search. know. test.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23

search me.
know my heart.
test me.
know my anxious thoughts.

These statements absolutely ROCK me.
How many times have you found yourself in a battle?

Time and time again, after praying the same prayer countless times, and still {hesitantly} waiting for God's response....the Lord reveals and HIS plan comes to fruition.

PRAISE THE LORD!

As I'm sure we can all agree, it's in the waiting where we learn the most, where we find Jesus, where we are left completely empty as we've poured out all we have to Him. This is what he wants for us! He wants to see us fully reliant on him and his Word in our lives. He knows our heart better than any other. He knows our deepest desires and our every thought. HE KNOWS.

So during times of anxiety, impatience, questioning, or uncertainty of what is next...I challenge you be still and KNOW. Calm your anxious heart and TRUST. Ask Him to SEARCH your heart. Wait for the TEST of his presence and listening ear.

KNOW.
TRUST.
SEARCH.
TEST.

search me.
know my heart.
test me.
know my anxious thoughts.

constantly praying and patiently persevering,
reagan

do something

what will you do to be the change?
how will you influence others?
where will you seek answers to make a difference?

"God, why don't you do something?"
He said, "I did. I created you."

God knows our best intentions. He knows that although we are humans- sinful in flesh, selfish most always, and imperfect beings- He knows our deepest desires. He knows where we place our values and our priorities. He knows our thoughts and he knows our prayers before we even ask. He knows what we place before Him and where he falls in rank on our priority list and in our daily decisions.

Seeking God FIRST and foremost, as our biggest priority in life, He promises we will find him.
No Matter What.

Our God moves mountains.
The biggest mountains and the smallest hills.

What are you going to do to be the change in this journey of life?
Afraid you can't change anything?
Worried about failure?
Who am I to influence great impact?

"When you are faced with situations that feel like mountains you can't climb, or a decision you don't know how to make, remember that our God is a God who moves mountains and causes the miraculous to happen."

God created YOU for a purpose.
A specific purpose that ONLY YOU can fulfill.
Your path, journey, race, and plan were all written specifically for YOU to fulfill. His plan for your life is for YOURS only. No other person can fill this path or journey that was paved for you alone.

Lets not get distracted by other people's paths, journey, callings, gifts, or plans.
Don't waste your time wishing you were running someone else's race so much so your quit running your own race.
You run YOUR race.
You find YOUR calling.
You seek YOUR path.
You utilize YOUR gifts.

"I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb"- Bebo Norman

LOOK UP. EYES AHEAD. GAZE UNWAVERING.
DO SOMETHING TODAY.
JUST START...He will bless your journey.

seeking to find with goals in mind,
reagan

Friday's Faves

Today I simply want to share a few of my latest favorites!

1) DIFF EYEWEAR-
I am LOVING my new DIFF eyewear pair! Stylish, affordable, and charity based mission.

2) Corkcicle Tumbler-
I am a sucker for a good cup/water bottle. You won't find me anywhere without some type of water cup in hand (especially in my current state of nursing and maintaining a high supply/demand of production!).
These cups are along the same lines of the Yeti, but these have color options and have a lower price point. I currently use my 16oz for my coffee every morning. I literally make my cup around 5:30am and I'm (usually) still sipping on my HOT coffee until 9am. When they say it stays hot, they mean it!
My 24oz tumbler is wonderful because it keeps my water COLD. I also love a straw.
Most importantly, they are CUTE! I am monogram-obsessed, and my cups both display it! My coffee cup is vinal monogramed and has our gym logo on the back. My water cup is etched and painted with our gym logo, name, and my name! Obsession is such an understatement =)

3) Summer Supplements-
Confession: I was a complete coke-zero addict. Key word here- WAS! I gave up my soft drinks with the help of my Thrive and my utter obsession to chase my healthiest self yet.
In exchange for my daily coke-zero with lunch, I picked up LaCroix. I love having several different flavors to choose from!
Nuun- Michael loves these and has used them for some time. I picked up the habit after sweating it out this summer when at the gym. Yummy flavors, added water post-workout, and electrolyte replacement. I pick up a few each time I run to Target, but the can also be found at Dick's.
Mother's Milk Tea- self-explanatory....Mom's will do anything to boost/maintain a healthy milk supply =) No idea if it is contributing, but I drink it every night after supper.

4) The Happy Planner by: Create 365
Adorable, customizable, affordable, and organizational- the perfect planner for me!
I bought mine from Sam's Club, but I found them at Michael's. Lots of add ons available!

5) Nike Metcons-

I wear tennis shoes daily. When I find a pair I like, I don't look back! I obsessed with a great tennis shoe and I wear the same pair until I find my next obsession. I saw this pair on a friend and I knew instantly that this was my next pair!

6) Crop Tops-

Postpartum body loves a loose top. Crops are my favorite during this hot summer with (much) appreciated 'give' of the top. Long enough to cover up for everyday wear, but flowy enough for a breathable workout.

Pictured are the Lululemon Fast as Light Muscle Tank and Bella Crop Top

7) Women's Barbell- One More Athletics 

My most recent obsession is my women's barbell for my home gym! We purchased this one second-hand (love a deal!). With the pink accent, it's a must for this girl! And goodness, how I've missed working out with a women's bar vs. my husband's bar for all my home workouts =)

I hope this fun and funky post finds you well! Celebrate this FRI-YAY!
Much love to you all!

graciously obsessed,
reagan

your choice, HIS voice

"Jesus called every one of us.
You have a choice. Your voice or His voice.
Your way or His way.
I implore you- choose HIS way, the way of ABUNDANT life."
       -"God Knows My Name" By: Beth Redman

You have been CALLED.
Have you heard him?
Are you even listening?
Have you been listening but still haven't heard him?

We all have different situations and requests from God in life. We have requests FOR God and FROM God. Regardless of whether you're asking Him or whether you've felt him asking you....will you obey?

Following through can be the toughest part...but the blessings bestowed in the end are the prettiest part of the whole story. HIS way offers abundance. Choose HIM. Choose life IN Him.

GO.
Be Sent.
Live.
Abundantly.

challenged and driven,
reagan

Thy will not my will

because we simply cannot be reminded enough times....
THY WILL BE DONE, Lord.

I just cherish those moments when everything you've been praying about, even the small things, seems to come full circle. You meet the Lord face to face and you just wrap your arms around him in the biggest bear hug yet. That day will come but for now, I usually get knocked to my knees in that powerful position worthy of praise and simply say, "THANK YOU, JESUS". I experienced one of this full circle moments last week.

I received the text that was anxiously expecting to come once September rolled around... My nurse manager asked when and if I wanted to remain on the as-needed schedule at work. My heart literally skipped a beat when I read it. I stopped immediately, closed my eyes, and prayed...Lord, lead me. I forwarded the text to Michael and waited for his response.

You see, I have a heart for my nursing career. I LOVE that part of my life... I love my coworkers, my hospital, my patients (better known as friends), and I love the blessing that my career has made on my life. But...ever since my first was born, my heart has been in a tug-of-war between my career and my calling. Fast forward from my first child's birth to now, I've read books, prayed without ceasing, listened, and searched for the Lord's direction to lead me. And for the first time in (almost) 3 years, I can boldly and proudly say with pounding excitement in my heart that I am officially a Stay-at-home momma!

While preparing for Everett's arrival, Michael and I made the brave decision that we would remove Camp from full-time daycare and send him to Mother's Day Out program twice a week beginning in the fall. Our original plan was to leave him in full time until September when he could start MDO and that way I would have a few months to adjust to newborn schedules and life with two babies under my care. My heartstrings began pulling instantly after Everett's birth. I just couldn't justify driving my oldest to daycare and having someone else spend the day with him while I was home with my newborn and just as capable.

"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

After much prayer, I pulled him from daycare to be home with me and Everett. What I experienced the next 2 months was life changing for me. The amount of joy, love, laughter, and life that I received from being home with both of my boys these last few months has changed my perspective and my purpose. Life isn't about serving myself and making sure my needs are being met completely....I was made to be a momma. I feel overwhelmed with the love and life that the Lord has given me in these boys, and frankly....I don't want to miss any part of this opportunity!

Back to my original point...
not MY will but THY will be done.

I'll break it down into a quick bullet point here:

Thursday: Received text about potential return to work. With much hesitation, I responded that Yes I would be returning and I would plan to come in the following week to update my certifications.

The following Monday: Heavy hearted through the weekend, I prayed on this. I still felt unsettled about Everett beginning MDO and not being with him for a few hours two days/week. I wasn't ready to leave him right now, especially since I don't "have" to this time around. So.....(on the last day I could) I called and gave up Everett "spot" at MDO. I just want him home with me and I think this is best for the both of us right now.

Tuesday: I called and informed my nurse manager that I will not be returning to work. Right now, in this season, I am not being called to nurse and care for patients...I am being called to care for my children. I know this is what the Lord wants for my life right now...and for the first time since Everett was born, I was able to exhale and breath a little easier with the weight of that decision finally being lifted. I just can't justify my selfish desires to continue being a nurse when I'm being called to serve my children and my husband at home.

I got off the phone with my nurse manager and this came on.....

FULL CIRCLE, LORD.
Months of persistent prayer and fearless faith later...and the Lord reveals HIS PLAN and HIS PURPOSE.

God GOES BEFORE US y'all! He has already been there. He knew we would end at this point. He knew where I was being led. He knew what HIS PLAN was for me. And as long as we pray, listen, have patience, and boldly trust his provision for our lives, we will see the BIG PICTURE of his full circle plan for us.

full circle excitement,
reagan

faithfully and fearlessly leaping

do not be afraid.

Do y'all remember my blog post about being a difference maker??
Referencing the scripture in Luke 5 and declaring the bold promises of:

DIFFERENCE MAKER.
NEW IDENTITY AND NO FEAR.
DO NOT BE AFRAID.
YOU WILL CATCH MEN.

This morning the Lord led me to Joshua 1:9- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go".
My family has had a significant amount of change occur this year. Although change is rarely a bad thing in the end, it isn't always easy to bear along the way. I shared with you in my "welcome back to blogging" post about several of the biggest changes I have walked into. The Lord has truly guided my every step since listening to Him and making a faithful leap to follow.

More recently, God has led me to leaping day after day. The deeper your heart is in HIS, the more obvious the answers will be when he tells you. Especially when you ask and ask and ask...just listen and follow your heart to where he is leading you. When we ask him for advice or what his desire for us is, HE ANSWERS. Don't miss what he's telling you. DO NOT BE AFRAID!

God moment: this scripture is the verse we chose to be Everett's life verse! The picture above was taken back in April before he was born. The scripture chalk board is Everett's door hanger that my amazing new friend, Olivia, wrote out for me on the board I made. The picture on the left is a baby gift that my best friend, Ruth, sent us for Everett. I hear ya, God! It's funny how things work out like that...but when I stop and remember that the God of our universe is preparing our path and placing these types of subtle hints in our lives, I'm left awestruck and thankful.

If I want to be a DIFFERENCE MAKER in this world then I must take actual steps of action. Lets work together in taking these steps together! Michael posted this yesterday and I think it follows suite very well with the point I'm trying to get across.

"A year from now you're going to wish you had started today." 

fearlessly leaping,

reagan