Becoming Brittney Nicole

Location: Addison Student Center, Hobe Sound Bible College Order: Marble Mocha Date: 1/24/20 Lately, I have been thinking A LOT about the word surrender. Merriam-Webster defines surrender as: "the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another". Humanity usually does its best to avoid any form of surrender. In a game, we play to win. In a battle, we fight to conquer. In life, we work to be the best. So, it is interesting that in Christ's kingdom, we are called to wave that white flag over our lives. Jesus Himself, before going to the cross to die, prayed, "Not my will, but Thine be done." (Matthew 26:39) This seems upside down. Surrender, in the world's eyes, points to weakness, to giving up. We are giving up. We are giving our time, our efforts, and our desires. Our WHOLE lives. But it is in the giving up of us that we can be full of Him .  It is in admitting and real

Location: Starbucks – Salisbury, NC Order: Toasted White Chocolate Mocha Date: 1/1/2020 Wow. It is the very first day of a brand-new year, a BRAND-NEW DECADE. It seems like the whole world should feel different; the sky should be a little bluer and our vision a little brighter. It does feel slightly different because we are aware of the big numerical change of the calendar as the earth has made it around the sun one more time. In a lot of ways, though, it feels the same. If a life is lived, truly lived in constant motion, New Year’s really is just another day. Another day to grow. Another day to move forward. Another day for new, exciting, life-changing things. It is a chance to better ourselves for the long haul. What would the world look like if every day was a “New Year’s”? Would more goals be reached and resolutions accomplished? Would more books be read or relationships bettered? Would there be a constant tinge of excitement in the air? I do not wish for New Year’s to n

I grew up in the same house, went to the same private school, and attended the same church for my entire life, at least until nine months ago. And I count it as a blessing. Lots of people moved constantly as a kid, never really feeling "at home". I never knew what it was like to stuff everything up into cardboard boxes or slap a "sold" sticker up outside. Life was consistent. Go to school. Come home. Go out to eat on Friday nights. Go to church Sundays and youth group Wednesdays. Hang out with friends. Go shopping with Mom. Life was good. Everything was constant. But everything tended to constantly be the same.  It was incredibly easy to become complacent. And I am convinced that complacency is the enemy of growth. Isn't it funny how we say we all want change? Change this-and-this to end world hunger. This book/diet/huge exercise ball will change your life. Change your habits to live a better life. The world calls for change, but when it needs peo

So...... it's been a while. A lot has happened.  I moved 600 miles away from my hometown. 600 miles now lie between my family and me. The house I've lived in all my life, the church I've gone to ever since I was old enough to remember, the school where I started kindergarten and graduated high school: my life up to this point lived 600 miles away.  It is such a strange feeling: knowing you are right where God wants you, yet not knowing so many things. How do I do this? Can I really finish every assignment and get enough sleep? What even are people skills? Were those 7:30 classes a good idea? How much coffee is too much coffee (asking for a "friend")?   My whole way of life has shifted. I went from not having any sisters to living in a dorm with forty other girls. Used to the same classes would happen every day; now they're split up. Home cooking was a thing; now cafeteria food is my jam. I have responsibility for my room, my car, my assignm

It's been a month. A month ago today, May 25th, 2018, I graduated from high school. It's strange to think that I won't be going back to my school in the fall, the same way I have for the last thirteen years. I won't be surrounded by the same people group that I have been for a lot of my life. I'll be moving into a dorm, at a new school, in a new state. Things will be different. I either read or heard recently the idea that "things won't stay this way forever". Life comes in seasons. We get so caught up in wishing and dreaming and can't-waiting. (And that's not necessarily a bad thing!) But I think we all need to occasionally take a moment, step back, and say, "Okay, this is where I am, right now ." And guess what? Maybe, that's exactly where God wants you to be. It's been a month, and I've already alternated between taking the world by storm and not wanting to go out. I keep 'reminding' God that thi

Dear March 2018, You. Were. A. Blur. I remember going on at the beginning of the month how I wish April would hurry up and get here. Then, BAM! You were gone, and I'm left wondering when time started moving so fast. The new youth center at  FCC officially opened, and it's so exciting to have a space all our own. I hope that it becomes a place where God meets us and victories are won. A couple friends and I competed in photography in the  NCCSA Fine Arts Competition and didn't do too shabby ☺ I was invited to go to the mountains with a friend and her family over spring break, and it was good to get away for a few days. Make sure you do things that make you feel small. See mountains, sit quietly, just take time to be. March, I'm sorry for wishing you away so quickly. Thank you for the moments anyway. Now on to new things! Hello! It's been awhile haha. Things have been (and will continue to be) busy in my corner of the world, but