2012

it's a new year. another chapter in the book of life. a chance to change things. the future. it's many things. and i'm looking forward to it. looking forward to what adventures i'll experience. the places i'll go, the things i'll see. all the fun memories to be made. the giggles and laughs and smiles i'll share. the journeys that are in store for me. everything.

but before the clock strikes midnight, i still have some time. time to think about this past year. the milestones i've passed. the things i've achieved. how far i've come. i can also think about my plans for the new year. resolutions and such. so here's a list of some things i'd like to work on/do in the new year:

• read my bible more often and spend more time with God
• go on a big trip somewhere super duper fantastic
• not procrastinate as much with my homework and other things
• maybe get a small job to make some extra spending money
  
• post more often, ideally at least once a week
• spend my time more productively and wisely
• learn to not be afraid to take risks and chances
• keep on writing and loving it
  
• live a courageous and bold life for God

What are your goals for the new year?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas!

Hey guys, I was meaning to post a Merry Christmas post, but I kind of forgot. Anyways, hope you all had a lovely Christmas! Here's some pictures for you all! And if you are Jewish, then Happy Hanukkah! :)

all pictures via weheartit

Out of my mind?

If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:13

I came across this bible verse last week, and it really made me think. The first time I read it, I was like 'What does that mean?' And then I read it again and thought about it more ...... and still had the same question. So I talked about it with my family, we all thought, and we kinda came up with this idea of what the verse might mean:

If you are someone who tries to fit in, be normal, and cool, it's for your own personal reasons. But when you life a life for God, you should want to stand out, be different and set apart from everyone else. So that when people say you are 'out of your mind,' it's because you love God so much and want to just show it.

Another blogger who had a blog that I read a lot recently started a new blog to represent the change in her life and the difference between how she used to be when she first started on blogger. Her new blog is called Fanatical because she said "Because life's too short to be anything but a fanatic. A fanatic for Christ." I love how she put it. It's so true! I totally agree. And so that's what I think that verse means. That we need to be different, a little fanatical, a little out of our mind for Jesus. Because nothing is normal these days.

This is just my interpretation of what it means, please comment with your thoughts and views on this verse! I'd love to hear them! :)

Oh Shakespeare!

Why art thou so confusing?

You write in a language I don't understand.

I read your plays with a translator in hand,
Is it a code? A puzzle? A secret spell?
What is it you're trying to say? Please tell!
I must read your work in English class,
But if I don't get it, how can I pass?
This unit is very complicated,
The words you use are simply outdated.
Was this your main intention?
To cause such incomprehension?
Well if so, your plan was a success.
After learning this unit, my brain's a mess.
But have no fear, I'm able to recover.
At least 'till next year when I discover,
Another one of your plays I must analyze.
But maybe, just maybe, by some surprise,
In time, that I will grow to like thee,
I will just have to wait and see.
You know, a lot can happen in one year
But for now, goodbye Shakespeare!

Simon's Cat

Sorry I haven't posted in so long guys! Hope you didn't think I was dead or something, 'cause I'm not! I've just been busy. But here's a funny video for you all that I thought was pretty funny. Hope you like it!

f.r.o.g.

via

No, not that kind of frog. I mean the acronym. It stands for Fully Rely On God.

Definition of rely: Depend on with full trust or confidence.

This is something I need to work on. Yeah, I know God has a plan for me, and that He's always in control, even when it seems like things aren't right. But there's a difference between knowing and trusting. I need to have more faith in God. Believe in Him with all my heart. Hey, you need to fully trust someone before you give them your life! And I have, I've surrendered to God. But I find that I trust through the good times, then when the boat starts to get a little shaky, so does my trust in Him. And I don't want that. I want me and Him to have a strong relationship.

"And I'll trust You God with where I am

And believe that You will have Your way"
~ Britt Nicole lyrics

I want to start trusting, not just knowing. I want to fully rely on God, not just semi rely on Him, that's not good enough. I want to believe and have faith instead of worry and have doubts. Because I know that once I trust in God, once I fully rely on Him, that He will use me in ways I could never imagine.

"Trust the Lord with all your heart,
and don't depend on your own understanding."
~Proverbs 3:5

Falling for Fall

I ♥ Fall. The crunches of dead leaves under my feet.

The temperature is just right, not too hot and not too cold.
The wonderful weather makes for perfect outfits! Jeans, scarves, boots!


Also, the trees carry beautiful leaves of red, yellow and orange!
So many different colours, shapes and sizes!


And it's a great time of year for taking pictures!
I like to think of Fall as nature going out with a big bang before the winter season!


To me, Autumn is a season of change and newness.
It brings a sense of refreshment.


It gives me a cozy feeling, which prepares me for winter,
and yet still holds some excitement from the summer.
Did I mention I ♥ Fall?


What is your favourite season?
What are some things you like about Fall?
Do you prefer to call it Fall, or Autumn?

all pictures via weheartit.

Giveaway Alert! (updated)

There's a bunch of giveaways going on right now. And I mean, who doesn't like a good giveaway?

http://shutterhappyphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/100-giveaway.html
Mary Ann, over at Shutter Happy, is having a giveaway with 9 different prizes!
Go check it out, it ends October 28th ... I think.

Bree, over at He Designs My Life, is having a giveaway with 5 different prizes!
Go check it out, it ends October 31st.

And Kelsey over at A Ray of Sunshine is having a giveaway with 2 prizes!
Go check it out, it ends October 25th.




And Talia, over at Girlz of God, is having a 5 day-long giveaway spree!
Go check it out, it ends October 25th!


http://simplyme-lowie.blogspot.com/2011/10/girlz-for-christ-giveaway.html
And last, but certainly not least, Lauren over at Spinning Barefoot is having a giveaway!
Go check it out, it ends October 19th.

Answers to Your Questions

Rebekah Brielle
What is your favorite color?
Purple!

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Well, if you're talking about a career, I think I might want to be an environmental engineer.

If you could go anywhere right now, regardless of the cost, where would you go?
Hmm... this is a hard one 'cause there's so many places I want to go. Paris, London, Hawaii, China, Israel and the moon!

If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
First I would spend a portion of it to set up wind turbine farms and better transit systems, and to improve solar panels and electric cars to make them more affordable. Then I would equally distribute the rest to everyone, so there would be no rich people, but no poor people either.


Is there any important person (past or present)that you would want to meet?
I'd like to meet Taylor Swift! She's my fave singer, and to me and probably many other fans very important.

JesusChick
What is your favorite movie at the moment?
The Ultimate Gift

Would you consider yourself an active person?
Yes, not extremely active, but I do like to go on walks and hikes when the weather is nice.

Favorite color?
Purple!


Animal that you would like to have as a pet?
A panda! That would be so fun!

What are you scared of?
Just to name a few: roller coaster, heights, vaccinations, the unknown, and failure.

Something that always brightens your day?
Compliments, random acts of kindness and friendly smiles.


Mexican or Italian food?
Italian. Pasta rocks!

Something random about you that most people think is strange?
Well ... the only thing I can think of is that people sometimes underestimate my strength because I'm petite.

Type of music you enjoy?
Christian music, some country, pop and hip hop.

How would you describe your fashion style?
It's a whole mix load of different types of clothes and colours. I think the colour I like to wear the most is pink. Even though I have a variety of styles in my closet, mine leans more towards the girly girl type. I like skirts a lot, but I don't wear them as much as I'd like to for some reason.

{mahina} & Sarah (Nikki)
Why are you so awesome?
Aw, thanks! I don't know, just because!

Melissa
Do you have any pets?
Yes I do, I have a dog!

♥ Kimmi's Corner ♥
Whats the farthest you've been away from home?
By myself? Well, I don't really like to go far from home on my own. The only time I can think of is on an end of the year school trip about six hours away. Not that far though.

Is you could die your hair, what color would you die it?
My hair is naturally black. If i could die it I think I'd choose a nice dark brown colour, something that's not too drastically different from my hair colour now.

The Golden Eagle

What time period would you like to live in, and/or in what part of the world? Why?

I don't really have a particular time period I like the most. So my answer is that I'm happy with this time period. And as of what part of the world, I like living in Canada because I think it's a really great country! Eh?! (I don't actually say that on a regular basis)

all pictures from http://weheartit.com/