Birthday Wishes

Hey all.  I know it has been forever since I've posted anything, and I am terribly sorry. I honestly haven't written anything since the beginning of soccer season, but I'm finally able to be a part of the real world again.  To start off, I want to thank everyone for the support you've always given me.  Anything I've ever needed or asked for, there has been someone providing for me, and more importantly, praying for me.  I love you all so much and could never ask for a better group of friends.  I know that was sort of random, but I feel like I don't thank you or tell you I love you enough.

Now I have a favor to ask of all of you.  For my birthday last year, I asked for money to give to SweetSleep, an organization that provides beds and mosquito netting for families in Africa.  Through your support, I was able to give $500 to help the families in one village in Africa.  I could never thank you enough.  This year, my sister Abby and I are double-teaming to try and raise even more money for our birthdays (Abby's is on November 5th and mine is November 13) in order to provide help to those in need.  Our goal is to raise $1,000 for Amazima, which supplies food, clothes, and other much needed things to people in Uganda.  This organization was founded by Katie Davis, who now lives in Uganda.  She is constantly loving  children and mothers of this region; she has shown many hearts the way to Jesus just by loving them.  We want to give money to support Katie and her cause because she has connected with people so different from herself, and she has loved them UNCONDITIONALLY.  If we could all do that, we would be fulling God's call for the Great Commission.  The world would change completely. So this year, Abby and I sincerely ask you to help us change the world - this time with double the birthday wishes.

Here is a link to Katie's blog if you would like to read stories from her life in Uganda :) - http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

The Endless Summer

"That's what it's like when you're following summer around the world, trying to find a place to surf." -Bruce Brown, The Endless Summer

I'm not sure if time moves faster or slower at the ocean, but something changes when your bare feet hit the sand. The stars are a different kind of bright. The waves lapping against the shore are a gentle lullaby that sings you to sleep. The sea breeze clarifies your thinking process. The salt water washes away all worries and heartbreak. The summer sun smiles on your carefree skin. When you're standing on the edge of the world, you live life in technicolor.  The beach is the epitome of summer: what it tastes like, what it smells like. 

But nothing gold can stay. The sun will eventually set on our summers. The thing about life is we have to seize those summers. Try to make them endless. We have to shake the sand out of our shoes as long as we can. Eat ice cream in the pouring rain. Catch fireflies on a moonlit night. Take long walks on the beach under a starry sky. Enjoy the simple things, like sea turtles, a good book, and a cup of coffee. 

In his documentary, Bruce Brown said with enough time and money, you could spend the rest of your life chasing summer around the world. But you don't have to chase it; with enough dreams, hopes, and laughs you can make enough memories to keep summer in your pocket.

Goodbye

I hate goodbyes.  Soon, I will have to say goodbye to two very influential people in my life.  I have already said goodbye to two others.  It's difficult to say these goodbyes.  Life is full of goodbyes, and nearly every tear we shed is because of them.  Goodbyes are the embodiment of our fears.  We are afraid of being alone, saying the wrong things, changing.  Oh, how change terrifies us, but we must embrace it like we embrace those we love.   Nothing can last forever.   

I don't know all the answers or what the futures holds, but I know who holds the future. That is what makes goodbyes bearable. If I didn't have the hands of the Lord holding mine when I say goodbyes, I would crumble. The pain of saying goodbye only lasts for so long, but His love and plans last forever.   

We must realize that they are necessary because without goodbyes, there would never be hope of seeing someone again.  Without goodbyes, there could never be hellos.  Without goodbyes, there could never be reflection.  If the sun never said goodbye to the horizon, there could never be a new day.  If a baby bird never said goodbye to its nest, it would never learn to fly.

So for now aloha, auf Wiedersehen, bon soir, sayonara, and all those good bye things.

Dream a Little Dream

Fall to your knees, little one
Bow your head
And say your prayers

Clasp your hands together, little one
Whisper those innocent words
To the Lord above

Know that He is listening, little one
Crawl back under the covers
And remember that He loves you

Now close your eyes, little one
Let the Sand Man come
And whisk you away to far away places

Snuggle closer, little one
There are no monsters here
Only teddy bears and Princesses

Continue to dream, little one
The dawn has not yet broken
And the stars still shine for you

Sleep tightly, little one
Until morning comes
Just dream...

20 Things I Learned from Backpacking

    1.      A “day hike” means nine miles, not a stroll through the woods

    2.      The ground is incredibly comfortable after a day hike

    3.      Toilets are under-appreciated

    4.      So are showers

    5.      People freak out when you start to bleed, even if it’s only a little

    6.      Steri-pens are like little light sabers that attack the bacteria in the water

    7.      One good fall isn’t enough

    8.      Always use the buddy system

    9.      Water is always better in your belly than on your belt

   10.     Never bring your good sunglasses

   11.     How to start a fire 

   12.     Rock a loungers can’t be delivered to your home

   13.    Skipping rocks is an art form

   14.    Don’t try to trail run.  Ever.

   15.    Don’t fall off the log so you don’t scare the fish away

   16.    Balance is the key to not falling off the log

   17.    Firewood is hard to find around a stream

   18.    Flat ground is sacred

   19.    Don’t stand in front of a diamond back, even if you think it’s cool

   20.    You grow a lot closer to a person after you’re stuck in the woods with them for three days

The First Nights of Spring

The wet grass tickles my bare feet
As the nostalgic sun unwillingly disappears behind the hills
And casts long shadows on my face.
Gradually, the sapphire sky fades into an inky purple.
The first stars wink at me from their beds in the growing dusk.
Twilight paints the valley
As frogs croak and crickets whistle.
The trees light up
As lighting bugs dance and twinkle.
A breeze sails around the trees,
Rustling their new green leaves.
I breathe in the faint scent of lilacs and rain
And thank God for spring.

Thunder's Whispers

The other night, I was woken up by a dog breathing in my face.  She was shaking she was so terrified by the storm.  5:17 was a lot earlier than intended to get up, but I couldn't go back to sleep.  Instead, I read my Bible (with my dog laying beside me).  I turned to Psalms, since my best friend told me Psalms is a great book to read in the morning.  Now I understand why she's optimistic all the time.  Anyway, I read Psalm 29.  In verse 3 it says, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the LORD thunders over the mighty waters."
And in verse 7: " The voice of the LORD strikes
   with flashes of lightning."
As I sat there, listening to the thunder rumble and seeing the lightning illuminate the night, I couldn't help but marvel at His power.  At that moment, His voice was the thunder.  I felt his presence around me as the rain beat on the roof.  It was wonderful.