The Girl Crush.

This evening, I met my girl crush. She is a worship leader with the most incredible voice I've ever heard, especially in worship. It's not something that I would consider her as my "idol", but more of an observation of her loving Jesus. Because when she worships on stage, she looks like she doesn't even notice anyone is listening but our Dad. And that's what makes it so incredibly encouraging.
So I'm a loser when it comes to meeting people who encourage/inspire/and who are just plain awesome. But, I met her. And she's truly awesome. But she also said something that was really encouraging...
We were having a talk about our lives and I asked her about her music career. She said that she once wrote a song that was for a specific event and person and years later, found that this particular song could also be used in a setting that could inspire other people. She told me that she knew she had to write more because God was going to use her songs to encourage not only the one person that she may have wrote it for, but so much more. We have these talents that our Dad gives us and we think that He creates something in us in just that moment. But there's so much that He does with that talent later in our lives... that's so great to think about for me. God has given me a ton of opportunities to grow in my experience working with kids and I know that He's putting these positions in my life because something about it will help me in my future somewhere. Whether it would be to get a job or not,... it could be just making a difference in someone's life. Maybe inspiring or encouraging just one person. It's crazy the way our Father uses us and our talents to further His kingdom.
So, thank you Father. Not only for teaching me something new, but using someone I thought I'd never have the opportunity to talk with to do so.

My Mom

"We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace." -Peggy Tabor Millin

I haven't really figured out what my blog is about... sometimes I like writing about quotes or things that inspire me. Sometimes I like writing about the people in my life that inspire me. That's the one I want to focus on-- people in our lives. Without them, we would as individuals be completely different. Each person that you allow into your life- to know you, care for you, love you- changes you. They mold you. Whether they have a small work or a large work, they mold you into who you are now.
This writing is about my mom.
We're so different. She is half-vegetarian, has strong health awareness, and works out at least five times a week. I am full carnivore, don't even think about how many calories I consume and say "sure, I'll take the third fruit roll up if nobody else wants it", and I work out about ten times (if lucky) a year.
However, I would be completely blessed if I was half the mom she is to me. She loves people. She's always positive because she believes you create positive moments. She goes far beyond the expected with any holiday or birthday. And at this moment as I'm writing this, she's in the kitchen with her friends laughing from just getting back from the "haunted house" next door. She doesn't lose her childlike innocence... she finds it rare and not worth letting go because it's too much fun.
I want to be like her. I want to grow up laughing at everything. And although we may have things about us that are different, her personality is something I admire more than I do in anyone. She's the most beautiful person I know- inside and out.
Thank you Mom.. for molding me. For changing me-- for helping me to become the person I want to be-- like you. I love you.

June 29th

It's my birthday!
I was overwhelmed today. Sure, facebook does the friendly reminder that it's my birthday, but it still takes a bit of effort to click on my profile and post a comment and it made me smile each time I read one. I went to work this morning greeted by smiling campers giving me cards and saying "Happy Birthday" at least 100 times throughout the day. My wonderful co-workers also got them all to sing the song to me... it was awesome to say the least. This evening, my dad made me a delicious steak and my mom made me my favorite dessert and I got to sit around the table and eat my favorite meal with the people I love most!
I feel so incredibly blessed to have people in my life that care so much about making me happy... they do a really great job! God did me good! :)

Living by the Clock

I got to spend the weekend camped out by the Guadalupe River. Our camp was surrounded by tons of trees and gorgeous hills that could almost pass for Texas mountains. It was hot, but we had shade and the occasional breeze, not to mention the river was freezing! The first night I slept in the tent unzipped to allow the breeze to come in. The second night, I had to sleep outside. Had to in the sense that it would be crazy of me not to-- I fell asleep to bright stars and a full moon and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. And all I needed to enjoy that beauty was the grass to lay on.
This weekend also taught me a lot of things. My friends and I were all in the same campsite, however I don't think many of them got to experience what I did. The lifestyle that I witnessed I'll call "Living by the clock." The question asked more than any was "What time is it?" And my answer everytime... "Why does it matter?"
Many of us are obsessed with knowing time and we don't realize it because we live by a clock in our everyday lives. The clock controls our plans throughout the day. Vacations, like the one to the Guadalupe, are a time given to us to take a vacation from the clock. We could of gone the entire weekend without knowing what time it was... but we didn't. The result: nothing except for a more organized planned day. Boring!
Although it's a challenge for many to take time out from living the same way we do when we're in the comfort of our homes, it's worth trying. I measured time by the horizon. I slept with a sleeping bag and a sheet on grass under beautiful skies. Think of the opportunities you'll have before you get there.... think about the things that may limit you from experiencing everything that you're meant to experience there. Take a risk, keep the clock home.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." _Jesus.

What a crazy concept. I can't imagine going a day without hearing a complaint or an argument or having done one of the two myself. So why does Jesus give us a command that is close to impossible to obey?
Jesus knows we are complainers and will always create or be involved in arguments because we're human. And although I believe no one enjoys these things (unless an imbalance in them causes them to thrive on drama... I call it an imbalance because I don't think it's the way our minds naturally work), we still do them. All the time.
Try for a day to not. Don't complain. Don't argue. Everyday I'm around forty kids who sometimes I believe create situations so they can complain or argue about something. Not intentionally I think, but they do. What if when my camp walks to the aquatic center down the street in 100 degree weather, the only conversation was about Justin Beiber or how good the Burger King smells? What if after we played dodgeball, the teams congratulate each other for doing a good job? What if we as adults, enjoyed the company of our friends and family without complaining about the food, the wait in the restaurant, the heat, or the bad service? How different would conversations be with complaints and arguments? How different would our world be?
I think that's the point Jesus was trying to make. He gave us this command because He wants us to think outside the impossibilities we have as humans... to try. He doesn't tell us things that would make our lives worse or more depressing. He gives us guidelines to make our lives more enjoyable. How much more enjoyable would your life be if you tried to follow just this one request from Him?

Donald Miller is the biggest inspiration in my life. His story makes me want to buy a plane ticket to anywhere or feel like I have the strength to ride a bike across the nation. He writes to inspire. And I believe that's the most inspiring part about it. Not only do I want to live a great story, but I want to write about it in hopes to inspire others to do the same.
A friend of mine is an example to me of someone who lives his life. He takes risks and finds rewards in them. He hikes ridiculous mountains and ski's down dangerous slopes. But never once has he told me he regretted doing those things. Because risk in life is exciting and exhilarating! I couldn't count the number of times he's said to me that he's going to die each time he begins another dangerous adventure, but he continues on doing them. Many people would think he's crazy, but I hope that many are inspired by his lifestyle.
Each day we make a choice on how we're going to live out that day. Many people have excuses right when they wake up without realizing it. Another word for excuses is plans. I used to be a nut about planning! Not that I don't enjoy the occasional organized activity, but spontaneity is so much more fun. Everyone makes plans, I know. But in my life, the most exciting moments are the unplanned. Because I think when we think about things too much, we create them to be something completely different than how they turn out to be. We create human thoughts when our awesome Creator has planned out everything already-- and he's by the far the greatest event planner I've ever known.
So I hope this is an encouragement- written for you and me. To wake up EVERY day knowing that there's something incredible planned for that day. Don't allow your excuses (plans) ruin what God has already planned.

here I go...

I arrived in Panama City, Florida last Sunday night and arrived home this afternoon. During my trip, I started reading Donald Miller's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." A book that has the ability to make anyone passionate about life do something out of their comfort box. In just a few days, it has inspired me to face fears of height with parasailing, to face unknown fears with embracing the night ocean, and jet ski across miles of beautiful waves. Don Miller says if you feel resistance towards an ambition or even an opportunity, that resistance is from something that doesn't want you to enjoy life. I've found through facing fears and challenging myself to do things I wouldn't normally do, I'm living a pretty fun life. But of course it's easy to live that way while on vacation for just a few short days... my goal now is to apply the Don Miller lifestyle to everyday life which proves to be a challenge already. Routine isn't living life though... it's merely just using the moving sidewalk, watching people walk on the hall next to you, just being a figure in your own life.
Sometimes I see movies or read books or blogs about people who go out and seemingly save the world with their bravery and courage. There's even resistance in that. Resistance leading me to believe I'm incapable of achieving greatness like the characters I see or the people I read about.
Fight resistance. Achieve greatness. Fear only the beautiful God who is admiring your writing. Spend time with people. Say yes to opportunity. Live the way you think God would want you to live... Live the way you want to live. No regrets, only memories- whether they have a negative or positive turn isn't the issue... stepping out, being willing to create a better story is all you need to do it.

My First Blog

Hey! Thanks for taking time to read my blog :) Happy reading!

"Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life." _Donald Miller

As I was googling Donald Miller quotes the other night (he is my favorite author/blogger!), I came across this one. In the past few days, it has been a quote that has been stuck in my head actually forcing me to act it out in my life. I haven't had many moments in the past few days that would require courage to face fear, however even the minor moments I believe make you feel empowered.. just by a quote. The first time I got to use this quote was during a day trip to a local waterpark with two girls that I babysit. There were two rides at the waterpark the girls refused to ride, however I was determined to ride every ride there. I found a nice teenage girl who agreed to ride with me and with the quote continuously repeating itself in my thoughts, I conquered the fear of riding "The Torpedo." There at the bottom of the slide as I sneakily fixed my swimsuit wedgie, I felt the feeling. I was unstoppable. Later that evening, I was able to tackle a spider in the bathroom and a moth in the kitchen. All because of that quote!
Many times I come across quotes that are beautiful, sweet, and meaningful. Rarely do I come across a quote that has the power to change my attitude and my thoughts. Perhaps this quote from Don Miller can empower you as well. Fear is manipulative. It would be insane to not do things in life because you let an emotion take over your being. So, GO CRAZY!