Keep Calm,

And that's just what I'll do. :)

Hello, Maryland USA!

Fearless.

GOOD morning! Literally. Because of the high I'm on right now, John 1:16 popped into my head, stating: "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."

This is true everyday that God's blessings are abundant, but this morning I feel it especially! (Thank goodness I don't have a daily limit to my blessing jar!!)

How has God blessed me this morning?

1) God gave me the strength to run 6 miles/10 km without stopping! I felt on top of the world when I arrived home, and I wasn't even a walking corpse by the end of it. My body is definitely much stronger than it was at the beginning of the summer! A few days ago I even accomplished the P90X Plyometrics workout! (I looooathe squat jumps. Enough said.)

Anyway, my running route is parallel to an open field, and this morning it was filled with Bison. (How exciting!) But as I ran past, this one big brown rug just looked at me like I was some kind of a freak. In reply, all I could say was, "hey, I'm not the one with funny-lookin' mushroom cut. And what's with your friend's afro?" But it's okay. I've never been one to care for the opinions of bison--I'm stronger than that.

2) When I came home from my run, I found a beautiful envelope on the table just sitting there waiting for me to open it. It was a Taylor Swift card (complete with Will & Kate stamps!) from one of my best friends!!! And when you open it, it blasts "Fearless" in your ears and the world just stops and everything is just pure bliss. This card meant the absolute world to me. It's not easy to explain, and it's not something I like to admit, but lately I've just felt very discouraged, judged, and belittled by some people in my life and Satan likes to use little things like that to get to you; you know, the more often you're told things, the easier it is for you to believe them. Words are dangerous and powerful, but they can also be beautiful, lovely, encouraging, and inspirational! So receiving this card in the mail was exactly what I needed. (Talk about God and his incredible timing!) The lovely lady who sent me this card reminded me of who I am, how God has changed me in this past year, and how far I've come. Her words brought tears to my eyes because she taught me how to love myself again, and God's gonna bless her for how she's allowed Him to use her in my life!! (This definitely isn't the first time she's changed my world, let me tell you.)

Thank you God for blessing me with such amazing and encouraging friends. And thank you for Taylor Swift cards. And thank you for funny-looking bison. :)

My Blessing Jar.

Yesterday I was feeling artistic and had a desire to create something. Now, I've had an idea of creating something like this for probably 4 years now, but I just never felt quite enough inspired to make it. And it all began with an old glass jar. I gathered together some of my favourite pictures from the internet which make me SO happy every time I lay eyes on them (most come from Pinterest.com of course!), printed those out, got some pink tissue paper, some tape, and an old pearl necklace that I never wear anymore.

I taped the pictures around the outside of the jar, along with some cut out hearts from cute pink, blue, and sea-foam green scrapbooking paper. I stuck the tissue paper underneath the lid of the jar, and then with a screwdriver stabbed a medium-sized hole into the lid.

Around the copper lid of the jar I taped a strip of paper with the following verse on it: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change." -James 1:17.

Now to bring all of your confusion to an end, this jar does have more of a purpose than just standing there  and lookin' pretty. I call it my Blessing Jar. So everyday when I look at this jar, I'll ask myself: "What has God blessed me with today?" Then I'll take a piece of paper, write down something that made me happy that day, or something that just meant alot to me, then I'll fold it up and drop it into the jar.

Lately I have just found myself focusing on the wrong things in life. I dwell on what's making me upset, causing me to think that life is out to get me, when really, I need to turn my thoughts toward the fact that every single day is a gift from God. If I truly believe that it is a gift, it makes it so much more easy to find the beauty in each day. And do you ever notice that it really is the little things in life that make you the happiest? Like the fact that the sun is shining right now feels like an incredible blessing from God to me!

With this jar I think it'll be cool to stumble upon it in a few years and to unscrew the lid only to have hundreds of little papers spilling out of it. And when you unfold all those little papers, you'd be reminded all over again of why you've been so blessed!

Here's how it turned out:

And as you can see, there's already a piece of paper inside the jar! My blessing that day was that I got to take one of my best friends out for dinner to celebrate her birthday, and it was an absolutely amazing time! :)

God bless!

The Most Random Post You Will Ever See From Me.

Hilary Duff is expecting a child with her Canadian hockey-player-husband, and I don't know why, but that makes me extremely happy! :) I mean, Lizzie McGuire was the reason I came home from school everyday. And I still listen to her albums once in awhile...maybe....actually...at this very moment...

I think once the Olsen twins start having children, that's when my world is REALLY gonna shake...hahaha.

A Lovely Weekend.

This weekend I was at an out-of-province wedding and I came out of the weekend with two highlights in mind.

1) At the last minute I was appointed as "official videographer" for the wedding. It wasn't anything major; I mean, it's not like I was using an AK-HC3500 to film (ohhh but how nice that would've been!)...it was just a little digital camcorder WITHOUT a tripod, might I add. (talk about tired arms and cramping hands) But that's besides the point. I just really enjoyed it. The thought of me being able to capture the beautiful moments that pass by so quickly, like the facial expressions, smiles, laughs, and words...it's just entirely magical! And I think that EVERYONE deserves to have their very own wedding video. Everyone deserves to sit themselves down on the couch with their sweetie after being married 50 years and watch on the tv the day they thought they loved each other the most they ever could. To me, having a video of that special day is a must. I know that when I get married, a good videographer is at the top of the list. (yes, higher than the overpriced-white-dress-that-you-only-wear-once-in-your-life, and WAY higher than the photographer! Let me tell you, I could definitely write a whole blog entry on my ideal wedding...)

Anyway, I've been making videos and editing them for a few years now and I absolutely love it! It's one of those hobbies that just make me lose complete track of time. And the college I'm attending in the fall offers a video production course and the idea of tackling this class makes me feel anxious and excited...hmmm... :)

2) On the way home from the wedding, I was in a van with 4 of my aunties and uncles. And honestly, it was an amazing seven hours. First of all, we all have the same sense of humour--the...uhh...inappropriate-jokes-that-I-will-never-repeat were endless. And second of all, they tell the BEST stories. Since they're my Dad's siblings, I got to hear all about their growing up years--which brother was the meanest, which brother was the favourite, and which sister never ever stopped banging on that annoying piano. Despite all the laughter, we had some serious talks too. It was interesting hearing their perspective on some events that had happened in my own childhood. When I arrived home to my doorstep, I couldn't help but feel so blessed to have such great family in my life.

Yes, it was a lovely weekend. Thank you, Jesus! :)

Getting Into You.

When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God, somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

When I finally ironed out
All of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself, I ask myself
Do you know what you are getting yourself into
I'm getting into you 
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you 
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

When he looked at me and said
I kind of view you as a son
And for a second our eyes met
And I met that with a question
Do you know what you are getting yourself into
I've been a liar and I'll never amount to
The kind of person you deserve to worship you
You say you will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do, you say
I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into



I'm getting into you 
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you 
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life.


-Relient K


❤  ❤  ❤

Notes.

As I was digging through my old stack of papers, notes, pictures, and handouts I collected from my 6 months at Bodenseehof Bible College in Germany, I found a little note of encouragement from one of my [many] roommates:

"May you see sunshine where others see shadows, and opportunities where others see obstacles."
-Lance Wubbels.

Incredible! :)

don't you worry your pretty little mind,

❤  ❤  ❤

Mmm mmm!

There's nothin' like lying in the cool grass after a long run and watching the clouds float on swiftly above you;

Because all you can think is I deserve this.

:)

Twenty.

20-years-young is the best age yet!

You're young enough to never be taken seriously, to be judged, to be looked down upon, and to constantly feel belittled by those who are older and feel all "high and mighty" around you;

BUT at 20 years, you're old enough to have the confidence to care less about that.

So when those people underestimate your value and try to rob you of your importance, don't let them rain on your youthful parade. Because chances are, they just wish they had your smile.

All in all, I'm young, and I love it. :)

Only God.

Life of Praise

My favourite favourite favourite song right now is "Life of Praise" by Casting Crowns. Wait...it's not country? *Gasp* Hey, I'm allowed to listen to a different genre now and then if I want to...but not too often... :)

I will love You, Lord always
Not just for the things You've done for me
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You've made in me
I'll praise you for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

For You are awesome, God of the Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You're worthy of all praise
More that these hands I'll raise
I'll live a life of praise

I will serve You Lord, always for You are my strength
When I am weak
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me
But I'll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more 

❤  ❤  ❤

Dear Jenny...

...things aren't the same anymore,

people aren't the same anymore,
your old relationships just aren't the same anymore,

and you're not the same anymore.

And that's okay.

Because change is exciting,
and change is beautiful;
And with God as the author,
change is never to be feared.

❤  ❤

Ha!

I found this picture on another blog, and I just came to realize that this is my favourite picture of all time.

:)

Jeremiah 29:11-14

This verse is an absolute favourite among God-lovers. Admit it, we've all underlined it in our Bibles, we've all heard it in Sunday School and Bible School, and we've all written it on a post-it note and stuck it beside our desks. We know this verse...but then again, do we really know it?
I love love love using different Bible translations to compare verses. It helps me decipher, which helps me to understand, which then helps me to apply. And it's when I apply that my world REALLY starts to shake and my relationship with God begins to blossom.

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—
plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.

When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.

When you come looking for me, you'll find me.

Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else,

I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.

I'll turn things around for you...You can count on it."

I LOVE The Message Bible, and I love this verse, but what I love most... is that today this verse became real to me. Today, I got to experience God's promise first-hand, the promise written above, that He's always here to listen to us; It's this promise that states that when we call on Him, He'll listen. God loves us and He always wants the best for us. And because He doesn't answer our prayers right off the hop it may feel like He's got His ear turned away from us, and our impatience can provoke doubt. But God is God and He answers in HIS timing, not ours. And you know what? God's timing is the best timing. And I am blessed to say that two hands/ten fingers isn't enough to count the instances. :)

You Are More.

There's a girl in the corner

With tear stains on her eyes

From the places she's wandered

And the shame she can't hide.

She says, "How did I get here?

I'm not who I once was.

And I'm crippled by the fear

That I've fallen too far to love."

But don't you know who you are,

What's been done for you?

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,

But what's been done for you.

This is not about where you've been,

But where your brokenness brings you to.

This is not about what you feel,

But what He felt to forgive you,

And what He felt to make you loved.

♥ Tenth Avenue North

Five Years.

This evening as we were sittin' around the fire, my Dad asked me..."who do you want to be in five years? What do you see yourself doing?"

I thought to myself...and then answered:

"I see myself with a degree from college, and a really good job that's not necessarily high paying, but one that I absolutely love!"

Yes. That's exactly what I see and it's exactly what I want. I mean, it's what I've wanted since I was in grade 8. It's this that I'm confident in. But there's one fine fact that I'm not confident in; I don't know what degree I want from college, and I don't know what so-called "really good job" I want. I have ideas, but still, I have NO idea.

The other day I found a little fill-in-the-blank notebook I had from when I was nine years young, and one of the questions was the ol' famous, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" My answer was: an author. It's absolutely crazy because at nine years of age I KNEW I had a certain desire for this, and now, eleven years later I STILL feel the same way. I still have that desire to write my heart away. But besides this blog, I've been suffering from a severe case of writer's block. Which is part of the reason as to why I have this blog...so that I'm at least writing something and using my talents somehow.

I can't promise that I'm going to write a book one day, that I'll be an author, or that I'll even be writing anything in regards to what my future career requires of me. But I can promise this: that whatever I do, I want my faith in God to be a part of it, and I want my whole heart to be a part of it.

Baby steps, that's what I need to do. I also need to engrave Jeremiah 29:11 into the walls of my brain until it hurts.
And now I am moving onto step one, which is to go back to college in September...
I'll let you know what happens next. :)

Just sayin'

♥  ♥  ♥