18 things i learned at 18

1. the Lord forgets our sins, and treats us like we never erred. - chs

2. people will let you down. and you, no doubt, will let people down. be quick to forgive and truly mean it. being upset over an unanswered text or call isn't worth losing a friendship over.

3. sometimes, it's okay to play it safe. don't have that drink everyone else is having. stay in and read that book you want to. finish the last season of the show you've been watching. going out is fun, but not at the expense of any bad decisions that you'll regret.

4. know your limits. if you can't take 18 credits, don't. mental health always needs to come before school.

5. build relationships, and more importantly, make them count. don't spend all your time trying to get everyone to like you, because chances are, they won't. instead, focus more on relationships that will last a lifetime, not just a few nights out.

6. your mom and dad know a lot more than you give them credit for. recently, i have become closer with my parents than ever before and it's because i finally stopped acting like a bratty teenager and chose to trust them with information about myself and my life. they have become some of my best and funniest friends who would 100% do anything for me. i know that they only want the best for me.

7. be a saver, not a spender.

8. be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

9. read more books. chances are you'll relate more to them than to those tv shows you love so much.

10. spend more time with your family, and cherish it. because some day, probably some day soon, everyone will be grown up. your siblings and cousins will be married and have kids and then you'll get married and have kids. everything will be different. so make as many memories with them now as you can, so that when everything is different, you can enjoy the difference rather than wish everything was like it was before.

11. don't be afraid to ask for help. sometimes we can let pride get in the way of actually fixing a problem we have.

12. it is 100% ok to cry.

13. if you eat your feelings, that's ok, just hit the gym after. you don't want to come out of a hard season 10lbs heavier and have to deal with that too.

14. there is never any reason to act like someone you are not. if you don't like something, don't pretend that you do to please someone else. stop dressing to impress the guy you think will notice - dress to impress yourself. you have to come first.

15. learn how to manage your time. coming out of high school and into college is a huge transition and knowing how to effectively manage your time is a skill that you'll definitely need and utilize all the time. it is also a skill that you'll need for the rest of your life. (jobs, family, etc.)

16. BOYS ARE DUMB AND GIRLS ARE DUMBER. stay out of drama. #notworthit

17. keep a clean room & clean your sheets at least twice a month.

18. find someone older, that you know you can trust, to mentor you. their wisdom and knowledge about life will probably astound you. if you ask someone for advice, listen to it. and if you don't listen, don't expect them to keep giving you advice. there are good, Godly, people who truly have your best interest in mind and genuinely want to help you with your life. seek these people out. ask for prayer. admit your weaknesses. and then strive to make them your strengths.

dear 2016

dear 2016,
let this year be set on a course bound for eternity, rather than self satisfaction. may the sails of my heart and the compass of my life only point heavenward - as i make decisions, work, learn, etc. fill this year with laughter, family, travel, and purpose. most of all, i hope to discover a deeper and greater appreciation of the unending and unimaginable love & grace that is poured out on me daily. 2016, please be kind and focused.
xoxo,
2015

dressember: round two

"Dressember is a collaborative movement leveraging fashion and creativity to restore dignity to all women. 

Dressember uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women. 

Dressember exists to inspire and empower a global community of like-minded women who are locking arms to face one of the greatest injustices of our time.

The heart of Dressember is freedom-- that every woman has the right to live a vibrant and autonomous life."

I'm participating in Dressember because I believe in everyday advocacy. I know my voice matters, and that I can help change the world that millions of abused women and girls wake up to every morning. Join me in the fight for the restoration of dignity for all women!

Help me meet my goal and create real change. Every dollar counts, and the process is fast, easy, and secure. 

You can also partner with me by sharing this page on Facebook and Twitter. Or, send an email to friends you think might be interested in contributing and include a link to my page!

Thank you for locking arms with me in the fight for dignity.

prone to wander.

laughing.

Forever and always laughing my head off at the way my life seems to go.
I am NOT going to Moody.
I am not going to Chicago.
I am going to Bucks.
I am going to be a nurse.
I WILL graduate with honors.
I will prove everyone that I can do this.
But mostly, I will prove it to myself.

life lately

well, it's official. i am the WORST blogger out there.

BUT, today, i got a new laptop so maybe that'll give me some incentive to blog on a more regular basis. i go on these blogging kicks and i get post happy for like a day. whooooops.

anyways, some updates:

I will be officially starting at Moody Bible Institute in the fall! I am PUMPED. I am majoring in pre-counseling which is like social work and I'll also be getting a small concentration in Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation. I hope to someday to move to the Middle East and be a missionary to Muslim people.

I've been working at Calvary this summer, cleaning and what-not. It's actually been really great. I am working with one of my best friends, Gabbi. BUT she's on a road trip for the next few weeks. ugh. 

This week I had my wisdom teeth out so I've been out of commission for the past 2 days. I'm in a lot of pain, but it could be worse. It has been kind of nice to have some time off of work to sit and watch Netflix, hah.

In about a week and a half I am leaving for 2 weeks to go to counsel at Mt. Gilead for 2 weeks so that will be so fun. I am really excited about it. The camp got a new director is so nice and I can really tell that she loves the Lord and is definitely in it to serve. 

So that's pretty much what's going on in my life lately. Nothing too exciting but still pretty busy. 

back, back again

WELP. I had written a post at the beginning of May *gulp*
that I never posted! It was my fault though because it wasn't totally finished. BUT, it contained a bit of wild information, if I do say so myself.

I am not going to Bible College in California anymore.
And I bet by this point in time a bunch of you already know or have heard that.
At this point, the why and the details are just sort of water under the bridge.

I am certainly looking forward to what the Lord has in store for this next season of life.
Yesterday was my very last day of high school EVER.
Tomorrow is my last shift at Ann's Choice.
Graduation is next Saturday.
Senior Trip is next week.
I am starting a new job soon.
and currently. as we speak.
my application to Moody Bible Institute is under review!!!
I am PUMPED. I want to go there so bad.
If I get in, I will double major in Pre-Counseling and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and take both degrees to the Middle East.

God's got a plan. I am not quite sure what it is, but I can't wait to see what he has in store for me.