A Fantatic Friday!

I am back at Harding! This week has been hard in multiple ways, but very healing. Two people I know have passed to go be with God. Mr. Bosco has been a good influence to me and many others, I always remember him from when I was little at church. I have never said this to anyone, but I really look to the relationship he and his wife had as an example to me that I would like to reflect. Also a cousin passed away from a fight with cancer. Shawna seemed like such a joy to all that knew her, unfortunately I did not know her as well due to age and distance (they lived in Kansas City). But I have confidence where they are now, and that's a beautiful thing. It has gotten me thinking about a lot of many things. God's peace, His love, and the place He has for us in heaven. And I think importantly giving it all to God: "I surrender all to you, all to you." This is part of a song that I have heard before by this random youtube guy that sings praise and worship song. I found him a few years ago and kind of forgot about him in the past year. I'm glad I thought of him again!

Other news. I broke down on my way to Harding, just minor car troubles. A fantastic couple helped me! And Kayla passed by and helped me by following me the rest of the way to Searcy! A double blessing. Classes and homework is going well, not too much to do this weekend!! I made a paperbag puppet with Tyler, I was glad to be spontaneous once again. I am uplifted to see all my friends again. It just has been awesome. This week of chapel was amazing for me, we just read Mark. God spoke to me in many ways; of which I would love to discuss, but I do have class soon! But all is well!

Where my Heart Lives

I am home in Rolla! I pulled in early evening on Friday, I missed home very much. The drive from campus was spectacular. I sang (loudly) basically the whole way, and then I prayed. Turning off music and literally talking aloud to God is one of my favorite things about the drive. I really keep on track and am thinking as I go along about what to say next. I feel joy, the true God-given joy that goes beyond comprehension sometimes for me. Before I came home I did make a stop, and Emily and Jeremy's house. That nephew of mine came running and laughing. Again I felt and saw joy from seeing people that I care and love so deeply. God's love has changed my view and the way I love the past couple of week, really days. It's an overwhelming love. I felt it again when I got home to my parents. I was tired by the end of the night (well it was not yet 10 when I made it to my bed). I'm glad for spring break. I'm so on fire and on a spiritual high that I get to see what I do with it while I'm at home. So far it's a lot of talking, really talking with people! My best friend put up with me for a night and we got to talk some. It is a great thing.

But at the same time I miss people. Everyone at Harding! I know it is ridiculous, it has been two days! Break is only a week so it will fly by and I'll be back with all those lovely people that have challenged me, loved me, and have encouraged me in my walk with God. I just hope that they all have a fantastic time as well, and we will meet again soon. So I am happy to be home, my heart is torn, and I'm okay with this. My love is spread everywhere now. From the best friend Tyler that is in New York (please stay safe), Azel who is all the way in Italy, to even Kayla whose only 15 miles away. And who is newly engaged to Joshua!!
Anyways, I'm just saying there is a lot of conflicting emotions for break, but I welcome it gladly.

You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

***Mom: Yes I did make a Jaws reference, be proud, you raised a good daughter. I refer to this because it has been raining like crazy for the past couple of hours.
I again send deepest regrets. I have avoided updates on this blog for some time now. Some of you guys have been nagging me about it. So I have decided to stop being apathetic and update! I have only three days left of school before I will be driving home! I cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by. It makes me think of my Grandma Dorothy how always said, "The years fly, but it seems the days go slow." During the days it seems time just inches by, but now that I think about it, I've been here for 9 weeks! Again, I just am in denial that it has been that long. School has been challenging but still very good. Over break I have to do some homework, including shadowing a nurse at the PCRMC for a day. As you all can guess, I'm excited for this. My nursing professor also spoke with me individually about shadowing at a cancer clinic in a nearby town close to Searcy. We shall see what happens. My friends are all well, and it's kind of funny how much I will miss them over break. It's just one week, but that tells you of the bonds I have made. I think of one of my favorite songs....
1. Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.

2. Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

3. We share each other's woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again

It is a comforting thought to have such close relationships with people. But don't worry, I do deeply miss all of my Rolla family. The WINGS conference was two weekends ago. I was thrilled to see the group of ladies (and of course George) for that brief amount of time. It did my heart good.

**Just a disclaimer for all of the Rolla people. I will be home ALL week next week, so give me a call and I'm sure I should be able to visit with you all!

Spring Sing practice is fantastic, we are almost completely done learning all the dances to all the numbers. I hope some of you can make it, it will be worth you're time.

Other exciting things I have done recently....

I had the utmost priviledge to watch the Wind Ensemble perform last week, I loved it. Music is amazing.

Two of my friends had birthdays this past weekend. It was a fun and silly time celebrating Bailee and Megan's birthdays. Too many memories!

Yesterday in my nursing class I got to tour the Skills Lab. It's set up as a simulation clinic and hospital ward. The experience was interesting, I got to practice my CNA skills and assess a "patient", a manequin. But it was a simulated dummy that had programming that would give you feedback. I did not know this, and after I introduced myself this dummy started coughing loudly! I was rather confused and (naturally) preceeded to laugh loudly!

I'm still trying to imagine what is going to happen with nursing school and thereafter. It's a beautiful mystery where God will put me.

As always, some updates with pictures!

Spring Sing (we're trying to stage ourselves) emphasis on trying!

Candid Shot!

We normally warm up with awesome games! We did chair races that night!

I can never take a normal photo!

Julie with her new hair color, and Tyler with his new haircut!

Look Jenna there are other people that aspire to be trekkies!

Thoughts on Psalm 16

I felt the need to update again, since I have been doing such a poor job of it lately. For now I will have to keep it brief. In the meantime, verse 2 stuck out to me the most. "I say to the Lord; I have no good apart from you." True goodness is only obtained through God. Today, there are many good things I see from God. New people in my life that I have been able to reach out to have been a very good thing from God. It's amazing to see Him at work; through others and myself.

My Sincere Apology

I have not posted in almost a week! Sorry to leave you all in the dark. And there has been a lot that has gone by. I have integrated into another group of friends. I feel so loved and encouraged!  Valentine's Day was amazing, thanks to all of you who sent me things in the mail. I felt so happy hearing for many of you back home. I do miss you all! Tuesday was an interesting day for me. I got sick. So sick that my friend Tyler had to take me to the Urgent Care. I was given antibiotics for flu-like illness (I tested negative for the actual flu thankfully). I had to wait a while for my perscription to be ready and some of my newer friends took care of me in the mean time. It was so nice of everyone. My fever was above 101 degrees, but luckily I didn't feel so bad. It was funny I got some hugs before I went to bed and they all could feel my body radiating heat. Again thankfully the Lord has given me quick healing! I am almost completely back to normal aside from sounding slightly congested and a small cough. The weather every day this week has been so fantastic. God has blessed campus, everyone seems to be in high spirits recognizing God's blessing. Now to tell you all of my newer friends that have graced my life. My amazing roommate Jessica (who plays the piano so beautifully I have not heard personally another person that compares to her) and seven other friends have welcomed me into their circle! The majority of them are in band and the others are just lovely too. We have met together in the Shores prayer chapel the other night and had talked long about our individual walks with God. I have instantly clicked spiritually with a few of the ones so far.
I need to tell you of Claire. She is a girl from Oiltrough Arkansas and my twin! We do resemble each other outwardly, but also in spirit. We had a heart-to-heart on a Harding swing on Wednesday before church. Another great blessing; and as of today I had the great honor of talking with Michael on my break. We talked of our changes in our faith God has brought to us for the good. It's awesome being a Christian and having others to talk to!
The others are amazing and sweet as well, and I cannot wait to get to know everyone more and more.
I'm working of a project in nursing that I absolutely love! It's about the field of nursing that we potentially would like to work in. I feel a incliniation to work in Oncology. I feel a lot of good work can be done for the patients and family affected by cancer. And hopefully I can be an inspiration as I practice and do the Lord's work. It's very fun getting ready for life!

Sunday afternoon cleaning, with crazy gloves from my Aunt

101 Fever Courtney!

Today....I look and feel much better!

The Lazy Weekend

There has been much activity in this last week of school. On Wednesday, Harding was hit with the famous "snowpocalypse", classes were cancelled that day, and Thursday, and we even had delayed classes on Friday. Yes I did participate in a campus-wide snowball fight on the front lawn. I also napped, and watched a movie. But just in case for the prospect of classes I did hit the books. The time off was very much needed for me. This week was exam week. But instead it turned into Exam Friday. It was just fine though; I retained all that I learned and I'm happy to report....that I passed all of my four exams with flying colors. To be exact flying colors with the letter A written on all of them! So this weekend I am taking a nice break. There still is some homework that is being done...eventually. No, I still will ever be the productive student until the day I graduate. But this morning has been what is called a lazy day. I got to enjoy the Pied Pipers show, and also just hang around with friends. It is nice to just take a nice relaxing break from time to time! And today the weather is fantastic! I am wearing a t-shirt with no jacket and am LOVING it!