This weekend was wonderful. I spent all of Friday with friends, catching up on life and laughing together. Saturday I was lazy all day and then went on a pretty perfect first date. Today I studied a bit, watched football and then went to church. The sermon really spoke to my heart and convicted me of my lethargic attitude towards repentance. We serve such a powerful God, yet He knows us at such an intimate level. I am so thankful for encouraging and supportive friends and family.


Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Day 12

Today I am thankful for awesome first dates! :) Yep.

Day 11

I had the day off today. I slept in and the went to brunch with a dear friend. I've spent the rest of the day reading,going through scriptures and cuddling with my cat. He's so darn adorable. Today I am thankful for lazy, relaxing days and kitty cuddles.


Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

Day 10

And today I completed an initial eval on a patient solo. Things are getting real! And today is my last day of my first week of clinicals so tonight I am thankful for delicious homemade nachos and Shiner.

Day 9

Today I treated patients solo for the first time. It was nerve racking but definitely worth it when your patient says "Thank you! You do such great work!" Today I am thankful for being gifted with skills that provide healing and encouragement. Today was also exhausting though so I am also thankful for coffee. It is warm and caffeinated and delicious. And that's really all it takes.

Day 8

Another crazy day in the hospital but tonight when I got home it started to rain. So I made dinner and am now snuggled up in bed. Today I am thankful for rainstorms and fluffy blankets.

Day 7

I don't know how to take a picture of what I am thankful for today, so I googled one. I am thankful for God being the creator of the path of my life. Today I started my first clinical rotation and even though I was anxious and not completely happy with the setting choice, I know that it is going to be an incredible learning opportunity. I needed to start clinicals with an instructor willing to teach and guide me and that's exactly how mine is. I cannot believe that tomorrow I start treating patients. God is good!!!!!!!!!

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. (Psalms 37:23, 24 NLT)

Day 6

Today has been a bittersweet sort of day. It's my last free day before I start my first clinical rotation. Let me be quite honest in saying I am kind of freaking out. For the past 2 years, I have been working my butt off in physical therapy school but now that the opportunity is here to actually use all of the stuff I have learned I just want to stay in class. I have never been good with change, at least until the new becomes the norm. So today I am thankful for kick starts, for getting booted out of the nest! LET'S DO THIS.

Psalm 118:6 "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Day 5

It seems silly to be thankful for a book but this book in particular has been a tool used by God to form me into a woman of His image. It bonded me to a dear sister in Christ. It continues to challenge yet nurture my heart and spirit. And it's been a beautiful opportunity to spend quiet time with my Abba. God is good to provide.

1 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Day 4

Texas A&M!!!! To be fair, I knew this was what I wanted to write about before the Cotton Bowl last night but adding another W to a crazy and unexpected season doesn't hurt. But for me Texas A&M is more than just sports teams. It's where I met my best friends, learned who I was, found Jesus and grew in Him, learned about respect and selfless service, and gained the knowledge I needed to succeed in my life now. I had crazy adventures and bad days. I laughed, cried and cheered all over that campus. I became involved in traditions and thus fell in love with a huge extended family. I grew up at Texas A&M. I'll never regret choosing that particular university. God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent me there and for that I am eternally grateful.


Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Day 3

It's not even noon and I already know what I am thankful for today. Today I am thankful for my dear friend Phillip. Phillip is currently traveling around the world on an eleven month mission trip called The World Race. Even crazier than that is the fact that he is currently in Uganda, the country that I dearly love. You see Phillip has become one of those solid rocks in my life. We've seen each other go through peaks and valleys in our walk with The Lord, but I have always known that I could turn to Phillip for guidance, encouragement and powerful prayer. I have always felt that Phillip is a prayer warrior. He's one of those people that God has gifted with an ability to express emotions so perfectly. I know my Abba has an amazing plan for Phillip.

Phillip desperately needs prayer right now. I won't attempt to type out all the details but he has come to a cross road. The only way he will know what path to take is if God illuminates it for him. Pray with me brothers and sisters. Pray with urgency and expectation.

Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Day 2

Today I am thankful for warmth and security. I was driving around downtown Dallas this afternoon and came upon the corner where I typically see the same homeless man. On most days, I must confess, I do my best to avoid eye contact and drive on...but today I wished he would have been there. It was cold today and the first thing I thought of when I got to that corner was today I'll buy him a coffee and give him the blanket in my trunk. How sad is it that it takes near freezing temperatures for me to consider the needs of this man?

I came home to a warm apartment, made myself a solid meal and curled up on the couch with a friend to watch football. Too often I take the simple things in life for granted.

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?"

Day 1

It's officially 2013 and that means it is time to start my year of thankfulness!

It's been an amazing couple of days. I was able to celebrate the New Year with 3 of my best girls! I would be completely lost without them and today and every day I am so thankful that God has blessed me with these 3 ladies. They support me in every step of my life and are always a continual source of encouragement and laughter. I have no idea where or who I would be without them. So for today I am thankful for friends.