I'm a Christian first and foremost. I enjoy playing the piano, laughing, Relient K, Harry Potter, photography, reading, Coldplay, Italian food, foreign accents, the sunshine, and life. The simple things in life fascinate me.
So I finally decided to post some pictures from my family’s vacation to Outer Banks, NC from a few weeks ago. I had an absolute glorious time, and these photos don’t do proper justice to the beautiful scenery and how pure and peaceful it made you feel. It was one of those places that you could just feel the Lord’s presence within the absolute beauty of it. The whole experience was amazing. I can officially say that I’ve stepped in every ocean bordering the United States. I can also say that I’ve seen an east coast sunrise (which is seriously so pretty it takes your breath away!) I can declare that I tried oysters and clams for the first time. For the record I hated them and had to spit it out; I swear I felt one of the intestines or something slimy wrap around my tongue and at that point I was 1000% done with it. lol but seriously I about puked in front of everyone in the restaurant. That would have been embarrassing… I also got to see wild horses up close, which was pretty awesome. The people in North Carolina are so very nice as well! I never met a meanie pants the whole time I was there. That’s something you don’t come across very often anymore- so many people are self centered jerks nowadays, but not in OBX. They were so friendly and personable. Plus they make KILLER cornbread. Seriously, I ate the best cornbread ever at a bbq place.
I hope that one day I can look back at all these photographs and remember, vividly remember, just what it was like to be there in the moments. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world, and I got to spend it with my magnificent family. And that made it all the better.
Hi!
I’ve gained some new followers as of late, so I thought I would introduce myself to you all! So here goes!
1. I love Jesus. He is my Savior, my friend, my all.
2. I love my weird, awesome, nerdy, musical, tight-knit family!
3. My boyfriend is quite the fellow and I love him very much! We’ve been together over a year and I hope that number just keeps climbing as time passes! Luv yewwww bby! :*
4. My favorite animal is either a sloth or a jellyfish. (note: I’ve loved these animals since I was like 5 so I’m not a part of that dumb sloth trend! ick!) Oh, and I touched a jellyfish recently, so that was pretty rad. Ok next one.
5. I’ve played the piano for 12 years or so and I love it more every day! Music is a huge part of my life; singing, playing, listening… I wouldn’t be able to function without it.
6. I love taking photographs. I used to want to go into photography, but I’ve realized that it’s something that is more of a hobby and a good little pastime that I enjoy. I feel like I take some alright photos-you may see some soon from my vacation! :D
7. Contrary to popular belief of my small country town being awful, I absolutely love it. I love living in a small town next to a gorgeous river! I also love living on a farm with all the cows and the creek and the pretty wildflowers. I really just love it all.
8. Speaking of outside, I love the outdoors! I love spring and summer, and during those times I will often be outside more than inside. I’m a lover of the light…I didn’t mean to quote Mumford & Sons just then. I swear!
9. Relient K is and always will be my favorite band of all time. I’ve seen them live twice, and it was a dream! Their music has gotten me through so many things in life, and I love their positive, upbeat outlook on life. Plus Matt Thiessen is a lyrical genius, but I may be a little bias. My favorite song is The Lining is Silver-look it up!
10. I’ll leave you all with my favorite Bible verse. Its absolutely wonderful and uplifting!
The Lord directs the steps of the Godly.
He delights in every step of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
For the Lord holds them by the hand.
-Psalm 37:23-24
A happy heart
Today is a great day. Nothing extraordinary has happened or anything. In fact, it’s raining and I’ve been doing next to nothing outside of church. It’s just the simple fact that my mind has been reeling through memories and people that I love, and I’ve realized yet again how intensely blessed I am in my life. I have oh so much to thank the Lord for that I can’t even begin to list all of them and ever finish. My heart just overflows with gratitude and awe for my Savior that has provided me with all these people and all these opportunities and all these things that have been put in my path to make me who I am today. An incredible amount of people don’t have near the positivity, closeness, and spiritual depth within a family that I have, and that breaks my heart, but at the same time it encourages me to be the one to show them that love and encouragement, even if I’m not part of their family or even a close friend. It’s the small gestures and intangible things that can make someone’s day better or life a little more comfortable. We are called to use our blessings and gifts to honor Christ and help others who are less fortunate or who are hurting. We show Christ through our actions and our conduct. We have all these blessings from Him, and if people see us misusing them or not appreciating them, why do we have them in the first place? God has given us these things to better his Kingdom and bring glory to Him, simply in the fact that he answered a prayer or gave a blessing when we least expect it. And if we don’t use them properly, do we even deserve to keep them?
This whole post is kind of all over the place I realize that, but it’s kind of been my thought process. I’m so extremely thankful for what I have, yet at the same time I know that I haven’t used what I have in the best way possible to bring glory to God. Through this day of reflection and rest the Lord has opened my heart and shown me that in my great life situation, I can do more to help those who do not know what it’s like to be shown love, or even a smile. I have a heart to help people and to be a light. It’s who I was raised to be and it’s who I love to be. I’m so glad that God chose to give me that conviction to help people, because it’s so important. He has given me all the supportive people and tools I need to go out and help people. Now I just have to go and do his will for my life. I am so excited, and for that I have a happy heart. :)
Frances Hodgson Burnett (via godmoves)
(Source: hellanne, via godmoves)
Hang in there. It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen.
(via shelbyisms)
(Source: 52hearts, via yesdarlingido)
I’m not saying that at some point love isn’t staying up until 2am phone calls or stealing kisses when you least expect it, or instantly falling for each other’s favorite songs because it is, or at least that’s what the lead up to it feels like, but real love, is so much more. It’s going out at 12am to get something to eat for your wife who can’t get out of bed, it’s listening to them as they explode with vulnerability on your living room couch talking about how they were only so young when their parents passed on. it’s remembering how someone likes their coffee in the morning without asking—without ever asking, it’s visiting someone in the hospital knowing the last thing you want to do is see them in that condition, it’s wanting to be with that person despite everything, the future, the past, and everything in between, it’s the intimate things that you don’t even realize involve such intimacy, but they do, in secret, like the pinky promises you two made behind your back, to love one another for always, in the time you thought you were in love, when you were actually just on your way to it.
Jonathan Carroll (via thisisyourmaverick)
(Source: jonathancarroll.com, via thisisyourmaverick)
I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when it’s difficult. People do notice, people appreciate. I appreciate it when it’s done to (for) me. Small gestures can be an effort, or actually go against our grain (“I’m not a big one for paying compliments…”), but the irony is that almost every time you make them, you feel better about yourself. For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more Gene Kelly dancing in the rain.
Health:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
- Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
- Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
- Play more games.
- Read more books than you did in 2011.
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
- Sleep for 7 hours.
- Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
- Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
- Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
- Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
- Dream more while you are awake.
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
- Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
- Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
- Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
- Smile and laugh more.
- You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
- Call your family often.
- Each day give something good to others.
- Forgive everyone for everything.
- Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
- Try to make at least three people smile each day.
- What other people think of you is none of your business.
- Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
- Do the right thing!
- Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
- The best is yet to come.
- Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
I am practicing being kind instead of right.
— Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook
(Source: ethereally, via thisisyourmaverick)
Just a Little Life Update
So I realize that I haven’t posted anything very meaningful in quite some time. I wish I had more time to do so! But as I do have a small amount of time in the present I figured I would just tune you all in to what’s been going on in my life right now.
Let’s just start at my one year anniversary with my dear, sweet boyfriend Brett. I’m pretty sure I posted something about it but I can’t remember. That day was kind of a blissful blur to be honest! I loved every minute of our celebration, even when at the end of the day he ended up getting sick. I’m just glad he felt good most of the day. We went antiquing and bought matching keys, beginning a tradition for each year we are together. I’m excited to see how many keys we’ll end up with! He is such a big part of my life and I couldn’t imagine him not being an integral part of it.
Aside from that I’ve mainly been preparing for Choir/Piano districts that was last Friday. I’m very excited to say that I’m triple entered for state contest with 2 ensembles and my piano solo! I’ve been working on my piano solo since about October. I just really felt it this year, and I’m so glad my hard work has paid off! I get to go play a Steinway piano too at state! I am incredibly stoked for that, let me tell you! My ensembles have worked hard too and I’m so glad to have a good group of girls and guys to sing with (my boyfriend and sister included!)
Another thing that is exciting is my church’s revival week this week. Our guest speaker is so awesome and I’m glad he could come to share with us what God has been revealing to him! I’ve heard him speak before and he is so insightful and so full of God. I’m so ready for God to work in my heart through the messages he brings; I know I need it. It’s always nice to hear other people speak sometimes. I always get great things out of their sermons and I’m so thankful that God gives me the opportunity to listen and learn more about Him and His word! God is good!
So that about wraps it up I guess…school is getting closer to being done for summer break and I am READY. Until then, my life is busy! I just hope and pray I can stay in step with time!
I feel like I haven’t posted something personal on here in quite some time. I need to write a life update. Watch for it this weekend perhaps. I’m so busyyyy
A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!
(via runningafterjesus)
Food for thought.
If everyone showed as much love and kindness to each other every day as opposed to just valentines day, how much different could our world be?
I really do like it when people tell me about themselves. It doesn’t matter what, it can be about their day, what they did that they found amazing, what their hobbies are, etc. I like knowing about people, in a way, it makes me feel like they trust me. You’re not bothering me with your rambling, I actually prefer to listen.
(Source: ectoplasmania, via decembre-dixieme)
I love this video! It speaks the truth in a fun and lighthearted way! Plus the kid is adorable! :P
