The Ever After Lady-T.E.A.L.

www.theeverafterlady.com

More info to come--this has been the great project of my last two years of college!

The Ever After Lady (T.E.A.L.) will be an online social media community for women that have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. 

Every woman deserves to live happily ever after!! 

Stay tuned for our new, interactive website! 

~Alexa    

A Turbulent Heart

Yesterday I had the opportunity to serve on the "Student Panel" for High Point University' Admissions event, Presidential Scholarship Weekend. One young man in the crowd asked me a question that in the past, I had routinely answered without pause. He stated, "What was the toughest for you about the transition from highschool to college?" In the past, I had immediately responded, "not having my family close by", "meeting a new group of friends", or "being in a new environment." Instead, yesterday, I responded differently. And I said something-that at the time- did not make sense to me. I woke up this morning wondering why I said it, and where it even came from.
"You know, I believe the most important aspect of the transition is having a contentment of knowing where you are-and understanding that you will be in this new environment for four years. Know where you are, and thrive in it for four years. "
I think it is very interesting how often the words we speak are the ones that WE need to hear-not our audience. I had never said anything like that before to someone when they asked about college life. I continually create a lack of contentment within me- and continually find myself anxious for the future.

This morning I was reading a chapter in one of my favorite books of the Bible, Isaiah 40. It discusses comfort for God's people, that is guaranteed when we are in the grasp of our Lord. I noticed multiple verses that mention a common theme...

"Make straight the desert a highway for our God" (v. 3)
" Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low, and the uneven ground shall become level" (v. 4)
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (v. 5)

Isn't it so true that often our hearts feel one of two ways- like we are in the desert-thirsting for something more to quench the overwhelming desire we have within us. Or, we feel as though our hearts are turbulent-filled with mountains and valleys (sometimes within a 24 hour period!) and laden with uneven ground.

Just as roads transform rocky, sandy, shaky desert ground to solid highways, and turbulent hearts become stable and level, our Lord will do a work within us in the same manner.

He is the steadier of our hearts, the One who smooths the terrain, and the One who calms the violent emotions that take place within us every day.  This is how he comforts us! Often, He doesn't comfort us simply by throwing joy at us-maybe he comforts us by the steadying of our hearts, and smoothing  the rocky nature of our emotions.

The mouth of the Lord has spoken to his people, and continues to speak into our hearts every day. 

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Philippians 4:11-12 

The Lord God Almighty-with strength and power that we cannot fathom takes the time to mold our hearts and steady them. How beautiful is the image of the Lord, that shaped us and formed us, continues to take the time every moment of every day to speak truth to our souls. He does not tire, he does not grow weary, even when his followers do. He does not lose heart when our Hearts lost focus, grow dry or grow turbulent. 

Allow your heart to be steadied by Him. It is His beautiful way of comforting us. 

Contentment is found in the understanding of permanence. Even though we will not be found permanently on this earth, we can stay content where we are because of the over-arching, permanent, steadiness found in Him. 

My Unexpectadly Remarkable Summer

Yes, I will admit it...I will never forget that soon-to-be-summer day. I sat organizing food for the snack bar at my highschool, happy as ever, waiting for the annual Powderpuff game. The day swiftly turned for me though...with three words: "Dr. Kiley called."
I had been going to the doctor often...almost every day, actually. Test after test, needle after needle, it wasn't very pleasant to say the least. But I prayed..it truly is the only thing that keeps the filled mind at rest. As I sat in the waiting room of the oncology offices at Kaiser Morse Avenue, I felt something. My knees were shaking and my palms were cold. I definately did not want to be at this lifeless place. They attemted to lighten up the room with happy sayings and little brightly colored wristbands, but it truly is difficult to let your impending discouragement and never ending thoughts to settle, and be elevated by the colors and wristbands. I needed something more. Something to ease the tension for solely that one day. I had to be strong.
The usual weight, height and blood pressure tests were occuring, but I cannot even remember that. All I wanted was to see my doctor, who know appeared to be a father considering the amount of times I had looked him in the eye. He sat down on the crackly paper on the bed and did not have the encouraging face I was desperate to see.
The summer of 2008 was an obstacle I could have never expected to encounter. But I learned something. God is NEVER failing. At the lowest of lows in the doctor's office that say I told you I felt something. I sensed God's grip on me throught the hot summer days in Granite Bay.
He is my stabilizer, my listener, my supporter, and my redeeemer. I have always been a among people of the church. But I can truly say for the first time, I am a follower and disciple. The insurmountable love I felt from God day after day in the months of July and August will be a constant reminder of his never failing presence. I have always heard that God seems to be asked for when the times are tough...and yes I do know I can only be another person that supports that theory.
Was God challenging me? Was he testing me? Was he showing others my strength? Or was he only showing himself to me in a way he knew I would have open eyes and ears to see him. Whatever the case may be, God was and is with me. I trust that he will constantly be there, and I am now on a mission. To feel his presence when the times are not so tough, and to serve him until the day I leave this earth to be with him.
The questions at the beginning of the summer mainly consisted of "Why me?", but now I am hearing myself say, "Thank you, God". Thank you pushing me to the depths of earthly despair only to revel in the light and hope of the salvation you provide us. It must be part of God's plan that I am healthy now. And of course I am grateful, and I feel strong-physically and spiritually.
The summer of 2008 was one of remarkability. My continuous struggle to be perfect was for once succumbed by my God. I feel at peace and empowered more than I ever would have felt on my own. As I walked into the doctor's office for another precautionary exam, I felt your hands gripping my shoulders-letting me lead the way, but feeling your comfort and guidance.
Thank you Lord for letting me experience you at such a young age, and let me walk with and for you forever.