Finishing books.

            Its funny how life is. We enter new chapters in life. Turn pages. Meet new characters. Its all so intriguing how life seems mirror a book. Its the never-ending metaphor. In graduations we hear countless times the single phrase, "Right now, you're starting a new chapter in life." But for me, I like to look at it as a new book. Life involves far too much to be included in a single book, even if it does have hundreds of chapters. But rather, for me, life is a series of books, each with several chapters pertaining to each different volume. You see, there just some events in life that can't be placed in the same old book. For instance, there are times in life that we wish we could start over and start fresh. In these cases its not enough to simply turn a page and start a new chapter, no. We need a entirely new book. For me, I'm finishing off the end of one of my books. Sure, I still have one year left in the academy - high school, but I can already tell preparations for my next novel are in place. The binding is being prepared, every page is numbered, and the setting is being readied.

         So what's new? My sister has left for college, and oh how I miss her. Far too much. But now even I am making the preparations. Looking at applications, practicing for SAT's, and preparing myself for the busy road ahead. Its hard looking back at the beautiful times in your childhood and knowing that you'll no longer live them out. But it too, is beautiful to know that you have an entire life ahead of you waiting for you to embrace it. You have entire books waiting to be filled with your life experience. Entirely new characters waiting to meet you. And even the special one who will truly make you fall hard for love. The novels will be filled with romance, heartache, fulfillment, love, pain, and everything that comes with life. The hard times will help you see what beautiful means. For, doesn't a desperate fight make the victory seem more beautiful?

"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid."

Good-Bye Summer.

                 Its my last day before school starts, aka my last day of summer. This summer has been amazing and some of the best times of my life. It started with a trip to Bonita Springs, Fl where I spent days in sunshine. Then onto church summer camp where my heart sung. Then onto my Haiti trip where God showed me how to live great not simply good. Then to Arkansas where I fell in love with all things green. And lastly to Tennessee where I put everything I'd learned together. This summer, although busy and full of fun taught me so much. Below I've posted the links to each post about each trip I took this summer. Read up if you haven't already. Summer 2012, I shall never forget you.
-Billows and Mangroves
                                        -My Heart Sings
                       -Haiti Round 2.
        -Arkansas.
                                     -Never. Forget.

Never. Forget.

I arrived home from a long long road-trip to Tennessee just a few hours ago. I have to say, I miss you all very much, but even so, I remembered to take notes to bring back to you all from what I learned on my trip. The following words were written while on my adventure. Enjoy!

        "Here I am. Sitting out on a wooden porch in a rocking chair listening to crickets chirp. The sun has just set and its that beautiful golden hour right before the sky turns velvety black. Its peaceful and wonderful. Its one of the last moments I have before things begin to get complicated. Before summer reading essays and AP art studying. Before driver tests and tight knit social circles. Before college applications and potentially boy trouble. So I'm taking it all in. The calm before the storm.
         God, I need strength. Strength to deal with summer homework and school and friends and college applications and SAT prep and maybe even boys. Please Father help me to balance my work load. I need a huge overdose of diligence, better work ethic, state-of-the-art time planning skills, and especially discipline. Lots of that. All of it, I can't do it without you. Guide me. And hold me in the hard times. Help me to remember all I've learned this summer. That I can't do anything without You and that WE WERE MADE to thirst for You and long for Your love (not mere human attention although that may be desired as well). That nothing satisfies but You. That I am made in your perfect and beautiful image but sin has made me weak. But in that weakness You forever will make me strong. That any demeaning words against myself are lies of the enemy. That things can always get worse than my blessed situation now. That You are God and I am surely not. And in all this I pray I shall always remember that You will shelter me through ANY storm in the pavilion of Your love.
          Still Discouraged? Read Psalm 27. Now."

10 days.

        My fellow blog readers, I will be away for the next 10 days with no internet. Although while some may be thoroughly upset by such a condition, I'm brimming with some joy. Why? Because sometimes no internet can be a relief, a time away from the online world and a vacation into the real world, the physical 3D world, not a 2D screen. So while I'm away I have 3 challenges for you. I'd like to keep you busy.
         1. Discover a new passion, whether its a listening to a new favorite artist, finding a new hobby, or attending a new bible study at your church. Discover a new passion.
         2. Find a hidden treasure. Now I'm not talking about a literal treasure although that's fun too. I'm saying go out on a limb. Eat somewhere you haven't before, discover a hidden cave, look us in the old attic, venture down to your basement and find something amazing.
         3. Get friends involved. What's finding hidden treasure and new passions without a few friends? And also... if you could, maybe invite people to follow this blog as well. My goal is to get to 30 followers by the end of this year, will you help me with that?
          Alright, well that's all for now, see you in 10 days. And feel free to share your findings with me below! Let me know if something totally amazing happens! Love you all. Talk to you soon.