To Do: Relax.

Okay, while I realize I haven't been the best example of this in my own life these past few months...the more out of control I feel the more I realize how quickly life floats away from our finger tips. It seems like your holding a certain event right in the palm of your hands and however you handle it, good or bad, it will, just like all the others, sift right through your fingers and remain only as a memory...sooner or later, it always does. Why ruin the memory by stressing, overreacting or making a bigger deal over things? How much better to just take a deep breath and chill out.

The above is added on to my forever long New Year's Resolutions List. That and finishing things....as I seem to be deteriorating in my capacity to do so. Yikes.

If I don't blog before then... I hope you each a beautiful New Years. Pick your smooch strategically ;)

Day 14: Favorite Movie

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Something you should know about me is... I love movies. For the most part I've cut technology (as much as I possibly could) out of my life, but seriously, let's get real... I could never stop watching movies. For me it's so fun (almost as fun as a book) to escape into the characters lives and see the way the director wants you to see things. Sometimes it gets a little tricky in Hollywood and you have to be able to differentiate between reality and possibilities.

My guilty pleasure is definitely chick-flicks. That's what {almost} my entire movie collection consists of...my favorite being The Notebook, but only if I absolutely HAD to choose. The romance and story line, for some reason, is just irresistible to me. I can't really explain why. I mean for the most part, it goes against lots of things I believe in so I can't exactly justify the fact that it's my favorite although I really do wish I could.

Maybe I'm so drawn by the hopeless love Noah and Allie share.. Or the fact that Noah can't get on with his life because of the intensity of his feelings for her. They shared one summer and he was hooked on her- he could never let go. I love that he wrote her for 365 days. He had dedication and he was a man of his word. He had nothing and yet he could offer her everything; that was more than enough for her. There are so many incredibly well written lines...you can't help but quote them. I love the beauty that is created in the movie. I love the time period and the fashion, the fun. I love the way that they complete each other.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking that it's the kind of romance and love I want but then I realize that's a lie. While it's an incredible movie and I have yet to conquer my tears while watching it, I know that their love is fueled by worldly passion and attraction. A biblical romance is fueled by an overflow of Jesus' graciousness to his people by the beauty of marriage. Jesus wants marriage to be a mirror image of his love for the church. He wants us to *try* to understand his incredible and UNexplainable love for us by showing us togetherness between two people. Sadly, the world is slowly conquering marriage and damaging the loveliness it was intended to hold. Worldly desires that burn inside of men and women have distinguished the drive of pushing through the hard things of life together and separating the two by so many enticing things. Adultry. Lies. Weakness. Lack of leadership. Lack of submission. Feminism. Uncommitedness. Temptation.

These days I see marriages falling apart all around me and all I can think is to beg God that one day that won't be me. I pray that by God's grace I will be blessed (one day) with a man that desires God's best for the two of our lives, who lives in reckless abandonment in the freeness of Jesus' grace and fearlessly seeks to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus. I know that he's out there waiting for me and I just adore the thought of "one day." It's quite mind blowing to think that the Lord has prepared someone just for me and I just for him... I know that our relationship will be far from perfect, but I'm so not looking for perfect. I'm searching and seeking for real, for God's absolute best.

In the coming years for me and people my age, I know there will be so many distractions. So many people that seem like they fit the mold- "they're perfect!" but no. I challenge you and I challenge myself daily to search your heart, seek after God...ask him to guide you because after all, he knows the one. Don't be distracted by the potential, wait for the confirmed. There are so many things to do for the kingdom- focus on that. Fill your mind with everything pure and good because when you're on that track, you're right with God and when you're right with God, you can hear his voice the greatest...and when you can hear his voice, you'll know just what he's saying.

What a beautiful thing.

"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you."

Something I'm proud of.... (:

This ministry is practically the heartbeat of my current life- http://hopereinsraleigh.org/

This picture is entitled: Complete Submission. Right on the money, eh? But on a more serious note, this is in essence what I do at Hope Reins... I train the horses. It's a constant adventure- to see what you can teach them and in turn, through the process, what they teach me. I love what I do here and how the Lord uses me and changes me through it daily...

The other aspect of this beautiful ministry is the children...perhaps one of my favorite parts. Visit the website for more info :)

Another bonus of working here is the incredible people. You see all those people on the staff page on that website? Their all family to me. So near and dear. I love each one of them.

Stored In Heaven

'Tis the season, isn't it?? ...The season of friends, family, lovejoypeacepatience....GIFTS. Yes, I love Christmas. But I love Christmas for what it truly is- a day that should bring people close together in celebration of the birth of a Savior- NOT because of materialism.


What is this??

I mean, most of the time the gift you buy you friends and family are out of obligation or completely un-thought provoked. So, not only are you buying gifts just to buy gifts but you're doing so UNthoughtfully. Does it get worse?

Or what about people getting wrapped up (every pun intended) in the competitive spirit? For instance, house decor, cookie competitions, biggest, bestest parties, ect.

I'd say that, in movie terms, the Griswold's are the perfect example in the movie "Christmas Vacation". A celebration of all the wrong things. Honestly, I don't want to down all these things- I mean, the true intentions of the ideas are fun and family oriented BUT what they've become in our culture can be destructive.

A while ago I posted a blog on fair trade and how many major companies don't enforce this. When you're buying gifts go to small businesses and support their endeavors. Order online at websites that are doing great things... There are some places that even donate money to Haiti relief the second you buy an item. Instead of wasting loads of electricity and decking your house out with lights, go iceskating with your family or bring gloves to the homeless (it's really cold outside if you haven't noticed:)). Take your time off and just love on people. Lift one another up. After all, that is why Jesus came to earth.

Jesus is the most perfect example of a people-lover and so, in order to honor him on HIS holiday (even though everyday is already his...but just go with it) let's love people well. Don't get tied up in the things that don't matter- instead, "store your treasures in heaven."

Day 12 :D

Okay, so I've faced it.... I'm not the most "on top of it" person ever.... in fact, I'm usually late on things-- I'm not a afraid of commitment but I am trying to work out the fact that I normally don't have the commitment done in a timely manner. I suppose it could be my New Year's resolution: Get things done in a timely fashion.


Three blogs I can't get enough of...
I'd have to say, the majority of them are fashion blogs- yes, yes, they are beautiful. The three I check most often are:
- http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/
- http://blog.freepeople.com/
- http://www.shophallelu.com/blog/

Fun stuff. Let's cross our fingers I don't miss a day this week :)

Oh man! It's the 9th....already???

So, I've missed 2 days. So sorry :(

Song for the day (Day 7)
Seriously, this was a really tricky one. How am I supposed to pick only one song?? So, I decided to pick a beautiful song along with a beautiful music video. All those candles seem like heaven, seriously.

The last item I purchased (Day 8)
Funny story. So I bought a coat, an absolutely lovely coat...that I couldn't exactly afford but since I fell in love with it, I bought it anyway. Great self control. My point is, my mother flipped out when she discovered my impulsive purchase and became determined that it would just have to be one of my Christmas gifts. While I still have the charge to my credit card, I am patiently waiting for Christmas Day...and patiently, hopefully waiting for a nice little transfer to my account ;) Great story, huh?

A Close-up of my day (Day 9)
I'm thinking that I'll just do this one tomorrow along with day 10, how's that sound?? Tomorrow will be a more exciting day anyways- and I'll bring my camera along so that you can truly have a "close-up" ;)

Day 6: Book I'm Reading..

Welp. I am currently reading the Hunger Games. 

This is a super awesome trilogy of which I am only on the first book. Thus far, it's semi like the book by George Orwell, 1984. Or at least in the fact that the government is totalitarian and the people are fearful. The government makes each district send two children, one boy and one girl to a nation-wide event called the Hunger Games. This event is when kids fight to the death- the winner is set free and sent back into their home district branded a "hero/heroine." The only thing is, the people hate these games... they are forced to participate. 


So far this book is awesome. I'm so looking forward to finishing it :)

(Day 5) Three Years Ago :2008:

Wow. I am marveled to think of how much has changed since only 3 years ago. Boy, do I look different (thankfully, no more braces. and, who woulda thought layers would do so much for someone's hair/overall look?!). I live in a different house... I would maybe even say that the person I am is quite different. The video below is my greatest friend all the way from kindergarten. We took Cotillion for 3 years.. starting in 4th grade- this video is from the beginning (Spring) of 2008. Looking back on this, even the way we talk is different... okay, so maybe EVERYTHING isn't that different but still- it feels like so much has changed. I know that the person I am is slightly different at the very least. When you grow up, or the MORE you grow up, the more you discover how much life really isn't about you. Not only do (and should you) come to that realization but I've seen how much better life truly is when you *don't* focus on yourself. Oh, life has been so good in these three years- I am just blown away.

If only I could possibly explain all the things I've 

      experienced...

                learned.... 

                        seen...

                             done...

                                  enjoyed...

                                          been blown away by...

                                                  been absolutely appalled at...

This list could just go on and on. I'm thankful for it all- so thankful to be alive and experiencing life. Hopefully I live to the fullest.

In 2008, I broke my arms.

This was completely life-defining.

Honestly. It was this huge wake up call that I needed to live on fire for something... not to be lukewarm on anything. I was passionate before this accident but afterward, I realized how much more I can do... how much different I could make the world if I wanted to. That I could seriously make a difference. So, I started pushing for it... Then Hope Reins came about and the deal was sealed. Hope Reins changed my pursuit of Jesus tenfold. Perfect timing :)

Just three years ago...

If nothing else, this makes me realize how much three years really is. When you don't really think about it, three seems like a small number- but it isn't. It's a whole lot of time. Seize the day! 

Here's to the next three :)

Day 3....and 4- oops!!

Hello my lovely Blog-Readers :) I hope you are well on this beautiful North Carolina day. This weekend has been absolutely glorious for me! My friends from Guatemala came into town yesterday morning- I picked them up from the airport late (because I went to the wrong terminal..) and greeted them at baggage claim with a lovely home-made banner.. Then we spent the rest of the day laughing. We finally ended our day with going to downtown's super, duper fun Winterfest. Our native Guatemalans got to ice skate and sled for the first time while we listened to 80's music and danced around town. I hope you had a great weekend! What did you do??


So, hence the busy day above, I forgot to blog yesterday but alas! Today is the day for both update- don't you worry! 

Something you never leave the house without. Day 3

hmm. I actually did think about this one yesterday, for I didn't know what I would write. I've been in a "no-purse" mood recently so I haven't had anything with me at all, actually. So, I was wondering if I could say something that I wear all the time instead? .....which would be my promise ring. 

haha... besides the scary face, that's my ring. My daddy gave it to me and that's when I made a promise to both him and God..to remain pure. When I took that promise, I knew I had given my word on something that was very important and I assumed it would be a really easy thing. As I got older, I realized and keep realizing just how difficult it is to keep my eyes on Jesus- never swerving from the path that he has created for me to walk. This promise, I learned, wasn't only about the physical nature of purity... instead, and even harder, it is about emotional, spiritual and mindful purity, keeping my thoughts only on things that glorify my Savior. 


As I learn more and more of who I am.. I see that this "pure" way of thinking goes way outside of sex and relationships. Instead I see that it shows itself through everything in life. Am I pure in the way I think and relate to people (God's creation, made in his beautiful image)? How 'bout in the way I worship and serve him? Or in my family- do I relate to my parents and brother honorably? Do you see what I mean? Ever since I slid this ring on my finger I have been challenged with the physical reminder of this:

Do not let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity. -1 Timothy

This is the life calling that all teenagers have been given- to set an example. What an awesome mission given straight from the Lord of all. Why aren't we living more like Paul says??

A friend I adore Day 4 Gee wiz. This one is a tough one! I have so many incredible friends that I adore and each one for so many different reasons. However, I have this one friend who is an absolute rock in my life. When I am terrible at keeping in touch and calling back, I get notes in the mail from her- just encouraging me. We are crazy together, absolutely insane...but honestly, it wouldn't be fun to be the way I am with her with any other of my friends. She loves the Lord, oh boy does she love him and she is absolutely stunning inside and out.. her beauty radiates. I love Marianna Brewer so very much. Thanks for always being there for me, chick! I love, love, love listening to all your stories- most the time I sit on the other side of the phone with popcorn in hand. You make me smile. And so does your life. You're going to do incredible things, you already are....but the future you is going to change the world, I already know. I'm so ready to see it- I can hardly wait. I love you!!! This is us. We had a paint war :D We love life.

Day 2... inspire :)

Inspirational quotes.. 3, to be precise. Honestly, I knew this would be really hard for me. When I was 12 or so, I found this leather bound book with beautiful blank cream pages in it in our old house and I immediately seized ownership of it. Ever since, I've filled it with words and quotes that have touched my heart. It's quite lovely. It ranges from the definitions of words and to bible verses then to philosophies of famous thinkers and random lines of songs--- beautiful words. A sentence formed with the perfect combination of letters. Incredible. Here are three quotes... tough choices but I picked, nonetheless.




1) I had this beautiful quote on my blog wall a while ago- i think. It's by Thoreau. I'm a fan of his thoughts.. They are very interesting. And thought provoking.

As if you could kill time without injury eternity. 

For me, this quote means so much because often times people my age and sometimes older also (i guess if you never decide to grow up :P) do things and act on impulses that I am sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, they will later regret...they do it like it won't ever effect them. But. Sad news: it does. And odds are that it will effect other people to-- cause injury. 

2) For number two... this one's a bit more personal but touching all the more. I'm a fan of poetry. I'm a hopeless romantic at times. And 100% of a girl. If you're like me, there's no way these words couldn't get to you.

I thought I understood it

                                                                         but I didn't

I only knew the idea of it

Of you and me

I thought I understood it

but I didn't, not really

I knew the smugness of it

the eagerness of it

the idea of it

Of you and me.

Sometimes you think you know, in your heart that something is perfect. You're sure of it. But it turns out- it isn't. Then you're left to deal with the fact that what you once thought was the end-all.. really wasn't. You have trillions of memories tied up with a few months out of the hundreds in your life and yet, all you seem to remember are those few. You try and let go. You tell yourself over and over again to get rid of your feelings but sometimes it just takes years to get over those few months... in the end you come to grips with the fact that really all you understood was the idea.

3) Let's end on a light note...be free :)

I want to be able to sleep in an open field, to travel west, to walk freely at night… 

– Sylvia Plath

There's all sorts of freedoms but lots of times the freedom above is the one I crave.. I free spirit that roams and takes joy in this life here. I love it. Watch the rain pour- run in it when you tire of watching it fall. Love your family well. Pursue things that are important. Forget to think. Do.

And for me, I want to live freely in abandonment to my Savior... freedom.

I am an avid blog reader and I decided to take Astrid's (agirlnamedastrid) idea but use it for December instead of November... not only will you get to know me better, it will also give me a goal of posting something every day--How FUN! 

A Self Portait: Or a "Portrait of Self"

This was such a happy day :) Photography is a beautiful gift and boy does Jen Arthur have it (http://jenarthur.com/blog/?p=680)! Bright colors, feather earrings, strapless dresses, lovely horses... such a beautiful day. Some days it's necessary to feel pretty.. those days aren't everyday but some days are extraordinary- I am a personal fan of those days.

The days ahead... 

Day 01: A self portrait 

                Day 02: Three inspirational quotes

Day 03: Something I never leave the house without.

Day 04: A friend I adore.

Day 05: Three years ago today.

Day 06: A book I'm reading.

Day 07: A song for the day.

Day 08: The last item I purchased.

Day 09: A close-up of my day.

Day 10: What I love about my job.

Day 11: Something I’ve been craving.

Day 12: Three blogs I can’t get enough of.

Day 13: Something I'm proud of.

Day 14: A favourite movie.

Day 15: Some style inspiration for the season. 

Day 16: Someone who inspires me.

Day 17: My family.

Day 18: What I wore today.

Day 19: A silly self-portrait.

Day 20: A childhood anecdote.

Day 21: Something I could never tire of.

Day 22: Some place I’ve traveled.

Day 23: Eight things you didn't know about me.

Day 24: Something that means a lot to me.

Day 25: The contents of my purse.

Day 26: Something I'm looking forward to.

Day 27: Myself, one year ago.

Day 28: A skill I'd like to learn.

Day 29: Some place I'd like to visit.

Day 30: Three wonderful things that happened this month.

Day 31: What the Lord has shown you this month.