(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.