Step-by-Step

Procrastination 101

2009-08-01T23:59:00.001-05:00

It is official...I am 2 wks away from moving to Jacksonville and have nothing packed...I've gotta get on the ball!!

Let Go

2009-05-27T23:21:00.003-05:00

Please keep my mom in your prayers. I spoke with her on Monday [and found out more details yesterday] and she told me that her liver and kidneys are failing her. She says that dialysis is the next step for her and she has been going to the doctor every other week for a check up. They say that they can't do anything for her. She has known that they were failing for about a year now and was told 4 months ago that she was estimated only 18 more months for her. I believe that God has the power to determine that and not the doctors. She wasn't going to tell me, or anyone else for that matter, but she did and I have shared it with my sisters. We are all trying to take it in as much as we can right now.

I also ask that you pray for me. Many of you have probably not heard my testimony, but without going into a whole lot of detail I will say that I have a lot of bitterness and anger built in my heart towards my mother. There are things that she has done that have affected me so strongly that I guess she didn't realize until it was too late. [If you want to know more, I will be glad to share my testimony with you]

As I am sitting here restless, yet another night, my mind won't stop. It keeps on going as if a million possibilities could be going through it right now, but only one is passing slow enough for me to dwell on. What if she is taken and I never made things right? What if I don't have/take that chance to set things straight with her? But then another question arises...How do I set it right if she was the one in the wrong. She was the one who left me, so what am I supposed to do.

Well, my first thought is to be blunt with her and let my stubbornness sink in as I wait for her to apologize for the wrong that was done to me, but I know that isn't what I am supposed to do. I know that I have to forgive her and let it go. It happened in the past and if I dwell on what happened then, I can't focus on what God is doing now, in the present. I know that He has BIG plans that I can't even begin to imagine, but He can't work those plans out if I won't let the past things go.

Someone pointed out to me tonight that my relationships in the future are all affected by my relationship with my mother and I totally agree. I am so afraid to get too close to anyone now because I am so afraid that I will let my guard down and I will be left and hurt all over again. And the walls refuse to come down. I know that God can break them down. He can crush the walls of hurt and bitterness inside that are holding me back from what He has for me. Barlow Girl has a song out that has really spoken to me today and I wanted to share it with you guys. It is called Let Go...

Yeah I trust in You
I remember times You led me
This time it's bigger now
And I'm afraid You'll let me down

But how can I be certain?
Will You prove Yourself again?

'Cause I'm about to let go
And live what I believe
I can't do a thing now
But trust that You'll catch me
When I let go
When I let go

What is this doubt in me
Convincing me to fear the unknown
When all along You've shown
Your plans are better than my own

And I know I won't make it
If I do this all alone

'Cause I'm about to let go
And live what I believe
I can't do a thing now
But trust that You'll catch me
When I let go
When I let go

Anyway, I just wanted to leave that with you for tonight. I will keep you all posted on my mom and myself as well. I love you guys and thanks for all your prayers.

Chels

Ministry

2009-05-04T22:14:00.002-05:00

Let me just start off by saying that so much has been on my mind lately. I finished school last week [whoo hoo!], have just been working now, got my puppy last week [pic soon], getting ready for the move to Jacksonville, and some ministry changes as well.

Here lately, God has really placed on my heart to get more involved with our children's ministry at church. It is on my heart to lead Children's worship. This includes leading in songs and a lesson every Sunday morning with the middle aged kids group. I have helped in there before and really enjoyed it. I talked to Angie, children's ministry director, today and am meeting with her on Sunday to talk a little more about it. She says she has a lot of ideas for the ministry and wanted me to be involved, but didn't want to pressure me to move from the student ministry. But this is where He is leading me. I ask for your prayers and I trust Him in this.

China

2009-04-15T23:57:00.004-05:00

My trip for China will be the whole month of July again. We will head off to Chatsworth, GA for a couple days of training and getting to know each other and then, we will fly out of Atlanta a few days later. We will be back on August 1st.

While there our teams will run English camps teaching the kids English through song, drama, conversation, and games. The trip is $2500. Airfare is $1500 due 4/22 and the remainder is due by 5/15. So far, I have raised $790. If you would like to give towards this mission, you can send to

Munford Baptist Church
c/o Jim Usher
P.O. Box 129
Munford, AL 36268

Make checks payable to Munford Baptist Church with Chelsea's China Mission Trip in the 'FOR' line. Any donation would be much appreciated. I will continue to update on the progress.

This week

2009-04-04T21:34:00.002-05:00

This has been quite the week. My sister has moved in with us and I am adjusting. I haven't lived with her since we were younger. Although the circumstances for this is difficult, I am praying that her and I will become much closer.

I have worked close to 45 hours this week at work [plus going to school]. We are trying to get the store ready for corporate to come in and evaluate our store. It is exhausting. They will be at our store on Thursday and will not even be there very long, but it should be interesting. Our district manager, Don, will also be at the store Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday getting us ready for them.

Finals are coming up in a couple of weeks and I am ready for school to be out. I am so ready for this summer to be here. I am ready for China to be back. I am having a slight problem though. Please pray that funds would be made available to pay for my trip. I believe that God will provide for it. It is just hard to see right now.

Whoo hoo!!

2009-03-24T22:41:00.002-05:00

I am moving to Jacksonville!

I met with the manager at the Grove today and I signed my lease. Everything is now taken care of. The scholarship will pay for everything [except maybe my puppy, but it isn't going to be that bad to pay for her]. They are supposed to call me when they find out if the association will pay for my application fee or not.

I am so beyond excited...but people at church are beginning to warn me about that place. They say it is a bad party scene, but I am believing God will use me to make a difference on our campus.

The Grove

2009-03-11T22:22:00.004-05:00

The Grove is the place I am considering moving to in Jacksonville. It is amaazing! I went for a tour of the apartments and saw all of the Grove's featured amenities as well. I think I really want to move in there. It is so much closer to campus and will be so much more convenient. I am waiting to hear from the Horatio Alger Association to see if they will still pay for my living expenses [which would be suhweet!]. Please pray that this opportunity is still available to me. I will keep all two of you who read updated.

Out for now. :)
Chels

blog

2009-03-05T23:37:00.000-06:00

new post to my thought blog...

The dress...

2009-03-01T22:35:00.005-06:00

So, this is the last year that I can go to prom, so I might as well make the most of it right?? Lol. J/k. This is Joseph's last year and we are going to his Sr. prom...I know, I know...I never thought I would be one to go back to those high school days, but here I am and anyway, here is the dress [the picture does it no justice though].

Also, here is some fun pictures from our snow day. :)

Our snowman...[it looks like we got cropped into these pictures w the snowman]

Jessica's and my snowangels

...and what became of our snowman...

Sister

2009-02-11T21:12:00.002-06:00

I just found out tonight that my Sister is joining the Air Force. Once enlisted, she will head off to Texas to stay on base for 4 months. This is going to be difficult for many of us as she is very important to us.

Daily Doses

2009-02-05T08:21:00.002-06:00

I have started a new blog. I encourage you to check it out. So far, there is just the foreward on it, but tonight it will contain more.

The site is chelsdevo@blogspot.com

Chels

Are you ready for a revolution?

2009-02-03T22:50:00.003-06:00

These past few weeks have been insane. I figure I would go ahead and update while I have a chance. For the few of you that actually read this, here goes...

All I have really had time for lately is just going to school and work and church. It has been difficult to factor anything else in, but God has still been so awesome. He is still continuing to speak so much into my life and showing me so many things all in the craziness of my everyday life. It just goes to show that God is not limited to anything that my feeble mind can come up with to be a hindrance. It may seem that no extra time is to be found, but I have realized that I have sweet opportunity to encounter God more closely than usual in my commute between school and work. I have also been able to encounter Him walking between classes. It is quite the stride between buildings, but it doesn't seem to be so terrible when I get to converse with my amazing Creator. His beauty is more majestic than I can comprehend. I praise my Father for allowing me these opportunities and can only hope that He will use me on the campus of JSU. He knows how much they need Him. I am ready to see the campus rocked and revolutionized. He can do it. I will continue to make myself available.

All for now.
Chels

hmm.

2009-01-25T22:18:00.000-06:00

Joseph and I are embarking on a new journey together. :)

Brief Update

2009-01-24T22:17:00.002-06:00

Work and school have been keeping me extremely busy. The job that I thought would be 30 hours a week has brought me to realize that it is usually going to be between 30 and 40. Tonight was my first night to close by myself...and of course something had to go wrong. My paperwork wouldn't print and I had no clue what to do when it wouldn't.

Also, Joseph and I have started hanging out again. We went on our second first date last night. It was great. It brought back so many memories. It was repeat of our first first date. And really sweet. :) We are going out with a couple from our church, good friends of ours, tomorrow night after church and after I get off work. I am excited.

Well, that's it for now. Sorry it's not much.
Chels

NEWS

2009-01-09T22:20:00.003-06:00

I GOT THE JOB!! :) I started training tonight on how to close and learn how to open in the morning.

Oh yeah, and I started classes today at JSU.

New in 09

2009-01-06T20:49:00.002-06:00

I am now officially a student at Jacksonville State University and start classes on Friday.

AND...

Last Sunday, I got offered the shoe manager position at Peebles. At first, our DM, Stan, had told Connie [my wonderful boss] that he wanted her to interview other people as well. I found out today that she interviewed others and they just didn't seem right and so...I have a interview with Stan on Thursday for the job. :)

School days...

2009-01-03T12:15:00.002-06:00

As another year has come and gone so quickly, I have found that my heart has learned many lessons this year. I have managed to finish my first year of college only to have to begin college all over again a few months later. I have achieved going on my first major mission trip while also managing to go out of the country for the first time and also get on a plane for the first time.

A few lessons I have learned...

- God has to come before anything that I bring into my life. If He is not first, then not only one thing, but many others will begin to pile up before Him and in His place.

- Jesus is my heartbeat; missions is my passion. I truly enjoy serving others. It is what I was made for. Serving and helping other people gives me such joy.

- My greatest dream is to open an orphanage in a foreign country. I have taken my first step towards that and am working towards the second step.

- I should never be allowed in a kitchen by myself cooking...ever...things end up burnt.

- Me + empty house alone = one very paranoid 20 yr old.

- I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, but sometimes have to make myself refrain from being around people so that I can concentrate on alone time with my Father.

- I will probably never [or not for a long time anyway] ride a go kart again. I am not fond of them right now...or the drugs I have to take to be able to feel ok after having wrecked one...

Well, that's all of my lessons for now. I am sure there are many I forgot, but I am stopping there for now.

School starts on Thursday [and orientation in Tuesday]. I am super pumped, yet so nervous all at the same time. Jacksonville State is so much bigger than Southeastern, which really doesn't make me feel real great about it. But I am so ready to get into what God has waiting for me. Becoming a Social worker is my next step to achieving the Big Dream God has placed within me. I am so excited and cannot wait to see who I get to meet through this program at JSU and can't wait to see how He will use me to help so many.

Also, I am starting my fundraising for China. I get to go back this summer. :) The trip is a couple hundred dollars more than it was last year, but I know God will provide like He did last year.

Out for now.
Chels

Winter Xtreme 08

2009-01-01T21:20:00.002-06:00

I went to Winter Xtreme this week with the students. It was an awesome time with some really great bands and speakers. Unfortunately, my body didn't have as much fun. Monday, I was sick. Tuesday, I felt great; yet that evening came to an end when I wrecked the go kart I was driving on a track. And Wednesday, I was reaping the benefits from the wreck. My body is still really sore, but I had xrays done and no bones were broken [praise the Lord]. He gave me some meds and sent me on my way. I am praying for quick recovery and hoping that I will be alright enough to go to work tomorrow.

Blissfulness

2008-12-27T21:10:00.004-06:00

The holidays have been slightly on the ritz this year. Our Christmas tree in the Usher house was put up on Christmas Eve morning and ended up on our porch the following night. I really enjoyed Christmas Day [and also not having to go to work the day after to deal with returns]. Christmas Day I was able to spend precious time with family and extended family. It actually wasn't as crazy as it usually seems, and I loved it. My aunt and I were able to have a sweet heart-to-heart talk that was probably long overdue.

our tree

and our other decor

Luckily I survived my first set of holidays in a retail store. Although everyone appeared to be a little insane...I really did enjoy it. And while I am on my job, I might as well update you too. I still really like it a lot. It is wonderful, to me, that I get to help people and get paid for it. I have such a huge passion to help folks out and this is just topping on a cake. I would still really like a job [soon] in human resources, but for now, this is ok. I can wait on Him to put the job in my path.

Let me just say...we so take a lot of things for granted. I saw a drama put together to a new Faith Hill song, "A Baby Changes Everything." It was really good. At the end, the song says: "My whole life has turned around, I was lost, but now I'm found." This part made me break down everytime I saw it. Everyone is dressed in 'biblical clothes' except the guy that does this part. He is a person from our time. He takes the baby from Mary and just holds Him in his arms.

God sent this baby to a lost and dying world. He sent His baby boy to take on MY sins and save from a terrible, wretched place that I really deserve. That blows my mind. Why in the world would He decide to do anything like that? Especially for me?? I just don't understand. And then as I get into the Word I remember why. He loves me. The God who created this universe, this world, the land I walk on, and my very being with such intricate detail loves me. My oh my. I just want you to take that in. He loves you. He loves you despite the mess ups that we do every single day, week, month, year. He will always love us and be there for us. I hope and pray that as another Christmas season has come and gone that the true meaning will live on in your heart. Jesus is the reason for the season. He is the reason we have breath each new morning. He is the reason we need to live our lives. Focus on the Father.

Birthday week: numero uno...

2008-12-02T16:54:00.008-06:00

This week has been wonderful and so much fun. Birthday week started last Sunday (Nov 23rd). Nikki said I should have had a birthday month, but I usually start a countdown 3 months before my birthday and make sure everyone knows about it, so I decided that I wanted to have one solid week of birthday fun. [I got the idea from an episode of Gilmore Girls when it was Lorelai's bday and she got a bday week.] Pictures will be posted below each day from that day...

Sunday: A group of friends that went to China with me was coming through Birmingham on their way from Tennessee back down to Florida. They went to go pick up one of our translators, Midea, for her to spend the holidays with one of them. So, I drove up after church that morning to meet with them for lunch. It was a wonderful surprise to the week [because I had no idea they were coming until Saturday]. And after church that night, a whole group of folks came to celebrate with me at Struts. We had the center of that place filled up. It was so much fun!

my China friends. :)

Jessica and me at Struts

Connor [he wanted his corndogs to be on a stick...so i put them on straws for him]

the big 2-0

Monday: This was my actual birthday. I worked for a little while, went to lunch with Connie and then me and my sister, Nikki, went out to eat at Outback and hang out...we missed you Katie.

Tuesday: I spent the day in Birmingham, worked for Mrs. Kathy for a few hours and then went to spend the evening with Melissa. :) And then I went bowling.

yummy birthday cupcakes.

me and Mel

Wednesday: I went out and bought myself some cute dress shoes. [This is a big deal...I never buy dress shoes...]

three of the most comfortable, cute dress shoes ever...

Thursday: Thanksgiving. We had our 1st annual Turkey Bowl game. Courtney [Wendy's 8 yr old] taught Wendy and I some cheers and we cheered til we got bored... Later that day I went over to Katie's in-laws [another set of parents to me] for lunch and then off to Raylee's to see Nikki and Chad and everyone.

Friday and Saturday: We had the Miller kids stay with us. 6 kids. It was intense, but great! I had to work most of the weekend, but still got to hang out with them. The 5 girls stayed in my room with me, while the brother had the upstairs living room all to himself.

This week, birthday week: number two...Tiff is having me open a present a day. A blog will follow on this week as well...possibly will be just pictures...

Til next time.
Chels

Happy thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T10:20:00.002-06:00

I have the most amazing friends in the world. Yes, you...

I could never thank God enough for blessing me with the people He has allowed to be in my life. You are each so precious to me and I want you to know that I am so thankful for you.

And I also thank you for being a part of my journey. I appreciate the role that you each play in my life. You are wonderful.

p.s. Random thought...I don't understand why 'turkey day' replaces 'thanksgiving' as today's name...

Have a happy thanksgiving!
Chels

Peebles

2008-11-21T09:21:00.002-06:00

I started my new job on Wednesday. I sat and watched videos for hours only to find out last night that I really didn't have to. Yesterday was my first day on the floor. I loved it. I worked from 10-9 [open to close]. Of course I was exhausted after work, but I learned soo much! I think that is only a few things that I don't know how to do now. I am really excited about it. I have never done retail before, but I think this is one job that I was made for. I helped this older lady pick out a whole outfit and some other stuff too. It was a lot of fun! :) I have found that when I greet a customer and ask if they need help finding anything...well, i actually have to help. lol. I don't know where hardly anything is except by department/section. But it is helping me to learn the whole floor. We had two new kids start last night and I was walking the girl around and explaining stuff to her like I had been there for forever.

Anyway, this is just to say...I like this job a lot! :)

out for now.
Chels

House/dog sitting weekend

2008-11-15T23:10:00.005-06:00

This weekend has been another one of those good ole 'stay at someone else's house while they aren't there' kinda weekends. I am not 100% sure why I volunteer to do this for people when I know it creeps me out, but I guess it is good for me...mayybe...I went to see Katie and the kids this weekend and also got to hang out some while I wasn't at the house. I just thought I would include some fun pics. So, here they are...

katie, me, and nikki [sisters got the new cut too]

rylee brooke [my new niece]

i feel like this one deserves a little explanation...this was after i had put a small piece of painter's tape on his mouth...he liked it and decided to keep it there...

Maggie wanted to play this morning when I took her out...she has a sister, but Twiggy doesn't like me and won't let me take her picture

now it is time for drawing and Gilmore Girls before bed. :)

out for now. :)
Chels

Push comes to shove

2008-11-12T21:35:00.002-06:00

Tonight was very interesting. I was going over notes for my 15 minute presentation about my trip to China when I was suddenly told that Bro. Tim, our pastor, wouldn't be at church tonight. I was supposed to share and then he was going to speak. So, I quickly found out [20 mins before service started] that I had charge of the entire service! I panicked! I went into Jim's office and began searching for more info and trying to figure out how I was going to turn a 15 min presentation into 30-45 mins. After I calmed down, I went into the sanctuary and read over my journal a little bit and finally found a passage to talk about. I ended up filling the entire service by sharing about our camps and experiences, talking about Joshua 1, watching a video I made, and having a question session. And as people asked questions, I remembered more and more that I wanted to share. It turned out really great!

Super fantastic weekend

2008-11-09T20:41:00.002-06:00

This weekend was so wonderful! Friday I drove over to Birmingham to spend an evening at the Hawkins' house with Melissa, Mrs. Kathy, and Dr. Hawkins. We enjoyed a nice meal and fellowship. It was a nice foreign affair. DHawk shared India pictures with us and I was able to share China pictures and we talked about various mission trips and such. It was fantastic. I was also able to spend a good bit of time with Mel. It was much needed. :) After all, we hadn't seen each other in ages...ok ok, so it was only a couple months, but that is a really REALLY LONG time. We went for a jog/walk in Veteran's Park. [so wonderful] I was surprised I made it for as long as I did. [Thanks Melissa for the drive and encouraging] I was also able to catch up with Mallorie this weekend over some Starbucks. [white hot choc is the best...mmm :)]

Today at church was so much fun. We are learning about the roles each person has in a family. This consists of the women, men, and students splitting up and each having their own lesson. Tonight in the student's quarters we talked about respecting your parents. Jim asked Jessica, Callie, and I to come up with a skit to the song R.E.S.P.E.C.T by Aretha Franklin. And the pictures below can show you what we came up with...

me in all my...well...i dont know what you would call it...

Jessica [wife], me [husband], and Callie [rebellious son]

We obviously have too much fun dressing up together, but it just wouldn't be the same without them. The kid in me especially comes out when I am around these girls. They are awesome! [And just in case this thought is crossing your mind...No, you don't need to be worried about us] We started the song with a short skit and then went into the song with Jess leading and me as her background singer and oober crazy dancer. You can only imagine this...really...lol.

Anyway, that's all for now. Til next time...
Chels