Beauty

Everyone has heard it said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I believe this to be true. That's why not everyone is attracted to everyone. Yet in the world that can get you down, make you insecure. You judge yourself and think that in order to be beautiful everyone must think so. There is only one person who will always think you are beautiful and never make you feel like anything less. That person is God. My personal Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Would you ever question the work that he did in creation? No. Well guess what. You are His creation, He made you, and obviously Thought you were beautiful because God doesn't make mistakes. This is my way of thinking. Just because I am not beautiful compared to societies standards, that doesn't make me ugly.

The Vision of Washington

George Washington had a vision that many believe was brought to him by God. A vision of what America would become. In it there are three perils that are brought to his attention. The first account I believe is of the Revolutionary war, a great cloud between Europe and America, I believe the cloud represents war. And this nations first great war was between England and the Americas. The second great peril I believe is the Slave Trade and the Civil War. An ill omen spectra comes over from Africa, the slave trade, and settles over america. He views Americans fighting each other, the Civil War. Then a great thing happens, A bright angel holding the American Flag settles between them and says "Remember, Ye are brethren". The third peril, I believe, has not happened yet but it will be a major world war where a majority of the worlds nations will rise against the US, but in the vision, although they are overcome, the inhabitants join together at one last effort and remain victorious. The vision ends with the angel telling Washington this "Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful for her is the third. But the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union."

I believe that America will stray from God, as we can see it happening today, and that will cause us to be overcome by the world, literally, but after we are overcome, I believe that we will come back, and rise again as one nation under God.

Christians, it is time to stand up for what is right, it is time to take America back and make this a christian nation once more! Whether or not you believe this vision is true take time to read it, it will change your mind on the way you view this nation and our role as Christians in it. I believe this is truth, and as long as we stay close to God, I believe that he will bless us, God Bless America.

New Year. New Resolutions.

Well first off, happy New Year. I know I'm 12 days late, but late is better than never right? With a new year comes resolutions. It just always happens that way. Every church I have been too has mentioned that fact. And so far I have been to three different churches this year. Each pastor mentioned the same thing. Don't make unrealistic resolutions. I thought about that, and I have come up with a few of my own.

1. I want to be closer to God by the end of 2012 then I have ever been in my entire life. I know it will be hard, and I am not off at a great start, and I have no idea how to accomplish this, but I know that with God all things are possible. I just have to keep praying, keep studying His word, and keep myself surrounded with strong Christians who are always pushing me to do better.

2. Start going to a small group. Not that I have been against going to one, I have just been lazy. Always wanting to do something else that night. But I know that in order for me to grow as a christian, and stay on fire for God, I need to stay close to some strong Christians who love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and who try and take God seriously.

3. The next time I drink a soda will be 12am January 1, 2013. It's bad for me, and I always feel awful after drinking it. If I just stick to water, I will be healthy, and I will feel better.

4. Get a healthy body image. I am one of the most self conscience people I know. I'm always worrying about how I'm too fat, too tall, I have too broad of shoulders, my teeth, the list goes on, trust me. But the thing is, I'm not fat, God made me tall, and none of that matters. All that matters is that God loves me, and there is a guy out there who will think I'm beautiful and who will love me no matter what I look like, no matter how tall I am, and no matter how broad I think my shoulders are. What really matters when it comes to your body, is to be healthy. To work out so that my body is healthy, to eat right, so that I am healthy and am able to do some fun things. My friend told me to stop focusing on what I look like, and start focusing on what my body allows me to do. I have two strong arms that allow me to rock climb, clap, praise God, work hard. I have two legs that allow me to run, snowboard, jump, dance for joy. I must learn to see myself the way God sees me, through my heart, And that is what truly matters.

Those are my resolutions. I will try hard to keep them, I know I might fail, but if I do, I will pick right back up again, because I have the help of my Lord. Wish me luck.

A time for everything.

There's a time for being patient, and there is a time for taking things into your own hands.
There comes a point in time when you are just done waiting, and take things into your own hands. Take control of the situation, tell someone how it is, and how it's gonna go down.

That is just what I did. Im tired of waiting around for someone to tell me what they're thinking. There's a time to just ask them. Just say what needs to be said. So now as I'm waiting for an answer I realize that it's just not that big of a deal. As much as I don't want to give up, and put hope down, there comes a point when reality comes along. I accept it. No matter what happens, I still have the love of my Lord, and for that I am forever Joyful.

So I asked, and now I am waiting for an answer that may or may not come, if it does, great, if it doesnt, great. Wish me luck.

Patience

Patience.
That one little word means so much. It is so difficult! Being patient is a hard thing to do. There are things that force you to be patient though.

Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow, that's patience.

But see the thing about patience, is it is necessary in life. I am a strong believer in the fact that nothing worth getting comes along easily. If you want it, you are willing to do what ever it takes to get it, and most people take that as keep pushing, and fighting, and running toward it. But sometimes it just means patiently waiting.

Right now I am waiting for a couple of things. One thing I could just fight and push and run toward, but that would push him away, I have to wait. Patiently wait for his decision, and then I have to just trust God that it is the right one, even if its what I do not want to hear. The other thing I have absolutely no hand in. The only thing I can do is wait. You would think that after two years of just waiting I would be pro at it by now. The truth is, it is very hard because I want to do everything myself. I want it and I want it now. I must trust God though, and I must learn to wait. To not rush, but take it slow, trust that God has a plan, and understand his timing is perfect. It may be hard, but it is a challenge. God can help me, I must trust in him. Please help me Lord?

Risk

To love is to risk not being loved in return, to hope is to risk pain, to try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing

I have no idea who said this quote, and I do not know why they said it. But all I know is that they are true words. Risk is what we take in life, because without it we would never do anything, never go anywhere, never love anyone. Even though they are big risks, we must never stop loving, never stop hoping, and never stop trying. Because the second we stop, we give up. We must never lose hope.

Hope.
something I hold on to when I have nothing else left. Yet, it is so easily lost. That may be because where I get my hope from is so easily broken. I get my hope from myself. But that should not be the case. "Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God." Psalm 42:11. Hope in God, because he will never break. Put your trust in him, because he will always lead you down the right path. So here I am, still holding on to hope, but this hope is different. It is hope in God, that no matter the outcome, I will be ok, because I still have my savior, and he still loves me.

So I sit here, wanting to take risks in life. Risks in loving people, risks in jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Risks in my life, but one risk I am never willing to take is in my salvation. As long as I have my Lord, and as long as I am aiming to please him and worship him, then no matter what I do, I will be ok. I will be better than ok. I will be JOYFUL. filled with Joy, peace, love, gentleness. I will be filled with the spirit of my LORD. whom I love, and who loves me. And that is what matters in life.

I miss you

Three words, they are the ones I am so tired of saying. "I miss you". Saying those words to someone never makes me feel better. In fact, all it does is make me more sad then I already am, because in saying those words I know I am not going to see that person in a very long time. I'm sick of goodbyes, and I'm sick of not being there for the people I care about the most. I just have to love them from a far, and that is one of the hardest things to do. I guess for a very selfish reason. I love being around people, and I love being surrounded by the people I love, and knowing they love me. It is an amazing feeling, one of the best. But for some reason they have all left. and now all I can say to them is "I miss you". I hope they know how much I miss them every second of every day. How much I miss just talking to them at night in the middle of my street. How much I miss just going to coffee and relaxing, knowing I don't have to try to keep the conversation going, because we never run out of things to talk about. I miss just being comfortable around them because I know no matter what, they will love me, and always be there for me. I miss that feeling of just being comfortable. Instead trying so hard. I miss all the crazy times, the laying in bed and comforting me because of certain troubles. I just miss them. and it's not the greatest feeling, but I guess I just have to stay positive. Stay Positive!

AMERICA

I've been on a patriotic kick since the begining of summer. Here's the thing, When you get 5 patriotic people and put them together for 3 months, the end results in 5 extremely patriotic people. And thats what happened. With USA USA USA! chants once day and flags being carried around as an accesory its a little hard to not feel super proud of america! So I just want to say, Im proud to be an American. And I am grateful to Jesus and the Soldiers who gave thier lives, one for my salvation, and the other for my freedom. I love God, and I am a Proud American. I cannot wait until I can join the US Navy. and defend this freedom I have so greatly enjoyed.

From the Inside Out

True, real change starts from the inside and works its way out. This is the way God works. He lives in us, and changes our soul, our mind, then works his way into our outward selves, our actions, words, the way we live our lives. Romans 12:2 says "Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may be able to test and approve of what God's will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Basically if you want to really know what God wants for your life, allow your mind to be transformed by Christ, and you will always be in his will. God always knows what is best for our lives, yet we get so caught up in this world, in the pleasures and likeness of what it brings, that we forget this world sucks. There's war, heart ache, murder, hurricanes, tornadoes, and sin. Who would want to stay here any longer then they have to? We forget constantly that we have something more amazing and wonderful than anything in this world, waiting for us from our Lord in heaven. We need Christ to transform our minds so that we may be able to constantly focus on that which is above. The important things in life, God. The Holy Spirit works on our soul, we just have to let him in. "From the inside out Lord my soul cries out" How do you let Christ transform your mind? Well I'm not too sure about that one, the one thing you could do is pray. Always pray. Pray to love Christ, pray for the Holy Spirit to take control of your life, pray for the transformation of your mind. God looks at the soul, not at how skinny we are, or how pretty, buff, or good we look in certain clothes. Pay attention to the fruits of your labor, are they sour? Or do the represent Christ?

my Liv

Today my bestfriend left for College. I am so proud of her words cannot explain. The bad part of this, she went to Oregon. How I am going to live here in CA without her I do not know. She helped me through so much in my life, We've been through so much together and I know that she is going to do amazing in college. I will miss her, but I know our friendship can last through anything, because it already has. I love her so much. Congrats Liv!!

ch-ch-changes

So I changed my life. Well not completley, but enough for it to feel like a hudge life change. Im not being a rescue swimmer anymore. Its a little difficult I'll admit, especially when I see others leaving to become one, or graduating from swim school. I think "I can definitely do that!" I mainly have to remind myself that God has a bigger plan than what I can see right now. He sees the big picture, I see what I'm going on in the moment. But I know that if I end up doing what Im thinking of doing right now, I'll love it. My plan? I want to fly. How? through being a Navy Mechaninc, then going to Moody Aviation when I get out of the navy. Thats all I have figured out right now, which isnt a lot. But I know God has a plan, and that as long as Im doing everything for his glory then I will love whatever I end up doing. My ultimate goal is to be a missionary and fly.

What am I doing now: Right now Im waiting to go to MEPS again. All of my medical and ASVAB stuff expired, so yes, I have to do it all over again. Fun right? oh yea. Ill be heading up there as soon as they clear everything for my waiver again. Then I pick the job I want, and get a date. Right now Im working in Big Bear. It is the most amazing job I have ever had, with the most amazing people ever. I absolutly love it. Im in the mountains and actually doing something almost all the time, there is not a lot of down time up there, and I love it. God is great and he is doing amazing things in my life right now. I wouldnt have it any other way. I am so blessed that I did not go in the Navy when I wanted to. Or I wouldnt have had this experience that I am having now. The only down side coming up is Liv leaving for college in August. How Im gonna live with out her, I have no idea. She has helped me through so much and I am so greatful to have her as a friend.

Game time. Hooyah!

Even though this isnt the day im leaving for basic training, its still a day I've been waiting for since I decided to pursue this job. Which was almost two years ago. June 2009. This is the try outs for the best team in the world. No big deal. Time to get loud time to represent! even though this is just a "practice" compared to a game, it feels more like try-outs. Yes, Im nervous, but this isnt a feeling Im new to. Just a little pre game jitters. So I sit and do what I always do. Pray. to calm me, and to give me the strength I need to succeed. To surpass expectations. Remember Colossians 3:23, this is all for God. Gloria A Dios. So even though this may not seem like a big deal. its not. Yep thats right, its not. Its just a game, Ive been in this situation a million times, and I live for these moments. So what time is it? Game Time Huh! (you can yell it if you want, I just did.)

One foot in front of the other

One foot infront of the other. Thats all I have to remember. Just keep moving, never quit, never give up. Just keep moving forward. No matter how difficult it is, no matter how much you want to crawl back in bed, Just keep moving forward. Remember Im never alone, even when I think I am, I have to know Im not. God has blessed me more than I could ever have hoped. He has given me an amazing family, and amazing friends who are always there to encourage me the minute I start to fall. Im not just talking about working out or running. Im talking about life. It doesnt stop when you need it to, it keeps going whether you like it or not. There is no pause button just because your tired. Fortunatly God is always there to carry you when your face down on the ground feeling like life just needs to stop. Thats when you pray, Thats when you cry out to God, and thats when he picks you up and says "Keep moving, One foot infront of the other, I am here for you, I LOVE YOU" I am his child. I belong to him. I find myself in him, I am beautiful because I am His creation. Nothing else matters more in this world than bringing Glory to God. Gloria a Dios. Thats what keeps me moving. Thats what keeps me going even when I want more than anything in the world, to stop. To bring glory to God in everything I do. and giving up is not glorifying God, because that means I did not try my hardest. It means that I have not only given up on myself, but I have given up on God. Colossians 3:23 Do everything as if working for the LORD not for men. Men isnt just other people, it is ourselves. We need to stop doing everything for the glory of men, and the glory of our selves, and start working for the Glory of God. GLORIA A DIOS.God is good, He is so good, he is strength when we have none, he is love when we feel alone, he is courage, our hope, our comforter. He is LOVE. God is great, so lets not just sing his praise. Lets shout his praise. And lets Keep moving forward. Because Our LORD is with us every step of the way. with all my love in Christ.

Ready, Set, LOVE

Im am more than ready to start this. God willing I pass, God willing I ever get to take my test. But heres an update to all 2 of my readers. Ive been busy latley. My sister M came home this weekend and we went "shopping" n stuff. I love her and she will always be my best friend, the person I can count on, my sister. I tell her everything that goes on in my life. shes so beautiful and such a sweetheart. Dont get me wrong I love my other sister B just as much , I dont get to see her as often and we may not get along as well, but I still love her, and I still go to her for advice. It would be nice though if she could stop seeing me as the child she tried to raise and as her adult sister. But regardless I still love her and she is still a beautiful person inside and out. I am so blessed to have the sisters I do. I recently got a job at Pine Summit Christian Camp in Big Bear. I start that in May, and although I like my job at Big 5, I am excited to spend the summer somewhere as beautiful as Big Bear. I have been so blessed lately and I am so thankful for every thing God has given me. For a while that was an afterthought in my life. God. I started to not care about him, and I was becoming annoyed with people telling me to trust God, and pray etc. I hated it. I got annoyed when I read bible verses on Facebook. and I am so sorry. I want to love God and Love others. I want to LOVE. when people look at me I want them to see the LOVE of God shining through. i love LOVE. i want to LOVE. its all that matters in life, to love God and to love others. I am trying. I may fail at times, but God never leaves me, and in those few months when i started to leave him, he was always pulling slightly back at me. I went and saw the movie Soul Surfer and that really jolted me back. I realised that God is so loving and important. That he will never leave, and that he never has. He is always right there to catch you as your falling. I am SO thankful that God never gave up on me. and Im working on pride, and worry. So ill leave you with this. Im sure you have heard it a million times, but it really hit home with me the other day. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.. So LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS. until next time.

Day 31

Day 31: (my last day:]) A picture of ME

Day 30

Day 30: A picture of someone you miss. I miss so many people right now. It would be very hard to just choose one. Theres Teresa, and a few other people. but im gonna go with teresa. I miss being in VA with her and others.

Day 29

Day 29: A picture that makes you smile This is my pappa in Paris at the river. It always makes me smile, because he is such a goofball.

Day 28

Day 28: A picture of something your afraid of Honestly, Im scared of losing this friendship. Ive known her for so long and she is my best friend. . Im afraid of losing her.

Day 27

Day 27: A picture of you and a family member. My pappa:)) I love him so much, he is my hero.

Day 26

DAy 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you

My sisters mean so much to me. I love them a lot, they are my best friends, my best enemys, and my comforters. They are always there for me. I love you B and Mey:)