andeemichelle

When it comes to directions, I'm the worst of the worst. I literally cannot get anywhere past 30 minutes (usually) without using my GPS on my iPhone. When it comes to life in general, this may sound even more terrible at my age, BUT... I don't know where I'm going. You see, after 3 years of not being in school, and while working full-time, I decided to go back to school. The reason why? I never technically graduated. THERE. I SAID IT. When I transferred into Rowan University in the Fall of 2009, I was ready. Ready to be at a 4 year university, ready to pursue my dreams, ready to learn. I found out that I lost a whole year of credits, (they since have passed a law about how many credits universities have to take) but that did not stop me. As I started my classes, I began realizing I didn't like what I thought I did. So like many colleges students, I switched majors, and with that, lost a whole year of credits...again. Still, I would not be stopped. I loved learning abo...

Tomorrow is the day. August 5th. It is my 27th birthday. Twenty-seven means I'm labeled as being in my "late twenties". Twenty-seven may have a lot of labels, but for me, I'm choosing to celebrate every moment on my special day, and every day forward. At 26, I thought back on my year, reflecting on the finer moments, and the not-so-fine moments. There were tears of joy, tears of heartache, moments of frustration, moments of complete and utter peace. As 27 approaches, I'm choosing to celebrate. About two weeks ago, I lost my grandfather. He was 89.5 years old. Over the last couple of years he would share with me how he had absolutely no regrets in his life. He was a Navy man, an engineer, served at the church for decades. He had a marriage that lasted 61 beautiful years until my beloved grandma left him for eternity. He had a trailer at a campground down the shore, and many family memories were made there. He encouraged, inspired, convicted, and loved generousl...

We've all somewhere along the line have heard the phrase "Only God can judge me" (which sometimes is followed by a not so wise decision). As this whole Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner thing has come about...I've thought of this phrase more and more. Don't ya know, there's a little more to it? Not only can God ONLY judge me, but God and God alone is the one who will judge EVERYONE else.  So I'm pretty sure that that means, it is not our job to judge. Hear that people, IT IS NOT OUR JOB. What is our job is to love people, point them to the Gospel, and pray for them.  My thought is: Why are we so quick to judge others, and the way they live their lives? Do we really know these people? These celebrities? Just because they are constantly in the media, and the media provides us with certain information, does not make us friends with them. We KNOW OF them, but we do not actually KNOW them, there is a huge difference.  I think that somewhere along the line, we as  Chri...

So it begins. Summer 2015. Like most Jersey folk, I kicked off (and will probably end) the season at my favorite spot: 7th Avenue in North Wildwood. There's just something about the beach, and for me, I finally figured out what it is. Reflection.  Sometimes, (okay, maybe most of the time) when I go to the beach, I go solo. Conflicting schedules over the years have caused this, and by no means will that stop be from getting to my happy place. Solo trips have led me to a place of contentment, relaxation, and reflection. While on the beach this weekend, this verse popped into my head: Matthew 6: 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I'd be a liar if I admitted I had no worries. As 27 quickly approaches, I worry about some things: switching jobs, finding an apartment, marriage, finances. Mostly, I just think about life. Am I living it to the full? Jesus gave me that freedom, as it says in J...

Alright friends, it's time to drop some truth on ya. I hope you're ready..here it comes! Being a Christian is the hardest, freeing, and craziest thing I have ever chosen to do. Still with me? This is going to be one of the most honest blogs I've written to date, and I need y'all to get this. When I say I am a Christian, that means that Jesus is the most important thing to me. I try to live my life as a reflection of His. No human being is perfect, and I am going to make mistakes, so please do not judge me as I make mine. That being said: No, I'm not going to judge you if you tell me you're pregnant and not married, living with someone before you're married, have had sex before you're married, if you're gay or a lesbian, if you drink (I happen to like a glass of Moscato here and there), or if you have tattoos (I have 2, and am about to get a 3rd). Judging is not my job. If you feel that way before you have even talked to me, then I sincerely apolo...

Today I was having a nice conversation with one of my best friends about none other than dating and boys. As we were talking, I found a meme that says "Bae has everything on my list, except being a Christian" - along with a picture of a cute baby making a funny face. I was having a similar conversation earlier with my bestie from work, we decided if there was any a time to play the "Jesus card" as a Christian, it's when it comes to dating. As we talked about boys, I had a few things come to mind that I'd like to share with all my single ladies (all my single ladies...)! 1- Jesus looks at you and loves you. He doesn't try to change you in any way, He tells you to come as you are. Your man of God should be no different. There should be no, I'd love to date you, BUT...! Once you hear that, move on. He's not the one for you. 2- Jesus pursues you, and is patient. These are two super important qualities in my opinion. Having a man that pursues yo...

So one of the things that's been on my heart to write about lately is something I feel as though a lot of us, if not all of us can relate to. Remember going through elementary school, middle school, high school, and college trying to maintain a group of friends? Well, sometimes, as you grow older, you realize that you cannot always do that. Sometimes life just happens. People drift apart. It's a reality. Maybe you're single and all your friends are in relationships or married. Maybe your friends are having kids, and you're not quite there yet. Maybe, you're just separated geographically due to jobs you've landed. Either way, you're changing. You're growing up...and sometimes that means growing apart. At first, it can be a gradual, slow process. Not communicating with them as much. Being too busy with school/work/significant other or children to plan a get together or a video chat. In the beginning, you try to make it work. You try to text/call have a...

We all have fears. We all have insecurities. It's one thing to know we have them, it's another how we deal with them.  As a young woman in her mid 20's, I'm starting to learn more and more about myself. I'm learning that I'm more of an outgoing introvert than an extrovert. I'm learning that I'd rather read or go on an outdoor adventure than watch TV or a movie. I'm learning that it's okay to share my hardships. Most importantly, I'm learning that it doesn't matter what people think of my outer appearance.  1 Samuel 16:7 says this:  The  Lord  does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,  but the  Lord  looks at the heart. I recently sat down with a good friend of mine to just catch up on life, and what we feel the Lord has been teaching us. As I began to tell her my struggles as of late, having to do with my skin, she stopped me and said something I replay in my mind every single day. She said,...

About a year ago, I wrote a blog post about singleness. Typical 2014. As I grew (spiritually, cause I will be 5 feet tall forever) over the year, I had a thought more than once that I would like to share. Ladies and gentlemen, I believed I lied to y'all. I am in fact in a relationship, one that I believe we tend to over look, or take lightly as we say we are in it. Before you read any further, know that these are my thoughts and opinions on this matter. Feel free to agree or disagree. I'm in a relationship with Jesus. When you say this, do you mean it, do you feel it? I'm not talking about believing in him, because it is more than that. A relationship is work, and the one you have with Jesus is no different. He pursues us, desires us, listens to us, just outright loves us, and expects that from us as well. So as this year starts out, I would like to reflect on this. Try not to take this too literal. When someone asks me if i'm single, I do say yes. At the same tim...