coffee || my way

So I am NOT a coffee drinker... I hate the taste of most coffee related substances or partial substances. But every girl's gotta have some kind of caffeine sort of boost, and here's my solution.

Sort of Coffee || chocolate-y cappuccino goodness.

XL mug {this is a must}
3 scoops {enough for 8 oz.} cappuccino mix
1 package of rich hot chocolate
1 Tbsp. baking cocoa
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
milk {evaporated makes it much creamier}


Add all powdered ingredients to your mug, and fill with boiling water, leaving an inch for milk. Add vanilla and milk. Stir, and enjoy!

Life No. 2

//confidence is something I'm learning to have. Standing up for myself appropriately is something I struggle with- usually I just let people walk all over me. But with lots of opportunities currently, I'm gaining, especially when it comes to someone questioning me. Then I not only have to prove it to them, but also to myself! win win.

//electronics are way overrated. I'd much rather read a book, or write a story, or make something. Not to mention the addiction and waste of time if you don't prioritize them right!

//skype chats with my cousins are awesome. even when we just talk {about random, sometimes deep, sometimes awkward, and always hilarious stuff} instead of doing what we had planned. haha. thats what happens when 3 people who are best friends live in 3 different non-bordering states. 

//writing a character sketch for a story thats been floating in my brain was a huge refresher. Here's hoping I can actually get in the groove and maybe make something of it!?

//babysitting 5 of the awesomest kids ever. <3 and getting to drive a massive 15 passenger van. =D baby snuggles and soft white blond hair. "Hannah! Hannah! Hannah!" all day long. little girl giggles. boys chattering while playing war with little plastic animals. imagination.

//washing dishes is ironically something I hate, and procrastinate, but enjoy oh so much as soon as I get my hands in the water.

I'm looking forward to a fun-filled weekend travelling to see lots of extended family! <3 Can't wait to spend some extra time with my mama and sissy!!!

Life No. 1

God has worked in my life in so many different ways this last year! I still feel like I'm gonna wake up from a beautiful dream any second now.

Last spring I graduated from {homeschool} high school, and I really had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I got accepted by a college and I fully intended to start there last fall, but God had other plans. I was pretty discouraged when doors kept closing left and right. I couldn't find a job anywhere, and there was no guarantee I could find one once I got there. I didnt have much saved, and I wouldn't have a vehicle which was going to make things really tricky. Plus I was kind of running from something that I just needed to stop and face. <still working on that one<

I detasseled once more, and ironically a conversation with my daddy in the field on a crazy day changed my life.

Josh + I officially started "courting" and just a couple weeks later, he proposed! Last fall was seriously a whirlwind, and I don't remember much other than I worked at an apple orchards fun farm for 2 months,

Torri AND Kaylee came to Michigan for Thanksgiving break,

and I heard the Messiah for the first time.{B family Christmas Tradition}

Then in January I turned 19, and got married 14 days later.

Married life is wonderful, of course, but it has also taken a lot of getting used to. {Try going from living with other people to just 1! And constantly being with a C R A Z Y 16 year old sister and 2 YEAR OLD brother to being a stay at home wife! ;-P}

oh- and hey people! I'm not perfect.


Looking back I'm totally just in awe. God's plan is always perfect, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.


And once again I'm kind of in awe of the doors opening up!

I'm officially calling myself a real life blogger. I've blogged sporadically before, but I'm for real now. Internet+domain name+new design+time+money means I'm DETERMINED to do this!

And I'm officially chasing my dream of starting a photography business!!! I'm not going to be your normal photographer though! After lots of research + experimentation + practice I've decided to focus on lifestyle or storytelling photography! I love capturing the little moments of everyday that seem to be forgotten way too often, and Its my dream to capture these moments for others as well!

I have also fallen in love with the art of hand-drawn lettering. I've always loved writing {I would write + rewrite my spelling words for hours on end} and I have finally found a way to put it to good use! ;-P I've opened am Etsy Shop to sell my little hand drawn prints, and I am super excited to plan for some craft fairs + festivals too!

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a little boy and his trucks

lazy day...

Its really nice up here today> just the right temperature for working outside. A breeze is blowing in my window, and the sun is shining! :) Im looking forward to going on a bike ride {hopefully 12 miles!} after I finish posting some things! =)

// this morning I went and got my yearly eye exam!!! Hardly any change in my prescription and I don’t have a stigmatism- yet. {we’ll see how long that lasts} I decided to try contacts this time>yay.yay.yay.

// I finally got one of my big projects done, and imsoexcited! >CHECK IT OUT OVER HERE<

// sometimes lately I’ve felt like hibernating in my bed. =/ but GOD is good, and I’ve been pushing myself forward!

// I got a new lens {50mm} for my camera, and I LOVE it!!! I also downloaded THIS e-book and the photographer who is teaching me has 2 shoots scheduled soon! =)

// we got wind that another detasseling crew is starting next week which means we will probably be starting shortly after> hello early season? I hope not, but just in case I’m starting on my super long to-do list…I'm pretty sure I wont finish it, and I might not even make a dent in it, but here it is…

>sew 3 skirts {I’ve had the material around for a while, and actually one of them is already cut out.}, a camera strap, and a divider for my camera bag + some other little things

>take a picture a day

>make some cards

>finish thank-you’s from graduation{I have 2 left… =/}

>practice my violin 3 times this week

>order a guitar book + lens

>bike every day

>redesign this blog

||||  I have some new post ideas, so I will try to get on writing something more interesting soon! J If not before, its definitely one of my top priorities after detasseling season! J

the things that say a lot #1

So... this post is seriously totally super random and a little different than what I normally do... but, I am a random person, of course, and I just so happen to love writing this sort of thing. (I got the inspiration from this post and then this post!)

"Things that say a lot about people: the way in which they treat the waiter/waitress how they feel about the weather whether they dog-ear pages or highlight in books fingernails and hands in general their preferred creative outlet how much they dread/enjoy talking on the phone whether or not they drink coffee if they ever forget to eat how honest they are with themselves (and others) if they correct your grammar and whether or not they get nervous before haircuts."

i. I've always thought waitressing had to be a hard-ish, stressful job, since they're dealing with hungry impatient people. So... I always try to be super polite and patient + make them smile. =)

ii. the warm sunshiny days when I can run barefoot and throw myself in the grass are my favorites, but I also enjoy stomping through mud puddles on drizzly days or trudging through the snow while my breath freezes in the air.

iii. books are full of beautiful words that must be reread + remembered + repeated. Words are so important and full of meaning. Words have become so important to me + I want to make sure I remember them. Writing notes + highlighting in books {especially my Bible} is something I do often.♥

iv. because I play the violin I keep my nails short + usually painted with something light and glittery. My hands aren't anything to look at- they're generally rough and cracked from my eczema.

v. creativity is as much a part of me as eating and breathing is. Photography, writing, making fun stuff + making life beautiful are my favorite creative outlets!♥

vi. When I'm hyper, I LOVE talking on the phone with my best friends, but I generally dread calls to anyone else- especially strangers. I always rehearse what to say a hundred times before I actually make the call. (that always annoys my sister...=/)

vii. i don't drink coffee. There. I said it. =/ but... I do adore french vanilla cappuccino (with 2 creamers) and hot chocolate with whip cream!

viii. forget to eat? story. of. my. life. Breakfast is usually forgotten in my rush to start my daily tasks, so I eat late. (think almost lunch) and... lunch is normally ignored because I'm so rushed and distracted. but, I normally make up for forgotten meals with random snacks at all hours. =/

ix. I would say I'm usually honest with myself. I know what the real world + harsh reality is like and I've learned to have absolutely no expectations whatsoever so I'm always prepared for the worst.
as to being honest with others... I've never been good at expressing myself so I generally don't talk about much of anything around people other than my bestest friends.

x. grammar. Hmm... there are some words that I'm super picky about- like how you pronounce aunt. *Its AUnt, not ant.* but, I don't generally worry about grammar. I say ain't, people, if that tells ya anything. ;-P

xi. I only get nervous when a stranger cuts my hair, because they always chop off way too much. But when my friend does it I feel perfectly comfortable. She knows what I want + does nothing more. I'm always happy with the way she does it! =) 

Little bits of life...

Dr. Pepper * pizza bread * watching movies * homemade breadsticks * cooking(finally doing some of it!) * sticky notes + highlighters * thrift store shopping * eating waaay to many no-bakes{=/}

Well, life seems to get busier by the minute... and not to mention more complicated...

Gods really been working on my heart lately. Its hard to face reality sometimes, but you just have to. Its always gonna be there, so you might as well realize that now...

//Yesterday I set my alarm(yay! haven't done that in a while... =/) and actually got up! I was able to spend an hour + a half on my devotions! I really needed the extra time to prepare myself to face the day + the rest of my week!

//I've been doing a lot of writing in my journal! I'm gonna try to write everyday this week!
Writing is kinda hard sometimes, because its so real. And for me, its the ugly and messy kind of real.

//I decided to tackle reading the book of Isaiah. Its a pretty tough book to read at times, but there's a lot of interesting things in there that I've never thought about!

//I finally pulled out my scrapbooks and got a couple pages done! I found a new favorite color combination: light pink, orange, yellow, and green!

//last week mom took Gabby + I on a shopping trip! We were, thankfully, able to find quite a few things! =)

~what have you been up to lately?

~has God been working on your heart lately?

~ever read the book of Isaiah?

~what's your favorite color combination?

{and, yes I'd like some feedback please!} ;-P

Some thoughts on 1 Corinthians 10:13

// 1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

// this verse has been one that I have used over and over since I first learned it about 15 years ago... my parents would use it to show me that I didn't "HAVE TO" respond wrong even when someone else did. I would use it to tell myself that even if it didn't seem like there was a way out, there would be.

- did you know that there is always someone out there dealing with the same issue as you are? You aren't the only one who has ever gone through whatever struggle you are dealing with. Someone else has too! Jesus knows exactly what you are going through too, because he was tempted just the same as you and I are tempted. (Heb 4:15)

- God doesn't let us be tempted above what we are able to, with his strength(Ps 73:26), resist! He won't give us a bigger load than we can handle!

- whenever we are tempted, there IS a way of escape! We don't HAVE to respond incorrectly to our younger sibling who just won't obey. We don't Have to get bitter at the person who has wronged us over and over.

And, even when you are in knee deep, God gives a way of escape! Even if you've already started making some wrong decisions, he WILL give you a way out!

I hope you all are encouraged from these thoughts! =)

Some thoughts on 1 Peter 5:6

*Humble* yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Peter 5:6

This verse really stuck out to me today... its one of those verses you've heard so much you can say it forwards and backwards...

But have you ever stopped to really ponder it?

Lately I've been fascinated by how many "if -- then clauses" there are in the Bible. There's a lot of them! This one doesn't actually say "if" and "then", but its still there.

We have to humble ourselves. Being humble is the opposite of being proud and pride is on Gods hate list(Proverbs 6:17).

IF we will humble ourselves THEN God will bless (exalt) us! But ONLY if we humble ourselves!

If we are proud, then God really CAN'T "exalt" us! He CANNOT bless us!

The only thing that comes with pride is shame(Proverbs 11:2), not blessings.

Watch and pray...

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

-Matthew 26:41

When we stop watching and praying we are letting our guard down. We become weak and vulnerable. It is when we are weak that the devil loves to attack us from all sides. and it is when we let our guard down that we are likely to give in to temptation.

Don't let your guard down!

things im gonna do this summer

I made a random list in my journal of everything I really want to do this summer, and I'm gonna share part of it! 
//

•rollerblade 500 miles
•lay in the sun + read a book
•tan
•play Ultimate
•go barefoot
•watch the sunset
•camp out
•wear flipflops
•mow the entire lawn again
•read the New Testament
•have a water fight
•play volleyball
•do a picture a day for a month
•go tubing, kyaking, and canoeing
•go on a picnic
•watch a movie outside
•sleep under the stars
•walk in the rain
•go swimming
•play softball
•have a bonfire

little bits of my life

This past weekend was super busy, and I think I'm still in recovery mode.  (Like I posted on fb, I wanna sleep for a week!)

My cousin got married! (Pictures coming someday...) It still like isn't real to me... the wedding was beautiful! And I'm totally gonna steal some of her ideas... my favorite part was how much they laughed! It was very sweet!

I've been doing a lot of reading lately! This last week I finished 1 & 2 Corinthians, and James. I'm working on finishing 1 &  2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, and Acts this week!

I have a lot on my "to do" list again...
clean my room (I did okay until it came to unpacking everything from last weekend! =/)
sew
work on my scrapbook (only 8 weeks left!)
write (I have so many thoughts rolling around in my head, and I'm starting to actually get them sorted to where they *might* make sense!)
get caught up on my Bible class
start working ahead in my other classes
learn my recital song(s) (its about 10 weeks away, and they still need tons of work I'm gonna have to start hauling!)
finish memory verses

-Right now-

the sun is shining but it still looks nasty(COLD) outside. =( its quiet for the moment, which is rare with a 1 1/2 year old.

listening to... the silence!

thinking... about everything I want to do today! =)

wishing... Spring would come soon. And sunshine. And warmth.

hoping... that the doctors will find something out for my hands! I had to cancel lessons AGAIN. =(

praying for... some rather difficult situations... that God would guide and give wisdom!

loving... orange juice, stretching, studying my Bible, playing the piano, words, talking to my bf on skype every night =), the emoticons on skype ;-P, carnations, highlighters

Speaking the truth...

Last week I realized that I needed a little bit of a boost, so I decided to read through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. It was a refresher for me- Ive never really read them and focused on what was in them! I got a LOT out of it. I kept my pen handy and underlined verse after verse and wrote lots of notes in the margins of my Bible! J

I just finished Colossians, and this verse really stuck out to me.

//

 I have loved writing for a long time.

When I was little I preferred writing stupid stories where all my friends were part of one huge family. 

When I was 12 I wrote sermons(okay, just my thoughts, but with a TON of salt).

And now…. Now I just write about what I'm thinking and learning. Some of it hurts though, because its real life for me, which is why this blog hasn’t seen much of me lately. It hurts me to write it. It hurts me to finally see the truth of what has been going on around me. It hurts to realize that most people aren’t gonna like what I have to say. They never have.

The funny thing is, usually the reason people don’t like it is because it is the truth. And sometimes the truth hurts.

Sometimes it hurts because we are wrong and someone else is right. Sometimes it hurts because it rocks your entire world and knocks out the foundation you thought was so strong.

The truth is, I’ve been so afraid of people that I’ve been neglecting some things. The hurt in my heart will never go away. My heart is a mess of scars, and wounds, and some of them will never completely heal.

But my hurt and pain has changed me. I'm a different person because of it.

And I wanna share that so that others can learn from me.

I don’t know much about gifts and all that, but I believe God has given me a gift. Writing is a passion of mine. I'm not very good at it, but its something I LOVE to do!

God has given me a ministry. He has opened doors for me to serve Him, and I’ve been pushing them closed. I want to do what God has for me to do, and I'm going to from now on!

I'm going to just say the truth, because that’s what God wants me to do. Even when it hurts. Even when I know certain people aren’t going to like it one bit.

All that to say this. I'm working on some posts. I have maybe 50 or more half-finished on my laptop and notes for that many more in my Bible, in my notebook, in a box, in folders- all over! Look for a piece of paper with my handwriting on it, and that’s probably what it is! =)

It may take me a little while to get things together. I have several projects I'm working on- a ladies fellowship lunch to plan, a devotional to write for that, a blog to redesign, piano to practice, school to get caught up on, a heart to strengthen for the coming battles, and blog posts to plan{I want to get a bunch scheduled to post} etc, not to mention my friend and I are working on a really big project! ;-P

Which is why I am taking the next 3 days off from the internet{more on why I chose 3 days shortly}... {*crossing fingers*} I'm going to try anyways. I'm even deleting some of the apps off my phone so I won’t be tempted! ;-P

So, Lordwilling I will get some posts up for next week. Unless life becomes a crazy hectic mess again. ;-P

*Torri's Bridal Shower*

colors: turquoise + yellow, with a tiny bit of green

 {Torri + Aunt Becky}

My absolute favorite decoration!

Decorating the mantle added a lot! =) {doncha love the mirrors?}  

Mom and Aunt Bek get the credit for the very creative decorations...

{I did write on the chalkboards!}

Now this sweet lady, oh may I brag on her for a few minutes? or an hour? {JK} 

This is the lady who opened her home for the shower, and let me tell you; She has the most wonderful servants heart. She rearranged her living room for us, went out of her way to procure some very nice dishes, as well as did a lot of the clean up. And that is my few second version of an hour long speech! This is one very special lady!

Someone showed me a secret little window that gave me an AWESOME vantage point! I had so much fun getting some wonderful pictures from above!

   

Someone in their church offered to do the cake, and these two gorgeous girls volunteered to help her!

And that cake! It was so beautiful and delicious! I couldnt help taking tons of pictures of it!

 I was behind the camera all day so this is seriously the only one I got in! =/ I had so much fun! {I took 481 pictures! I guess it was good practice for the reception!}

 

Congrats Tor! I love you girlie! =)

the courage to do what is right...

A few months ago, one of my very good friends did something that I really appreciate and admire. He chose to do what was right even though it wasn’t always supported and appreciated. What he did took a lot of courage!

He did the right thing{even though maybe not always the right way}, even though most people don’t agree with it. In fact, some people have even chosen to voice their disgust and opposition of what he did. But he has chosen to stick with his decision and follow through with it!

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,

 and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17

This verse is very clear. There is nothing to question. It plainly says that if someone doesn’t do what God is telling them to do, then they are sinning.

My friend did what the Lord led him to do.

Even through much opposition.

Most people were too cowardly to do what he did. Or they were deliberately blind.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

 it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:13

The funny thing is, that every single person who has voiced their disagreement doesn’t know all the details like he does. In fact, most of them have refused to accept the facts that were presented to them. Shame on people who try to meddle in other people’s situations, especially when they don’t know everything!

My friend chose to do something that others refused to do.

Are you standing up for what is right? Are you standing even in the face of opposition? Are you doing right when you know you should? Or are you staying back, being a coward?

My friend made a difference in someone’s life. Are you doing things to make a difference? Are you willing to stand up when you see something wrong?

Having a vibrant relationship with Jesus{Part 2}

Remember the synonyms of vibrant from Wednesdays post?

Vibrant means lively, vivacious, animated, exciting, energetic, alive, bubbly etc.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our relationship with Jesus is a daily thing. We pray for our food{sometimes}, go to church, say “Praise the LORD”, and read the Bible when we have time. What we don’t realize is when we aren’t getting refreshed daily, we become weak and discouraged.

What happens when we don’t eat daily? We get sick and some people even pass out. The Bible tells us that eating real food isn’t enough! {Matthew 4:4} To stay strong we must be in God’s word (daily)!

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

>Do your devotions{DAILY}

I know for some people this goes without saying. But a lot of people struggle with this{the finger is pointed back at myself!}!

There is no one right and perfect way to do your devotions. Figure out what is right for you, and stick with it!

Some people read their Bibles through in a year, so they just read a portion every day. I did this for several years, but found that it really became a chore, and I wasn’t getting much out of it. {I mean seriously- what do you find in books like Chronicles?} {If this is something that works for you, check out this schedule!}

Others find daily devotional books very helpful. This has worked really well for me! {Like I said, its different for everyone! There is no rule about what way is right.} I am currently going through Jesus Calling{Sarah Young}. {another good one is From My Heart to Yours by Glorianne Gibbs or sign up for a year-long subscription to GLOW(that’s one thing I did for most of last year)}

I really like the devotional book because whatever I read that day sticks in my mind! I actually think about it throughout the day, and usually try to put it in to practice!

>Pray

Prayer is so important! When we pray we acknowledge that God is really there. We are saying that we realize that we need Him. Don’t just pray in hard situations. Pray every single day! Set aside a certain amount of time{I started out with 5 minutes} and get rid of all distractions if you have to. I usually try to do this in the morning, but seriously, do it whenever you have the time- on your lunch break, at night before you go to bed, between classes, etc.

I have used a prayer list before{Here is a good one!} as well as a notebook. Both work really well, but make sure you don’t just read down through it. Pray something specific for each person{and "help them to have a good day" isn’t really gonna work}, pray that they would be more patient, or they would accomplish one of their goals, or that God would really work on their heart about something!

//

Make sure you are spending time with God daily! If you have to reorganize your schedule, simplify your life, get up earlier, or give up something, then do it! Believe me, it is entirely worth it!

When you make an effort in your relationship with Jesus, you will see a difference in your everyday life! Not only will you have a better attitude and a more positive outlook on life, but you will also be a LOT Happier! =) Your mindset will be completely different! J

Your Relationship with God {Part 1}

A few weeks ago I shared a little{although I'm told it was long} devotional with a small group of my friends. Ever since then I have really been trying to focus on putting what I shared into practice. I’ve decided to share a little bit of that what I have been thinking on for the last few weeks!

This series is going to focus on our relationship with Jesus, and it will probably span over the next month, since I have a few different posts on the subject already in the works. =) Make sure you check back to read the rest of the series!

I'm ashamed to say that if you had asked me that a month ago I would have ducked my head and tried to avoid the question. It wasn’t going good, not. at. all.

I had lost my focus, and I couldn’t seem to get myself out of the hole I felt like I was in. The Lord really used that time to help me see that I really cant do anything in my own strength! I can do NOTHING. NOT ONE THING!

It was during that time that I read a devotional that is really the whole inspiration for this series of posts. This quote is what really really stuck out to me! 

Vibrant means lively, vivacious, animated, exciting, energetic, alive, bubbly etc.

Our relationship with Jesus isn’t supposed to be a chore, or an obligation.

*think about your relationship with your best friend- 

what is it like?

Usually you have a lot of fun with your best friend. You can be crazy and they don’t care because they are just as crazy! You can talk about almost anything. They know your mistakes, and they don’t hold them against you. And usually, you and your best friend are almost inseparable!

That pretty close to what your best friendship looks like right?

Well, since Jesus is our Best Friend{I mean really, He is!}, shouldn’t our relationship with Him be similar to that?

*Contrary to what some people say our relationship with Jesus can be fun! 

Serving God is fun because it is the only thing that brings true happiness! =)

*God loves you just the way you are. He made you that way, didn’t he? 

He made you different from everyone else, and he loves you that way! =)

*You can talk to God about anything and EVERYTHING. 

He wants you to talk to him because in doing so you are acknowledging that he really is God. 

By talking to Him you are also telling him He is important to you!

*God knows every single mistake you've made- every bad thought thats gone through your head, 

every bad word you've said when no one else was around. 

He knows every single sin, yet he still loves you!

 He loved you so much that He died for you!

*God never ever leaves us! He walks right beside us through every single moment! He is ALWAYS there!

We can have a very personal relationship with Jesus, just like we can with our friends. He like important people who dont have time for us. He is our best friend, and He wants us to make the time to get to know Him better so that he can help and comfort us!

A different mindset(this week)

*sorry for the very uncreative title! =(

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." -Philippians 4:13

We cannot achieve anything in our own strength! It is only THROUGH Jesus Christ that we accomplish anything! Make sure you're giving HIM the credit! =)

On Sunday my friend Suzy gave me a really sweet gift! Each day I have a little saying/thought + a verse to read and a little surprise(so far its been candy) to brighten my mood! =)

Yesterdays thought was-

"Make today the best day of the week!"

I've decided to try to have this mindset for every day! When you think more positively if helps your days to go WAY better! =)

Last week was nice, very relaxing! I did get my room mostly done, some books read, plans made, etc.

I didn't exercise at all, but I did take a walk outside... I happened to choose the day after a huge snowstorm, the snow was deeper than my boots in some places! =/
I've also been stretching a lot!

I did eat quite a bit healthier last week! I ate lots of fruits + veggies(home canned green beans are the best)!

My hands have been bothering me, but over the weekend its gotten a little worse... more pain, tingling, and numbness! :-/ thankfully they are a lot better today!

This weeks goals
-sew a skirt
-write another devotional
-plan the ladies fellowship lunch
-make some verse plaques
-finish reading Discovering your Destiny
-practice my instruments

The rest of this week is really starting to look full! I'm looking forward to spending some time with friends, "baby"sitting, and visiting my Aunt on the other side of the state(and helping out with wedding details!) among other little things!! =)

{a little bit of brightness to cheer you up!}

We are complete in Jesus!

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:9-10 

We have access to the throne of God!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 

We know that God will work everything out!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 

We know that God is for us!

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 

We are conquerors THROUGH Jesus!

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37 

We know that NOTHING can separate us from the love of GOD!

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 

We can be confident that God will never give up on us!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 

We know that we have been given a spirit of love and power and sound mind!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

The Week of January 28th

* I wrote a few things... I'm working on some devotionals right now.

* I hit a hard spot in my theory. No wonder, after playing for about 5 years off and on hardly anything makes sense. Learn theory when you first start!

* picked out 2 recital songs. I'm pretty nervous since I never play the piano in front of people.

* I planned the menu for the next 2 weeks! Not sure how close we will stick with it, but its done!

* I'm reading through the book of Romans right now. There are so many things I never noticed before! Its amazing! :)

*I have to say that my devotional book Jesus Calling is a life saver! I try to read it every morning to help me get focused before I start my day!

I'm not gonna make a to do list this week. I have a ton of things I need to get accomplished, but I'm learning that, even when I don't cross everything off my list, its ok! As long as I'm moving forward, I'm good!
These last few weeks have been filled to the brim. I've gotten a lot accomplished by prioritizing my time and energy(and staying up late ;-P). Putting the most important things first always helps me get more motivated!

* something God is teaching me right now is to NEVER EVER take your friends for granted! I've been working hard on it for the last year! Being constantly thankful for your friends is a must.
Being put on the back burner when you thought you were doing well feels like a stab in the back, but God gives the strength to move forward and react in the right way!
Pray for your friends. Be thankful for them! Show them that they really mean a lot to you!