Whatever Needs to Go...

Through different seasons of my life, I have found myself pursuing the straight and narrow path for selfish reasons. In a way I believed that as long as I was pursuing to strengthen my relationship with Jesus, my deepest desires would be rewarded to me. I was once told that my future husband and I would meet at the moment that we were both right with God. Whether or not I believe this to be true...it ignited this fire in me to be right with God in order to meet my future husband. What a rude awakening I had when I discovered the evil that had rooted in this way of thinking. Upon this realization, I found myself struggling with the thought of giving up those desires in order to pursue a righteous path for the sole purpose of being right with God. Was I willing to release the pursuit of my future into the hands of God? Could I say "Lord, ONLY if it is in your will, can I have these things"? At the moment I could not fathom giving up the hope of someday having a person who was mine and I was his... that was a desire that had consumed my hopes and dreams throughout all 22 years of my life...and now I am suppose to give them up in the pursuit of God alone? Through confession of this selfish desire, prayer, and study I released the power of my future into the hands of God. Something I had since believed I was already doing. Little did I know the reward of being freed of these desires freed me from the suffering of not receiving them. It has been quite some time since struggling with the relinquishing of my desires into desiring only what God has intended for my life.

In listening to the sermon spoke on the first sunday of 2014, I was reminded of this past struggle and time in my life. I was reminded of my need to pray daily: "Lord make me new." Pastor Tim explained what it means when we ask to be made new according to God: to remove, reverse, and renew. It means asking for God to remove sin and wrong. To make repentance a lifestyle and praying:  "Whatever needs to go...give me the grace to let it go." To give God full reign and full access to our lives.


Pastor Tim ends the service asking three questions: [1]If you were in the new world and looking back on this present time, what would you stop doing right now, what would we cut off, what would we leave aside? [2]What would we begin doing that we haven't been doing? [3]What would you keep on doing?

I pray that God would lay these questions heavily on my heart throughout this whole first week of 2014 and that I will have answers the next time I read this post. For now, I charge you to listen to the message and search your heart for the answers to those questions as well:

Here is the link to the service: realityla.com/tag/jesus-christ 

Thinking

It has been a while since I have had the time to just sit in bed and ignore the pressing demands of morning. Lately my life seems to be more a blur that I just stumble along in than a clear path of action. Therefore, I am finding myself with time to think. I am thinking...that it may be time to redesign this blog. My past posts and inspirations have sprouted from the mind of a college student that wrote far too many papers a week. Now i'm a college grad, working in a hair salon, who never writes anything but appointments and reminders. I definitely think that it would be beneficial for me to utilize this space as more of an outlet for my writer side. I think that perhaps getting out of the social media world a bit more would inspire me to visit this page more. In the past I have deactivated my facebook which actually led to me creating this blog in the first place. Perchance deactivating it again will ignite my passion for writing and sharing the happenings of my life more often. Without a doubt I can feel that ease of writing slipping away as I even write this post. The effortless flow of thoughts to keyboard have been cut short and I find myself searching for words when I used to just type and they would come. Its possible the banter in espanol right outside my bedroom door is a bit distracting, or the fact that I really need to clean my room and shower and pack my lunch. Regardless of the cause I miss the peace I used to receive from writing on this blog and I really have high hopes that I can create a routine that will ensue a positive outlet in my current post grad life. Stay tuned for a new feel next time you visit and hopefully my next post will be more uplifting and probably an easier read as well.

Au revoir

RiffRaff Girls

The adventures of Malibu, Pankcake Girl, and Frenchie: the RiffRaff Girls:

Paparazzi Shot 

Funny girl Ellen

Natalie Getz and Tricia Wood spotted outside the WB studios in Burbank

Stars! They're just like us!  

Silly Natarie

All I see: foundation + sock bun

Crazy Dancer Guy

Oops still learning

Sister Selfie

Fun day in LA

RiffRaff Girls :]

The best of the best

Day one of Finals Week: hanging out with these two beauties = A+

Beginning of the End

It is the last month of college. I am sitting in class right now and just reflecting on what has happened so far this month. I got the most AMAZING book in the mail, Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. Hanging out with the sweetest baby animals. Celebrating Liz turning 25 and picking up cap and gowns with my APU girls. BLESSED.

We are almost officially college graduates

Not the cutest picture....but a moment not to forget

Sleepy little baby

Liz is 25!

Sister Birthday Shot

3 week old OREO

Birthday surprise!

LOVING this book

First interview outfit

Junkie Cup yum

Love my beautiful mama

I'm sitting here on the couch cuddling with a sleeping pup after a long hiking adventure. Jack and I took off into the wild world of San Dimas to explore the world and stumbled upon a cute path [thanks kelsie!] turns out it leads us to another little city which was a bit boring but still a fun adventure! Here are some pics from our journey. Enjoy!

Such an obedient boy

Could not focus for the life of him

Never seen him pant like this before. So cute.

Long Walk.

Kisses for the Jackster

It was so hot

Exploring the pretty flowers

Just taking it all in

Such a brave boy

Takin in the scenery

Rest stop

Such a handsome pup

I love how obedient he is at only four months :]

My Best Friend is Fab.

2013

First post of 2013. I've been pretty neglectful of this nice little blog and thought now would be as good a time as any for a little update. Here is little insta-update on my life these past couple months. 

January 1, 2013

Pamela came to my apartment and we crafted Jars of Joy

I got new frames and prescription :]

Tricia got really sick so Schroeder and I kept her company

Grandma watched Grey's Anatomy with me

Schroeder Trish and I watched a lot of Greys Anatomy while she was sick

Brody pup got a job as a paper boy

Tried Lemonade for the first time with Myra and Kyle

First night back in my apartment after winter break, watching Bachelor with roommates

Saw yoda at target

Kayla and I got Sonic after her car accident

Got Starbucks before I had to nanny...spilled it in my car 

Hung out at Trish and Wills

Collected change for the WPC and applied to volunteer

Got to see Kaylin :]

Added notes to our prayer board

The first hour we had little Jack Daniels [6 weeks old]

He was such a tiny little pup

just the cutest little pup

Driving to church

a little creative entrapment for Jack

Such a beautiful sight

Love cuddling with Jack [doing it as I type now]

Beginning of the rainy season, my favorite season

Kayla's 22nd Birthday dinner at Max's Mexican

Going to class, love a post rain sky

Made kayla a cup and cake, jack fell in it

Mustache ring Trish got me for Christmas

Photobooth at Kaylas bday party

Setting up a movie night for the kids I nanny

Such a handsome boy

More bachelor nights :]

Had to get a TB skin test :[

Went to visit the old court in the mods

Throwback to how teeny Jack was

Precious Olivia sleeping. Favorite moments

Best Friend Day Collage

Valentines Nails

On our way for Jack's first shots!

Sleeping on the way to apple valley wrapped in my scarf

Grandma was in love

Met little Noah for the first time

Snuck Jack into church..still in a chewing phase

Hung out with little Minnie at Trish's

I miss my favorite boy

Such a good day filled with LOTS of pups

BFF cuddles

Fun with Olivia and Graydon

Doing hw with Jack in my lap [as he sits there now as well]

T.Phillips with roommates :]

The cuteness never ends

New makeup! [half of it was free]

Enjoying the sun while nannying

Sunny, but COLD so Liv was all bundled up

First completed knitting project

Assisting Michelle for Liz and Rod's engagement photos
 

First time going to Ellen

Shopping with my Mama

Number in line for Ellen

Mustache Mug

Love my Lacey

Jack visited the nanny house

Second knitting project complete

Jack's original size compared to his current size lol

Sunny days with Liv

Things I knit for the kids

Jack Knocked out after playing with the kids

Shea woke up for some midnight cuddles and photosesh

Jack this morning knocked out in my lap.

That is pretty much what 2013 as consisted of so far. A lot of Jack, and a lot of knitting, 

and a lot of Nannying :]

Au Revior