It's Been Far Far Too Long... So "Things You Should Know" Post Is Needed I Think

I really, really hate when I'm following a blog, and the blogger doesn't blog for months. It's super irritating to me. I finally went to see when my last blog post was and you know what, I've failed horribly. Horribly! I'm that blogger I hate. I don't even know where to begin. To be honest, I've written a few blog posts, but haven't felt like sharing them, so I never published them. So I really have been writing, just not sharing what I have been writing and for that, I apologize. Lists are really easy for me so I'll do the ever popular "Things You Should Know" posts I used to do on Sundays. Also, this is unedited. Don't judge if there are mistakes. I'm in the throws of finals week!

1. This is my last week of school. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Finals and papers, but I see the end, and it is oh so close! I can't wait for the sleep that is to follow Thursday. Ah yes!

2. I have this cough that is persistent and it's really annoying, especially when it's cold outside and I cough and cough and cough and can't breathe. It needs to leave. I got a bad cold on the week off of school during Thanksgiving. It was a sort of strike my body had, declaring I had been much too hard on it all semester. I would concur. It's been a long, tough semester.

3. Christmas break is coming which means my favorite people are coming home! I'm going to list them in alphabetical order so there are no hurt feelings or ideas as to which ones rank higher ;) Emy Lee, Kelso, and Rayce. I'm so thrilled they are all coming home. There are so many memories that are going to be made, and it makes my heart so happy.

4. I currently have a 4.0 in school which I haven't decided whether or not it's been worth all the hours of hard work to pull that off. I'm also slightly terrified that I'll get a B+++ in one of my classes and be rather bummed after working all semester to keep them at A's. We shall see. We shall see.

5. Coffee is my friend at the moment and sleep is a fading memory. Come back sleep! I miss you terribly!

6. I've done no Christmas shopping and frankly have no idea what I am getting anyone. It's horrible really. I've been so focused on school and work that I've not had time to think of anything else. Next week is "Operation Christmas Shopping". We'll see how well I do.

7. It's CHRISTMAS!!! Which means Christmas lights and Christmas music (I'm talking about you Michael Buble, Pentatonix, David Archuleta, and Francesca Battistelli). Oh how I adore this time of year. It's the greatest. Merry Christmas everyone!

I promise to come back to this more often. Please forgive me for my long absence. Hopefully, distance made the heart grow fonder?? Miss my ridiculous blog posts even more than you normally did?!?! ;) One can hope! Have a great week

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Love,
Sarah

My Wild and Crazy Friday Nights

Dear People Who Read My Blog,

Hello. I'm sorry we haven't chatted in a while. It's been a little crazy for me. I work all the time and if I'm not at work, I'm at school. And if I'm not doing one or both of the aforementioned, I'm doing homework. It's a really fascinating life I live, or as my sister "kindly" told me last night "You know Sarah, you're kinda lame. You don't have a life anymore. Like you need to go do things on Friday nights and you need more friends." Ah yes. Thank you dear one.

You see, here's my problem. Because I am out of the house all day every day and I am constantly interacting with people, Friday night rolls around and literally all I want to do is go to bed. I don't want to go anywhere, be with anybody, or do anything. So Friday night, (last night), rolled around and I was more tired than I have been in a long while. My sisters went to a friend's house for a sleepover and my parents wanted me to catch a movie maybe and grab some dinner with them, and I sat there and shook my head.

"No, I said, I'm not going anywhere. I'm putting my pajamas on, doing some homework, eating, and going to bed."

"Just grab dinner with us. It won't be for too long."

"No thanks. I'll just stay home."

"Why are you wanting to stay home," they ask.

"Because. Because it's Friday and this extrovert wants to be an introvert for the night and stay home. And not be social. And not do anything. And not talk to anyone. I just want to stay here and act very old."

So that's exactly what I did. I put pajamas on and worked on homework. Then, I made myself some coffee so I wouldn't go to bed at 7 at night because that's just a LITTLE too adult-ish for me. And then my parents brought me home dinner, and I ate, and I talked to them, and then I went upstairs and went to bed. Because that's what I do on Friday nights. My parents really have to watch me because I really like to sneak out and party hard on Friday nights. *cough* Not.

I must say I am bewildered about how people can go out on Friday nights and party till 2 or 3. I really am. I have no idea how they do it. Because this 18 year old hits 2 or 3 in the afternoon and begins calculating how long it is till I can crawl into my bed. I honestly don't know how people do it. If you do this staying up and enjoying the night out, please tell me how you survive because I'm feeling very old and adult-ish for wanting to stay at home and doing absolutely nothing at the beginning of every weekend. So those are my wild crazy Friday nights. It's really almost too much fun to handle all at once. What do your Friday nights look like?

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

Sincerely,
A wild and crazy Sarah

Why, Hello There

I've been so remiss and for that I apologize. It isn't that I haven't been blogging. No, that hasn't been the problem. The real problem is that I have a REQUIRED blog for school, so naturally, that takes precedent which means this gets neglected. I'm so sorry. I feel like I may have a favored child who I am spending more time with. Is this what it's like. No, probably not. Not by a long shot. But still, here I am, not spending time creating rambling posts.

10 Things I Have Been Up To:

1. Sleep. HA. Just kidding. This is something that has been brushed aside.

2. I have worked a lot!

3. Homework. Papers. Reading reading reading. Tests.

4. Stress. That's what's been up in my life.

5. Coffee. Lots of it. And I am not ashamed.

6. Health. Not sure what's really going on. Doctor was fairly inconclusive, but we're just gonna wait and see if it gets better.

7. Rain. Well there has been a lot of rain, but mainly there has been a lot of Sarah not being prepared- no rain coat, hood, or umbrella. So yes, I've been wet a lot this week.

8. Ice cream. Where is it and where can I get more. Did I mention Mom thinks that not consuming dairy (like ALL of my diet) will help me feel better. And I think that sounds like a scenario with Sarah spiraling into a very dark spot in her life. I know what it's like to be without ice cream: for a whole year, and it's miserable.

9. Music. Did you know Spotify offers a discount to students that allows us to have premium Spotify for a very small amount of money everyday. Yes. Music makes my world go round.

10. General busyness: I have discovered that I am never bored. I also have things I can do all the time! It'll slow down sometime I'm sure!

That's all for now. I just wanted y'all to know- I am alive and I do care about this blog. I'm just having to create some priorities which is not so fun and very adultish but alas. Farewell for now!

Colorado Colors

The sky was blue before the thunder clouds rolled in.

The haze created a whimsical smoky affect.

The colors were so deep and contrasted against the dark sky.

The yellows lit up the sides of the road against the deep green of the pine trees.

The road led everywhere and no where.

The barn beckoned me to hear the tales of animals and people who used it as a shelter from the storms and a home in the cold.

The tractor took me back to my grandparent's farm where laughter is endless and memories are great.

Lead me on an adventure. Take me where no one has gone before.

The tractor took me back to my grandparent's farm where laughter is endless and memories are great.

Struggling Over Here

Hey, 

I haven't been able to finish a blogpost in a while. I don't really know why. I've started 3 or 4, but haven't been able to create a coherent thought throughout the blogposts. I've decided that I need to readjust and the last time I did a "thankfulness post", I felt a lot better. I have a lot of things to be grateful for and I haven't been entirely successful in this area as of late, so I'm going to name 30 things I am thankful for. Because I am blessed. And I need to remember this. 

1. I am thankful for the ability to think. No really. I can go to school, grasp concepts, think about them, write about them, and talk about them. I am able to think about so many things and for that, I am grateful. 

2. I am so thankful that God got me into every.single.one of my classes this semester. I was on the waiting list for all but 2 of my classes and the wait list was long. God, in HIS timing, got me enrolled. And for that, I can never thank Him enough. He is so good. 

3. I am thankful for unexpected encouragement. Random text messages, encouraging hugs, questions about how I am. I really appreciate it. I'm not gonna lie. These past weeks have been hard. And I'm adjusting to a lot of new changes, like I mentioned in my other post. And unexpected encouragement is always appreciated. 

4. I am thankful for the fall. Cooler weather, boots, hats, scarves, and beautiful changing colors. 

5. I am thankful for the new computer that I have. It's lighter, faster, and more reliable and truly a gift for getting school work done. 

6. I am thankful for music. It picks me up, calms me down, helps me worship the Lord better, the list is endless. 

7. I am thankful for my health. It's amazing how much I take it for granted. There are days I don't feel great and suddenly I realize, that I felt great that whole week. And never was thankful for it. 

8. I am thankful for God providing a parking spot for me. It sounds trivial but since I am going to downtown Denver every day, I have been taking the LightRail. Well, the parking is horrendous and I could never find a spot. Well, God gave us kind neighbors who are about a quarter mile away from the LightRail, who was more than willing for me to park there. God is so good. There is a spot for me every day, regardless of time or day. Again, in His timing, he made it perfect. 

9. I am excited about the fact that I get to vote. It seems small, but I am excited nonetheless. 

10. I am thankful for a friend giving me the LSAT book to start studying for my LSAT in the next year or so. 

11. I am thankful for technology. So I can talk to the ones most dear to me, whenever and however I want. It helps when you miss them. 

12. I am thankful for the families all around the US who are sacrificing time with spouses, dads, moms, brothers, sisters, etc. While the people in uniform are heroes, the people at home have just as hard as a job. And for those who sacrifice so I can vote, speak freely, worship freely, and live without fear, I can't be thankful for them enough. 

13. I am thankful that people are coming to Christ because of persecution around the world. I know that sounds like a truly horrible thing to say when Christians are being murdered, but Christ and his love is being spread. Which is something that we can cling to when we are wondering where is the good in this. 

14. I am thankful that I have my Bible to read. On my iPad, my phone, in print. There are many people who don't have that ability and so for that I am so thankful.

15. I am thankful for love. Love comes in all different forms and I have love surrounding me all the time. 

16. I am thankful for coffee. Yes really. College students live on it. 

17. I am also thankful for chai tea. Sounds ridiculous but it's kinda like a warm hug on a cold day. It's a comfort. And I love it. 

18. I am thankful for family dinners. I wanted pot roast all last week and, on Sunday, we had it.  I was so thankful I could sit there and enjoy food on a Sunday afternoon with my family. It's the quintessential family Sunday dinner. And I'm ever so thankful for it. 

19. I am thankful for the ability to laugh freely. It sounds a little weird but I follow HONY (Humans of New York) and Brandon has been traveling all over Africa. He talks to people and takes a picture of them. He is able to get to know people and portray them through a small snapshot. Some of the kids have stories that make me cry. They don't have joy and they don't laugh. They saw their friends and family die in front of them. God has given me a safe home where I don't have to think about that kind of violence and the fact that I could die anytime. I can laugh. And for that I am so thankful. 

20. I am thankful for pictures. It helps me remember happy memories with family and friends. 

21.  I am thankful I can go running. It helps me relax and let some stress go. 

22. I am thankful for warm, soft blankets. Literally. I love it. 

23. I am thankful that I am a junior this year and though I don't LOVE a ton of my classes I am learning a lot. 

24. I am thankful for my Language Theory class. I am learning so much about how language is learned, how it came to be, the way that God specially created us for language. I could go on, but I am thankful for our creative and all-knowing God. 

25. I am thankful for verses that remind me to be thankful and that Scripture gives me encouragement when I need it. 

26. I am thankful for a friend at UCD. It's a little less lonely when she is in 2 out of my 3 classes. 

27. I am glad that I can share the Gospel. There's been some "street preachers" on campus that have made me mad because they have been arguing with people and going about sharing the Gospel in the wrong way. It makes me upset because we should be creating relationships and letting them know about Christ's redemptive love. I am thankful I have been able to talk about Christ in 2 of my classes already, but showing people love. Not only telling them what the Gospel is, but also showing love. 

28. I am thankful for the knowledge I was given about the Reformation. I have been able to use it in two of my classes and some people have asked me how I know so much and then we are able to talk about Scripture. 

29. I am thankful for the sound of our fountain right outside my window that I fall asleep to every single night. 

30. I am thankful for blessings all around me. 

Changes

I tend to deal well with changes. In fact, I embrace change. I look forward to change. I change things up in my life all the time. Like the paint in my room. The words I have written on my mirror. The pictures that cover my mirror. There are a few things I like to keep the same. Passwords, my Chai tea from Starbucks, and my friends. Oh and Sperry's. They're always good to keep around.

But lately, I have been inundated with change. My best friend is going across the country for school. My sister left to go back to college today. I switched schools. New classes, new campus, new teachers, new transportation, new friends. At church, we have new staff, new music; I am in a new group now. All of these are good. The changes at church, the changes at school. Those are good.

The best friend leaving- never good. And frankly, this week has been a little hard. Today, I started crying in church because I was overwhelmed with my special people leaving me and this new chapter I am starting. I still love change, but it's an awful lot of change all at once. And sometimes, in the midst of all these people, I still feel alone.

I know I am not alone. Jesus is with me every step of the way. When I'm on top of that 14er as high of a mountain I can be on, and when I'm in the bottom of a tough transition, feeling alone yet knowing the love that's all around me. And sometimes, insecurities creep in. School, church, friendships, life. Life in general. And the only thing constant in my life- is my relationship with Jesus Christ. And I am so very thankful for that. Because when I feel alone, I begin to pray. I listen to music. I dig into Scripture and I become even more reliant on him. So through all this change, my relationship with Christ is changing also. It becomes a necessity- a constant growth- a steady rock to grab onto when I'm not sure whether I am coming or going.

Life is change. Change is easy at times and sometimes change is hard. Right now, it's more hard than easy. But it's okay. Because when I am feeling sad or discouraged or a little unsure of where to go or what is going on- I cling to the fact that my relationship with Jesus is here. Always. Without fail. Always and forever. And that will never change. And I look forward to what else will be changing and how I will grow in His way.

His promise to me: Hebrews 13:5- "...I will never leave you nor forsake you." Psalm 71:21- "Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side." Psalm 94:19- "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight me soul."

Love you guys,
S

Oops

I've done it. I went the entire summer without blogging. It makes me wonder whether or not I am truly a blogger or not? There has been so much that has happened that I felt slightly overwhelmed with everything I should write down. So, instead of chipping away at all the things I wanted to write, I just didn't write at all. Because we all know that makes the most sense. This summer has been spectacular. God has been so very good to me.

1. My graduation party weekend was so incredible.
2. I went to Seattle.
3. I went to Hawaii.
4. I climbed a 14er.
5. I got accepted to UCD.


That's just naming a few things I have done. Okay. So now that I have written out big five highlights- now I will go back and blog about each one. Ha. Who are we kidding. Get ready. This is just gonna be a long post.

1. I "graduated". And it's so complicated so I will just say that if I was a normal child, this year I would have graduated. So we pretended I was normal and had a graduation party. And I had friends from all over and from forever come to it and it made me feel so loved, blessed, and special. God is so very good.

2. I went to Seattle. It was enchanting. I also went to Canada. That was beautiful too. Seattle is so radically different than Denver. So different. So much more farmers markets where this girl can get her favorite flowers for wayyyyy less than she can in Denver. I also got chocolate croissants, killer shrimp, and yummy mussels. All things I don't normally get here. I also got to be with my cousins whom I love to death and see my aunt and uncle- it's been a while and also see my grandparents. What would I do without my family?

3. I went to Hawaii. And I was left utterly breathless so many time because of God's creativity when he created those islands. I am in love with that place. I went cliff jumping, snorkeling, kayaking, racing on the beach. I went to Pearl Harbor and was honored to be able to see the USS Arizona Memorial Site. I was with my lovely family and I had fish for every lunch and dinner for a week and it was delicious. I have so many memories from there that I will treasure forever. I saw so many homeless people there. It was shocking and sobering. The culture is so different there. People walking into Starbucks with their swimsuits on and no shoes and no one blinks. The open air places and the warm welcoming atmosphere. The hula dance lessons I got and the beautiful leis. The breathtaking water and the warm sunsets. The private beaches and beached turtles. The hours in the sun with my cousins and the afternoons in the water. I can't even begin to describe how much I treasure these memories and the adventures I had in beautiful Hawaii.

4.  Yesterday I climbed a 14er. For those who don't know what a "14er" is- it is a mountain that is over 14,000 feet in elevation. Us, Coloradans, affectionately call them 14ers. I hiked up it and ran down it. And it was the most incredible sight and I was ever so thankful I run because my lungs weren't dying for oxygen. I loved being able to reach the summit and sitting there in awe as I am in the clouds and the tree line is far below me. I loved being able to jump up and down rocks as I navigated the boulder canyon and look out and see beautiful colors far beyond me. I loved being able to be with friends as I climbed it and when we reached the top simply enjoying being up there. My knees hurt like crazy which is weird because that hasn't been a problem before but it was ever so worth it. It was so cold! 32 degrees but I loved wearing lots of sweatshirts and enjoying the breathtaking backyard I live in.

5. I got accepted to UCD. Or University of Colorado Denver. It's been a long process and I am finally signed up for classes. I can't believe this is my junior year and next year I will be a senior. And then off to law school I go. God has been so very good to me and I am so excited about the witnessing opportunities I will have as I ride the Light-Rail and interact with unsaved people every day on my campus. God has given me a mission field that I am so easily able to connect with and this year I am praying that God gives me the words he wishes me to say and gives me his eyes so I can see the hurt around me. There is so much to learn this year both academically and spiritually. I can't wait to see what the school year of 2014 holds for me.

If you're still reading this- WOW! Good job. Thanks for reading and I promise during the school year I will be much more consistent. Also, I am working on a blog post about all my favorite places to eat around Denver so stay tuned for that! Have a wonderful week!

Love y'all,
Sarah

Overwhelmed by the Power of the Gospel

We've lost our sense of awe at the power of the cross. We no longer ponder what was done at the cross. We no longer cry at the thought of what Jesus did on the cross for us. The power of the cross has diminished. It has faded into the background. The Gospel is no longer our most potent medicine to cure the problems of the heart. The Gospel is like any other story to us. To some, the Gospel is dead.

The Gospel is not dead. It's living. It does not die. It is forever. Constant. Like a rock to grab onto in a storm. The Gospel should be transforming our lives. Instead, it sits on our book stand gathering dust. The Gospel, the Word of God, the passion of Christ in words, is no longer as intoxicating as the new movie, the new book, the relationship, the video game. We don't crave the Gospel like we crave our favorite food. We don't find the Gospel important because we spend so little time living it. The Gospel should be an all-consuming, transformation seen in a person's life. And we have lost that.

See the Gospel may seem small. It may seem like the Gospel is the prayer that "gets you into Heaven". The Gospel may seem to be the hell, fire, and brimstone sermon you heard and only by Jesus' death and resurrection can you be saved. The Gospel could be you realizing your need at home with family surrounding you. Your need for a Savior whom can offer eternal life

But the Gospel is so much more.

The Gospel is the way you treat that unbeliever. The Gospel is humbling yourself and allowing the other person to win. The Gospel is following your pastor and allowing him to lead even though you might not agree with every decision. The Gospel is giving God the glory each and every time you do something. The Gospel is needing no other affirmation for the things you are doing for ministry's sake, knowing that God sees you living the Gospel out in a practical way. The Gospel is being consistent and purposeful in the work you do everyday. The Gospel should be seen in everything. that. you. do. Christ-likeness should be radiating from your interactions with people, the choices you make, the way you carry yourself. The Gospel is an all consuming passion that Christians need to have.

And yet we don't.

It's that one decision we made that now means we are safe from hell. We continue on in our lives. Tweaking things here and there to make yourself look like a Christian but your heart looks no different before you received the Gospel. The Gospel should make you want to pursue God like a camel pursuing water in a desert. The Gospel should make you long for a relationship with Jesus that is unlike any other relationship you have ever had. The Gospel should transform you so that when people see you, they wonder what they need to do to attain the happiness that you radiate. And through you, you show them the Gospel and the relationship they can have with Christ.

The Gospel should be something that every Christian is striving for.

And yet we go on living.

As if the most powerful change that could ever happen- didn't.

So this is my challenge to you, as I have been challenged, pursue what a Gospel living life looks like. Look at Paul and the way that he lived the Gospel out in every day of his life. Look at how Jesus was the walking Gospel. Challenge yourself to become more like Jesus and by becoming more like Jesus, you become more like the Gospel. Because the Gospel is not a one and done deal. It's a passionate relationship that is wholly satisfying because you are seeped in Christ's love and living like Jesus did every day of His life.

Live the Gospel. Be the Gospel. Because when the Gospel is seen, other lives are transformed. When the Gospel is lived, people become insignificant and Christ is exalted. The Gospel is exalting Christ and that can only happen if Christians are living humbly so that the Gospel may be reflected through them.

Start living like the Gospel actually is truly the most important thing you can ever receive.

I Am Not Better Than You

I am not better than you because I am a Christian. I am not better than you because I grew up in a Christian family. I am not better than you because I can do something that you can't. I am not better than you because I don't struggle with the same sin that you struggle with. I am not better than you.

My heart has been heavy with these thoughts. Jesus didn't save me so I could be more self-righteous. I am not better than you because I go to church on Sundays. The only thing that makes me better is Jesus' love. And it doesn't make me better than you. It makes me better than the person I was before I met Jesus. Jesus doesn't see people and compare them. He never did that with the woman at the well. He never did that with the Pharisees. He never did that to those who questioned who he was or what he taught. He loved the unlovable. He loved the broken. He loved the ones who asked for his love. He never once said no to a person that asked.

Church people are not any better than the visitor that walked in on that Sunday who dressed differently than us or who said something we wouldn't have. We are all humans who make mistakes every day and the only reason we have hope is because we trusted that Jesus' love and sacrifice could allow God to overlook our sins. God does not look down and see those who are loved and those who are not. He sees those he loves. Every county, every town, every city, every state, every nation, every continent. He sees the children with no parents who are seeking loving attention. He sees those who drown their sorrows in their drug of choice. He sees hurting people whom he has loved from the time they were created. You see, I am not better than you. I never will be. Comparing me to you is like comparing one broken jar to another. We are both helplessly inadequate when we are standing alone. The only thing that makes me better than who I used to be- is the love of Jesus in me.

You see, there are people who pretend that they are better than you. There are those who pretend their lives are all put together. There are those who pass judgment when judgment is not theirs to give out. But we are just as helpless as you. Our lives may look like they are put together, but we all have our secret demons. We all have our personal, private struggles that no one else even dreams we struggle with. We, all, at one point in time stay up late worrying about something. We all have moments when we wonder what is happening and why it is happening to us. But the only reason that I can see hope in a situation is because I know my God. My God took me as his own. My God promised to care for me. My God promised to do only what was best for me. Maybe not the best here on earth, but in eternity, the best will forever reign. My God promised to love someone he should have thrown away. My God loves like no one I have ever or will ever know. My God does. not. fail.

I am not better than you because of my accomplishments, my life, my beliefs. No. I am but a human. Jesus is the one that makes me who I am. Jesus gives me a view of the world in a way that I could never have on my own. So walk into our church and I promise not to judge you. I promise to love you because Jesus could love someone like me. Jesus promises to accept anyone that asks him to love. You don't have to become better before coming into church. You don't have to clean up your life or pretend your life is neat and tidy. No. Come as you are because Jesus sees the best in you because he loves you. And I promise to love you like Jesus because I am not better than you. I promise to love you because my God chose to love me. So you see, don't compare yourself to others. It will be a constant disappointment. Love yourself the way you are and constantly seek to become more like Jesus because through Jesus we have an undeniable love and light for those around us. Be happy in who you are because your identity is not in yourself but rather who you are seeped in Jesus' love. And Jesus' love is all you could ever ask for. I am not better than you. Jesus is better than us. Jesus is the one we should compare ourselves to. Love like Jesus.

~Sarah

Procrastination, Ice Cream Cones, Unicorns, My Best Friend, School, Memes, and Rooms

Often times I think my blog posts are disjointed. And then there's this one. I can't see how I am possibly going to string these together to create a cohesive thought, but let's try.

Sarah never procrastinates because Sarah has too much to do. I mean, it's just not possible. Even if I wanted to procrastinate I couldn't. I know of a lot of other people who procrastinate and my advice to you, don't. Don't do it. Not even once. But if you do procrastinate, temper your stress with sleep, unicorns, and ice cream cones.  Sleep trumps all. Sleep is when I dream of unicorns and ice cream cones and all things lovely really. It's my escape from the real world. Ice cream cones are good whether you are sleeping or are fully awake. I like my ice cream cones with chocolate ice cream and dipped in chocolate. This type of ice cream cone is clearly not for someone who is counting calories. Counting calories makes me instantly want to become angry and cry at the same time. I hate hearing about diets all the time. And it makes me want to cry because who wants to feel guilty while possibly eating the best thing on earth? That's why, if you're dreaming of ice cream cones, it's better for those calorie counters out there. It's guilt free.

Scotland. The land of thick accents, green plaid skirts men wear: affectionately known as kilts, and unicorns. Unicorns are Scotland's national animal. True story. Not making it up. And so if you were having a hard time identifying perhaps the strangest and coolest country around, well I just make up your mind for you. You're welcome.

I was unsure what to blog about so I asked my Facebook friends for ideas. My lovely best friend, affectionately known as Emy Lee, Watson, Em, Emilee and maybe a few more said I should write about her. So here goes: Emilee has a heart of gold. We are similar in so many ways and totally different in others. She has a boyfriend. I don't. (Sort of by my choice but still.) She has blonde hair. And I don't. She changes her mind a lot. I don't. We both love to travel. We both love Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables. We will both watch action movies as much as we watch chick flicks. We both love ourselves some coffee. We both love kids. Em is a one in a million type of friend. Though we've only known each other through middle and high school, I feel like sometimes there is never a point we haven't known each other. Even when I'm a terrible friend and have no time to hang out, she waits patiently and encourages me all throughout it. We have the best of times together. As we go through this crazy thing called life and next big monumental thing called graduation, we continue to be best friends. I love her. All the good and the bad. And I love her because she sees me at my best and worst and never thinks anything less of me. Our friendship is one where we might be thousands of miles apart, but it won't matter because we will still be the best of friends.

Em and I have a funny meme that makes us laugh so much.

I can't even tell you why it's so funny to me. And honestly, I can laugh about this stupid meme for hours at a time. And recently, Emy and I have inserted just about anything after the "Ma!". "Ma, the room!" "Ma, the adult life." And frankly it might not be funny to anyone else but I just want to die. This cat. The Meatloaf. It's too much. I posted memes to my Facebook wall this last week, and the themes were all about finals and honestly, it was so relatable to everyone that I think everyone could enjoy it. School is officially over for me tomorrow morning and it makes me so happy! This past week was not one I would want to repeat but how awesome it feels having it over!

My room as a result of school and work was sad. Very sad. I wanted to weep quite frankly. Not really. I don't weep. But, it made me sad. So today, I spent a couple hours cleaning it up, and it feels so so great having it all done! I mean seriously. It feels just as good as finishing a final. True story.

So that's that. I think I was somehow able to cohesively bring this blog post together even though there were a lot of random ideas thrown in. Much love and thanks for the ideas to talk about!

Let's Get Real Here

Things are gettin' real. And by real... well let me list a few things off.

1. It's the last week in a half of school. In elementary school, the last week was THE BEST week ever. Water gun fights, games, parties, fun cleaning, etc. Well whatever happened to that in college I will never know. But this is what my week looks like. Exam, project, paper. Exam, project, paper. Every day. I don't think that is nearly as fun as water gun fights, long hours of story time with our favorite book outside, and ice cream sandwiches. I envy those days.

2. Espresso. This has been my life saver. I have had it iced mainly, but I'm not picky. Give it to me hot, give it to me cold, give it to me in frozen ice cream form. I will take anything at this point.

3. Sleep. I think it really is about the best thing ever when teachers say, "Get a good night sleep before the test." or "Get a good night sleep before the presentation." This is what I am thinking. You know all this last hurried work you are having us turn in? Well, this happens to be one of many classes for me and all the teachers want the same thing if not more than what you are asking. So sleep is a distant memory and a distant goal to be achieved after finishing the week ahead. Which is why espresso has been great lately.

4. I am in the Class of 2014. You know what this means. This means I am the real deal. No longer in youth group. I am an adult. Whaattttt.

5. I am an adult. When something offends me or someone is saying stuff at school, I can't say like guys, I'm not even 18. Can y'all chill out please. It sounded better if I was scolding someone when I was 17. But when I am 18, I am seen as an adult. And you know what, I just want my mom to put me to bed and tell me to take a nap and then I will wake up and have dinner made and then I get to play with my sisters and go to bed. Instead, I am telling kiddos to take naps, I am the one making dinner, I am cleaning up from dinner and toys, and putting them to bed before I even start to think about dinner or homework for me. I guess you would call this "Real life" or "Being an adult." Well, I found something out. I don't like being an adult. It's hard. And a lot of work. Fun at times, but mainly, just work. Why I never believed this as a kid, I will never know. But, lesson learned.

6. I write on my blog when I am stressed sometimes. It's the best form of procrastination, because I am actually doing something productive while not being the type of productive I need to be.

7. This go around unlike last semester, I have ice cream. And this makes me happy. The ultimate comfort food for finals week. And espresso. Put them together, it just makes sense. Give me some coffee and ice cream...and you have a... happy Sarah! :)

8. I have a test and a paper to finish tonight. And my room is a whole other thing. But this is what finals week is like. If you have finished with finals for your life, you can live vicariously through me and my writing and remember what it felt like. If you haven't had college finals week, don't believe me. Think I am exaggerating. And go to college. And wait till the semester comes to end. Then come talk to me. And I will feed you whatever makes you happy.

9. And sleep, who needed that anyways... well... never mind. Don't answer that.

10. Peace y'all! See you on the other side of finals week! (Also, I did not edit this. This is first try. If there are misspelled words or grammar errors, what you see is what you get this week! Lucky me!)

The Art of Taking Pictures

So I had my senior pictures done a while back and we finally got around to picking out the ones we liked and which one we were going to buy. And let me tell you it is a strange thing having pictures taken. I am so thankful for Sierrah and how awesome she is. I wouldn't have done it with anyone else. Photographers have a tough job and she made it fun while I was doing all kinds of weird things so she could get really great pictures I would be happy with. She's the best!

There are multiple steps in preparing for senior pictures.

The first step is the agonizing process of finding clothes in which both you and your mother have to agree on outfits. It would seem easy but moms can get pretty picky when picking out clothing for such a momentous occasion. She likes something you don't and your pick gets vetoed as soon as you walk into the room. The colors aren't great or that wasn't what she was thinking for the overall look. Then of course you have to please the dad who is cleaning the shotgun in preparation for the nonexistent knocks on the door begging for his permission to date his daughter. It's a complicated mess we weave when we take these pictures I tell ya.

The next process (for girls anyways) is deciding on hair, makeup, accessories, etc. Do I want my hair straight or curled I ask myself out loud and I hear my mother's voice yelling from downstairs, "Curled Sarah Renee". And so curled it is. And then I think- "Do I go for dramatic makeup that will look super cool in the pictures or do I go like what I normally do- minimalist at best." I know that if I want dramatic makeup I will probably end up looking more like a raccoon with black all around his eyes or a child that just got walloped in the face. If I go for minimalist, I could look like a panda bear without any black around its eyes. It's a tough decision y'all but minimalist wins out. It's never good when you receive a picture graduation invitation in the mail and then you show up and you think, "Okay you look NOTHING like your picture did!". And then you think "Maybe it's her or maybe its Maybelline". All that to say, so many decisions.

Once I picked out all my outfits, my sister came in to help accessorize. I fail in this department. I had this trippy (can I use the word trippy? of course I can, it is MY blog after all) necklace and Mom said "Well we will just have to make sure it doesn't get all tangled". This is what I heard: "Probably not the best choice because it's going to be a pain and we are going to have to keep fixing it." My solution: Don't wear it. Any of it. So I didn't. Then when we arrived Mom was all like, "Wait! Where's your necklace! It was so pretty!" And I was thinking..... Huh. We ended up using the photographer's mother's necklace because we were taking pictures at their beautiful house! Thank you!

The next morning came. I did my hair and makeup. Nothing horrible went wrong. I put on my first outfit (because it is BORING to only do one outfit in pictures... or so I am told) and so I packed the other ones, grabbed my dog, and a hat and I was out of the house. Dogs are excellent props in pictures. It creates an odd sensation of too much cuteness to handle and a sense of something I haven't been able to put my finger on. Just kidding. I absolutely adore my dog and couldn't imagine not having a picture with her. She is pretty monumental in my life. The hat. My dad hates hats. I'm not sure why... well I do. He hates the hats I pick out. He calls me things like "hobo" etc. My style is definitely different than my dads. Which is a good thing seeing as he's a guy, I'm a girl.... Anyways! I decided to throw in the hat because they are my pictures, showing my personality. So I thought, eh, we will give it a try.

Turns out, dogs really like taking pictures and are very hyper. We got one great picture. Only one. The rest of the time my dog was whining to get into the picture with me. She knows it's really all about her! The hat actually turned out to be a crowd favorite. Shocking!

But how did we get to these pictures, taking pictures is awkward! There is just no way around it. Seriously, I felt like a fool half the time. Lean this way, chin up... no down a little. Look towards the camera... no, no, no not your whole face, just your eyes. Oh my bad! And then cross your legs, sit up straight. Tilt this way, put your hands under your chin. Then they want you in all the weird positions and spots and it had rained the night before so I couldn't sit on the ground because it was wet but they wanted it to look like it was. It's complicated I tell ya! But Sierrah made it so fun and we laughed all the way through it and the pictures turned out great, so it was totally worth it!

Then you go to change and the wind has done wonders to your hair and makeup. Your hair has started to form dreadlocks and your eyes are watery from the wind- causing mascara to be all over. It's complicated. So you quick fix that and out you go.

The funniest thing is doing a serious picture in a comical position with people watching you. I'm telling you, I couldn't do it. I looked like I was smirking or I was angry. The first one being entirely true. I'm not exactly sure how models do it, but I am amazed. It's a balancing act between looking serene and angry. I personally haven't mastered that.

Once all the pictures are finished you look at them and have to decide what you do and don't like. It's not that there are bad ones, but there are ones you don't think fit your personality or just aren't you or you like one more than the next. Your parents end up picking them and you think what in the world? How do you like that one! And the one serious one you think you actually nailed they nix because they like the smiling ones better. Oh well.

All this to say, picture taking is complicated. I think this can be the case for engagement, wedding, anniversary, baby pictures etc. It's loads of fun and really, all I just said was probably a bit of an exaggeration but it was fun and funny anyways.

Here are three tips to taking a great picture: 1. Always trust the photographer. 2. Listen to your parents. It's easier that way.  3. Don't have an opinion. It makes everything much much easier. Just go with the flow man!

Thanks to my awesome photographer Sierrah! Check out her website! She is so great and so fun to work with!
http://sierrahlauren.com/
*Not a paid advertisement. I just love her and her work!

Children

The amazing thing about children is the fact that you can take care of them but they teach you things ALL THE TIME. Here is a list of 18 things I have learned this week while living with 3 children day in and day out.

1. Expect honesty. Whether you want it or not.

2. Never leave children alone. The amount of destruction that can happen in two minutes is shockingly astronomically huge. Hello glitter and paint. Wherever did you come from .

3. Early to bed, earlier they rise. 5:30? No thanks. It's still dark out.

4. Mac and cheese is always a hit.

5. Ice cream sandwiches do wonders for everyone's moods.

6. Kids are able to tell when you are frustrated and it's amazing how much a hug from one of them can do.

7. Nap times are not for the children. It's for the parents.

8. Bickering is going to happen. It's all in the way you handle it.

9. Silence is generally very, very bad.

10. Kids teach you what matters and what doesn't.

11. Kids teach you patience. You think you have patience... but just wait. You'll find out you don't have as much as you thought.

12. Kids ask questions all the time.

13. Kids are the best thing ever.

14. Kids remind me how nice it was being a kid. No responsibility. All play, some rest, lots of food, only fun.

15. Kids say the darnedest things. We were outside playing in the beautiful weather and the little boy goes "This is the most bestest swinging in the ENTIRE Worrrllldddd!". I'm so glad you think so!

16. Kids are always hungry. Guess we never grow out of that stage.

17. Kids are so affectionate.

18. Kids make my world go 'round.

Back by Popular Reading

Apparently quite a few people really enjoyed reading my disjointed thoughts on random and odd sayings that English speakers use. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it- in fact, I was giggling the entire time and I believe other people found it humorous so I decided to continue this. I have been collecting a few more. Without further ado...

Let's start with "Needle in a haystack". Really? A needle in a haystack. You mean to tell me you were sitting on a haystack sewing a shirt and you lost the needle. You sat on a haystack where snakes, varmints, and other living organisms stay and you were sewing something together. Furthermore, haystacks are generally in fields or far away from houses. So you walked out to the haystack in the summer (because hay can only be cut and stacked in the summer) and you sewed for a while. You lost the needle and felt like looking through a ton of hay to find a microscopic needle instead of simply picking up another one.... seems plausible to me.

It "cost an arm and a leg". Did it really? Because I counted and you still have two arms and two legs. So unless you were using fake arms and legs or dare I even think other arms and legs, choose another analogy to explain how expensive your new purchase is. Where did this come from anyways?

"Oh, it's deader than a door nail".What could be deader than a door nail anyways. That poor door nail. It got slammed into the door and it gets put to work every day but dead. Deader than a door nail. Who came up with it? Who decided that comparing an inanimate object ( a door nail) to death would make sense?

"Talk to the hand." In all honesty, I understand the thought of this. A person is frustrated and showing respect would be to look at someone's face or into their eyes. So talking to the hand would be considered disrespectful or even a sign that you don't care. But can we just think about this a moment! A hand has many functions. Many, many functions but that does not include ears that can hear, a brain that can comprehend what is being said, and eyes to look at the person speaking. Talking to the hand doesn't work besides the fact it's highly disrespectful.

"Low man on the totem pole"- People mean this as being offensive, like the person is insignificant. But originally, the lowest man on the totem pole was a person that had high standing in the community so being the "low man on the totem pole" was an honor not a bummer. So now you know the rest of the story.

"Break a leg"- This is meant as a "Go and get it" or "You'll do fantastic" but what is so good about breaking a leg? Oh I can answer that. Nothing. There is nothing good that comes out of breaking a leg. Pain, therapy, casts, not being able to move around... the list goes on. I think this saying is a little ridiculous when wishing someone the best and the best you can wish them is to break a leg.

"Best foot forward"- Shockingly, I did not know I had one good foot and one best foot. I am still figuring out which foot is best and if anyone can answer that for me, it would be really superb! If anyone has figured out what their best foot is or even if there has been a study on what foot is the best, let me know! I would love to know. Anyways, to me, it seems like a silly expression. Regardless of what I think, people still use the expression and will continue to put their best foot forward.

I have been especially attentive this week in listening for odd sayings so that I can continue to blog about my thoughts on these. If you have any odd sayings you have heard, let me know! I will write about it. Thanks for reading and have a great week!

6 Things Y'all Might Want to Know, But Most Likely Don't Really Care + Maybe a Bonus One.

6 things is really not normally a big deal. I mean I've done a lot more on other Sundays and yeesh! What to say, what to say. So I decided to discuss some old and new saying that don't make any sense to me at all. And if you can answer any of the questions, please, please, please tell me! I want to know!

1."DTR" and "FBO" "Define the Relationship" and "Facebook Official". This kinda makes me laugh because it's something that I explained to my parents and it's such a cultural thing and a generational thing and I am ashamed to say I am in the generation where everything has an unofficial official label or title for anything and everything. It's shameful really. Other examples: "LOL" "BRB" "BTW" "OMW" "TMI" "IDK" "BFF". There are ENTIRE websites and dictionaries made to help people like me understand why people use shorthand and what the shorthand means. You do realize no one, well me and maybe a few others, no one wants to read in code AND did you know your phone will spell out the entire word if you just get your phone started on what you want to say. True story. Some even have voice command where you tell it what to text and boom. All written out for you and all you have to say is "Send". It's too good to be true. And WHY, why do people feel the need to use text lingo while talking in an actual conversations and also in professional, formal writing. It is so annoying. We are losing, people. Losing to our culture where fast and shortened is better. I think we are being blinded. Fast and shortened is not better. Sometimes it is, but not in this case.

2. "It's the best thing since sliced bread." I use this saying because I think it's a great saying but honestly, I can think of 10 things that are better than sliced bread ever was. The problem for me with sliced bread is that it is so definitive. This is your slice of bread. Well, what if I want a thick slice of bread and this one was all thin. Or what if I didn't want the heal of the bread or what if I did, but I wanted part of the regular loaf along with it. What if I wanted like a quarter of the bread as one slice and now, now I have to eat your slice of bread which is more than likely, different than what I wanted that slice of bread to look like. Do you see my dilemma. It's much too definitive for something like a slice of bread. So think of all the things that are way more wonderful than sliced bread. For instance, heated seats in cars, light-up shoes when I was a kid (even now, they are PRETTY awesome), sunshine in the winter, not having to ask permission to eat ice cream, and getting to eat ice cream out of the carton. Now that, that is WAY better than sliced bread on any given day.

3. "It's the bees knees". I love love love this saying because it makes NO SENSE whatsoever. Last time I checked, bees don't really have knees and if they do what's so great about them. But nothing sounds better than when you say "It's the bees knees" when talking about something great and it somehow fits so well and when you think about it, it makes literally no sense. The saying is basically the bees knees.

4. "Happy Camper". Where did that saying come from? A camper who found dry wood while it was raining? and said "I am one happy camper!" Or, a camper who caught a fish for dinner? A camper who didn't get eaten by a bear? A camper who finally was successful at "pitching his tent"? A camper who was alone? A camper who made s'mores? I mean what a weird saying, and what makes a camper happy? I feel like both words "camper" and "happy" need to be defined. What exactly is a camper. And who's definition are we using when we use the word "happy"? This is how my brain works. It's crazy I know. If anyone knows how this saying came to be, tell me. I want to know.

6. "Pitch a tent". Where in the world did that one come from because I am pretty, nope positive, that pitching has nothing to do with a tent. Pitching implies it was haphazardly done. While  something like putting up a tent requires attention to detail, patience, and many hands. So the verb "pitching" which is a gerund (which like I said, you probably didn't want to know), is probably not the best verb to use while describing how you put up a tent.

See, all things you probably didn't want to know. What if you don't know all these ridiculous questions I asked. Hopefully you won't be thinking about it all the time like I do. And if you should happen to know the answers to my questions you should tell me. Because I will be grateful for probably like forever, or until the next person comes along and tells me the answer to another question I have. I'm curious in case you haven't noticed. Which leads me to a bonus one.

Bonus: "Curiosity killed the cat." Was it really the curiosity? And I've seen cats, and unless they are kittens, they seem to lie around a lot doing a bunch of nothing. Curiosity could not have literally killed the cat because curiosity is an adjective. Not a verb. Curiosity is literally incapable of doing anything. So it can't be curiosity that killed the cat. So, who came up with this saying? And maybe the saying should be "Curiosity got the cat killed" or "The cat got killed when it was curious about the way this worked" or "The cat tried something new because it was curious and it died". But "Curiosity killed the cat" seems a little implausible to me. Also as I spell the words curiosity and curious, I wonder why is it that "curiosity" has no "u" while "curious" has a "u". Why do you try to confuse me English language?

Yours truly,
A bewildered Sarah

Why I Love Meeting New People

My comfort zone is large. In fact, I don't really have a comfort zone. Trying new things, eating crazy, weird stuff, going to places alone, travelling, meeting new people sounds like Heaven to me. My comfort zone is doing something new. Meeting new people is definitely something I love.

I thrive when I meet new people. New people bring about a fresh perspective, personal experiences, new relationships, more laughs, and more love. I love meeting new people because I get to live vicariously through someone else when they tell me about themselves. I love meeting new people because it opens my eyes to things I had never considered before.

We might not agree on everything. We might not believe in the same God. We might look different and talk different. But honestly, we are all human. We can all relate on some type of field. We all love to talk about our family, our experiences, our favorite things, and through that, I can always relate with someone. I might not have met you, but give me 15 minutes and I hope I will have learned something new.

Meeting new people is good. It is scary sometimes. "What if they think I am weird?" "What if they think I am too opinionated or outspoken?" "What if they don't like me?" These are all questions that I think we all struggle with. We all want to be accepted by everyone. Being accepted is to be loved. Being accepted is validation in most of the world. We all try to look alike and be "normal" and blend in so we don't stand out, but why would we want to do that? We are our own persons. Being you is what makes you so special.

I want to meet new people because I can learn so much from them. I can have conversations that start relationships which leads to opening about my relationship with Christ. I want to meet you. I don't want to just meet you but I want to learn about you and know you. I want to learn from you and I want to be impacted by you. I want to impact you. I want to challenge you and your beliefs. Not perhaps to change them but as Christians "iron sharpening iron". Jesus loved new people. He accepted all people. I want to be the person that makes other people comfortable and makes time to talk and get to know you. I want to be more like Jesus.

I am connecting a link to a snippet of a song I recently purchased called "Angel Child" and if you have heard of "Duck Dynasty", Missy Robertson wrote this song for her daughter and I love this because Missy tells her daughter she is perfect as she is. Missy's daughter has had health problems which has resulted in a lot of surgeries, and Missy wrote this song as a love letter to her little girl. Missy says she is perfect just the way she is. And as a Christian, we are to accept all people, regardless of the way they look or talk or act. We are to love the people of the world and when we love the people we create relationships which leads to conversations about Christ. And through Christ, we can all relate to people around the world as brothers and sisters in Christ. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfIGABf2ZN4

Some of My Favorite Things

Often I find myself being grumpy with what I have so in honor of it being Monday and the week after spring break, we are going to find out what my favorite things are and count my blessings.

1. I love Olaf and summer and all things WARM! 

2. I love Chai tea. It makes my little world go round. 

3. I love naps. 

4. I love friends. 

5. I love talking to new people. 

6. I love dreaming about my future. 

7. I love kids. 

8. I love red coats. 

9. I love new music. 

10. I love the fact that God has been tugging at my heart to go abroad and teach English and that he keeps leading me to new opportunities. (more on this in another blog post)

11. I love new languages. 

12. I love new opportunities. 

13. I love my family. 

14. I love my Ele girl. 

15. I love summer plans. 

16. I love new shoes. 

17. I love adoption. 

18. I love books. 

19. I love learning. 

20. I love my church. 

21. I love my piano. 

22. I love love stories. 

23. I love new food. 

24. I love my Bible and the notes that are all over in it. 

25. I love working. 

26. I love God's plans. 

27. I love travelling. 

28. I love English. 

29. I love history. 

30. I love fresh new beginnings and fresh new weeks. 

And people, I just got started. I am so blessed. Happy Monday Readers!

*These things I love are in no particular order of favoritism!

Ay-yi-yi.

How about 15 Things You Should Know on Saturday.

1.Yikes! I'm one of "those" bloggers again. Not posting for months. I just have so much to cover, I'm not sure where to begin. To make it a little less challenging because I am not sure where to start, we will do one of the favorites which is the "_ Things you should know" posts.

2. 18. This person is 18. This means I am legally adult, and in reality, nothing changed. Yay for me! I also had a big birthday party with my best friend. Lots of friends, laughs, food, and gifts! I am also working on, like a million thank you notes. It was so great! I loved it.

3. Spring break. This week! Yay! I get to sleep, perhaps redecorate my room, get ahead on some homework, enjoy ever changing weather in Colorado, write thank you notes, and who knows what else.

4.In other news, Kels came home and we got to surprise everyone. I picked her up at the airport and she surprised everyone for spring break. It was totally stressful and so much fun!

5. My sister (another sister) made it to Nationals after competing in CACS, and I am so excited for her and so sad for me because I so wish I was going down to Nationals so I could see all my friends.

6. I have an essay I am supposed to be writing, but I didn't want to, so I am blogging instead. As you can see, my priorities are on point!

7. I am currently reading "Bonhoeffer". Great great great and big book but totally cool. It's about a pastor that is part of the attempted assassination of Hitler. Wait what? A pastor who is in a plot to kill Hitler? Oh yes. Read it. Read it now.

8. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. True story. Mmmm. I just love everything about it. The music, the actors/actresses, the plot line, the beautiful places they shoot the movie. All absolutely awesome!

9. High-heeled shoes are my arch nemesis. I always think I will make it through the day, and without fail, it about an hour, I switch to my tried and true flats. Preferably Toms. Do lawyers always have to wear heals? I certainly hope not.

10. Speaking of lawyers, my dad-o got me TWO sweatshirts from Harvard. And they are so comfy. He got a big one because I constantly steal his to wear and sleep in and he got me one that is technically my size. That one has pockets in it.

11. Girls are always short-changed on pockets. Either we don't have them made into our clothing, or they are so small, our cell phones won't fit in them. Oh the pain! What first world problems we have!

12. The weather today was warm. Then it snowed for 10 minutes. Then it warmed up again. The weather in Denver is bi-polar to be sure.

13. Kelso left today to go back to college.

14. Speaking of college, Kelso got accepted into the nursing program AND in her top pick for where she wanted to be. God is so good. So good. I'm so excited for her!

15. I am eternally grateful for friends, family, and ice cream and not exactly in that order. God is so good.

And one more for good measure: For my birthday dinner, I went to a restaurant that used to be a mortuary (I know, celebrating life in a place where dead people were... a little weird) but the food was SO GOOD and so unique and so yummy. I was going to have ice cream from a little place right outside the mortuary turned restaurant but I was too full. I know, I know, I couldn't believe it either. But it was super yummy. Especially the shrimp and the ceviche I had. Numsters! I recommend it! They served flavored popcorn as a "starter" like bread is at other places. And you had a choice between sparkling and distilled water. It was just really cool! It's called Ortuary's Eatery. So good! Check it out! Loved it!

Words

Words. Words build up. Words build down. Words are remembered. Compliments are given and remembered throughout the day. Sharp remarks are remembered every time you fail. Words are powerful. And words can be misused.

Caustic, sharp, and unfeeling. The angry words cut through a heart that was already fragile and craving for a kind, loving word. Instead, she got the mean words that she remembers forever, in her highest and lowest moments. She didn't deserve them and even if she had, there was a better way to portray the message given, but instead a person responded with little thought as to what would happen when the girl heard the words and how they might affect her.

A cheerful compliment, given off the cuff, but absolutely genuinely. It makes her glow, feeling good about herself for the first time in weeks. It was not a big deal, just a small compliment but it made her feel happy, appreciated, and noticed. She no longer slipped in the background but shone like a star. The bad Monday turned into a happy one, simply because someone complimented her on her smile and how that smile made the day better.

Words are so powerful. The Bible talks about the tongue as a powerful tool. The Bible warns of the destruction a foolish tongue can do, and the Bible talks about the way the tongue can be uplifting.

Words heard in a whisper. Words that were never supposed to be heard by THAT person. Words that were untrue and totally unnecessary. The gossip mill is rampant, spreading a sick lie that was never meant to be shared or heard. When the person being talked about walks by and realizes they are the topic of conversation and the conversation was anything but uplifting. The feeling of disappointment, loneliness, and hurt. When did it become all about the drama and how much drama could a person talk about. When did it change to wanting to tear a person down.

Words hurt. Words soothe. Words words words. Choose them carefully. Words make or break a day. Be careful what you say. People are listening and they are being affected by the words you say and how you say them.

Dear Mom and Dad

I read this to my parents tonight at a special dinner our youth group did for our parents! Love them so much!

Mom, thank you for everything you have taught me. You taught me how to cook, even though we had burned meals at the beginning, you taught me how to do laundry, even though you endured too small clothes because we dried them when we weren't supposed to. Thank you for taking the time to teach us how to clean even though it would have been faster to do it yourself. Thank you for trying to teach me how to sew. You didn't succeed but you did ensure I would keep other seamstresses in business. But you didn't just teach me how to survive in the world. You taught me to look into all the facts before I became upset about something. You taught me to love people even when I didn't want to. You taught me that forgiveness is difficult but so rewarding. You taught me how to care for people who were brushed aside. You taught me how to make the best of any situation and you taught me how to be a good wife and mother by the shining example you have been. I have dearly loved imitating you when you get upset. I love the fact that I can finish your sentence because you are so often predictable on your reactions to something I said. I love the fact that if I am ever in doubt on what to get you, I can find French fries, Coke, something purple, or anything tea related and I am once again your favorite number 2 daughter. Mom, thank you for living your life to be an example for mine and thank you for allowing me to pick your brain and see why you made the choices you did and allowing me to seek your advice when I come asking. And Mom, my room might be dirty, but in the grand scheme of things, surely it isn’t too bad right!?

Dad, you have been a shining example of what a father and husband should be. I honestly often stand back and can’t believe you are MY dad. You cook us chicken soup when we are sick, you treat Mom with the utmost respect. You spoil us with runs to Starbucks and special dinners to celebrate our grades just to name a few. You provide for us so that we need nothing. You light up the house when you are home. We love to tease you about being an elephant when you are upstairs or walking down the stairs and the noise you make but honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. You coax Mom into a good mood if something went wrong and you make her smile when you are being insufferable. You continually teach us what a servant leader should look like. You serve others before you sit down, but when you sit down, we all know it will be about 5 seconds before you are asleep. Dad, thank you for everything. You gave me your wit, which I so appreciate, especially when we are going back and forth at each other and all Mom can do is shake her head. You gave me a, well, maybe not a love, but appreciation for running. You didn’t pass on your ability to grasp math and science without a problem, but I don’t suppose you can be perfect in everything right! You let me have another dog, two really, after Mom swore we would never get another one. You give and give and give and it does not go unnoticed. I love when I can bring you  coffee at work and chat for a few minutes. I love the fact that I can ask you any question and without fail you have an answer. And not just an answer but a thorough understanding of the subject. Thank you for the love and encouragement as I grow up and spread my wings. Thanks for being that Dad who has no problem having 4 girls but is determined that they know how to throw a football. Thank you for teaching me how to love even when I don’t want to and thank you for teaching me how to be a servant by the way you live every single moment of your life. I love you Mom and Dad.

This thing called "A Number of Things You Need to Know"

Wow has it been a while since I did a "Things You Need to Know" post. Admittedly, I avoided them. They became a drag because I couldn't come up with things to write that I felt was even blog worthy. So I suppose I am changing it up a bit and am only going to do these segments when I have things you, as a reader, might want to know. Shall we begin. How do we start? Oh right, let's start at the beginning with number 1.

1. I really like this blog. I do. It allows me to ramble and a reader gets to read the jostled thoughts that happen in this brain I call mine.

2. I think ice cream is the bee knees, the best thing since sliced bread, and the way to my heart.

3. I am travelling to this island I am told is beautiful and like totally awesome. It's called Hawaii. Specifically Oahu. Ya, I don't know what the fuss is all about besides the fact we will be there for a week with my entire family and my cousins, and there is a beach, and I can surf, and swim with sharks and dolphins,and Pearl Harbor I can visit, and there is sunshine and pineapples. Besides that, I don't get what the hype is all about.

4. OR NOT! I am so sosososososososososo excited to go to Hawaii!!!!!!!!!! EEEE! A dream come true really. What fun! Dear Summer, please come soon, but not too soon. I have some mile stones I would like to hit.

5. I turn 18 in March. I "graduate" in May. I am halfway to a bachelors degree at the age of 18. I think that is pretty cool because it means big things are happening. Mainly I am told my brain is growing at an alarming rate with knowledge that is superfluous to my degree.

6. I get to redecorate my room. This has nothing to do with the fact that my dog chewed up my quilt. Nothing whatsoever. Well okay. Maybe it does. She had a panic attack. I was away for longer than 12 hours. She was unsure what to do. I still love her, in case you were wondering.

7. Jazz music is one of the hardest things to play on the piano in my humble opinion. Those off beats and down beats and not being all 1, 2, 3, 4, lined up all perfect makes it difficult. It sounds really cool but still, very difficult.

8. I went shopping with Watson today and we talked about her Africa trip. It was awesome and lots of fun.

9. I got a free pair of sunglasses today. I adore them. I went to ask how much they were and they had no tag and the girl thought someone just put them in there so she gave them to me. I was not aware of this till I walked out the door and Watson told me that she had. I wonder if I am blonde at times.... not an insult to blondes out there.

10. To the people that continue to vandalize our house, it isn't cool. Never was, never will be.

11. I love Downton Abbey. This is NOT pronounced Downtown. (pet peeve) Season 4 is on and I love that channel 6 PBS on Sunday nights. It makes this girl happy. Especially while eating a bowl of ice cream. It's hard to get better than that.

12. I am on an awful sleep schedule. Stay up late, wake up late. I mean this is what I do in college, except for the fact I get 6 hours during the school year. Not 9 or 10 or 11 like I have been on this break. My body will go into shock in a week from Monday. I have a plan to feed myself coffee and ice cream when this happens. The coffee and ice cream might be served together or separately or at different times, but I know the options are endless. By the way, you will thank me for this, unless you are on a diet, then you won't, but still: Pour hot coffee or cold coffee (whatever floats your boat) over ice cream. Any ice cream: vanilla, chocolate, coffee with chocolate chunks, rocky road, but I wouldn't recommend like... bubble gum and strawberry. It would probably not taste very good. But anyways, it will rock your world, make your world go round, and change your life forever, well at least for the 10 minutes you are eating it. Or you might just love it so much, it will change your life forever by allowing you to enjoy the two best things on earth: coffee and ice cream at the same time in the same bowl in one happy marriage.

P.S. I realize a lot of this post was on ice cream, but I was deprived for a whole year so you will have to forgive me as I stand on my soap box and let people know how great it is and the fact that we are finally together again and getting reacquainted after a year of complete separation. I appreciate the fact that you are overlooking this serious flaw in my character. I realize not talking for a whole year is a poor way to treat a dear friend.

Au Revoir!

I Promise I Am Alive

Oh dear. I am afraid I have been quite remiss in blogging. I want to apologize. This might just be me, but when I follow a blog and check the blog and the blogger hasn't updated in days or weeks I get irritated. So I promised myself I wouldn't do that. Who am I kidding. It's not like people actually follow this blog and check to see if I have written anything, but still, I have been remiss in my writing to which I feel an apology is due. 

I have a problem because when I blog I want to actually have something interesting to talk about. I loathe reading blogs where I am just yawning and scrolling, waiting to see how long the blog post is, how interesting it looks, and if it is worth my time to read. The problem for me is that I feel as if I have nothing interesting to say. You might want to know that I have had ice cream at least twice a day for 11 days straight now. I don't start school until January 21 and I love my dog. Besides that, I have nothing interesting to say. I just wanted to check in to let you know that I am alive and well, and if you check this blog I hope you are happy I posted something utterly worthless. 

Cheerio my readers.