How sweet it is to be liked by you....

Adrian Edward Daugherty. Yep that's his name! I've been waiting to blog about him, until the time seemed fitting. And right now it definitely is!! So u wanna know how, when, and why? I'm happy to share our story, to those of you who aren't in our everyday lives and don't know firsthand how we became us, I'm glad to share :) beginning of June 2010 I come across Adrian's facebook, and I'm like "hey i remember him! And he loves Jesus!" so I added him as a friend. It's encouraging to see people from high school living Godly lives, and have a passion to serve our wonderful maker. So from that point forward we started getting to know eachother by writing long messages and even sharing prayer requests with eachother. He was always so funny, and intriguing... He was like a good book I couldn't stop reading. Then July comes around, and life gets real rough at home. Pops gets diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and everything around me stops... I was a wreck. My trust in the lord was weak, and I feared the future. I didn't message Adrian for a few weeks because the thought of anything good during this time was selfish... And one day, when I was at my lowest I get a message from him. It was this beautiful song called "my hope" and I can't remember the artists name but the song was so moving. And i thought to myself wow, such sweet encouragement from someone i hardly know. And even then i waited to respond to him. Until the night before my pops had his surgery. I just asked him for prayer and that for some reason I had peace being able to confide in him, that i needed support.... I know now that it was gods amazing peace that lead me to trust him and that is where it began. We started talking on the phone, texting and skyping almost in a desperate way of getting to Know one another. Adrian says that he felt "deprived" of me and so learning about one another was incredible and wonderful and something i love looking back on. I waited a long time for this... For a godly man I wouldn't be compromising with, for someone who was not only a spiritual leader but challenged me spiritually, and God in His faithful ways brought us together. He's my best friend and not a day goes by that I don't thank god for him. What I find most attractive is his willingness to listen to his call to youth ministry, and that he serves it with all his heart. We are simply enjoying what god has done in our lives, we recognize that God is all powerful and has a plan, and we know that when Christ is the center, He is magnified and that is our goal. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been encouraging to us through this and for all the prayers too. I'm so blessed and I know that Gods plans are perfect. I hope I didn't get too sappy, but I've been wanting to share this incredible blessing with u all. I pray that I will always remember what life was like before god put him in my life and that though Christ was more than satisfying for me, that i wouldn't ever take this for granted. Love you guys :) rejoice in the Lord always, for He is soooo good!

Joy

"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:7-8
Im rejoicing tonight. actually this week was full of joyous times, and im blessed to share them with you. Pops had his PET scan monday, Tuesday got his PICC line and Thursday was his first dose of Chemo. Each appointment went so good. The tech who did his PET scan noticed he had a Calvary chapel men's conference shirt on and ended up praying together before the procedure. Then when he got his PICC line in, pops brought up God and how He has been his strength through all of this and the Rn performing the procedure used to go to CCWG, which is our church! God is so good, it was so encouraging that even though I couldn't be with him during his appointments, God was providing comfort for him through these people. and thursday was the best day of them all. after reviewing his PET scan the Dr. decided to change his chemo plan. Originally he was to get chemo for 7 weeks, one week off, then 3 weeks, then a week off then 3 again and one off and so forth.... his new schedule is 3 weeks on, one off x 3 and then another PET scan to see how we're doing. This is great news because the PET scan revealed awesome results and he hasnt even had treatment until this thursday. GOD IS HEALING him of his ailments and i know its because of all of my faithful friends and family who have continually LOVED us through prayer during this time. Prayer changes things and Im in awe of what God has done already through this trial. He continually amazes me day by day, im amazed. Lord how marvelous you are!!! So, thank you for praying, thank you for loving us, thank you for being encouraging to me and to my dad. WE LOVE YOU. My dad loves you and is forever grateful. PS... if you havent added him on facebook please do it! because he updates pretty much daily, on his progress and he would love to be your friend especially if you have been praying for him.

Our God is greater....

Tonight seems fitting to write about how much I am blessed. To say I am blessed is a understatement to how I feel, but God is so amazing I am really speechless. I have a few things I want to share with you all. First being great news about my Dad. Today he met with the oncologist for the first time, and we are humbled by the incredible news. His cancer is in the second stage, and only localized in the lymph nodes. Best news is that it is treatable, and with extensive chemo, he has a great prognosis! He starts chemo in a few weeks, and it will be once a week for 7 months with periods of rest. How awesome is our God? honestly we couldnt have asked for a better outcome. This is so encouraging for us to hear, and we are forever praising our gracious Lord for the time He is giving us as family, and the opportunity for my Dad to continue serving Him on this earth. We were praying for Gods will to be done, but of course our prayers were specific for him to be completely healed. And He is faithful to answer our prayers in ways only He can make sense of.
Dad, you are my best friend. I love the time we have shared together the last 2 years, and how much closer we have become. Moving down here to live with you and pursue my schooling was the best decision, I look back at all our fun times just hanging out and all the times you have been my shoulder to cry on, my encourager, and my Dad. Your a great father, and watching you grow in Christ has been so encouraging and I know you will continue following Him the rest of your time on earth. It was hard growing up away from you, and only seeing you every other weekend was difficult. But no matter what, you were always my daddy and I knew I could always lean on you for comfort. And I did! all the times I called you in frustration about life, and when I was hurting from a bad relationship you were always there for me to dry my tears and to remind me that I was special, even when I didnt feel like I was. Thank you for loving me Dad, and for being strong in all of this. Your so brave, I've crumbled so many times in this trial and you have stood strong, acknowledging that God has a perfect plan. Im so thankful for the extra time God is giving us, I love you!! My other exciting news is going to have to wait till my next blog... all I can say is God is good, and faithful when you abide in Him, and acknowledge Him in all your ways!

Sweet sweet times....

What an amazing week so far... Dad is healing so wonderfully, hes walking so much and changing his own bandages, and EATING REAL FOOD!!! yay!!! Tomorrow he gets his staples removed and his last abdominal drain removed!!! Today has been awesome. My dad turned 53 today! secrets out pops :] I just really love him, his heart is so humble and he feels blessed by all the love and support you are all giving to us during this time. Things you can be praying for: Our appt. with the oncologist, (which is a cancer specialist) to discuss options for treatment, and that we make the best decision for dads situation. Also for patience for me, that i stay diligent in my school work, and I remember to TRUST in our awesome God, and not lean on my own understanding... Man I truly feel so blessed this week. I really love all of my friends and family so much, Im forever grateful for the support I have from you all. And I want to thank Adrian Edward Daugherty for being wonderful, in every way, and for caring so much for me spiritually and emotionally. Well here are some pics of the last few days, hope you enjoy :] LOVE YOU ALL

divine romance...

Girls night was last night. I love my girls, my sisters in Christ. I love being able to share struggles, worries, temptations, and anything we need to talk about with one another. I love them all so much, each one differently because of the woman God made them to be.We have great conversations and lots of really good laughs. They are all a huge blessing to me and definitely a God send when I moved back to orange county. I was in so much pain, and they accepted me with love and concern and now i get to share some of the best moments and things to come with them by my side. I wish that us as women, Godly women, we would be comfortable in our skin. I wish we would see that our beauty is internal and that is what God sees. I wish that our concern would never be about others approval, but the fear of the Lord would weigh heavy on our hearts. Paul washer does a sermon title "The virtuous Woman" and its really awesome. I hope that we all continue to grow in this area, of learning what it means to be a virtuous woman, and how to get past the pressures and lies this world has created. "As the years go by, it will not be the physical things that will endear your husband to you, it will be virtue!" -Paul washer. Well this issue has been heavy on my heart recently and last night really made me think of how special each one of my Sister in Christ is and i just wanted to acknowledge that it is not easy the roll we have to wait on the Lord in all things, But it will be very rewarding. I love you guys!!!

blessed be your name....

AHH!!! what and incredible week, filled with joy, sadness, hope, love, prayers, smiles, and ultimately many blessings. We serve an amazing faithful sovereign God who LOVES us in an extraordinary way. At church this morning Pastor Brad asked us to think about this...he was talking about what it really meant to GENUINELY love one another. what is it to have unconditional love for each other? it amazes me that even though Jesus knew that he would be beaten, and tortured and killed, that never stopped Him from opening his arms to the people. He still healed the sick, prayed for the weary, and LOVED each and every person, even knowing he would be killed for US! that is unconditional love. being completely self less and concerned only for his people. He is constant, the same always, never hardened to us, even when we sin against him. I want to exhibit that Christ like love. I want to love the people who hurt me, and pray for them with a genuine heart. Its a work in progress, its a constant prayer for me, and im excited for God to grow me in this area. Im really going to challenge myself this week and try to exhibit His love, regardless of the situation.
UPDATE on my pops:
well, we got the pathology report back and the news is hopeful! Dr. Cao says they think we caught it at a good time. so we are anxious to start radiation soon to kill this cancer!!! His spirits are good, besides being pretty loopy from the pain meds. Today he walked for a half hour, with no help. and then walked again with me for 15 minutes so im very proud of him. the more he moves around and exercises his muscles the faster he will heal. soon they will take his G-tube out, which is his source of nutrition right now so we are anxious for him to be on a regular diet to see how he digests the food. He has been having lots of visitors. So for that i thank you all! And thank you all for your prayers. from the bottom of my heart, they are really helping our family and my dad.
Love you guys <3

Pops....

Well Ive waited a little to give an update on my dad but now I feel like the time is appropriate as I watch him sleep, I'm reminded of all of you who have prayed for him and our family during this time. I'm so completely humbled by your love for us and the support I know I have in you all. Praise god for the kingdom, and for the hope I have because of his grace and mercy.
Surgery went well yesterday, Dr. Cao said pops did great, didn't bleed a lot and he was breathing on his own after they finished. They removed a cancerous lesion from his pancreas that was compressing the common bile duct and had damaged some of his small intestine. Our concern now is that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the pancreas.so our next step after recovery from his surgery is chemo therapy and radiation. This was difficult news to grasp, initially I cried and felt extreme grief. But I have nothing to grieve for. I know my dad is strong like an ox, not only because of physical strength but mainly because of the strength he has from Christ. Today I have peace, god-given amazing peace that I can't explain. I'm so grateful my earthly father knows and loves our heavenly father. That is something to rejoice about, and brings me so much peace in itself. We are going to be taking this one step at a time together and leaning on christ along the way for he is our light in darkness... If anyone wants to visit my dad he is at fountain valley regional medical center room 109....I've been talking to many of u and if I haven't had the chance to text or call u back please know I'm forever grateful for ur love and prayers!! Our god is sooooo good thank you!!!
"let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant" psalms 119:76
"is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him song praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up" James 5:13-15

Love

So its been a few months, but I decided to write today. good day for writing, cloudy weather, lots of coffee and some free time! say what??! yea, free time! The last few months have been great. My birthday was amazing, my friends took me to dinner, and i had a great time at my parents house too. In june I camped at San Onofre for a week with my family, and my friends managed to come down on different days to hang, surf, fellowship. It was a much needed vacation I cant wait to go back next year :] I also got baptized in June as well. It was amazing, I'm so blessed by my church family and the encouragement i have from them. Fourth of July was the best one yet! It included, phil wickham, Victor Marx, bike parade, fire works, and street witnessing.
The end of July has been full of trials, but im still rejoicing. " And we know that for those who love God all things work together for the good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 As many of you know, pops hasnt been feeling well. We found out that he has a mass blocking his intestines, and according to biopsy it could be cancerous. We are struggling to get him a surgery date because they wont do it unless he has insurance which is hard to find after you have a pre-existing condition. But we have faith that God will provide, and that through this God is glorified in all things. We have so much love and support and most of all prayer from our friends and family, it has been very humbling to me to hear from all of you.
On a brighter note, my nieces are incredible. I miss them all the time but they are amazing me how much they have grown. Emery riane is walking! and melia is getting more teeth every day it hilarious! I look forward to my time i get to spend with them, it pains me so much to be away but God has me where i am for His purpose. speaking of that, nursing school is going really well. I cant believe ill be an RN in 10 months. its going by so fast but i love it! I'm more than excited to start my career, nothing brings me joy more than to take care of people, to love the sick, and show Gods love through my work. My prayer is for God to use me as a nurse, and that my actions would represent Christ and His sacrificial love for us.
Speaking of Love... Im super excited for whatever God has in store for me. sometimes, its hard to be patient, or not anxious but I know that Gods timing is perfect. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" Psalms 37:4 This verse is so beautiful and such a great reminder of His love for us, and delighting in Him is more than sufficient for us. well thats all for now, thanks for reading :]
THINGS IM READING:
Trusting God- Jerry Bridges
Philippians
THINGS IM LISTENING TO:
Train- save me san francisco
Sanctus Real- pieces of a real heart
Phil Wickham- Cannons

crazy day!

Tuesdays are always fun and something to look forward to for me because i have the day off from work and school! so me and jess decided we would just drive around and go wherever our hearts desired! we started out going to the cutest coffee shop in the world called Milk and Honey. Its in costa mesa off bristol and baker, really close to The LAB. when i walked in i instantly thought of my sister jenny. I am positive she would love this place. Its so tiny and tranquil and everything is vintage. The coffee and tea is all organic. they even have frozen yogurt mmmmm :] Then we went to pita fresh grill which is part of my homework assignment for speech class. i had to go to a new place and try something new and give a review on it for my class. so I tried greek food! It was good until i started seeing a lambs face when i was eating my gyro. Then i decided to just grub on the hummus! mmmm so wonderful :] Then we went to the goodwill and i spent 30 dollars! i never spend 30 dollars at the goodwill. but i got the cutest pair of boots it was worth it!!! our next stop was everyones favorite place TARGET. since i spent all my money at the Goodwil i watched jess decide whether to buy a 2 pack of black v-neck tees or a pair of superman boxers. hahaaha she picked the v-necks :]Then we went to jessicas house and read Colossians and listened to Chuck tracks with britt and joey. THEN we went to pinkberry and it was confirmation of why i love frozen yogurt so much. and then i got to hear my mothers beautiful voice, her and my stepdad are in JAMAICA on vaca and i havent heard from her in a few days. I loved chatting even for a minute i miss her! Our random day ended with Glee and lots of laughs, maybe a few tears, and thats all!

a new season....

I wasnt supposed to move back to OC until april, But I was really struggling with certain idols in my life and I was praying that God would reveal His plans for me. So, my move actually happened in February. My first day here, I looked and researched for a church with a college group i could attend. I had a few places lined up for my first week, starting with Calvary chapel westgrove's college group on thursday nights. Im sitting in my car, debating on going in. I never knew how hard it would be to walk in ALONE to a completely new college group, im not shy by any means so this was just a completely new experience for me. when i finally walked in, this beautiful, energetic, extremely welcoming girl introduced herself. "HI!!!! Im JESSICA!!!!! WHATS YOUR NAME!?" haha i cant help but laugh now at how terrified i was! Little did I know this was only the beginning of such a beautiful new season in my life... Its opened so many doors for me to grow in Christ and serve the kingdom. I have no distractions now, Im not worried about pleasing others, im completely focused on pleasing my savior. This is the most heart change ive had as a christian, and all glory and praise goes to my father in heaven. this blog is to my friends and family who thought i dropped off the face of the earth. Im just letting you all know that Im alive and Ive never had so much Joy.
Things im reading: im everywhere in my bible, no specific book at the moment
When people are big and God is small.
starting The Bride wore white soon!
Things coming up this month:
Mexico Missions trip May 15th
and maybe a birthday towards the end if i feel like celebrating it.