what else, you may ask?

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Most Wonderful Time

[via]
I'd say this pretty much sums it up! And who better to help convey the kick off of this wonderful season than Lauren Conrad? I adore her designs!

Aside from this magical time of year being literally right around the corner (like tomorrow), I just got back from New Mexico and I had quite a bit of time to think. I spent time talking with my parents about the future and plans, and I think I have a few exciting things in store.

I won't reveal too much yet, as I am still praying for God to continue to reveal my path--but I am quite excited!

As I clearly did not get a thanksgiving post up--I wanted to make sure to let y'all know that I am so very grateful for each and everyone one of my readers. I started this sleepy little blog a few months ago and the feedback I have gotten just warms my heart to think about. Comments, emails and texts from you all bring the biggest smile to my face--it truly is remarkable. So thank you, for everything.

Happy Holidays!
Grace

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Cinderella

Cinderella has stood as the representation of "every little girl's dream" for a very long time. Fairy godmothers, glass slippers, and a prince in shining armor had the magical ability to light up a little girl's eyes.

Although many grow up to find that the world is not as magical as those movies portray, there is something to be said for the way those movies make us feel. So here I sit, studying for exams instead of playing with barbies, and I come across this little gem. And let me tell you one thing, it still brought me the same giddy feeling and wide smile it did when I was five.


"I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life may have to offer, have courage and be kind."

"Where there is kindness, there is goodness, and where there is goodness, there is magic."

You are never too old for Disney, no matter what anybody says.

Best wishes,
Grace

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

YHWH

You probably saw the title of this post and thought what in the world or she probably mistyped something. But no, I did not. As you'll see in the quote below, YHWH, are the Hebrew letters for God. How cool is that?

“The letters of the name of God in Hebrew… are infrequently pronounced Yahweh. But in truth they are inutterable….

This word {YHWH} is the sound of breathing.

The holiest name in the world, the Name of Creator, is the sound of your own breathing. That these letters are unpronounceable is no accident. Just as it is no accident that they are also the root letters of the Hebrew verb ‘to be’… God’s name is name of Being itself.”
~Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

This may be my new favorite quote. I printed it off and glued it in my journal and Bible. 

Dampening that subject-- it's finals week here and I'm buried deep in study guides, text books, and lecture notes. Pray for me please!!! 

Also got our first snow day yesterday! Class was canceled and I got to sleep in, how nice is that?!

Best wishes,
Grace

Monday, November 17, 2014

Proverbs III

Proverbs 3
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.[b]
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Man, does Proverbs 3 start off with a bang or what? God immediately recognizes us and tells us to store his commandments. We are once again reminded of just how important the God's words are. When He speaks, we listen.

Proverbs 3 also contains one of the most well known, "John 3:16 like verses," in the Bible: Proverbs 3:5-6. Growing up in Sunday School, songs were one of the most often used tactics fir kids. I learned a song for this very verse, it went a little something like this.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him-- and he will make your path strait, yes he will make your path strait. 
He goes on to tell us to fear the Lord and to turn from evil (v.7). To honor him with our best (v.9). To not reject the Lord's discipline for he corrects those he loves (v.12).

One of my personal favorites in this chapters is 13-15. We are told that wisdom is more precious than rubies. Proverbs is such a book full of wisdom while addressing the subject of wisdom. It is almost magical to read, something I am no doubt drawn to.

The final thing that really sticks out to me is v.26. Something about being told the Lord will be at my side is so reassuring and can fill my hear with joy in the matter of seconds. Just like I've shared before, "If God is for us...who could be against us?" Romans 8:28.

Best wishes,
Grace


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Ted

A few weeks ago in english, my teacher, one of the wisest I have ever had, shared with me a website called Ted. On it are videos, comparable to YouTube. However every video is informational. They are mainly adults speaking on a range of topics. From "Why we need to end the war on drugs" to "The coming crisis in antibiotics," there is something for everyone.

As I thought for a while on which ones I wanted to share with you all, it came down to two (for now).

The first one is a bit longer, but full of somewhat insight. Karen Thompson Walker tells a story about a shipwrecked sailor but ties in her view on What fear can teach us.


The second, is much shorter yet so inspirational. Stacey Kramer shares her story in an interesting way, one that sure might surprise you.



Best wishes,
Grace

***both videos taken from youtube, I clearly do not own either of them.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Proverbs II

Proverbs 2
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
2 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.[a]
18 Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Once again, Proverbs 2 mentions wisdom nearly a dozen times. The section heading is even "Moral Benefits of Wisdom" which really summarizes it up.

I find that verse 2 is a good verse to live by. We must turn our ears and apply our hearts.

Just a few days ago, our pastor was talking about how you can read a proverb each day and find one thing that sticks out to you. Once you find it, you make it your goal to live it out that day. This verse (v2) can be lived out today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of time.

V.6-10 speak about the wisdom from the Lord. It comes from his mouth, he is a shield, he guards and protects the faithful ones.

Once again in v 13, we are told that wisdom will save us from the ways of the wicked. Have you gotten the picture yet? Wisdom is crucial.

The rest of the chapter goes on to tell us the effects of wisdom.

So what is wisdom? Well, the dictionary says this; "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise."

There is a general idea, but what is wisdom in the name of faith and our Lord?

To be quite honest, I am not really sure what spiritual wisdom is or when you really "have" it. I know that many of the people I look up to are wiser than me. Wisdom seems to be a general understanding and love and experience in whatever field we may be speaking of. The older you get, the wiser you become generally because you have experienced so much more.

The greatest thing about all of this? We don't have to know what it is or when it will be bestowed upon us. The Lord promises us all things will come to us in good time. "I will hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection." (this quote is on the cover of my simplified journal by Emily Ley. If you do not know about her and her products, you are missing out.)

Happy Friday my loves!

Best wishes,
Grace


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

A Thick Accent and A Huge Smile

[via]
This morning I walked into a little, local donut shop. This little donut shop is my dad and my little sister’s “place.” You know, like a place you feel like you own? Where you feel comfortable? Where the people know you? Well, this little donut shop is all that to my little sister. 
So Caroline and I walked in, the lady working at the counter immediately recognizing her. They talked for a moment while I decided what to order. 
Now this woman, originally from somewhere in Africa, had a thick accent and a huge smile. As she spoke to Caroline, I realized how full of joy and life she was. Just by the way she moved, spoke, and interacted with us—I felt like I knew her.
While paying, this woman, whom’s name I do not even know, recognized the “love” necklace that hangs around my neck everyday. 
"Oh, love," she told me, "love makes this world go round. Makes good things happen."
I smiled and agreed, thankful for what I thought was the end of our conversation. 
She went on to tell me this; “Before you go, I will tell you ‘Have a great day’ in my language and you can go on and share it with someone else.” After she told me, all I could do was smile. We grabbed our sacks and headed out, not really wanting to leave but not wanting to be late to school. 
So before my day even really started, before the sun was fully up, I started with a smile on my face. 
People like this make the little troubles or problems seem so insignificant. The reminder of the importance of love was just enough to help me have a joyful heart for a little while. 
Finally, I turned to my sister as we walked into school and said, “People like her, people like her make this world a better place.” She nodded in agreement and we both went our separate ways. 
Watch God work. Just watch Him. 
--Grace

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Proverbs I

As I thought about it more and more, I have come to announce that I have made my decision. I am going to do a full study of Proverbs. As much as I would like to say I'll do a chapter a day, that is probably not very practical. So whether it takes 31 days to cover the 31 books or a whole year, this will be something I will finish. [I will organize them all under their own label so they will be easier to find. A full list of labels can be found on the right hand column, underneath the title "Categories."]

Without further ado, here is chapter one.

Proverbs I
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.
Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”  

The first chapter sets the scene. In the "preview" portion of my Bible, it says the general gist of Proverbs are "short sayings that help people make wise choices."

Wisdom is the topic we are studying this year in school and I find this book of the Bible so full of wisdom. Literally. In the first four chapters, the words wisdom or wise appears 19 times. 

So basically, Proverbs are little bits of advice for each and everyone of us. They are written to us so we can go on day to day and live out God's plan. 

V. 7 is one of my favorites, telling us that by living a moral life ("fearing the Lord"), we will begin to find the beginning of knowledge. 

The first chapter also gives us a good picture of how not to act. In v. 24-26, we see that we will be mocked if we refuse to listen, do not pay attention, or disregard advice.

Finally, in the last verse (33), we are reassured that whoever listens will be safe and at ease. 

Just like anything good that comes to us, we must work for it. We are promised so many things in the Bible, things that nobody else can promise us except the Lord. However, we must live a certain way in order for these promises to be fulfilled. 

Best wishes,
Grace






Sunday, November 2, 2014

New Month, New Ideas, New Beginnings

Happy November!

As I have been taking quite a bit of time off from writing, I have spent time reflecting. I feel that it is important not to force myself to write when I do not feel like it simply because the quality is better when I am in the right state of mind.

While I haven't necessarily been here on my blog, I have been looking at other people's. Collecting ideas and inspiration seems to be helping me get back in the swing of things.

Aside from that, I have been really busy with school. These next few years are crucial for me. Not only have my parents set their expectations high for me, I have set them high for myself. I want to do big things--change people's lives and change the parts of the world that I can.

This season, I've been playing on three volleyball teams. It is my first year to play true volleyball and I absolutely love it. My team plays in a small conference in the midwest with really good teams. We had a pretty bad season on the books, but such a fun time. I made new friends and new memories that I am so grateful for. We came a long way and I can not wait to see what we do these next few years.

Many times before, I have talked about my heart being on fire and after this past week, I can full heartedly say that my heart is indeed on fire. This weekend, there was a fundraiser for my aunt (post coming up on that soon) that I was supposed to talk in chapel during school for. While preparing for it, I came across Proverbs in my bible. When I study a book, I always make underline, highlight, and take notes. On top of that, I always write the date I read it. I started doing this randomly, and it just stuck. However, I am so grateful that I started doing it. There is something so cool about coming back and seeing a verse I found moving in 2012. Anyways, this past week I found the first four books of Proverbs. They were just what I needed to hear right when I needed to hear it. Hopefully I will have a post up highlighting the first four books soon. Maybe this holiday season would be a good time to start my first official study, Proverbs being out starting place!

So with my long drabble complete, I just wanted to remind y'all to smile big, laugh heard, and soak up the joy. Remember the wise words of Bernard Baruch, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Best wishes,
Grace