Be my Shepherd

I'm in grade 11. I still have a whole year until I have to start worrying about universities and what I want to do for the rest of my life. Yet I've been thinking about it since the start of high school when the guidance counselors told us that the next four years of our lives would go by quickly. The thought has been in my mind since last year when I considered doing a special Eco Studies program at my school. I've been worrying about it since last week when were given our option sheets and told that we have 2 weeks to pick our courses for next year. I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I still don't know what I want to do.

When I was younger I thought it would be cool to be Prime Minister. Then I got the idea of being an engineer. At one point, being a writer for the rest of my life sounded fun. Sometimes I think I'd like to be a photographer. Other days I feel like running my own business. The truth is I simply don't know.

I've talked to my friends and even a few people who are graduating this year and I realized I'm not the only one. Everyone I talk to seems to be in the same boat as I am. A lot of people have no clue about their post secondary plans. And you know what? That's okay.

I've been spending too much time worrying about my future career and just life in general that I've forgotten that my future is in the hands of the Sheperd. The One who has already guided so many others to do great things and find their purpose. If they can do it, so can I... with His help of course. Jesus, be my Sheperd. Guide me and I will follow.

3, 2, 1

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"An unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates

"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see." ~ G.K. Chesterton

"Where there is great love, there are always miracles." ~Willa Cather

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"What would you like to do if money were no object?"

3,2,1

Do you ever have that moment where you want to do something but you don't know how to go about doing it? Well that's how I feel right now. I really want to write a great post, something inspirational or thought-provoking or just one that will make you smile. But alas, I am at a loss for words. So I've come up with this idea. Every once in a while, I'll post 3 quotes/verse, 2 pictures, and one video. It's not an official or regular thing yet, just testing it out. So here they are ... my 3,2,1.

 "Love is the light forward in the motion." ~Unkown

 "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" ~Unknown

"You will never influence the world by trying to be like it." ~Sean Mcabe

Kitten hug! Adorable! I love the facial expression! 

I actually got a kitten recently! Her name is Callie.

And this is my future library! :)
Seriously, I want one that looks just like this!

I love Britt Nicole's new song Gold, I've been listening to it a lot lately.

dear 2013.

via Tumblr

Dear 2013,

welcome! I am looking forward to seeing what kinds of things you have in store for me. I don't usually like change, but I'm trying learn how to enjoy the journey. And change happens all of the time, it's kind of silly for me to think I can avoid it all together. So why not just embrace it, right? Anyways, a new year means new things, and new isn't always so bad. In fact, new can be very fun and exciting. So this year I'd like to learn new things, experience new life lessons, meet new people and go to new places. I want to fully live my life. And to not worry so much about the little things, but love. Most importantly, I want to be courageous and bold. I want God to use me to do great things and help lots of people. Is that too much to ask from one year? I hope not. I hope that this is the best year yet. 2013, I'd like you to know that I am open to all things new.

Sincerely,  

Ready For New

well...this is awkward

Hi, um... do you still remember me? Sorry for kind of disappearing. I just haven't been very inspired lately. Though that's still no excuse for my long absence. Forgive me? I promise I'll try to post more often! Anyways, want to know what I've been up to these days?

1. I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I was put to sleep, but the few days after the surgery was pretty uncomfortable and achy. I was only able to eat really soft foods and my swollen cheeks kinda made me look like a chipmunk. Have you had any of your wisdom teeth removed?

2. I caved in and got a Tumblr account. I already know it wasn't a good idea because I have enough distractions from homework as it is, but oh well. Care to follow me? I'll follow you back. By the Seashore.

3. Anybody have Facebook? If so, would you pretty please follow a page I created? I'd really appreciate it! It's not for my blog though, it's for a little business I'm a part of called Spark. So far we've only made candles, but we're thinking of making another product as well.

via Pinterest

4. I'm really looking forward to Christmas! I seriously cannot wait! It has already snowed a couple times this month, but just a little bit. I'm hoping for a white Christmas! Just about a week left of school and then I'm free! :) I'm also in the middle of celebrating Hanukkah because I'm a Jewish Christian. What holiday do you celebrate this time of year?

Also, my heart goes out to all of those people who were killed in the elementary school massacre in Newtwon, Connecticut. So many young kids lost their lives, and it's right before the holidays! :( I'll be praying for the victims' families and friends. 

I absolutely love

 I absolutely love to write, not just a bit, not just a tad.

I absolutely love to blog, not just a bit, not just a fad.

 

I absolutely love to read, not just a bit, not just a page.

I absolutely love to create, not just a bit, not just a stage.

 I absolutely love to give, not just a bit, not just a phase.

I absolutely love to explore, not just a bit, not just a craze.

 I absolutely love to love, not just a bit, not just today.

 I absolutely love my faith, not just a bit, not just to say.

all pictures via Pinterest

Inspiring the Cute

all pictures via Pinterest

Which picture was your favourite? :)

Miscellany Monday

 1. I love Fall... the leaves, the cooler weather, the cozy feeling. If you don't know this by now, Autumn is definitely my favourite season. Also, something I've been wondering is whether I prefer using the word "Fall" or "Autumn." I'm not quite sure yet. Fall perfectly fits the whole falling of the leaves thing, but Autumn sounds so proper and fancy! Which one do you use?

2. I'm trying to collect enough pennies to fill a $25 bag. One bag can provide clean water for one person for life! It's the largest penny drive hosted by Free the Children organization. It's pretty fun actually, considering my love of collecting things.

October 11!

Did you know that October 11th is the International Day of the Girl!? Now is that awesome or what?

"Because I am a girl I can change the world."

I'm Thankful For...

I'm so happy that it's the long Thanksgiving weekend! There are many things in my everyday life that I take for granted. Living in a developed country that basically has it all makes me forget that not everyone gets to live the way I do. There are kids younger than me who have so little, yet at the same time, are so happy.

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This weekend I'll be counting my blessings and thanking the One who never stops giving. Some things I'm thankful for are:

•  Jesus. He is always there for me even when I drift away from Him and forget to pray and read my bible. I know He's watching over me and has a beautiful plan for my life. I don't know what my life would be like without Him.
• My amazing family. The ones who I can be silly, goofy, crazy and weird with and they will love me no matter what!
• My close friends who I'm getting closer to by the day. I could spend hours just talking with them and not get bored!
• Technology like my camera, laptop and phone. Without these things I wouldn't be able to do one of my favourite hobbies, connect with my friends, or write this blog post!
• Education. Even though I strongly dislike homework, studying and exams, I am grateful to have the opportunity to go to school and learn new things everyday! (Even if those things can be a little boring or confusing at times!)
• You lovely blogging buddies! I'm not sure if I say this enough, but thanks to all of you who follow and/or comment on my blog! I really appreciate it! You don't even know how happy it makes me when I see that I've gained a follower or have a new comment! You guys rock!

 

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What are you thankful for?

We Day!

Recently I joined a group at my school called Interact. It's a group that organizes fundraisers throughout the year at our school for local and international charities. Anyways, today I found out that I am one of the students who get to go to We Day! I am super excited! I can't wait! This is exactly the kind of stuff I want to do with my life. I want to change the world, make a difference and help those in need. :D Don't know what We Day is? ↓

(for every like the on We Day Facebook page, $1 is donated to Free the Children)

 

 

What things are you excited for?

9/11

To be honest, I don't really remember it. I don't remember the day, exactly 11 years ago, when the Twin Towers were hit. I was only about 4 years old at the time. Though that doesn't mean I don't know about it, and feel incredibly sorry for those thousands of people whose lives were taken. My heart also goes out to all of the family members and friends who were affected by this tragic event.

I watched a show about it last night. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for those people. Many of them didn't even know what was happening. Many were told that everything was okay, and that they should stay where they were.

(not my photo)

And then there were those who ran into those burning buildings when everyone else was running away. The ones who risked their own life to save others. It's these heroic stories of survival and fearlessness that gives this whole situation a little bit of sunshine in the storm. And just like they're planning on rebuilding on Ground Zero, we can use 9/11 and rebuild so that nothing like this will never happen again.

Miscellany Monday

To link up too, click here.

1. Summer's end and the beginning of another school year is fast approaching. I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm looking forward to it somewhat because Fall is my favourite season, yet at the same time I'm kinda nervous. Anyways, to end off the summer, yesterday my family and I went to a zoo. It was really fun. My favourite animals were the gorillas. They are beautiful creatures. I feel bad for them though because they looked a little sad all locked up in there big cage.

2. Also, I've been making some things to decorate my locker with. I've made some cute magnets out of buttons, duct tape, scrapbook stickers, fabric ect. I also took some of my favourite quotes I found on pinterest and put them on some of my photos. ↓

3. This school year I'm going to try to be more productive and not procrastinate! I say that every year, but this year I'll really try hard because Universities start looking at your grade 11 marks, so this year is when it really starts to count! And leaving everything to the last minute is just a bad habit in general, so I want to break it.

Well, that's all for my very first Miscellany Monday post. Have you already started school? What things are you looking forward to?

happier than a bird with a french

I never really understood this quote. I mean, since when do birds eat french fries? Well, I guess seagulls do. But wouldn't that quote make much more sense of it said worms or something? I mean, then it would apply to a larger variety of birds, not just seagulls. 

I really like birds. There are so many different types. Such penguins, peacocks, and pelicans. But as lovely as those birds may be, today I would like to shine a light on another bird that starts with 'P.' And that bird is a parrot.

I was watching some Youtube videos a while back about parrots talking and singing. That's pretty awesome if you ask me. I certainly wouldn't mind coming home from school and having a parrot say something like "hello there beautiful!" That's what I'd teach it to say. Or sing along with it to my favourite Taylor Swift songs.

Recently we discovered a bird aviary and they had some parrots there, so I snapped some photos. And we visited a little zoo last week, and yes, there were parrots there too. So without further ado, here are some parrot pictures for you all to enjoy! :)

 

 

 

 

 

Which photo do you like the best?

What's your favourite type of bird?

The Path I'm Walking On

In every chapter of my life, there’s always a choice to make.

Between the wide and narrow road, which one do I take?

I could easily play it safe, and follow with the rest.

Instead I’ll stand out, and show how much I’m blessed.

Because I have so many things, like Your love and grace.

I want it to be known, faith is my rock and base.

Let the world see my life, feel drawn to live like me too.

I want my every action, to reflect nothing but You.

Jesus, I ask You to help me, to choose to ‘fight the good fight.’

I want to be that person, the one to spread your light.

I walk along the thin trail, fully ready and prepared.

Use me so I’ll be remembered, as ‘the girl who dared.’

Pull, stretch and shape me, into who I was meant to be.

I know Your plan is perfect, even when I cannot see.

Some may think I’m silly, that the wide path is the one.

I disagree, ‘cause they don’t know, I’m following the Son.

right now.

"There's just one life to live
And there's no time to wait, to waste"

~Give Your Heart A Break

I read an article about a 17-year-old girl who built  a computer brain to detect breast cancer. Afterwards, I thought, wow that's such an amazing accomplishment for someone so young! Then that got me thinking about my life since I'm only about a year younger than her. I want to do great things like that one day too. Not exactly what she did, but definitely the helping people part of it. Then this verse came to mind: 

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

~ 1 Timothy 4:12

This summer I've been pretty lazy. I thought I already said goodbye to laziness, but I guess I didn't completely let it go. I have dreams and aspirations and ideas too. And you know what, I don't have to wait until I'm older to accomplish them. I can start changing the world today. Life is short, and you only live once. So why not just do it? Right now.

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."

~ Dr. Seuss 

Videos to Inspire

Summer So Far

* If you haven't already, please vote on the poll in my sidebar! *

Remember that Summer List I posted a few weeks back? Well, I've completed a few things on that list since then. My sister and I washed the car, which was quite enjoyable! My family went to the beach, which was lots of fun! We've gone on a good amount of walks, even though it's been super hot outside! And of course, I've been taking plenty of photos from here, there and everywhere! Also, aside from the list, we've gone blueberry and raspberry picking, I helped out as a counselor at my VBS, and we saw Brave and Ice Age 4 in theaters!   

So how is your summer going? 

What fun things have kept you busy?