Ma' favs!

Heyler!! I was thinking today, "I should write on my blog...", and all I could think about was some of my favorite things lately! There is a lot to be thankful for (all the time of course) and I have some things on my mind that just make me happy as a clam.

First off... um... THE BACHELOR IS COMING BACK!!!



Sean Lowe... your next Bachelor... mmmm...

I saw a preview the other night when I was watching the final of Dancing with the Stars on ABC. Whoo hoo! I'm pretty sure it'll start the first week of January. Whenever it is, I'm excited! (So much for trying to limit my tv watching...)

 

#2: RHOBH! Aka: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo

 

 

Love love love this show and this group of ladies of course. There's just something about BH... maybe it's the poshness and classiness of the gals? Who knows, but it's my fav! I do though, I do have a little sadness about it because Camille is no longer on the show. She does have little appearances though, which is better than none; but she really grew on me! I didn't like her on the first season of the show - that Kelsey didn't look good on her! But loves her now!

 

Camille Donatacci Grammer (fierce!)

#3: Chrima' lights! I squeal like a 4 year old child when I see these babies! If it's a house, building, tree, etc. It can really be anything - I light up! There's just something about them... I guess it's something we (well the majority of us) don't have all year round', so it's like a little treat / something special for us!

 

Amazeballs

#4: Operation Christmas Child - This is a wonderful organization that I had to priviledge to serve with last night. In a nutshell: They organize & fill shoeboxes full of goodies for children in other countries. I don't know too much about them so far, but would love to work with them again and learn more. My church actually organizated a big shoe box drive and had a ton of people/families fill shoeboxes and donate them! They contain anything from candy, socks, shoes, clothing, toys, games, etc. - literally, whatever can fit into a shoebox.

 

 

Look at those faces!!

 





Here is me taping up the boxes (it was an assembly line if you will! I've always wanted to work in a warehouse!) - it was actually harder than you think; those boxes were packed full!! The boxes we worked on last night were actually being shipped to India. It's awesome to get a thought of where they are really going!

Amazing team from church!

So that's about it for now - I didn't want to put too many pictures! But it's definitely great to focus on the good, exciting things in life, rather than the bad. It's really the little things - whether it's a tv show or volunteering. Do what makes ya happy :)

Patiently being patient... or at least trying to

Ah... patience is a virtue, right? That's what you hear at least, but what does that reeeally mean? If you're patient, you'll get virtue? Virtue is described as moral excellence, goodness, righteousness, etc. But how long do we wait and be patient?

Sometimes it feels like forever, when it's really only been two weeks. Ha! Ah, to be a girl... I've been trying so hard to be patient and let God take the reins in this life of mine. I feel like He definitely has the reins, but sometimes I want to know too soon and just can't wait to find stuff out. This includes my career, where I'm living at the moment and of course - guys. I feel like I'm doing pretty good with trying not to think about it (not just guys, but everything), but I feel too like if I don't think about it, how can I be prepared for anything? What am I preparing for? I should know I'm fine and safe with God...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14

Some days it gets hard - being patient. You want to take things into your own hands. I think when we turn to God and hand it all over to Him, that is the most uplifting and honorable thing to do. We have to have trust in Him and let Him lead this life, that He's made for us. <3 

In the blink of an eye

I feel like I wrote my previous post maybe 2 weeks ago and had learned about a young girl named Summer Dale. Summer went to Heaven last night, Sunday November 11, 2012.

My co-worker came into work this morning and shared the news of Summer's passing. Here is a little blip from Summer's Facebook page:
 

"We are so sorry to report that we lost our sweet Summer tonight. She was sixteen years old. She died peacefully in her bedroom, surrounded by her entire family. We are heartbroken.

She was courageous to the end. She recently told a close family friend, “Promise me you will let everyone know, especially my friends, that I’m not scared of this. I am not afraid.”

Throughout her year of battling cancer, and even as recently as three weeks ago, Summer said that cancer was a blessing to her because it had brought so many wonderful people and experiences into her world. Indeed, it transformed her by teaching her the power of helping others and loving unconditionally.

In less than a year, the non-profit organization that Summer founded, Team Summer, raised more than $50,000 to help other kids with cancer like herself. She selected personal gifts for kids she met in hospital clinics and waiting rooms with the mission to “help the kid in the bed.” For example, she gave gas cards to a young boy to spare him a seven-hour bus ride after chemo, a fashion photo shoot to a girl who was in despair over the loss of her hair, and a computer to another boy to keep his active mind occupied during his long treatments.

In Summer’s memory, we will continue with her mission and vision of Team Summer. In lieu of flowers and gifts, we ask that you consider donating to Team Summer at www.teamsummer.org/donate.

This will be Summer’s legacy.

With grateful hearts,

Lynne, Al, Cynthia, Charles and Jordan"

 

I wish I had gotten a chance to meet Summer and just talk to her... It gave me absolute chills what Summer said above (2nd paragraph) about "not being scared". What a brave girl. What a strong girl who fought so hard. Hearing Summer's story makes me put aside the petty things in life for a little bit - those expensive boots, does he like me? what should I do next weekend, etc. Life is insanely precious. I want to love so much and live this life of mine so boldly, because you just don't know sometimes. I'm sure Summer didn't think she'd ever be diagnosed with this cancer. Life sometimes takes us on a different journey than what we plan or hope for. But we take the good and the bad, we adjust and we make the best of things. My prayers are with my co-worker, her family and Summer. I know she's not in any pain right now. I'm thankful for knowing about Summer and knowing her story. She has definitely touched my life.