Return of the Hobbit

Hello again!
It has been awhile! So much has happened since I last wrote! I'll dive right in, but first.... I am back! I am going to set aside time to write now so the posts won't be so far apart!
I am married now! Huge change there, eh? Looking back at my posts I've noticed the many single pringle posts... All has changed now! I married the love of my life, and...since I'm sure I'll post about him ever so often... ;) I'll actually give you his name...Max! Normally I like to keep names off of the blog for privacy and security, but he's apart of this now... why not??
We did have a miscarriage. Good and Bad has happened. We don't know how far along we were, or the gender either. It wasn't far at all. But both of us feel like it was a girl. That's just our "feeling." No one except God knows for sure. We felt so detached naming it "Baby Jeffries" or things along that line, so we named it. Kaylee Quinn. Both of us are hoping and praying we will have another soon. But precious Kaylee will always and forever remain in our hearts and thoughts.
Life has had us all over the place. Max is a surveyor, so he's been going on 10 day trips frequently for work. I've been able to go with him the past couple trips. That has been nice for sure! We missed each other too much when we were apart before! We've been on so many adventures since we got married!
We had the opportunity to go to Senoia, GA: the site they film the show 'The Walking Dead.' Both of us loved that! We are both huge fans of the show, so it was great seeing where they filmed it!
We've also spent a lot of time at the beach! We've been to Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island. Sunrises on the beach were a dream come true! It has been pretty romantic!
As you could probably see, a lot of stuff has happened. There's even more, but some things are just not right for the whole world to see. Speaking of, I've had the chance to see what countries you guys are from! It is amazing to me that some of you are from far off countries such as Italy, France, and Russia! It blesses my heart to know that I've been able to "speak" to ya'll in some way and fashion. I wish I could meet all of you, but alas, that may never happen. I'll stop ranting now!
See ya'll again soon!!

Personal Update: 12/9/2016

It's hard to believe it.... almost 2017!! So much has happened this year. From now on I am going to divide my posts into sections. Some of them will be life updates, and others will be devotionals. Make it easier for me... and hopefully for you all as well!

Ok... so.... shocker (I know) I moved out again. This time for good. I am staying with a friend and her husband. They have been amazing, going above and beyond what they even needed to do.

I have a new job as a waitress. I love it. For the most part. There are bad days, but that's every job! Everyone is helping me learn and grow.

Family...... the same. We are a little better... a little closer. But there is still dissension going on. A lot of it is my fault. Forgiveness and humility is what we need prayer for.

Friends.... gone, gone, gone!! Just kidding! Y'all know me. I have a couple good friends. I need to work on the whole shy thing. Be more outgoing. Any other introverts out there??

Relationships...???? SKIP!!!!!!

There really isn't anything else to update with. So that's all for now. Goodnight to you all!!

For the Weary and Doubting

Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Every day life is filled with stress of various levels and types. With all the anxiety this world has to offer, it is easy to become weary. To lay in bed at night, worried about how this next bill is going to get paid. Finances, health, friends, family, relationships, education and so much more just lead to a boat load of stress. There are good days and bad days....

But...what about the bad? What happens when you have to borrow money again so you can eat? When you can't sleep because you are worried about finals.... It is my belief that weariness is the result of fear and anxiety. But what do we do with it?

Honestly... it gets really hard to write this kind of posts. For me... I am going through this right now. And I'm just a bit tired of telling myself... and others to just give it all to God. It isn't an easy choice. Nor is it one easily made! Often times.... it gets hard to believe He really is there...

BUT... He is. He is right here. We may not see him, and we may not always feel like He is. It's in these moments of our life... when the devil leads us to doubt... that our faith is strengthened. Because that's what the cure is too this wretched world of sin, pain, and anxiety. Faith.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

When you get in those moments of doubting... of weariness... cast it all on Him. Go to the One who makes all things new. Personally, it helps to take some time alone. No phone... no distractions. Just you and God. I love to bring a journal with me when I pray. Mom taught me during high school to use a prayer journal. Writing to God really helps me.

Prayer-- Dear Father, please help me to do your will today. To lean on you when it gets hard. Strengthen my faith that I may share your good news with others. Help me not to doubt. --Amen

Psalm 62:1, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him."

November 5, 2016

I am sitting here in my comfortable pajamas with a glass of Dr. Pepper beside me. Here goes. A homeschooled hobbit is back!!

Ok. First off. Since I am no longer...homeschooled...or at least...in school: I need a new name for the blog! So...any ideas?? Because this girl is scatter brained to say the least. Shoot me a message if you have any ideas! I'd love to hear them. May even start a new poll...hmmm...

Alright now on to the important stuff. I am so sorry I have been absent for so long. The last post I did was during a really rough day for me. I feel like I owe ya'll a bit of an explanation...especially since you have been here by my side for 2 years now. A little more than that actually....

I dated a guy...and things didn't work out. I really thought I could say more on the subject...but I guess I'm still not ready. But let's just say it was an amazing experience while it lasted, and its end has deeply affected me. The good news though. We are still friends. And we probably will be for a good, long while. Even though it didn't work out, I am thankful for this friendship.

I have moved home. Coming back to North Georgia has been...interesting. The change in climate, relationships, churches, homes, jobs...everything...has been a bit hectic. I am just a tad bit exhausted. Sleeping and eating has been very difficult to stick with. Last night Bilbo, our dog, was up until 3 am crying...and then back at it around 6. Thankfully Mom let me go back to sleep. I slept off and on before finally getting up around 1.

Good news: I got a job at Subway down the street. If I walk, it is only 2.5 hours of walking, if my parents can give me a ride, it takes 12 minutes. So pray I get a car soon. They really need a bus stop closer to my house!

Right now there is a lot of uncertainty in my life. I don't know how long I am going to be in this home, what job I am going to have permanently, if I am going to have enough money to keep myself afloat? But isn't every day like that? How long am I going to be alive? How long until I get married? How long until these flashbacks leave? How long until I overcome this? How long?

Honestly all of those questions tend to make me either stressed....or fearful. You have two choices. One...you can just get depressed, curl into a little ball, and give up.... Or two! You can fight! Face your fear! Challenge it! Cry out to your Father...the one who will never leave you. Whatever you are facing...be it health, finances, family, grief, pain, abuse...the list goes on...give it to Him. The one who holds you in His heavenly arms. Cry out to Him. He is the only one who can satisfy those longing desires of your heart.

"A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it..." J.R.R. Tolkien The Children of Hurin.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me..." Psalm 23:4

"...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control." 2 Timothy 1:7

Whatever your fear is...whatever you are facing right now...you don't have to do it on your own. He is here. With you right now. He doesn't care what you've done. He only cares about you....and what His promise is for you if you will only choose to follow Him. To believe. He gave all...so that you may live. John 3:16

Sometimes it gets hard. Even for a Christian. What I fear the most...are flashbacks. And nightmares. There are some things from my past that I really struggle with. But when they play through my head...when I relive them...sometimes I just really wish it would end. But there is hope. It won't always be like this. What happened in my past...what I struggle with...it wasn't my fault. No matter how much you...or others blame yourself...the truth is what matters. That is what I am fighting for. That is why I am still here.
The truth
Pure...blatant honesty.

Depressed

Honestly today I started out feeling depressed. Then it just gradually got worse and worse. I finally just ran to God and cried out to him, almost screaming. An extraordinary amount of pain was going through me, clenching my heart. I felt like such a failure. Heartbroken and crushed. I'm not going into details about what happened right now...it is too soon.

Do you ever have days like that? Where you physically feel like you just can't take it anymore. When the devil, and yes I believe that it is the devil that speaks those awful words, tells you that you are unwanted, a mistake....That is an ongoing battle for me. This depression. Where is God in the midst of this storm? Why does He allow us to go through that? These are questions I desperately hope to help answer in this entry.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." One of the most difficult questions Christians are asked is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" There is no clear answer that we can really give...only God knows the full answer. Romans 3:12, "All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." Thus....we are all sinners. So there really aren't good people. A friend of mine once told me...sometimes God allows bad things to happen because it grows our faith. Encourages our walk. Honestly, I think that is true. I always grow closer to the Lord during trying times. The good times too...but the harder times are...the closer I feel.

God is right by your side....during the good times and bad. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Even though family, friends, etc might turn their back...He will never leave you nor forsake you. I know it gets hard to believe that...trust me I do. Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths." Deuteronomy 31:8, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Psalms 9:9, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Dear child of God, do not let this world and its problems get you down. Don't take on the stress and problems of the world on your shoulders alone. God is there. Reach out to Him. Cry out to Him. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son....so that whoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." What you are going through...whatever it is...give it to the Lord.

Going Live for Ya'll

Wow...almost a thousand page views. I can't thank you guys enough. Today at 2:30 eastern time, I am doing a broadcast. Just a little catch up for ya! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christiansherwholkien/2016/09/18/brie-is-giving-a-life-update-3
That is the website if you want to join me! If you call in, I would LOVE it. It would be so cool to hear from some of the people I've spent several years with. I love you all and will be back to writing soon! <3

Graduation Speech

So I decided to give you guys my graduation speech since you guys probably won't be there. Here you go!! :)

Hi everyone. So there is only one proper way to start a speech: I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

I first wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming. Two of you came all the way from Hawaii, and the rest of you drove a great distance or took time off work to come. That really means a lot. But you guys have done a lot more than what you did today. You have all been there for me and I love all of you. You all hold a special place in my heart and I pray for you often. Mom and Dad, you’ve been there for me every step of the way, from crying on your bed at night thinking I’d never get done, to staying up till midnight encouraging a forever procrastinator. The greatest thing you have given me though, is showing me the Gospel and lighting the match to my relationship with Jesus. I’ve loved watching your strong relationship, even though I called it gross when I was little, and realizing that one day I want to have that relationship with my future husband. And if God doesn’t have a husband for me, your love for the Lord has really shown me that life as a single pringle for Jesus is awesome.

My siblings. Boy you guys sure have had to bear the brunt of everything. Noah and Luke, you will always be my Aragorn and Gimli. I know we get into fights...a lot, but I know that you guys will be and always have been there for me in a heartbeat. My sisters are literally my own fan club. You guys are constantly there, asking if there’s anything you can do, I can do, and when are we going to hang out next? There’s always a hug available and I love ya’ll.

My friends. Mellonamin. You guys sure have a lot of patience to put up with me. You’ve seriously been my shoulders to cry on and a joy to laugh with. Girls, you sure have been there in the broad subject of boys. Thank you for being there when Mr. Wickham walked out of my life and Mr. Darcy never made an apparent entrance. Your quiet listening and then speaking truth from God’s word have really blessed my heart. I’ve loved studying the Bible together, working, and playing together. The few brave guys in my life. I sure have messed up a lot. Thank you for not making it awkward and just being regular friends. There were some weird moments, but mostly it’s just been good, solid friendships. I am so thankful for your Godly examples and wisdom.

Thank you extended family for being there from sitting with my mom through 40 hours of labor, to babysitting, teaching, and Godly counsel and love. Thank you cousins for giving me a fiery imagination. Turning me into a geek. Or nerd. Whatever you like. Thank you for including me in games even though I was the only girl.

I don’t want to drag out the thank yous, but I want you all to know that I love each and every one of you and think of you often.

I wanted to talk a little about perseverance. Every day on planet Earth requires perseverance. All through my high school career people having been telling me, “Persevere!” “You can do it!” “Read Philippians 4:13!” But it’s honestly really hard to hear one thing, and put it into motion.

2005 was the hardest year of my life because Mama, Papa, and Grandfather all passed away. I didn’t know the Lord at this time of my life and it really dragged me under. Nothing seemed real, I was SURE that Mama and Papa were going to walk through the door one day, I jumped if I saw someone wearing Papa’s shirt. It didn’t compute to my seven year old mind. Yesterday was the 11th anniversary of Mama’s death. It’s still hard, but I know that they are so proud right now and love me. Plus they’re in the best place ever, so they’re probably having a party right now. As tough as that year was, I think that 2015 might have been a close second or tie. This past year God really spoke to me what it really means to persevere. He drew me closer to Himself. This graduation is all because of His love and mercy. This isn’t a “What Gabrielle has done,” But “Just look at what God has done!” Satan just loves to throw bricks. He’s like, “Surprise! You’ve got a surgery in September and Depression! What is God going to do about that?” What do you do in those moments? Me? Oh I messed up. I fell away from the Lord a bit during that time. I was in a dark place. I curled into myself and lashed out at others while keeping my true emotions and pains hidden. At this point I started to listen to some popular Christian music. I didn’t really hear the words. I felt all alone. And if you listen to most Christian music today, you’ll know that a lot can put too much emphasis in the beat then lyrics. One day I stumbled onto a Skillet song. I'm at war with the world and they

Try to pull me into the dark

I struggle to find my faith

As I'm slippin' from your arms

It's getting harder to stay awake

And my strength is fading fast

You breathe into me at last

Slap. Wake up call! One of my favorite quotes is this, ““I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Perseverance is not giving up. It is pressing on towards a goal. For a Christian, it is following my Lord and Savior. Sometimes it gets hard. I feel alone. So I try to “become alone.” I shirk my relationship with the Lord and dwell in human comforts. But see, you’re never alone. You don’t have to persevere on your home. Sure, life is hard. But one person will never leave you. Or forsake you.

Guys, coasting on your own doesn’t work. A friend reminded me of that the other day and that really hit home. But it honestly doesn’t. So what does God want you to do when the devil’s got you by the throat, and every step feels like you’re carrying dead weight? Give it to the Lord. It took me too long to really sit down and give it to God. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19. He really is there. God has time for you. He is your Father, and loves you deeply.

I love you all and again thank you for coming.