Life. Is Good.

Sometimes I wonder why in the world God blessed me with the life He did

Why He would think of me when it comes to filling my life with incredible people 

Why He would give me days like this that overwhelm me with joy and laughter

I am completely and utterly amazed by the life I have been given. And so thankful. I think if people chose to open their eyes, and see past all of the junk that sits before them, and took a look at God's big picture, life wouldn't be so bad all of the time. Not saying that life is always easy, but with God, nothing is too big or too overwhelming. Nothing. What a gift life is. And what are we doing as Christ followers to make each moment of this life worth it? What does it mean to live life to the fullest? And what does it look like to die a meaningful death?

"I want to live

Until I die

Don't let the devil bury me alive

When my heart stops

Let me go home

Don't let the suburbs kill my heart and soul"

"It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence."

Loved. If that is what you can call it.

"I want you to experience the riches of your salvation: the Joy of being loved constantly and perfectly. You make a practice of judging yourself, based on how you look or behave or feel... Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love."
-Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

"You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same. You are Amazing God."

 Be filled with peace knowing that you are incredibly loved by the Lord.

Crazy Love

You know those love stories where both of the guy and the girl are totally messed up? Where they have broken families and insane pasts? And they are ready to give up on life, but then they find each other and their love for one another changes everything? And restores all hope in life and love and their purpose? (I only started to think about this because I watched this ridiculously depressing movie this past week. I'm not one for unhappy endings. But this is what the couples love story looked like.)  I mean when you really think about it, that's a radical love. Do you think that love really exists? What if my love changed somebody's life like that? What if my love restored someone's joy and laughter and life... what an honor that would be. And not even in a romantic relationship, but through a friendship. How beautiful would that be if God used me to bring that healing to someone's life.

Learn to Laugh

   Learn to Laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am Gos with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities- things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain.
   Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly.
   Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Rather, take my yoke upon you and learn from Me. My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily born.

-Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Well Hello.

I am 16. 

I am loud, when I get comfortable around you.

I am completely aware I am not funny, but I still choose to laugh at myself.

 My laugh is loud and comes out quite often, but laughing is good for the soul! 

I love to dance. I will take every opportunity I can to make someone feel totally uncomfortable with my dance moves... It kind of makes my day. 

I am a hopeless romantic and am a sucker for a good love story. 

I love learning music, I know I am not very good and have so much to learn, but I love it. 

I love to help people. I see past the stuff on the surface and find what the true problem is.  I love to listen and try and give the best advice I can.

I am very naive, which is sometimes a good thing, but other times its a problem. 

I see the good in everything, or try to. Life is way to sort and precious to look at the bad. 

I adore my friends. All of them. They bring me more joy than I know what to do with. Because of them, I want to be that joy and that friend to others. 

I love Ben Rector. Yep, he's just my favorite. And I'm currently hooked on Hunter Hayes... Amazing. 

I am in love with the Lord. I realize I am not good enough for Him, and I never will be, but I am trying to live my best to serve Him. 

This is me. Not a person I try to be for others, but the woman God has made me to be. And as I am learning what "me" looks like, I wanted to lay out the things I know for sure. The things I am, without a doubt.  Who knows, these may change throughout the years to come. But for right now, these are the little things that make me, me.

Fear not tomorrow, God is Already there

I am overwhelmed with the amount of peace I feel right now. I have been so stressed this whole week with the amount of projects I have due tomorrow and the little amount of time I have to do them... God miraculously moved all of my projects due dates to Monday. The relief and peace I feel right now is incredible. Loved driving home with the windows down, country music up... Summer is almost here. 10 more days... I can do this...

oh my God

Words cannot describe how wonderful worship was tonight. The band was incredible. I am so thankful for the talents God gave all of the players so we can enjoy them. Their music just brought me joy. After such a stressful past couple of days, I am so thankful I was able to dance, sing, act like a fool, and let go while bringing glory to God.
After about an hour of straight worship, we took time to reflect on what God was doing in our lives. It's amazing what God can reveal to you when we are surrounded in His Presence. In the process of me always trying to make sense of things, and trying to make everything perfect, I lose all sight of trusting God. I push Him aside and try to take control for myself. In the quietness of my prayers, He whispers to me, "Do you trust me?" A simple question, I know. But one I have yet to grasp. While saying I trust the Lord to the world, deep in my heart I am scared to death. I am so scared to let go of what I think to be a perfect plan, for the unknown. God is gently bringing me to my knees, pulling me closer to Him.

Thank you Lord for still pursing us when we continually screw up. You know we are not worth it, but through You, we are. Thank you.

   "Meet Me in morning stillness, while the earth is fresh with the dew of My Presence. Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. Sing love songs to My holy Name. As you give yourself to Me, My Spirit swells within you till you are flooded with divine Presence.
    The world's way of pursuing riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain My riches by letting go and giving. The more you give yourself to Me and My ways, the more I fill you with inexpressible, heavenly Joy." -Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

God, help me to let go and give. Help me not to hold on, but daily give up my ways for Yours. Help me to give, so I can be filled with the inexpressible,  heavenly Joy of Your Presence.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

You know, we have the choice to be happy. And I guess I am just kind of realizing this now... Every morning I can choose to dwell on the positive and not the negative. God gave us that ability. Through Christ we have the power to forgive and experience life to the fullest. Sure there are struggles, things will not go our way, people will let us down; but "Christ stays the same, Yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). That peace is overwhelming. It's hard to accept, but denying it would deny the power of Christ dying on the cross for our sins. I am so thankful that I can rest in God's plan for my life.

Something Beautiful

My history teacher shared this with our class while we were learning about the Holocaust last year. I don't know why I just remembered it today, but I just thought I should share it. 

This story comes from a woman named Gerda Weissmann Klein; she shares about her time in the concentration camps and how this one moment restored her faith in humanity. (There was more background to the story, but I figured no one would want to read it.)

"All of a sudden I saw (pause) a strange car coming down the hill, no longer green, not bearing the swastika, but a white star. It was sort of a mud-splattered vehicle but I've never seen a star brighter in my life. And two men sort of jumped out, came running toward us and one came toward where I stood. He was wearing battle gear. I have to think...you know. His helmet was this mesh over that and he was wearing dark glasses and he spoke to me in German. And he said, "Does anybody here speak German or English?" and I said, "I speak German." And I felt that I had to tell him we are Jewish and I didn't know if he would know what the star means or anything, but you know, and I uh looked at him, I was a little afraid to tell him that but I said to him, "We are Jewish, you know." He didn't answer me for quite a while. And then his own voice sort of betrayed his own emotion and he said, "So am I." I would say it was the greatest hour of my life. And then he asked an incredible question. He said, "May I see the other ladies?" You know, what...what we have been addressed for six years and then to hear this man. He looked to me like a young god. I have to tell you I weighed 68 pounds. My hair was white. And you can imagine, I hadn't had a bath in years. And this creature asked for "the other ladies." And I told him that most of the girls were inside, you know. They were too ill to walk, and he said, "Won't you come with me?" And, and I said, "Sure." But I didn't know what he meant. He held the door open for me and let me precede him and in that gesture restored me to humanity. And that young American today is my husband. "

This might be one of the most precious love stories I have ever heard. And the hope that this man brought her is just beautiful. It just warms my heart.

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/phistories/phi_individuals_kurt_gerda_klein_uu.htm

Walking in the Light

Be thankful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Lately I have just been dwelling on the bad stuff, but in reality.. I have so much to be thankful for.

"When you focus on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is "fixed".... When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through. Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving"

-Sarah Young, "Jesus Calling"

Be thankful.

I said dart gun... not fart.. ooooo

Getting Starbucks at 8:30 at night with your best friend...

Choosing not to study, to shop online and watch a movie instead. 

And write this blog...

"Ope. There he goes."

"What up Larry"

"MOM! I'm going to go to the moon!"

"Hate that guy..."

"Aw my caterpillar never turned into a butterfly"

"You punched my shark!"

"....light bulb...."

"This is my warm-up suit. 

What are you warming up for? 

Super cool stuff, stuff you wouldn't understand.

Like sleeping?

THESE ARE NOT PAJAMAS!"

Eating. And eating some more. Being full. And then eating some more.

Yep. Just the little things that made my day so much better.

more like Him

Can you think of one person in your life that just makes you happy? That when you see them, your day is just brightened? I want to be that kind of person. I want to be able to make someones day, or at least make it a little brighter. I want to be able to show Christ's love and joy through my words and actions. I have been so self centered lately... I want to be more like Him: loving, compassionate, forgiving, joyful. God put us on earth to serve others and love people. Just love people... I think I can do that.

In His Presence

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

~Psalm 16:11

"Waiting on Me means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do. It entails trusting Me with every fiber of your being, instead of trying to figure things out yourself... I have promised many blessings to those who wait on Me: renewed strength, living above one's circumstances, resurgence of hope, awareness of My continual Presence... It also helps you to enjoy Me; in My Presence is fullness of Joy."

 ~Sarah Young, "Jesus Calling"

Incredible

"¹⁹ The sun will no more be your light by day,
   nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
   and your God will be your glory.
²⁰ Your sun will never set again,
   and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
   and your days of sorrow will end."

-Isaiah 60:19-20

Words to live by

"Everything I do, I do for the Lord. You know, anytime, anywhere, no matter what I'm doing I just say "You know what Lord, I'm doing this for you." And at that point I feel invincible, and no one can stop me. I have all of this energy and strength because I know I have the Lord right there with me. And When I do things for the Lord, I am always rewarded. Last year I did everything for myself, and this year, now that I have my mind focused on the Lord, He has blessed me and rewarded me so much. Now I am not trying to please everybody else. Not my parents, or my friends, or my teachers... Their opinion does not matter to me. God's does. And at the end of the day His is the only one that I care about."

While enjoying the beautiful weather and a parfait, my sweet friend shared this with me. I am so thankful for the person that she is and the friendship God has blessed us with. She has encouraged me so much, in ways I couldn't imagine. And I am so thankful for her!

Think Good thoughts

Man today was such a great Friday. I mean, the weather was gorgeous!! But I was so encouraged today. I was sharing with my friend about the Kony movement, and he told me he thought to many people were following a trend instead of actually feeling like it is a good thing to do. Even though I agreed with him to some degree, I think that's the whole point of the movement. Who cares if people if are just going by trend; they are accomplishing what they wanted: For Kony to become famous. He kind of apologized and told me that he wasn't trying to shut me down, he has just been really trying to analyze what people tell him and what he is being taught. Instead of just believing what he is told, he is digging for the truth and what he believes to be true. He told me that he was trying to dig deeper into the Bible and analyze what he is reading. So often I just believe what is being shown to me. When really I should be taking those things and studying them further. That is how you learn and grow. I was just really encouraged by him and his wisdom. And it kind of made my day.

Amazing Grace

John sang Amazing Grace tonight. There was nothing more peaceful and beautiful than everyone singing together. I know it made God smile. There was just something so precious about hearing all of those voices join together; no matter what we were going through, we joined together as a God loving congregation to sing praises to our Lord. It was just beautiful

Faith Like a Child

I felt so encouraged today. I had such an awesome talk with my dad this morning. We just talked about faith and life and God. And it just amazes me to see the he life he was living before he knew the Lord and to see the life he is living now. There aren't many people who would give up the life and fun they know to follow the Lord. That kind of faith is so encouraging to me. It encourages me to live a life more pleasing to the Lord. And it just helps me to see that the Lord does use every little thing for His plan and glory. I am just so thankful for both my mom and my dad. Not many people have great parents like I do.

The beach was stunning this morning. I mean... BEAUTIFUL. I want to live there. .. One of these days I will... But until then, I will enjoy Upland. Oh, Pepe's was incredible as well. Definitely hit the bottom.. Now I'm off to go run this food baby off. Good start to a gorgeous Saturday