Heartbroken

About an hour ago, I got word that a sweet friend of mine took her own life earlier this afternoon.

It's heartbreaking as her friend to have to digest this. To digest the fact that I had spoken with her just four days ago and everything seemed fine, to digest the fact that behind her amazing smile, there was so much hurt and pain. I don't know how her young children will be able to cope with this devastating loss.

My heart breaks for her family who are left to live with this void in their lives forever, for her two young daughters that lost their Mommy today, and for her friends that would have helped her in a split second, if only we had known how broken she was feeling.

My mind keeps going back to what her family is doing tonight. It's so difficult to even wrap my brain around.

As her friends, we struggle to understand "why?" We battle the questions that don't matter anymore, but that will always keep us wondering. We're all dealing with different emotions tonight, but all of us who knew her share at least one common emotion: We loved her. And tonight, we are heartbroken.

May God surround all of us right now as we try and make sense of what has happened. May His peace envelope her family in the days, weeks, and years ahead. May they know how much she was loved and how incredible she was.

Rest in peace, dear friend! You will be loved and missed forever!

**Take some today to hug a loved one.**

Team Kyle 2011

I'm once again raising money for March for Babies and Team Kyle!

If you've read this blog, you already are familiar with Kyle's story and how much he means to me. Kyle was a preemie, like myself, and is a living testimony of God's healing power.

Please consider donating to this cause that is so near to my heart.

Visit my personal page (or click the banner above) and donate there. Any donation big or small will be a huge help!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/NatNicole1981

Thanks so much!

A Good Day Because....

Monday was a good day because Lexi made her first home run of the season during one of her league games! It always brings tears to my eyes the reception they get when they return to the dugout after a HR....Hugs, high fives, congrats, all in abundance! It's a sight! And my girl wasn't the only one...SEVERAL on her team made HR's that night! It was quite a game. And yes, we won!

Tuesday was a good day because in the midst of an otherwise AWFUL day, a friend was there to literally give me her shoulder to cry on and to encourage me! Because of her, I was able to pull myself together and get through the rest of the day!

Wednesday was a good day because Lexi had early release from school that day and so Mom and I got to take her out to lunch and spend some quality time with her. Later on, she and I got some alone time when Mom had an appt to get to. Quality time was spent with Austin later that night while big sis was at softball practice.

Thursday was a good day because it was a MUCH better day in the office. Mood was lighter, friendly banter was going on, and it was a very productive day!

Friday was a good day because Dad got a great doctor's report! About six months ago it was discovered that his heart wasn't beating in rhythm (called A-Fib). They shocked it back into rhythm and within a day, it was irregular again. So, the doctor put him on medication hoping that would help. Friday he was told his heart is back to NORMAL rhythm!! Thank God!!!

Saturday was a good day because Lexi had her first tournament of the season with her tournament team (different than her league team, but the same coach). While the tournament didn't go like we'd hoped, Lexi played GREAT! During the second to last game of the day, she was standing too close to the base line and got slammed into by someone running to second base. With tears in her eyes, a time out was called and she went straight to her coach. He looked her over, gave her some great words of encouragement, a quick hug, and she returned to the field with a round of applause (What a great picture of what we as children of God should do, go straight to OUR Coach, let Him pick us up, clean us off, dry our tears, and encourage us as we get back out there).The Aunt in me wanted to run out on the field and scoop her up as I saw her drying her eyes and refocusing as the game resumed, I knew her coach had taken care of her though (this is her third year with him, she knows him, he knows her, and we all trust him with the girls...He's awesome) and because if that, we as her family were able to refocus on the game as well. She was pretty scraped up, and is going to be sore for awhile, but she's a trooper and we are so proud! The day was topped off by dinner at one of my favorite places, The Pizza Shack....YUM!!

Sunday was a good day because we got to RELAX! An "I Love Lucy" marathon was on and I enjoyed that, and then I popped in DVD's of "The West Wing" and watched them after awhile. Good times!

Hope YOU had a GOOD DAY!

My Job As His Child

As a follower of Christ, I felt for a long time that my ultimate job as His follower was to convert other people that weren't believers.

Recently, and by that I mean within the last year or so, I've been convicted by the fact that converting people IS NOT my job, I can't do ANYTHING...I don't have the power, but I know that One who does.

So, I had figured that much out. and so, I found myself praying and asking, "Okay God, so what IS my job as Your follower?" It's been a constant prayer and tonight, out of nowhere, the answer came....And it wasn't near as complex as I thought it would be, in fact, it's rather simple.

My job as His follower, as His child, is to live a life that makes others WANT to know the One who CAN convert others. My words mean very little, But my ACTIONS speak volumes!

Ironically, there's a quote that I saw over a year ago that I LOVE....I have it pinned up in various places because I love it so much, and it's also my e-mail signature:

"Live in such a way that those who know you, but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you."

I've LOVED the quote since the moment I saw it and now I know: THAT'S my job! Not to TALK it out, but to LIVE it out...The best way I know how, and let God do the rest! Makes things MUCH simpler, don't you think?

By the same token, I also know my job is not to judge ANYONE, but to LOVE them! I think Christianity has a bad rep. mainly because we are seen as judgemental. And I HATE feeling judged. God didn't call me to judge anyone, he called me to love them and let HIM be the judge.

Oh, how I pray I live a life of love and faith that draws others closer to Him!

One Of Those Weeks

The Bad:

- A job opportunity I was really hopeful about didn't work out. Ironically, I volunteered to work at the church three days this past week instead of my usual two, and after hearing this news, I had to go volunteer. Was NOT easy, but I pray I reflected Christ even in the midst of all of this.

- Last night (Saturday) I was on my knees taking a DVD out of the player to put another disk in, I lost my balance and the left side of my face slammed into the shelf that my DVD player is on. Now I have a "lovely" purple(ish) black bruise there. Had to pile on the powder before church today. And yes, it HURTS.

-Friday was a rough volunteer day, had to re-do some copies and refill boxes WITH said copies that took me about an hour to do (unknowingly with the "bad" copies) the day before. Was SO happy when the day was over!

The Good:

- Liz and DK found out they are having a baby girl!

- The AWESOME amount of love I got when the job didn't work out. My friends are incredible!

-Movies starring Patrick Dempsey.

-Flashpoint DVD's

- LOTS of crankin' up Michael W. Smith

-The start of another softball season for Alexis! Played their first game yesterday and won! Lexi made some awesome plays and every time she would look over at us to see our reaction...And the smile she got on her face....Man, I'm so proud! SHE was proud, and she had every right to be! Nothing like letting go of frustrations from a tough week by screaming your head off at a softball game! Felt GREAT! Got some sweet love from Austin while he sat in my lap for part of the game too...Love being an Aunt!

- A Golden Girls marathon today

Wrap-Up:

In a nutshell, the job news really affected me all week. And honestly, I'm still processing it. I'm confident however, that God will lead me where He wants me and open the right doors in His perfect timing! Please keep praying for me. All that said, looking at the list of "good," I have LOTS to be grateful for and excited about!

This week WILL BE BETTER! I'm claiming it now! :-) Have a great one!

Love!!!!!

I may be single, but I have a relentless Lover. He created the Heavens and the Earth and everything on it. And before and after all of that, the Creator of the Universe....Is madly and deeply in love.... With me. Wow.

Wanna know something else? He's madly in love with YOU as well!

"I have loved YOU with an everlasting love!" Jeremiah 31:3

Incredible feeling, isn't it! Soak it up....You are LOVED today and forever!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Another Music Monday!

I come with two more recommendations for your music library:

Fall Over Me by Jon Bauer

This was going to be the only one I posted because I just can't stop listening to it! I end up either cranking it up and singing out with it just worshiping, Or I end up on my knees pouring my heart out to God. This song takes you to the Alter and keeps you there! AMAZING!!!!

However, I couldn't NOT include this one:

Lift Me Up by The Afters

Such an awesome, awesome promise in the words of this song that I have found myself clinging to these past few weeks! Be reassured and comforted with this one!

And yes, both are available on Itunes! Crank 'em up!