Hanging On to the Word

These are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, "Hanging On," by Britt Nicole:

You see my anxious heart
You see what I am feeling
And when I fall apart
You are there to hold me
How great Your love for me
Now I see what You're thinking
You say I'm beautiful
Your voice is my healing

Without You I just can't get by
So I'm

Hanging on to every word You speak
'Cause it's all that I need
Hanging on to every word You say
To light up my way
Even every little whisper I'm
Hanging on as if it were my life
I'm hanging on

And when the darkness falls
I can't see what's before me
Your voice is like the dawn
Always there to guide me

Without You I just can't get by
So I'm

Hanging on to every word You speak
'Cause it's all that I need
Hanging on to every word You say
To light up my way
Even every little whisper I'm
Hanging on as if it were my life
I'm hanging on

You know me better than I know myself
Better than anybody else
Your love is sounding like a ringing bell
Oh, oh, I won't let go

Hanging on to every word You speak
'Cause it's all that I need
Hanging on to every word You say
To light up my way
Even every little whisper I'm
Hanging on as if it were my life
I'm hanging on

Prayer Requests for yall-- people who are hanging on in different ways-- we all need strength and hope that comes from the Lord and from the Word, and if we hang on to the Word and rely on God, He will "light up our way" and show us His will, peace, and understanding

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7
Abby Smith- little 7 year old girl who lives in Atlanta, and one of my fellow camp counselors babysits her; she was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 23 months old, and she is still fighting; please pray for her battle with low platelets and for her chemo treatments that she just started again
Leigha Barteski- gorgeous girl who has just started a new form of chemo and goes weekly or bi-weekly to get treatments for liver cancer- pray for little/no side effects from the chemo and for the new chemo to be successful
Lauren Haley- she and her sweet family's house was destroyed in the tornado-pray for peace and understanding and also for wisdom during this time- a praise is that they are living in a permanent house that is fully-furnished!
Anna King- awesome good friend of mine who is from pleasant grove and has had some family members and friends affected by the tornado disaster, also for her cousin, who is battling leukemia
Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Tuscaloosa, Jasper, other areas affected by the tornado- provision from the Lord for them, both with tangible goods and help from the community in rebuilding, etc.; also, wisdom, peace, and comfort for the families
Kate McRae- beautiful 5 year old girl whose page I randomly came across through another girl, Libby's blog; Libby just finished chemo a few months ago for the same cancer I had, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and she is completely healed- praise the Lord! but, Kate was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has been fighting for 2 years; she just started chemo again and is losing her hair that she's had for a little while now, so please pray for that; also, just pray for strength for her little body and pray that the chemo will kill the cancer cells for good!
Kirsten- my boyfriend Matt's mom knows her mom, who teaches at the same school as her; Kirsten is in 7th grade and has a rare type of tumor; please pray for the doctors to figure out the best way to treat her and for her to rely on the Lord during this time- middle school is rough enough already!
Perrin Thompson- such an encouraging girl who goes to Furman and knows a lot of girls I work with at camp, has a beautiful spirit; just found out that she has 3 months of no chemo- praise the Lord for that break! please pray for wisdom for the doctors in deciding the next steps to take, and for a miracle with her kidney cancer
2011 graduates- economic troubles, wisdom and making the Lord's will clear to them, finding security in Christ when everything may be uncertain

Today was a CRAZY day, but a really good day. So much change is happening so fast, and it's hard to take in quickly. My boyfriend, Matt, graduated today, along with many of my close friends. They are going out into the real world, and that can be so scary. Also, as of today, I'm a senior in college! It's hard to believe, and this year has definitely been a little bit of a blur. But, God has taught me so much patience and trust in His sovereignty and faithfulness this year. It's amazing what you can learn from experiences. God works in and through you in every experience in your life if you look to Him and allow Him to move in them. I love that cancer is a part of my testimony now, and I would never want to change how things are because I know that they happened for a reason, and it made me stronger as a person and as a Christ-follower. Having cancer gave me a little glimpse of the sufferings of Christ, and that opened my eyes to how wonderful the gift of salvation is. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God gives us salvation as a free gift! We don't have to work to receive our salvation, and we can rest in the fact that our Lord and Savior has plans, and they are perfect. They might include suffering, but there will also be many blessings along with that suffering.

Eccelsiastes 3:1 says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Sometimes, there will be suffering in your life. Other times, you might feel lost and confused, heart-broken, unloved, weak, uncertain, stressed. BUT, other times we will feel so much joy and love and hope and peace and comfort in the Lord, and we can rest in that. We can always find those feelings within our suffering and stress, etc. if we look to the Lord, pray, and trust in His promises of faithfulness. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." Satan tricks us into thinking that we shouldn't have to suffer with Christ, and that his path is better than the Lord's. But, the Lord promises to deliver us from the storms ("call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me" Psalm 50:15). Let's all have the faith of Job, and in every situation of change, uncertainty, or suffering, trust the Lord and rejoice even when everything we treasure and in everything with which we find security is taken away from us. Whether you're worrying about finding a job, maintaining relationships after graduation, fighting an illness, or just feel like your world is spinning, we can all find peace in the Lord in these times. Psalm 37:7 says to be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, and Romans 8:28 says that everything works together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. Rest in that truth, and hang on to that Word!

Life can be scary and tough, but remember, we are not made for this world."If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -- C.S. LEWIS

P.S. Camp countdown: 17 days! Can't wait to spend time with campers and worship the Lord for 9 weeks!! It was hard for me to leave school, but I know that I'm going to LOVE camp and that God has me there for a reason, and He's going to do some great stuff at Greystone this summer!! :)

A Proverbs 31 Woman

Happy Mother's Day!! I should be studying right now, but I just wanted to make a little tribute to the most wonderful mother I know: my mom, Deede Kleimeyer. My mom has always been amazing. Growing up, she has always been so encouraging to me in whatever I did. Her sweet smile and fun-loving personality, goofiness, and contagious laugh are just a few of her good qualities. I respect my mom for who she is, and that is a woman who loves the Lord and whose light shines in everything she does, especially in her role as a mother to me. But, everyone who knows my mom loves her: she has a bubbly personality and a heart for people that everyone loves and appreciates. Whenever someone tells me that I look like my mom or that I'm a lot like her, I definitely take that as a compliment because I think she is one of the most beautiful people God has made, both inside and out. This year, I've gone through some hard times with my mom by my side, and I hope she knows how much I appreciate everything she has done for me, and how much I loved that she was always with me, even if it meant hours and hours of driving for her. Most of the time she was with me this year, I was not feeling too well, and she served me and was always there. I am so thankful for that because I know this year was hard for her too. Cancer was a part of both of our lives, of our family's life, and we can thank God that He has healed me and our family does not have to fight it anymore. My mom has so much joy and energy that she spreads to everyone around her, and I have seen that firsthand for the 21 years I have been her daughter. God is so faithful and blesses us so much, and I am so blessed to have a mom who exemplifies the woman of God in Proverbs 31. She is so great, and she serves the Lord as a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a woman of God! The bold words are characteristics based on the verses, and they also define my mom. I love you so much! :)

The Proverbs 31 Woman

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.  (rare, precious)
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (trustworthy)
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. (kind)
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. (works joyfully)
She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. (goes extra mile)
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. (disciplined)
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. (enterprising, prudent with money)
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (energetic)
She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night. (good steward)
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. (diligent) She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. (compassionate, generous)She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (provident)
She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. (elegant)
Her husband is known in the gates,when he sits among the elders of the land. (influential)
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. (industrious)
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. (poised)
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (wise)
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. (manages her home)
Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: (praiseworthy)
"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all." (distinguished) Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. (God-fearing)
Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (honored)
Proverbs 31:10-31