Goodbye 2011

Well, here is my last post for 2011. I'm sure I say this at the end of every year.... but what a year it has been! Moving back to VA, finally starting college, working at KWCC, etc. It's been a good year, but hard at times. Life every year there are those ups and downs, but God continues to be faithful.
Something I have learned this year is that sports is not everything. This sport season has been a hard one for me with the Colts 2-13 and Auburn 7-5, along with the possibility until late of there being no NBA. God has really worked on my pride in this area. It always seemed that I had a team to brag on.... but not this year.

Another thing God has been teaching me lately is patients. I have never paid attention to this before, but most Christmas songs are all about falling in love! Not the best for a single girl like me. Rather than listening to non-stop Christmas music, I focused more on SGM cd Looked Upon. One song in particular, Thy Way, Not Mine.

Thy way, not mine, O Lord
However dark it be
Lead me by Thine own hand
Choose out the path for me, for me

Smooth let it be or rough
It will still be the best
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest

C: I dare not choose my lot
I would not, if I might
Choose Thou for me, my God
So I can walk aright

Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill
As best to Thee my seem
Choose Thou my good and ill

Not mine, not mine the choice
In all things great or small
Be Thou my guide, my strength
My wisdom and my all, my wisdom and my all

God has really given me a peace lately with being single, something that can only come from Him! As 2012 approaches, I'm praying that I can lean on Him as I go down the path He has set for me. I know it's gonna be smooth at times, and then rough... but He has made it good!

Happy New Year!

It's Been A Long Time....

Woooooooow! It's been over a month since I last posted. And I have no good reason to give to you, my readers, why I have not been posting. I have just been slacking.

Not much has happened in the last month, other than school, a trip to Pennsylvania, work, things going on at church, lots of hang out time with friends, and my 21st birthday.

I finished my first term of school this past week! Total EGG that I finished with an A!!! What a blessing that was! My next classes start on Monday, so please keep me in your prayers.

I have never been passed Maryland before, so it was a neat experience to travel north. We visited some old friends of my grandma's, who lived on the side of the mountain. On top of great fellowship, and lot of laughs, we had a time of worship which was so cool! We then traveled to the Amish country. What a different world they live in! I also saw a chocolate lab puppy. I so want one now!!! haha We had a blast having our first vacation with GG and Don. Next northern trip.... New York... here I come!!!

Can I just say that I love my church? I think I go to the best church ever! What a blessing it has been to be back at the church I grew up in? I was at my desk the other day, thinking... all these people I work with, I have known sense I was 8 years old. How cool is that? I bet most of you can't say that! haha At the moment I am doing our membership class, which I have really enjoyed. It's difficult being there at 8:30 in the morning before church, but it's been great refreshing on what we believe. Along with the singles community group, I am doing a book study on Hinds' Feet on High Places with some single girls in our church. If you have not read this book, I would encourage you to do so. I can totally relate with Much Afraid on so many levels. I'll try to get on here tomorrow to blog about the chapter that really stood out.

Saturday was my 21st birthday. All day I saw EGG's. I was so blessed. One way I saw how blessed I am, was my family I am surrounded by. Sorry everyone, but I have the best family in the world! And I'm not being biased. They are a gift from God! And after a wonderful day, He topped it off with a win for Auburn vs. Florida, and 100% on my test. I would say, this was my best birthday yet.

In closing, I'd like to share this verse.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." -James 1:2-4

Everything, He Holds In His Hands

Once again, God has been showing me He is in control and has a plan. Last week I started my job working at KingsWay as the KingsKids administrator. This was an answer to prayer! I am so excited to have this opportunity to serve my church.
Then, last month, I applied for Liberty University Online program. And on the 28th I found out I was accepted! I'm not sure what to expect with this, but I am so excited! He has given me a clear plath to take... for now. It could change at any moment, but I'll be doing Liberty Online to get an associates degree in Elementary Education. Then, if it's the Lord's will, I'll continue my education with Auburn Online. Like I said, this is the path I am taking, but it could change if it's what God wants.
Since we have moved down here, I've been discouraged (as I blogged about before), and God is just showing me that He has a plan... that His timing is perfect!
As Chris Tomlin would say in his song Unfailing Love, "And everything, You hold in Your hand. Still You make time for me. I can't understand." If God cars for the sparrows, why would He not care for me? (Luke 12:6-7)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" -Jeremiah 29:11

I'm Leaving My Fears Behind Me Now

Sorry I have been unable to blog. Life is busy, but not unbarable. And I have no excuse with why I should not be writing. I just have not been on the computer at all... thanks to my iPhone.
Since mom is working full time now, we are still moving in, and I have no job of my own yet, I have taken the job of holding down the fort. I have really enjoyed house keeping, and hope to do it if I get married one day. There is not one thing I found that I don't enjoy doing. I love cleaning, doing laundry, planning meals, grosery shopping, making dinner, etc. One thing I have found as I'm keeping the house, is how much my mom has done for us these 21 years. She has put up with a lot, and I find myself being more and more greatful for her, and what she has done! What a blessing she is to me, and an amazing rolemodle! I love you, mom!
I wish I could say it's been "easy breezy"... but it hasn't. I have not been content with life. Being at home all the time, and not having a job has been hard. And the worries of not having a job, no car, and no money coming in for bills has me a little uptight. I applied for Starbucks almost two weeks ago, and I'm still praying! It's right across from my mom's job, so it would be great for sharing the car.
At my community group a week ago, the ladies prayed for me for this very thing. Don't you love how God works? This past week, I had peace! It was amazing! Answer to prayer!
Last night we had worship night at church, and God was so amazing to work again!!! He spoke to me throught a few songs, both of which He has used many times in the last 8 months. God Moves and Completly Done.
They played God Moves first. He used the whole song to speak to me, but verse one stood out, and they played it several times.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines
With never-failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs
And works His sovereign will
"With never-failing skill, He fashions all His bright designs, and works His sovereign will!" At this point, I was overwelmed with His grace! Isn't He good? That verse in Isaiah kept popping in my head, (41:13) "For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
Right after this, what song did they play? Completly Done. I love this song, it's one of my favorite songs of all time. And just like the other, God used the whole song to speak to me. But verses one and two stood out.
What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

 My sins have been paid in full
There’s no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I’m leaving my fears behind me now
"What reason have I to doubt?" He's got it all under control! Not me, and oh how I am thankful for that!
He was telling me to let go of my fears, He's got a plan!!! Isn't He amazing how he speaks to us? "I'm leaving my fears behind me now!" Or as my cousin Olivia use to say, "pe-pind". I'm leaving my fears pe-pind me now!!!!!!

Chapter 5: Home Sweet Home

This past Saturday was one week since we have been in VA. And to tell the truth, it feels like we never left. We have such great friends, and oh how we missed it those two years in P'cola.
Our house is small... a little to small you might say. I think it would be a great house for a family of small children. But a family of five adults... it's a tight. So it's a good thing we are a close family. We call it the cottage, cuz that's exactly what it feels like. A plus side is, it's easy to clean!
If you know my family well, you know we like to make jokes about a lot of things. So it wasn't long before we had jokes about the house. Such as our crazy mailman. Everyday he drives back and forth at least 3 times, as if he forgot something. So we say he is on crack.
The cats across the street are HUGE! We thought they were dogs at first... so they are the cats on steroids.
You may think my family is weird... but I love it! Would not ask for another family.

Chapter 4: On Our Way

Bright and early (well for me bright and early, 7:30) we woke up to say our goodbyes. When the many hugs and tears were done, we headed our way to VA at 9am central. With 4 adults, 2 dogs, and 1 cat in one van, it was a rather long day. And thanks to Mr. Hagen for coming down to help dad with driving the 26 foot moving truck!
After many hours on the road, we arrived in VA at 2am central, 3am eastern. What a relief to finally be here... home!

Chapter 3: Packing

Little by little we have been packing since the first of May, but this weekend we really kicked it into high gear. It feels like we just moved, I guess cuz this is the shortest time period we have lived in a house.
It's going smoothly. No problems... yet. Keep us in your prayers as this week is our last week in Florida. We have already stared goodbyes, tears have been shed, but God is good to have given us these friendships these two years. We will miss you all!

Chapter 2: A House

Sorry it's been a while since I have updated about the move. Not sure if I said this in Chapter 1, but my parents were planning on going up to VA toward the end of April to look for a house. Well, by the grace of God, we found a house without making a trip! If that's not an open door for this move, I don't know what is! Please pray for me though. Kel and I are gonna have to share a room again, and I'm not to thrilled about it. But I do know this is God's provision.
Also, I've been kinda stressing out a little, so please pray! Knowing I'll have to be looking for a job is weighing on me. I don't want a job that will be taking me away from my family, along with my church family. I would love a office job, but I know God is in control!
I know this is kinda silly. But I've also been thinking, will I ever find the right guy? I just can't see any guy liking a girl like me. So, if you will, please pray that I'll be content being single. I would love to be a stay at home mom... but if that's not what God has for me, I want to do what He wants me to do.

"There & Back Again; A Hobbits Tale" By Brittany Fernandez

Chapter 1: The Decision
Well, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you would know that my family's moving back to VA. Hence the title of this post There and Back Again; A Hobbits Tale By Brittany Fernandez.
Years ago, a friend of mine, (who was well over 6 feet) called me hobbit, and the name stuck. So... this is a Hobbits tale... of our move back to VA... by me! And if you don't know what a hobbit is... first off, you are crazy for not knowing! But, it's really short people on the best movie ev'a (aka my favorite movie), Lord of the Rings. It's a must see!

You may be asking yourself, "Why are the Fernz making that big move again, in just 2 years?" And I would answer your question with this. In the last two years, my family of five, has been through a lot. And when I mean a lot... I mean a lot! Like for instance, my family has been to more churches in the last 2 years, than us 3 kiddos have been in our entire lives... so well over 20 years. Can we say (in a surfer accent.), DUDE? Yep. It's crazy to think about. But not only moving from a church affects our lives, but our friendships as well. It's been a hard road. With other things happening, we all feel beat up, but then refreshed at the same time. I know for me, going through these hard things, I can see God used them for good. And He has taught me lessons through these hard things we have been through. And the amazing thing is, I still need to learn so much more! At the age of 20, I feel like I have been through everything in life... but in reality, my life is just getting started! But I know God has everything under control. Like my favorite verse says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I just want to get up, put in my Sons and Daughters, Sovereign Grace cd, and worship!
Another reason for our big move, is because we don't belong here. It doesn't feel like home... like VA does everytime we visit. Then again, we aren't regretting that we moved here. No! We can see that God used this time in Florida to help us. Individually and as a family. I'm gald for it, but I'm also glad to be going home. I know for me... it's time to move on. And this is one of God's steps for getting me there.