If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely love kids. They're one of my favorite things in the world. At least four out of seven days a week, I'm spending time with kids. They just blow me away. They say the funniest things, the sweetest things, and let's be honest, some of the weirdest things you'll ever hear. Out of the mouths of babes, right? :)
But the thing I love the most about kids is their awe and wonder for the world and for life. I think we could use a ton more of that. Kids get so excited about the smallest things, and don't take the beauty of this world for granted. They celebrate every victory, and rebound from every failure or mistake. They don't have to carry the weight of the world. They really know how to have fun, and find something fun out of every circumstance. Imagine if we did that in our own lives.
I'm not by any means saying we should go overboard with this. Life will still throw curve balls, we will still have stress, we will have bad days, we will be in a rush and not notice life's goodness all the time, we will take things for granted. Failure will hit us in the gut, and we might overlook victories sometimes. That's life. It happens. But we have the ability to try and take a second to change our attitudes. We can make an effort to appreciate the little things, celebrate the small victories, smile more, find something good or fun in every circumstance.
What if we treated the leaves changing colors around us like the crazy cool phenomenon they are?What if we got excited every time we got to see snow falling down? What if we ran and twirled outside in the rain instead of cursing it for ruining our plans? What if we cherished every hug or smile we got? What if we celebrated when we made it through a tough day? What if we got up and dusted ourselves off after a defeat, and have it renew our determination to succeed? What if we just stopped to appreciate all the great things we have in life?
All I'm saying is if we try to see the world through the eyes of a child, with their wonder and optimism, I guarantee our worlds would all be a little bit brighter.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Leini
I always have music on. Always. It keeps me focused. One of my all time favorite songs is "Kings and Queens" by Audio Adrenaline. It's my adoption song.
Adoption is a big part of my family. God blessed me with three incredible and gorgeous nieces by means of adoption., and let me just tell you, they are some of my life's greatest joys. Ever since the concept of adoption was introduced in to my life, I haven't been the same. It stirred up something in my heart. It was something that tugged at a teeny tiny corner of my heart.
Fast forward two years. I'm at this awesome concert with my youth group. There was a presentation about adoptions and a speaker who discussed how it changed his life for the better. The tug got stronger. God whispered to my heart, and in that moment I knew that adoption would be part of my future.
Fast forward to this past September. I was at a Casting Crowns concert when Mark Hall (CC lead singer) started talking about Compassion International, and how it changed his life. Compassion International child sponsorship is something I'd considered and prayed on and off about for a while. But hearing about it this time was different. That tug in my heart grew too strong to ignore. I felt a pull when they were asking for sponsors for children.
What happens next could only be a God thing. I got up and walked toward the Compassion booth. I felt pulled, beyond my control. I (being the frugal college student I am) first checked the price of it. $38 a month. The exact amount I spend on Starbucks or pedicures or something frivolous a month. For that, I could change a life. How selfish would I be to let this opportunity pass by? (In hindsight, I am not proud of myself for checking the price. How could I put a price on a child's life? But God used my ignorance to show me a sign.)
A sweet volunteer handed me a packet before I could request a country or anything. But God knows my heart so well. He had a better plan than I could have ever imagined. I looked at my packet and saw the most beautiful little girl. I was instantly in love with this 5 year old halfway around the world. There were so many little signs that this couldn't be coincidence or fate. I know God planned all along for me to sponsor her, and for us to change each other's lives.
Sponsorship is the most wonderful choice I could've made. I am so blessed by my sweet Leini. I am so grateful for her, and can't wait to see the story God wrote for us unfold. <3
Adoption is a big part of my family. God blessed me with three incredible and gorgeous nieces by means of adoption., and let me just tell you, they are some of my life's greatest joys. Ever since the concept of adoption was introduced in to my life, I haven't been the same. It stirred up something in my heart. It was something that tugged at a teeny tiny corner of my heart.
Fast forward two years. I'm at this awesome concert with my youth group. There was a presentation about adoptions and a speaker who discussed how it changed his life for the better. The tug got stronger. God whispered to my heart, and in that moment I knew that adoption would be part of my future.
Fast forward to this past September. I was at a Casting Crowns concert when Mark Hall (CC lead singer) started talking about Compassion International, and how it changed his life. Compassion International child sponsorship is something I'd considered and prayed on and off about for a while. But hearing about it this time was different. That tug in my heart grew too strong to ignore. I felt a pull when they were asking for sponsors for children.
What happens next could only be a God thing. I got up and walked toward the Compassion booth. I felt pulled, beyond my control. I (being the frugal college student I am) first checked the price of it. $38 a month. The exact amount I spend on Starbucks or pedicures or something frivolous a month. For that, I could change a life. How selfish would I be to let this opportunity pass by? (In hindsight, I am not proud of myself for checking the price. How could I put a price on a child's life? But God used my ignorance to show me a sign.)
A sweet volunteer handed me a packet before I could request a country or anything. But God knows my heart so well. He had a better plan than I could have ever imagined. I looked at my packet and saw the most beautiful little girl. I was instantly in love with this 5 year old halfway around the world. There were so many little signs that this couldn't be coincidence or fate. I know God planned all along for me to sponsor her, and for us to change each other's lives.
Sponsorship is the most wonderful choice I could've made. I am so blessed by my sweet Leini. I am so grateful for her, and can't wait to see the story God wrote for us unfold. <3
Friday, October 17, 2014
The "Good" Christian Girl
I was that girl. THAT girl. You know the one I'm talking about. The stereotypical church girl. The "good" girl. The "nice" one. The "perfect" one. Never been kissed, never had a sip of alcohol, never partied. The girl your parents wanted you to be friends with during the teen years. The "good influence". The "church-every-Sunday" girl. I knew what to say and when to say it. I hid my problems oh-so-well. I put on the "nothing-can-hurt-this-strong-girl" mask. I played the game, acted the part. I BECAME the part. Somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I found my identity in my part. I prided myself on being such a good person. Deep down though? I was incredibly insecure. I did the right things for the wrong reasons.
But I'm not who I was. Thank you, Jesus, that I'm not. That I'm not the walking cliche, the illusion, the "holier-than-thou" churchie.
I did things out of pressure and obligation, not out of obedience to God. Not because I wanted to please God, but because I wanted to impress people. I was a servant of two masters. I tried to make my will in to God's. I put my will above God's will. I was selfish. A hypocrite. I was trying to submit part of my heart to God, and keep most of it wild and wandering. I tried to tell myself it was enough. That I was enough. It left me empty inside and exhausted.
But I'm not who I was. Thanks to Jesus, the lover of my soul, the changer of my life, My Redeemer, My Saving Grace. He met me at my darkest place with open arms and abounding love. I am a living testament, His grace truly is amazing. <3
But I'm not who I was. Thank you, Jesus, that I'm not. That I'm not the walking cliche, the illusion, the "holier-than-thou" churchie.
I did things out of pressure and obligation, not out of obedience to God. Not because I wanted to please God, but because I wanted to impress people. I was a servant of two masters. I tried to make my will in to God's. I put my will above God's will. I was selfish. A hypocrite. I was trying to submit part of my heart to God, and keep most of it wild and wandering. I tried to tell myself it was enough. That I was enough. It left me empty inside and exhausted.
But I'm not who I was. Thanks to Jesus, the lover of my soul, the changer of my life, My Redeemer, My Saving Grace. He met me at my darkest place with open arms and abounding love. I am a living testament, His grace truly is amazing. <3
Welcome!
Hey Y'all! I'm so glad you're here! My goal is that this blog will encourage you and inspire you, or at least make you smile. I'm here to be open and honest and transparent, with the desire that my story and walk with Jesus will somehow touch you and help you in your walk or your story! God bless!
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