Motivation

I would just like to say that the Olympics inspire, motivate, and intimidate me. They inspire me to work harder, they motivate me to do better, and they intimidate me in that the athletes in the Olympics are absolutely incredible. Some of the things they can do blows my mind! The pommel horse? That's crazy. All the upper body and ab strength that goes into that is unbelievable. And then there was the lone Irish gymnast! I was so happy he made it to the Olympics. I can't imagine the pressure they must have being in the Olympics. I wish everyone the best as they compete! So if you don't mind me, I'm going to go for a run before I watch some more Olympics. Being motivated and intimidated at the same time here!

Let the games begin

What a beautiful day! It's pouring rain and I'm inside watching all the Olympic pomp and circumstance. I'm really looking forward to the games! I have a hard time picking a favorite, but I love to watch the gymnastics and the sand volleyball. Lately I've been asking my patients if they prefer the summer Olympics or the winter ones. It's such a hard choice! Most opt for the summer Olympics, but I personally love the winter ones. With all the snowboarding, ice skating, skiing, bobsledding, and all the beautiful snow. But I thoroughly enjoy the summer ones, too, of course (:

I've been having a little trouble with my Youtube lately, but I have fallen in love with two songs by Florence + The Machine:  Cosmic Love, and Dog Days Are Over.

Enjoy the Olympics everyone! And let the games begin!

We all have favorites

We all have that one item of clothing that we know we can always fall back on, and it doesn't matter who you are. For some, maybe it's a cute sundress, or our favorite pair of jeans, maybe even our most comfortable t-shirt. It's that one thing that we wear again and again, and we probably should have gotten two or even three of it because we wear it so much. In the warmer weather, I always go back to my favorite black v-neck tee. I can wear it again and again with khakis, denim shorts, or even my Nike shorts. It's something I can dress up for work, or dress it down and wear it to a concert. I feel like everyone should have a go-to v-neck because they go with absolutely everything! In the fall though, I always go for my favorite skinny jeans. I can wear them with boots, Converse, Sperry's, hoodies or a really fun top. What about you? What's your go-to piece of clothing?

A couple of my favorite go-to's:

Classic style. 

 If you're into grey.

There's just something about stripes.

Messy buns, for the win.   

Dear Fall, please hurry

So today while I was out running errands, I came across an infinity scarf that was on sale for only $9, and, well, needless to say, I bought it. I realize that it's still over a hundred degrees outside, but maybe by buying fall things, the season and the cooler weather will come faster! I'm enjoying listening to the thunder rumbling right now, hopefully the rain will cool things down. It's so hot! London has been getting tons of rain, and it would be lovely if they could just send it our way. With all this stormy weather, I think a cup of coffee is in order.

And speaking of scarves.

What a perfect summer treat!

Out of my hands

After several failed attempts to put my tangled feelings into words, I gave up. The lyrics in this song pretty well piece together what I can't put into words.

All the time

I worry too much, really, it's not good. I get so caught up in thinking that I need to be in control of my life, and that I need to know exactly when things are going to happen; why they're going to happen; and what I should be doing about it. It's things like these that sometimes plague me at night because I can't shut off my brain. Today I was worrying about money, and how I was going to buy a car, and how I was also going to pay for this fall semester at school.

After fretting about it for quite some time, I was gently reminded that God is sovereign, and He is in control. Even though I might think my life is spinning out of control, He is holding it all in His hands. And He has a plan for me. I don't need to always know what's going to happen or what I'm going to do, but rather I just need to trust in Him and rest in His promises that He will take care of me. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing about it (Matthew 10:29).

I know that He holds the future, and I can face tomorrow because of Him. I have this hope because several years ago, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. Maybe you haven't, but it's not too late! As one of my friends has said, “Why not give Him a try? He will never fail you.” I honestly couldn't have said it better myself.

Going along with what I said about worrying, I love listening to this song and just remembering that God is good ALL the time. Even when there is nothing good in me. And I can fully trust in Him.

Realizing

So today one of my friends shared with me this post, and I have to say, it was incredibly convicting for me. I know that I've kind of skirted around the edges of this topic, but I have never addressed it head on. Causing me to realize, I'm still hiding. I'm still afraid. The worst part is even though I came to this realization, part of me is content to hide, and yet I'm not okay with it. Today is the day for change. Not tomorrow, or the day after, but the time is now. Going along with the post about Worth Dying For, this post really hit home with me. It takes a transparent person to share the truth, and I'd like to be transparent like that. As always, it will be a challenge, but it will be one I know the Lord can help me through. For without Him, I would be nothing. 

The Heavier Things

"A wave of superficiality has swept over believers.
There is a heaviness in my heart.
We don’t want to talk about the heavier things, the important matters, the topics with substance anymore.
Why is it that it’s so easy, and even preferred, to talk about the latest celebrity news, but so difficult to talk about our spiritual lives?
I no longer want to talk about who did this and who did that; I want to talk about your heart.
I want to know how you’ve been doing, what’s been bothering you, and how I can pray for you.
I want to know how I can love you.
I no longer want to stand at the doorstep of superficial friendship.
For what gain do we, as saints, have conversing about unedifying topics?
We are on a mission to grow in love and to spread love. To disciple and be discipled.
Brothers and sisters, let us not refrain from speaking about the heavier things.
For in the end, those are the matters that will hold.
It may be uncomfortable. And we are inherently geared to shy away from such topics.
But God wants you to grow and that entails coming face to face with the depths of your very heart.
I promise you, the latest gossip will hold no significance when you are standing in front of God’s throne. I promise."
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Col. 3:1-2

(The original URL:  http://welooktoyahweh.tumblr.com/post/26915484765/the-heavier-things )

Road tripping

Lately I've been in the mood to travel. It's probably because of all the heat, and lack of rain we're having here. I'm ready to pack up and road trip to the mountains, or closer to the coast to find some cool waves. Growing up, my family always traveled a lot, and I'm pretty certain that's why I love to travel as much as I do. Our relatives were spread out all over the place, so I'm used to the longer car trips. For me, eight hours is nothing, five hours is short, and it takes eighteen hours for me to think of it as a "big trip." Needless to say, I could happily spend much of my time in the car. What's funny is I never read or played games, I just wanted my walkman (does anyone remember the walkman?) and a window seat and I was one happy little girl. Then as I got older, I progressed from the walkman, to a CD player, to an mp3 player, and than, finally, a little iPod shuffle. Now I'm more often the driver than the passenger, but road trips are still always a fun event for me!
Right now, Fiji is calling my name! I have never been before, but I have a friend who is going and I told him to bring back plenty of photos!

Doesn't this place look gorgeous? (:

Worth Dying For

This gets me every time. My favorite line? "The hands that held the stars, were now sentenced to wear my scars."  (Isaiah 53:5) This is a cry to those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is a call to those who do believe, and are saved, to live, and give our all for Christ.





 

I tell myself that I need to live differently. I tell myself that I'm not supposed to fit in, and that I need to be living all out for Christ. And yet, I'm ashamed to say, that so often I try to blend in with everyone else. That is not what I have been called to do. Jesus left His throne, His glory, and His kingdom to come down to earth to purchase this traitor's heart. Time is running out, and the way things are going in this world, I honestly don't think I'll be here much longer. It's now or never, so what am I waiting for? My mission on this earth is clear, and it is the one my Savior sent me on: to reach out to the lost, hurting souls. We are all sinners. We have all fallen short. Every single one of us, including me, deserves the wrath of God. Yet in His love, mercy, and grace, God offers us a second chance. His forgiveness is not a blanket that covers this earth, but it it something that we have to choose to accept. By accepting His forgiveness, we have to realize that we are sinners, and there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, but we have to trust in Jesus as our Savior. Why anyone would turn away from the love of God is beyond me, but it is because they don't want to have someone in authority over them. They want to rule their own lives, but we are a fallen people, and what we try to do in our own strength will never last. We needed someone stronger to save us, someone with power over sin and death and hell. And indeed He did come. He left behind royalty to put on humanity. Please, I beg every single one, this is too important to pass by. Please, oh please, don't put this off. There is one who is willing to save you, if only you choose to accept Him. You're not abandoned. You're not alone.

Old memories

So I was cleaning up my place today, and came across my "writing box," and oh did that bring back memories. I couldn't believe how many scraps and sheets of paper were in there, and not only that, but the several different notebooks I filled up over the years. It's crazy! Here's a couple things of mine that I "rediscovered." I even came across some adoption papers my best friend and I had made up when we were in middle school. We were positive we should have been from the same family! Oh, so many old memories.

(Part of an old song....I haven't found the other part yet.)

I always was the one who'd rather hide away then face the world.

I never thought that I could be, just be the real me.

I wanted to fit in, to belong. But that meant I had to play along.

And the part I was playing wasn't who I wanted to be.

It started out all right, but I knew it wouldn't work.

I knew I couldn't pretend to be who I'm not.

I was tired of playing the game, but I couldn't get away.

It kept pulling me back, no matter how hard I fought.

And then a few short poems:

"She sits all alone.

No one seems to notice,

the sadness in her eyes.

But she hides it so well, 

behind that mask of hers.

Hoping, wishing, dreaming,

if only someone could see."

"Clouds hang gray in the sky.

All your tears have run dry.

On your face is a smile,

but you're faking it all the while."

"Undecided. A fork in the path;

               right or left?

Unsure. Questions fill your mind;

              which way?

Until. A choice is yours;

        what will you choose?" 

I really struggled with the whole aspect of wanting to "fit in," and I have learned so much these past few years. I wish I could go back and tell myself that it's not important. Everyday I've been learning that as a Christian, I'm not supposed to fit in. This world is not my home, and I want to live in such a way that everything I say and do, points to Christ and His great love. So, to end this post, I found another song I had written, and it looks like I was finally learning.

"I'm tired of who I've been. I don't want to be like that anymore

I'm tired of pretending, and I'm ready to let go.

Watch me go, you can't keep me down. Watch me fly, don't hold me back.

I'm finally free, my wings are released, and now I fly away. 

I'd rather be myself, than pretend to be someone else.

I don't care what they might think, it doesn't matter any more.

No more pretending. I'm walking out the door. 

Watch me go, you can't keep me down. Watch me leave, it's over now.

I'm finally free, my wings released, and at last I fly away."

Have a goodnight, everyone!