I have no title for this one.

Jesus has called us to be humble. The lowly inherit the Kindgom of God.

So why is it that we strive for greatness? For fame? To go down in history?

I’ve struggled with this thought for a long time, and I know the fight is not over.

The daily struggle to seek the face of the Lord and follow His will rather than do something to glorify myself. You know, something “cool!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I’m sure you do too; that’s why I wrote this, to encourage you. I want you to know that even though you aren’t doing anything classified as “totally awesome” or “wow” to the world, as long as you are in HIS will for your life, there’s nothing greater you could do. Be content with where He has put you, and do not be discouraged. Your life may be normal, but that’s the decision you made when you gave Him control.

You chose everlasting life rather than the temporal things of this world.

I commend you, Christian Soldier.

School has started back!

Classes this semester are actually quite interesting. My schedule is filled with theology, doctrine of creation, adolescent development (yuck), student minister as a leader, and a biological science class through TCC that I have yet to finish registering for. Fantastic. Tomorrow I will be finishing that up I hope.

Wedding planning is coming laong smoothly, praise the Lord. My dress came in early! Oh and its so beautiful!

I find myself lacking a lot of time to spend alone with the Lord. I really need to start waking up earlier and getting on that. I am setting my alarm… and I am not going to hit the snooze button. I miss my mornings with the Lord, and I miss having strong enough conviction in my heart not to do some of the stupid human things I allow myself to fall into. Bloody flesh, how I hate thee.

Christmas break,

has had little to do with breaking and a lot to do working. Tonight is the first night in a long time I have had to myself in this house to relax, watch a movie, drink some coffee, and even indulge in a tid it of ice cream. It’s nice really, just to have some time to myself.

I’m quickly learning that planning a wedding is not an easy thing. There’s so much to think about; so many details I never knew existed. One of my favorite and most interesting challenges has been registering with Nick. The first registering adventure we agreed on pretty much everything, and the second one took more thought and compromise. I never knew registering for fine china would be something he’d be interested in, but he did give his opinion (which was a wonderful opinion) and we were able to agree and dishes and such.

Besides all of the “stuff” that comes with a household, I’m very much looking forward to living under the same roof as Nick. I’ve learned over the past year or so that no matter what the circumstance or the activity, nothing is quite as good without him.

I really don’t have much to write. Life is pretty stressful these days, work is crazy, Christmas is rapidly approaching, and I’d liek to enjoy my movie and alone time tonight.

Hope you all are doing well.

Drum roll please…

Ladies and gentlemen, the end of the semester is finally over. Praise the Lord.

Hope all of you have had a good semester, and I hope you’re having a wonderful break.

God bless you this Christmas, I hope to give you all updates soon!

WAHOOOO!

Well everyone, it is OFFICIAL! Mr Nicholas Ryan Alley and I are getting hitched!

Let’s start from the beginning… say, October 23, 2007. Were flirting online, while we were just “friends” and I asked him if he wanted a banana. He said no, but he did owe me a hug, so we joked a while about meeting up in Fadette (little town half way between Graceville and Wicksburg). We’d be “meeting in the middle.” We didn’t end up doing it because it wouldn’t be appropriate at that hour (late at night) but then he went on to tell me how he really liked me….

Now, fast forward to today, November 29, 2008

Today was our anniversary and I had to work so I was less than happy (ok, so today I was pretty pissy) and then Nick called and said his car was acting up so he needed me to meet him at the church in Fadette to follow him to Graceville. We didnt want him breaking down in the middle of nowhere…

So I drove over to Fadette to meet him and follow him. When I pulled into the church parking lot where he was waiting, he got out of his car. My thought, “Why is he getting out of his car?”

So I got out too…

He came over and gave me a hug and I asked what was wrong, he said he was frustrated with his car. So I hugged him again and then, THEN, TTTTTHHHHHEEEEEEENNNNNNNNN he began to whisper in my ear.

“A little over a year ago we talked about meeting here in the middle. I’m here to ask you today to meet me in the middle for the rest of my life” (gets down on one knee) “Brittany Janine, will you be my wife?”

 

 

IT WAS GLORIOUS! And perfect. And so sweet. And so… US!

So, wordpress world, I’m getting married to the most amazing man I’ve ever met in my life. What a way to celebrate our anniversary. Did I mention that? Today is our anniversary. Wonderful!

Nutrition.

This morning when I began my journaling, my last words before the devotional reading were “I am hungry for Your Words Lord.”

As I opened up David Nasser’s A Call To Die, I saw that today’s devotion was about food… specifically spiritual food vs worldly food. How often do we as Christians fill our souls with crap rather than the spiritual food God so greatly desires for His children to feast on?

Nasser compared it to a feast. The Lord has the delicious King’s banquet meal, yet for some reason we settle for scraps dug out the a garbage can that are half eaten, not nutrious at all, and ultimately end up leaving us hallow and filled with disease.

We are children of the Most High, we are to be eating at the King’s table! Why brothers? Why sisters? Why are we constantly feasting on the diseased half eaten crap that the world offers?

I do not write this out of pride or accomplishment, but instead out of conviction. I found myself sitting in my room the other day asking, “Lord, why am I not hungry for You today? I long to hunger more for You and Your sweet words.” We should be so drenched that we are feasting, filling up, and remaining even more hungry all at the same time.

Today, tomorrow, forever, my soul hungers for You Lord. Keep me hungry. Fill me more with You, that I may fill up daily and become increasingly hungry as I feast on Your precious Word.

May that be our prayer.

A red nose like Rudolph

There’s perhaps no greater feeling than the crisp cool air against my face when I walk outside in the morning on my way to class. I’m reminded of wintery afternoons in Alaska, when sunlight and shade seem to be the same temperature due to the wind chill. Sunglasses aren’t a thing of the summer, but instead a necessity because of the snow glare.

I wish it would snow here… that would make my winter.

Around here I often hear complaints about the cold weather from beach hungry Floridians who only desire to lay around and bake in a nice bikini. I wish everyone would embrace this season. Enjoy the layers, enjoy the hats, the scarves, the gloves, the blankets and the fires. Snuggle up with a cup of coffee and enjoy the beautiful stars at night.

Chaped lips and a red nose like Rudolph are a small price to pay for such a beautiful sight as frost on my front lawn. I think in a few months it will be time to take a road trip up north somewhere to enjoy taking a snowball to the face.

Surrender is a beautiful thing.

Do you remember the place you were when you free fell into the arms of Christ? Or for some of you… have you reached that point yet?

Back during my depression days a friend and I began having coffee dates in the morning to have some girl time, sip some cafe, and share our thoughts on life. This mornings’ conversation stirred up some thoughts in my head about the inner peace and joy I have been given through surrendering to the Lord’s call upon my life – to be Nick Alley’s wife and helper in ministry.

That may sound mediocre to some, and I even struggled with that thought for a while. Mainly because of fear, but also because I left my family at age eighteen bound to change the world. My hopes were high, but I didn’t know myself. I still have a lot of the same desires I had two and a half years ago, but they’ve molded into something deeper than I ever imagined they would.

I’m suddenly reminded of a devotional given in class a few months back on “Greatness.” What does it mean to be great? Does it mean being wealthy, handsome or beautiful, adventurous, popular? Jesus didn’t define greatness in that way. Greatness is closely tied with love. Think about what is TRULY great in your life. Is it your car? No, because your car doesn’t love you. Is it your job? No, because your job doesn’t speak to your soul. If we were all honest, it’d be people.

What is great to me? The Lord Jesus. Nick. My friends. My family. And is my life great? Yes, it truly is.

I’m not rich. I’m not the most beautiful woman in the world. My car is a 1998 Honda that needs a paint job.

BUT – I am the richest woman alive because I am deeply filled with a passionate love for the Lord and for the people He has blessed me with.

I never thought I’d be staying in Dothan, AL after I graduated… but the funny thing is, I am excited. The Lord has fulfilled the DEEP desires of my heart by calling us to stay at Eagle Eye for now.

Deep desire 1: to be married young to a man after God’s own heart

Deep desire 2: to be part of starting some type of ministry (details I don’t know yet, but I do know that is the direction we’re headed)

Deep desire 3: to still be able to be a part of Braeden and Chandler’s lives as they grow up in Panama City (we’ll only be 2 hours away!)

Deep desire 4: to be a part of waking up a church from their shallow Christianity lighting a fire that will revive them (the church I’m in now is definitely a challenge in a lot of ways, and a blessing in others)

Deep desire 5: to be outdoors. I work in an outdoors store, and I am able to learn more about the hobbies and I’m only a few hours away from areas that I can enjoy them!

Deep desire 6: to go to Africa. Nick and I are planning on going for our honeymoon, and staying in Dothan will mean we can go with Selma in the summers.

All of this…And to think… it all started when Jesus led me into the wilderness so I could lay down my life and say “Lord, You do what You want. I’m Yours.”

Death brings about life. Die to self. Surrender your life. And see how your deepest desires of your heart are fulfilled. Experience the joy of a deep abundant life rather than a surface materialistic life.

I would never go back. I couldn’t trade this joy for anything…

Alabama Football

A few months back I realized I have been to numerous college and NFL games yet have never been cheering for the winning team. It’s sad really, being a bad luck charm at every football game I’ve attended.

So… a few weeks ago when Nick and I were at dinner with some friends, I announced that I would be changing my football allegiance from FSU to UA if they indeed won while we were at the game.

Ladies and gentlemen, after one of the best trips of my entire life and a day full of $4 bottled water, Alabama beat Arkansas State 35-0 and I have converted.

There’s nothing better than supporting a team that makes me feel like a fan rather than a bad luck charm

And check it out, Nick and I have one more thing to enjoy together… Alabama football games.

An early case of senioritis

After a few weeks of premature senioritis (would that be called junioritis?) I have decided to stop with the laziness. My apathetic attitude hasn’t only been toward my schoolwork, but my house. If you been over lately, you understand.

I woke up this morning and scrubbed my kitchen, that felt nice. Now I’m talking to Heather online and working on schoolwork.

There really arent any updates in life… I haven’t learned anything extraordinary or new lately. Perhaps my eyes and ears haven’t been opened wide enough.

The weather is cooling down, finally. I’m enjoying the scarf and hat weather. Eczema isn’t flaring as it normally does around this time, which is a blessing thanks to newly purchased makeup – Bare Minerals.

I wish I had something important to talk about, but sadly I don’t.

Enjoy the weather.