Please, no more options just tell me where to go.

    The adventures of being an education major are absolutely endless. A couple nights ago I was told by some 2nd grade girls at church that I would be a really cool teacher and then my little Kindergarteners thought the world was ending when I wouldn't let them have some Smarties before their parents got there. I love working with kids. Not only do they bring a lot of diversity, there is never a dull moment and since my entire life could be based on that statement (the one about never a dull moment) it works well.
    It's nice always to have options because that keeps things different and new but seriously there are times when I just want someone to pick for me so I don't have to deal with picking and choosing amongst all the things that are available. For example, you walk into Old Navy and they have a table of sweaters that are all on sale and there are four that like you like. You can't get all of them because that would be weird to have four like that because they are too much alike and not all those colors are gonna work for ya. Therefore you proceed to stand there for a long time weighing the pros and cons about each color and trying to decide which one is best. Then eventually take one to the dressing room and it looks really awkward but you can't figure out whether it's the color or the sweater, and then you go back to decide whether to try another one. Decisions are all around us and they continue to surround us for the rest of our lives. What to get, where to go, and what to do?
     We can sit and think about things but in the end what should we choose? If we choose one thing then are we missing out on something greater or is what we choose "right?" This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately and it seems that there isn't anything that anyone can say or do to help it because in the end it's my decision. No one makes decisions for us, we have to make them for ourselves and as hard as that is to realize it's true. No one makes you steal a cookie, in the end you are the one that makes the decision.
     So amongst all the decisions and things that come up in our lives who do we go to whenever we have questions and concerns? We go to the One that can help us. We pray to Him and ask for guidance and help whenever we are unsure of what to do. One thing that we can always count on is that no matter what we do, He always has the controls and when we surrender it all over to Him we don't have to make the decisions. Now I'm not saying that He will come down with holy fire in Old Navy to tell you which sweater to choose but He will give you peace in the decisions that we face. Whether you're trying to decide what to study, where to go, or what's next look to Him and let Him guide you because in the end, it's only His opinion that matters.
     Happy Tuesday to all!! -Emily :)

When the world starts spinning and change starts happening.

     You know we always talk about how change is coming and things will be differently and how that is always a horrible thing, but is it really all that bad? Think about it, sometimes when you get things out and can change how things are things get better. Talking about things that need to talked about can help someone feel better and mend something that was broken or discover what was lost. That isn't always the case though. Sometimes when people get busy change occurs and friendships lose their strength. It can be a slow fade and then one day we wake up and everything has changed. So, what'a a girl to do?!
     As a female, I can honestly say that things often seem more complicated than what they really are. Trust me, generally we make things a way bigger deal than what they really are. I remember when I was little my dad would say, "Emily, don't go making mountains out of molehills." I think of that phrase often whenever I get stressed or start to freak out about something or when I think I might be blowing something out of proportion. There will be times when friendships dissolve or turn into mush but is that because we stop trying or is it because it wasn't a good friendship to begin with? That is something that we have to look at instead of how we feel about the situation.
     There will be times in our lives when we have to grow up and get over how we feel about something and just do what we're supposed to do. Whether the change that has to occur for you is good or bad, always remember that we serve an audience of One and in the end only His opinion of us matters. There are days when I struggle with that and have a hard time remembering the real reason why I exist and I get focused on what people think and say. Here is a little encouragement that I came across today: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
     Now that I think over the things that seemed like the end of world yesterday, today I have realized that no matter what God is in control and He is bigger than the moments that makes my world spin out of control. He is my dream come true and even when I feel as if I'm in the depths of despair He's the Prince Charming that is always there for this damsel in distress. :)
    Have a beautiful day! -EmilyAnn

Stressed Mess.

     I am such a stressed mess right now! I am leaving Tuesday morning for a conference in Colorado and and we are driving there.. It's going to be long and I am dreading it but also looking forward to it. Currently I know I need to get to sleep but all I want to do is pack everything nice and neat into my pink suitcase and pray that I stop freaking out.
     See, you would like that by now I wouldn't freak out anymore because I used to travel constantly for two years and then the following two years I moved to three different countries and traveled to many other countries. I guess you could say I am out of practice but also when I traveled then I knew what I was getting into and didn't need dress pants, jeans AND a formal dress. Yes I know it's crazy.
     My latest dilemma is whether I am taking too much or not.. I feel like what I have is okay but at the same time I feel like I have too much. It's all around annoying and extra tough because no one else that is going with us has anywhere near the same personality that I do. I am a very much so introvert and I hate being unprepared. Most that are going are fine going off on their own and meeting new people. Me? Yea, not so much.
     Enough of my whining.. it's time to be certain about God and step into uncertainty. Well I am off to hopefully get some sleep because I am exhausted and in desperate need of some shut eye.. Nighty night all. Have a great day tomorrow and shine like the Son for ALL to see!!

                      Later, EmilyAnn

Let the Love Rain Down!

     Love, love, love!! Lately everywhere we go we are surrounded by hearts and love! With Valentine's Day almost upon us I want to send some encouragement out into the world and let you know that you too are loved. You may think that no one cares or that no one understands you and that you'll never get to experience the love that only exists in movies and books but dear reader, you are loved. It may not look like the love that you want because it isn't what you think real love is but the fact is that someone loved you so much that He died just for you.

     True love is unconditional and uncontainable. It has no demands or ultimatums, it is there no matter what. I know that for us single people sometimes we can let Valentine's Day become the most depressive and unhappy day ever but don't be like that! Don't let the world tell you that just because you don't have a valentine mean that you aren't loved. Here is my gift to all the lonely hearts out there, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

     I hope that you will know that no matter what there is someone who loved enough to die for you. Have a happy heart day and let the love rain down! I encourage you all to spread the love and show others how much they are loved. They may not feel as if they are loved and cared about but dear reader, don't let someone else go through life feeling like no one cares about them. Have fun, smile, send some cute valentines, but most of all remember that you too are loved.

     Let the love rain and pour down!! -EmilyAnn :)