beginning of the end

hit up San Diego with an awesome group of people that I'm honored to call 'family'.. I've been @ Oaks Christian for 7 years and I cant believe it is coming to an end, but what a great trip to end the year :) I'm so blessed for people, really.

BUT HEY--> there is still PROM & GRADUATION.

maybe this will be me? --> 

it WAS his...whups.

silly story. probably a joke, how embarrassing.

looking up ^

random epiphanies  are my favorite

actually, i think I just enjoy saying the word 'epiphany' rather that what the ephipany really is.

OK ANYWAYS. I walked into Starbucks the other day, slightly distracted by the new oversize cups of coffee they sell and the guy that looked like Kobe Bryant, and as I continued walking I looked up. Wow, I know, big whup, but i recognized what the ceiling looked like. I go to this Starbucks every week and I was honestly shocked by what the whole half of the room above my eye level had appeared. it looked kinda like this  -->

  <-- ok, maybe it looked like this

but long story short it made me realize how constant our eye are focused on whats ahead, rather than whats up. I am constantly worried about what the plan is for our life, looking ahead, but do we ever just stop and look up; therefore, recognizing the beauty above and the greatness that comes out of it?

challenge: look up when you go to starbucks...

ok but actually, recognize Jesus day by day, admire him, look up, he's greater than we think he is.

DANG. my friends are beautiful.

DONT YOU LOVE it when you get to use your friends computer... then you raid their iphoto... then you find some precious gems?

here.YOU.go.

silly.

you can have GUATEVER you like. [guatemala.2011]

SO... I just recently got back from a missions trip to Guatemala.. So pumped in the beginning, I was ready for fun fun fun; however, it took getting there to realize that that was not the purpose of the trip.. Recognizing that 'fun' was destined to happen was one thing, but my heart and intention of being there was completely changed once I arrived.

Working @ a health care site was my job for the week. Seeking to serve the people of 'Magdelena' and 'El Gorrion', children who were ill, arrived one after another at a health clinic. Working 2 days at the clinic, one day at an old folks home (the word 'folks' is hilarious), and one day at an elementary school was incredible.

Journaling one day, I realized something that has never come to my attention so much in my entire life... the sense of being ENOUGH.. what is really enough for us? along with this concept, comes satisfaction. Looking around me one day I saw dirt, shacks, and dying dogs... unsure of how that could bring joy to anyone I got so sad thinking that people live in this area every single day. Sick families, lack of food, and overpopulated houses were the epitome of these two cities.. yet a joy from every person I met was unbelievable.... Made me reflect, on the fact that I am never satisfied, America is never satisfied.. we need new shoes, we need this we need that, when do we stop?... Not trying to pull the cliche "these people have nothing, but yet they have so much joy in the lord".. but in reality these people of Guatemala are completely satisfied with their situation. When is God enough? in these peoples lives, it was.

Thats just a glimpse of my experience, but I was overall beyond blessed...

a-b-l-e.

I have recently been looking at Ephesians 3, and what has caught my eye every time is verse 20, "Now all glory to the God who is able"... this sense of being able, another way of recognizing God as powerful is something that has changed my view on situations where I doubt. Not only did I find myself doubting God, but also myself. Doubting the fact that I trust in a God who is more powerful beyond what I can bear, is something that should FILL me. Think about it, ALL GLORY TO THE GOD WHO IS ABLE... recently facing death in my life, and trials that I had never imagined myself facing, I have been banking on the fact that the God I worship is able to control, able to protect, and able to love me despite trials. heres the rest of the scripture...


"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Dance Onederful

So, this year I decided to be THAT girl who took a dance class a oaks... it was the best decision I've made...

some call it 'beginning dance' or 'dance one'... in my case, I call it dance ONEDERFUL.

mandi,me,brittani,casey,lauren,jordan, carly

barbies**

j,h,m.. & our pretty friend mccartney.

murrr- love her--buddies since 3rd grade.