2014.

This has become a tradition for me, creating fun monthly goals and exciting long term goals. Last year, although I didn't complete every goal, I still did complete most of them and by the end of the year I felt very accomplished and blessed. Maybe this could be your New Years Tradition too?

        2014 Long Term Goals

1  .    Memorize Psalm 119

2  .    Pray for the persecuted church

3  .    Be more intentional

4  .    Create better dietary habits

5  .    Be held accountable

           Monthly Goals

·          January – Find a mentor at Covenant

·         February – Make a snow angel

March – Donate 10-12 inches of my hair

·         April – Leave a note in a library book

·         May – Go Krispy Kreme dumpster diving

·         July – Watch a 4^th of July fireworks display

·         August – Create dorm decoration with my roomie(s)

·         September – Go hiking, tubing, (and)or swimming

·         October – Buy a pumpkin from a real pumpkin patch

·         November – Write a thank-you note to someone I love

·         December – Go ice skating

New Year's Resolutions.

Year Long Resolutions:

     

     1.    Memorize at least 50 Bible verses

     2.    Get healthy!

     3.    Go on two mission trips

     4.    Start college

     5.    Continue to follow God faithfully

Monthly resolutions:

-January: Watch a movie in the park

-February: Send a candy gram to someone lonely
-March: Take a trip to Chicago
-April: Start praying for each individual person in my grade
-May: Get a summer job
-June: Read 5 new books
-July: Go shopping for college dorm supplies
-August: Start college
-September: Get busy (join a club, ministry, gym, etc…)
-October: Carve your very own pumpkin
-November: Add life to your dorm (buy a goldfish or potted plant)
-December: Read Wuthering Heights during Christmastime

Merry Christmas.

            To all of my faithful blog-followers hope your Christmas has been as wonderful as mine. I have always known my family was blessed, but last night it really hit me how extremely kind and gracious God has been to me. My sister and I watched some of our childhood Christmas videos, and what we saw was pure love. Our parents truly loved us and loved each other. Our grandparents showered us with beautiful clothes and kindness. The house was full of laughter and joy. After watching several years of Christmas mornings my sister and I watched some of our old Christmas pageants. Each Christmas as children my mom had my sister and I perform the Christmas story. Watching those old Christmas pageants was not only precious but also hilarious! We were both such silly and adorable kids.
             Another encouragement to all of you, before you go to sleep tonight take sometime to read Luke 2, it truly explains the real meaning of Christmas. And when you read it, don't simply look on with the same mind set as years before, take another angle, search for something you haven't noticed before. Enjoy this gift God has given you. We are all so blessed to receive Christ as our Savior. Sometimes the best gifts are over-looked the most. Don't overlook Christ this Christmas. Below, I posted my favorite Christmas song of all time - I'll be home for Christmas by Amy Grant. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!

3 days. One love.

Once again, I'm back to a 3 day weekend. So what will I do with my time? Love my life away. Love Jesus. Love family. Love friends. Love Music. I'm in love... in love with life. 

Be mine?

Its that day. Valentine’s Day. The day of corny love letters, heart-felt poems, arranged flowers, and bitter singles.  Yes, another single year for me. And although I’d like to say I’m completely happy handing out my heart shaped candy boxes to my girlfriends, there’s always something inside me that hopes for the valentine’s day I can celebrate with the one I love.

Sure, it may be many years from now, but still I do dream of the day when I’ll receive a bouquet of daisies and a hand-made card. The day I’ll have a valentine. The day I’ll have someone to love. The day I’ll be able to prepare something cheesy and sweet for my man. That day may be far away. So until then Jesus is my valentine. He’s mine and I am His. Today, I’ll fall in love with Jesus.

No longer 16 going on 17.

                     That's right. Today I am 17. No longer the 16 year old I dreamed of being as a child. I can never get back my 16th year. It was amazing. The best year yet. By far. Here are 16 highlights from being 16. (In no particular order)
1. Haiti Mission Trip
2. Going to Taylor Swift Concert
3. Throwing the most epic surprise party ever for my best friend
4. My Sweet 16 party
5. Trying out for the school play, Beauty and the Beast
6. Mexico Missions Trip
7. Golden Acres Outreach Retreat
8. Homecoming 2011
9. Getting my bike
10. Running for exercise
11. Late night chats with my sister
12. Going to see Mission Impossible 4 with friends
13. Learning how to drive
14. Biking to the park with my sis
15. Making new extra special friends
16. Falling in love.........with JESUS.
                    But even with an amazing 16th year, I'm still thrilled to see what's next for me. What colleges I'll be going to, where I'll be in my spiritual walk, and even what new friends I'll make. I'm excited to now be 17 going on 18. 

Christmastime... its here?

Already. Its here. And I honestly can't believe it. When I was a young girl I counted down the days til Christmas. Several months before, I'd state... 87 days til Christmas. But now, I have just realized, Christmas is 5 days away. I still have my gift shopping to do! Its quite ridiculous how late I get off for Christmas break this year. I'm still not on break yet. One more midterm to go. I guess its been the stress of five huge tests weighing down on me that has prohibited me from being able to get into the Christmas spirit. Even without midterms the last few week have been been rather wonderfully eventful and yet, still very wearing on me as well. I mean, excitement can exhaust the human soul. To be honest, I just need to survive the next 24 hours, I really can't wait til tomorrow is over and all the tests are done. Only then can I happily hibernate in my bed for several days and then wake up to a room full of presents. Christmastime is here.

Michael Buble' Christmas...

                Yes, its the beginning of November and Thanksgiving still won't take place for a few more weeks, but I honestly will always believe that its never too early to start listening to Michael Buble's new Christmas CD. Its much nicer than his last one and listening to his soothing voice just send chills down my spine. So here, I've given you a little taste of it below.

Halloween.

                  It's Halloween today. Many Christians view this day as an evil holiday that's good for nothing. But let's rethink this. Every Halloween I help give out candy to small adorable children. However, along with the candy, we also give a Christian track. Basically we change something viewed as dark and evil and make it an opportunity to share Christ. 
                I personally have had many fond Halloween memories from my early years. I remember getting all dresses up as a rock star, Tweety Bird, or baby bop from Barney and then heading to my school's harvest carnival. I would then enjoy rock climbs, slides, spinning rides, and tons and tons of candy. Some Halloweens my family and I would also carve a pumpkin and set it out front. So as I type this I'm preparing candy and smelling our Pumpkin Pie Yankee Candle. Its a good day.