Blue-Eyed Breather

Is it really almost 2013?! How crazy is that? As I get older, time seems to fly faster and faster. Life is short, shorter than we would like to believe. Every day, I strive to live like it is my last day, because in all honesty, none of us know when we are going to die. I want to make a difference with whatever time God gives me on earth. Usually, I don't make New Year's Resolutions. I feel like the majority of people make these resolutions just to go and break them within the month. This year, however, I feel the need to write some "resolutions" on my blog. They are not necessarily what you would consider normal "resolutions", like losing weight or exercising more, but they are more ideas of how to make my 2013 a memorable, inspirational year. I hope you will hold me to these resolutions and keep me accountable! 1. Start each day with a meaningful quiet time with the Lord. 2. Make the most of every opportunity given to me. 3. Spread the love of Jesu...

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all...

Happy Christmas Eve! It's hard to believe another year has come and gone, and today is already December 24. I love Christmastime so much, not only because it reminds me of how great my God is and how relatable Jesus Christ is, but also because of the many traditions that surround the holidays. Every family celebrates the season differently. Here's a list of my favorite traditions: 1. We celebrate every Christmas in New Braunfels with my mom's family. 2. We go to my grandparents' church for a Christmas Eve service, and afterwards we eat pizza for dinner from Pizza Hut. 3. All the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. 4. Sports games are always on TV. 5. The cookies people bring to Grammy and Paw-Paw's house are the same every single year. 6. My family decorates our Christmas tree at home shortly after Thanksgiving, carefully picking out what ornaments to put on the tree. 7. My family participates in a caroling party at a friend's house, bring...

All I want for Christmas is to be healthy. And I mean really healthy. I mean able to run, jump, and dance kind of healthy. I mean being able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I mean not having to worry about lung function, bone density, caloric intake, blood sugars, vitamin levels, liver and kidney function, and IV antibiotic scheduling. My head is swimming with so many issues and problems right now, it's a bit overwhelming. Maybe soon, my Christmas wish will come true. After all, researchers are discovering more and more about CF and the mutations that cause it, However, I don't think I'll get to start on any ground breaking medication soon. Nor do I think I will be free from health worries for a very long time. And you know what? As much as I would love to be rid of the hassle of dealing with cystic fibrosis, I wouldn't trade the life I have right now for anything. I have an incredibly supportive, loving family. I have terrific friends and mentors. I am compl...

Today, I had a CF clinic visit. These clinic appointments are always very long, very slow, and very unpredictable. They usually last about 2-2 1/2 hours, depending on how on time the nurse, dietician, respiratory therapists, and doctor are running. Here's a summary of my appointment: Height: 62.5 inches Weight: 95 pounds PFTs: 58% IVs: starting January 5th Culturing: achromobacter, MRSA, and mycobacterium My "homework": gain more weight, keep up with treatments, keep up with exercise, keep doing what I'm doing Overall, it was a decent appointment. Here's to fighting CF, one step at a time!

Okay, I have a confession to make. I'm really not good at checking my blood sugar and keeping up with my Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes. I have a really good perception of what my blood sugars are doing and can easily tell when they are high or low. I also know the typical pattern my blood sugars take.  And even though it doesn't take that long to check my levels, it's one more thing to think about. One more thing to keep track of. One more thing to have to remember. I have a diabetes appointment today, and honestly, I don't even know when the last time I checked my sugars at a normal time was (except for yesterday because I was trying to get numbers in my machine).When I can tell so easily when I'm low or high, it's no motivation to say that my health is suffering from not having those numbers, because it's not. It's also no motivation to say that the doctor could help me better if he had the data, because he really doesn't know how to help m...

There have been too many shootings in this nation. How can a person go out and kill 27 people, including many precious, innocent children? The shooting that happened in Connecticut today makes me sick to my stomach. How can someone consciously choose to take a little one's life, when the child could have many happy years to live? How can you take a child's innocence so quickly? How can you formulate a plan to do such insurmountable horrors? Parents should never have to lose their children, especially not this way. Since the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, shootings have become almost chronic. Something needs to be done in this country so that these shootings do not happen anymore. We need a change; innocent people should not lose their lives to these insane actions. My prayers go out to the victims of the Connecticut school shooting. May God give them divine comfort in this difficult time.

I have been so blessed by this song recently. Every time it plays on my iPhone, I stop what I'm doing to sing praises to Jesus. I can't help it- my heart overflows with joy and thankfulness! Below are the lyrics as well as a link to the YouTube video. Take a moment to soak in this song and praise our good, majestic, amazing Father. Nothing can tear us from The grip of His mighty love We’ve only glimpsed, His vast affection Heard whispers of, His heart and passion It’s pouring down… His love is deep, His love is wide And it covers us His love is fierce, His love is strong It's furious His love is sweet, His love is wild And it's waking hearts to life The Father loves and sends His son The Son lays down His life for all He lavishes His love upon us He calls us now, His sons and daughters He’s reaching out… … and its waking hearts to life He is waking hearts to life He is waking hearts to life Your love is deep, Your love is wide And it covers us...

This past week has been a mass of chaotic studying, reading, and stress relieving. It's that time of year that everyone dreads all semester but also looks forward to seeing the end result--finals week. Needless to say, my brain has been working in overtime. I am the kind of person that plans a VERY detailed study schedule and sticks to it as much as possible. I'm also the kind of person who is done studying for the day by 8pm at the latest so I can let my brain rest for the night by watching TV or reading a book for fun. Studying for me is all about time-management and practical planning. After all, if you don't know the information the night before a big test, cramming and staying up until the wee hours of the morning will not help you remember the information on the test. Instead, I study steadily throughout the year, so once finals season comes around, I just have to review what I know. On my schedule, I wrote down the times I will study, exercise, eat meals, and sociali...

This may come as a shock to you (note the sarcasm), but I tend to be very opinionated about everything from what's right and wrong to judging the character of my peers. I have a very black and white personality. There's very little wiggle room for discussion for important mattes in my mind. This is both a blessing and a hindrance to my walk with Christ. Obviously, it's a blessing because I have a firm moral sense of right and wrong. I'm quick to point out my failings because I know in my gut when I mess up. Therefore, I am good at catching myself before I do something I will regret later on. However, I am also quick to point out when other people make mistakes. I do not have the spiritual gift of mercy, so too often I judge people based on my perception of them. I focus on a person's mistakes rather than seeing him or her as God sees him or her--clean, pure, and forgiven (if that person loves the Lord and has accepted Christ as Savior). Who am I to judge a person...

1. I'm thankful for my wonderful Mom, who drove five hours to Tyler and five hours back home, picking me up and dropping me off in Waco, to take me to a doctor's appointment. She is always willing to go above and beyond to serve me, and I am so grateful for such a sweet, caring, loving mom. My mom is the best, and I am reminder of how great she is every day! 2. I'm very grateful for movie nights with my best friend and roommate. On Tuesday, we didn't have much to do, so we decided to watch Harry Potter 5. I love spending time with my roommate. We are so comfortable around each other, and I know I can rely on her to be there for me. We have had so much fun this semester! She is probably one of the most awesome people I have ever met, and I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with her. 3. I'm thankful for the Baylor tradition of Christmas on 5th street. At the event, there is a petting zoo, a stage where multiple bands perform, a tent set up with Christmas ...

Even though it's only November 26, the Christmas season has begun. A short walk through any sort of shopping area and you see busy buyers, rampaging the store's shelves in search of this or that gift that Johnny or Susie just have to get for Christmas. Public places are decorated with festive lights and Christmas trees. The weather hasn't caught the seasonal memo, but everything else is pretty much on board to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas is such a fun time. For starters, it is a celebration of the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords. What a cause for jubilation! Secondly, Christmas is a time to enjoy family and friends and a time to show love to others. I love finding the perfect gift for the precious people in my life and watch them smile as they open their presents. It brings me joy to make them happy! Thirdly, although I always have to have a course of IV antibiotics over the holidays, I don't have to worry about school work, deadlines, or tests....

God. Wonderful family Amazing friends. Highland Baptist Church Citizenship in the United States Music Technology the Vest All other treatment equipment The ability to learn A good book Jesus's gift of salvation Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Good grades Sunshine Rain Games Love Hope Faith Good deeds Direction of the Holy Spirit A sweet smile Texting Birthdays Holidays Baking Caring professors The show, Parenthood Photography Basketball Football Dancing Singing Blogging Life Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

It was bound to happen--I was "due " for a lung infection after being relatively healthy all semester. I was just waiting for CF to pounce. I'm just glad I didn't get the infection until right before break so I didn't feel miserable in the middle of classes. My lungs are suffering from upper respiratory problems. The sickness came on fast and furious--one moment, I was enjoying another spiritually challenging Sunday service, praising Jesus with my fellow believers, and the next, I felt like I was about to pass out, stop breathing, lose the ability to focus, or experience all the above at the same time. My blood pressure was low (but that's common for me), my pulse was high, and Advil would not make my headache go away. During my breathing treatment Sunday night, my sputum was pretty disgusting, and I'm pretty sure I coughed up a plug or two. To top it all off, I crashed around 8:30 last night and went to bed around 9. After some much needed rest, I...

Hey you. Yeah, you. Jesus is praying for you. Whether you're stressed about school, your future, your boyfriend/girlfriend (or lack thereof), projects, finals, sickness, family, or anything in between, you have access to the greatest source of comfort that there is. In this time of stress and anxiety, Jesus is praying specifically for you to stand firm in the faith. Here's what's mind blowing to me--He knows we will betray Him, yet He continues to intercede on our behalf. Jesus is outside the limitations of time; therefore, He knows all things past, present, and future. He knows when you're going to follow Him and when you're going to disobey His commandments. Yet He still loves you and wants to intimately provide for you through prayer. Jesus is for you, friend! No matter how many times you betray Him or turn away from His will, He will never let you go.

I have a very serious question for you. What does it feel like to be able to breathe? I'm not talking about breathing just well enough to get oxygen to your brain and internal organs. I'm talking about being able to get from class to class without huffing and puffing. I'm talking about exercising without getting winded within a minute. I'm talking about not feeling constricted when you take a normal breath. I'm talking about being able to take a hot shower and not feel like your lungs are slowly closing up the longer you stay in the steam. What's it like? You see, for me, it's normal to have to spend the first few minutes of class catching my breath (granted, if I didn't speed walk to class, I might be able to breathe easier). It's normal for the tiniest bit of exercise to be hard work. It's not unusual for me to feel the limits of my lung capacity as I'm sitting reading a book or trying to relax. It's common for me to come out of...

1. Thanksgiving is exactly one week away! I love Thanksgiving. It is probably my favorite holiday. There are no expectations of receiving presents or getting lots of candy that come along with the holiday--it is simply a day to be thankful. Although we should count our blessings every day, not just once a year, I think it is really special that over the Thanksgiving holiday, we set aside time specifically to just think about all God has blessed us with and celebrate His goodness. 2. I am so thankful for an open note, open book test every once in awhile. I have one today, and I feel like I haven't had to stress about it at all. I feel confident in my knowledge in this class, especially now that we get to use our notes. If I do say so myself, I'm a pretty great notetaker! ;) 3. I'm thankful for the ability to learn. I love learning so much! There's nothing quite like absorbing new information. I cannot imagine not being able to learn and grow as a person. I'm than...

The past few weeks at church, my pastor has been going through a sermon series entitled "Roots." In it, he described six truths about doctrine that we as believers must hold on to and keep fresh in our minds. Storms of life sometimes have the kind of impact to knock the wind out of us, leaving us so breathless that all we can do is cling to what we know to be true about God. It is essential, therefore, that our foundation be firm before these times of sorrow and grief come upon us. The six roots are as follows: 1. The Bible is entirely reliable and spiritually medicinal.--Hebrews 4:12 2. Nothing is random. God is the gatekeeper of every event of my life. He has good purposes in mind, and He is worthy of my trust.--Romans 8:28 3. God sent Jesus to buy my freedom so I could be permanently adopted as His child. I am obligated to enjoy God as my Father while He loves me, leads me, and raises me in grace.--Galatians 4:4-7 4. I believe there is only one true God, and salvat...

Little things that make me smile: Seeing the sun peep from behind the clouds. A text from a friend saying he/she is thinking of me. Reading the Bible. Waking up before my alarm. Signing loudly, without caring who's listening. Hot chocolate. Seeing things fall into place. Loving on people. Giving people gifts for no reason at all. A Capella music. When someone surprises me with a simple act of service. Receiving an A in a class. Laughter. Skyping with a friend/family member. Being thankful. Catching someone smiling to themselves. Seeing God's awesome hand at work.

Two weeks from today, I turn 20 years old. Twenty?? Two decades? Ten times two? Two-Zero? Why does that feel so strange to me? For one, I will never be a teenager again. The teenage years are so unique--from going through puberty, to trying to form lasting relationships, to discovering who you are and who you are going to be. Teenagers experience many ups and downs, a roller coaster ride that is unlike any other in life. Somehow, it's hard to believe that I'm almost "off" that roller coaster, at least according to my age. In addition, I don't really feel old enough to be twenty. Being twenty means I am almost an "actual" adult. I am almost old enough to live completely on my own, paying my own bills, working a steady job, choosing what I want to spend money on and what I want to save towards. I am almost to the point where I must take responsibility for all my actions, decisions, and choices. Although my parents will always play a significant role in...

If you've been on Facebook, twitter, or any news website, you've seen political opinions posted EVERYWHERE. There's no escaping it. Finally, we have a president elected for the next four years. Does that mean we can escape the nasty, cruel political posts many people feel obligated to share? Of course not. Why is it that politics have become so emotionally charged, leaving a trail of hurt and discord along the way? People care deeply about certain issues in government that are being discussed today, like gay marriage, abortion, economic issues, and foreign affairs. The parties are so divided and focused on their own opinions, all active listening skills and knowledge about conflict resolution have gone out the window. Granted, it's good to form solid opinions and stick by them. However, I detest that politics have become a blame game, with each side refusing to engage the other in meaningful conversation but instead pointing fingers and acting like immature adults. No...

1. BU Homecoming is one of the most unique traditions at Baylor. It's a HUGE deal. Not only do the alumni come back to go to the football game, but there's also a pep rally, bonfire, parade, and multiple performances from student organizations. I love homecoming weekend because it is so special to Baylor. All those who graduated from Baylor in the past, present, and even those who will graduate in the future are one big family, and I love being a part of that. 2. It's November, aka my birthday month! November is one of my favorite months, probably because of Thanksgiving (which is my favorite holiday). It's hard to believe that it's already November again, but the calendar doesn't lie! 3. I am so grateful to live in a democratic nation that encourages citizen participation. Think for a second how much different your life would be in a dictatorship or another authoritarian government--we wouldn't have nearly the same rights aswe do today. I sent in my ab...

I receive the CF Roundtable , a newsletter put on by CF adults, for CF adults. The newsletter is quarterly and always has a specific "focus" topic that most, if not all, the articles relate to. Some of the articles in the CF Roundtable  have no interest to me whatsoever--for instance, I hardly ever read the insurance section because frankly, it goes over my head right now. I cannot always relate to the focus topics, either, because the newsletter is for CF adults of ALL ages, not just adults in their 20s. Now, I'm not complaining about that. In fact, I think it's wonderful that I cannot relate to everything the newsletter prints. That means that CF patients are living longer and having more problems related to age, not just related to CF! I can also learn a lot about growing older with CF by reading the wise words of my fellow CFers, even if I cannot relate to their stories at the present time. This fall's newsletter focuses on lung transplant. I am nowhere ne...

Can you imagine a world without any social interactions whatsoever? A world where people simply passed by each other, going about their own personal lives without stopping to invest in others? A world where people kept their sorrows and joys quiet, unable to share struggles and pains and happiness and excitement with anyone? Think about it for a second. Life would be a miserable existence. I am so grateful that God has given humanity a desire for social interactions. Although our ultimate desire and need is for a relationship with our Father, He has given us earthly relationships to help us to see the manifestation of His love. God did not call us to live a life of complete isolation; He gives us relationships so that we can enjoy life together and praise His Holy and wonderful Name. People matter so much to God. He has indeed blessed me with some amazing friendships. I know I have said this before, but my relationships with my friends and family mean so much to me. This weekend...

1. My comfy bed-I have been super tired this week, so I am grateful for my wonderful bed and warm covers. Sometimes, there's just nothing better than curling up in bed after a long day, and that's exactly how I've felt recently! 2. Changing weather- A cold front is coming through tonight! I'm super excited for colder weather. Since it is almost November, a change in temperature and humidity will be nice. Currently, I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Tomorrow, I won't be able to wear this, though, unless I want to freeze my buttocks off. Yay for sweater weather! 3. My wonderful Mom- Tomorrow is my mom's birthday!! I am so thankful for my mom and that she was born. :) She is so loving and caring, always putting her loved ones before herself. I don't know what I'd do without her. Unfortunately, I won't get to see my mom on her birthday. However, I know she will have a fabulous day, and I will be thinking of her!

Tonight, my small group from Highland decided to carve pumpkins. Not just any ordinary pumpkins, mind you. We went all out with the pumpkin extravaganza. My roommate and I carved Texas into our pumpkin, with the words "Sic 'em" in a line next to our great state (Technically, my roommate is from Louisiana, but she lives here now, so she can count Texas as one of her states :) ). Another group carved an ice cream cone into their pumpkin, and the final pumpkin was made into a traditional jack-o-lantern face with a twist--one eyebrow was slightly raised. However, the judges (aka our host home "parents" and their three year old daughter) picked my roommate and my pumpkin as the one with the best design. Sic 'em pumpkin carving! Although scraping all the pumpkin guts out of the pumpkin and carving into it was fun, my favorite part of the evening was when I got to play with the two kids. The youngest was absolutely fascinated with the moon. He kept saying "m...

"Give me Jesus/You can have all this world/Just give me Jesus." Give me Jesus. Such a simple phrase, but what power it holds! Certainly I'm not the only one out there who struggles to keep my priorities straight. It's so easy for me to get sidetracked, thinking about my next biggest problem, contemplating how to get more involved in extracurriculars, ensuring that my grades are stellar, or even questioning how my friends and family are doing. Although all these things are good, my focus should be on God first and foremost. When good things distract me from Him, they cease to be good. He alone is worthy of my praise and adoration! My prayer this week is just as the song says: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.

1. Fall Break- I'm so grateful for fall break! Even though its just one day off from school, I feel like I could use the break to relax and take a breather half-way through the semester. I have finished most of my homework for the weekend, so I really won't have much work to stress over. It's important to stop every once and awhile with the busyness of life and simply reflect on what's going on in life, putting aside stress and deadlines and focusing on the present. I plan on doing just that this weekend! 2. I'm thankful for the dedication of my professors to help me learn more about the world around me as well as my identity. Baylor professors truly care about their students, and you can see their passion for teaching in their actions. I love that my professors actually care about how I'm doing and want me to succeed in life. 3. CF studies- I'm participating in a CF study online this coming weekend. I have to blog for an hour on a special site for three...

I apologize for not blogging for several days now. I've been very busy! That's college life for you, I suppose. This past weekend was parents' weekend at Baylor. My whole family came to Waco, which was loads of fun. I enjoyed having my family in my home away from home because I got to show them why I l love living here. I believe that God has placed me in Waco at this time in my life for a specific purpose, and while I'm here, I will make the most of every opportunity I'm given, including the opportunity to explore and discover a new city. People don't always appreciate Waco for the city that it is. From the outside, it does look a little sketchy. And I don't recommend walking the streets at night. However, Waco has many hidden gems nestled in its antique exterior. It is home to one of the best universities in Texas (of course, I may be a bit biased.) The city of Waco cares deeply for the homeless and has many opportunities for people to get involved ser...

It's fat talk free week at Baylor this week. It's kind of sad that we as a society have come to a point where we must bring attention to the fact that so many people struggle with "fat talk". I have heard countless people say, "If only I lost ten pounds, people would notice me," or, "I wish my body looked more like that person's," or, " I hate my physical appearance." Since when are all people supposed to have the exact same body shape, weight, and physical structure? Didn't God create each of us with unique physical characteristics? Isn't He perfect and good? It's kind of a slap in the face to say that the way God made you wasn't good enough and you wish your body was different. I'm not saying that if you're morbidly obese, it's okay because God made you that way. I still believe that God gave us these bodies to take care of them as we should by eating right, exercising, and staying healthy. However, we ...

"Dare to dream, dare to dream All our brothers and sisters breathing free. Unafraid, our hearts unswayed. Til the story of CF is history." --Francis Collins Francis Collins, the man credited with discovering the CF gene, wrote the above song when he and his team found the cause of cystic fibrosis in 1989. After years of diligent searching, Collins discovered that a misspelling in the CFTR gene accounted for virtually all cases of CF. He described the search for the misspelling in the DNA like searching for a specific, burned-out lightbulb in the basement of a house somewhere in the United States. The search was tedious and exhausting, to say the least, and took years to accomplish. I love the song Collins wrote for CF advocates everywhere. Although it is only four short lines, I believe that it captures the essence of the CF community beautifully.  Dare to dream--dare to dream of a brighter future, of a world where children and adults of all ages do not die from CF, of...

"If you have a point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time- a tremendous whack." --Winston Churchill Amen, Winston Churchill. I agree with you. Point made. :) Happy Saturday!

1. I'm so grateful for all your prayers. My appointment on Tuesday went fairly well. My weight was up, my PFTs were stable, and my sputum cultures basically grew the same bacteria I've had for awhile now. All in all, it was a relatively good appointment. I could feel your prayers on Tuesday. Thank you for being a part of my life! 2. I'm loving this fall weather. It's so wonderful! I would love to have class outside, but that has yet to happen. It's just so gorgeous outdoors! The sun is shining, there's a slight breeze, and the high has been in the 80s. Fall is such an awesome season. 3. I am thankful for my time management skills. I have yet to pull an all-nighter in college, and I hardly ever feel frantic trying to study or get homework completed. My personality is such that I like to stay organized, check stuff off the list, and stay on top of my work. In college, this is definitely a useful skill. I'm so thankful that God blessed me with this gift be...

I always feel like I'm being judged when I go to the doctor. I can't explain why, but it seems like every single aspect of my life is being closely examined, and then the CF team determines what needs to change and what needs to stay the same. It's always a bit unnerving. I have an appointment tomorrow with my CF doctor, who I honestly think is a wonderful doctor. He takes into account my opinions and ideas about quality of life while configuring a realistic treatment plan to keep me at my optimal health, which I truly appreciate. However, I'm not jumping for joy because I have an appointment tomorrow. Instead, I'm worried about the possibility of a feeding tube, wondering what my next step will be to treat the bacteria in my lungs, and analyzing what I think my PFTs are going to be. I'm worried about what judgements are going to be made on my life based on a two hour appointment and what suggestions the CF team are going to make to improve my health. I really w...

I'm not a huge fan of driving. I know some people like the open roads and could spend hours going absolutely no where. Some like to roll the windows all the way down and feel the rushing wind speed through an open car. Some like to show off how well they can drive by making it look supremely easy, driving with one hand on the steering wheel and having a look of absolute relaxation on their faces. Some people use driving as a way to clear their heads, thinking about anything and everything on long road trips. However, I am not one of those people. I see driving as a necessity to get me from one place to another. I would always rather someone else drive on trips longer than an hour than me. I always get out of the car after driving a substantial distance with cramped legs, a sore lower back and butt, and a craving to give my body some exercise. I also start getting sleepy on lengthy trips, which is obviously a problem. The endless scene of landscapes and cars as well as the gentle ...

1. Sleep- This week, I have realized even more the necessity of sleep. To all those people who can pull ridiculous all-nighters, I do not know how you do it. I'm pretty sure I can't function without a decent amount of sleep every night. Sleep is my friend! It allows me to remember all I learned during the day, helps what I studied stick in my brain, and keeps me energized throughout the day. I strive to go to bed by 10:30 or 11:00 every night so that I can feel my best the next day as well as fight off infection. 2. Advising appointment- It's true, I had my advising already for next semester. It's not even October, and I'm already thinking about my next round of classes. Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit insane? I feel like this semester just got started, but here I am, already planning for the future! I am thankful that I do not have to figure out my schedule all by myself, however. I have two advisors (one for BIC, the other for speech pathology), as we...

The song, "Never Once," by Matt Redman, has been on my heart a lot lately. I decided for my blog today, I would simply post the lyrics to the song. I encourage you to meditate on these lyrics, relishing in the fact that never once are we ever alone. I hope you take peace in these lyrics as I have so many times recently. God bless you today! "Standing on this mountaintop Looking just how far we’ve come Knowing that for every step You were with us Kneeling on this battle ground Seeing just how much You’ve done Knowing every victory Was Your power in us Scars and struggles on the way But with joy our hearts can say Yes, our hearts can say Never once did we ever walk alone Never once did You leave us on our own You are faithful, God, You are faithful Kneeling on this battle ground Seeing just how much You’ve done Knowing every victory Was Your power in us Scars and struggles on the way But with joy our hearts can say Yes, our hearts can say Never once did we ever walk alon...

Confession: I am not perfect. No where close, actually. I am a fallen being. I am controlling, selfish, and prideful. I want things to go my way, and if they don't, I tend to get pretty ruffled. It is hard for me to trust other people because I don't want to get hurt, yet I often crave human attention. My choices often revolve around what will be best for me, not necessarily what is best for other people. Long story short, I am a broken woman. But God. But God loved the whole world so much, He sent His only Son to die a gruesome death on a cross so that humanity can live forever with Him in Eternal Paradise instead of Eternal Torture. But God is totally and completely sovereign. Time is not a limiting concept to Him. He knows all things past, present, and future. He is in control of every single situation. No detail escapes His gaze. But God is the keeper of my heart. He alone exemplifies perfection. He is the only One who can fill the gigantic void in my heart. He alon...

1. I get to spend Friday and Saturday with my sister! She goes to college about two hours away from me, and this weekend is my first trip this year to see her. I'm excited to check out her apartment, talk with her roommates, and have some serious sister bonding time. I know she is happy at the school she is at, and I love my school; God has placed us where He wants us and where we will succeed. However, I definitely miss our daily interactions, and I'm excited to see my sister face to face and hear what's going on in her life. 2. I'm thankful for the janitorial staff at Baylor who work tirelessly to keep my school clean. I see them with giant vacuums and cleaning supplies constantly around campus. Baylor prides itself in its impeccably clean campus, and I know this would not be possible without the janitorial staff. 3. This week had been pretty relaxed. I haven't really had much work due, and my test week was last week. Therefore, this week I have been able to r...

I've come to enjoy browsing through Pinterest when I have time. There are a variety of interesting pins on the site, from recipes to quotes to fitness to inspiration, and everything in between. One of my favorite things to pin would have to be recipes. I love cooking, especially cooking new recipes. I think it's fun to experiment with food, and even if you don't find a recipe you would love to make again, the experience of cooking a new dish is well worth the effort! Here's a recipe I found recently that I would love to make sometime soon: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars. It sounds like an interesting combination of ingredients and is definitely on my list to bake! Ingredients: Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract...

Man, did I get some funny looks today! After my 3:30-4:45 class, I decided to do my treatment on the bus ride back to my apartment. I felt like I really needed to at least start my treatment before I got back because my lugs were feeling pretty tight. I had brought my puffer and flutter with me to school in anticipation of needing to start my afternoon treatment. No big deal to whip those two things out, right? I mean, I wasn't going to start hacking in the middle of the bus (that might would cause a major disturbance), but I figured I could at least open up my airways with my albuterol puffer and first set of flutter. I often forget how normal breathing treatments are to me and how foreign they are to everyone else. By the looks I got on the bus, you would've thought I was an alien! It was as If no one had ever seen a flutter before, imagine that! ;) Note to self: CF is not normal for most people. Therefore, what you consider an everyday occurrence might weird some people ...

Ever have those moments of complete insecurity when you feel like you just don't measure up? You don't know if you can stand still because the world seems to be shaking like crazy? You're struggling to see the beauty in life, no matter how hard you try? Try listening to this song by David Crowder Band. No matter how insecure, shaky, scared, disheartened, or sad you feel, God never lets go of you, my friend!! He's holding on to you, walking side by side with you through any heartache, pain, joy, or blessing, whatever range of emotion you may be feeling. Be secure in that truth. Know that He loves you more than you or I can ever imagine! John 16:33 "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."

This may not seem like much.... but I've gained one pound! I haven't seen a gain in any weight whatsoever in a year and a half. Instead, I've seen a steady decline, dropping pound after pound no matter how hard I've tried to beef up my caloric intake. I've had a lot to deal with over the past year and a half, no doubt. However, thoughts of feeding tubes and constantly intaking high caloric foods have been on my mind pretty consistently. To be honest, I'm pretty sick and tired of it. I think my reason for gaining this pound is two fold. First, I'm on new enzymes that are very similar to the enzymes I was on before I lost all the weight. My old enzymes were taken off the market due to new FDA requirements, and I've had to play around with new enzymes and dosing since that happened. Finally, these new enzymes seem to be absorbing much better and helping me digest my food. It's wonderful not to have quite so many malabsorption problems! Seco...

My mom recently bought me the book, The Breathing Room . It is a collection of poems and photographs sent in by adults living with cystic fibrosis, depicting their lives, joys, and struggles. The adult realm of CF is so much different than the pediatric arena I had grown so comfortable with. As I've transitioned into this foreign territory, I've realized how much I don't know about CF, and the ton of junk many CFers live with on a daily basis. The older you get, the more hardships come your way. That makes sense; after all, CF is a progressive disease that only gets more challenging with time. Yet one of the things I like best about the CF community is that we are brutally honest with each other. We comfort each other when life feels like it hits rock bottom, but we also celebrate with each other when something amazing happens. Even though we are a small group and can never connect face to face due to infection control, I am blessed by the people with CF who share their str...