encouragement

some needed inspiration

"whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it. 

boldness has genius, magic and power in it. 

begin it now." - goethe

"this is the true joy in life, the being used

for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; 

the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap;

the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish 

little clod of ailments and grievances complaining

that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

- george bernard shaw

{via}

need to read her diary again

"think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." 

-anne frank

lets go to the movies

{trailor}

love this quote:

"action is character. if we never did anything, we wouldn't be anybody."

vagabonding {pt.2}

true to my aspirations, i finished my first book of the summer this past week. one major way God communicates to me is through books...not so much morning devotionals or books designed to facilitate a bible study (although it does happen to be sure), but more through books given to me by a friend, found in a bookstore on a quiet afternoon, or assigned for class.

my highshcool small group leader once mentioned that she believes that when God wants you to read the book, you will. this explains why sometimes you try to start a book for months and get no where, yet when you do, there can be a single line that changes your life. i fully believe this as well and have experienced God's timing through the books friends give me or recommend, that i find in bookstores on a quiet afternoon, or even are assigned in class.

the alchemist resonates with my soul in a powerful, almost frightening way, as i'm sure it does with most people who have the pleasure of spending time with it. in this book, paulo coelhoe's characters learn what it means to find your calling, pursue it and endure life's trials, listen to your heart, and value love. at one point in the story, the alchemist claims that:

"People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them."

i am guilty of this fear. i don't even have a dream job i'm literally afriad to dream big, because my fear of falure trumps even the spark of a dream.

vagabonding

{from here}

"Whenever he could, he sought out a new road to travel. He had never been to that ruined church before, in spite of having traveled through those parts many times. The world was huge and inexhaustible; he had only to allow his sheep to set the route for a while, and he would discover other interesting things. The problem is that they don't even realize they're walking a new road every day. They don't see that the fields are new and the seasons change. All they think about is food and water. Maybe we're all that way, the boy mused."
-The Alchemist

My best friend moved out today. Our house becomes less like a home as rooms become empty and boxes take over. What it is now is not what it's been; not my home filled with love, late night talks, meals on the porch. But that home still exists in my heart, memory, and story.

I've been reorganizing, cleaning and packing. Ross & I can start moving things into our new apartment on June 6. Obviously, we wont actually be moving in until July 11, when we get back from the honeymoon. My parents are also moving, so whenever I go home, it wont be the same either. But I'm actually getting excited about living out of my car for the next 46 days.

Now begins the vagabond stage of my life...I'll move with the wind and travel with only what I need. I plan to exercise daily, read a book per week, prepare for the big day, and enjoy time with friends in new and old places and appreciate them all the same. O ya, and look for a job. Mostly, I hope to listen to God's voice and seek His plan for me. And so begins my sabbatical.

reading list

One of the most wonderful displays of friendship is through words of affirmation & encouragement, shared especially during times of change. One of my amazing roommates gave me a note and a copy of her favorite book, The Alchemist, as a graduation gift. In her note, she included this quote:

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand." - The Alchemist

can't wait to dive into this book during the first moments of life post college.

any another 'summer reading' suggestions?

who am i?

i've been a little m.i.a due to a broken computer, finals,

& the fact it's my last two weeks to live

here in paradise, aka waco.

i've been experiencing some role conflict lately, or at least

lots of different roles simultanously.

right now i'm a bachelorette, a student, soon-to-be graduate,

daughter, sister, friend, fiance, soon-to-be wife.

"Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?

Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,

and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weaking?...

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

story telling

"Tell your marital story. Tell it to your kids, your friends, your brothers and sister, but especially to each other. The more your story is implanted in your brain, the more it serves as a hedge against the myriad forces that seek to destroy your marriage. Make your story so familiar that it becomes part of the fabric of your being. It should become a legend that is shared through the generations as you grow a family tree that defies all odds and boasts marriage after marriage of stability, strength, and longevity." -Jerry Jenkins

{from here}

i love this challenge to embrace, built, and stay loyal to our story. in our premarital counseling class this weekend, we talked about how even before sin entered the world and Adam and God had perfect community with each other, Adam still needed a partner. obviously, since marriage is the most sacred of gifts God gives to man, Satan will try to attack and destroy it. he's doing a great job in america through our distorted media and self-gratifying culture, but the fight is not over and it's gaining more attention. every marriage is a ministry.

radiate love

{from here}

thanks smiller

{santorini}

{lake como}

"the boy began to envy the freedom of the wind and he realized that he could be like it. nothing was stopping him except himself. the sheep, the merchants daughter, the pastures of Anna-Lucia, they were only steps in his Personal Story."
-the alchemist

"I think that once you've found a person that you're very fond of . . . I mean a person who's fond of you, too, and likes you enough to be interested in your character. . . . Well, I think that's just as important as college is, and even more so. That's what I think."


-Thorton Wilder [Our Town]

willa cather: history class gem

"There was nothing left for them to say. They had spent the last penny of their small change; there was nothing left but gold. The day of love tokens was past. They had now only their hearts to give each other."

"She felt as the pond must feel when it held the moon like that; when it encircled and swelled with the image of gold."

Willa Cather [O Pioneers!]