I'm writing this with anticipation and excitement because my best friend, Bethany, will be here tomorrow! The last time we saw each other was January 2010 when David and I planned a surprise trip to Colorado for New Years. I've been to Colorado two times since then, but both times she was in Germany doing missions stuff. Being far from all my close family and friends, I've kind of gotten use to seeing them as giant pixels on skype. But, deep down, there is still loneliness. Not always, but it's there. It is safe to say that I feel like I'm just starting to build friendships that I think will last, and I've lived here for 18 months now! It's so hard. Just a few years ago this probably would have been as easy task for me. I was much more confident then, much more outgoing and friendly. I was comfortable. But, like I've said in previous posts, I'm not the same person because I've grown and my life is completely different now. I still have my roots and in the core I'm the same, but sometimes I get aggravated at how introverted I am. I wonder why I can't be like David, freely moving in the crowd talking to anyone with no inhibitions. I hope I'm that person one day...
So, tomorrow starts the beginning of two weeks of pure awesomeness. Bethany is a great photographer, storyteller and cook... what more could I ask for? ;)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
life's a beautiful thing.
Man, oh man do I take life for granted sometimes.
I take my health for granted, my relationships... all of it.
Sometimes I can spot it right away and snap myself back if my husband hasn't already, yet other times it's a rebirth of mind after I hear an inspirational story or hear of a tragedy (or even a miracle).
I don't have much to say, I'm just inspired by two amazing people on this Friday night: Bethany Hamilton and Aron Ralston. Both of their stories are now made into motion picture films (Bethany with "Soul Surfer" and Aron with "127 Hours") and, ironically, I saw both today without planning to. In case you aren't familiar with the stories, Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing, Aron lost his right hand when he was climbing a mountain in Utah and a 800-pound boulder fell on his arm, forcing him to break his bones and cut off his arm so he could free himself.
It's amazing what a testimony of someone's faith and courage in the midst of tough times, or death, can do to a person. And it makes me wonder, did those two awful things happen to those two for a reason? God is a loving God, and He wants the best for us, yet terrible things happen.
The way I look at it is that both of these people grew tremendously from the experience, and the experience gained attention nationwide... allowing for their situations to become movies - picture stories - to share with the world, so we all could be a little more encouraged. I don't know if either of them would change what happened to them. They wouldn't be the person they are today without it...
Life is a beautiful thing. And I know I've had a lot of posts about this lately, but it really is a stage of my life where it's sinking in deep. My minutes here on earth mean something. I mean something, you mean something.
Please don't forget how important your story is because every minute counts - it's all a part of YOUR testimony.
Here's a great video of Bethany, if you want to check it out:
http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/bethany-hamilton/
I take my health for granted, my relationships... all of it.
Sometimes I can spot it right away and snap myself back if my husband hasn't already, yet other times it's a rebirth of mind after I hear an inspirational story or hear of a tragedy (or even a miracle).
I don't have much to say, I'm just inspired by two amazing people on this Friday night: Bethany Hamilton and Aron Ralston. Both of their stories are now made into motion picture films (Bethany with "Soul Surfer" and Aron with "127 Hours") and, ironically, I saw both today without planning to. In case you aren't familiar with the stories, Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing, Aron lost his right hand when he was climbing a mountain in Utah and a 800-pound boulder fell on his arm, forcing him to break his bones and cut off his arm so he could free himself.
It's amazing what a testimony of someone's faith and courage in the midst of tough times, or death, can do to a person. And it makes me wonder, did those two awful things happen to those two for a reason? God is a loving God, and He wants the best for us, yet terrible things happen.
The way I look at it is that both of these people grew tremendously from the experience, and the experience gained attention nationwide... allowing for their situations to become movies - picture stories - to share with the world, so we all could be a little more encouraged. I don't know if either of them would change what happened to them. They wouldn't be the person they are today without it...
Life is a beautiful thing. And I know I've had a lot of posts about this lately, but it really is a stage of my life where it's sinking in deep. My minutes here on earth mean something. I mean something, you mean something.
Please don't forget how important your story is because every minute counts - it's all a part of YOUR testimony.
Here's a great video of Bethany, if you want to check it out:
http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/bethany-hamilton/
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
what I've dreamt of all my life is here.
Today, I'm 21 years old.
When I was a little girl, I remember looking at myself in the mirror, brushing my hair, thinking of what life would be like for me at 21 years old - where I'd be, what I've accomplished, who I am. And I have to say, it isn't much different than what I imagined.
1. I always knew I'd marry young. It was a desire God placed in me that I can't explain, and I knew he'd fulfill it. And he did!
2. I always wanted to have a career singing/acting and although it may not be the way I've always envisioned it, it's the way God has planned! I'm working on getting there and learning to be patient. Also, David and I are worship leaders and though that isn't about performance, in a way it fulfills that desire, too.
3. Let's face it, what else did I think about? The things every kid things about - having a car, a house (or in my case, condo) or even just a flat screen TV! I have all of those things, too.
I have to say I'm feeling a wide range of emotions on this day. I'm happy & blessed because in the 21 years I've lived I've only faced minimal heartbreak. The worst things that have ever happened to me was getting made fun of in middle school, having a bad breakup after high school, and then moving away from my family - like I said, MINIMAL.
And then there's the other side where I have to tell myself that just because I'm a "legal adult" doesn't mean I'm not young anymore. This may sound strange, but I take pride in being young. I love it when people find out I'm married and have been for a year and a half and then they gasp thinking I'm 18 and thinking I got married at 16. It's really classic to see.
I'm such a memory person, and I guess sometimes I'm afraid of getting older because I'm afraid of forgetting the old memories, even if it means I'm creating new ones. I have a tendency to live in the past and to focus on all the great things that were. I'm not a visionary, and sometimes I don't like that about myself, but I deal with it.
My mom said on the phone today, "21 is when life begins." I will listen to her, because she was right about everything else so far (except for saying I'd get pregnant by now... ha ha)
So, here's to the next years of my life. May I always remember the day I became a legal adult, but remained a child at heart! ♥
When I was a little girl, I remember looking at myself in the mirror, brushing my hair, thinking of what life would be like for me at 21 years old - where I'd be, what I've accomplished, who I am. And I have to say, it isn't much different than what I imagined.
1. I always knew I'd marry young. It was a desire God placed in me that I can't explain, and I knew he'd fulfill it. And he did!
2. I always wanted to have a career singing/acting and although it may not be the way I've always envisioned it, it's the way God has planned! I'm working on getting there and learning to be patient. Also, David and I are worship leaders and though that isn't about performance, in a way it fulfills that desire, too.
3. Let's face it, what else did I think about? The things every kid things about - having a car, a house (or in my case, condo) or even just a flat screen TV! I have all of those things, too.
I have to say I'm feeling a wide range of emotions on this day. I'm happy & blessed because in the 21 years I've lived I've only faced minimal heartbreak. The worst things that have ever happened to me was getting made fun of in middle school, having a bad breakup after high school, and then moving away from my family - like I said, MINIMAL.
And then there's the other side where I have to tell myself that just because I'm a "legal adult" doesn't mean I'm not young anymore. This may sound strange, but I take pride in being young. I love it when people find out I'm married and have been for a year and a half and then they gasp thinking I'm 18 and thinking I got married at 16. It's really classic to see.
I'm such a memory person, and I guess sometimes I'm afraid of getting older because I'm afraid of forgetting the old memories, even if it means I'm creating new ones. I have a tendency to live in the past and to focus on all the great things that were. I'm not a visionary, and sometimes I don't like that about myself, but I deal with it.
My mom said on the phone today, "21 is when life begins." I will listen to her, because she was right about everything else so far (except for saying I'd get pregnant by now... ha ha)
So, here's to the next years of my life. May I always remember the day I became a legal adult, but remained a child at heart! ♥
Sunday, April 3, 2011
having faith in the midst of tough times.
As the night comes to an end, and I am near my husband as we get together after a long day together, I feel both a burden on my heart and a blessing in my life.
I'm 20 years old, and I have never really experienced the death of somebody before. Ever.
There were a few times growing up when parents of my friends passed, but back then it didn't feel like a huge deal. In my mind they were older, so even though they were in their young 40's, I never saw it as a bad thing. And death isn't a bad thing if you know Jesus, and I know that... but it wasn't until this afternoon that I was struck with a pain in my heart I've never had before.
A friend of mine from high school died this morning. She was 19 years old and was diabetic. As far as I know, she passed in her sleep due to a bad reaction to the insulin she was taking. She was such a joy to be around and in the few short years that I had memories with her they were enough to leave an impact. She touched so many people, and was an inspiration to how we should be living. I will really miss her. And even though we aren't best friends or anything, my heart breaks knowing that I will never be able to laugh with her again, and that her parents will never be able to laugh with her again. It feels so weird knowing that somebody I know is gone. It's like a dream.
But I have faith that through the heartbreak of death, comes a hope for life... that in the midst of pain, there is growth and renewal. And, after any shocking event, it makes you realize how short life truly is. Nothing's guaranteed and the world owes us nothing. We are just here for a short amount of time for a purpose. We are to love others the way we would love ourselves, to put ourselves last and to lay our lives down. It's what Jesus did for us.
I'm praying for the family and friends of Millie Harrison. She will always be remembered.
Hug somebody closer tonight.
And then make it a goal to do it the next day... and the next...
For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:31-32
(Thanks for the verse, Jason).
I'm 20 years old, and I have never really experienced the death of somebody before. Ever.
There were a few times growing up when parents of my friends passed, but back then it didn't feel like a huge deal. In my mind they were older, so even though they were in their young 40's, I never saw it as a bad thing. And death isn't a bad thing if you know Jesus, and I know that... but it wasn't until this afternoon that I was struck with a pain in my heart I've never had before.
A friend of mine from high school died this morning. She was 19 years old and was diabetic. As far as I know, she passed in her sleep due to a bad reaction to the insulin she was taking. She was such a joy to be around and in the few short years that I had memories with her they were enough to leave an impact. She touched so many people, and was an inspiration to how we should be living. I will really miss her. And even though we aren't best friends or anything, my heart breaks knowing that I will never be able to laugh with her again, and that her parents will never be able to laugh with her again. It feels so weird knowing that somebody I know is gone. It's like a dream.
But I have faith that through the heartbreak of death, comes a hope for life... that in the midst of pain, there is growth and renewal. And, after any shocking event, it makes you realize how short life truly is. Nothing's guaranteed and the world owes us nothing. We are just here for a short amount of time for a purpose. We are to love others the way we would love ourselves, to put ourselves last and to lay our lives down. It's what Jesus did for us.
I'm praying for the family and friends of Millie Harrison. She will always be remembered.
Hug somebody closer tonight.
And then make it a goal to do it the next day... and the next...
For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:31-32
(Thanks for the verse, Jason).
Saturday, April 2, 2011
this is happiness.
You know when you have a longing for something and it takes over a side of your brain? All you can think about is this thing... it's permanently glued in your mind.
Yeah. Well, on the way there I had a window seat and the flight was 3 hours long and my bladder was full. I really had to pee. But the two guys next to me were asleep (and taking up all the room may I add) so I thought, "Hey, maybe if I take a picture of the bathrooms then I won't actually have to go as badly."
It didn't work.
Now that that's in the open, here are the pictures of Colorado!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with my bff Holly, her sister Katie, and Katie's most adorable babies Abby, Avah, Anna, and Camden:
Dinner with my grandparent's (dad's side):
Can you tell we're sisters?
Photo shoot with Holly and Gabe:
Daycare kids:
It's my mom as Sarah Palin...hehehe
Air Force Academy and Chapel:
Eating lunch with my grandparent's (mom's side):
Family is what life is all about. I'm so glad I have my camera and my blog to never forget such special memories!
By the way... you guys (all of you... whoever you are) rock. My blog has 3,500 views as of today... and they aren't all in the United States. That is very exciting for me. Thank you ♥
Yeah. Well, on the way there I had a window seat and the flight was 3 hours long and my bladder was full. I really had to pee. But the two guys next to me were asleep (and taking up all the room may I add) so I thought, "Hey, maybe if I take a picture of the bathrooms then I won't actually have to go as badly."
It didn't work.
Now that that's in the open, here are the pictures of Colorado!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with my bff Holly, her sister Katie, and Katie's most adorable babies Abby, Avah, Anna, and Camden:
Dinner with my grandparent's (dad's side):
Can you tell we're sisters?
Photo shoot with Holly and Gabe:
Daycare kids:
It's my mom as Sarah Palin...hehehe
Air Force Academy and Chapel:
Eating lunch with my grandparent's (mom's side):
Family is what life is all about. I'm so glad I have my camera and my blog to never forget such special memories!
By the way... you guys (all of you... whoever you are) rock. My blog has 3,500 views as of today... and they aren't all in the United States. That is very exciting for me. Thank you ♥
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