Faithfulness

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." - Psalm 91:14-16

I've always loved to journal. For one: it helps me get my thoughts sorted out and on paper. Two: I love to write. Three: I love looking back on old journal entries.

Most of my journal entries consist of written down prayers and scriptures I was reading at the time. I love looking back at old prayers and being reminded of God's faithfulness. I just read a prayer I wrote back in September and one in November. They both consisted of me pretty much crying out to God and asking him to rescue me (in one form or another)... I was pretty miserable down at school by that point... and it was neat to look back just a few months and see how he has totally answered my desperate prayers, and brought me to a completely new place in such a short amount of time.

He's just cool like that.

Another observation I made today... I'm in Riverside right now, visiting friends. I hadn't been back to CBU since moving my stuff out of the apartments. Driving onto campus yesterday felt surprisingly freeing. There was no longer stress and struggle associated with the school, because I don't go there anymore! It was a nice feeling. No worries about papers or presentations, just getting to be there to enjoy the amazing friends that God has blessed me with. That's what I call a good day.

Oh, Martha...

Joanna came to visit last week, so we did a few of our favorite things, which include: eating, talking, shopping, baking, and eating some more :) We tried out a new Martha Stewart recipe for my sister's upcoming bridal shower. Let me tell you, Martha sure knows what she's doin' in the kitchen. They were delish! Lemon cupcakes with lemon curd all made from scratch!

Yum!!! :)

Fruit shaped sticky notes!

So most of you know that I've started a website (TCS Designs) with my sister Tiffany. We feature all unique handmade items. It has been so much fun thinking up things to make and then showing them on the website and at our open houses. All of this work on my website has led me to browse different websites, looking for supplies, ideas, and inspiration. All of this to say, I found the coolest things tonight!

I would love to meet the person who came up with this creative invention... apple and pear shaped memo pads!!! They are so adorable and useful! And for those of us who love sticky notes, these are amazing! :)

Check them out at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wiwicoco?section_id=6636965

Everybody loves a free giveaway! :)

TCS Designs is giving away a free item from the Spring 2010 collection! Just become our fan on Facebook, post a link to our website on your facebook page, twitter, or tumblr. Or write a short blog about our website! Then comment on this post and tell us what you did, and we'll enter you into a drawing! Post a separate comment for each thing you post and you'll be entered multiple times!

You can find our website at: www.tcsdesigns.bigcartel.com :)

Here's a preview...

New discovery

I just found this website that sells designer fabrics! They are all so cute! I need to restrain myself so I don't buy all their stuff :)

Check them out here.

It's about time...

I've been meaning to post an update since I've been home, but am just now getting to it. I guess I've been waiting for things to calm down and for me to get "adjusted" first... but alas, I've been home for almost a month and things are still whirling around me. I think I should just get used to that, because life is always in this constant motion no matter what!

There have been so many people asking how I'm doing and wondering if I'm "okay" (being home and all). Yes, I am more than okay :) I know that God sent me to CBU for a time and I also know that God has brought me back to the central coast for a time. There are always challenges when it comes to change... but those challenges are usually beneficial. God has made it very clear that He was the one who brought me back here. Within 3 days of moving back, I was offered a teaching position at the Coastal Dance and Music Academy in Arroyo Grande. I have now been teaching private voice there for 3 weeks and love it! My students range from little 6 and 8 years olds to one of the moms at the academy.

It has also been nice reconnecting with a lot of people in the SLO/AG area who I haven't been around much for the last year and a half. It's always nice to reconnect with friends.

All of this to say that I am doing well. God is still stretching me and forcing me to trust in his plan for my life. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but I know that he is in control of it all and will work things out for the best. Why do we ever expect our lives to take a certain course? an ordinary course? If we only expect ordinary things, we don't allow for the extraordinary!

That's all for now!

xoxo :)

Change and Trust

There have been quite a few times in my life when I thought, “What is God thinking?” Life takes unexpected twists and turns and there are times when I’m not sure how I got where I am.

But then again, I wonder why I am surprised when God changes the course I am on. He leads me to places that I never pictured myself in. These unexpected turns are usually the most crucial in my growth as a person and as a woman of God.

Because these unexpected experiences have turned into blessings, I have learned to trust. God has always been able to give me a certain peace that I have not found anywhere else. I know that God is good all the time and he loves me. Therefore, I know that he has my best interest at heart.

Due to the fact that I will not be able to graduate in May, I will not be returning to CBU in the spring of 2010. My family and I have decided that I should move home in January and continue my education at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California (my hometown). This is going to be a big change and a hard transition, but I truly believe God’s hand is in all of it.