Happy!

MY MOM IS COMING IN 25 DAYS!!!!! 

I'm just a little excited! Oh the fun we will have! 

Dependence on God

       Last week I started taking a Proverbs31 Online Bible Study. It's on a book called 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit. So far I'm failing because I haven't been keeping up with it. This is an area I struggle with so much. I get myself all pumped about a new Bible study or devotional book and then I get so busy that by the time I get home I'm drained and sit on the couch and veg, ignoring what I should be doing. Just by the title of this study I know I need it...badly. So tonight I've been looking over the blog posts from this first week of the study. This quote really stood out to me. And it reminds me that I really do need to read the chapters in the book because I think I'll really benefit from them.
       I'm thankful that in my life the desperate situations have caused me to turn to God.  I haven't had a lot of huge desperate situations, but I've had a fair share of small ones. I'm not sure if I'm making sense. I feel like you can have a desperate situation that isn't life altering, but still causes you to feel desperate and need help. Something that you realize you can't do on your own, sometimes it makes you panic, you feel hopeless, and so confused about what is going on.
       The problem I have in one desperate situation in particular is that I'll struggle and struggle with it for a period of time, I'll seek the Lord and feel comforted, get my focus on Him and soon after I'll forget about it. And then a few months later it will pop up again. I'll depend on God so much during that time and then I'll go back to doing it my way, depending on myself or flat out ignoring the problem I have.
      Clearly that does not work well.
       I wish ignoring it would make it go away. Life would be so much better. I know, I know, but then I wouldn't be depending on God. Which is what He wants me to do.
       So, the only solution I can come up with is to depend on God. I need to be in His Word continually. I need to be praying regularly about this issue that keeps coming up. I need accountability to get through this. Someone to check to see how I'm doing so that I don't just ignore the issue and hope it doesn't come up again.
       The chorus to one of my favorite worship songs comes to mind. "Lord, I need You. Oh, I need You. Every hour I need You." It's true I really can't make it through this crazy life on my own.

Reading Challenge Update #3

Can it be? Have I really read 8 books so far in 2016?

This week I've been trying to make a point to turn off the tv and read more. It's amazing how you can get sucked into a story and feel like you are there with the characters. Last night I only got a few hours of sleep because I couldn't put Unspoken down. At the moment I'm regretting that as I've practically falling asleep sitting at my desk. 

Anyway, here are books 7 and 8! 

 #7 The Siege of Macindaw, by Jon Flanagan - I've really enjoyed reading the Ranger's Apprentice series. Good adventure books and I really like the characters you follow throughout the series.  Not sure how many books there are, but I'm sure I'll pick up book 7 soon. 

 #8 Unspoken, by Dee Henderson - The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson is one of my series to read. I'm ready to read them for a second time. This book connects to those a little, but it does not compare. It was a pretty long book and I almost gave up on it multiple times, but I made myself keep reading. About halfway through I was hooked. It took me about 200 pages to really get hooked on the book. I can't believe I made it that far! Once I got to the halfway point I didn't want to put it down. She does such a good job at writing about suspense, but there was way too much leading up to it in this book. After looking at goodreads reviews I can see I'm not the only one to feel this way. Bummer. 

Dreaming Big

       The other day I was randomly looking at my 40x40 list. Every once in a while I look at it and cross off things that I've finished. It was nice to cross off the cookbook I've been working on of my Grandma's recipes. But as I was scrolling through the list I realized how much I have left to do. It's true I have just over 7 years to finish it, but 40 things is a lot! I've only crossed off 16 things. That means I need to do 3.4 things on my list over the next 7 years. So, all that to say, it's time I start figuring out how I'm going to finish up this list. 

       This week I've decided to plan a big trip! My goal is to go on a trip to Europe next summer. I don't know who I'm going with or exactly where I'm going but I'm going to do it. 

       Really I was inspired by my sister. She said they were saving up for a trip and I started asking myself what am I waiting for? I love traveling and never do because I don't have the money. Well, it's time to start saving. And I have a goal in mind and I'm feeling determined! It definitely makes me think twice before I spend money.  

My Dad

 I love that my dad loves leading worship. His joy in music has really made a huge impact on my life. He was the music pastor at my church when I was little, but I don't remember that a whole lot. I do remember him always being involved in the music at my church. He would fill in here and there and play guitar with the worship team. But over the last 5(ish) years it has been so fun to see my dad lead worship in his church. He stepped into the role and I feel that he is doing such a wonderful job. It's true that I'm not living in the same state, but the times I've visited over the last few years I've really loved seeing his commitment to leading others in worship to the Lord. His passion for music and praising the Lord really encourages me in my worship and love for music. I'm so thankful for the godly example of my father. 

Spring Break with Family

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! 

Seriously, my spring break was so fantastic! The best one I can remember. 

I wouldn't trade the time with my family for anything. It's true I spent some time with friends and loved it, but the time with my family was the most precious. 

Anyone who says they have the best family ever is wrong. I have the best family! We are not perfect at all. We have moments of frustration and getting on each other's nerves, but we love each other. Some days are harder to live far away from them, but the distance definitely made the week home extra special. There was laughter, singing, tickling, lunches, kite flying, egg dying, crafting, laughing, Jerry Lewis movies, did I mention laughing? It was such a great time! 

Just trust

Being real with you, this afternoon/evening was a struggle for me. 

Lots of anxiety and over-thinking going on. So here I am vegging on my couch watching DWTS and surfing the net. (Do people still say that? Am I old?) 

I've calmed down some, but still have a certain situation on my mind and I came across this on Lysa Terkurst's Facebook page. 

Sometimes God has to lean in close to my heart full of questions and gently whisper, “You don’t have to have all of the answers, Lysa. You just need to trust.”
Maybe your heart needs that reminder tonight too.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Thankful for people willing to be used by God to encourage others and direct them to Him. I needed it tonight.  And thankful that God knows me and knows my heart. He provides what I need to hear when I need to hear it. 

Spring Break with Friends

Last week I was home in CA on my spring break. It was such a wonderful week! I was desperately in need of relaxing and visiting with friends and family. And I returned feeling so renewed and rejuvenated to finish up the school year. 

I'm reminded over and over again how much God has blessed me with good friends. No matter where I have lived God has given me great friends who I can laugh with (lots of laughing), relax with, and grow in my walk with Christ with. It was so wonderful to visit with these dear friends last week. I'm already thinking about my next visit and all the fun we will have! 

Whole30 - Take 2!

It's amazing how you really crave a certain kind of food when you can't eat it.

Like when you are fasting in the morning so you can get blood drawn.
Breakfast is usually a meal you skip, but because you can't have it you want it! I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one like this. Come on, let's see a show of hands.

Glad I don't really look like the Hulk! 

Well, today I'm starting the Whole30 again. I liked the result so much the last time that I'm going for it again. But do you know how much I WANT sugar right now? I'm usually not a huge sugar person, but today I want it so badly. I'm imagining the Hulk ripping through town in that Pepsi or Coke (can't remember which one) commercial. That's kinda how I'm feeling about sugar at the moment.

Look out people!