I am Thankful For...Sisters and Cute Rainboots

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think about what I am thankful for is...My Little Sister. There is something completely awesome about having a sibling who is literally your best friend.

why Can I say honestly that Taylre (yes...that is pronounced Taylor) is my best friend??? We have the same family, same problems, same church, same morals, we live on the same side of the house with a connecting bathroom, and best of all...we have the same beliefs.

I know without a doubt that I can trust my sister and rely on her for anything. She is the one I worship with at church and in the car when we are belting out lyrics to Tobymac and Brandon Heath. After many years of tattle telling and hair pulling...we have grown up to be an unstoppable team (with an occasional spat or two here and there :P ).

I know I am blessed to have a sister I want to be a part of my life forever, a sister I can call my best and closest friend!

P.S. Those are my rain boots (and my jacket too I do believe)! She likes to steal my clothes!

P.S.S. My Sister is Beautiful and I LOVE her! Check out her blog! :)

God Bless
Morgan Nicle

The Thankful Challenge

It's That Time of Year again! The season of changing leaves, harvest parties, football, and Pumpkin Spice frapaccinos at Starbucks! :)

Because I was born in November, just like a week before thanksgiving, the fall season holds a special place in my heart! I LOVE Thanksgiving...I love the food, the family get-togethers, and the fact that I always get my cake and birthday presents from my family at Thanksgiving (since we are all together anyway). I mean seriously, for my birthday...I get an AWESOME meal...Sweet Football games...and a happy family...what can be better???

The best part of it all is simply the "thanksgiving." Nothing makes me happier during this time of the year than the chance to reflect on all the things God has blessed me with, all the things (no matter how small) I am thankful for, all the memories I hold dear to my heart and everything and Everyone I love.

Lately, I have noticed that through all our troubles and trials in life, we often forget to take a moment just to be thankful for everything good...to be thankful for everything that God has blessed us with us.

So this Fall, I challenge you to take a moment each and every day until Thanksgiving to reflect on at least one thing you are thankful for. what makes your day better? What makes you smile in the midst of all the craziness thorughout the day? Who could you not live without? Take some time to thank God for all the many blessings in your life every day!

God Bless,

Morgan Nicole Beaty

God Exscuses!

Have you ever used God as an exscuse?? An exscuse to get out of dates...to get out of things you dont want to go to...to explain away why you don't drink or swear? Do you ever waste time reading christian blogs and the latest "Karen Kingsbury" book as an exscuse to put off that paper due...idk...tomorrow????

I do this ALL THE TIME! Sometimes...I think it's easier to just say, "well...I'm a christian...so..(fill in the blank)" than it is to tell the truth...or do what you need to get done.

The truth is, God isn't telling you to put off your homework or to lie to your friends about parties. As christians we need to learn to get our priorities straight. Yes, it's absolutely wonderful that those christian novels are your favorite to read and it's GREAT that you don't drink (i dont eaither....) but using God as a means to escape ...life...is just not good. I mean...next time your friend invites you to a party, why say, "Can't dude...i'm a christian...God doesnt dig parties!" Why not say "Sure, but I'm bringing my own bottled water." Or "I have a better idea...lets go see that new movie instead..."

And for heaven's sakes alive...FINISH your homework! (don;t forget your quiet time though....HA!)

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

Summer Recap

I am BACK (well...actually I have been back for a couple weeks...but still)! And Here is the recap of MY 2011 Summer!



I made a new friend on Camp staff this summer! Brittany was in 4-H with me in High School, but we never actually met or hung out back then. But we had a BLAST this summer...I kind of miss her now that I am back home! We had...quite a bit of inside jokes!
This year in general at the Clyde Austin 4-H center was quite eventful! The power went out multiple times...we got to see the inside of our Boss's house and work with some dare I say it...odd groups that came through. I even got to make cheesecake for the camp staff in the Kitchen!

I reconnected with an old friend, Mioranda, from Cookeville this summer too! We took her to Dollywood, because she had never been (and Tay's friend nicole tagged along too!). As you can tell from the Picture to the right...We got into the the Blue Kettle Corn that Dollywood makes so well! You should try it some time! :) I also stayed a weekend with Miranda at her house in Cookeville Too! We visited the old coffee shop we used to go to ALL THE TIME in Middle school before I moved. Oh...how I miss Poet's!! (I got some great earings from this place!)


Anyway...At camp my job was to run the arts and Crafts Room (or as we call it...the craft House). Here are some pictures I took from my room.

I Like to Decorate my room with sign and colorful cork boards!

Here is a picture of my room and some of the Crafts we did! At our camp...anything you do as a camper, there is a bead as kind of a "trophy" to show you did that activity! When kids come to my craft house...they get a bright pink bead to add to thier bead bracelet! Oh...and we try really hard to PUSH Father's Day at camp with all the crafts! I mean...what dad DOESNT want a cheap craft made by thier kid at 4-H camp??? :P

In case you have ever wondered how to make a leather craft (which is what I mostly taught kids how to do...), you start out with one of those green block, a mallet, and a piece of leather. Then...you hammer a stamp (picture three shows the stamps) and hammer it into the leather. Then you can stain or colorthe leather (pics 4 and 5).
And of course...I had to take inventory every day! We use tickets instead of money...so I had to count tickets everyday and record them in this book you see above! Lots of fun I tell you!! :D

And finnally...the greatest thing of all...I GOT A CAR...and in my new car...I drove through a Rainbow...Yes that's right! The END of the Rainbow! (there was no Pot of Gold sadlly :/)

God Bless,

Morgan Nicole :)

Strong Enough?

Lately I have began to notice that one of the greastest mistakes by christians is the failure to completely let God take over and realize that we cannot survive this world alone. I know I do this too...I think it's written in our stubborn human minds that we should be strong enough to handle all sitautions. Even worse...I think sometimes we feel, because we are christians and have been "born again" we must learn to conquer all sin...on our own.

God doesnt let us live through more than what we personally can handle. He is not here letting us struggle until we lose our minds. He does not give us more temptaion than we can deal with...(here is the Key phrase...) "with his help."

The problem is...Sins are like Closed Doors...Once you open them...it's VERY hard to close them back. Meaning...once you begin doing something wrong...it's soooo very easy to continue to repeat this sin over and over again until it consumes you. We as humans are not in any way strong enough spiritually to close these doors back (or crack them for that matter...) on our own. Many times...we think we are. What ends up happening is, we beat ourselves up about it...hurt others close to us...hurt ourselves...lose sight of what's important...and worse...stray away from God and the good path for awhile.

When we make the choice to handle life on our own...to handle all our struggles and sins on our own...we are not doing ourselves any favors. We are really just digging ourselves deeper into the hole. God KNOWS we need His help. (I mean seriously...look at the mess we create when we avoid His help...Yikes!) We should never be afraid to cry out to Him...to tell Him in direct communication and prayer..."I am struggling with ______ and I need YOU to help me though this!"

If you are struggling with ANY sins, temptations, or just life in general (there's alot out there to deal with in life), I strongly suggest talking to people you care about who will pray for you...THEN spending some quality...ALONE...Meditation...time with God. Tell HIM everything you struggle with. Finally lay down your life and let Him take the reigns for awhile. You can't do this (close that door) on your own. Don't let anybody try to tell you that it's ok or no big deal. Let the GOD of this universe decide what is a big deal...Many times, He will tell you otherwise...so listen for His direction.

And finally...Do NOT be ashamed that you are not strong enough. If we were strong enough...there would have been no reason for God to send His only Son to die for us. Get Help...From God...From Jesus...From Christian Friends who love you and will give you direction. Don't try to change your own life on your own.

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Songs That Inspire Me...Born Again

When I thing about who I am...One of the first things that comes to mind is my salvation. Being a Christian is, to put it simply, part of who I am.

Why is this so important to me? My hope is that when other people think about me...they see the Holy spirit inside of me. I don't want to be one of those people who says that they are a christian at church....and then act differently other places. But most importantly...I want to witness to everybody around me about the incredible love and Gift God has given us.

The best way to witness to everybody around me is just to let the light shine through me. I want to live my life for Jesus...I want to "look" like a christian...NOT for popularity...but so that by my example others will see that God's love is REAL...and HERE...and WONDERFUL! I want others to feel God's arms wrapped around them like I have.

The song "Born Again" by the Newsboys reminds of just that. Not just being a good person at church....but being 100%, truly, Born again! Being an example for all those around me...and Living my live fully to serve HIM...the one true God.

Born Again

BY: The Newsboys

Found myself looking into the mirror

Knew I wasn't who I wanted to be

I was living like the way that I wanted

my eyes reminded me I'm not free

Believe that I saw, everything that I know

Says I gotta go, tired of going solo

But I'm never gonna go there again

Chorus: This is what it is

This is who I am

This is where I'm gonna take my stand

I didn't want to fall, but now I gotta crawl

I'm not the one with two scared hands

Givin' him the best of, everything that's left of

The life inside this man

I've been Born Again

I see you're walking like you're living in fear

Having trouble even looking at me

Wishing that they give you more than words

Sick of people telling how it should be (how it should be)

What's your download, where'd you get your info

Saw that I'm show, now you're in the in-load

I'm gonna tell you what I believe,

OH (Chorus)

We are the ones, he called by name

Never gonna look back

Let go, let go the guilt the shame

I said I'm never gonna look back

This is who I am (Chorus 2x)

I am Born Again

God Bless

Morgan Nicole :)

Songs That Inspire Me...Your Love

Lately I have been REAL into christian music. For some reason (actually I know the reason...hah ha), listening to encouraging and positive christian music helps me get through my day!

So basically, today while I was doing some maintenance around Camp and was left alone...AND told I could change the radio to whatever I wanted....I just about leaped for joy! :) Sadly...K Love doesn't extend to camp where i work...but there is a local christian station I listened to that played similar songs! I think this 45 minutes made my day!

At any rate...this type of music and encouragement throughout the day has the power to completely influence my mood and how I function that day. It's great to have little reminders that God is there at ALL times...not just at church on Sunday morning or when you bless your food.

A song that has really inspired me lately is "Your Love" by Brandon Heath. (no...this is not just because I have Brandon Heath's autograph! :) I really started to appreciate this song after I read the book, "Between Sundays" by Karen Kingsbury. The song, for some reason seems to really match up with the message of the Book. It would be the perfect theme song for the soundtrack of a movie for the book...just sayin'!

Over all, I guess I just appreciate knowing that no matter what happens in life...All I really need is God's Love. It reminds me that i don't have to work hard or buy God's love. He has already paid the price for me by sending Jesus to die for us! And when I need somebody to turn to...He is right there and always will be! :)

Your Love

By Brandon Heath

I felt it first when I was younger

A strange connection to the light

I tried to satisfy the hunger

I never got it right

I never got it right

So I climbed a mountain and l built an altar

Looked out as far as I could see

And everyday I’m getting older

I’m running outta dreams

I’m running outta dreams

But Your love

Your love

The only the thing that matters is

Your love, Your love

is all I have to give

Your love is enough

to light up the darkness

It’s Your love, Your love

all I ever needed is Your love

You know the effort I have given

And you know exactly what it cost

And though my innocence was taken

Not everything is lost

Not everything is lost nooooo

But Your love, Your love
The only the thing that matters is
Your love, Your love

is all I have to give
Your love is enough

to light up the darkness

It’s Your love, Your love

all I ever needed is Your love

You’re the hope in the morning

You’re the light when the night is falling

You’re the song when my heart is singing

it’s Your love

You’re the eyes to the blind man

You’re the feet to the lame man walking

You’re the sound of the people singing

It’s Your love

But Your love Your love

The only the thing that matters is

Your love, Your love

is all I have to give

Your love is enough to light up the darkness

It’s Your love, Your love

all I ever needed is Your love

But Your love(Your love is all that I needed)

The only the thing that matters is

Your love Your love is

all I have to give

Your love is enough to light up the darkness

(Your love is all that I needed)

It’s Your love Your love

It’s all I ever needed

God Bless

Morgan Nicole :)

Vote For Taylre Mckee! :)

I have been making videos the past few days for my little sister's Campaign for a position on the Tennessee State 4-H Council. Here is the first of 13 I am doing and posting to her facebook wall! :) Enjoy (oh....and please remember....I am an amateur "filmer" with a very very simple and basic camera....this is not meant to be an amazing film! :P)

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

A Flower Quickly Fading (2)

This Week at camp I have listened to the song, "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns every day. I have always liked this song, but this week in particular after Sunday night and everything I am going and struggling through in Life, it has really spoke to me.

So In my craft shop at camp (we do leather working), I carved this rose out of a scrap piece of Leather. It is a nice little reminder for me that I am indeed God's child. Yes, i am nothing compared to the majesty of God and Jesus. In fact...i won't even live very long at all compared to how long God has been around. I am basically a nobody...and yet...God hears me when I call. God sent His son to DIE for ME. He cares about me and made a place in heaven for me one day! For all of this...I am VERY thankful (and blessed!)

Who Am I

By Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the bright and morning star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wondering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord You catch me when I'm falling

And You told me who I amI am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am

But because what of You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord You catch me when I'm falling

And You told me who I amI am Yours

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?'

Cause I am Yours, I am Yours

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

A Flower Quickly Fading

Have you ever experienced one of those moments where you KNEW without a doubt that God was right there watching over you, embracing you in his arms and taking care of you? I defanitely had one of those moments the other night.

I has been having trouble with my car battery lately. Apparently what I needed was a new alternator...I got one...a couple days ago. So all is good now, thankfully.

Last Sunday night I got a bit of a late start to head back up to Greeneville. I work in Greeneville at 4-H camp during the week and come home on the weekends. I usually leave Sunday after noon and head back up the road (it's like a 2 hour drive :/). This sunday in particular I had so much to do that I ended up leaving around 9:00. This, unfortunately, means I had to use my headlights.

About 30 or so minutes into the trip I noticed my lights were fading. I called my dad (the one I have deemed to know everything in life) and relayed this information to him. He of course said..."Turn around and come home."

Before I finish, let me elaborate a bit on the drive I take. I start out on a road called Alcoa Highway, or like us East Tennesseeans call it "I'll kill ya highway." I do not feel like I have to explain much more about this...that name kind of says it all...I mean we are talking about multiple wrecks a week....lots for this area of the state. I then turn off onto John Sevier Highway, a small two lane highway that takes me straight to Interstate 40. I go down I-40 for about 25 minutes, take the split and srive down Interstate 80. Then I turn off onto another highway that takes me to downtown Greeneville, whch leads me to Asheville Highway. Then I follow a tiny, dangerous, windy road to camp. Lots of highways, interstates, and dangerous roads to take in a two hour period.

At the point that I turn around and start heading BACK in the direction of Home...I was on John Sevier (the safest of all the roads I travel in my opinion). I was about 5 minutes away from approaching the interstate. God was already looking out for me at this point just by leading me to a safer location.

So on my way back there is a point on John Sevier where you make a turn. I was literally in the turning lane...thinking to myself, "let me cross the street and park in that gas station before my car dies" when my car shuts off. Not only did it die....but it was so dead my caution lights wouldnt blink. I frantically waved cars around me to go around and called my dad. Dad and my grandad took off and headed my way...but I was still left in the turning lane....in the dark...in the middle of the road...with no caution lights.

That's when two White Vans pulled over to the side of the road. A man wearing a "To save a Life," T-shirt (a christian Movie) walked over and asked me if I needed any help. I told him my dad and grandpa where on the way to fix the car. He then ordered all the "boys" to get out of the vans (all of them wearling some sort of christian logo t-shirt). They literally pushed my car across the street, out of the road, and into the gas station parking lot. They waved and said, "good Luck and God Bless." All I could do was say, "thank you so much, " through my tears as they drove away.

As I got back in my car...all I could do was thank God. For the first time in my life, I could literally feel the Holy spirit taking care of me and actually SEE God at work in my life. How lucky was I that this had happened not on I'll kill ya highway...or the Interstate...or on a little windy road in Greeneville almost 2 hours away from my dad! How lucky was I that of all the people out there, a church group stopped to help me! It wasn't luck...it was my Lord and Savior looking out for me...like He always does...and always will do! I feel so joyful to know that with everything going on in the world...God still cares about ME!

And thankfully....I have got my car fixed!

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

HIGH FIVE

About the new header:

My sister and I are very...very...very close! :) This is a picture taken this past spring when my mom decided to have a home made photo shoot day. We dressed up and ran around town taking pictures with our little camera and then edited them. Suprisingly, some of them turned out real cute!

This particular picture pretty much defines the relationship between my sister and I. We are a team...and sisters in Christ. Together we can conquer just about anything!

P.S. She has a blog too...check her Blog out! http://taylresworld.blogspot.com/

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

And the Winner Is...

Random I know...

But I am super excited that Scotty Won American Idol tonight! :D

He is just so cute...and I LOVE his voice. On the other side of things...Lauren Alaina is awesome too! I couldnt have been more excited this season about the top two! I will be buying thier cds.

On a side note...did anybody else notice them kiss?? hmmm...lol They'd be cute together I think! Now that I feel like a celebrity gossip machine...I should probablly stop here. Ha!

God Bless,

Morgan Nicole!

I'M AT CAMP!!!!

I have officially started my summer job for 2011...At camp staff at Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, TN. I did this last summer and a BLAST! I just wanted to let the wrold know why there might be a delay in blogging this summer...I will be BUSY...(but having fun!) In honor of the happiness of being back at camp...here are a few pics from last year that make me smile! :)

I LOVE camp staff! we have so much fun! :)

God Bless,

Morgan Nicole

ARTwork #1

So I realize I havn't posted in over a week...Almost two...and because of that I wanted to do something to keep this place....active. I have to get up EARLY tomorrow...so instead of writing a blog...I thought I would post some artwork on here (as promised from a while back) for the Next several days.

The picture you see to the left...is Picture number 3 of the church/seasons pictures on slate I painted for my grandparents for Christmas. It looks extrememly...crooked...but it's just the picture quality. This was the "country Church during Autum" painting. I have two others (Summer & Winter) somewhere...once I find thier pics...I will load them.

And below is the..ONE..and ONLY...Peyton Manning! I LOVE football...and I LOVE Peyton. But most importantly...I LOVE my grandpa and he LOVES Peyton. So this was his christmas present a few years back. I actually did this in 2 hours on that Christmas Eve...I think it turned out swell considering. I wish I had more time to do black and white (pen and ink) drawings like this...they are my favorite!

More To Come Later!

God Bless,

Morgan Nicole!

Holy Moley Cow...Storms! :/

THIS is what it looked like in my College Town City yesterday! :O

I am sure you have heard about the storms that swept through the South on Wednesday. Alabama seems to have been hit the hardest. However, there was storm damage all across the South East. I sat in a basement with a bunch of random college girls for over an hour and a half as hail the size of golf balls and baseballs knocked out windows and damaged cars. We are still uncertain if there was actually a tornado on campus...or just extremely close. Either way...It was an interesting experience and quite frankly...very scary.

As the death toll slowly rises (it's now over 200), please continue to pray for all of those who were affected. Many people are without homes, shelter, food, electricity, and water sources. Keep these people in mind as our community reaches out to help those in need.

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

Virus...Dumb

so the Site I had gotten my previous background from was suffering from Malware attacks apparently...so I had to change my background on a different site just so that I could even open my blog on my computer. Yeah...Dumb :(

Southern Rules

So after 20 Days straight of serious posts...I am ready for a funny one. I have been thinking a lot lately about what makes me a southern. Or really more like...what the stereotypical southern is...I cant say all of the following applies to me...but most do...and I really am not ashamed of it. :P Just for fun...these are the Tennessee Version of Southern Rules :D

1.) Sweet Tea ---Yes...everybody from the south drinks Sweet Tea. You can order it at any restaurant or Fast food place...or any normal household...or hotel...or anywhere really. You can even buy it in a store already made. It's everywhere. (at McDonald's for $1.00 for a large one! :). In Tennessee it's particularly sweet! Funny story though...I really don't like Tea that much. The older I get...the more I like it. I will NEVER...EVER...EVER be caught dead drinking unsweetened tea though...Gross.

2.) Baseball---Braves---I Do realize that Baseball in general is a BIG deal everywhere in America because it is "America's Pastime." However...in Tennessee...you are not allowed to not like the Braves. People who wear baseball shirts for other teams...are frowned upon. I don't even like baseball....I just keep my mouth shut and pretend so that I don't get disowned and kicked out of the country. Nothing can be as boring as Golf though...Yawn :/

3.) College Football---Yeah...College Football is the STUFF. Game Days in Knoxville are crazy crowded. In East Tennessee...you must LOVE the Vols (that's University of Tennessee)...hate Alabama...Despise Vanderbilt...and have a fire burning grudge against Florida. You MUST be a Peyton Manning fan! Oh...and we also hate Lane Kiffen...LOOONNNG story...Google it. personally, I love football. I can't imagine not being a part of the Orange Crowd on Game Days! And when the team "busts the T" (run through the tunnel by the band...shaped like a T) onto the field...BEST MOMENT EVER! :)

4.) Rocky Top---You either Hate this song...or you love it. This is the Tennessee Fight Song. Actually....it's not the real fight song. The Band played it at half time once back in the 80's and it stuck. We now play it for every point...or you know...yard...we gain. Our real fight song is "Fight Vols Fight," which is not played all that much in comparison. Rocky Top is actually talking about a Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains. Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (famous song writers back in the Day...) happened to be in Gatlinburg. Rumor has it that they got snowed in up in the mountains and decided to write a goofy song for fun. This song was not really supposed to be a hit....and yet...it became one. If you live in Tennessee...you probably know every word. This song is literally known as "The most hated song of the South...and the Most Loved song of East Tennessee. "Good Ole' Rocky Top..WOO!...Rocky Top Tennessee!"

5.) George Strait---Country/Western Singer/Songwriter. Did you know he has the world record for most number one Hit Singles? Yes artists like the Beatles have more "songs." But King George has over 50 Number One Hits...more than anybody else. Everybody living in the South should be able to name at least 20 of those number one hits and sing the chorus of those 20. Just saying.

6.) Fried---the reason I only put "fried" is because we literally fry EVERYTHING. I mean seriously...northern people poke fun of our fried chicken (even though they eat fried chicken...your welcome :P)...but they have no idea. I mean...tomatoes...Squash...pickles...rice...eggplant...corn...bread...gosh you name it...we fry it...no joke.

7.) Watermelon---I hate this wretched Mellon fruit so much. But unfortunately...everybody else in the South LOVES it. My dad said I should move away...just for hating melons...*sigh*

8.) Country Music and Southern Rock---You cannot be southern or Tennessean if you hate all country and southern music. Especially in Tennessee with Nashville and Memphis right there. If you can name at least 10 country/southern/western/southern rock songs that you like or have on your iTunes...then you are safe.

9.) Language---yeah...we talk funny...but we will not admit it. If you come down here...we will make fun of YOU. Because...

• Maryville is pronounced "Murvull."
• Nevada is pronounced "Nev-aw-da" not "Nev-add-a."
• It's "naw" not "no."
• Vol is "Vall" not "VOOl."
• There is no "T" in Mountains...it's "Moun'ins."
• We add contractions anywhere possible. For example...You're...We're...They're...Can't (or Cain't or Ain't)...or Yu'ns.

10.) Dumb Phrases---This goes with the last one. Here are some Phrases that my family have been known to say (on normal occasions by the way...not to be funny)...

• "Worse than crap on a Smoke Stick" (or just...crap on a stick)
• "Holy Moley Cow"
• "Heavens Day alive"
• "Son of a Gun!"
• "she hit every branch on the ugly tree"
• "madder than an old wet hen"
• "Lands Alive"
• "fell plumb right off"
• "Fan-flippin'-tastic"
• "If that don't beat all I ever saw"
• "Busy as a Bessy Bug"
• "well...shooooo"
• "gosh dern it"
• "He'd crap a brick"
• "Gonna jerk a knot in your tail"
• "I'll have your hide"
• "dumber than a doorknob"
• "not the brightest crayon in the box.'

11.) Sun Drop---It used to be only a Tennessee and a few surrounding states thing. It's gone national now...*sigh*

12.)The Dinner vs. Supper debate---In the South...Dinner is around noon and Supper is at night. Lunch is a fancy word of smart-allec people to make us look like hicks.

13.) COKE---In Tennessee and other Southern States...every carbonated beverage is a coke. You want a Dr. Pepper??? You say..."i want a Coke." They say, "what kind?" You then say, "dr. Pepper." Don't freak out if you come to Tennessee and ask for a coke and they ask what kind.... because in our minds you actually just said, "I want a soda." You have to be specific you see. :P

14.) Boomsday---This is a fireworks event held in Knoxville around Labor Day. Basically...this is the equivalent to New York's Time Square at New Years. People everywhere...Fireworks over the river...and Music...and a countdown to the fireworks. It's a BIG deal in East Tennessee.

15.) Weather---Don't even try to predict it. Our seasons are as follows..."Summer" "Idk" "Winter" and "Idk." Literally...in the spring and Fall...one day it's 80...the next it's 60. One minute it's sunny...then it pours. Yesterday...we had a 5 minute tornado out of NOWHERE. It was sunny...BAM tornado...then sunny again. you just never know....

16.) Snow---We really don't get much...but when we get it...we panic. Most schools and business shut down it there is so much as a chance of snow the next morning. It's that crazy.

17.) Dollywood ---The greatest Attraction in Tennessee. People who live within an hour from it (like me...) have season passes and literally go like 5-10 times a year. We have every ride and show memorized (especially the photo opps in the rides). And yet....we still go...all the time. I am not complaining either...I love that place.

Tumblr. :P

Hey friends! I finally caved in and set up a Tumblr. account. But never fear...i will NOT be abandoning my Blogspot account! Hopefully...these posts will just be directed over there! Same deal...but you can check it out here:

http://mylifebymorgannicole.tumblr.com/

God Bless

Morgan Nicole :)

He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed! :)

Happy Easter!! I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter Holiday! :)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17

The Message behind the Gospel is that Jesus died for our sins. As humans, we are sinners. We are born sinners...it's just instinct. The Bible tells us that the "wages of Sin is death" (Romans 6:23). On our own...we would never make it to heaven because "all have fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3;23). God does not take a big scale on judgement day and weigh out your good and bad and let those in whose "good outweighs the bad." Truth is... Nobody's scale would be good enough for Him. But thankfully, Jesus came into the world and took the punishment of our sins for us. We don't need to worry about our "good outweighing the bad." Because God loves us so much, he made it easy for us. All we have to do is accept the gift of eternal life by believing that Jesus is God's Son, that He died for our sins and raised to life three days later, that we are sinners and can never make it on our own without Jesus' help, and ask for forgiveness of our sins and a new life and relationship with Christ. Only then are we truly "born again." What can be better than that???

"No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"

***Lyrics from "In Christ Alone"

God Bless

Morgan Nicole :)

1 Day Left Till Easter! :)

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." Matthew 28:18-20

The last thing Jesus commanded of us before he assended into Heaven was for us to make disciples of all nations. As christians...it is our duty to make sure the message of Jesus reaches all the ends of thge Earth. Many unreached people are waiting for US to tell them about the good news...Are you ready to do what it gtakes to get it to them???

God Bless
Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 2 Days!

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27: 45-46

Jesus said these famous words on the Cross before He died. Many people know these words by heart but have no idea what they actually mean. Jesus was sent to Earth to DIE for our sins because we have fallen short of the glory of God. God is all Holy, powerful, and perfect. Sin cannot be in his presence...that's why Jesus had to die for us...to be the sacrifice that pays for our sins so that we could enter God's presence. When Jesus was on the cross...the weight of the world was placed upon His shoulders. In other words...all our sins was carried on HIM. Because God is perfect...God had to turn away from Him...His only son because He was carrying OUR sin. Can you imagine that kind of love? Not only did Jesus DIE for us...he also endured the pain of being completely torn away from God. The definition of Hell is the complete absence of God...This is what Jesus suffered...for me...For You...for all of us, so that we may meet God, our creator and Father, face to Face one day! :)

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 3 Days!

"Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:39-44

Being Crucified to take the punishment for all the Sins of the world was not exactly a "pleasurable" experience. However, Jesus was obedient to God. He knew God's will and plan was perfect in every way...even if it was temporarily uncomfortable for Him. Jesus' prayer sets the example for the type of attitude and obedience WE should have. "Not our Will...But Yours be done" is what we should learn to pray. His plan for us always has the better outcome in the end....the outcome that is best for us personally and gives Him all the Glory. What can be better than that???

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 4 Days!

"Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons." Mark 16:19

"But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her." John 20:11-18

Jesus healed Mary Magdalene of seven Demons...what those demons where we have no idea. My guess is something along the lines of sexual immorality, fear, self pity, lies, drugs (whatever they had back then in those days...I am sure they had some kind of form of them) and more. At any rate...The point is the relationship between Mary and Jesus sets the example for all us women. This was not (despite what "scholars" or other people might think) a love or sexual type relationship...but one that resembles the love between a young woman and a father. Don't get me wrong...Jesus loved Mary...just like he loves us all. I mean he DID think about her enough to appear to her first before anybody else. However...he specifically tells her that he is her God...and not to "cling to him."

Jesus healed her...he made her clean and asked her to follow Him...Because Jesus has a special place for all young woman out there too. Jesus wants to heal us all and make all the young woman his daughters. Only his divine power can truly save us from all the demons in the world and all our broken hearts! :) Are you ready to give your troubles over to Him??

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 5 Days

"And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?"

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."

Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!"
Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"

Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." John 13:2-11

Jesus Washed the Feet of His Disciples. Once Peter figured out the importance of the moment he exclaims...Lord wash my whole Body for that matter!! But Jesus assures him that only his feet need cleaning. This whole scene is foreshadowing Peter's denial. Jesus wants Peter to know that even though he messes up...he is still Jesus' follower...Still his disciple and Jesus has paid the ultimate price for his sin. Jesus has cleansed the dirty parts and will continue to do so all the days of Peter's life because Peter had given his life over to Christ! Jesus has cleansed us too! He paid the price for our ugliness so that we will be "clean." :)

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 6 Days!

"Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified." Mark 15:6-15

Jesus took Barabbas' place in prison and death. Barabbas was a murderer...a criminal probably well deserving to be chained and eventually hanged for his actions. But the crowd wanted HIM released instead of Jesus...a man who was innocent of every crime and sin! Ironic inst it...that God had it planned this way..that Jesus would take the place of death for a criminal?? In the same way...Jesus took ALL OF OUR places. According to scripture...we have ALL fallen short of the Glory of God...luckily Jesus was willing to take our punishment for us! Praise the Lord! :)

God Bless

Morgan Nicole

Countdown To Easter 7 Days!

"Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stonefrom the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. " Luke 11:14-45 :)

Question: In Luke 11:1-13 , we see that Jesus waited to go to Lazarus when He was sick. Why did Jesus wait to go to Lazarus? Why was He "glad" for their sakes (vs. 14-15) that Lazarus was already dead?

Jesus wanted to teach us all a huge Lesson! God has a plan...His own perfect plan set in motion and we all fall into that plan. Sometimes...bad things happen to us...that's just life. But God uses those tragedies for His glory. Notice the last verse I quoted...Many Jews ended up believing in Him through this. Jesus literally waited for the right time...for the right moment...for the right people to watch Him perform this miracle so they would believe! Wow...how amazing is it that Jesus would have THAT kind of concern and dedication for the people he had to DIE for! What Love is greater than that?

Sometimes we have to suffer through uncomfortable circumstances...don't think for a minute that Jesus doesn't care about your well-being (because He most assuredly DOES! read the last post!). But Jesus cares most about people believing in Him...so He may give them eternal life! God will use anything he needs to get people's attention...so be ready to be used in unexpected ways! Read more about this in one of my previous posts, "dealing With Loss" Here: http://mylifebymorgannicole.blogspot.com/2011/03/dealing-with-loss.html

God Bless

Morgan Nicole