All Smiles

The cold weather and excessively fun weekend ahead of me puts me in all smiles today. Its just one of those days where you ride your bike down the street singing along with your tinny sounding iPod with no care in the world. Of course the cars passing you probably think you're a bit loopy, but in all actuality you're just happy to be where you are with everyone who surrounds you. That's how today is. A day where all I want to do is relax and enjoy the cool autumn breeze while basking in the radiance of the sun. I guess I'm a bit corny... but that's how dreamers are sometimes.

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.

Always a child...

             It's true, I will always be a child at heart. Sure, in life we must move on, grow up, and be mature enough to handle our own families eventually, but for some reason I will always believe in fairy-tales. I honestly believe that if Cinderella was a real person, she'd be my role model. I mean, she had such a sweet heart, she put up with evil step-sisters, and even when clothed in rags her kind heart and natural beauty shined like diamonds. And well, we also can't forget that a single pair of shoes changed her life. Of course it helped that she had fairy-godmother and was friends with mice that could sew. But even so, against all odds, her life was drastically changed. One night at a dance (she didn't even have a date!) and the next week she marries a prince and becomes a princess living in a beautiful castle. Thank goodness Christ did the same thing for us. One day a we're a wretched sinner, the next His glorious bride for all eternity. That's truly a "happily, ever after."

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.

No?

              I'm going to be very honest here. I absolutely hate saying no. I hate it. Its so hard to disappoint someone, to know that you have let them down. Many people also take no's as... rejection. And the fact of the matter is this... No's aren't always rejection. No sometimes means "I'm not ready" or "I'm happy how things are now" or even "Not the right timing." But you see, no matter how kind you put it people always take "no" the same way. I'm someone who hates to hurt others, I always want to liked by others, and make everyone happy... so saying "no" is hard. Hope you understand.... if its possible. 

Brighter than the Sun...

This video makes me smile, I honestly wish my house was as full of plants and flowers as the one in the video...

A time to cry...

                  We, as Christians, many times feel that we must somehow hold all our problems and bear them all alone. Yes, we understand that God is in control, but we keep all our heartache and brokenness to ourselves. We don't want to "bother" others with these kind of encumbrances. We don't want others to feel "weighted down" by our own problems.... so instead we say everything is great and go on to ask about the weather. We sidestep the honesty of the question "How are you?" and simply answer with the typical reply of "I'm good" or "Everything's great". Even with trustworthy friends, we feel it easier on ourselves and others to not bring up our problems.
                   I am so lucky to go to a Christians school where I can regularly attend small groups every week. I also am very thankful for the girls I have in my group and how open we've become with each other. Today, during our small group time many of us (myself included) became very emotional. We had been holding in things in for so long it was great to pour out our feelings towards God and to give Him everything. To share our pains with one another, to relieve our burdens. That is what the church is all about. Bearing each others burdens, giving our pains to Christ. Sometimes in life you just need a good cry. And that was what today was all about - crying out our sorrows and expelling our despondent afflictions.


"Tears are words the heart can't say..." (Unknown)