Inspiration

     

     This is the strongest woman I have ever known, and I am lucky enough to have her in my life. I met this woman about seventeen years ago, instantly a part of her. I eventually learned her name, and she gave me one. I grew up around her, learned everything I know from her. This lady, is my mom. From the beginning  I have always loved her, although I never realized how much I truly needed her until fairly recent years. 

     When I was younger I would only go to Mom if I had to, besides, she couldn't tell me something I didn't already know, so what's the point? I could face the world by myself and I didn't need the help of someone who couldn't understand me-I call this ability the thirteen-year-old-syndrome. Secretly, Mom had been there the whole time holding me up and letting me believe in myself. Still through it all, I tended to have an attitude problem with her when I didn't get my way, making both our lives harder. It took some time to come to the realization it was my fault for all the trouble I got in. 

     As I grew up, I began to try to face the world on my own a little more, really this time, as an image of struggle at her finest. Coming home from High School with frustration and determination made for a bad mix. Stress had built up in my life and in my shoulders. But I noticed Mom always seemed to be there to rub out the knots of tension and release the depriving strains of stress. 

     I couldn't be who I am today without my wonderful mother. I hope one day, when we reach that point in our lives where we've got things close to figured out, she can look at me and be proud of what she has done. She is one of the greatest gifts from God I have ever received, and therefore another amazing blessing. 

      

A picture says a thousand words, this one only shows nine.

http://blinksoflife.tumblr.com/

Contentment

     If I was asked if I could be anywhere in time where I'd be, normally I would say the future, about ten years. It's dangerous to think this way, always looking foreword. But now that I think if it, it's what I've always done, not necessarily planning, but frankly wishing my life away. 

     What could happen in ten years? Let alone, what could happen in five years, or even just one? Numerous events, life changing or seemingly meaningless. In just a days time a persons life can be turned around, the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, the meeting of a soal mate. So much happens in the world around us and in our own lives. We as a people, a nation, a society, go through life living in a mundane pattern. We go through the motions and expect to get something in return, something greater that could ultimately give us purpose. But, what lies behind it all, this idea that something greater can always be archived, that something with much more significance is ahead of us? Nothing. 

     Time is a manmade concept. This idea of time gives us perspective on how much longer we have to be what we want to be or do what we want to do. The beautiful thing about time though, is the chance it gives us for contentment. 

     To be content allows you to appreciate the amazing gifts you have, how far you have come, and how good you truly have it. Contentment is a release from the strains of not being good enough, it gives us peace and happiness, allowing you to be proud of what you've done and happy with what you have...really, it's beyond happiness. It's power. 

     I have decided to look not in the future at what I feel will be the time I'll have my life together, but to see where I am now, and to appreciate how I got here, to better see the blessings I have been granted, to be content. 

A Goodnight Prayer

Dear God, 

     I wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you have given me. Thank you for my family, especially mom, who I can look up to, thank you for all of my friends. Thank you for helping me get through this stressful day with a cheerful mind. Thank you for the protection and guidance you gave to me. I ask you to help me more appreciate the little things you have provided, and to renew my heart. Please, Lord, bless my family and friends. Please help me to change my adittide about the struggles I face and give me strength to handle them. Lord, please give me prudence, and understanding. Help me to be kindhearted and above all, help me to be a light in the darkness of the world illuminating with your word and presense. Lord please let your will be done in my life. Lord, forgive me of my sins, because I am truly sorry for them. Thank you for everything Lord, good night, I love you.

-In Jesus' name, Amen. 

A Beautiful Blessing

     Of all the blessings God gives, love is by far the greatest. Every night I lie down and say my prayers, asking for forgiveness, asking for the fulfillment of my needs, thanking Him for my blessings. Every night I pray towards the appreciation of my boyfriend. He is truly amazing. He is the kind of man that leads me to God, and will continue to do so. He does so much for me and I am beyond grateful for him. 

    This guy has been around for as long as I can remember, because he is the best friend of my cousin and really to all of my family. He's someone you can depend on, rely on in the times you really need someone, or even if you just want to have a good time, he's there. Honestly, I've always had a crush on him sence he first came around, but apparently he was oblivious to it all. I would joke around about him to my family and friends, at the time he thought of me as just his best friends cousin, to the point they'd become annoyed; now that I tell Isaac of these embarrassing stories and all he can do is laugh.

     Lately, I have been struggling with personal issues dealing with school and home, basically stress that has built up for so long. As my mamaw has told me before, in her southern, hick accent, "nothin' ain't bad that can't get better." Isaac has a way of showing that to me. Some of my favorite times with him is just being able to pray with him, over everything; we pray over every meal he takes me out to or that I have prepared for us, over our car rides and even for simple things, like having a good day. Through him I have better come to know Him, The Lord, and that is a beautiful blessing. 

     So, something to keep me going when I'm stressed, and someone to look to for comfort in hard times, I go to one of my most treasured blessings, My Isaac. 

One of our first pictures together. (:

     1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-love-25-awesome-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2rHIrr0B1

Good morning!

     Just a quick post, this morning my little sister and I made breakfast in bed for my dad. Naturally, I'm starving in the mornings, so I had already planned on frying some potatoes for myself. When Stella, my youngest sister, came in the kitchen her eyes were wide open. She always wakes up like that, full of energy. Also, Stella's always thinking of other people. She suggested making breakfast for Dad and I decided I could help her since I knew they both would appreciate it. 

     I threw in the potatoes, poured the oil in the pan, and fried them until crispy. I taught Stella the correct way to crack an egg on the side of a counter, instead of flat on top like she had been doing before, and lead her in the direction of making them herself. She was so excited she had done it alone and decided she'd make me some as well. And that in itself is a blessing. I was there for her the first time she made eggs, something so simple but gave her such satisfaction and lifted her confidence. The joy of being an older sister. 

Game Night

     After reading all day to catch up on some homework, it's nice to be able to sit down and laugh with my family. 

For entertainment, some families sit around and watch tv, some play sports, go for a night on the town, whatever. However, with my family being without a tv, the obvious lack of coordination for sports, and the roads currently being iced over because of the weather, we turn to board games. But normally they're just that, boring. 

     A couple of weeks ago my favorite brother came home from Louisville for Christmas. He and Jordan, my other brother, introduced a "new" game to us---Risk, "The Game of Global Domination", as referred to on the box. Almost everyday since then, it's been the thing to do. 

Domination by definition is: 

a. Control or power over another or others.

b. The exercise of such control or power.

     So, take said definition and apply it to your family. Interesting? When domination is set in motion in my house, with all the noise of us three girls and my boyfriend, the drama from the formation of alliances (illegal by the way), singing from all of us, whispering in each other's ears for a game plan, and the occasional visitor, this game can become pretty hectic. The above definition is expanded with our personal additives. To me, this hectic noise is peaceful, and I wouldn't trade it for a thing. 

-"Domination" Def. 1. The Free Dictionary. n.d. web. 6 January 2014