Exactly.

As of Late

I've been working full time between 2 jobs and am loving my new job at the district office :) my coworkers are so nice and I'm finally decorating my office and settling in.

I recently reconnected with my elementary school best girl friend. We were both at the same birthday party and hit it off again and the night ended with a sleep over at her house with Pauline like we were kids again. To be honest it was really healing for me and I'm so glad we're back in each others' lives. She really is one of my sisters.. "kindred spirits" like from Anne of Green Gables. God works in mysterious ways :)

And I'm kinda bummed that summer is almost over :/ but I love the fall and welcome it.

Sharing my music

So my dad asked me to sing a particular original song for the Teen Challenge graduation this past weekend. I was apprehensive because my songs are so very personal to me, between me and God. But I know that God gave me those songs to share with others. I struggled this past week because I felt so inadequate. I didn't feel good enough.. But I knew that God would use me in spite of me, because it's not about me but about Him. That was my prayer.. I knew the family's of these graduates would be there, many of which didn't know God. And I wanted to be an instrument to draw them closer to Him, to tug on their hearts that He has been waiting for them and loves them. I've posted these lyrics before but here they are again: the song is called Lift Up Your Eyes.

Verse 1

I watch you

Having to fight

When each day brings attacks at every side

I watch you

Trying not to cry

When night time loneliness won’t subside

Pre Chorus

Do you see Me? Fighting at your side?

Do you feel Me? Holding you at night?

Chorus

Lift up your eyes

Cause there’s morning after night

Lift up your eyes

To the sunrise

Verse2

I watch you

Trying to hide

When others ask if you’re alright

I watch you

Believing the lie

That your past defines who you are inside

Pre Chorus:

Do you see me? I’ll show you how to be free

Do you feel me? From you I’ll never leave

Chorus

Lift up your eyes

Cause there’s morning after night

Lift up your eyes

Wait for the sunrise

Lift up your eyes

I've been fighting at your side

Lift up your eyes and let them shine

Bridge

Lift up your eyes to the hill

Where I died

With grace flowing from my side

Where I won the fight

So I could call you mine

So you could fly

Thank you Daddy for using me for your Kingdom and helping me share your amazing love with others... <3

The Cinch Diet

So my mom and I tried The Cinch Diet by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. You're only allowed 5 ingredients that are combined to make meals, shakes, and snacks: eggs, unsweetened raspberries, unsweetened plain yogurt, spinach, and almonds.

This is only for 5 days and then there is a diet plan that allows more foods for the rest of the month. But we only did the initial 5 days because you can lose up to 8 pounds.

On day one it was just so new that I didn't mind it much.

By day two my body went into a panic. I was definitely reacquainted with the feeling of hunger. But I was heating healthy foods and just decided to suck it up and keep going.

By day three every time I blinked I saw a hamburger... I was literally having to tell my body no for it's own good, as weird as that sounds. And I was irritable and moody.

By day 4 I saw visible results in my body, although I had huge dips in energy.

By day 5 I didn't think I was going to make it much longer and was glad it was my last day.

I lost 5 pounds and I feel great.

Just thought I'd share it with you all in case anyone is interested! My cravings for junk food and sweets are very subdued and it reset my metabolism. Now I'm actually hungry right when I wake up and have a good breakfast. I never used to like breakfast or bother with it. I would definitely recommend it, although I don't think I will do it again haha

How does surrendering to God result in freedom?

I don't think I've read anything that puts it in better terms:

"The governing principal is, submission puts one under the authority of the one to whom we submit, and we get whatever the character of that one dictates. If we submit to Satan, or to a human serving Him, the result of our submission is captivity. But if the one submitted to is God, our submission results in freedom, since it is the character of God to set people free. What seems like a contradiction, then, is not, if it is to the freedom-giver that we submit."-Charles Kraft

I think you fell on my heart..

Back to Reality

So we got back to Sacramento last night, and this morning I had to wake up at 7 for a full day of work. Then I ran home, scarfed down dinner, and rushed off to worship practice. I didn't get home till after 9. I'm so pooped I can barely keep my eyes open.

I have so many pictures to work on so I can send out cd's to all the family soon. I'll be posting pictures on here when I have the time. I'm thinkin a slideshow will save more room..

And I'll be posting a few videos too, one of which is me water skiing for the first time :) only took me 20 tries -_- but I didn't give up!!

Also, I saw one of my ex's just recently got married. I let go of him a long time ago. He was probably the only one where I feel completely at peace with.. maybe because he was the only one that was a strong Christian and we were able to find closure without stabbing each other with words.. He was, though, the only one that I thought might be the one. All of the others I knew deep in my heart weren't the one and I was just ignoring the Holy Spirit. With him, though, I actually thought I would be married to one day. But God knew he had other plans and gently revealed to us we had to let go. Even though he's 4 years older than me and I'm still young, it makes me wonder if I'll get married in my late 20's... or even my 30's.. I guess it won't matter when it's right. I'll just keep focussing on Him

On a different note, here is a bumper sticker I made and ordered today :)