Spring Already?!

Wow! Is Spring here already?!?!

It seems like just last week I was wearing my huge winter jacket out! But the sun is here and I'm excited for some warm weather!

Today is the last day of Spring Break and the weather is perfect! Its the perfect day for a bike ride or any outside activities. This week has been filled with sun-bathing, crafting, and mountain climbing. All of which were exhilarating! I started off my break with lots of crafting! I made several sets of coasters, some out of felt and some out of "melty beads" (which you melt on a plastic mold with an iron). They turned out great, if I do say so myself. I covered the bottom of them with felt so that moisture won't seep through and get on tables, because then what would be the point of the coaster anyways?!? The all felt coasters I cut out from brightly colored pieces and hot-glued them together so that they look like slices of fruit! They are very summery and cheery! :)

My next project involved ripping up a bunch of old de-commissioned t-shirts to made some upcycled scarves! I did so by twisting some blues, reds, and grays together. They look ok--I think I will try to do some different colors next time, even though some of my favorite t-shirts are cool colors. We will see. Anyways, made 2 of those and they're pretty versatile. No glue, no mess, just t-shirts wrapped together.

Then I wanted to make a candy/cookie holder for my res hall at school. So I took an old fish bowl, washed out of course, and a terra cotta garden pot & saucer. I painted them and then stacked them on top of one another so that it looks like an old fashioned gum-ball machine! I like the way it turned out and it'll be fun to put stuff in it at school. I then found another pot and saucer, glued them together, painted it and it could be a small food stand of some sort or a dresser stand. Anyways the creative juices were flowing and I just went along with it.

I love the look of crayon art, so I bought a huge pack of crayons for cheap and went to work. On 3 different canvases I melted some crayons. One with reds, pinks, oranges, One with blues, purples, grays, and the other with greens & browns. The green and brown one (with some accent colors) turned into a crayon garden when I glued some crocheted flowers on to the canvas! They look awesome!

Did lots of reading this week too--3 books! Sat outside and got a good burn (I'm getting a base for the summer :P) Then went to a park nearby and climbed a mountain, seriously hard work. It was awesome climbing the rocks and looking over the towns in the valleys and such. The waterfalls are gorgeous there too!

So other than hanging out with lots of friends and watching lots of awesome movies that was my Spring Break! No week at the beach partying it up, but it was fun anyways! Somewhat relaxing, but its back to school to finish up the semester!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Procrastination

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4 and write the sentence here:

anity, Calvin does not begin his teaching concerning the

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What’s there?

Window pane

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

The oscars

4. Without looking, guess what time it is:

3:24

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

3:24…I seriously didn’t cheat

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

My refrigerator…and itunes

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

About 1:30 to get lunch

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

facebook

9. What are you wearing?

Jeans, long spagetti strap shirt with a cardigan

10. Did you dream last night?

Yes someone died

11. When did you last laugh?

Probably a couple minutes ago

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

posters, pictures

13. Seen anything weird lately?

A huge pile of laundry on top of the dryer, not weird but it impressed me because it was so tall

14. What do you think of FacebookCraze.com?

I don’t care?

15. What is the last film you saw?

The Woman in Black

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

A ton of books…and then my entire college tuition, and my sisters too

18. If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

The seasons would actually do what they’re suppose to

19. Do you like to dance?

YUP

20. What do you think of the president?

He’s an idiot

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

Aella Fall

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

Garrett Wade

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Yep if I had the $$

24. What do you want to say to God when you reach the pearly gates?

I love you

Turn Around and Dream of Paradise

Paradise~ColdplaySitting here reflecting on the day and realizing how many amazing moments the day has afforded. I have worked incredibly hard today, rested sufficiently enough, and spent just the right amount of time in the presence of the people I care about most.

This week started out on a jagged edge and I didn't anticipate seeing this Thursday with so much blessing! Waking up late for an 8am class never really starts anyone off well. I saw this week as an all-consuming beast. I was sure that this week would be the one where all my stamina and energy to completely plummet, but once again I have been happily proven wrong. This week has been such an amazing turn-around. One moment something will go so terribly that I feel like jumping off a cliff, the next I am filled with affirmation and motivation to excellence. I am once again humbled at God's provision and hand in my life.

Every year at this point in the semester I see the precious moments slipping and disappearing into the past. Now, more than ever, I am motivated to take advantage of every opportunity in the now. Only then will I be able to look back with satisfaction and joy at the experiences I've been given. Gordon Globes is this Saturday...and I am so excited for the memories ahead.

Remember, when you think things are starting off badly doesn't mean they will end in a mess. There is always a chance to turn around and make the most of what is in front of you. Paradise is ahead. Death is defeated. We have the future in front of us and so is life...

Mend what has been broken. Love what you have now. Be joyful for what will be given to you soon.

Initium Noctis

If you need love,
take the time and be love
Breathe it out, create love
See how things can turn...

The semester is in full swing right about now and today was a welcomed breather from the everyday craziness. This week has been full with spiritual movement. This spiritual emphasis week has included "Deep Faith" and the Youth Ministry Symposium. Michael Ramsdon has been our speaker for Deep Faith and Rich Van Pelt for the symposium. Time has been strangely uncharted this week. Things have been wonderful though strangely reflective. In which case, I've decided to spruce this blog up a bit.

I began this blog as more of an online journal for me, rather than with the intention of people actually following. When I began last fall, I was in a place of extreme struggle. This was more of a place for me to vent than anything else. But this semester has brought so many new blessings and challenges, that I think it is time for a change.

I am full of joy and want to express that more. I am very crafty and however limited by finances, I am trying to express myself in the things that I make. I will (hopefully soon) post pictures of certain projects that I am creating.

I titled this post "Initium Noctis" meaning "The Beginning of Night." I'm taking Latin 2 this semester and loving it. So some future blog posts may be inspired by new latin words/phrases. However, in light of my coming change on this blog, you might find it strange that I title a transition blog "The Beginning of Night." But I think it is a fitting phrase for what is about to happen. The beginning of night signals the beginning of rest. Rest enables our plans to stop, our bodies to relax, our eyes to close, and our brains to sleep. This period is in preparation for a new dawn. The dawn signals everything new and fresh about the day. It marks the beginning of a blank slate, where reside infinite possibilities.

So, goodbye dreary, melancholy blog. Hello to what's fresh. Salve to a REAL breath of life!

Faith that can move Moutains

As I stare into the face of this semester, I am filled with anxiety and despair. Where will I end up? How will I get through? These questions cloud my mind, filling me with doubt and insecurity. They distract me from the truth. The truth that God is in control. The truth that whatever comes, God will hold me in the palm of His hand. The truth that no matter what, God loves me so much and He will never leave me. This truth pounds on the doorway of my heart, threatening to shatter my blanket of comfortable doubt and fear. It challenges me to let go and give my whole being over to God. Why does this scare me so much? I've been vulnerable before, but this is too much.

I look at the upcoming months and I see two very different paths. On one hand, I see a busy, fruitful schedule, full of deadlines and relationships. The other looks dark, like unfamiliar territory. Getting a job again, working in the real world, being far away from the comfortable group at school. I don't know which will be the right one. I know that whichever one God leads me toward will end up being the best choice. But my humanity will scream and grieve for the loss of one.

I need to let go. I need to be free. Jesus, take this burden from me. Let me see clearly what you would have for me. If my work is done at school, make it known to me. If I need to do more, God open the door. Let me feel peace about whichever path opens up to me. Give me faith. Lord, I have never had faith that would move a mountain. I have never fully trusted in you. The life you have given me has only been to show me that you are Lord, you are in control, you alone know what is best. God let me realize that. Let me soak it in. I breathe in your control. I see your hand in my life. I feel you touching my heart, tugging it back to you. Take it God. Take my spirit. Let me honor you. Fill me with a yearning to know you more. Whatever happens Lord, I trust that you will provide. Give me the faith to trust in your will.

Let me not grieve for the loss of circumstance, yet let me be joyful in another opportunity to do your will. Show me that I can serve you wherever you lead me. God you are powerful and resolute. May your will be done. Come what may. You will what you will.

Give me the faith in Your power.

I love you.

onward

Posting. typing. looking. hearing. seeing. smelling. trying. impossible. swallowing. frustrating. thinking. nothing. wondering. exciting. breathing. wiping. crunching. munching. punching. lunging. amazing. pacing. waiting. anticipating. goodbying. sitting. steering. driving. walking. travelling. home.

breaking. holidaying. making. baking. loving. smiling. laughing. FUN.

the journey home.

Almost There

Two more finals stand in the way of the end of the semester. Cleaning, packing, smiling, crying, hugging, laughing, farewelling stand in the way of me leaving, driving, arriving home.

I stand amazed at how time flies. I know it does. I've been told numerous times throughout my childhood that time flies. People tell us to take advantage of the opportunities we have because if we hesitate they will be long gone. How is it that we live in this world where we constantly remind each other of every second we lose and live in every moment with regret? We live like there is no tomorrow. It makes sense on one hand because we have short lives. It's just weird that the places and events that consume us day-to-day seem like they never end. But now, here I am again, and its the end of another span of time. Looking back at the semester I realize how much I missed.

The holidays are fast approaching, even here now. Every single year the holidays make us rethink the time past and missed as it should. And still we never learn. How ironic. I could slap humanity sometimes. I could slap myself. Learn. Freakin Learn. Absorb something. Do something. Believe in something. Live it out. Just. Freakin. Do. It. What else is there? What else do you have to be doing? What matters? Life matters. Family matters. Friends matter. God matters. Live. Live. Just live. Are you listening? Just live.

We are constantly almost there. Life could end. Right now. We are constantly on the edge. On the edge of "almost there." Live life right.

Just do it.