Taking first steps

I realized today that pretty much everyday, I sit at home bored out of my mind. If I'm not with Matthew then I'm doing nothing because he is my life and I love him so much, I always want to spend time with him. I don't have any siblings to hang out with during the day because they all have jobs, lives out of state, or is taking care of a new born baby. I would not interrupt their lives just because I'm bored and miss them a little though. I am very happy for them and when I get to spend time with them, I cherish each moment. It really just makes me want to start my career and family right now. It will be a new experience when I actually get married because in the Bible it says that you break away from your families and the two people getting married become one, they start their new and happy life together and they are no longer bound to their parents. I can't wait to go through what a few of my siblings have gone through, the part where they get married and move away. I just can't wait. Because after that, we really do start our own life, we will visit our parents every now and then and then again on holidays, but the rest of the time we get to spend together, without people telling us what we should and shouldn't do. We will be in control of our own lives. I can't wait to get through college, move out of this house and in an apartment somewhere with Matthew, get a new job, get married, and all that fun stuff. I'm not rushing anything though. God determines the steps I make and I will live my life the way He wants me to. I'm trying to enjoy my life right now but when I don't have a job to keep me busy, it's pretty hard. And when I have to sit at home all day doing nothing except laundry and cleaning because Matthew is working and I can't see him or talk to him, then it's pretty hard then too. (If I had a choice, I would see him every single day...because that's how it should be) And even when I'm at home and no one to hang out with, it's hard.  I am very happy with my life, it is just a little hard sometimes and confusing. I have orientation on Friday at Gwinnett Tech and it's very exciting. It is my first step into my life in college and I'm looking forward to it every second.

Don't rush, you will still get there

Lately I have been rushing through everything. And I don't think God would want us to rush through anything, I think he would want us to embrace every second of everything. He created us to enjoy this life on earth and to praise Him.

I keep rushing into my relationship with my boyfriend, Matthew, (not anything bad) but I feel like we should married already! Sometimes I think we are and we aren't so treat him like a husband. I talk about how we are gonna raise our kids, what we would do if they disobey us, where we are gonna live..the one thing I haven't really thought of more is where our wedding is going to be or who is going to be in it, or how to write vows, and who to invite. I keep focusing on the future like it is already here. I need to stop doing that because when I do, nothing turns out like I wanted it to. But it's not supposed to turn out like I want, it's supposed to turn out like God wants it to, it's His plan for me and I need to learn to follow it. Don't rush into whatever is going on in your life, take a step back and look at your life. Remember that God is in charge of your plan and he will make it GOOD.

I've also been rushing to get into college, I wanna be in and out already. I wanna have a job and a car...my license. For people that know me, they would know that patience is not easy for me. I have to pray for it all the time, I have to pray for God to keep me on track...I'm a very impatient person...it's a fact. My point is, we need to take a look at our life. If you don't like the way it looks, pray about it. God will change you. You just have to believe that He is in charge of your plans.

Living in the Light

"Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." -Ephesians 4:29

That bible verse is one of my favorites. I have learned from this verse so much and it means a lot. We live in a world where people just bash each other about absolutely nothing most of the time. I hear about families that fight because even other family members go behind their back and talk about them, which is being two faced...and that's not right. That's hurtful. Family should be supporting one another not constantly fighting over money or where they go and how long they stay out. Compromise.
I also hear people gossip and just flat out talk bad about people saying that someone's hair shouldn't be that color, their teeth aren't straight, they shouldn't dress that way..it makes them look fat. How many times have you said something bad about someone? I'm not saying I am perfect and that I don't talk about people because I have...I am saying that we should get away from that. What ever happened to "If you don't have anything nice to say..don't say anything at all."? I don't understand why we do the things we do. We are human, I know, not perfect. 

"Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you." -Ephesians 4:31-32

And of course there are those people that want to hurt people just because they want to. I personally believe those people are selfish. If we are brothers and sisters in Christ or legit brothers and sisters...why would someone want to say something for another person to get in trouble and yelled at. Why would someone want them to hurt and have pain and be confused? Why would someone want to bring them down and watch them suffer? Why are some people just so selfish and feel like they should be in the spot light...in the middle of attention all the time(Even when it's your birthday..that is still wrong and extremely selfish to put people down and get them in trouble just because it's your birthday doesn't make you anymore special or not special than you are the next day). 
We should be UPLIFTING and ENCOURAGING to others. Not trying to bring them down for our own stupid reasons. Even behind peoples backs, we should be encouraging and supportive. We shouldn't be talking bad about others. We shouldn't be judging people on the way they were raised, the way they dress, who they associate with, their race, or religion...we are children of God, brothers and sisters, and He says in the Bible that anything we say to each other should helpful.
In my opinion, parents should even be trying to keep their child's self esteem up...sometimes they think we have attitudes when we really are just having a bad day. But anyway, I am challenging my self to be uplifting, encouraging, and helpful. What are you going to do? Are you going to keep slandering each other for no reason? Are you going to say things that are unnecessary just to see your brother or sister get in trouble? Or are you going to be the person God wants you to be.

I struggle everyday because of the unknown, I do not know what God wants from me right now except to just help and love people and sometimes advise people to do the right thing whether they are younger or older than me. There are a lot of people I know that just don't even seem like they are right with God, and I'm not judging them. I just know and see that they go down hard and struggling paths, battling with different things, and sometimes even battling to know who they really are. I worry for these people. My prayer for them is that they see a light or have some kind of epiphany to see what they should be doing in their life. I pray that the people I am thinking about somehow come to realize that the attitude they have should be more positive. I have been through a part in my life where I was never positive and I was never uplifting, and I wish that could have been different, but I learned from it and now I am trying my best to be who God wants me to be. God shows such amazing grace, he will take anyone back because He loves us. If you think you are the most sinful person or anything along those lines, God will always take you back. He took me back and I know he loves me and forgives me for anything. Forgiveness is the most amazing thing to me, but some people don't repent in order to be forgiven. If you keep doing the same sin over and over, you are basically a hypocrite but you are always forgiven by God if you keep asking. I hope and pray that people find the light and accept Jesus as their savior. I pray that they encourage one another and read their Bible to find answers. We are all children of God and we should trust what He has in store for us.

Families Have Closure After Osama's Death

Well, Osama was killed. I don't wanna say that I'm happy he is dead, I don't wanna say I'm happy for anyone that dies... although I think it is great that a lot of families have closure now that he is dead. One thing I know, is that now that he is dead, he is facing his judgment day with his god or whoever and he will get what he deserves. Hopefully now, a lot of families are at peace and hopefully there won't be any more terrorist attacks planned like 9/11. I was in third grade when that happened, and I barely remember. I remember everyone freaking out, but I never understood what was going on until a couple years later. I do remember going home and watching the towers fall on TV. There is only so much that I remember on that day. Our country has gone through so much, and I just want to post this to tell people that our country still needs prayer even after the mans death.

Venting, Giving, and Praying

I honestly have no idea what to blog about right now. I think this blog is gonna be me just venting. My life has been a little rocky recently or for a couple of years. I lost my job in August 2010, and that made me not be able to provide for myself because my parents can barely do that. I feel bad for my parents because they try so hard and barely ever get a break from all the stress and worry. My dad is on disability, my mom is the only one that works. I had a job so I could buy things for myself. Now that I don't have a job, it's really hard. I don't have a car or even my license. My boyfriend or someone else in my family drives me anywhere I need to go, and I'm so thankful for that. Everyday I thank God for my life. The way I was raised, was unlike most people. Yes, we grew up with a roof over and head and the things we needed, but we rarely got the things we wanted. We grew up realizing that family and God is the most important. I grew up being grateful for everything I have whether the people around me knew it or not. The year we almost lost our house, definitely brought me closer to God. Because I needed to Him to get me through it. My boyfriend tells me sometimes that because of me, he is grateful for everything he has in his life. And I'm glad I made an impact in his life. God has changed his life and mine. 

My youth group, recently has been all about helping and giving to people. I wanted for so long to help people, and I can't give money because I don't have any...because I don't have a job. And I have went to multiple places filling out applications, and no one is hiring. I don't understand what God wants me to do, or how He wants me to give if I don't have money to help. Money seems to be the thing you need when you go anywhere, when you want to do anything. A lot of people worship their money and I don't want it to sound like that's what I'm doing. When I got laid off my job, I felt like God was giving me a break. I was happy to leave that job because I worked everyday after school and then I would come home to a loud house where I tried to do my homework, and it was super stressful, I thought I was going no where, just walking in circles. Now I need a job more than anything because I want to give to people so much. I want to be able to give money to Charity:Water, give in the offerings on Sunday morning services, give people lunch money if they forget theirs, buy clothes just to give them to a charity or to the homeless, there is so much that I want to give. And I don't even know where to start if I don't have a simple dollar to my name to give away to someone who really needs it. 

My youth minister told us last night to sign up for a mission trip. We're going to Ohio in June. I'm still not exactly sure what we would be doing to help, but he just said money was no object, if we wanted to go, then to sign up. So I signed up. And hopefully I can go because I do not want to miss out on this opportunity to help someone and change their lives.  

I may not have a job, and I may be so stressed out sometimes...but I have no doubt that God is watching out for me. I have faith in Him and I trust Him.

My dad and I get checks in the mail every month, because my dad is on disability. My check is supposed to stop coming when I turn 18, and that is next month. Those checks keep us from getting behind on our bills. So pray that who ever reads this blog, prays for my family. I don't want to see my parents lose hope, I don't want them to worry or anything else. We were so close to losing our house before and I don't want it to happen again. God saved us once from having move and hopefully He does it again. Good things always seem to happen just when we need a miracle. God just works in mysterious ways.

http://www.charitywater.org/about/scotts_story.php

This video is all about raising money so we can build a well for people who do not have clean water. Go to the website, donate money if you would like. Just think about about what everyday things you take for granted, like water, when half the world drink mud, get diseases and tumors, and then have no way of treating that. I am so thankful for what I have in my life, words cannot even explain it. God has done so much in my life, it's unbelievable. I pray, right now, that some would read this, watch the video, and feel the need to give.

It's all a Part of Gods Plan

I recently have gone through some tough times with college and school and what not. I get stressed and worry so easily. The thought of college on the day of Friday January 21st...disgusted me. I had just got off the phone with an admissions person from the college and they had told me that I would not be able to start the Vet Tech program this Fall because I had a lot of things that I didn't know about that had to be done first. During all of this I was thinking..."What if I don't start this fall, what am I going to do with my time?" "What if I don't get to go to college with Matthew", "What if I don't miss deadlines again", "What if Matthew gets mad because I won't be starting college with him", "What if mine and Matthews relationship gets put on hold because he's in college and I'm not.", and "What if I don't even find a job while I'm waiting to get into college so I'm broke and how will I start my career." What ifs shouldn't control your thoughts and impact your future. I let those what ifs control me all the time; all it does is stress me out to no end. My boyfriend and I struggle so much because of those what ifs, and it hurts our relationship sometimes because I always think what if he finds someone better and what if I'm not good enough. If you cancel out those what ifs, then you have Faith. Faith is what you cannot see. You just have to believe that you have all you need, you have faith in God, and you have faith that God will provide for you and plan your future for what is best for you. I didn't even want to think about Gods plan on that Friday because I was torn to pieces by what I thought could happen. (what could happen isn't the same as what will happen) and what did happen was even better, God answered my prayers. When life gives you struggles and difficult times...some people would think of it as an open opportunity to make things better and learn from it. When you are in the deepest about of pain, you should still keep your faith high. Your faith needs or replace your what ifs. And then your life will be more positive. Wondering those what ifs is like doubting God and his plan for you.

"For I know the planes I have for you, they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
"Faith is the confidence that we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." - Hebrews 11:1

God wants us to have faith that good things will happen and be positive. It takes me a while to understand that when I'm struggling, and that's why I have Matthew to keep reminding me. We help get each other through hard times. He reminds me that God is great and He can do the impossible, and that God always has a plan...whether it's what you want or not, sometimes His plan is unexpected and the best plan that we could ever think of. So, I would like to thank my wonderful boyfriend, Matthew, for getting me through this hard time, even though he was just as scared as I was. We thought we were going to have to rearrange our entire life/future but that didn't have to happen thanks to God. Matthew had a positive attitude about everything towards me with a few doubts, but everyone has a few doubts here and there. But everything works out in the end...in always does.

 

Reason for the title of my page :)

Today, my wonderful boyfriend asked me why I named my blog Up, Up, and Away. And I finally came up with a good reason. 
1. I googled some ideas and saw that one and liked it a lot.
2. I feel like it summarizes how life should be lived. I believe that life is a special gift that shouldn't be taken for granted. It's a precious thing and we need to live it to the fullest. If you were to die today, would you say your life was fulfilled? Would you say that you did everything you wanted to do, regrets or not? I have heard the saying "Life is about taking chances", and that's true. But I also believe that it's about getting out of your comfort zone(which I am still struggling with) and making a difference for life, a friend/family's life, a random persons life, a homeless person, an orphanage, or just making a difference in the entire world for the glory of God. So... Up, up, away.

Having a relationship with Jesus

This is my very first blog ever, and I have decided to start it by sharing about my Christian life and I believe that this blog and all blogs are going to mostly be about my faith.

I just got home from my youth group at First Christian Church, and I have learned more about following God and having a relationship with him. Everyone struggles with this, but there are many stories in the Bible, like in Mark chapters 1 and 2. Where Jesus heals a man with leprosy and a guy who was paralyzed. I learned tonight that you can have the biggest amount of Faith and Love for Jesus Christ, and he forgives you just by trying to get to know him. Having a relationship with him, isn't just about praying and reading your Bible and going to church every Sunday and Wednesday. It's about talking with him, telling God about your day, telling him how you feel whether it's mad, sad, ecstatic, devastated, whatever the emotion...God is here, and God is LOVE. He loves you unconditionally, He gives you mercy, and forgives you. God's grace surrounds us and sometimes we don't realize it. Sometimes we take it for granted, along with a lot of things. We struggle everyday with school, work, friends, and family. And what we don't realize is that we should just stop and pray every time we come upon a problem and we should let God deal with, because he can do the impossible.