Shine!

Okay, I start school in exactly 6 days. Crazy, but, exciting all at once. I think that this year is going to be a good one. I just have that feeling. You know, when you just sense that God is going to do some work. I feel some work coming on. It may be hard work, it may be painful work. You know how that goes. He works in the oddest ways sometimes...how cool is he?


My school is a bit...needy. Those of you who go/went there know. It needs Jesus...we all do, but, this school is really in need. And, I have. And I need to give. I need to share him. Show him. SHINE! So, I need to stay close to him so that He can give me the light to shine right? Right. So, My goal is to turn to him in every situation. Not be ashamed...and SHINE!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO! O yes. I am gonna be bright! More when I am awake...


...the cutest converse around...

whoa

So, I don't have much to say, except that if you have never listened to sara groves...GO LISTEN TO HER NOW!! I know i talk a lot about music and stuff, but, me and music are homies and sara groves is one of my new favorites!!!! she is absolutly AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so, i am tired, but, there is more to come tomorrow!! love you all...



...me...



if you didn't watch Cheetah Girls 2...do it. again, good stuff! :)

...

So, i have really wrestled with God today. Over lots of things. I am having a hard time believing certain things. I find myself asking why. Why is God letting certain things happen in my life? Why has he put me thru some of the pain I have experienced lately? Why Why Why...


I don't know.


I don't know.


I don't know.


That is it. I don't know. It kills me sometimes. How much of the picture am I missing. Sometimes, I hope that I am missing a lot. Sometimes, I wish I could see it all. But, I can't. So, being the human that I am, I ask why. Certain things I don't want to go into now, but, I am always wondering. Does God really know what he's doing?? the quick and correct answer is, yes, of course! But, how many of you have ever struggled with believing that? ME ME ME!! I have I have! Try right now. And then, tonite, i listened to the song, "God is in Control" by Twila Paris (oldie) The chorus says:

God is in control
We believe that his children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside him we know
God is in control

It almost wrecked me tonite. HE IS IN CONTROL. I WILL NOT BE FORSAKEN. Yet, I feel like everything has fallen apart in my life. Well, then I listened to, "Held" by Natalie Grant. Check this chorus out...the whole song is amazing, but, check this out:

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Yes, we will be held when things are fine, but, it is when everything just collapses, that he holds us in his big loving arms.


Just wanted to share those thoughts with you! Blessings...


...me...

Random Thoughts

Alrighty, so once again, I have nothing really to write about. I just like writing. So, this has been my day...


I woke up at 0830 (I feel important using mil. time!)...amazing! And made pancakes. Lots and lots of pancakes. They were delicious. As i ate, i watched Live! with Regis and Kelly. Mainly to see Sasha Cohen, my favorite skater!! I have decided to take up skating...fun! She inspired me. I think I will enjoy skating. You get to wear pretty dresses!! YAY! and then i went to my Grandma's house. good times.


I guess my day was pretty dull. But, whatever. It was a good day none the less!!! I hope you all are doing well and enjoying life. Anyone reading this...if you don't have a blog...GET ONE! so that i am not the only one writing. I like things to read! :)


i start school soon. I am actually ready. Oh, for those of you who don't know, i am moving next summer. So, one more year here and then I will be out of this place! off to MI!! I am so stinkin excited!!! Alrighty...enough randomness!! Love you all and will hopefully talk to you soon!! If you are reading this...CALL ME! I miss all of you so much and would love to catch up! Enjoy your day!


...la chica bonita...

Challenges, good and bad...

Challenges...mmmhmmm...everyone loves a good challenge, right? well, i do. most of the time.


I am actually starting a personal challenge with the start of September. My sister and I are going to challenge ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically. I could do without the physical, but, whatever! We are participating in the Brio Babe 30 Day challenge. Check it out at briomag.com. It is challenging girls to get in shape with the start of the academic year. So, My sister and decided to try it together. So, as usual, this got me thinking. About challenges, good and bad. Hard and easy. Short and long. Fat and skinny (i just had to throw that in!). I have a few thoughts...

1. This challenge is going to make me think hard on what is important in life. Focusing on keeping myself in check. Whether it be in my walk with Christ or physically, mentally, whatever it may be. But, then I thought. Why does this challenge only need to last for 30 days. I know for me, I do something for about 30 days and then, decide that was good enough. Wait a year, and then consider trying again. maybe the next time I get 35 days. I think many of us are like this. So, instead of a 30 day challenge, why not a daily challenge. A personal challenge to have a daily quiet time. Excersize daily. Share my faith daily. Live daily. You know? So, my challenge to myself and to you, is challenge yourself. Challenge youself to truly work hard each day to make sure that we make Jesus number 1 in everything we do...it will be tough. Notice i didn't say it may be tough. I said it WILL be. So, be ready for a challenge. But, after a while, it may not be so hard. Give it a try...
2. Then I thought about challenges, like giants. You know, the tough stuff in life. Like having a paper due tomorrow and you haven't started research. Or, trying to get through a major loss. Or, dealing with hard things at home. Those kind of challenges. The ones that we wish would just go away. Well, I have learned (the hard way) that ignoring your challenges does nothing. That we need to face challenges head on. While at church, the pastor said that there are 5 words to remember when facing challenges. They were: 1) Courage 2) Confidence 3) Trust 4) Be prepared 5) Victory. By doing those 5 things or remembering them, those challenges will dissappear. But, it may hurt. So, maybe those challenges are good things. In my experiences, they have brought me closer to God. And they end up being bittersweet, if you kow what I mean. So, enjoy the challenges and really keep and open mind. Be ready to see what God has to show you.

Well, I am pretty tired. Once again, I love you all so so so much!! Enjoy life and have a wonderful day!!! Be strong and BE FREE!! (more on those later!) :o) Stay close to Jesus and lean on him for everything!!!!!! Oodles of love...

...The Sneaker...