Patience. Grace. Bah Humbug.

You know those few people that just get under your skin? When they walk in the room and immediately you just want to kick them in the shins? They haven't done anything wrong, per say, but they just rub you the wrong way.

Lately, I have been face to face with those individuals more than usual. It's like they have planted some device that tracks my whereabouts and knows my every move. They find me in the most inopportune moments. Like, when I am about to head out to lunch or right after my boss asks me to take care of a big project that needed to be done 20 minutes ago. Or when I am wanting some peace and quiet. They would never know it, as I try my hardest to not give off a negative vibe, but I would, literally, rather be anywhere else than in that very situation.

The worst part is that deep down, I want to help them figure out a solution to their problem. It just seems that there is some barrier that prevents me from letting that part through. Knowing that the "barrier" is my own sin and imperfection, I still find it hard to serve those certain folk.

Would you pray with me? That I may exude patience and grace to the people that I am deliberately choosing to deny the same things my Savior has so wonderfully blessed me with.

It's hard to admit when you are wrong. It's even harder, once you have admitted that, to then live it out in your daily life.

The Lord has done and will continue to do a good work in my heart and soul.

These will be the verses that I run to when selfishness, impatience and outright annoyance fill my heart:

*Hebrews 6:12b Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

*1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

*John 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

*Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Sisters.

I came across these pictures from Hawaii last year.

If you can't tell, we are so incredibly excited.



Before.


After.


I love this.

Buzz.

My dad is awesome.

There are times that we talk about gadgets and technology or have entire car rides where we listen to Earth, Wind and Fire as loud as your ears can stand. We spend countless hours watching recordings of NHRA drag races and go to the races every year. We could watch Law and Order for hours, not say a word and I still know we are bonding in the midst of it all.

He will fill my gas tank for no reason or wash my car because I mentioned that I needed to plan on washing it sometime soon. He is the one that I can count on to help me if I have a problem with my car or have some question about the law.

I can remember numerous times when he would be walking down the hall, pop his head in the door to my room and say, "Have I told you yet today that I love you?"

You call him Buzz. I call him Pops.
You think he's funny. I don't. (At least not all the time...)

All in all, my dad is one of my best friends and I just wanted to say, "Dad. I love you."

<3 your FAVORITE daughter. ;)

Hello again,

It's official. I suck at blogging. Mainly because I am not married and don't have any adorable kid stories to spill.

That being said, I am content with what I have, where I am at and am enjoying the view along the way.

What have I been doing you may ask?

Watched too many episodes of The Office
Still taking a break from white flour and sugar
Spent quality time with great friends
Read My Life Is Average and can't stop
Attended weddings like it was going out of style
Facebook stalked
Played on my iPhone
Loved on my niece and nephews
Had heart to hearts with Courtney
Caught up with long lost friends
Learned some things the hard way
Payed off debt
Accidentally flashed my best friends ENTIRE extended family
Hosted Bingo night at work
Went to Wildhorse Canyon for a week
Wanted to stay at WHC indefinitely
Spent some time in Cheney and learned first hand that there is absolutely nothing to do there
Learned that taking a bath can, in fact, be harmful to ones health
Found out that even when you feel like a gomer, Jesus loves you

The end.

Insert witty title here

Just thought these pictures were pretty cute. :)

Blogging has not been part of my summer agenda. I have been working, taking kids to YL camp, spent countless hours laughing with family and friends...but other than that, life has been pretty sporadic but busy.


I have:
* Watched too many episodes of The Office
* Driven to Issy and back so much, I could probably drive it with my eyes closed
* Been to Wildhorse Canyon for the umpteenth time and could barely stand getting back on the bus to go home
* Had some great quiet times with the Lord
* Gone to the Drag Races with Dad and Todd
* Survived a heat wave
* Prayed for friends who are going through tough times
* Thought that things couldn't get worse...they did
* Spent way too much time on Facebook
* Had adventures in Bellevue Square
* Needed medical attention via Fire Department and Aid Car :P
* Welcomed a new nephew, Owen (he is ADORABLE)

That is it for now and I will try to do something fun/stupid so that I can post about it. :)

Loves.

scrupulous. enough said.

Lately I have been constantly on the go. You know when you just can't say no to anything because you would rather be exhausted than miss out on the fellowship of others. With all the hustle and bustle of normal life I have left one person in the dust.

Jesus.

To be quite frank, He should be the first person I talk to in the morning and the last person I talk to at night...

It's not that I do it on purpose but it becomes an out of sight, out of mind type of thing. Again, that is no excuse but it has me thinking...if I can get up for my Young Life girls at 6:30 in the morning (which doesn't happen often but is completely possible), why can't I get up to meet my Savior?

He is the one who gave me life and now my life should be consumed with praising Him!

For instance, this morning was one of the mornings that I attended Bible study with our YL Campaigner girls. It was great. My heart feels a little bit fuller since my day began in the Word.

And I will be honest, mornings are not gracious to me or my hair for that matter...I hit the snooze about 5 or 6 times. All because I am too selfish to get myself out of bed and meet my Lord.

This morning Jenny talked about the verse in Luke where Jesus says, "If they (the disciples) keep quiet, the stones will cry out." In the Message it says, “But he said, ‘If they (the disciples) kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.’”

WHOA. Talk about wake up call. I have been chewing on that all day and have come to the realization that I have been pursuing so many other friendships and relationships that I have left my relationship with my personal Lord and Savior to shrink and wither away.

Here begins the change. Now. RIGHT now. I choose to not be content with just listening to the Word…but rather knowing my Savior in a way that I can call Him my best friend.

In other news…my dear friend Jaclyn has started a blog.

yes. i am alive.

It was my 22nd birthday over the weekend and I took a little trip to:

Yes. I went to Forks, WA. We went for Twilight but found SO much more. It is absolutely gorgeous over there. I can't even believe that I have lived here my whole life and haven't ever seen the rain forest. Never mind the fact that it's only a 4 hour drive and it contains the most beautiful moss you have ever seen...

I forgot my camera and all of the pictures are on my friends camera, so I will post them when I get them! I promise.

Go Team Edward. :)

siLLy gOOse.

I have noticed that my blog has taken a serious turn lately...not that there is anything wrong with that but I am not that serious in real life.

I will share with you some silly one liners:

*"Shopping makes me ill" -my friend Joel who is quite the cowboy

*"I'll try to get his pic, he may break my camera, seriously that's how hot he is" -my friend Courtney when talking about the incredibly good looking butcher in Italy

*"Oh, they need to just stop pussy-footin' " -my mother


And my personal favorite...



*"Truth be told, I think I thrive under a lack of accountability" -Michael Scott "The Office"

Hallelujah.

I am now officially finished with my first quarter back to college.

I.can't.even.believe.it

Never thought I would be here...but I am and I will have you know I finished strong and got some pretty good marks!

Whoa there...

This week has been interesting. I sometimes feel like I am just going through the motions of life and leaving thoughts and progress behind. It's as if I am an onlooker of my actions.



I wish that I could rewind the last week and relive it. I might have done things differently. My actions would have been different. There would have been grace and understanding. I would not have yelled at the ridiculous drivers on the road back and forth from the island. I might not have gotten frustrated at my mom when she woke me up for church. I could have not gotten irritated when I was misunderstood. I probably should not have been so quick to peg certain people with certain stereotypes.

Instead of thinking back on the things I wish I could do differently...I choose to live and love this week in a way that exemplifies Christ. This life is just a passing onto an eternal life that we are mentally uncapable of grasping.

I choose to live my life in a way that glorifies Christ.

I will live my life in light of the cross.

Welcome back.

I have decided I am done with my hi-tech hiatus. This story alone is worth it.

I am at work and helping an older gentlemen with the copy machine. It's been a while since I have seen him and after he is done with his project we started to chat.

After a quick minute he asks me, "So are you excited?" To which I replied, "About??"

He then says to me, "Well, when are you due?" After I picked my jaw up from the floor I stated, "WHAT?!"

This poor guy...he is just trying to start a conversation and it BOMBED on him. He was a little frazzled and began to apologize and wouldn't look me in the eye. I told him it's ok and it was probably the style of shirt (it does look a little 'maternity')...but really I don't think I look that overweight. Do I??

I think that when I get home...I will either burn this shirt or put it away until I am pregnant.

Who doesn't love awkward moments.

time out.

I am finding that I need a break from the computer.

I won't be posting anything or checking anything. I also have decided to deactivate my facebook account. I am not sure how long this will be for but my heart desires change and this seems to be a start. I will check my email once in the evening.

If you need to get a hold of me I have my phone as well as a home address.

I bid computer technology goodbye for now.

too-when-dee fuh-eye-veh {twenty five}

I know I totally copying Christy...but I would rather post random facts about myself here and not on Facebook.

So here goes.

1. I hate red licorice and LOVE black licorice. I am pretty sure I am the only person on the planet who feels this way.

2. I can't eat things that have a weird texture. Hence my dislike for marshmallows.

3. I sing anywhere but in the shower. I would probably be in there for like an hour singing my
heart out.

4. I think I have mild social anxiety...I haven't had a birthday "party" since I was about 5.

5. I love to quote lines from my favorite movies and TV shows. I could go back and forth all day long and would never get tired of it.

6. I didn't write a research paper until my junior year of high school. I now wonder how I even got to 11th grade.

7. I love deep conversation. Therefore, I dislike shallow conversation.

8. My favorite shape is a crown. {not a tiara, a crown}

9. I hope to be married someday to a man who loves the Lord more than he loves me. {if you know any of those kind of guys...you can give them my number ;) }

10. I love to wear socks to bed. I also tuck my PJ's into them so that my legs don't get cold in the night...don't deny it, you know exactly what I am talking about.

11. I am an awful story teller. The story only comes alive after I type it out and actually think about how I am going to tell it.

12. I am a procrastinator. That isn't really random because most people are...but I love to work under pressure.

13. I have a fear of long fingernails. I cut mine as short as is humanly possible.

14. I hope to be able to have a preschool out of my home...after I purchase a home, even though I know my parents would LOVE to have a preschool running out of their house {HAHA...Mom, I am totally kidding. Sort of...}

15. It takes me exactly an hour to get ready in the morning...no matter how short or long of a shower I take. It always ends up being an hour.

16. I make my bed every morning. Well mostly every morning. My day is always a little more chaotic when I miss that part of my morning routine.

17. I seem to always have great intentions...but am usually a little late with the follow through.

18. On April 10, 1987...my mother arrived at the hospital at 3:00 am and I was born at 3:03 am. My dad was parking the car. I must have had a pressing engagement to attend. ;)

19. I have never smoked a cigar or cigarette. I have never done drugs. I didn't drink until I was 21 and even now I don't drink much. I guess living with the "law" in your house got to me at a young age.

20. I have wanted to live in Australia {or go to school there} since I was a junior in high school.

21. When I sing harmony to a song {that is the part that "blends" with the melody, or natural tune of the song} I do everything by ear. I can't even read music.

22. I am extremely independent. I like to figure things out on my own and usually have a hard time asking for help when I need it. I am working on this though and I am making great progress.

23. I would rather text someone than call them back. I am not a big phone person...unless the occasion arises in which a phone call in necessary.

24. If I think about my family dying, I cry. I cry REALLY hard.

25. I used to work at about 4:00 in the morning and would run on like 3 or 4 hours of sleep and now that I have a "big girl job" I am grouchy if I don't get my full 8 hours.

I think this is about it. This was MUCH harder than it looks. I will not tag anyone because it seems as though everyone I know has already done it. Although, it does make for a good read!

four.

The rules to play the Fantastic Four Meme are simple:
Copy/paste the questions into your blog
Type in your answers
Tag four people on your list
Don’t forget to change the answers to your own!

FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER AND OVER:
work.school.target.the "700"

FOUR PEOPLE WHO EMAIL/IM/TEXT ME REGULARLY:
R49&1/2.facebook.val.jac

FOUR PLACES I LIKE TO EAT:
taco time.el sombrero.olive garden.mom's kitchen

FOUR PLACES I’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
bed.hawaii.london.australia

FOUR TV SHOWS I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
the office.life.leverage.what i like about you

FOUR PEOPLE THAT I THINK WILL RESPOND:
val.lindsay.shawna.aimee

bling bling and forward thinking.

I am in that season in life where it seems that EVERYONE around me is either seriously dating someone, engaged/planning a wedding, or having babies. I know I am totally exaggerating and making it seem like I am the last person on the planet that is single. This is not the case although sometimes it can seem that way.

What I do know is that sometimes I feel alone or out of place when I am in the company of couples, whatever stage of life they are in. This is "normal" and "everyone feels this way at one time or another" but it is always different when it happens to you.

I am assured that I don't need a physical person to fulfill the places of my heart that only the Lord can fill. Our society has filled our head with the idea that you need to have a relationship to be "happy" or "satisfied." That is a load of crap if you ask me. That being said I know that the Lord has created us so that we can in turn create, but that is NOT all there is to life.

We live to worship our Lord and to give him the glory in all things. We are to acknowledge him and he will make our paths straight. While it would be great if Mr. Right could do that, I am sure that he doesn't have "turning water into wine" on his resume.

Psalm 62:5 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him"

Hello.

Hebrews 13:5 "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

Again I say...hello.

I know that my day will come when I walk down the isle and I get to grow old with my best friend. Until then I can live my life knowing that He is enough for me and that He treasures my in a way no man on earth could.

I leave you with this little nugget of truth.

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her."