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

Some Words On A Thursday

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If one was to ask me what my single, all time favorite, bible verse is--this may be it. So much power in so few words.

Who says word-full days could only be Wednesdays? Words on a Thursday anyone?

Best wishes,
Grace

God Will Make A Way

While scrolling through my tumblr feed this morning, I came across this little devotion from Spiritual Inspiration that brightened my day. Maybe this will be a wake up call for you like it was for me. 

God knew there would be times when we would be tempted to waver in our confession of hope. Maybe you are believing for something and you’re starting to think, “Is this really for me? Will this really ever happen?” If that’s you today, remember, He who promised is faithful! And His faithfulness doesn’t depend on your ability to figure it all out. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on the plans we can make or the scenarios we can come up with; He’s faithfulness depends on His Word which never changes!

Declare His Word and hold on to your confession of hope today. Be confident that God can make a way when there seems to be no way. Even when your mind may waver, don’t allow your confession to waver. Declare that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Declare that He Who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it. Remember, there is power in your words and power when your words are in agreement with His Word. As you hold on to your confession of hope, you’ll see His faithfulness, and you’ll move forward into victory in every area of your life.

Best wishes,

Grace

Kindness

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Trying to remember this today, even when people seem to just want to irritate me!

Be blessed!

Best wishes,
Grace

Sweaters & Scarves

Man oh man! As the weather gets colder, I cannot help but put together outfits full of jeans, big sweaters, and knit scarves! 

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Not to mention the dinner topic tonight was a New York trip!(!!!!!!!) Not sure I have ever been much more excited. I am indeed already planning out what I am going to wear.

Happy Saturday!

Best wishes,
Grace

Temporary Home

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Good morning!

I do not know about you all, but I woke up to quite a chilly morning. And I have to say, I am loving it!! This is my absolute favorite time of year. As much as I love the summer and all the traveling, I love coming back home and waiting for the time of year for sweatpants and jackets. 

As for today, I am beyond excited for the to be the weekend. The weeks are long and packed with work, as I mentioned before, so I love to come home and not have so much to do. This weekend, I am actually taking a small road trip with one of my best friends to watch some college football!

I love this quote with every part of my being. My biggest goal in life is to glorify God. My prayer is continually to let God use me in some magical way. For my life to be used for something bigger. With that, I pray for just the confidence in the Lord that he may use me for something that I am not comfortable with. Although this has not happened yet, I believe that at some point, I will be pushed because of faith. 

So many Christians talk about the after life. What happens after you die? Many times in the Bible, we are promised an afterlife with the Lord. The whole concept of eternity with out father is presented many times in the Word. 

"And this is what he promised us--eternal life." 1 John 2:25

"...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began..." Titus 1:1-3 

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.."  Psalm 33:17-22

These are just a few of the many words in which the Lord shows us where out home is. We are on this earth to glorify, to work for Him. This not our home, it is simply a passing place. As sad as this sounds, it gives me strength. It gives me hope. For all the bad days I have, all the struggles I face, I am reminded that this is not what life is all about.

With that said, we are not to wish away time. This time, like any other, was given to us for a reason. We are to use it and to do something great with it. The Lord does not squander time, it is a gift and a privilege. It can be taken at any moment.

On the same idea of this world being a temporary place for us, I thought this Carrie Underwood song summed things up pretty well. Although it is not technically a "Contemporary Christian" song, it addresses the topic perfectly.

"Temporary Home"
By: Carrie Underwood

Little boy, six years old
A little too used to being alone
Another new mom and dad
Another school, another house that will never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home

Young mom, on her own
She needs a little help, got nowhere to go
She's looking for a job, looking for a way out
'Cause a halfway house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
"Someday we'll find our place here in this world"

This is our temporary home, it's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is our temporary home

Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers
"Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"
He looks up and says
"I can see God's face"

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This was my temporary home

This is our temporary home


Best wishes,
Grace

I'm Baaaack!

Hello my loves!!

It has been too long!

School is absolutely crazy. I do not get home until 6:30. I eat dinner, do lots of homework, and then try to get as much sleep as I can. As crazy as it sounds, I kind of love having a busy schedule. I always have something to be doing. With that said, the weekends are amazing. I get to sleep in and go to bed early.

This is also my first year playing volleyball, and I absolutely love it. I play on both JV and Varsity, which I am so proud of! I am the youngest girl to actually play on varsity by three years! I am so very grateful for my friends and family who have supported me.

My school has also presented another incredible opportunity. As you all know, photography is one of my biggest passions. Each year, a group of parents puts on an event to support the arts. This year, they are opening the event up to students to donate their art. Anything from photography to paintings to jewelry is accepted. I am beyond excited to hopefully pick a picture or two of mine to frame and donate.

As for my faith, I continually see God in my everyday life. I simply feel so much more confident because I know the Lord is leading me.

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

All is well over here, but how are you all? I have missed blogging so often.

Best wishes,
Grace