Thursday, August 25, 2011

It was my destiny....

From the eyes of an eight year old little girl it was the most awesome and powerful thing I had ever seen. The sparkling blue waves crashing over and over mesmerized me. I briskly walked forward. My feet would dig into the sand just slightly. It was cool so the sand didn't burn, yet it still held warmth. I can still feel the salty waves as they crashed over my feet for the first time. The water was cold but tolerable. My sister and I raced along the shore laughing and splashing as we went while the breeze pushed us along. I was able to taste the salty air. I was surrounded by a salty ocean, flying sea gulls, and the laughter and love of my family. I had fallen irrevocably love with the ocean.



Well it's been thirteen years and I'm more in love with this wonderful display of Gods power and creativity as I ever have been. I just finished vacation and have seen this majestic beauty for the eighth time. (At least I think its only 8...) During my visits to the ocean I have collected many shells, made countless sand castles, swam with wild dolphins, caught several live sand dollars, caught one large conk shell with a crab inside it, and got burned every time.

This doesn't exactly explain how I was destined to love the ocean... only how I fell in love with it. You see when my mother was very pregnant with me, she and my father took a trip to Charleston. There is a picture that she brings out often and shows me as proof that even in the womb I was destined to be a beach baby. It is a beautiful picture of my mother (a little over a month before she gave birth to me) standing in the ocean and smiling the biggest smile she can. Apparently the whole time they were there I had to make my presence known by kicking constantly.

My mother had always wondered after I was born how I would take to the ocean. She tells me I took to water like a fish. I was the first to do everything in my swim class and would beg to go to the pool (as well as get a pool). If there was water you could be sure I wanted to be in it. The time came and my parents brought my sister and I to the ocean. My mom would patiently describe the ocean as my sister and I grilled her with all of our questions. We drove by for the first time and I begged Dad to stop the car so I could go play.

This brings us back to the beginning. As my parents took my sister and I back to the hotel that night all I could talk about was the ocean. I wanted to spend the rest of my vacation there. My mom laughed and told me there were a lot of other things I needed to see, but I was sold: Hook, line, and sinker. I was in love with the ocean.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

South Carolina

Well... time has passed yet again and I am home settled in for the summer. This next week my family and I are traveling to Charleston in South Carolina. I have been there once before, and have kept the memories of that time close to my heart. Sunny summer beaches, sweet magnolia blossom scenting the air, rich country cooking, and thick southern drawls are soon to surround me again. For a second time I will feel at home in that sweet southern air.

Here is just a taste of the sights I will see....

+ White sandy beaches laden with beautiful shells and tall majestic lighthouses.


+ The trees filled with Spanish Moss...


+ History filled plantations and landmarks...


+ The historic downtown of Charleston, South Carolina from a horse drawn carriage ride.

I encourage all of you to take a trip to tradition filled, slow paced, and beautiful South Carolina. :-)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

I hope you Dance...

I was at home listening to some music when 'I Hope You Dance' came on the radio. It's a song I grew up listening to. After the song changed I went on with my life and forgot about it. Now that I'm thinking through things, and am heading toward the end of the semester the words come back to me. They really help me to remember to keep my perspective and to see things as they are. Keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, but my head in the clouds...

'I Hope You Dance'

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Monday, April 25, 2011

I really do enjoy writing...

Something I really enjoy doing is making stories up for things. So.... here is a great way to get your imagination juice flowing:

Step 1. Pick a random object or picture.

Example-

 

Step 2: Ask your self several questions about the picture/item

Example-
*What is this girl doing?
*How is this girl feeling?
*What emotion is this picture depicting?
*What brought this girl to this point in her life?
*Where will she go after this point in her life?

Step 3: WRITE!

This is absolutly one of my favorite past times. My files in Word are FULL of poems, short stories, and descriptions like this. The items are anything from a statue to a picture. I hope this blog has gotten your creative juices flowing. I challange you to go and write about something. Anything.



Sunday, April 10, 2011

Prodical

This video really brought to life the story of the prodigal child. Enjoy and be challenged. <3

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Missions Conference

Ok, so I haven't exactly been faithful in keeping up on blogging I know. I apologize, but I have been getting good grades. :-) Anyway....

Today was the first full day of missions conference. Every year it is the highlight of my year. I honestly feel like I get a spiritual breath of fresh air, and it makes me remember why I am going to school. This year has been no different.

March rolled in like a lion with school homework. I felt like I was drowning in all the different projects, tests, and papers. I frantically worked trying to finish up my assignments. Then missions conference came. As I walked in the doors yesterday I was met by familiar faces. So many people I love and remember from years gone by. Booths set up, rows and rows all ready to go to the mission field and tell people about the Savior. I get to sit under Missionaries preaching, and see what they do. I hear of how they are able to reach different people for Christ.

The theme of the conference is "Enlarge your Heart." I've been told that my heart is already too big. I don't think that your spiritual heart can ever be too big. Mine has plenty of room to grow. Anyways... Please pray for everyone at FBBC to grow during missions conference, as well as for me to soak up as much as possible during this time I'm allowed my "breath of fresh air."

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Attitude is Everything!

From Sophmore year on I was in marching band. Believe me when I say I LIVED for it! I practiced in place I memorized my music, and I perfected my posture. We had to memorize a call and responce. It pumped us up and reminded us that we were ONE unit. The Call and responce went like this:

How are your feet? TOGETHER, Stomachs? IN, Chest? OUT, Shoulders? BACK, Eyes? WITH PRIDE, How are your eyes? WITH PRIDE!!, What is our Motto? ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING, I Didnt Hear You! WHAT'S OUR MOTTO?! ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

At first I wasnt a big fan of the motto. Attitude is something I was taught NOT to have. I shouldnt have attitude with my those in Authority. I slowly began to realize that like most other things, there is a bad attitude and a good attitude. That was the emphasis of the message my band instructor was trying to get across to us. If you had a good attitude, it would be a good rehersal, if you had a bad attitude, you would make it a bad rehersal. Make the choice to have it be a good rehersal.

On days like today this helps me. Now I have the benifit of adding Christ into my picture. I can choose to have a bad day and let this sinful world take its toll on my outlook and attitude, OR I can choose to look at the cross rejoice in everything HE has already done for me and make it a joyus day in the Lord.

My attitude is everything.  :-)