Family In Faith Blog Hop

Do you write a Faith or Family related blog? We want to connect with you! Link up!

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Rules: There really aren't many rules, we want it to be as easy as possible for Christian bloggers to connect and we understand the sometimes time is too tight to jump through hoops! Since this is a new bloghop, we'd appreciate it if you could grab the code and post it on your blog so we can reach every Christian blogger possible! The one thing that we ask is that you visit the blog directly above yours if you're super busy.

Hosts: Each week, the hop will be hosted on three sites, this one and two others. To make things easy, they will be the top three links on the linky. If you get a chance, swing by their blogs and follow them! Make sure you leave a comment so we know to visit you and follow back!

Thoughtful Thursday 4: Life, Changes, and Leaders

Hey Friends! Remember this feature? I'm guessing that's a big fat "no", seeing as how I haven't done it for 8 weeks! My Lent series is over now, so Thoughtful Thursdays are making a comeback. :)

Possibility. You never know what is going to happen! I could wake up in the morning and have the best day of my entire life. Especially when you've had a bad day and you just want to disappear, the possibility a brand new day brings along is worth it. I never know what is in store for me!

Hmmm... my business?! I thought up the idea to open a blog design business with all the proceeds going to orphans, and I basically went with it blindly. I developed that crazy burst of inspiration into a fun business that I am very proud of.


Also... my blog. I remember way back in December when, out of lack of anything better to do, I started a blog. Absolutely NO ONE read this blog for over a month, but I didn't lose hope! I kept working at it, and somehow it just happened. People really like me! I developed this little piece if the World Wide Web to encourage, empower, and uplift ladies of all ages in Christ. So far, it;s going amazingly well!

Trustworthiness. If you are going to let someone lead you, a group, our nation, whatever it may be, you have to trust them! You have to value their abilities and have faith that they can do everything they say they can do. I'm not usually leading anything, but when I do, I know people put their trust in me and I always come through.  

I stopped judging people. Well, I'm working on stopping the judgement. I have 4 goals: To not judge, to have empathy, to not complain, and to obey. I'm trying to get better at these things everyday. It really makes a difference. Instead of making judgments, you have to look at people/things in a new way. Whenever I want to say or think something negative about something, instead I think of 2 positives. When someone does something I'm not crazy about, I try to get over my irritation and keep a smile on my face. I don't know why they did it, but I trust that they have a reason. Theses changes have helped me become a better person, and I hope other people in my life and noticing it too!


Blessings!

Godly Character Quality #38: Dependability!

Godly Character Quality #38: Dependability vs. Inconsistency: Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice. - Psalms 15:4


Wow.

I'd like to think I'm a pretty dependable person. I always do what I say I'll do. Really! It's time limits that get me.

Somehow, I am always extremely busy. I always have a ton of stuff to do! Even though usually it's all enjoyable stuff, I still struggle with time.

So, I guess I'm dependable to a certain extent.

I'm choosy. for example if someone asked me to do something a few days ago and I'm just about to do it when something else that I'd much rather do comes up? Well, you guessed it, that person from a few days ago ends up waiting a few more days. Endless cycle.

I really feel awful when it takes me 2 weeks to get back to someone with something really simple. Something I offered to do for them! I don't like to make excuses, and I end up in that position a lot.

Here's to a change: I'm going to become a dependable person!

In all senses of the word.

Who knows what this may entail... scheduling, cutting out distractions, maybe some kind of personal reward... I'm not sure!

I want my friends to think of me as a reliable person. "Oh, that's Sydney, Miss Dependable!" not, "Oh, Sydney, that girl who is all over the place and doesn't understand the meaning of time limits?"

It's a work in progress, let's just say that. :)

Blessings!

What about you? Do you consider yourself a dependable person- in all senses of the word? What does dependability mean to you?

Wordless Wednesday

Says It All.

Blessings!

I've Got A Hammer!

Over the past 2 weeks or so, we've had rain. Not just any regular old rain either. I'm talking about daily downpours! We  have had record breaking rain (ahem... torrential downpours) so much so that this April is going down in history as one of the top 10 for rain amounts. It is crazy! Crazy, I tell you.

There has been tons of flooding in different places (including this "ditch" that really should not be in our messed up lawn), and yesterday people just a few counties over were being evacuated because it was possible that a dam would break.

Seriously? I've never known a dam to break like that. I've never seen this much rain either. A nightly thunderstorm has become usual around here.

Now, along with all this outrageous weather, have come some theories. Let me share with you one that I've heard so far:

1. A co-worker of my Dad's says that all these storms and floods are to kill the good people that God wants in Heaven with Him. Then later, say around December, all kinds of bad things will start happening to those left on Earth. Fires and such until everyone is gone and the world is empty...

Um... for real? 

Really, it's just a 96 hour straight thunderstorm (totally normal). That's all! I certainly don't believe that the world is going to end because it's been raining all the time.

When I posted about this rain situation on Facebook, my friend commented, "Build an ark?"

I've always loved the story of Noah's Ark.

There has never been rain. The people had no reason to suspect that a giant flood would come. "What's a flood", they wondered?

Noah didn't question. Everyone thought he was certifiably nuts, but he wasn't. He was dong what God had called him to do. Build an ark.

Have you ever seen the movie Evan Almighty? If not, it's basically a modern day version of the story of Noah. With Steve Carrell.

It's a hilarious movie. But it's also very true. People called Noah crazy. They made fun of him for building this huge ark when there had never been rain.

But let me just say this.. our God is greater. He is more powerful than all these storms we've been battling, more mighty than 6 billion doubtful souls.

If He has called you to do something, don't fear! His way is always better, and you'll always be blessed for choosing to follow Him, and spread His truths to non-believers.

All I know is this: I'm willing. In the  words of Chris Tomlin,

"Where you go, I'll go. 

Where you stay, I'll stay. 

When you move, I'll move. 

I will follow."

If God suddenly decides to make do something crazy that will shake the world, I'm there. I'll be that one person who follows Him. I'll be Noah. Are you with me?

I've got a hammer. I'll use it however He pleases!

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. {2 Chronicles 7:13-14}

Be Blessed,

Lost...and Found?

I've been a very shy person my entire life. I would like to think it got better as I got older, but I'm not sure of that!

In middle school, I didn't like to talk to teachers. It was awkward, and I avoided it at all costs. I was also "afraid" of turning things in. I was a follower. If someone else turned in a form or money, I would go turn mine in. If the teacher asked if any of us had forms, I would go turn it in. When no one initiated anything, though, the forms would most likely stay in my folder.

In 6th grade, I lost 3 sweatshirts. I would leave them in class, and I assumed that teachers/students turned them in to the lost and found. Had the principal announced it on the intercom, saying, "If anyone has lost a gray L.E.I. sweatshirt with a purple flower, it's in the office. Stop by and pick it up.", then I would have gone and picked it up. Case closed.

However, that never happened. I lived with the dumbest fear ever, and that prevented me from getting my sweatshirts back.

I'm sure that by now you know I'm not really talking about sweatshirts, right?

The purpose of the lost and found is to help you find something you've lost. If you're afraid to find it, then it will stay lost.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. - Psalms 34:4

The summer right after the year of 3 lost sweatshirts was when I gave my life to the Lord. I was lost... but I had the courage to be found in Him.

What if I had been too afraid to be found? Being lost is easy. You can just blend into the background. Being found though, that is a true feat.


It isn't going to be announced to us... "Choose God. He'll always love you no matter what." We know that, and we have to make the choice!


To be found in Him, to live boldly for your Savior, to stop caring so much about what other people will think of your relationship with Him, is amazing. 


It is ourselves, and only ourselves that prevent us from being found. We are confused, and scared. We don't have all the answers. We are only human! However, Jesus Christ, the one who died for our sins out of His deep love for us, remember Him? He does have all the answers. We've just got to trust in Him.


So many people fear that because they have sinned and done less than honorable things, they can never be found. They are afraid God will look down upon them. 


But... Let's face it. We are all sinners, just saved by His mighty grace!


The next time you are feeling fearful, or doubting the mighty powers and grace of our God, just know... nothing says you can't be found. At any time, just turn to Him and He will lovingly take you in. :)


"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" {Psalm 56:3-4}

Be Blessed!

He is Risen!

On Thursday, Jesus and His disciples ate the Last Supper.


On Friday, my Savior was nailed to the cross to die for my sins.


"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,
 who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." {Mark 15:5-6}


This morning, He rose. 


I don't understand it all. Why? Who would love me, love all of us so much that He would endure all that pain and suffering?


They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and 
believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. {Mark 15:27-32}


He could have said no. Anyone else would have. But He IS NOT anyone else. He is our Savior, Jesus Christ.


He died, and today He was resurrected. He has risen! Oh, how thankful I am for that.


Wishing you the best of Easters today, celebrating life.


Happy, happy Easter, sweet friends!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. {Romans 8:38-39}

Be Blessed,

Inspiration By Song

{Thanks to the one and only totally amazing Melanie for this beautiful button!}

Happy Easter!

Well, Almost...

I usually post our usual Inspiration By Song bright and early Sunday morning, but this week is a little different. Instead of in the morning, we will be inspired tonight by our God's amazing grace. As we think about Jesus, who was crucified so that sinners like you and I could live freely, let's uncover the true meaning of Easter. {And trust me, it has absolutely nothing to do with bunnies, as cute as they may be!}

This first song, called "Why" by Nicole Norderman, is absolutely breathtaking. It really makes you realize what a huge sacrifice Christ made for us. All out of His intense love for us, even though we are sinners. I hope you'll listen and take in the meaning.

The second song is an old favorite: "Amazing Grace" by Chris Tomlin. I LOVE this song. Oh, if only we knew how amazing, magical, undeserved, and miraculous His grace really is...





Enjoy, Dear friends! I pray that you have a wonderful day tomorrow, celebrating our mighty saviors Resurrection. Rejoice!!! Scream it out to the world! He has risen (well, in the morning, that is.)

Tomorrow morning, expect a big, love filled, humble Resurrection post. Don't we all look forward to this day more than any other?

Your sister in Christ,

Want a Button?

As I was sprucing up my blog and creating a new header this morning, I decided to change the way I displayed my favorite blogs! To make the sidebar less cluttered, I created a new page to showcase all of my blogging besties. :)

I was going to put up everyone's buttons as a more eye catching and appealing way to honor my favorite blogs, but I quickly discovered that it wasn't going to work. Why?

No one has buttons!

That's right, most of my favorite bloggers do not have buttons for me to showcase. Buttons are essential, ladies! That's why I'm offering to help you out with this. My gift to you is a button!

If you do not have a blog button, and would love for me to make you one, just leave a comment! Just give me a few sentence idea of hat you want, and your email address so I can send you the HTML code. 

Note: I'll design a button for anyone! You do not have to be on my favorite blogs list for me to make you a button {Who knows, maybe I'll discover that I love your blog and it should be a part of my list}!

Blessings!

Ready... Set... Go! Comment, and you'll have a brand new button in less than 24 hours. :)

Happy 25th Alex!

So Excited. Guess what today is? My big sister, Alex's, 25th birthday! Only... she's not technically my big sister. She's my best friend in the entire world's big sister. Same difference to me!

When I was 5 years old, I met my best friend Sabrina.It was the first day of Kindergarten, and we instantly connected.

I started going over to her house all the time. Alex was quite a few years older than us, but she always took the time to hank out with us. I remember being 8 years old watching cooking shows with Alex the living room while Sabrina watched cartoons (I was 8 going on 18).

I've always had the best times with Alex, and she has never treated me any different than she did Sabrina. Really, we are very close.

Last year, Alex married Ryan. They are the sweetest couple ever, and coming up on their first anniversary! June 5th!

I can vividly remember our sleepovers. They were the most fun thing ever! Alex would hang out with us, and include us in whatever she was doing. She would buy us hot chocolate from Starbucks. When she in college at California State, Sabrina and I used to come down and spend the night with her. Those were some fun times.

I totally look up to Alex. She's going to law school, happily married, a great sister at all times, and I can only hope I'll be as awesome as she is when I'm 25!

Miss ya and Love ya, girl! Happy, happy birthday! May you 26th year be the best one yet. :)



P.S: Happy Earth Day and Good Friday! (Busy day, huh?)

Wait.. But Don't Be Idle!

This is the post I wrote yesterday for Single Christian Thursday (which I'm in charge of, being the single Christian) at Serve One Another In Love. I personally really like this post, so I'm reposting it for you ladies to read!

**********************************************************************************

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. - Psalm 62:5

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! - Psalm 27:14

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. - Psalm 59:9

Often times, as an unmarried Christian lady, let's face it: All you want to do is get married! I know there have been many hours of your life spent thinking about how you'll meet your future spouse, how they will look and behave, how you'll have 2 amazingly adorable kids named Olivia and Nikolas, etc.

Why? Why do we spend our time thinking this way? Obviously, our God needs no help in picking our future spouse.

As a teen, I read the book Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. One part of that book that has always stuck with me is that chapter she talks about waiting. It is, by far, the hardest thing God asks us to do. It's indefinite. We could bump into our perfect mate at the grocery next Tuesday, at the mall 4 years from now, or maybe it's not part of His plan for us to be married at all!

God has asked us to wait. In time, He will reveal His plans for us.  However, waiting does not mean sitting on the couch and dreaming of what married life will be like. Absolutely not! In waiting, do not spend your time idly. As a single, Christian woman (or man) you are worth something! We are fearfully made in Christ. The Lord has big things planned for us.  Achieve your goals. Life is not on hold while you wait for your spouse. Live flexibly and fully for Christ, allowing Him to direct your path on this crazy road we call life. We should embrace the gift of single life and all of the blessings we have, and the time we have will be more meaningful!

We've all heard Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season... That's true.  One day, it will be time for God to direct our paths towards married life. Today, we must savor each breath of our single journey, pursue Christ with full hearts, and understand that while we may be in waiting, we should not be idle.

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. - Habakkuk 2:3

Remarkable Faith: Communion!

For the last eight weeks of Lent, I've been participating in Mary at Giving Up On Perfect's Remarkable Faith journey. Today is no exception! Our very last topic is communion. Enjoy!

As with all my stories, this one starts out with me as a strong-willed, independent, out-spoken, 8 going on 18, little girl.

My cousin Maggie was making her first communion, and there was a ceremony. I did not want to attend. My parents were obviously going to make me go, but getting me to go to church under any circumstance was a major challenge. I did the usual crying (the tears came at the drop of a hat at that age) and convinced my dad to incorporate something in it for me. I told him I would go and be good if I NEVER had to make my own first communion.

My dad agreed out of frustration. I was really such a hard child to deal with! So bull-headed and always too willing to fight it out so I could get what I wanted.

We went to Maggie's first communion, and I kept pressing the fact that I was going so I would never have to make my own. I was hesitant because I was afraid my dad would go back on his word and force me to make mine regardless.

On that day, we got to the communion late and ended up watching from the church entrance. We never even sat down. As soon as we walked out, I declared my freedom  in excitement. "I was good! Ha! Now I NEVER have to make my own first communion! I'M FREE!"

*********************

That was then. I was a bratty (couldn't you tell?), selfish, inconsiderate, scheming, manipulating 8 year old. I fully admit to that.

I couldn't see the significance of Maggie's first communion back then. In fact, I couldn't even see it when I was save 5 long years later at 13.

It has taken me until now to see the significance of that communion my life.

The funny thing is, I really never had a communion ceremony. I got away with a ton of stuff back then, and therefore missed out on a ton of stuff.

 I'm still selfish (aren't we all?) but I make a conscious effort not to be a brat as an adult. Just kidding! :)

I was so resistant of God for the first half of my life, and I always look back at this time in amazement of how much i didn't understand! I had no idea what the true meaning and purpose of communion was!

Some of the most significant moments in my lifetime have happened when I was at such a confused, resistant moment in life. Either right then, or sometime later, I always end up seeing how God really worked through me and did a miracle in my unwilling heart. I now appreciate communion, and understand why it's so special. I guess that's just the way He works!

Was Blind...

I'm sure we are are familiar with the song "Amazing Grace" (I just LOVE the Chris Tomlin version!) and the iconic lines:

"I once was lost, but now I'm found,

Was blind, but now I see."

I'm sure you've heard this story too: Blind people are not prejudice or judgemental of others, because they can't see them to make judgements. I've heard people say, "Oh, I'd kill to be blind (no pun intended!) because then I wouldn't be so judgmental, and I'd love people for who they were."

See, I think it's true. So many of our prejudices are just petty things such as not liking the way someone dresses. I've shared this story here a few times, but I really struggled with this when I was a pre-teen. I was caught up in all the sights, and I wasn't realizing that a person is not made up of the material they wear. Sad, I know. :)

Obviously, I'm not blind. Yet, in a way, I am. I'm a blogger.

I have never met any of my blogger friends. I've never even seen a picture of half of them! Through blogging, I am able to know people through their writing. I can see to their hearts. In blogging, you read a post written by someone you've never met, email them, and you have a good chance of becoming great friends! Now, maybe this is just me, but that doesn't happen near as much in real life.

I would never have said this before, but the "blindness" of blogging is a gift.

I think there is a reason I felt called to begin blogging in January. All other "crazy ideas" I get and actually implement would not have lasted for over 3 months. Blogging is something good for me. Through it, I've been able to see the real people behind the clothes, and come to know their hearts.

In a way, I'm both blind and seeing. I see what is good. I'm here blogging for Christ, and I see that that is a wonderful way to honor him. I have been taught that whats inside is what matters. So now, I see people. I don't see perfect, impossible "idols". Being "blind" has taught me that people are people. We are all imperfect, yet perfect in His eyes, choosing to love Him and see what He would like us to see.

Be Blessed,

Max On Life

Yay! Last week I was able to read my first Max Lucado book. I was very excited because I have always liked him and admired his work.

Max On Life, is a question and answer book. Max answers over 150+ frequently asked questions, and the book is divided up into easy to find sections. The thing I loved about it was that each chapter was made up of 1 or 2 page answers, so you could be satisfied after reading only 5 minutes! 

It was very neat to here insights from a well-known "expert" on these questions that we all think. The questions were real life thing too. I felt like I could really relate to what Max was saying. I can easily say I throughly enjoyed reading this book. 

I love Max's writing style and with the organization of the book, it's a must read! It was a reassurance and a joy to read. Max writes in such a way that you feel like he is talking to you. It's very personal, and as a big fan of memoirs/ auto-biographies (Not from the olden days, but from modern people!) I found it fun to read. I've gained some reading tips, some writing tips, and overall I had a great experience reading a very insightful book! I would totally recommend it to you. :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Inspiration By Song

Hi! It's bright and early on A Sunday morning. The sun is shining, and the sky is the limit! Purpsoe to be thankful this morning. Thankful for all the many blessing in your life, and thankful for your savior! I know I'm giving thanks. To start you off on the right track with a beautiful attitude and purpose for the week, here is your weekly inspiration fix (in song form, of course!). i was going to pull 2 songs from the amazing list my blogging friends have helped me out with, but God had a different plan for this morning. I stumbled upon Emily's beautiful blog, and fell in love with 2 songs on her playlist.I seriosuly adore these songs right now. They reflect just the way I'm feeling! SO beautiful, SO inspiring, SO uplifting! Enjoy, sweet friends!

"I may never climb a mountain
So I can see the world from there
I may never ride the waves
And taste the salty ocean air
Or build a bridge
That will last a hundred years
But no matter where the road leads
One thing is always clear

I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
'Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You soothe me when I'm weary
Oh Lord for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed

All along the road less traveled
I have crawled and I have run
I have wandered through the wind and rain
Until I found the sun
The watching eyes ask me why
I walk this narrow way
I will gladly give the reason
For the hope I have today

I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
'Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You soothe me when I'm weary
Oh Lord for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed

You've given me joy
You've given me love
You give me strength
When I want to give up
You came from heaven
To rescue my soul
This is the reason I know, I know

I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
'Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You soothe me when I'm weary
Oh Lord for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed."

"There's a voice that cries out in the silence,
searching for a heart that will love him,
longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all, he wants it all

And there's a God that walks over the earth,
he's searching for a heart that is desperate,
And longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all, he wants it all

And he says, love me, love me with your whole heart
he wants it all today
serve me, serve me with your life now
he wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
he wants it all today (x3)
He wants it all

There's a God that walks over the earth,
he's searching for a heart that is desperate,
longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all, he wants it all

And he says, love me, love me with your whole heart
he wants it all today
serve me, serve me with you life now
he wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
he wants it all today (x3)
He wants it

Oh oh oh, all of you, more of you
wants it all today oh oh oh (whole thing x3)
Today, today

he wants it all today, he wants is all today
so give it all

There's a voice that cries out in the silence,
searching for a heart that will love him,
longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all

He wants it all."


You don't even know how much i am loving these 2 songs right now, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed them. More to come next week!

Be Blessed!

STOP!

Sometimes, I just completely exasperate myself.

What do I want out of life? Sometimes, that all get's confused and mixed up in my crazy mind.

What's my problem, and why can't I fix it? These are all things that run through my head.

Today, my friend asked me to go to the zoo with her. I made up a lame excuse, as always, and moved on.

But that little pang of guilt? Oh, it stayed.

Why do I have to make such a big deal about everything? I'm starting to think that all these "big" problems in my life are not even problems at all. They are blessings.

It's all in how you look at it.

I have the sweetest friend ever. Mary Elizabeth and I have been friends for forever. She's amazing.

Yet, I complain when she wants to me hang out with her because I'm just not into it.

I tend to make mountains out of molehills.

I just frustrate myself with my actions and thoughts sometimes. I'd love to just stop freaking out about the littlest of things.

Sometimes, I just wish i were different. I wish I could just get together with my friend, and leave it at that. I wish I could be a more social person. i wish i could be a more perfect. person.

Today, when i got to this point, it FINALLY  hit me.

STOP!

I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm having a panic attack because I can't be the perfect person I think people expect of me.

But that's okay!

I may mot be perfect in my eyes, but I am perfect in someone's eyes. The eye's of my creator.

And that's all that matters.

So I'm done feeling sorry for my imperfect self. I'm going to start rejoicing in this fact.

I am perfectly made, issues and all.

I just can;'t see it, yet.

If the only think I ever accomplish in my lifetime is proving my love to Christ, then so be it. I'm perfectly happy with that!

i'm generally such an upbeat person. I am so tremendously blessed, and I have no reason to be sad or worried!

I've got someone to back me up. Forever.

Flickr Photo Mosaic: Get to Know A Little About Me!

This week I was looking through my friends blog of her grandmother recipes, called Grammy's Recipes, when I found this really cool thing I had to try out!

It's a really creative way to get to know more about someone!

Here are the instructions:

Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search, using only the first page, choose your favorite image, copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

It's really pretty fun to see what Flickr comes up with! Here we go:

1. What is your first name?
Sydney. I knew all the pictures would be of Australia (where I have never been, by the way.) Almost every sing one showed this pretty Sydney Harbor Bridge, so I picked the one you see above.

2. What is your favorite food?
French toast! I LOVE it. Most of the photos were of random peoples breakfast plates, but I love, I guess you could say, "glamorous" photos. So I picked the amazing photo of rising bread.

3. What high school did you attend?
Oldham County High School. Yeah, I was surprised to see any pictures at all come up for this search. Every single one of them was of boys playing basketball except the random pretty sunset at the end (which I, of course, went with.)

4. What is your favorite color?
Purple! There were plenty of beautiful images on the first page, so I picked those amazing flowers (I have a flower obsession. Did you see my header? I change it almost weekly, and it's ALWAYS flowers.)

5. What is your job?
I'm a teacher! Middle School to be exact. I thought the picture I picked was cute. I want one of my students to give me a ruler that says,  "Teacher, YOU RULE!!!" on it!

6. Favorite Drink?
Tea! By a long shot. It's really the only thing I drink, besides water. When I chose to give up all drinks besides water for Lent, including my precious tea, I had serious withdraw issues. Still going strong though! Oh, and the picture, I thought it was so cute. All vintage and "glamorous."

7. Dream Vacation? 
Hmm... well maybe this doesn't count seeing as how I lived there for the majority of my life, but California! I love my hometown and I haven't been back since I moved 5 years ago! I miss my best friend. The picture was a no-brainer: adorable!

8. Favorite Dessert?
Brownies! Enough said. (Adorable photo, huh? Love the "vintage" feel of it, if that makes any sense at all.)

9.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
Interior Designer! Or any designer, really. I LOVE all types of design. I'm a teacher now, but hey, I'm only 22 years old! I've got time.

10. What do you love most in life?
No need to let me know how cheesy this is... trust me, I KNOW, but I said everything! When it comes down to it, I just can't pick one thing I love the most. I'm generally and uber-loving person, and really I just love life in general!

11.One word to describe you?
Laughter. Seriously. I randomly burst out laughing in the middle of the day because I get side tracked and remember something hilarious. I'm generally always smiling or laughing. (Cute girls, huh?)

12. Your Flickr Name?
Forever After Designs. A whole bunch of completely out-of-this-world random stuff came up with this question, but the very last photo on the first page was this one. So I said, why not?


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I hope you had fun learning a little bit about me today! If you want to do this activity too, I'd just LOVE to read your answers! Remember: You can only use the FIRST PAGE of pictures that comes up when you put in your answer. Just pick your favorite one, and roll with it! Have fun!

I'm linking up with Ashley's 'Coffee With Friends Friday' today at Eisy Morgan! You should really check it out. Ashley ROCKS!

Oh, and by the way, Happy Friday!

Blessings!


1. Sydney Harbour at night, 2. french toast, 3. 121108Dec.jpg, 4. Purple star, 5. teacher gift, 6. The art of war.. umm I mean, tea, 7. Cuba Gallery: California / Los Angeles / city / Santa Monica / color / blue / circus / ferris wheel / amazing / sky / summer / background / clouds / fun / photography, 8. Brownie (o "Sin sentido"), 9. Interior Designers, 10. Everything will be ok, 11. Laughter Captured, 12. Oh Baby, Let's Be Outlaws Screenprinted Poster

Remarkable Faith: Prayer!

Yippee! This week I'm participating in Mary's Remarkable Faith series at Giving Up On Perfect. (This is the second to last week! Oh, no!) This week is on one of the best topics ever: prayer!

I love to pray. Seriously. I tell people I'm praying for them all the time, and I really do. I'm like a little prayer queen or something.

It makes me feel connected to God. And I know that He answers EVERY prayer we pray, whether that be with a yes or no. I'm still working on this one though: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words." I hope He wasn't serious about that! No, my prayers are really long, but they aren't just empty words. I mean something.


Anyway, if I had to pick something/someone that I pray for the deepest, that's a piece of cake: Reece's Rainbow. For those of you who aren't regular readers here, Reece's Rainbow is the International Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry. I'm totally in love with all the children listed through Reece's Rainbow, just waiting to find their forever families.


I pray night and day, so hard for these little cuties. Let me tell ya, when you log on to check their page and you see the words, "My Family Found Me" written under their description, it's seriously as if you yourself are adopting them. It's the best feeling in the whole world!


If you want to see just a little bit of how crazy I get about these things, please please read these posts (in order!): 


NO WAY!


TRYING TO CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!


TAYLAH HAS A FAMILY!


Here's an excerpt in case you don't feel like it: 


Miracles Happen!


I'm so excited and thankful I can't even think. Max has a family!!!!!!!!!!
He was on my mind for a while, but I only just posted about him last Saturday! I it wasn't me that helped him though... I mean, no one even reads this blog! However, I was praying so hard for him. Anything is possible with the power of prayer.
I don't know any details, but I will try to find them out soon. All I know is that I logged onto Reece's Rainbow, looked up Max, and low and behold I saw that his family has found him. 
i am over the moon. I can't believe that this happened so quickly! I knew he would touch some wonderful parents hearts the way he touched mine... I had faith. 
I'm in awe at what the power God has. It really is miraculous.  
Of course, Max is still pretty far from home and his family will need all the financial help they can get. I'm praying that he will get some big donations. 
I had no idea what I would have to do to get Max a family, but I was willing. I had no resources, no real way to do anything. No power. But God had the power. 
I'll be advocating for Max until the day he gets home. There is no doubt about that. God is so good. Just when he knows you need it, He gives you a sign. 
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:42
Apparently, I do know now. That day, was today.
Thank you, God!!!

So yes, I'm very passionate about the cause (to say the least). Well, in celebration of their 5 year Anniversary, Reece's Rainbow has a new 5/5/5 Warrior Project. They picked out every single 5 year old orphan in the system, with Down Syndrome or other Special Needs and make them eligible to have a 5/5/5 Warrior. 5/5/5 Warriors are supposed to help find their child a family, and also try to raise $5,000 by the end of the year.

I was shocked by the site of how many orphans has $0 in their grant funds. I found Nasira, and she tugged at my heart. What a sweetie! Nasira has CP (Cerebral Palsy) and she is 5 this June. 

I'm her warrior now. I will pray my heart out for her, and ask for God to grace this little girl with His presence! I'm honored to be praying for such an adorable girl, and I know God will hear what I have to say.He'll get her through this, but it's all up to Him.

So there you have it. I simply LOVE to pray, and especially for those that are in need (in my case, they are usually in need of Mommy's and Daddy's, but you know, I'll pray for anyone who needs it. Don't we all?)

"Pray without ceasing," - 1 Thessalonians 5:17


Blessings!