Reflections on 1 Samuel

Jonathan was gently asking his father, King Saul, what is David's sin that he should be put to death. Nothing. Earlier the scriptures say and the Lord left him (Saul). However, Saul becomes jealous of highly favored David. His son Jonathan acts as a mediator between his father and David, reminding him of David defeating the Philistines, and his innocence and duties he has preformed for the king. And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death. And Jonathan called, David and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. Here I was rejoicing because Christ is my mediator on my behalf. I choose sin but Jesus Christ has purchased my soul for eternal salvation and I can enter my LORD's presence! Christ has reconciled the judgement I deserve and I come unashamed, washed clean before my King.

Romans 5:8 and 9
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

On Michael's birthday (April 29th) we traveled to the Chiricahua National Monument. I enjoyed God's creation during our walk-about. The desert scenery was amazing a smaller-version of the Grand Canyon but more rock formations. I didn't lug my camera up there so here's one from the wonderful google-image search. We had a picnic with the Bohlings (Leah, her mother and Kris) and then drove to the Sugarloaf trail. (0.9 mile hike and the trip back.) Michael was eagerly awaiting a phone call from his possible summer employment and his cellphone service was very unreliable on the drive to the Chiricahua's. Happy 18th Birthday Michael.


John is in Turkey for 10 days. His church, Treasuring Christ Church, has been there since leaving Raleigh airport on Friday, April 24th. They are called Team 10. One of his friends is blogging their daily adventures. The country is heavily populated with Muslims. They are praying for God's direction, will and guidance for living there among the people and share the good new of Christ!

Amy Shelly loves John Pope

I visited John in Raleigh on his Easter break. I enjoyed every minute. It was hard to part at the airport we started to get used to being able to talk face-to-face every day.
Here we are at the Atlantic ocean - Topsail Island. (We bought navy tee-shirts too.) The beach was so peaceful and such a sunny day to relax. I even was nice and played football with him! (it turned out to be fun)
We ate out at Molli's seafood, and took our time taking pictures, finding seashells, people watching, and taking in some memories. I decided which pizza place I liked the most in Raleigh - Lilly's!! Not to say we didn't have any conflict but God really blesses us with restoration with each other. Understanding. And teachability. I really love him so much.

April already?

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday. My mother and I are both very aware of his love of apple pie! We purchased some of their Hawaii pictures they took while vacationing in Nov-Dec.
Arizona spring weather is so nice recently it's been really windy but the warmer weather starts to cheer me up. Another source of joy is God's word. Ps. 77:11-12 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." Earlier Joshua crosses the Jordan river and God continually wants us to build a memorial of some-sorts to teach our children what God does for us. (In Deut. chapter 6)
My blessings our indeed numerous and I have been reminded to praise Him for them with thanksgiving. He reminded me of the many people that are an encouragement in my faith. I also hope to "impress them on [my] children" someday. God willingly and lovingly sets memorial stones in my path so I will be reminded of His glory worked out in my life's journeys.

Registered Nurse

This morning I woke up and looked at my alarm clock it read 6:49. I tumbled out of bed and turned on my dad's iMac and quickly popped on the state board of nursing site to see if I had passed my NCLEX exam from yesterday. I typed in my name "A-m-y tab G-a-t-w-o-o-d clicked verify" and it read applicant passed test. ! I was soooo excited. I went in my mom's room and told her I passed she embraced me and was so excited with me. Then I refreshed the page with "verify" and it gave me my license number!! Next I called John.
Yesterday my test was in Mesa. It gave me 256 questions. I took one break - but I felt like I had a reading disability the length of how long it took was agonizing. About 55 minutes were left from the original 6 (hrs). All that to say it was an experience & so glad I don't have to retake it! But I'm so happy that people of my church family were praying for me.
Tonight my family went out to celebrate at La Casita....my mother and father both had the idea of bringing me a celebration gift - dad brought home a cheesecake, yum. While mom brought a card, flowers, monkey, and balloons. How special to celebrate with the ones who have seen you gone through the testing, nursing school and homework assignments. Thank you Lord for my family. They are so greatly appreciated all the time.

Arizona in March

Botanical Garden - the butterfly exhibit

Saguaro cactus

Another close up

Phoenix Suns game!!!

Mike & I

Phoenix Spring Break

This is my first Spring Break that I'm actually out of school for YAY! Celebrate! My parents have a reservation in Phoenix and I have been asked to coordinate the activities. I think the Imax theatre will be fun, there's always shopping, eating out, Yum. God is so faithful this morning I got a phone call for my first nursing interview for Duke Hospital in Durham. I'm so excited & nervous it's March eighteenth. I was able to schedule my NCLEX/State boards on the 23rd. So here I go at the books again. So much for Spring Break. :D