I'm Full.

           Let me first start out by saying this, God is so faithful, so merciful, so loving. He's been blessing me insurmountably. I keep feeling His presence and his guidance. This year, I have resolved to start memorizing and meditating on God's word more. One of the first verses I memorized was Lamentations 3:22-23. The beginning of Lamentations 3 starts with, you guessed it, a lamentation and a cry unto God. Jeremiah is crying on behalf of the forsaken Israel; it is lost and captive to its enemies. Yet in verse 22, he changes his tone, he states,

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercy never ceases. 

Great is His faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning."

         
           Although I am not in Israel's situation, quite the opposite really, these words still ring true for me. God is faithful, God is merciful, but not just in the good, in the bad as well. So, although I enjoy this season of blessing I understand that when life does happen and the bad does come, He still and will always be faithful. But right now, I'm full. I'm brimming over with His joy and overwhelmed by His presence. So what's making me so full right now?
1. I've been drawing so much closer to Christ and have a growing desire to continue and seek Him. The book I'm going through right now, 1 John , is packed full with so many great truths.
2. I'm a finalist for both the competitive scholarships I applied for at Covenant College, which means I get to attend their scholarship weekend (live on campus, visit classes and attend interviews to compete for the scholarships at their school).
3. I leave for my Bahamas mission trip tomorrow! I'm a student leader with a team of over 60 eighth graders, which is very scary, but also very exciting, please pray for me and the kids on my team.
4. My sister's still home from college and we've been making some great memories together - canoeing in the lake behind our house, taking bike rides together, watching movies, reading Jane Austen's novel aloud in my room late at night, and so much more...

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

Elska Mig Eindregið

Komið til mín ástin mín. 
Dansaðu við mig í rigningunni. 
Umhirða fyrir mig mjög. 
Kyssa mig djúpt. 
En mest af öllu, elska mig eindregið.

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!

Busy days.

         I realize I haven't been around all to much, and I'm sorry for that, but thanks for still being loyal enough to follow along. I've been so busy with school lately its been absolutely crazy. However, my winter break comes is less than 5 days so I just have to hang in here a little longer and then I'll be all finished for this semester. And then? Well after this semester I'll enter my last semester of high school. What was that? Last. Semester. Of. High. School. Craziness, absolute craziness. And guess what? I think I've chosen my college! Covenant College is my choice I'm pretty sure. I honestly can't wait to sign up, I just have to wait and see the scholarship package I receive just to make sure. Life has sure flown by, it seems like just yesterday I was swinging on my swing-set with my sister and coloring for homework and now, well now I'm planning out the rest of my life. Be careful. Life is busy and crazy and it honestly moves by so fast.
          I also wanted to let you all know that I have some big plans for this blog in the new year. I'm planning on completely redesigning it with a blogger "dynamic view" or a new layout. It'll be definitely different but the same old me writing here! So hang around y'all. I'll be keeping you updated.

Thankful for my stress

How many times have we complained about something that was shallow? How many times have we moaned about having too much homework or being exhausted or not having enough friends? The other night I was in this exact type of situation. And it was then I realized the things I complain about are actually blessings. When I complain about too much homework God reminds me that I am blessed to receive an education and have the opportunity to have homework. When I complain to God about missing my sister at college, God reminds me that I'm so blessed to even have a godly and loving sister. When I complain about PMSing and cramps God reminds me I am blessed because one day I will to be able to have children. There are so many things that we complain about that are actually blessings in disguise. Not even. They are downright blessings he's given us. So think next time you complain to God. You could be moaning over a blessing He's given you.

Its Been a While...

Sorry everyone, I must admit, I had free time - Thanksgiving Break in fact! Yet, I didn't write to you all. I'm sorry, sometimes you just need a break from the blogger's sphere. But I'm here now, and since I've been gone, I had an amazing thanksgiving with my family (My sister came home from college!), put up Christmas decorations, started more scholarships, and drank up the joy of a refreshing week off of school. It was a refreshment to sleep in and awaken bathed in sunlight. It was a joy to stay up late laughing like a child with my sister like old times. It was a pleasure to go outside and soak up the cool winter air. What a wonderful break I've had. Be prepared, for I am sure ready to blog once more. I have an app on my phone to prove it. P.S. I'm going to start a 31 day blog challenge soon, so be excited!