Big news!

I know that I have been a terrible blogger lately. A lot has been going on and I have neglected it! BUT, I will get better and update more, but this news calls for a definite post. God has definitely been answering prayers lately, and I am so thankful. I AM OFFICIALLY EMPLOYED! YAY! It has been a long, frustrating summer, and I patiently waited for this to work out and it did. I will start my very first "big girl" job on Monday. I will be working at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the operating room! I am SO excited! I enjoyed surgery the one day we spent there in nursing school, loved doing my Synthesis hours there, and knew that was where I wanted to work. It has been interesting summer through the ups and downs and the not knowing if they were going to have a job for me, but I am so glad I waited. This is where I want to be and I'm glad I didn't have to settle for something I really didn't want to do. I thank God for having His hand on the situation and giving me patience, and the understanding of what it really means to fully rely on Him to provide. Also, my sister Kate got news that she got her first job too, which means we will both be off our parent's payroll - good news for them! She will begin working at Static Salon in Madison later this month. She is really excited and I am very proud of her for following her dream!


*Shameless plug* Her business is a business of building up her clientele, so go see her! She would love to have you! She starts August 16th.

On another note, the 2011 Mississippi election season kicks off tomorrow with the primary elections. PLEASE take some time tomorrow and exercise your right to vote. Voting is so important. Also, be smart and know your candidates and what they stand for before you vote! I was going to do a blog post highlighting all the candidates in the major races, but I never had any time to, maybe for the elections in November! Don't forget tomorrow! Vote vote vote!

Verse of the day: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26

Tunes for Thursday

I am loving this song from Chris Tomlin. It was from the Passion: Here for You CD! The whole CD is amazing, but I really like this song. It is SORT OF a re-done version of one of my favorite hymns I Need Thee Every Hour. It is stuck in my head on this pretty Thursday so I thought I would share it with you. No need to watch the video, its just the lyrics, you can just listen! :)

Happy Thursday!

AMERICA

I LOVE the 4th of July and this country! There's nothing better than a good patriotic song either. This is one of my favorites: It's America by Rodney Atkins. These are just a few of my favorite lines describing America and I think it's perfect for today.
It's a high school prom

It's a Springsteen song It's a ride in a Chevrolet It's a man on the moon
And fireflies in June
and kids sellin' lemonade... It's cities
and farms it's open armsOne nation under God Its America...

Now we might not always get it right,
But there's nowhere else I'd rather build my life

It's a flag blowin' in the summer wind
Over some fallen hero's grave.
It's America...."

Happy 235th Birthday, America!

Sources: (in order of pictures used) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Verse of the day: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." Psalm 33:12

Perfect Summer Potato Salad

Does anyone remember Red, Hot, And Blue? And how good their potato salad was? Unfortunately it has been closed now for a few years. If you never had it, you sure did miss out! Unless you are like my mother and just gagged at the thought of potato salad, and for that I apologize and you should probably not read the rest of my post. But if you do, get excited, because I finally found a recipe that is the "supposedly" the exact recipe. I tried it a few weeks ago and loved it. Since the 4th of July is tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to share it if you need something to make to bring to a party! So here we go...

Here is what you need (forgot the picture, sorry!)
*4lbs (or more depending on how much you want to make) Red Bliss potatoes
*4 eggs
*1/2 cup finely chopped green onion tops
*1 1/4 cup of mayo
*1 3/4 celery seed - (You know, the stuff you keep your pantry stocked full of. HA! May have to make a special run the store for this!)
*1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
*1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper
(says serves 12 - I'd say 10)

First of all, 1 and 3/4 teaspoon? 1 and 1/4 teaspoon? Really? Who comes up with this. Unless you are baking, it doesn't matter if its exact. Just season to taste!

Start with cutting up the Red Bliss potatoes. Using the Red Bliss potatoes does make a difference. They aren't the small red new potatoes, they are bigger. In the meantime, bring water to a boil. (enough water to cover the potatoes)

I cut mine into slices, slightly bigger than usual because if you cut too small they will turn to mush later. 4lbs is a lot of potatoes so using a regular size saucepan doesn't work. I had to use a really deep one. Bring the potatoes to a boil, and don't run off to far. You don't want to cook them to death because they will for sure be mush then. And there is nothing about mush in this recipe title now is it?

You can also boil your eggs with the potatoes or in a separate saucepan.
Only about 10-12 minutes, so be watching - as soon as you can stick a fork through one, take em out!
And let cool.
Next, chop up the green onions. Go ahead and cut off the white parts and go to town on the green part.
Then, its the eggs turn. Peel the shells and chop chop chop! As big or as small as you would like.
Now its mixing time! In a large bowl, first add the eggs
Next, green onions
Celery seeds - I know it's random, but don't try it without it. It really does make a difference!Mayo, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix GENTLY, but thoroughly!
And enjoy! Easy, huh? Serve room temperature for up to 2 hours, then refrigerate.

Recipe:
Perfect Potato Salad
Ingredients
4 lbs Red Bliss potatoes
4 eggs
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion tops
1 1/4 cup of mayo
1 3/4 celery seed
1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper

Directions:
Slice potatoes into small pieces. Boil the potatoes 10-12 minutes, or until tender. Boil 4 eggs until done. Let eggs and potatoes cool, then peel the eggs. Finely chop up green onions, and eggs. In a large bowl, gently mix eggs, onions, salt and pepper to taste, celery seed, and mayo with potatoes until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate.
Source

Verse of the day: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Pageant Time

It is finally that time of year....


Miss Mississippi pageant time! This is another reason why I like summer. Ever since I can remember I have absolutely loved it. The best thing that ever happened was when a couple of years ago they started live streaming the prelim nights on the Internet (you used to could only see the prelims if you were actually there). That's four nights of pageant in a row!! Woo! This also brings a whole new role in watching it now because I become a judge. Also, when my cousin introduced me to a little ole forum where people talk about this pageant year round, it just took it to a whole new level (but only when people are being nice, and not bashing people - thats not necessary). I love taking notes during the prelims, and then making predictions on who the top 10 is going to be. Last year I was just 2 off I also enjoying watching, and discussing this with my best friends Laurie and Brittany. It has become a tradition over the years. We have a great time with it. So if you care NOTHING about this pageant, pageants in general, or my weird interest with it, I apologize for wasting your time reading this. BUT, if you are like me and this is your thing, here is my top 10 predictions, and I would love to hear what you think. Since we don't get to see the interview portion with the judges, this is based off just what I see in the prelims. Now, I have been known to wrong before, so don't be holding it against me if your friend, favorite, or enemy is or is not on my list. Also, EVERY year there is ALWAYS a surprise someone who sneaks in the top 10 and I love it! But here is mine for now:

Top 10
Shelby Corn –Miss Central Mississippi
Jill Duckworth – Miss University of Southern Mississippi
Chassidy Sumler – Miss Dixie
Mary Maragret Roark – Miss North Central Mississippi
Marie Wicks – Miss Pine Belt/Gulf Coast (This / title is weird. Just pick one)
Kristen Benigno – Miss Hattiesburg
Fenly Akers – Miss Heartland
Chelsea Rick – Miss Metro Jackson
Vaughan Simmons – Miss Deep South
Stephanie Stanford -Miss Delta Blues

Bubbles for top 10
Elyssa Lassiter – Miss Vicksburg
Jessica Terrill – Miss Mississippi State University
Natalie Wood – Miss Southland
Kathrine Barkett – Miss Univeristy

Top 5
Fenly Akers
Chelsea Rick
Kristen Benigno
Shelby Corn
Mary Margaret Roark

Winner – Keeping that one to myself ! :)

Since most of you probably aren’t watching until tomorrow night, I would love to hear your opinions then! Happy Pageant Day!

Verse of the day: "Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and recieve a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11

RN

I haven't posted in weeks because I have been studying my head off for the NCLEX! I knew it would be a distraction so I decided not to blog any until I took the test, which I did last Friday. And, IT. IS. OFFICIAL. I am now a Registered Nurse. I found out Sunday that I had passed. Those two days of waiting were torture, but the excitement and relief when I found out made it worth it. Yup! Molly Morgan, RN. I just cant stop saying it! One of my best friends also recorded me signing my name for the first time with RN behind it. All through nursing school, each semester I would tell people what percentage of a nurse I was. So after first semester I was "1/4 a nurse", then after our first year it was I am "1/2 a nurse". And now it is just RN, and it is official. :) It was kind of a joke and thought was just for me but little did I know this video would end up on YouTube, but thanks Andrew for the keep sake!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtoTAokXQVk

LAME! I know. And I know this newness and excitement will probably wear off so I am enjoying it while it lasts. I cannot wait to find the perfect place for me, as far as a job, so I can start what I have wanted to do for so many years. I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. Except for those times when I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but nursing seemed like more of a challenge for me and something with limitless possibilities. The road to get here was not easy. But I never gave up on my dream. I knew it was what I wanted to do. I know now it is what my calling is, and I know the Lord was with me every single step of the way, because there is no way I could have done it alone. I definitely give Him all the credit that is more than deserved. It is also hard to believe that it is all over. No more late nights studying, no more taking years off my life due to stress, no more "what do I have to make to pass" moments, and no more TESTS! WHAT a relief! I am also so proud of all my classmates! They have been a constant support system, so encouraging, and some of the best people I know. So grateful for each and every one of them. We also were blessed with some really great teachers who really cared about us, wanted us to succeed, and have taught us so much to carry on with us as we start our careers. I think they have a sometimes under appreciated (by some) job, but without them we wouldn't be able to do what we do, so I am thankful for them!

I now look at this point of my life as the beginning of the next chapter of my life, and I am also SO excited for it all. I may not have the perfect boyfriend, currently be engaged, married, or living "the life" like I thought I would at this age. No wait. Like the southern culture thinks I should at this age, that's better. But I am passionately pursuing the cross, and I am following in God's direction for my life, what ever and where ever that may be. I know His plans are far higher than my own, and He has never not been faithful before. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me and I am ready to find out!

Coming soon: More recipes, guest writers, Miss Mississippi pageant week, and the 2012 election.

Verse of the day: "Whoever loves God is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:3

Exodus, Excuses, and Evidence of a Promise

Lately I have been reading through the Old Testament. I really wanted to understand it more, and really take a deeper look into the old familiar stories heard many a summers growing up as a child at vacation bible school. Ahhh and who can forget those VBS songs. Pharaoh, Pharaoh Oh baby! Let my people go! HUH! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! And one of my personal favorites, God told Noah to build him an arky arky. God told Noah to build him an arky arky. Which reminds me of one of my favorite things I ever made at VBS when I was in elementary school, and I still have it today. Not sure why I loved it so much but I did and it was Noah’s ark with some animals. I was so proud of it!

How cute!
Anyways, As I’ve been going through the Old Testament, I just decided to start from the beginning and read it straight through. Right now I am on Exodus. I forgot how exciting the story of Moses is. But it sure wasn’t without trials and frustrations, but also, to me, a clear definition of FAITH. The part that stuck out to me the most started at chapter 3 with Moses at the burning bush. God has appeared to Moses and has told Moses He is sending him to Pharaoh to bring His people out of Egypt.

Starting at verse 11: “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt you will worship God on this mountain.”
God even then proceeds to, how I imagine it, have a 10 minute conversation explaining EXACTLY how this is going to go down, how He will be with Moses, what is going to happen, and what to do. He even gives Moses miraculous signs that he will use so that the Israelites will believe Moses that the Lord had actually appeared to him.

Moses AGAIN tries to come up with another excuse, saying he is “slow of speech and tongue.” Which means Moses may have had a stutter, or maybe a lisp, but some sort of speech problem. Either way, Moses was FREAKING OUT and looking for a way out. A. Because God just appeared to him in a burning bush, proclaiming he is “The God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God is Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Who will ever believe him? And B. Because God has now chosen him to lead His people out of Egypt. SCARY! He was having major doubts about his ability to lead.

(Verse 11)Then the Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, I will help you speak and teach you what to say.”

Now here comes the best part (verse 13). By best I mean worst:

“But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

My first thought was WAIT WHAT? Moses? Are you serious? This is THE big man, God Almighty, you are talking to. He picked you out to lead his people out of Egypt and you just said send someone else to do it? YOU, old man, have LOST YOUR MIND. Then I was forced (as so often this little thing called conviction likes to do) to realize how many times I have done the same thing. How many times I have made excuses not the do what the Lord has called me to do. Nah, just pick someone else to do that. I’m too scared. I can’t do THAT. What a tragedy. How much have I missed out on by making excuses, self-doubting, and being scared? Complete lack of faith that God will be with me in whatever I do, especially with His work. He has promised us over and over again that He will be with us and never leave us. And JUST like He did with Moses, the Lord will be with us always, guiding and directing every step of the way. He gave Moses a way, He gave Moses the words to say, He gave Moses a helper in his brother Aaron, and He told Moses what to do. And He can do the same for us today. All we have to do is trust that and have complete faith in Him, even when times get hard and we start to question, Why? and Are you sure God?
I am reminded of this these verses:

“…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you all the days of your life.” Joshua 1:5

“…Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“..Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So I say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

So let the Lord fight for you today. All you have to do is be still. Trust in Him and His promises that He will be with you always, and know that He is in complete control. Go confidently in whatever direction He has called you. Don't put it off, or ask God to let someone else do it when He has called you to do it! Don't be afraid to take a chance, follow God's plan, because he will bless you greatly for it.