OREGON

you guys!
Oregon is about to sweep me away for the next three weeks.
I am going to serve on Summer Staff at Washington Family Ranch (Creekside edition).
I will not have access to any internet so that means no emails, twitter, instagram, Facebook, or blog posts.
I want to keep you updated on my trip, so you better believe there will be pictures when I get back at the end of the month.
I am praying for an awesome trip full of new experiences, friendships, growing with the Lord and just serving kids and their leaders.
It'll be my first time on an airplane if you can believe it.
It's going to be a blast and I can't wait to share my experience when I get back!

stay sweet my wonderful blog followers...

you can't always get what you want...without a little patience

I think I'm the type of person who always wants what I can't have.
I don't do it on purpose though (I don't think)
Always, I manage to subconsciously but noticeably wish I had things out of my control, reach, and hands.
I have learned that this is not a good quality to have.
When I'm single, I want a boyfriend.
When someone is interested in me, I don't want to date.
When I live in Charleston, I want to be home.
When I'm living at home, I want to be back at school.
I've been stuck in the south my whole life, I want to get out and explore the world.
I'm sure something will not be up to my expectations once I get to travel.
When I'm bored, I wish I was hanging out with all my friends.
After a while of being around everyone, I just want alone time.
The list goes on and on.
It leaves me frustrated, empty and disappointed inside.
I think the Lord has been working on me lately, concerning this characteristic in particular.
He is (lovingly) grabbing my shoulders, looking at me in the eye and seriously saying "be content! trust me! I have you right where I want you! be patient! just wait until you learn what I'm trying to teach you in this season of your life!"
So I'm trying not to complain.  Out loud.
My friends have heard enough about my wish list in life.
I'm trying my best to stay silent, think about it, and realize where the Lord has me is for my benefit.
He has my whole life planned out for me, I do not need to worry.
As for the things I don't have yet that I would love in the future, God puts desires in our heart for a reason.
If it would show him glory and not cause me to sin to give me the things that I want in my heart, he is going to do that.
He is a provider.  THE Provider.
He's got me in mind and would never forget even the smallest detail.
I love the God I serve.

i belong in the kitchen

I feel like I always have a hobby that I like to think I'm slightly good at. And the weird thing is, I become known for the said hobby, and people think I do them all well. The thing is, each hobby I've tried has been focused on one at a time. They all stick to me anyway, which I secretly love. I've had so many:
Kayaking
Fashion
Crafting
Sewing
Drawing
Reading
Writing
Roughly in that order.
Well, right now it's all things domestic; mainly, cooking.
And not just cooking in general but trying to make up my own recipes or finding the healthier version of the classics.
My family is at the beach right now cooking for 15 every night, so it's been kind of a challenge to be able to put my own little spin on what we've made. Well tonight, I got to.
On the menu: shrimp Alfredo
My version:spaghetti squash (guilt free noodles!) and cauliflower "Alfredo" sauce with shrimp
The recipe is admittedly inspired by Pinterest findings, but I am quite proud of how it turned out!

Ingredients: (for the sauce only)
4-6 cups cauliflower
1 tbs garlic (minced)
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbs butter
1 tbs parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp paprika
salt & pepper

Instructions: 
Honestly, I just put together ideas from a lot of recipes I found.  Just throw it all in the blender and taste test to see what it needs fit to your preference.
Oh! steam the cauliflower first. It makes the sauce warm and cauliflower easy to blend.

My mom and I shared my version of the meal. I don't think everyone in the house is quite on board with my (mostly) healthy eating habits.
Mostly was in parentheses for a reason.
This little spoonful of heaven was on my plate after dinner.

(that would be blueberry, blackberry, and peach cobbler)
I may or may not have cleaned the leftovers with my spoon also...
BUT, it's kind of a healthy(er) version of cobbler, if that exists.

Here is the recipe
Ingredients:
fruit of choice (enough to fill the dish about half or 3/4 way full)
1 cup splenda
1 box of jiffy cake mix
1 tbs butter

Instructions:
1. Place fruit in a baking dish
2. Mix the splenda with the fruit
3. Pour jiffy mix on top of mixture
4. Slice up the butter and place a few pieces on top

I would say it can be slightly hard to resist.
Vanilla ice cream is also a nice compliment :)

Bagel Shop bible study

Having friends who love Jesus is probably the greatest blessing in the world.
I love my friends.
I love sharing our love of the Lord together.
This summer we started a bible study together and read Romans.
We shared stories, prayer requests, struggles, praises, and whatever Jesus had on our heart that week.
These girls are my best friends,
and although they are my "high school friends," I don't intend to leave them at that.
We share a bond that will last a lifetime.
Jesus literally knits hearts together.  Christ-centered friendships are to be treasured through eternity.
I can't wait to see what the lives of these dear-to-me people turn into, but I know it will be extraordinary for each of them.
My heart is so full every time I experience our simple, weekly, Bagel Shop bible study


....to be continued

coffee shop blues

Tonight is my last night at e-city. (Hopefully not for forever)
It's bittersweet, just without the sweet.
I love this place.  I love its authenticity.
I love its flaws and not so perfect management.
I love keeping my tips even on the slow nights (and I don't even make minimum wage)
This little coffee shop stores many memories of mine.
It is precious.
There is a little space stored in my heart
just for e-city java.

me gusta la luna

the moon has always been my favorite.
far better than the stars or clouds or even comets shooting across the sky.
in a way, we are the moon.
a big ball of dust, reflecting some light.

"For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."
Psalm 103:14

The Lord made man out of dirt.  Granted, woman out of man's rib, but that's besides the point.
We are dust, we were made by the Lord and our bodies will be perishable one day just like the moon.
But while we're here, we are to reflect light.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16

The moon doesn't give off light itself, and neither do we.
We have to reflect the light that comes from Jesus onto earth.
The moon is visible because of the moon and is being reshaped by it every single day by the sun.
At least, that's how it looks to us on earth.

Go around the globe.
Shine the light of Jesus that you couldn't shine on your own accord.
Think like luna.

refresh.

i love to write.  it is an outlet for me...i would encourage anyone who does not already have an outlet to consider writing to become that for you.
write poems
songs
sentences
essays
journals
books
anything with words.
i have to get my thoughts organized somehow, so blogging is a way to make my messy mind become somewhat pretty via typed out l e t t e r s.
i have a tumblr but this will be different.
this will be more personal.
more raw.
less holding back,
less reblogging other people
and more me and my life.

that's something that will be good for me.
i hope you can join in and enjoy!