Surrender.

My heart sinking, my mind confused. Tears falling, and again I ask why. Is it always me? I don't understand. I drown in self-pity, feeling sorry once again. I take a deep breath and think. Lord, You are the only One to lean on. I feel comforted, knowing my future is in the hands of the God in heaven.

Why do I worry? Why do I fret? I am not in control. Who knows me best? Only the One who created me. Why do I do the things I do. It doesn't make sense. When will I give up control and give it to the All Knowing? It's time to surrender. Surrender everything. Give Him control. He knows what is best, He knows where my future lands. May peace fill my mind, comfort fill my soul. God, without you I am nothing but a wreck. Lead me.

I'll fall if You catch me. I'll close my eyes if You lead me. I'll walk if You give me a path. I'll talk if You listen. I'll listen if You speak. I'll empty my heart if You fill it. Let it overflow. I open my heart to you, I welcome you in... Let your love pour out.

Encourage :)

So I have a new job... today was day 5. I'm a waitress, for most of the time, and I promised myself after my job at Denny's I would never waitress again. Yeah, bad experience there. Anyways, I really enjoy my job. Well, I do when I have nice people to serve. I really enjoy it when people sit at the bar, because I get to talk to them and get to know them. This elderly couple came in a few nights ago, and they made a huge impression on me. They are from So Cal, married for 50 years now, and have been on over 20 cruises. Just came back from a 6 week cruise from Australia... no fair!! They love Jesus, and are the most encouraging people I've talked to in quite a while. They said that when they meet someone that they really connect with, they really like to keep in touch. They said I'm welcome to come stay with them in Orange County any time I want! Who does that, really. So cool. The man was telling me everything they learned about me in that short amount of time... I almost cried it was so sweet and encouraging. Just what I needed. At the end, after we took pictures together, hah, they were saying how things like this don't happen on accident. They can't just go to a random city, to a random restaurant, meet a person they completely connect with on accident. It just doesn't work like that... It's God. God puts people in your life for a reason, He has a purpose for it. It's not a coincidence, it's not a lucky occurrence, It's God. Thank Him for how He blesses you. Keep your eyes open for who God brings to you... They might just change your life :)

And if you think about it, be that encourager everyone needs. No one may know they need it, but a little bit of encouragement goes farther than you know. Take Larry and Jane for example, their simple words encouraged me more than they know :)

Fun Facts!

For those of you who don't know me well, here are some fun facts about me that I'm sure you didn't know...
PMS is the absolute worst.
I think boys have PMS too.
I also think boys are dumb, sorry boys. dont take it personal. or you can, your choice.
I get irritable a lot, and when I do, shut your mouth and don't talk to me.
I clean when I'm bored, once I start, I can't stop.
I have the tendency to pass out... I passed out when I got my ears pierced, read a super graphic scene in a book about abnormal things appening to a body... yep passed out and puked over that scene. Saw a girl cutting herself on TV and started getting light headed, felt nauseated. Had to leave the room. Got my blood drawn, almost blacked out... yeah, I think something is wrong with me.
I enjoy baths, bubble baths especially.
People say I look like Miley Cyrus, please tell me I don't.
I run when I'm mad.
Recently I've realized I can't write an essay, it takes me literally foreverrrr.
I worked at Denny's as a hostess. I am now scarred for life and am afraid to try being a waitress. yeah, bad experiences.
I loooove camping, except the smell of campfire takes forever to get out of my hair.
I want to work at a camp with kids... I will someday.
I think I am going to be superrrr wrinkly when I'm old. I need to start taking care of my skin and wear sunscreen.
I hate when the sheet on my bed is loose and gets all wrinkly when I sleep.
I cut my fingernails today, I missed one... gross.
History is my least favorite subject.
I put lotion on my feet every night, I hate the feeling of dry feet. It's gross.
I want to go to the beach, or even better, live at the beach.
I love country music. And for those of you who don't, I feel bad for you.
I love Jesus, but I feel like you know that already.
I've lived next to my best friend for 18 years.
I can text with my eyes closed... haha
I think boys should ask girls on a date. not to "hang out" but on a date. use the word DATE. They would melt if you asked them on one.
My stomach currently hurts. so does my head.
I have folded too many graphic tees in my life already. dang aeropostale.
I'm directionally challenged.
I love the store love culture, I think it's my favorite.
I think I'm done writing about myself, You're probably bored... or got so bored you didn't even make it to this point... I don't know why I decided to write all this. There's no point to this. :)

Distracted.

Lately, I haven't written anything. That could be because I've been so pre-occupied. Homework, friends, family, cleaning, thinking about my future, work, shopping, best friend coming home... yeah, that all takes up my time. But that's not the only reason I haven't been writing. I need inspiration. I need something to write about. All the other days I wrote something, I felt like all that stuff was on my mind and couldn't wait to get it out. I've got nothin. And once again, that could be because I've been so pre-occupied with stuff that I haven't been able to see my inspiration. I feel like this happens a lot to us. See, now I'm getting some inspiration... here we go. :)
All these things get in our way of what we really need to see. All those things got in my way of seeing my inspiration, and I didn't realize it all week until now. This is just like what happens when people fall away from God. We get so distracted, so busy with life that we don't take the time to open up our eyes, take a minute and realize what we've been distracted from. It's not till we hit a wall, then finally realize what we've been missing. You see what I'm saying? It happens to all of us. And for the people that don't know God, they haven't ever taken the time to get to know Him... Once again, distracted by what the world has to offer.
So people. I'm telling you, take the time to clear your mind, take a break, open your eyes, and see what's right in front of you. Think about what matters in this world. Think about what you've been missing while you've been focused on whatever you do during your day. Think about what's going to last in this life. Homework? no. A clean house? not even for a day. Material items? Nope, they all go out of style, or the next best thing comes out the next week. Put all those aside, just for an hour or two. Take a break and ask an old friend to go to coffee with you, catch up. See where they are at in life. Don't worry, homework can wait an hour, I promise.
Your Family, Friends, People that will support you, bring you up instead of breaking you down. Now those are some things to focus on. Those relationships matter, they last. One other thing you might want to consider... a relationship with God. That is something worth putting time into. That relationship will last... for eternity.

It's like finding a dollar in your pocket :)

hello everyonee. I found this document on my computer today that I wrote a while ago. I forgot about it until I found it today! I think when I was making this document, I took all my notes that I've taken at church and summer camp and stuff and typed some of them out. I think that's where they are from. I thought I'd share some... also, I'm listening to 101.9 right now (yes, country) and this song came on. It's called There is a God. Take a look :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s9l5EvHeQs

anyways, back to the quotes and that good stuff...
-You were created on purpose, right now, not any other time. He has a will for our life. We were made to worship Jesus Christ. Made for God, not any other God, person or thing.
- Take everything and lay it on the cross
- God loves us to death. Literally.
- God has you on this earth for a purpose. If you weren't supposed to be here, you wouldn't be. - God doesn't make accidents.
- God's will: to know him better and have a never ending encounter with you.
- God makes our heart his home.
- Spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.
- Sometimes we go oo fast and we just need someone to slow us down.
- He saved you once, He'll save you again, all you have to do is ask.
- We know God by encountering him at the crossroads of our life.
- Apart from You, we are nothing.
- His desire is to become your desire.
- Not from church... "You know when you are in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - Dr. Seuss :)
- Let me love you.
- Do your best, try your hardest.
- Let God bring someone into your life; Don't go searching.
- The obstacles get bigger, we need to put on God's armor.
-"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the workd of the LORD stands forever" -1 Peter 1:24-25
-"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7
-"God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him" -1 John 4:16
- "Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love oesn not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails."- 1 Corinthians 12:4-8
- "for we all stand before God's judgement seat... therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another." - Romans 14:10+13
-"Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self." -Matthew 16:25

Photography :)

So I realized today how much I missed photography. Last year I was gettin into it and loving it, then I ended my rop class and I kinda just stopped taking pictures. depressing. Today, my best frienn and I went and took some pictures in Placerville on the bike trail... So much fun. The lighting was wonderful, we brought along a few props and accessories... perfect day. I need some refreshing on using a camera well, but the pictures turned out awesome! We came home and edited them, once again, so fun. I just want to keep editing pictures! What I love about photography is being able to create something so beautiful and meaningful. Every single picture turns out different, all one of a kind. No right or wrong way to do it, It's your own creation. love it. :)These are some of what we took today! Meet Jordan :)

Best Friend.

What is a best friend? I'll tell ya... A best friend is someone who is always there for you, no matter how far away they are. They make being bored at home, not so boring. They are always down to have a complete girls night, make fatty food to make us feel better when boys are bringin us down. Best friends make up songs together... such as songs like "friendship warms the heart." And maybe add some flutofone in there. Yeah, I think I've heard that song before... ;) They make up stupid inventions like the "sock machine" and put wood over a plastic toy box with wheels and say "If we paint it, we could be famous!" They make up things like "FMP." Basically, they have a great imgaination together. They always talk about the guy they are going to marry, well, not the guy, but exactly what he is going to be like. They dress up in sheets, and have a fashion show. Worked out really well. hah. They try to sit in chairs together, someone always ends up crying because they are getting squished. Yep, that was me. They always talk about how fat they are getting and how depressed they are. Then they go out and eat ice cream because they just don't care... untill they are done eating then it starts all over again. A best friend is all that and more.
Best friend. You are the best. Now come home, I miss you. :)

To Him :)

Dear You,
I just want to thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. Thank You for being my love, my everything.Thank you for always listening, comforting, always being there when I need you. Thank you for loving me, unconditionally, and showing it. Thank you for calling me beautiful, captivating, and lovely. Thank you for filling my heart with yours. Thank you for breaking my heart for what breaks yours. Thank you for being my life, I wouldn't be the same without you. Thank You Jesus for everything and more :)
Love,
Me :)


Here's a youtube video, loved it. My auntie showed it to me... I find it very fitting :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-vjd6LJFi0

My oh-so-exciting day.

So, tonight I'm in a good mood. I don't know why, but I am. I also just feel like writing. I don't know what about, but I will about something! This one might be a bit scattered, no specific theme to this one. I think I'll talk about my day today... I haven't done that yet, so I'll give it a try! Woke up feeling way too sore... I didn't even think I would be able to get out of bed. I wanted to crawl everywhere I went, but that's just crazy talk. For all of you who don't know, my favorite part of the morning is doin my make up... weird? Probably, but I enjoy it. I went to class, once again annoyed by dumb drivers. I think the entire world is getting progressively worse at driving... Went to history... least favorite subject everrr. But I've got a good group of friends, so I survive. Came home, enjoyed a vanilla yogurt power bar. They are fantastic, try one. I think I'm going to be obsessed with them. Next class up the hill... boring as ever. Spent most of the class watching this girl fall asleep like ever 5 seconds. She was falling asleep in the middle of turning the page, how do you do that? I was amused, and I think I was laughing too... haha. Yeah, if I'm amused by that, you can see how boring that class is. Went to the gym... ran lotsss. I'm amazed I even got my legs to move from being so sore. Anywaysss... met up with bess frienn at jamba and got oatmeal for a dollar! Every Wednesday, you know where to find me :) I wonder if this is super boring... I apologize if it is. ha. continuing on. Came home, showered, read Captivating, the best book ever that I think everyone needs to read. Cooked a nutritious dinner and began the homework. Read, read some more, filled out a worksheet, read some more... you get it. I read a lot. Then study sesh at the church. Wasn't much of a study sesh, we pretty much just hung out and talked about why guys think it's hot when two girls make out. I just don't get that. I think it's grosssss. I came home with a headache, and still have one. I need to drink water, but I don't feel like it. I'll just suffer. P.s. Country music is the best.
Oh and I thought I'd share this. Romans 12: 9-21. It's my all time favorite... probably because it's about lovinn on peopleee :)
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be patient in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with those in low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge on people, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Goodnight world :)

Oh the Joys of Driving.

What is one of the things we do most of? Driving. These days we are always in our car. So I ask each and every one of you, learn how to drive before you get on the road. I for one, get very irritated when people don't know how to drive and disrupt my driving experience. It just ruins my mood, makes me mad, which may irritate other people... its just a terrible chain reaction and soon the whole world is pissed because of one bad driver. So people, there is a slow lane for a reason. If you are going as slow as, or slower than the person in the slow lane, you belong over there. Don't you dare pull in front of me and slow me down in attempt to pass the person in front of you. Or simply wait until I pass you, then you can slowly try to accelerate and than the other car.
Tailgating. Get off my butt. I don't want to be able to see your face in my rear view mirror. I should't be able to tell what color your eyes are. It's not going to help driving closer to my car. I'll just slow down more so we both are mad... fair warning. And you should'nt want to be driving faster than I do... That is just too fast. I could be saving you from a ticket. But if you so desire, I'll eventually be curteous and pull over and hopefully pass you while you're pulled over on the side of the road recieveing a speeding ticket.
Merging. People need to learn how to merge... correctly. If I am pulling onto the freeway, you could be curteous and pull into the empty lane next to you so I don't have to try and dodge your car. And please, don't decide to speed up and pass me when I am at the point where the 2 lanes merge. Don't you realize that that pushes me off the road, causes me to slam on my breaks and mess up the person now behind me? All because of your selfish move... way to go.
Talking on the phone. I am a girl... so I already know I'm not the best driver in the world because of my gender. Yes, I am stereotyping this, I am sexist in this matter. And I can do that because I am one. (Men, don't say women can't drive, it just makes us mad and super defensive). But we are easily distracted, It's in our nature... so anything disrupts our already not-so-good driving. SO GET OFF THE PHONE. Don't even try to chew gum and drive. Girls, don't take this offensively, just laugh at it... but seriously take it into consideration ;)

Romance

Romance. A love affair. One of the things us girls treasure most. Our hearts melt when we feel romanced. Ever woman longs to feel this. Thanks to the book Captivating, I've realized that God is the ultimate romancer. No guy can compete when it comes to romance (or compete with God in anything for that matter). God knows exactly what melts each of our hearts. I think for most of us, it's nature that get's us to stop and stare for a minute; in awe of God's amazing works. I feel so alive when I'm surrounded by nature. All kinds, the snow in the mountains, sitting on the beach staring at the monsterous, powerful waves crashing, waterfalls trickling down a mountainside, still, glass-like lakes, enormous redwoods, trails in the backwoods, the open fields with beautiful horses grazing, the black midnight sky with trillions of dimonds twinkling... all of it. I enjoy every minute of it. For me, that is romance.
This is how I like to think of nature:
We see colorful sunsets, that's God's way of showing you how beautiful you are, you stare into the sky in awe, He stares at you in awe. The Stars in the sky, there's one for each time he has thought about you. Yes, You. The God of the universe has thought of you THAT many times. Now tell me that's not romance! The Waves in the ocean, shows us the power and the strength our God has. Proves he is the greatest protector of all time. The open fields, I like to think of them as his hands open wide, inviting you in, comforting you when you need it. All the mountains in the world- he would climb over each and every one for you. And most of our favorites, sunshine. God's love in rays, warming your skin and heart with it's touch. God show's his love for us in so many ways, to me, that is romance.
Next time you see something that touches your heart, say thank you to God for creating that moment for you. He created it specifically for you. Thank Him for being the ultimate romancer. Not sure if you've been romanced? Ask him to romance you. Ask him to show you his intimate love for you. And I promise you, He will reveal it to you. Just keep your eyes open, ready to be in awe.

Rescue Me

You are the source of life, I can't be left behind. No one else will do, I will take hold of you. I need you Jesus to come to my rescue. Where else can I go. There's no other name, by which I am saved. Capture me with grace, I will follow you. This world has nothing for me, I will follow you.

The cry of my heart. Only You Lord can save me, only You can heal me, only You can comfort me. Lord, rescue me from this world. I want you and you only. Where are you. Save me. I'm here, kneeling at your throne, show me your grace, show me your love. Lift me from the depths, save me. No one esle can save me, no one else will do, I NEED YOU.
'

Hello world of blogging

Dear You,
I never thought I would actually make a blog. I always said that I don't write. For some reason, I had a strong urge to do it. I think that it's just because I have just had so much going on, so many thoughts in my head, I need somewhere to put them all. I don't really care if anyone reads them or not, but this is for myself. Everything I say is from my heart, I may have some times I'm just venting... You will know when I am frusterated. Should be interesting... We will see how this goes...
Sincerely,
Sarah