Wow it's been awhile.

HI GUYS! I haven't posted in a super long time--oops! Well life is so amazing right now, God is doing some awesome things in my life and I just want to let you know that you ALL are SO loved. Seriously. By me and God. I don't even know if anyone actually reads my posts, but I like to think someone does. :P

Something new that's happened in my life guys is that as of a week and a half ago, I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL! WHAAAAAAAT? It. Is. So. Crazy. Right now I am looking for a job in my field of study with no luck, but I know God has a plan and will always provide for my needs, so I am currently enjoying the freedom of sleeping in and the warm Minnesota weather (for once!) and waiting and asking the Lord for direction.

Something I have been talking to him a lot about lately and that He has been laying on my heart is how in this time in America and I'm sure in other parts of the world society seems to be caught up in this routine of growing up and starting a family and living as though there isn't a care in the world with an emphasis on waking up in the morning, working for the longest hours possible to bring in the most money, and then coming home to dinner to say a "hi kids" and "goodnight" and then repeating itself once again. A picture God gave me was a whirlpool, in which the water flows in one direction to a center and what I felt like He was telling me was how society today seems to be so caught up in how to "do life" that we are just spiraling in a whirlpool until we reach the center and reach the end of our lives and ask ourselves what REALLY have we accomplished for the kingdom of God? He's been telling me how I need to live my life more going against the current. Maybe not fitting in as much with society's ways, and leaning more on His ways. His way is best, right? This is a super hard thing for me to grasp right now because I feel like really to survive you need to go with the flow, but I'm realizing that going against the current IS a struggle. In living our lives for him He didn't say it would be easy, it's a choice. It is one though that I want to live and so maybe me not finding a job right now is His plan. I'm going to college in the fall and I really don't want to go into debt, but God knows that. He knows EVERY SINGLE THING about my life and about yours, and that is why I'm choosing to trust Him right now. Jesus wants our time, and I feel like when we get so caught up, and don't give Him it, we are really missing out. Each time we say no to Him and yes to our jobs, our school, our busy lives, we are drawing farther away from Him and getting further sucked into the world. 

In all my free time now, I just have this feeling or sense that I should be doing something to further his work, but I'm not really sure how. Do I just go sit in a coffee shop and wait for God to lead me to someone or should I go bring sandwiches to the homeless? With ALL the money I have (obviously not) I see these things being kind of difficult right now. While these things are great and I do believe God can provide, one other thing God has been showing me is how even just being a friend to another, a true friend, and a sincere smile can make the biggest difference in someone else's life. So I think right now I'll mainly stick with that. :) I would love to hear any other suggestions you guys have!

Here's a cheesy, but sincere smile from me to YOU, because YOU rock. YOU are so loved by God and me even though I probably don't know you personally.
 

So here's to my personal rebellion against the world, the whirlpool of life, and all glory to God in everything! God my life is in your hands, use me. 

Until Completion

It isn't even a full month into the new year and I already have some exciting news! Last week I took my road test and came home with my license! Its a good thing I got it too because it was causing me to have a lot of anxiety.

Within this last week I've also taught myself how to crochet and my brother gave me the how to on completing a rubik's cube! I'm sorry if this post bores you to death and doesn't come across as me being full of myself. It has just been a really exciting month for me. As of last Tuesday, I also started my last semester as a high school student. It's amazing how fast time flies, I don't know if I'm ready to be done yet. 

Though it has been a month of completing some accomplishments in my book, lately I have also been struggling with a lot. I've been keeping a lot of hurt and pain in and I'm not really sure how, who, or when to share it. I am praying this is just a season, but there is just so much built up inside of me and it spills out at night through tears when I'm alone. I really don't want to see a councilor, but I could really use prayer right now. I really need breath through and freedom in my life.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." --Matthew 11:28

I am holding on to this verse right now with all that is within me.

If any of you have any prayer requests or needs I would love it if you would share them with me so that I can lift you up in prayer, but if you think of it, I could also use a lot of encouragement and prayer.

Verse of the day!

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5

Another Chilly Day

Its another freezing day in Minnesota with temperatures that will frostbite your toes in minutes! That for me however, didn't mean I couldn't have just a little bit of fun!

I tried the popular experiment everyone has seemingly tried of throwing boiling water in the air & it freezing! Unlike many others however, I did so without burning myself. :)

There also happened to be beautiful clouds and a sunset tonight so I of course had to snap a few pictures!

 Finally, here are four random shots I took of my window last night as I couldn't sleep, my brother blowing some bubbles, & my siblings playing their gaming systems, which turned out a little fuzzy.  :(

Year in Review | 2013. Could it be 2014?

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had jolly good celebrations! May this year be filled with resolutions that will be kept, limitless memories, and a stronger relationship with Christ. This year was filled with many ups and downs for me as with probably everyone-- this video encloses some of my favorite picture memories. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. As I am trying my best to keep up, one of my New Year resolutions is to try not to miss all of the little things that are thrown at me. I am also continuing my two year resolution streak of no pop! Surprisingly, it isn't that hard to stay away from it anymore. 

Also, not too give too much information, but I just took my first pee of the year. I am off to a great start! Remember God has great plans for you this year, and as he carries you through the good times and the bad, continue to reflect on all of his many blessings and know that He is faithful and won't let you down. 

[Image from google images]
 

Adios Christmas.

It's that time of the year when the tree goes down and the vacuum comes out. Here are a few snapshots before it's out of the house.

This picture was one I found on Pinterest that I found amusing the way it turned out.

 

Stomach in Knots

My stomach is pretty much in knots right now. I just found out my Great Grandma who is 99 is at a point where she could die any day. She has been so healthy it's amazing! On one hand I am sad because she is ready to die-- she wants too. On the other hand, being she feels like she has a good relationship with God and nothing else to live for, maybe the best thing for her is too die. How cool would it be though if she actually made it to 100? Anyway, Sunday after church me, my mom and sister took a drive up to visit her. 

The exciting thing about the drive up to see my grandma was that I was able to drive! She lives about two hours north, so it was like a mini road trip for me. I am scheduled to take my drivers test in a little over a week and my heart starts beating each time I think about it. I am SO nervous. Over the past months of driving, my reactions have continuously been "wow I love driving!" and "can I drive all the time?" Let's just say after driving four hours there and back, I have pretty much lost that enthusiasm. 

Here are a few grainy iPod photos from our little adventure. If you think of it, please keep my Great Grandma and my upcoming drivers test in your prayers! My stomach is knots over them.

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