New Year's Resolutions

Its that time of year....where it comes to... an end. haha And the typical response to this is, "Oh! Its a new year! l Lets right a list of goals for our New Year's Resolution!" Well, I'm here to convey that this... doesnt work! haha I cant even being to describe how many times I have sat down and done this, only to find myself a few months later, completely off track and lost sight of everything I had just made a list about! I feel like I always try to perfect everything..so my goal list is of 10 resolutions or more. ha. Maybe thats the problem. But...this is my advice to you. ONE. One thing you want to better yourself. One goal you have that is completely realistic. Maybe even go up to two or three..but dont push passed five. And work every week in striving towards this. Allow yourself time, and dont force it within the first month, but give yourself the complete FULL year to finish. Here is an example that I will share with you.

One of my #1 New Year's Resolutions is to be a better example, to emulate more of Christ in my life. Not just in doing, for myself and feel his love and presence in my life more, but in others lives. Now...there are probably hundreds of ways I could do this. Hundreds of things I could write down to better myself to meet this particular goal. But I am not writing one single thing down. However this may happen, will happen. It might change daily, depending on who I am with, and what circumstances I am under. But I hope that by the end of the next year, I will feel like this goal was completed, however that may look.

I hope this New Year not only brings joy, but peace to all those who read this, and all those who dont. All that matters as we set goals and strive to be better, is the effort we put in to trying, not necessarily how far we get, but that we did try. I pray that we all continue to try every day to be better than the day before.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!! <3

Grown-Up Christmas List

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my start still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
very man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list

Love....this song with all my heart. <3 Enjoy this Christmas Season

Time. Choices. Productivity.

Time is NEVER a waste. No matter how it is spent, or what you choose to do....no matter what your definition of "fullfillment" looks like. No matter the choices that are compiled, or the mistakes that have been made. No matter how many hours, days, weeks, months, or even years are spent on patiently waiting for answers to prayers. Everything happens for a reason. There is always a season for everything. "Time" is irrelevant. What you choose to MAKE of the time that is given to you here on earth, is what is most important.

Every moment, whether positive or negative, can be a good thing. Can lead you down the path that you were MEANT to be on. Its always a learning experience in the making. You cant make a wrong choice. Only BAD choices. Because every choice you choose to make, leads you to where you need to be. There is always a good path to take from a bad decision. Doesnt ever mean it was wrong. It wasnt. It lead you to the NEXT choice. Thats all life is. Choices. Choosing to be happy, choosing a career, choosing who to love, choosing who to hate, or even choosing to envy or hold harsh feelings towards others. Everything is a choice.

How productive you choose to be, also, does not always matter. In the world's point of view, staying busy, always having a task to do, or a place to be, or even steps to a certain goal, is what makes you a productive person. How far you go in life, is what creates you, who you are, and the reputation you should desire. This is all FALSE. You can sit, in an empty room, alone, and have the biggest break-through within yourself that could ultimately change your life forever. You can lay down and read book after book, and gain more information and knowledge about life than if you traveled the world. You can sit and watch people, and understand human nature, better than the best schools could teach you. You can have lived a good fullfilled life, with no extended education, living in a shack- but having the best atittude, creating the best relationships, and being the greatest example to all those around you...you can create the most honoring reputation than any scholar could have ever had.

What you choose to MAKE of your time...the type of person you CHOOSE to be, the choices you make at every single turn, whether those choices are positive or negative, and the growing moments you allow in your life...THAT is what counts, THAT is what matters most, and THAT is what will make ALL the difference.

"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. And some don't come til Heaven. But for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come" Jeffrey R. Holland

A really good friend of mine shared this beautiful quote with me and I just had to share.

Something that has been a struggle in life, with many people, including myself, is holding on when things are so tough, you feel as if your hanging by a thread. Or even when there not, but you aren't finding pure happiness and contentment. But the ONLY thing that will keep us going, and the ONLY thing that will bring us undeniable and everlasting happiness, is Christ and his gospel. Just like it states in this quote, blessings WILL come, as we embrace what the Lord has given us here on this earth, which is the gospel. You have to have hope. You have to endure. And you have to walk forward in faith, putting your trust in him, and his word. Doing everything in your power to uphold the commandments of God, the things HE asks of us. Then, and only then, will he grant us with happiness and love in our lives. People... they can always disappoint. Wishes granted... can always fail us or not bring lasting joy. But the one thing that is consistent, everlasting, and full of the greatest blessings and fulfillment in this existence is our Savior. Live through him. Live for him. And choose HIM as your anchor. Nothing in life is worth living for if he isn't the center of it. Don't give up hope in what he promises as we choose to do his will.

Welcome Home...

As some have heard already, yesterday was the unexpected passing of my Uncle Rick. Only 43 years old, passed away while he was sleeping in the night. This was devestating news to our family, and we will forever miss him. But I find peace knowing that I will see him again, and that he up there keeping Lorin and Grandpa company, til we all reunite once again. Times like these always makes me think of life in a new perspective. Realizing that our time to leave this earth, can be at any time. Will we be ready? Have we done everything in our power to live a God loving life? This time can be a beautiful thing, or it can be a very saddening thing. How we percieve it makes all the difference. Here is a song by a favorite christian artist of mine...one of my favorite songs about leaving this earth. I pray that whoever may have gone through something similiar in this life of loosing a loved one, find comfort in the words in this song. Know you are not alone, and that God is always with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ILJuZdabKM

When Life Give you Lemons...you Make Lemonade!!

Ive always loved this saying. Taking it apart it is using the symbolism of lemons (which alone are tart, bitter, and sour-not typically appealling on its own)...but when smushed and sweetners added, along with a dab of sugar, they can turn into a delicious and tasty drink..Lemonade! I like using this analogy a lot in life, and can be seen in many different scenarios. But one I am focusing on now is- just us, as human beings, spirit children of God, living on earth at this time. Alone, we are nothing of extravegance..nothing worth tasting, not desired. But after some trial and error, added faith, and strength with our view completely on God, we can become exactly what we WANT, and become the sweetend, desired people we are destined to be. For with God...anything is possible.

Check this song out...its wonderful!

http://owlcityblog.com

Fear isnt the answer..

"Dont be afraid to love. It can be easier than you think...if you allow it."

Problem is..when you have been hurt, your heart closes off, and builds walls that you never knew exsisted. How do you break those down? Being open...the power of love can soften you. Warmth, sincerity, kindness, selflessness...these are what come as you widen your mind, open your heart, and allow yourself to be free...attracting nothing but good. Is it scary? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Yes hands down. No arguement there. You know the saying "Better to have love and lost, than to not love at all"? I used to think that was ridiculous...I would have rather not loved at all than gotten my heart broken any day. But heres the catch...if you never love...you never know what love is, or what it feels like, and then...your missing out on one of the greatest feelings in the entire world of human exsistence. Love....and ALLOW love in. In the end...you wont regret it. You will crave it. It alone, brings unexplainable joy.

I dont believe in luck. I believe EVERTHING happens for a reason.

"I believe everything happens for a reason. People change so you can learn how to go. Things go wrong, so that you appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies, so you can eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."


I love this quote. The only struggle I have is the fact that it allows us to loose trust in other people, (by allowing us to believe lies) which I dont agree with...but here are my thoughts:
Nothing is coinsidence. Nothing is just pure luck. EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Everything has a consequence, good or bad. All our decisions lead up to the next decision...like a domino effect. Come rain or shine, love or loss, joy or sadness, good or evil. Things can go wrong. People can wrong you. But it makes it more sweet and more fulfilling when people do good to you, and things go right. We learn to appreciate the GOOD, and accept the bad as it may come. Oppposition in ALL things. Thats how we learn. "Everything comes gradually at its appointed hour." When the LORD sees fit that its the right timing for us-not our own time table. There is ALWAYS good to be found. Sometimes we have to go search for it. Other times it is blessed at our door because of the grace of God. As long as we have faith, everything works out in the end the way that it is supposed to.

Beautifully Written Quotes/My thought on each:

"Life isnt a matter of milestones, but of moments."
-Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

~Small moments of love, beauty, peace, joy, or serenity are the moments worth treasuring inside us. Those are the things we dwell on to find the happiness inside of us. Milestones are just the stepping stones to beautiful moments in time.

"Try not to be a man of success, but rather try to be a man of value."
- Albert Einstein

~A person's identity is not by how much schooling he did, how great his career was or how much money he made. It's not found in all the community service hours put in, or certain things to check off a "do good" list. A person's identity, and ultimately their worth, is found in the value of who they are, and where their heart is. It's the meaning BEHIND what is being done, what is being said, and how it is shown. Character, truth, dignity, poise, respect, honor, cherish, and love. THOSE are things of value. Those are attributes that truly matter, and make TRUE differences in our own lives and the lives we influence.

"Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have."
-Doris Mortman

~If you are self-conscious, degrading of yourself, or always in comparison to other people, you will NEVER find true peace and joy, even if the best thing was standing right in front of you. We often don't see the greatness in life until we are humbled enough, and content enough with ourselves, to see it. You will always be seeking for something more to fulfill that void within yourself. Always wanting the next big thing, or a new this, or a new that. It won't give you the answer your looking for. Peace and acceptance with who you are, comes ONLY through God. And pure bliss with what we DO have, only comes when we are at peace with ourselves.

"The worst prison would be a closed heart."
-Pope John Paul 2nd

~Nothing is worse than a hardened, closed off, and dying, heart. That imprisons us from good, to see and to feel. Personally, its the worst kind of punishment or agony one would go through. When your heart closes...it begins to die. When it begins to die...you loose apart, if not all, of yourself. It is truth- you cannot live without love somewhere inside of your heart.

"It is only with the heart, that one can see uprightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
-Antione De Saint-Exupery

~It's always been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I believe this statement whole-heartedly. I also believe it to be true with greatness, and of course, love. Sometimes we can be so blind to what is visible. But what we feel...inside our hearts, and within our souls, cannot be mistaken. Nor can it be denied.

One More Time Lyrics- Michael W. Smith

There always seems to be a door that you can't open
There always seems to be a mountain you can't climb
But you keep on reaching, You just keep on reaching
When your destiny is out there in the distance
But the road aheads a mine field in diguise
And you keep on moving, You just keep on movig
You will make it through this
Just give it time
You gotta give it time

This is what you're made for
Standing in the downpour
Knowing that the sun will shine
Forget what lies behind you
Heaven walks beside you
You got to give it one more try
One more time (time)

You just keep reaching
You just keep on, you keep on moving
When the shadows fall on everything your dreaming
When the promises turn out to be a lie
You just keep believing
You just keep believing
Oh, don't stop your dreaming
Its gonna be alright
Its gonna be alright

This is what you're made for
Standing in the downpour
Knowing that the sun will shine
Forget what likes behind you
Heaven walks beside you
You got to give it one more try


~This is a new favorite song of mine that I absolutely love. Its SUCH an encouraging and empowering song to remind us how we are NEVER alone, and how we were called to this earth for a purpose. It may not always be easy, it may feel like a downpour at times, but the sun will shine again. To those who have lost hope...and forgotten their way...for those who have stopped dreaming, and feel they have gone astray...never stop trying. Its gonna be alright :)

There is a Time and a Season for every thing...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..." Ecc 3:1-12

How often do we wish things to happen in our time frame, when we want it, at our demand? Whether it be a prayer answered, or a healed relationship, something fixed, or feelings towards someone that we want returned quickly. This is all too common in our society. Its all about instant gratification. I want it, and I want it now. This can cause unsettling feelings to arise, and peace to be destroyed. Doubt creeps into our minds and hearts, and opportunities can be missed. I LOVE this scripture. It has been one of my favorites for quite some time. It helps us to remember that God is in control..there is a time and a season for every thing in our lives. Some periods we go through are rough, some are joyous. Some times everything falls apart, and sometimes everything falls into place. As long as we put our trust in our Heavenly Father and in his power, knowing, through hope, that there is always beauty in the unknown. Patience is key...savoring what we DO have instead of what we dont. Dwelling on what is there to be joyous about, verses what isnt. That is a comfort. Having the faith to realize it is all in God's timing and it WILL be beautiful.

"Lord I'm in the dark..seems to me the light is dead when I come calling, theres no one there, the sky is falling. Lord I need to know, my mind is playing games again, your right where you have always been. Take me back to you..a place that I once knew, as a little child, constantly the eyes of God watch over me, all I want to be...in the place that I once knew, as a little child, fall into the better place prepared for me. I will rest in you...I will rest in you...I will rest in you..."

Where would we be without God's healing power? He heals our bodies, he heals our minds, and he can heal our spirits. He blesses us with strength, and with other people around us, as angels to lift us up. What a comfort that is to know, that we are never alone...even in the darkest of hours..the toughest of times, we have him. Always there. Rest in him. Knowing he is all powerful, almighty, and all knowledgeable. I love how he can work through other people to bless us or answer our prayers when we need it. I'm so grateful for the power of prayer, and the power of just resting in him. Being still, and knowing he is God. We can't control life, or the people around us, but we can live through him and his peace, that he can constantly hand us, if we just believe...and rest in his love, and in his arms.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this quote

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

-- Marianne Williamson

Listen To My Heart Speek

Wise words I live by are:
To be who I want to be
To dream bigger and smile harder
To think more and reach farther
To be my own person will set myself free
If I don't copy anybody else, I haveto be me
To take the train regardless of destination
To take on new challenges without hesitation
To look fear in the eye, hate in the face
Never lose patience, hope, or grace
To keep my chin up and stand up tall
To pick myself up no matter how many times I may fall
To dream, to think, to have ideas all of my own
Everyday my bright smile should be shown
To hold no grudges, forgive and forget
To appoligize even if I didn't start it
As time goes on and seasons change
In my heart, I remain the same
To be all that I can be
To go as far as I can see
That no matter what it is Im doing...I do it as me

-Sarah

My Blog Title..

I neverfully explained why I decided to title my blog "Come What May and Love It" This is why...
We all know how life is. It has its ups...it has its downs. We have moments of happiness, sadness, anger, hatred, love, hope, peace, distraught, confusion, and emptiness. We love, we loose. We pain, we grow. No matter what comes our way...no matter what we must endure or what we go through, I choose to strive forward with this statement: Come What May and Love It. You dont always have control over everything that happens to you. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes its just pure consequences for decisions we make. Good, or bad. But I made a promise to myself, and to God, that no matter what may come my way, I will endure to the best of my ability, and love it by finding the good and joy. Sometimes it takes awhile, and sometimes I'm not the best at it. But thats why I ask for forgiveness and try again the next day. I write of encouraging things..not just because I want to uplift and help any one who reads this to find good in things...but also to help others realize that even when things get rough...we still have things to look forward to in this life. I may not know what that all contains...I'm still learning and growing every day. I struggle too. But thats apart of being human. Its not worth it be be down and negative all the time. Its not worth it to hate yourself and have no worth at all. Its not worth it be angry and hate the world for things that happen that you had no control over. Its not worth dwelling on what is wrong. Its not worth it. None of it. I've been down that road. I never want to go back. Granted, we all have those moments. But a life spent that way, is no life at all. Whatever energy is left, after all thats said and done...throw it towards seeing light. There is always ligt to be found...no matter how long it takes. We have been blessed to live on earth for a purpose. What that prupose is...well, thats up to you to find out, for I believe its different for every person. But we do, individually. Love it...whatever may come. A motto to live by.

Josh Groban-Hidden Away

This song has deep meaning...read and take in all that is being said. Its perfect. I love it. Such an encouraging and uplifting song. It touches my heart... I hope you enjoy too!!

Over mountains and sky blue seas, on great circles will you watch for me
The sweetest feeling I've got inside, I just can't wait to get lost in your eyes
And all these words that you meant to say, held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave, please dont keep them...hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe, And I cant take in all the same
Holding out for something I believe in, All I really need today
I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart, please dont keep your heart...hidden away

You;re a wonder, how bright you shine, a flickering candle in a short lifetime
A secret dreamer that never shows, if no one sees you then nobody knows
All these words you were meant t osay, held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave, please dont keep them...hidden away

Sing it out so Ican finally breathe, And I cant take in all the same
Reaching out for someone I believe in, All I really need today
I want to feel your love, will you reveal your love, please dont keep your love...hidden away

I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart, please dont keep your heart...hidden away

<3

"Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for."

I found this quote on a friends facebook page, and had to steal it : ) haha. This is something I find vital in life-coming to the realization that hurt, broken hearts, sadness- is all apart of life, and apart of love. We cant love if we dont risk to love, and we dont risk to love, because were afraid of getting hurt, either because we have been hurt before, or because were afriad of what that hurt might be like. Once you come to that realization, everything changes. Everyone is going to hurt you-whether it be a family member, a friend, or someone your in love with. You know why? Its because we have too high of expectations of other people AND were human and we all mess up. Life doesnt turn out the way we plan. Neither do those that love us. Some are worth the hurt and the pain...some arent. Thats up to you to decide. But dont be afraid to love because of the pain. Be afraid to love because of how great it can change your life, whether it lasts or not. That will then turn into a desire, and that fear will disappear. They may be far and few in between, but there is always someone out there worth suffering for.

BE who YOU are. BE who YOU want to be. And DONT let ANYONE have the power or influence to change YOU as you choose to be. Always with God at your side.

This is something that I am learning...its hard to come to grips with, and its hard when your a people pleaser, a goody good doer, and just want to obey everyone around you, ESPECIALLY when they are those that you love and care about.
Sometimes...you want to be what everyone else wants you to be. You want to be loved and adored by everyone. So you limit what you know, and what you desire, for that gratification. Other times, you want to be independent and do anything and everything that YOU want to do, not caring what the girl next store thinks of you. You state all your thoughts and opinions, no matter who's listening. These, I think, are both two unhealthy extremes. We need to show dignity, poise, and respect for those that we love around us, but yet choose whom we will become, the way we want to think, feel, and act-creating our own opinions, and coming to our own conclusions. Mind you, all of this, is with God at the center. We cant do it all alone, and we need that guidance of goodness and righteousness in our lives. But overall, we need to be us, as we see fit.
Something else I have noticed since I moved away from home a few weeks ago...is that alot of my thoughts, opinions, and knowledge has been learned or gained through my family, epsecially my parents. I'm not saying this as a negative thing. I'm simply stating that that is how I have been raised. I have had a few people since then ask my opinions on a few things. I sit back and think.. "what DO I really believe on that? I know what my parents have taught me to think or believe on that subject matter, but what do I believe?" Granted I have been a very independent girl for many years in my home. I have my opinions on things that I gained for myself, that would take alot of facts for me to consider changing. But there is still some things, that you grow up learning and knowing from your parents mouth, that when they no longer have that power or influence on you...you have to ultimately decide for YOU what YOU want to think and believe on the matter. Some are clear- laws, rules, docterine of knowledge-and those are things you CANT change, you just decide whether you believe it or not. But other things-create a whole new world of looking at things, providing an open doorway of opportunities for you to grow, for you to define yourself, and define what you want out of life. Its a major eye opener, and a key to your mortal existence.

If we care about others we will always consider their thoughts and view points, feedback and opinions. We wont become so self sustained that we become close minded to the ways we created ourselves to think and do. BUT we will find balance...become who we want and create our own destiny by our own path, with love, and dignity, and a heart turned to who ultimately helps define who we are...God.

......if ONLY....

Just for fun!! :) In LOVE with this song...if only guys really shared these types of thoughts with us...the world of women would be a better place... :) haha

"Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her, she wont believe me
And its so, its so, sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think its so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Oh you know, you know, you know Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for, then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking If you look okay..You know I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
The way you are, The way you are
Girl you're amazing... Just the way you are
When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are"

Re-posting...

*I know this was a post already last year..but I loved it so much and made a few changes to re-post it again :) Enjoy.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
Not much can really be altered to make this quote any more clear, or more profound to me, but I do want to expound a little bit on what it means to me.
Have you ever heard of different love languages? And how each and every person has a different love language that they recieve love? This may come to shock someone, but not everyone feels love in the same way. And not enough people know that. There are five languages-words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Obviously each person has a little bit of some of these, if not all of these. But typcially one dominates over the rest, and THAT becomes YOUR love language, the way you feel and recieve love from other people. This quote happens to imply most of these. A touch-physical, a kind word or honest compliment-words of affirmation, act of caring-service, and a listening ear-quality time spent. Thats one of the main reasons I LOVE this quote because it hits most of the love languages, and I LOVE love languages. I personally feel like every single person, if recieves love in the way they need it, can be influenced more than anything else in this world. Just like this quote says, something a small as those little things mentioned, has the potential to change a life. Love- in whichever way, shape, or form it is performed, can change life. Love is a way of doing and being, not just a way of feeling. Its an action word. We all know this. The lowest person, the most difficult person, if shown love in the right way, can completely become a person of high spirits and the easiest person to be around. Someone hard heartened or hurt or angry, can become softened, healed, or at peace. I firmly believe that love is the strongest most powerful influencer in this world. It molds us-whether we have it or we dont-to who we will become and stay for the rest of our lives. Never underestimate the power of love-which comes in all shapes and forms. Never doubt whether someone needs or wants to recieve love. They do. Whether ever admitted to the conscious mind...they always do. Love, and be loved.

Encouragement

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfull upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." -Alexander Graham Bell

How often do we feel this way? I know I do...quite regularly actually. And it feels SO legitimate as you feel it. But is it right? Is it good? NOT AT ALL. haha. We are so often stuck on that which does not happen...that door which closed, never to be reopened. We sit and ponder and play over and over again in our minds the "what if's" and the "maybes"or the "why's" or "how comes" that we can completely miss what is right in front of our faces. The TRUE blessing. The REAL door that is OPEN to us for unsurmountable possibilities. Its almost like a trap. A negative black hole that sucks us in, to wallow, mope, feel let down, unencouraged, and very weary of hope and goodness. What happens when this consumes us? We get down on ourselves...we start loosing who WE are. But what about those open doors? How do we see them? We let GO of the past...we let go of hurt, anger, disappointment, resentment, or whatever feelings that come to our desires being crushed. Sometimes our will, our desires, our hopes in life, are not what God has in store for us. Sometimes, we THINK we know what will make us happy, and we pray to receive it, but when it doesnt happen, we loose faith or hope because our wishes are not granted. We think...God wants us to be happy, WHY can he not just grant me this ONE wish?? Its because HE is in control. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what will end up blessing us and making us eternally happy in the grand spectrum of life. He will never leave us alone in the dark...if a door closes...its because it was meant to close. There was a reason behind the door closing. We may not always find out that reason, but eventually we will realize the blessing behind the door being locked shut. And then, we will become more aware of the blessing of the open door that IS right in front of us..waiting for us to turn the knob. We must look forward. Not look back. Not stand still. But directly in front of us, to see what is next. To have that next chapter in our life that will open us to a whole new view. There is good, and there is bad. One door may unlock truth and light, and another may unfold hurt and trial from being unresolved. Every door is a blessing. Which one will you choose to focus on?

QUOTES:

My girlfriend found these quotes and shared them with me and I just loved them, so I had to post. Hopefully one is encouraging to someone out there! There just goofy and a bit uplifting :)
Just know...whoever you are, whoever you may be, and whatever your circumstances, there is ALWAYS hope in love. Some how...some way. Believe in yourself, and believe in God's plan for YOU. Enjoy!

-"It hurts so much to see you move on so quickly. So tell me...have you promised her forever yet?"

-My head says, "who cares". But then my heart whispers, "you do, stupid."

-You were never a waste of time. You were just a harsh realization that I could do better.

-We improve our looks, not our minds because we know guys are stupid...not blind.

-You cant be old and wise, if you were never young and crazy.

-Best friends are like fairtales, they've been there since once upon a time and they'll be there till the very end.

-It's not up to me anymore. If you want me in your life, you'll find a way to put me there. (and keep me there)

-I just need a boy to come up, give me a hug, and say I'm sorry most of my gender sucks.

-Some of the greater things in life are unseen.. thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream...

(MY TWO FAVORITE)
-It takes 3 seconds to say I love you..3 hours to explain it..and a lifetime to prove it.

-It takes a minute to like someone, an hour to love someone, but a lifetime to forget someone.

Moving...

So it is official...in about 2.5 hours I will be moving out of my house. Leaving the nest, as people say. This big decision in my life has lead to alot of thoughts and new ways to grow, that I know will continue from this point forward. Im nervous..never been on my own before, but I know that the Lord will help me every step of the way, and that this is what Im supposed to be doing right now. Sometimes, we have to take big steps, leaps even, to do what the Lord asks to succeed. I dont know why I felt prompted like I did, but Im glad I did, and I cant wait to see all the new learning experiences the Lord has in store for me. Sometimes things dont always make sense. Sometimes the answer is right in from of you and yet, it still feels confusing.
...uplifting thought from this...
Though we may not know where the road will carry us, with God by our side, every step of the way, guiding us to what we need to be doing, we WILL acheive success. However that road may take us. AND its never the way we plan or the way we want. But he knows whats best for us, better than we do. In the end, it will be worth it.

"Just to exsist-is a valid reason to posses absolute worth"
This was extremely powerful to me. Just by being, living, and breathing, we posses worth. We are defined, as human beings, as children of God, with the upmost assurance that we mean something. We are important, and ultimately we are loved by a greater love and power unknown to man. Food for thought... :)

Infinite Power of Hope

Hope is the answer to EVERYTHING in this life. Without hope...hope in Christ...in our Savior...we have nothing. We are nothing. Hope. Believe. Know he is there, and know he is listening, even when all else seems lost. Hope is the infinite power of God.

Charlie St. Cloud-- This movie was profound, in my opinion. I just got back from the movie theatre..its the middle of the night..and thoughts of this movie keep my mind from resting tonight. If you havent seen it, or were not planning on seeing it, I definitely reccomend it. This movie was incredibly done. To me, it had symbolism and connections between God and life. Alot of these connections were not vocally portrayed..but implied in many different ways. It makes you think..about life...and its meaning. Here are just a bit of impressions I have recieved--What is your purpose in life? Do you have one? And if you do..do you know what is and how to go about finding it if you dont? Everything happens for a reason..NOT by chance. This I firmly believe. God has a hand in everything we do. If we choose...he can help us be an instrument in his hands to not only make a contribution to this world we live in..but actually save peoples lives. Maybe not as literal as in this movie..but spiritually, or mentally-we can save souls through God. We can help change peoples lives, in ways we never knew we could..and sometimes never know we do. Are we fullfilling our callings? Or are we letting barriers, hardships, and turmoil of the heart and soul bring us down, or blind us entirely from the bigger picture? The picture God has painted for us clearly, if we are opened to seeing it. It is amazing to me how much a situation, an accidental cause, a misdemeanor.. can change the very view, the very path, and the very life someone is living. What ais also thought provoking to me, is how God works through others to help us see things we do not see ourselves. How HIS miracles are all around us and all we have to do is be opened to changing our viewpoint and we see it..clear as day. Sometimes we have to let go...before we can find what we need to, or see what we need to. But when we do, he is right there. He helps us. He can work through us..as he works through others to help us..and ultimately is in the inner workings of every human being and creation on this earth. Find your purpose in this beautifully created life weve been given. Even if it hurts to take the steps to get there. Take them. Strongly. Fearlessly. BE and DO what you were MEANT to do, and have the faith and will power to actually do it. We all have a purpose we all need to fullfill. Its different for each person..and the path the get there is different. But in the end..its not about how many people you touched...but HOW you touched them. That is what truly matters.

A few thoughts of my own...

Beauty...

Beauty isn't just from the surface of what one sees,
it's what's inside one's soul, or the meaning beyond.
Beauty is and always will be, in the eye of the beholder.
What is considered truly beautiful to you?
...something as simple as a look, a smile, a touch,
a literal being beside you,
or the dark stillness of the night looking towards the brightness of the moon...
Anything can be beautiful, if it is looked upon in the right way.
Sitting upon a rock, looking out into the distance of a neighborhood,
Driving...vastly unaware of the noise that surrounds you,
Feeling the rythym of music fill up your being,
Starring at a picture, incoming memories floating to the surface,
A garden...colorful flowers cascading,
Walking the beach, or the beautiful greenery of the countryside.
A love of a sister, a parent, a friend, or a soul mate.
The way someone makes you feel in their presence.
A laugh...
Anything and everything can be..is..beautiful.
Whats beautiful to YOU?

Encouraging qoutes...

-If a person wished to know thick misery, to expereince the trials that might well kill him, if a man or woman longs to endure hardship, heartache, loss and weretchedness, then let them simply sit in the unrighteousness, arrogant judgement of others. Arrogance is the sure path to tribulation and woeful sorrow. Mistakes scares us...ourhearts and our bodies, yes...but more oftehn our souls. Still, we can choose to learn from our sins and transgressions...and in our humble, repentant state...offer guidance to others...guidance that may help to avoid owning pain...or causing it. Perhaps our experience may heal the scars others carry...or prevent them altogether.
"The Tide Of The Mermaid Tears"




-God grant me the serenit

to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

New Blog is Up!! Will keep you all posted as I get the hang of it all :)