Child-Like Faith

I'm a little girl, I'm just trying to figure out this funny world

Britt Nicole has been one of my favorite singers ever since I heard the song "Safe" and so today I was just flipping through some of her music and I came across this song. It really spoke to me and I think I finally realized why.

Lately, I have been so caught up in being this incredible woman of great faith and one of God's warriors (which is great), but I cannot forget to also have that innocent, pure faith in Jesus. I don't think that any of us should ever forget how it feels to be a young girl in His hands. I hope to never lose that wide-eyed sense of wonder towards a God who will always be bigger than myself. I just want to forever be His little girl.

Good Start...GREAT Start

So yesterday I got my very first 18th Birthday present and it was from my Aunt Paulette, Uncle Steve and cousins who live in Tennessee. Very few presents have rarely made me cry, but this one did. I'll tell you why. So every time I go up to Tennessee and watch my Aunt and Grandmother prepare such unique meals for their family, it it inspires me to start cooking (those of you who know me well probably laughed at that). haha but seriously, I always said how all I need are recipes and I'll be set. So in the mail I got this letter...

You probably can't read it, but it was super sweet and my Aunt had put together an entire recipe box full of our family specialties. Everything from meats, to chilis, to cookies...everything imaginable. She even got me a brownie pan, I'm sure she knew the desserts would be what I'd try to make first. haha But what really got to me was the fact that she added some recipes that were commonly made by my maternal grandmother, Dolly Paragoso...I literally had JUST written a song about her a few days back and it was perfect timing when I received this gift. Even though I never had the privilege of meeting her, I feel like this is such a unique and special way to connect with Dolly and keep a part of her in the family as I grow up and have kids of my own. It was just a wonderful gift and I am so blessed to have been able to start my birthday off like this.

Long Post?...Yes

I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That's what faith can do. It doesn't matter what you've heard. Impossible is not a word, it's just a reason for someone not to try. Everybody's scared to death when they decide to take that step out on the water, but it'll be alright. Life is so much more than what your eyes have seen.

Hey guys! I donated blood today and it was incredible to see all the people that decided to donate as well. They said that each donator can save up to three lives and when is that ever NOT worth it? Everyone tells stories about how terribly large the needle is and how badly it hurts, but that's pretty much the exaggeration of the century. It really is NOT that bad. So if they opportunity comes, please please do it!

Here is how much blood I donated (the bag and four tubes)

This was my donating buddy Michael Gregg. I'm right behind him if you can see. We were racing to see who could fill up their bag first....and I won.

Anyway, now for the fun story. About 30 minutes after I had finished giving blood, I went to break with some of my friends. I was explaining to them how easy giving blood is and how you don't even feel light-headed or sick (as long as you eat and drink). Right as I was telling the story, I just collapsed to the ground and thank the the Lord that Madeline was there to catch me. But I don't remember that. haha. The only part I remember is saying "I don't feel good" and the next thing I remember was I was laying on the ground and Madeline was trying to give me water. Then Rodney had to carry me to the office and the nurses were there with a wheel chair. I was so absolutely embarrassed. However despite this whole ordeal, I would 110% still give blood next time. It is COMPLETELY worth it.

Also, what I thought was really cool about this was that

1.) Jasmine was the one who held my hand while I was giving blood

2.) Madeline was there to catch me

3.) And Keenan came runnin' in to the nurse's office to make sure I was okay

I think it was cool how the three people that mean the most to me were there through the whole process. It was quite symbolic I gotta say. haha

Hallelujah!

HALLELUJAH HE HAS RISEN!!!!

I know this is a bit late, but Happy Easter everyone! So basically this post is going to be about how amazingly amazing my parents are. On Sunday morning I woke up to my mom placing presents on my chair (which is broken therefore making loud noises). And she proceeded to say that she's glad I'm not ten and still believing in the Easter Bunny. haha. So I look at the present and the top one is all pastelly, the second is sparkly silver, and the third one said Happy Birthday. I was thinking the whole time that we just ran out of paper and so my mom had to just pick randomly. Then I realized that it was my Easter, Graduation, and Birthday present all in one. Anyway, my parents got me a MacBook Pro Laptop and I am just so on Cloud 9 right now. I am so undeservedly blessed to have the parents that I do. I love them both so much!

*Oh and of course the first thing I do is take pictures with Keenan on Photo Booth*

Who I Am

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling and You told me who I am...I am Yours

It seems as if "college" has been quite the hot topic lately, so I figured I am just gonna keep the ball rollin'. A lot of people are having trouble answering questions like what am i gonna major in?...or....what should my first impression be to my roommates?....or....who am i gonna be?

Now, those are GREAT questions that I do not know the answer to. What I do know is that it doesn't matter who you are. That statement wasn't suppose to point out your insignificance, I promise. What I mean by this is...

It's not WHO I am....it's WHOSE I am.

Does that make sense? After the revolve tour I finally realized that my every plan, every career, every step, and every breath is in the hands of someone else. God knows WHO you are and as soon as you completely surrender yourself to being the person He created you to be....true peace is gonna come flying your way. He is just WAITING for you to walk with Him.

MORE!

All this stressin keeps me busy oh but thankfully I'm finally revolving. I'm finally revolving. I'm just a little bitty speck in this big 'ol world. I need a weekend with all my girls.

Haha she wrote this song for the Revolve Tour and played it while we were there. It was pretty awesome and I absolutely love her. I learned so much while I was on the tour that I literally just can't think about anything else lately. The thing that I really liked about the whole set up was that it was continuously entertaining and there were absolutely ZERO dull moments. As in, there weren't speakers who just dragged on and on or bands who played TOO many songs, it was absolutely perfect. By doing this, every single person that was on stage spoke of such profound things and it is taking me a while to recover from such a revolutionary experience. ya know bro?

Doyers!

So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose? You're insecurites try to hold to you. You know you're made for more. So don't be afraid to move. Your faith is all it takes and you can walk on the water too.

Yesterday after the wonderful Revolve Tour I got to take a family roadtrip to my brother's baseball game. he was playing at Dodger stadium and even though it is probably the most asthetically unpleasing thing I have every seen in my life, it was such an awesome game. My brother got the whole family passes to go on the field and watch batting practice and it was AWESOMEEEEE!!! He even got to start that day and ended up hitting a homerun. Everytime I'm watching my brother play all I can think is that there is no other place that I'd rather be. I feel so blessed to have all these experiences that most people don't even have the opportunity to have and I definitely do not take it for granted. I'm truly blessed.

Revolve Tour

Hey guys: So this weekend I went here and this band was there...


and so was this awesome singer...



and I found my new favorite inspirational singer ever..



and I was completely blown away by every single speaker, every skit, every single moment during that whole tour. It was such an awesome experience and I am SO INCREDIBLY blessed to have been able to be a part of something so incredible. Praise God!!

Back On Track

All rhymers with alzheimers line up please. All mommies with mind freeze please line up please. All bloggers with comments, please I come in peace. They think I'm out of shape so I have to jog their memory ~ Reminder

My days lately have been so packed and so constant that the only thing weighing heavily on my mind is when I'm gonna have time to sleep. The weird thing is that I am packed with such GREAT and FUN and AWESOME events. And I want to say so much that I am just livin' it up, but sometimes it just gets the best of you, ya know?

So Madeline and I have been talking so much lately about how God tests you so often and we seem to just continuously fail them all. And we know that He won't give us more than we can handle. He has seen us when we are on fire for Him and the days when we are, it is almost like I can take on the world. I just need to remember that when earthly things get the best of me, it is almost like a nudge from God saying I'm drifting a little bit. So, I think it is time for me to get back on track again.

Oh and I went to Urban Exchange today off of Jefferson by Bob's Big Boys. And you can trade in your clothes for cash. It's like a notch up from a garage sale and I'm just lovin' it.

Piggies & Cows

I would like to reach out my hand. I may see you, I may tell you to run. You know what they say about the young. ~ Rusted Root So in English we are doing speeches on controversial issues and each person has to pick a side. One guy in my class did his on Vegetarianism. He is definitely for it even though he as only been a vegetarian for one month. After hearing about all the different kinds you could be, my friend and I decided to go on the "No Piggy and Cow Diet." We named it ourselves. I have no how long this will actually last, but it shouldn't be THAT hard since I probably eat red meat once a week. Just thought I would update you on my eating habits. hahaha

Oh, Titles

It's time for me to go on a rant. yay! Okay so this whole college thing is seriously manipulating the way that people weigh their options to ultimately make a decision. Basically what I am getting to here is that people are drowning in the idea of the "big name" school. Pride of where you go to school does not root in titles and campus history. It's what you make of it and what you do with your life...that's where you find your pride. I would get no satisfaction from making the shallow decision to go to a school that falls short to meet my hunger for love and thirst for life. Of course my education is the most important, but it is pointless with it lacks the fulfillment of every other aspect of life....seriously, what's the point? I know that me and the people close to me are OVERJOYED with the decisions that we have made to go to college. And I am praying for the people that think a titled college is going to help them lead a satisfied lifestyle. Do what is best for youuuu and become the person you were created to be, nothing else.

All For You My Daisysu

Sunlight, sunshine, all for you my Daisy - The Maine

Hey guys! Today, over some nachos, in this hotel, in this city, I decided that I will be going to California State San Marcos for college. Last night I had about a two hour tear fest with my mom about my future and what I want out of it. She helped me see the bigger picture and was just the greatest supporter and I am so blessed that I got to talk it all out with her. Ten, today I finally made my decision and I couldnt be more happy. I am officially a San Marcos Cougar!!! While I was reading my book today, the song Daisy by The Maine played at the exact same time as I read this line:

the future lay out of me like a daisy chain of days

This may not mean a lot to you guys, but of course I delight in these little coincidences and it meant more to me than I have time and space to describe. I love you all!