A year in review....

"This time last year".....

That phrase has popped into my head MANY, MANY times in the last year. You see, it was actually about this time last year (give or take about a week) that I was taking a leap of faith and stepping out and doing what God told me to do.

I left my job of almost 6 years to pursue a career that God set me up for. I left my job of almost 6 years without even having another lined up. I left my job of almost 6 years knowing it was my family's only form of income at the time. I left my job of almost 6 years, because GOD TOLD ME TO. It was exactly what he wanted me to do, to break me, fix me, mold me, humble me, bless me, LOVE me, guide me, show me grace...I could go on and on and on....because no matter how many times I say "I left my job of almost 6 years", that phrase was irrelevant to God, which made it irrelevant to me. He promised me that He knew where I was going. He was going to prosper me, not harm me, and would give me a hope  AND A FUTURE in Jeremiah 29:11 "¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

That very verse has been my comfort for the last year.

Ok so I quit my job of almost 6 years to start my career in nursing. I began nursing school on January 5, 2012. Seriously, folks, nursing school has been the single most challenging thing, next to parenting, that I have EVER, EVER done in my life. 

I love that I can say I am almost done, I love that I can say that I love what I am doing. I love that God loved me enough to entrust me with this privilege to become a nurse. 

In this last year, my financial situation has gone from OMGsh what are we going to do....to "I am leaning on you Lord"... to "Thank you Lord for my job (in a hospital I might add, a hospital that I LOVE working for) and has now progressed to "Lord I am unworthy of where you have brought this family to, but thank you for entrusting me/us with what you have. 

In this last year I have found more time (where the heck it came from I don't know, b/c if I have not mentioned it yet, nursing school affords you NO LIFE) for my kids. I have a daughter learning to become a dancer and growing to be a good little woman and trying her hardest in school and another who is perfecting her music skills, maintaining good grades, turning into a young woman and keeping up with her sports. We play more games, watch more movies and do more girly things than we ever did. 

In the last year (yes I started another sentence with that) I have learned to appreciate my marriage more. I love it, I hate it, I adore it, I laugh at it and I NEED it more that I ever had before. My husband supports me in every way possible that he can and is my biggest advocate in this journey we began a little over a year ago today, when I .... you guessed it left my job of almost 6 years. 

People ask me how I do it, did it, am doing it, and will do it and people I have one answer I AM NOT DOING, my God is! I could not do any of this without the grace and love of my Heavenly daddy. 

I have knitted some of the closest friendships I have ever had in my life. These ladies are with me in the "trenches of nursing school" and for that I am ever grateful and I am prtty sure they are part of the reason I still have my hair and it is not gray. hahahahaha A girl needs her girlfriends!

This time last year I didn't have a clue where I would be a year later. I didn't have any idea that God would prosper me the way He has. I didn't have a clue that I would have so many supporters, friends, prayer partners, family members, and church family that would pray for me, with me and actually care what I was doing. 

This time last year....oh friends I could go on and on and on...but you people know the story....you read my Facebook, you see my pictures and my posts and you know the blessings I have had...in the last year. 

I cannot stress enough that leaping out in faith is one of the hardest things I have ever done and when/if I have to do it again I will honestly be as hesitant as I was because I am human and I have a flesh and the devil will try to convince me to do otherwise.

I am almost done this nursing journey and by the Grace of God I will finish it this year. I will DO IT! 

So here's to a year of no job, trying not to worry about money, bed baths, giving meds, starting IVs, wiping butts, working overnights. new friendships, wiping more butts, wearing a stethascope, sore feet, expensive shoes, no more heels and God's promises abundantly. Thank you Father! I love how much you love me and I am unworthy. 

Night, night folks! 

Until next time...