3 Months and Counting!

Just a little over 3 months til my big Europe trip with Lindsi! Words cannot express the excitement and nervousness I have about this trip... I have traveled a bunch these past couple years without my family/with friends. But going on a month long trip to many countries with my best friend...going to be the trip of a lifetime without a doubt. I CANNOT wait!
I am most nervous about packing lightly, those of you that know me well know that I like to look cute and match and all that girly stuff...definitely not going to happen on this trip. And you know what, I am going to learn how to be just fine with that! :)
Bought a gown for formal night on the cruise though, it is GORGEOUS. Definitely flatters my body type and is all black so i can dress it up fun...will post a picture below with a bunch of pics of the places I am going that I googled!
So heres a basic summary of the trip...
Sept 2...Fly from Charlotte to Reykjavik Iceland...then Iceland to London on sept 3
Enjoy London for couple days
Cruise from Sept 5-19th to....
Amsterdam(Netherlands),Brugge(Belgium), Paris(France), Cork(Ireland), Santiago de Compostela(Spain), Lisbon (portugal), Gibraltar(UK), Barcelona(Spain)Cannes(France)Florence/Pisa(Italy) then land in ROME!
Spend a few days in Rome...Vatican City, Coliseum, Pantheon..all that awesome stuff.Then going up to Florence/Chianti Valley for a couple days...
Then overnight train ride to Munich! Traveling Germany, Austria maybe Switzerland for a week while staying with Lindsi's friend. Spending my 21st birthday at Oktoberfest in Munich!
Flying from Frankfurt back to Charlotte on Sept 29th..
Then hopefully having a lil bday cookout at my house to show off my pictures and share foreign wine and chocolates with my NC friends :)
I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity. God is so good!
Heres some pictures I googled of a few places I am going...*BIG BIG SMILE!*

















As you can tell I love food. That is probably on the "top 3 things I am most excited for" list.
If any of you have been to any of the places I am going, I would absolutely LOVE any tips/pointers/info you have to offer! :)
Hope you are all having a great week!

Pay it Forward.

Imitating Christ's Humility

¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

We studied this in church this morning. It really stuck out to me...this is how I WANT to live my life. I WANT to be that light...to fully embody it, exude it, and put others needs above my own at all times. And not just when it is convenient-I want to do it when it is most inconvenient because that is what Jesus did for me. I am sure it wasn't on the top of his "what I'd like to accomplish today" list; to die a horrible painful death to save you and I, but he did it. I feel like for the first time in a long time, no, the first time in my entire life, I can fully say I surrender ALL and mean it. I can fully ask for forgiveness for ALL of my sins, even the deep dark ones I have been hiding afraid to expose, and say take me, love me, use me for Your will. There is no better feeling than making someones day with a random act of kindness. That is what I will strive to do every day, put a smile on when I don't feel like it and go out of my comfort zone to serve others, just as Christ did for ME.

The Greek word "Chara" means to have joy and a calm delight, and the word "Phroneo" means to have a single minded focus and attitude (On GOD). And the word "Doulos" literally means to be a slave/servant. Those words mean so much more when put like that...we hear the words joy, serve, attitude on a regular basis, but when tied together and the root word exposed, along with the passage above...It has such a deeper meaning. My pastor, Mike, did a great job explaining this concept today. There was a story I heard at chruch...a couple was out walking together and got stuck in the middle of a massive downpour. And instead of being grumpy, they looked at eachother and laughed, and enjoyed eachothers company while walking in the rain. The analogy that was given is that we are all facing storms at some point in our lives, and sometimes its best to just let it happen, understand you can't fight it, find something to smile about. I can honestly say my cousin Kristi has done this and been the best example of what it means to strive to be like Christ in difficult and trying situations. (read just a bit of her blog and you will see what I mean...Love you Kris!) THATS what I want to do...

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...

Unwritten.

I really love the lyrics to this song...

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

<3

Lots goin on!

Man it has been one crazy and awesome past week!! Went to my first NASCAR race! I must say, I am a fan now. I know, ME?!? Lil Miss make fun of those nascar lovin' hicks?! Yup. At least, being there is awesome. It is quite a rush, hearing the cars, watching the people, meeting new people..so fun!
I was running all over the place, went with Amber and her friends and then saw my friend Jordon for awhile...Dad and Tiff were there somewhere too but didn't end up meeting up with them. Was a great time!!!!

Got an informative email from Mike today, it is very intense and things are going to get crazy for our troops quickly here...Considered posting it for prayers, but I believe it is too much info to just be posting online. Sent out an email to some family, but if you are interested in specifics and what to look out for and pray for, feel free to contact me and I can pass along what he sent me!!

Its another gorgeous day...gunna grab some food and catch up on some shows. Heres a couple picstures from the race saturday...Will write more when I am not so exhaustedd!

Have a great week!

Beautiful day at the Biltmore!!

I had such a wonderful day today!
Jo Ellen and I went to the Biltmore House in Asheville...it was amazing! Weather was perfect, not too crowded, got to tour the amazing house with an audio guide, spent hours in the garden, hiked beautiful trails to a waterfall, went to the winery and learned all about the wine making process, then ended the day with an amazinggg dinner at the Arbor grill. Its seeing things like I saw today, the natural beauty and the architecture that has withstood decades, that just confirms my faith for me yet again. How can one see the beauty of this world and not believe in the Creator?
My God is an awesome God.
Take a look at a few of the breathtaking things we got to see today...

Things I love!

Jesus.
Music.
Dad. Mom.Tiff.Nat.Brooke...Family.
Calamari Lillian.
Beach.
Sun.
Trees.
Lindsi. Kelley. Jacqueline.Mikey, Garrett...Best Friends.
Letters in the mail.
My bed.
The Bible.
Writing.
Amber, Kyla, Christina, Jo Ellen, Nick....New Friends.
Laughing till your stomach hurts.
Simply Cuddling.
Carolina Winters.
Makeup.
California Summers.
Green tea lemonades&Iced coffee....starbucks.
Hawaii.
Forehead kisses&big bear hugs.
Random acts of kindness...giving and receiving.
Traveling.
Marilyn Monroe.
Food.
Martini Glasses.
Cooking.
Tubing on the lake.
Feeling pretty.
A good workout.
Giving massages.
Water.

Random? Yes. Just thought I would share some things that I love love love!

Miss my Marine!

Mike has only been gone 24 hours and I already miss him like crazy!! I've written 6 letters, i know, pathetic! Makes me realize how much we talked...I'll think of something I usually would text or call him about, whether a song lyric, bible verse, joke, or something stupid I did that I know he would laugh at...and I can't text him sooo I write a letter. Poor guy is going to be so sick of me sending him mail every day. Haha.
On the upside, I'm sure my phone bill is going to be significantly lower! hehehe.
If anyone knows of things marines need/want while overseas, let me know. He played the whole "I am a tough guy and don't need anyone/anything to survive" thing, but I know him, therefore I will send care packages because I know it will make his day.

Umm on another note, this time in 4 months I will be on a cruise ship with my very best friend after a long day in PARIS! Holy cow. I cannot wait!

Praying for the people in Santa Barbara tonight, I do not miss the California wildfires one bit and pray for safety and protection for those affected by them.

10:30 on a Friday night... Dinner with the fam, and I had a fabulous date with my puppy tonight...rented Yes Man, got some ice cream, cuddled with Cali and relaxed. Laundry and bed time for me! Nice to not have to rush to be anywhere. :)

Enjoy the weekend y'all!

Fireproof.

It's another amazingly beautiful morning out here on my porch...It has been storming like crazy for the past couple days and this morning there is a break in the clouds and the sun is peeking through, the trees getting breezy. *Big smile!* I LOVE IT! It is amazing how lush and green it gets out here and how fast the seasons turn over. I love having a place to go and sit, think, pray, relax, and enjoy my surroundings. I've been a bit stressed the past couple days but I have a new peace about everything this morning. Mikey flies to Afghanistan today, I have been freaking out but after talking to him nonstop the past few days, I know he is a fighter, the type of fighter we need out there. I have faith that God is going to use him for good and bring him and his buddies back safely.

"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it."
I rented the movie Fireproof yesterday...I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. It has completely changed my view on relationships and how extremely important faith and communication is in a marriage. It really has something for everyone, whether single, married, young or old...there is much to be learned from this movie. Not to mention the music is wonderful!...


I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
-While I'm Waiting by John Waller


I have been debating on what to do while out here as far as work and where I want to be, where God wants me to be. My new friend Amber and I decided to go back to school together after I get back from Europe, and get our CNA (nursing assistant)! We are the kind of people who need accountability with school so we decided we will do it together. I am excited! This will further my education and along with my Esthetician license make me more appealing to potential employers. And from there, who knows. Maybe more travel opportunities will be given to me before I get my career going, or maybe I will know where I should be living by then and will get a place and settle down and get my career established. I am excited and feel like I have been given a world of opportunites (literally!). It is a really cool feeling.

I should probably get up and ready for the day, but I will leave you with a passage that I love...
James 1:19-25
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

This has been kind of a scatterbrained post..I am all over the place with my thoughts today so forgive the randomness of it all...
OH!
Please keep my cousin Kaleb in your prayers, as he is in the hospital...
as well as Mikey as he flies out today...

I'm outta here, Have a great day!!

Phil. 4:13

"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me."

I need to write this 100 times like they make you do when you misbehave in elementary school to engrave a fact into your brain. Life is so tough. I am trying so hard to stay positive and it is really really wearing on me.
I got another completely heartbreaking and scary letter from Jon today, and have realized I am an idiot for allowing myself to become so consumed with this all. I have internalized the situation to a point where I am in a very dangerous position. I don't want to be involved. I don't. I just care too much...yeah, I think that is my problem. I genuinely care too much. About everything and everyone. And I think I put everyone elses needs and even their wants above my own in the wrong times, and its wearing me out.
Mikey leaves for Afghanistan on Wednesday and that honestly scares the crap out of me. He and I have gotten so very close the past year or so...he makes me laugh like no one else can, is like the obnoxious best friend and yet understands my fears and faith...hes a very good person who is going to fight in this war with very pure intentions. The pride he has in his country is that like I have never seen or heard of-Mike is the epitome of what it is to be a true American and the respect I have for him is unmeasurable. I will send him care packages on a weekly basis and pray for him daily, that he fights a good fight and returns home safe and sound.
My cousin Kaleb has a disease called Cystic Fibrosis (If you are unfamiliar with it, read my cousins blog... kristibowers.blogspot.com) and from what I understand they are dealing with some tough stuff right now, getting ready for Kaleb to go back to the hospital as he is resistant to some of the meds.(again read Kristi's blog for more details..) I wish we lived closer to them so that I could be there to spend time with them.

Please pray for Kaleb and his family, for Mike as he heads to Afghanistan, and for the Jon situation. I really am not sure what more to ask...I just need God to give me some strength, peace and healing during this all. Seems as if this is a tough season for a lot of people, and on top of all this I am dealing with smaller but still stressful personal issues (boy problems, working wayy too much, missing my best friends...)...Prayers would be fabulous, and please let me know how I can pray for you all as well.

Love and miss you Californians! Was going to visit this summer but my work sched and finances are not going to allow for that...hopefully in the fall? We will see....


I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me....
I can do ALL things in HIM who strengthens me....

Tough Stuff.

Finally got to talk to Jon. There is so much I wanted to ask him but...yeah. Complicated.
I am soo fighting the urge to play the "what if" game. I feel like my entire life has been such an emotional rollercoaster...not sure what Gods purpose is in all of this, but to hear a good friend of mine in such a bad situation and hearing what he is dealing with in prison is absolutely heartbreaking. I am relieved and happy to hear that his faith is strengthening and that he recognizes that his faith is all he has left. As dangerous as it may be, I will continue to be a light, support and friend to Jon. I just know that is he not a bad person.

Kyla and other awesome blessings...

Today has been pretty good...Opened at work, was a super busy day which is fine by me (makes time go faster... There was a puppy adoption outside on the grass today and I decided to start volunteering with a rescue shelter, my dad visited me and I got a lot accomplished...good work day.
When I came home and took mom, dad and Tiff to the BEST pizza place I have ever been to! Prosciuttos Pizza off exit 28..to die for (Thanks Jo Ellen for introducing me to it!!!) And then my mom and I shopped around fresh market for awhile. Nice afternoon!

So, This has been a good week. Spent some time with new friends, and I am so happy that I have them in my life.
I am going to backtrack for a second to about 5 months ago and explain how I met one of my closest friends out here...

I was working one night (during the height of my homesickness and depression)...Apparently it was a Thursday (good memory Kyla!) When a lady came up and we got to chatting about the area and the weather and other random things. I mentioned how I was new to the area and hesitantly told her I was having a hard time. This lady then warmly welcomed me to NC and said she would pray for me, then took a seat in the lobby of Starbucks.
A couple hours later, she walked up with a girl and said to her "Have you met Brittany?" the girl said no, and this lady introduced me to my new friend Kyla. Kyla was in a very similar situation as me, had just moved out here from PA and was having a hard time also finding a job and making good quality friends. We exchanged information and have been hanging out ever since. She has been such a blessing. It is so nice to have someone to hang out with who has the same morals and values and is in the same place in life as I am...God is so cool.

So Kyla and I complained for awhile about our lack of jobs and friends and lives, and in retrospect, it is comical to the both of us. As we sat chatting over dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise the other night, we decided that without a doubt God has a great sense of humor and loves to just rock our worlds. We were two people who were trying to figure life out on our terms, and He laughed at our plans and slowly revealed his own. Kyla now has an awesome job with promotion potential and a peace about things, as do I. Its been cool to have someone to go through this learning experience with. We has such a good time the other night laughing about things from our silly closet nerd/alcoholic waiter, to our crazy coworkers, and then realizing how far we have come the past few months. I am learning more and more each day.

I randomly met a girl last week who just moved here, also from CA, and seems to be in the same exact position that I was in just a few months ago. I am excited to hopefully find a new friend in her and hear her story.

Along with Kyla there have been a few other people who I now consider my friends. I have finally learned to let go of my stubborn "refuse to like NC" attitude and am getting closer to some amazing and unique people I have met around here. I really never thought I would adapt, but it is happening. (That is not to say I won't be back home eventually friends! Just give me some time :) ) I still miss my good friends like CRAZY, but distance has just been another one of those "road humps" (silly southern term!) in life that I've learned to overcome.

My Savior, He can move the mountains....

5:03 am, Saturday morning.
I have a few minutes to spare before stepping into another busy 8 hour workday...put my ipod on shuffle and let the first song that came on set the tone for my day...which, is a little risky. Seeing as I have about a thousand songs and every genre imaginable (I LOVE music.)

My favorite Hillsong song came on...fabulous way to start my day....

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave


I have a lot to blog about today after work...lots of cool God things happening in my life. Will spend some time on that when I have more time to spare.

Have a fabulous day!