Goodbye 2011...

     As we all prepare to sing Auld Lang Syne and say goodbye to this year and prepare for the next year, there are so many things to think about and consider. This past year I feel like I grew up so much. There were bad things and good things that happened but the one thing that was absolutely the best was what God showed me. He showed me that I need to rely on Him and let Him choose where and what He wants me to do.
     I am excited for this new year to come and to start it off with going to Passion in Atlanta, Georgia. What a great way to start the year by starting it and praising God and hearing from His Word! :) I am very excited. So to end this year I hope that you all had a lot of adventures and are ready for all that God has in store for you in 2012!!
     Ciao, EmilyAnn

Reading :)

    Reading to me has always been an escape. A time when I an enjoy a story about someone else and be included in someone's journey through their latest predicament. I smile when they smile and cry when they cry and rejoice when the end comes and they finally get everything figured out. To me reading isn't just an escape though, it has become a journey.
    Here is a movie quote that I found on Pinterest that I think you all might enjoy: "If you find girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours, but she will always come back to you. She'll talk as if the character in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful like imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you're better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads."            -Robert Pattinson, in the movie Remember Me.
     That quote can be changed a little I think but what the main concept is that reading makes you believe that second chances do exist and that when the going gets tough the character always finds a way to get through it and move onto a better life. I am saying all of this from the perspective of being careful with what you read. You need to make sure that what you are putting into your mind is good and clean, as well as encouraging. If you are putting trash in, then trash will come out. But if you put good in then good will come out. Like for example, if you read lots of books about murder and hate then what will you be thinking about? Most likely murder and hate. BUT if you read things that encourage you to follow God and make good decisions then most likely good decisions and thoughts will be produced.
     So, read! And when you do.. reflect on it, let it be stories that you can look at and use in everyday situations and if you want an author that can do just that.. read books by Robin Jones Gunn. Comment if you would like to know my favorite books! Have a fabulous day and always... read :)       -Emily

Reunited at last!

     I feel like I have been reunited with an old friend today. I didn't fall in love with reading until one day when my mom and dad bought me a book called, "Summer Promise" by Robin Jones Gunn. Robin introduced me to a family of characters that I "grew up" with. Without those books I don't know who I would be today. There was the Christy Miller books and then the Sierra Jensen books. After those there were three books called, "Christy and Todd: The College Years." Then more recently Robin wrote a series about Katie Weldon. Other characters' stories continue but Sierra's ended with her moving to Brazil. We never find out what happens to her. Does she marry Paul? Where does she go from Brazil? What happens?! But alas, Robin wrote a single book called, "Love Finds you in Sunset Beach, Hawaii" and we finally find out what happens to the beloved Sierra Jensen.

     I am so happy to be reading about her again. I feel sort of like she was one of my childhood friends and I am finally getting reacquainted with her and she's in Hawaii! I am so excited to see what is to come with her. One thing is for sure.. she doesn't end up with Paul. I cheered for him throughout all 12 books in her series because I wanted him to be the one that she ended up with. I guess that since she doesn't end up with him that God has someone greater for her. It isn't easy seeing that though when you are faced with the heartache and pain of someone not being the one for you. I love it when writers write about "real" characters that go through the same things that we do, so when we read about them it's like looking into a mirror and finally receiving the hope of tomorrow. 

     If you get anything out of what I write please get this: never give up hope, never stop trying, never stop caring, never stop hoping for what is to come, and never lose sight of the hope in the Truth. Even when we are going through tough times, always remember that there is hope.

     Happy Sunday to all!

                      -Emily

pure serendipity ;)

     I can't help but wonder what life would be like if we all just took a moment to stop and think about our lives. Think about what it felt like when we were little and believed in magic and that no matter what our mom and dad were invincible. And that no matter what we were princesses, awaiting the arrival of our prince. What happened? What changed? Why is it that after you get to a certain age that you stop believing in magic and that a prince is on his way to meet you? I still believe. I still believe that there is such a thing as magical moments that that serendipity happens. Why do I still believe, you ask? I still believe because I know that there is a Prince out there that has already fought for my life and loves me so much that He puts clouds into the sky during the day and stars at night so show me that He takes His time to make sure that I know I am loved by Him. I love my Prince and I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful He is. I honestly wouldn't even know where to start because there are just too many things that I could tell you. I hope this is a good start to letting you know how I feel about Him...



    I found that on Pinterest. It is a great start to knowing what our Prince is. Remember that He is the most serendipitous person ever.. not only because He created it but also because He loves us so much that He wants us to know it and give Him the credit. So, when something serendipitous happens, give Him the credit because He allowed it to remind you just how much He loves you!      -Emily

I think my motivation died when I heard Christmas was coming...

     Motivation is a funny thing, there are times when we have so much we don't know what to do and then there are other times when it seems like motivation died and will never come back to life. I have to write a unit plan and I don't want to write it. Why you ask? Well it's like this.. I have new wonderful book awaiting me on my nook and it's the Christmas season! I will never understand why professors choose to add piles of homework and tests in our lives when it's almost Christmas and they know all we want to do is enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. I came across this poem by Emily Dickenson and I hope that you will enjoy.

Before the ice is in the pools,

Before the skaters go,

Or any cheek at nightfall

Is tarnished by the snow,

Before the fields have finished,

Before the Christmas tree,

Wonder upon wonder

Will arrive to me!

What we touch the hems of

On a summer's day;

What is only walking

Just a bridge away;

That which sings so, speaks so,

When there's no on here,

Will the frock I wept in

Answer me to wear?

     Now I am off to work on my lesson plan. Maybe some coffee will help me get through the dread of it all. Have a delightful Saturday!          -Emily

To new things and second chances

     Good evening blogoshere... or should I say good morning? No matter, I wanted to tell you all hello and let you know that you are cared for. Even if you live alone or don't have a "significant" other in your life don't let this season of joy and happiness bring you down.. there is someone who loves you and His name is Jesus. Yea, I know people toss that phrase around and act like it isn't a big deal but it is a big deal! He does loves you and He loves me too!
     I went and saw "New Years Eve" tonight with a group of friends and it was a lot of fun but now I am sitting here in my cozy chair thinking through my life and all the things that have happened. What should I do next year? What resolutions do I need to make? Honestly, the only one that I can think of is the resolution to be me. Yes I am myself now but I know that I hold back. I hold things back from the world that I am too scared to let anyone else see.
     Easier said than done really but there is such a thing as second chances and I am ready for that to take residence in my life. I am ready for my second chance to be myself and to not let what people say and do dictate my very thought process. College is tough enough but when you add all the pressures of work, being on your own, friends, and all those other little things that are really big things but you don't realize that until they are big things... things happen, life happens.
     Dr. Seuss said, "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you." If you act like someone else and aren't the person that you are meant to be than who are you? We all have specific callings and things that God has put on our hearts and we are called to be peculiar. Someone that is different and unique... but mostly, someone that is just them.
     Daily Challenge: Be you because no one else can!!! Let God be your superhero, because we all know that He wins in the end... ;)

                            Lots of love, Emily

a merry little CHRISTmas

     I'm back! After a long time of no blogging I have decided to come back to it! No promises on how consistent I will be but since the end of the year it getting here maybe that will be my new year's resolution.

     I am loving this Christmas season! I absolutely adore Christmas and it is so much fun to celebrate and enjoy the happiness that comes along with it. My parents are in town for the season and I got to spend the last few days wit my mom. My dad is flying in Saturday and I'll see him next Thursday! It seems so far away but then I start thinking about everything I have to do until then.... ugh it will be a long week.

     Okay, moving onto happier things! It's the Christmas season and I am ready for it! I have a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree and I have also decorated my dear Oliver's bowl! :)

     

     Merry Christmas to all! I'm off to studying for my finals! :) 

                                                                            -Emily

Homework will be the death of me.

It's surprising that no one has been reported of dying from too much homework yet. I mean like think about it. I have eight classes (17 hours) and it seems like every class has something for me to do over the weekend. What happened to relaxing and enjoying Saturdays?! Yea that definitely went out the window a LONG time ago. I do homework everyday just to keep up.. I hope this cough doesn't turn into anything major, that could be bad because then I would get REALLY behind.

So I have lots of homework, mainly lesson planning that I just really don't want to do because I don't enjoy the topic that I have to write about, but sometimes we have to do what we don't want to. It's getting a little easier but know that I know what I did wrong on my last one, it makes me more nervous to see what my professor will say about this one, especially since I don't like my topic.

So I am going to go tackle that lesson plan and I shall inform all of you whether I survive through it or not! ;)

Bye! -EmilyAnn

Oh happiness!

Most people don't like rainy days.. They say all it does ruin their hair or make them depressed. I'm not like that. I describe myself as one of a kind. I look forward to rainy days, and not just because it makes the perfect reading day (but that's always a nice plus! No, rainy days make me happier than ever. Lately I have wished that just for one day I could go home and we with my family. It's hard living so far away from them. But I know that God has a plan. Maybe that's why it rained today. Because God knew I love it and it would make me smile. I hope you all are finding joy through all your circumstances :)
-EmilyAnn

...sigh...

Today has been one of "those" days. A day when no matter what you do your hair looks horrible and your clothes don't match; and then to top it all off you get loads of grades back with terrible scores because the professor didn't like what you wrote. Yep, it's one of those days when I just want to get back into bed and wake up and it all didn't happen or it at least happened differently. But since that isn't an option looks like this girl with just get through it and maybe drink some coffee ;)
-EmilyAnn

Patience

When we have God on our side, nothing can stand in our way :) And his timing is perfect even when we don't see how it is. I know we all want things right then and there but God has a plan and we get our strength in Him to make it through anything. Stay strong friends! Don't lose hope, even when you don't see how He can do anything in that moment.

Liquid Heaven :)

Oh sweet and lovely coffee! It's such an amazing thing from Jesus!! After last night being a well long and frustrating evening, I decided not to let today be like that, but for it to be different and it has been. I finished the torturous government assignment this morning and am now celebrating by having some wonderful real deal Guatemalan coffee and a delightful marathon of Castle! :)

Back in the day..

I miss the days when the biggest thing I had to worry about was whether I was going to miss NickJr in the mornings or the latest Barbie movie. Now I have to deal with projects and stress is something that is up 24/7; why csnt it sleep?! I cannot wait for the day when I don't have to worry about getting things in on time or whether someone gave me something to turn into someone else. Ugh, whoever said college was fun and blissful obviously had to be on some strong drugs because it soooo isn't. I can't wait for break.
Sincerely, one tired and sad Emily

A little bit of hope

Does it ever seem like no matter what you do there is always a challenge, always someone that wants you to fail, that after every hard time, another one comes along? I have been feeling just like that lately. I know it may seem really stupid and throughly immature for me to let people's opinions get to me, but I did it and I continue to do it over and over again.

With today being another snow day and me having a case of the sniffles, I thought that today would be very unproductive and boring. But who says that just because we can't leave our rooms and we are sick that we have to wallow in self pity? ...yea exactly, nobody says that!! It has been this idea that has been instilled in us for so long that we accept it and put it into practice. (Note: when you are sick you must rest, but you shouldn't intentionally be lazy, that is a huge no-no and will lead to a couch potato syndrome.)

I started my day off with the laziness and the "poor me..someone has attacked my whole personality and they are making my like miserable and I am just going to stay in bed all day and be a bum!" But that all changed after I realized: a) I have a lot of homework to do, and b) I am not going to let what someone said bring me down like a skydiver with a whole in their chute. Oh and c) My unorganized mess of a room was getting to me to the point that I couldn't put it off any longer.

All of this brings me to my main "pensamiento" today... there are going to be hard times, friends. There will be days when people criticize you and tear you apart and nothing seems to be going your way, but (yes! seeing that little conjunction is always happy..in this sentence at least) we can't let those bad times keep us from living our lives. We can't just say "Oh well, she really hurt my feelings so I am going to go to my room and pout for a week."

No way jose! Not gonna happen, when we respond with that kind of attitude we are letting the enemy win, we are allowing him to work in us instead of the One that should be. So, when/if you are having a downright bad day, don't just give in to how society tells us to act or respond to the situation ( which is wallowing in self-pity). But try turning to God and finding your hope in Him. His hope will never leave, and it will always be there...no matter what.

So, not only am I telling you all about this, I am living it as well. I finally dragged myself out of bed, cleaned and organized my room, then I figured out exactly what homework I needed to get done today; pretty shocking how I did a 180 like that right? Well, it is solely because I went to the One that loves me for me and won't ask me to look ugly or to dress hideously so certain people will think I'm not pretty and in return not notice me. He loves me for me and I love Him more than ever, because I have my hope in Him.

If you feel hopeless, alone or just unsure about what is next; go to Him and He will lead and guide you. -EmilyAnn

Umm..this is February?!

As many of you in the world probably already know, there is a blizzard going on here in the Missouri midwest. Just about two feet of snow and it's too cold to leave the house, although I don't live in a house I live in a studio apartment with walls that are thinner than an anorexic poodle. You would think that I would be enjoying this break from school (we only had classes on Monday and they are canceled again tomorrow).

Although it has been nice not going to class and having piles of homework, I am starting to posses the symptoms of cabin fever. Yesterday I did go to the park with a couple of my friends for awhile, and I'm not even joking playing in the snow was so much fun. It reminded me of all the times when I was a little kid and I would pretend that the sparkles in the snow were little specks of pixy dust and within all the snowflakes there are little towns like Whoville and beyond.

So now, I get the delightful joy of sitting in my room, eating a small child's body weight in candy and watching chick flicks. Hopefully this will end well ;) Hehehe!

The moives I've watched so far over the break are:

-The Notebook

-He's Just Not that into You

-The Lake House

-Win a Date with Tad Hamilton

-Elizabethtown

-Mr. and Mrs. Smith

I am thinking tomorrow I will finally get some homework but I maybe a few more movies should be included as well! :D -EmilyAnn

Hello :)

There are several things that I could tell you all about myself but for now I'll stick to the basics. I love to cook but I have many food allergies, so cooking usually turns into fun experiments. I've lived in three countries and no I am not an army brat; but a missionary kid. My mom and dad are two of my closest friends. I love clouds; there's something about them that brightens my day no matter what the circumstances may be. Reading is my passion; I would read books all day if I could. Coffee is a must! I don't know that I could get through college without it. I love watching movies and figuring out what the characters will end up doing (even if I've seen it, I still like to find something new). And lastly, I am consistently pursuing a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior.

Well, that is all for now! I will post again soon!!

-EmilyAnn