The Big News...

I got the job interview, folks....
Thank you so much to everyone who has been supporting and praying for me.
I cannot be more excited and humbled by this... I can't even express how thankful I am. When I heard back from the program director, I literally cried for almost an hour straight. God's grace is too big for me to handle. 

Psalm 36:5
"Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."


The official interview date is:
October 11th at 10:00 am


This doesn't mean a job yet, but it is one step closer to my academic dream. I want the Lord's will and nothing less. Let's see where this goes.


I will hear back from them in mid-November regarding my potential future at Vanderbilt.


This is an adventure. 


Cody

Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie!

Ok. In honor of Fall. 

I found a super easy-to-make, decently healthy (depending on what ingredients you add) pumpkin cheesecake smoothie!! The recipe is flexible, so use your creative juices, and make it your own.


I was working with what I could find in my kitchen. These were my ingredients:

Here is the recipe!

Like I said, you may use whatever ingredients you'd like. Be creative.

- 1 cup cow milk, vanilla soy milk, rice milk, or  vanilla almond milk (The vanilla flavor is important)

- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

- Pumpkin pie spice to taste (I used apple pie spice because that's what was available)

 Fact: Pumpkin spice is simply mixture of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and ginger... You may have these ingredients, just separate.
- 2 ounces cream cheese  (I used a little more than this... I have a long-lasting love affair with cheese)
- Sugar to taste (I used agave nectar. You can always use honey, Sugar in the Raw, Splenda, etc.)

- 1 scoop vanilla whey or  protein powder (For health buffs! I didn't have any, and it was still great)

- 1 cup ice

*I added 1 tsp of vanilla extract for good measure

*If I had graham crackers, I would most certainly toast them and sprinkle them on top with whip cream and cinnamon... Just a suggestion!

*I also juiced some baby carrots and put them in for their awesome color and natural sugar. Talk about pumpkin colored! I promise it doesn't end up tasting like your grandma's famous beef stew if you add them. You'd never know the difference.

Mini nutrition lesson!

Carrots add the following nutrients (among others) to your smoothie:

Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Potassium, B Vitamins, Magnesium, and Folate!

Amen.

Love,

          Cody

Men and Women and Love and Stuff...Part 2

Part TWO:

Interesting Fact: One of my favorite pastimes in
the world is to be carried, caught, or thrown over
the shoulders of someone stronger than I.

   The minute I had asked for ended up feeling like a year of silence.
   Here are some of the things that came pouring from my mouth as if I had been waiting for someone to ask me this for years....
   I so desire a man who loves God more than me. Who will be strong for me when I am weak in faith. Whose first, not last, alternative is prayer and obedience in the face of trial. Who will pray for me, drop his worldly pride, lead by example, and love me the same way that Christ loves the church. A man who knows and is known by God.

   I so desire a practical man. Someone who can make decisions when I'm indecisive, change my flat tire, work a budget, help me with tech problems, google how to fix a leaky sink... Just normal, run-of-the-mill things. A practical man. A problem solver. This is for me, by far, one of the most attractive qualities I can think of in a man.

   I so desire a reliable man. Someone who is on time, can be trusted with responsibilities, will be where he says he'll be when he says he'll be there. A wise man whose words and actions line up.

   I so desire a man who pursues me. A man I don't have to chase, or beg, or put on a show for. A man who loves me through my baggage and my stubbornness and doesn't simply give up on me when things get difficult. A man whose love and affection won't fade with time. A man who believes I'm worth fighting for, and then acts accordingly. A man whose strength inspires me to be the woman I was meant to be. I want to help. I want to encourage. I want to support. I want to serve. I want to feel safe. I want to be someone's ezer kenegdo: a sustainer by my husband's side.


I want a best friend...

...I have a feeling this guy got a little more than he had bargained for...

I immediately felt exposed... Reality set back in when my friend said, "Cody, you haven't eaten anything..." 

"Oh, right! Well...anyways... those are just some dreams of mine. I understand I can't really expect to have those things in a man. Especially given my past and all the baggage I'd be carrying... I can't have that."


The gentleman looked up at me and simply said, "Cody... yes you can."


I picked up my fork, dug into the appetizer, and fought back tears. For the first time in my life, a man was reminding me that I was of worth in some way.... of great worth to my future husband, and more importantly of upmost worth to my God.


I'll never have a perfect man this side of Heaven, of this I am sure. But there is another part of me that has always been absolutely convinced that I don't deserve this type of man. A practical, wise man who will lead me spiritually, fight for me,  and find me of great worth...


Just the thought of my future husband inspires me to become all that I can be in Christ.


"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." 


-----------------------------------


There is a reason that such boring qualities such as reliability and practicality mean the WORLD to me. 


I'll be posting here soon, and you'll get a real look at the real Cody. 


Oh, boy...

Men and women and love and stuff

Part ONE:


Hey, guys! Cody here.

I'm reading a book right now called Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. While it is definitely old-school in some areas, and I don't agree with every single word that is printed, it is gold. I'm going to share a few things that I am learning from this book, and consequently about myself. I have some personal stories, some quotes from the book, and my thoughts on men, women, love, and stuff.

The story begins:

I started seriously thinking about my future in regards to dating and marriage at a dinner table with an old friend about 3 months ago. We had just started eating when he looked me dead in the eye and asked, 

"Cody, what do you desire in a man?"

I gently put my fork down on my plate. To say that this caught me off guard is an understatement. I had never sat down and really thought about what I desired in a man. Well, I certainly knew the things that I wasn't looking for, and I had some ideas as to what I was looking for in a man....but they had never been well thought-out, and most certainly never spoken. 

I quickly came to the realization that no one had ever asked me this question before. No mentor, no parent, no friend, and certainly none of my past boyfriends.

I asked him if he would give me a minute to think. Although he may not have realized it, I felt like sharing this information would be like bearing a part of my soul to him. I wasn't even sure if it was appropriate to answer. Suddenly, my heart was beating faster than it had been the minute before. My response would tell so much about me, I thought. It would reveal my deepest longings, and more ashamedly, my brokenness. Did he know what he was doing? He sounded like he was asking because he really wanted to know the answer... I wasn't prepared to respond. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, it sent chills down my spine. 

Suddenly, I was nervous.

[Next post should be up by tomorrow. Stay tuned if you will.]

Lilly

Most Current:
Lilly's surgery was a success!  She got her chest tubes out and is drinking from a bottle! The nurse has assured that things are progressing as they should. We are praying she will be moved to the step down unit asap.


Thanks for your prayers, folks.


God is GOOD.


UPDATE:
LILLY IS CURRENTLY IN OPEN HEART SURGERY [SEPT. 22, 1:30PM CST]. IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE PRAY.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I noticed that I have viewers from a couple differnt countries at times, so I am going out on a limb and seeing if I can get some international prayers going for a friend. Also, if all my United States folks can be praying too, it would be so helpful.


Here's the deal.
This is Lilly:

She has a rare heart defect that accounts for only .1 % of ALL heart defects.


She is having open heart surgery next week, and it is vital that we come together and pray.


I'm not asking for good thoughts, positive energy, or well wishes. Prayer, please.


As a nurse, I understand the gravity of this situation. Little lives are very fragile, and she is going to be fighting hard for life in these weeks to come.


The surgery will be taking place at Emory hospital in Atlanta.

As of 9/18----- -Lilly is still stable. She has fluid on her lung, and is being treated with respiratory therapy and antibiotics. Although she is stable, it is still a critical situation. 


Be praying.

Cherry Pie

Today I made homemade Mini Cherry Pies.

 Theyweredelicious.

Flour, Sugar, Vanilla and Almond Extract, Cinnamon, and Cherries

Pie crust cups before the fancy tops

Fancy tops that took WAY too long. [ They were so worth it though]

And there we have them, folks.

If you'd like to make this, you ought visit this wonderful blog :)

The creator of the blog mentions that she uses tin foil to line the muffin tin. I would not suggest this. It is just as simple to butter and flour the tin, and put the crust right on it. I had no problems doing it this way.

I suggest using this brand of fruit:

[It's the best in my opinion]

My plan for next time is to make 4 cherry pies, 4 blueberry pies, and 4 apple pies. That way everyone can be happy.

Happy baking, folks!

Little Tiny Update 1

Here's a quick summary of what I have on my plate at the moment:
1. I am currently waiting to here back from Vanderbilt University Medical Center regarding an application I sent in earlier this month. I am applying to their Graduate Nurse Residency Program. This means at least a two year commitment to VUMC and Nashville, Tennessee. I have officially chosen the pediatric track and hope to work in their prettymuchamazingandworldfamous pediatrics facility. I find out around September 26th (aka my birthday) as to whether or not I get to interview for the position. That being said, the interview alone does not guarantee a position. If do get this job, they offer a tuition reimbursement program that would pay for my Master's Degree. This would mean Cody Hudgens RN, BSN, MSN, FNP. FNP= Family Nurse Practitioner. That's the goal, at least.

Here's part of the medical center:

[Who knows about all this future stuff. I am writing this and asking that you guys will pray for God's best. That may or may not include this residency program. I will take whatever is given to me with joy stemming from a deep understanding that my plans always pale in comparison to what God is doing/ wants to do. At this point, I'm holding on loosely to my plans and dreams, and letting God do what He does better than I ever could.] 

Sneak preview of the Nashville skyline:

Could you watch this? It's 5 minutes. Probably the most concise and accurate summary of the Gospel according to the Bible that I have seen in a while. Even if you're not a Christian or you believe that the Bible is a storybook, you'll appreciate the cinematography (and this gentleman's dreads). You can always chalk it up to broadening your knowledge about other religions. At least consider it.

Two of my favorite people...

My niece Khloe and my nephew Maddox. 

I love these two like no one's business. 

Mema strikes again....

This is an excerpt from a conversation I had with my grandmother over coffee and waffles...

Mema: You know how your mom, aunt, and I are going out of town for your birthday?

Me: Yea... I remember.

Mema:Well... it looks like we're going to need your car too....

Me: Are you serious? You're leaving town with nearly my entire nuclear family for my birthday AND taking my car???

Mema:Well...yes.

Me:Ok, so that means I can borrow your car while ya'll are gone, right?

Mema: Baby, there is no way in the world I am letting you drive my Cadillac.

Me: Wow. Really cool, Mema.

Then we just went back to eating our waffles...
Happy Birthday to Me!

Sometimes...

my sister and I cook....
Say hello to our Mini Apple Pies.
[from scratch]

Filling= Organic apples and brown sugar syrup

I was pretty proud of my little shells!

Oh, yes.

Oatmeal/ brown sugar crumbly topping.

A la mode, of course!

Health Update

This is long overdue. 

Thank you so much for baring with me, folks. 

Here's the Skinny:

My health was uncertain upon my return from Guatemala. I had almost unbearable acid reflux and was still not sure as to what exactly was going on with my lower GI tract.

After visiting an American GI specialist, the big picture of my health became much clearer.

I had both an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. 

During the endoscopy, the doc found that the lining of my stomach was quite damaged. This explained the intense reflux. He explained that this condition would be self limiting and something I would have to simply placate until the inflammation and irritation subsided.


The colonoscopy revealed that I did have a large mass that needed to be removed . Under the microscope this mass turned out to be a Tubulovilus adenoma. TVAs are thought to have a higher risk of malignant transformation than any other adenoma of the lower GI tract. That being said, this one had not converted. Had I of given it some more years to grow and convert, I honestly don't know what could have happened.


All the bleeding has stopped. All the ulcers have healed without significant scaring. I no longer need any type of medicine to control the bleeding and my blood counts are normal. The acid reflux has subsided and it seems that my stomach lining is slowly getting back to normal. I still watch what I eat and do what I can to stay in optimal health.


The Lord has provided for my every need. The donations that I received prior to and during my hospitalization and procedures paid for almost all the bills that I had incurred. Couples, friends, my church, former co-workers, all saw a need and supported me in a way that totally blew my mind. The body of Christ really is alive and working. It's easy to get disheartened in this day and age, but real Christians are out there. They really are showing God's love through their generosity,  and I am humbled to be a part of their lives. 


Thus ends my health update.

Thoughts upon return...

I cannot even begin to try to tell you what in the world has been going on since I've moved back to the States. Forgive me that it's been so long. After coming back from Guatemala, it has been a whirlwind of: 

Emotions,

       physical sickness,  uncertainty,

                        huge decisions, Doubt, Disappointment

You name it, I've felt it. 

My heart was truly broken when I returned from Guatemala. 

I was disappointed in myself (not logical, I know) and disillusioned because I had no idea what God was doing.

After doubting my purpose in general, loosing hope, realizing my going to Guatemala in the first place wasn't thoroughly covered in prayer, I found myself feeling lost. My body was so much more frail than I had ever realized. I'm not invincible... simply human. A number of things could have gone differently while I was out of the country, and I wouldn't be typing this right now. 

This whole thing has been a life changing experience.

Mission work is honestly a privilege and nothing less. Upon my return, I repented of seeing it as anything less than that.

I needed to be let down.

                I needed to be refocused. 

                             I needed to be broken.

                               I needed to be lost enough to let myself be led.