To get through the raindrops, sometimes you just gotta dance in the rain...

I've been very slow on the blogging this semester. I greatly apologize. It's been one of those weeks. I had a very good family friend pass away this week, leaving behind a wife and three kids. It's so hard to see them go through this. I've been friends with the oldest daughter since we were toddlers and Julia's dad, Tim was like an uncle to me. He was such a charasmatic person and did so much for his family and the community. He will be greatly missed. I can only pray now for God to give strength and peace <3

I heard this beautiful song originally on Glee, but these past couple weeks I heard it again on youtube. It's called "Look to You" by the band, Selah. The main singer, Amy, gives a mini testimony of why the song is so inspirational for her. Even though the reason why SHE feels connected to the song and the reason why I feel connected to the song are completely different, it still is s significant reflection of how even though life can bring us pain, insecurity, uncertainty, and grief, God is the stronghold through it all.

Long time. No blog. A lot's been happenin'!

Wow. I'm back in blogging world. I've been meaning to blog for quite some time about serious and non-serious things alike but was either very busy or going through a lot where I felt I needed to be quiet with that was going on until I gained enough strength and courage to share my life's experiences with the world.

So much has been happening, it absolutely crazy.

I don't know how much detail I really want to get into but I really feel like I'm right at the point where God wants me to be right now. Vulnerable, unsure, and scared. For the longest while, I thought I had everything planned out. I thought I knew exactly who I was and thought I knew exactly what God was planning for my life. Well, I was ever so wrong. I never dreamed I'd be at this point right now.

It's not like being where I am right now is a bad thing. It's allowing me to really trust in God as to where to make the next big step and the next big step is surely to be a BIG one.

Right now I am:
1. In my last year of college with so far, great marks
2. Newly single for the first time in a while
3. Trying to give me life back to God again for the first time in a while
4. Looking at lots of options for possible work opportunities in the next year

This Thanksgiving weekend (Yes, it's Thanksgiving where I live in Canada!), I took alot of time to focus on what I was blessed with, which is alot. I used to be the type of person to go around with a "cane". You look at all the negative things in your life and you feel sorry for yourself. But that type of thinking and attitude only ends up crippling you internally even more. I thought to myself, I want to thank God for the wonderful great things I do have instead of focusing on what I'm lacking.

I thought of TEN things:

1. I have lots of friends. Some people ask, how is it that you have so MANY friends? Well, I don't honestly have an answer for that. I am simply blessed. My friends have gotten me through some of the roughest times. I don't know where I'd be without my friends.

2. I have a supportive family. I can talk to my family about anything. They are always there for me. Right now, I'm appreciating my parents more than ever. I am so blessed to have both parents and my brother in my life.

3. I have a roof over my head. I used to really take this one for grant, but after visiting Vancouver, I saw just how real and sad homelessness really is.

4. I am healthy. After watching one of my best childhood friend's dad die of cancer right now and seeing the hurt and pain which surrounds the family, I am so lucky to be alive and healthy.

5. I have been gifted with many talents and abilities. I want to use my talents to show people who Jesus is.


6. I have the opportunity to gain a university degree as a female. This is a rare opportunity in many countries.

7. I have freedom of opinion. In many places, people are killed for their beliefs and opinions if it does not match up to what the government wants. I am so lucky I can freely practice Christianity in my country.


8. I live in a safe place. So many people have to live each day in fear, wondering if the next day, their homes and family may be destroyed by war.

9. I have access to clean water and am able to afford nutritious food. This is more than a luxury in some countries.

10. I am blessed because Jesus made me perfect, there are no mistakes and I am designed according to His purpose =)


God has blessed me more than I can ever imagine and I know it does not end here =)

Halloween is coming!

I am super excited for Halloween. It's so fun to dress up, pretend to be scary (if that's your thing), eat copious amounts of candy, and have a laugh!

PHOTO QUIZ!:

1. Favorite Halloween Movie

I will split this into two categories: my favorite childhood Halloween movie and my favorite adult / teen Halloween movie

Childhood


Adult / Teen


2. What did you dress up as the last year you trick-or-treated?

Tacky 80's girl - Myself and Adrienne were bored on Halloween night in 12th grade and decided to just throw on the tackiest clothes and makeup we could find and go out as 80's girls!



3. Favorite Halloween Costume you have worn

I was Cleopatra for Halloween in 5th grade and I loveeeeeedddddddd my costume!


4. What are you going to be this year for Halloween?

"Tale as old as time, true as it can be..."


5. Favorite Halloween candy?

I have a couple favorites:



6. Least favorite costume

I was forced to dress as this one year:


7. Have you ever repeated a costume and what was it?

I repeated two. I was a witch in both grade 3 and grade 7 and a black cat in grade 4 and grade 9.



8. Scariest costume?

WHATT was I thinking in 6th grade?


9. Now list all the costumes you ever been right up to now:

Age 4 - Bunny
Age 5 - Angel
Age 6 - Little Red Riding hood
Age 7 - Little Red Riding hood again!
Age 8 - Witch
Age 9- Black Cat
Age 10 - Cleopatra
Age 11 - Dead Cheerleader
Age 12 - Witch
Age 13 - Hippie
Age 14 - Black Cat
Age 15 - Cat woman
Age 16 - Flapper
Age 17 - Tacky 80's girl
Age 18 - I didn't dress up this year
Age 19 - Foxy Cleopatra (from "Austin Powers")
Age 20 - Gabriella from "High School Musical"
Age 21 - Jellyfish / Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz"
Age 22 - Oreo cookie / 80's aerobics girl
Age 23 - I will be Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"

Yay!I hope some others will attempt this too :)

Hard times are temporary..

It's been rough lately, but I'm trying my darnedest to stay strong.
Some days I'm smiling, others I'm crying.

My emotions are all mixed up. I wear my heart on my sleeve way too often.
I wish I didn't care so much. I guess I wouldn't be in nursing if I didn't.

I know things will get better. They always do. It just takes time and I am quite impatient.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteous, and all these things will be added unto you" - Matthew 6:33

Autumn is here!!

Although the official start date of autumn isn't until September 23rd, it definitely feels like autumn where I live! Although it can be a very hectic academic semester, autumn is my favorite season by far! I have so much to look forward to this season:

1. Pumpkin Carving



2. Cinnamon Dolce Lattes from Starbucks... yuummmm-meeee!



3. Fire-y leaves



4. The start of turkey dinners =)



5. HALLOWEEN!



I love Halloween. It's so fun to dress up! My brother and I are having another big Halloween party like last year. His birthday falls on October 25th, so we combine both his birthday and Halloween and invite both groups of our friends so an extra fun night! Last year was a hugeeeee hit, so we're planning to go ahead with one again. Soooo soo excited!







And now, my costume for THIS year! I honestly planned on making my costume again this year, I really did, as I've done in past years. But looking at how hectic I knew my schedule would be, I decided I just would not have the time. I ended up buying a costume online and I am ever so happy. This year, I am planning to be.....












BELLE from Beauty and The beast, my all-time favorite movie!!!! Soo happy. I have been obsessed with Belle ever since I was a little girl and have even been told by people that I sound like Belle when I sing (I guess the mezzo-soprano tones?). So Belle is who I will be. I looked through a lot of costumes, and let me tell you, I was disgusted. I hate how common childhood character costumes have been transformed into skanky, chauvinistic outfits for adult costumes. I came across this because while it's still very cute, it impersonates Belle completely. As far as I remember, all of the Disney princesses (except Ariel and Jasmine) were fully covered! I will be so happy to wear this costume, you have NO idea! Pictures will be posted, for sure!

Anyway, I love Autumn! <3

Enjoy your Sunday. God Bless!

A time to heal.

I haven't had much time to elaborate on what's been going on, but there has been so much in the past month to wrap my mind around, it's going to take awhile before I finally sit down and type everything.

I've been filled with so much joy and then so much pain.

I've been put through so many tests. I've won challenges and I've miserably failed trials.

The first step is being honest with myself. Healing will take time and patience.

But I am so lucky I have been blessed with a wonderful set of supportive friends who are willing to be there for me during this time.

I heard this song while vacationing in Vancouver and suddenly the words have such meaning in my life. While there is so much going on, I have to look at what I am blessed with. It surely surpasses the hurt.

"What if your blessings come from teardrops.." exactly how I feel right now.




I know it will take some time, but God will bring me through this and I know I'll come out a stronger person in the end.

I'm backkk!

I've been MIA for the past little while since my life has been so hectic and insane. So much to blog about. You'll hear it all soon!

Ciao for now.

:)