{.goodbye 2011, hello new beginning!}

So 2011 has finally reached its end. Can you believe it?! Now let me tell you from the start...I don't have one of those exciting play by plays to share with you to sum up my year. This year was probably the weirdest, craziest year I've had so far...and by far it taught me the most! I definitely had lots of new experiences. I spent the first eight months of the year working as a nanny for the first time. Instead of waking up and going to classes like I was used to, I got up early every morning and took care of three adorable little girls. That job wasn't always easy, but it taught me a lot and was very rewarding in the end.

Sitting out a semester of college brought a lot of challenges, but also new opportunities. It opened my eyes to things I wouldn't have been able to see otherwise. Something else good that came out of staying at home was that I was able to earn enough money to go on a two week missions trip to New York City. I helped teach a two week summer school program for a group of beyond precious kids. That trip happened right during a challenging time in my life and going on it was exactly what I needed. It helped me take my focus off myself and instead use my energy to love those kids, show them how much God loves them, and give them all I could in my time there. I was also able to grow closer to my good friend Lydia and meet a lot of new friends there! New York brought many fun new experiences, including seeing the 4th of July fireworks in Manhattan, seeing Wicked on Broadway, hanging out in Manhattan with new friends, and so much more!

A few days after I got home from New York, I started thinking about school again. I was planning on transferring to a school closer to home, but after New York I felt I should return to the same Christian school I had been going to. This decision wasn't easy, but by the end of the summer I knew it was what I needed to do. These past several months have been the biggest spiritual growth period I've been through so far and I am so thankful for it. It took me a while to truly be thankful, but right now I can honestly say I am. I was able to see things for what they were and in the process God revealed Himself to me in such a real and personal way. It was far from easy, but throughout the rest of the year God continued to use people and circumstances to draw me closer to Him. He took away things I loved, He took away friends, but in return He gave me something much greater...I got to know my God better. I learned more about Him and His love for me. That is something I'd choose any day over relationships or friends or anything else of this world.

So I guess I said in the beginning I didn't have an exciting year...but I suppose I did. Maybe not by the world's definition of exciting, but it has definitely been one crazy year. Many times a roller coaster, but where would anyone get in life if they didn't take a few twists and turns and ups and downs? It's part of this crazy, challenging, beautiful, scary, wonderful, confusing thing called life! So with that said...I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve and strive for a great year in 2012! I've been thinking of some resolutions I want to stick with this year and this is what I came up with:

-Spend more time in God's Word and seek to know Him more.

-Learn to play my new guitar! Something I said I would do months ago and I'm finally doing it!

-Exercise daily...even if its just for 10 minutes!

-Lay off the sweets...we'll see how long this one lasts. =P

-Be a better sister, daughter, and friend.

-Read more.

-Smile more. =)

I'm sure I'll be adding more to this list as time goes on...why is it that we only make resolutions at the beginning of the year...shouldn't we be striving to do better and make new goals for ourselves year round? Just a thought. =)

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOD BLESS!

.ordinary.

Today I woke up just like any other ordinary day. I brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, put on jeans and a sweatshirt, ate some cheerios, and went on my merry way. Well...when I say I went on my merry way, I really mean that I hung around at home all day. Oh, except for my Walmart run...highlight of the day right there! I can't help but think that today was meant to be so much more. Not to be spent hiding inside these walls, but rather living to the fullest doing things I've never done before. Today I felt...I don't know exactly. Burdened with memories, burdened with tomorrows, burdened with walking alone. Last night (technically early this morning) as I was driving home from my friend's house, a song came on the radio that I heard for the first time. The song was "Carry Me To The Cross" by Kutless. Some of the lyrics in this song that I was focusing on are "I'm not alone" and "You carry me every day." I focused on those words all day today. Even though I feel like I could be doing so much more with my life right now, even though I feel like I'm walking alone...I can remember that God has me at this place in life right now for a reason. All things are within HIS timing, and He walks with us through each phase of our lives.

Now that that's off my chest...I hope you all had a great Christmas! I know I sure did! I was able to spend some time with my lovely family and I got some fun presents. God has been good with all He has blessed me with!

Here is a video to "Carry Me To The Cross" in case any of you are interested in hearing it. =)

{.the ultimate purpose.}

Ever feel like you might as well be invisible? Think again...

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Sometimes I forget where my identity is found. Once in a while I forget that my worth is not based on man's view of me. My identity and my worth is found in Christ. In Christ alone. I am His MASTERPIECE. He has a plan for me and He has a plan for you. He has a purpose for each and every one of us. Whether man wants to give us the time of day or not...we do not live for mankind. Yes, we are to treat everyone in a Christ like manner, but we do not live to bring them glory or to receive their attention or praise. It is something I must remind myself of day after day...

My life has purpose.

That purpose is to bring God glory and to give Him my full attention.

Not to live for all the attention I can get.

I need to take every opportunity to fulfill my purpose!

Today is where it starts.

{.diy christmas button ornament.}

Hello readers! I just wanted to share with you a quick and easy DIY ornament! My good friend Lindsey made this as a Christmas present and I thought it turned out really cute! What you'll need: 

*hot glue gun

*scissors

*fabric

*buttons

*ribbon

*stryofoam ball

1. Cut out strips of fabric and hot glue onto styrofoam ball. The buttons will cover up the fabric so it's okay if there are some wrinkles in the fabric.

2. Completely cover the ball with buttons by applying a dab of hot glue to each one.

3. Cut a piece of ribbon and tie it in a bow. (The length can be adjusted to how big or small you want the bow.) Apply a dab of hot glue to the center and attach the bow to the top of the ornament.

4. Cut a piece of ribbon and hot glue each end directly above the bow to form a loop. (Once again, the length can be adjusted depending on how long you want your ornament to hang down from the tree.)

When you're done, your ornament should look something like this...

There are so many different buttons and ribbons the possibilities are endless. I definitely want to make a few of these this week! I think they would make great gifts!

Have a great Sunday everyone! Only ONE more week until Christmas!!!

{.perspective.}

{to be happy.}

Happiness is a choice.

Don't listen to the voice

That tells you you're not good enough.

You can choose to blame

Others for your shame

Or you can decide to forgive them {yourself.}

TAKE HEART.

So today I have been thinking of all the reasons I have to be happy...

and I recommend you do the same!

How do you define happiness? Based on circumstances? Based on what you have? As for me, I base my happiness on the joy I have in the Lord. Life will never be perfect but I can always smile when I remember that my God has my life in His hands and He has blessed me in SO many ways!

"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!" Psalm 31:24

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:8

IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, THEN BE! {what's stopping you?!}

{Jenalyn.}

As I sit hear working on homework, I'm sipping on hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, and thinking about how much I can't wait to go home...so I can see my sister. Yes, I'm excited for winter break for many reasons, but tonight my baby sister is on my heart and I'm anxious to get home to hang out with her.

Reason why I love her #1... She's always willing to do random silly things with me. =)

Reason why I love her #2... She makes me smile. =)

Reason why I love her #3... She is a really good model for when I'm in those picture-taking moods. =)

Reason why I love her #4... She's a cutie pie...always has been, always will be. =)

Okay so just to clarify, there are way more than four reasons I love this girl. She is sweet, caring, sometimes drives me crazy...but I know I do the same to her. No matter what, she will always be my sister. Sometimes I take her for granted, but I truly do know that God has blessed me with placing her in my life. Less than ten days now girlfriend...get ready to for some fun times ahead! Love you, Jennifer Lynn! =)