Goodbye 2011!

What an amazing year! I saw my best friend get engaged and married, I turned 25, and I got engaged! Those are only three of the highlights of my year! Looking forward to 2012!

Awakened.

I don't know how to start this really. I guess by apologizing.
You see,I have preached the positivity..."God is LOVE!"...and He is.
But you see, saying something, and living it are two different things entirely.

I have made stuff my god.
I have made celebrities my idols.
I am barely awake before I'm checking all my social networks - for validation from people.
I am barely to work before I'm clammoring through all the gossip blogs I read daily.
I have clothed myself in as much as of this world as I have been able.

I wondered why I was plagued with guilt and axiety to the point I could barely function.
I wondered why I was never perfectly content with the money I make and the things I buy.
I wondered why no matter how many new clothes I buy, I never look like the girls in blogs and supermodels in magazines.

I hate missing my tv shows.
I hate not having an unlimited amount of money to spend on magazines.
I hate not being able to buy music and movies and tv shows the day they release.
Yet, there isn't room in my closet for my clothes.
There isn't room anywhere for more CDs, movies, shows, books, or magazines.

Growing up, from middle/high school on, all I wanted was fame and fortune.
I didn't really care or know how I was going to acquire it.
I just needed it.
Later, in college, I wanted (and still want) to work in magazines or fashion.
I'd love to be a novelist.
Now I'm thinking maybe I should do that because God has blessed me with the gift of writing.
It isn't all about me and what I have to say...He has a greater purpose for me...I can't even imagine or dream up anything as good as what He has in store.

You see, it's like I'm finally figuring it out.
I have such a fantastic purpose in my life...in this world.
If I put as much time into my relationship with God as I do with my best friends, I'll be a different person.
I'll be a better person.
I'll be who I'm supposed to be - who God designed me to be.

I grew up in church.
I've heard the sermons and stories.
I've been singing the songs.
Now it's time that outside of church, I live like I believe the real truth.
Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. 365 days a year.
No matter what anyone thinks.

I'm not saying from now on I'll be perfect.
I'm not saying I won't see celebrities as entertaining or clothes as beautiful.
I'm just saying that I'm going to try harder to keep God as my first priority.
It's because of Him that I am able to experience entertainment and beauty.
It's because of Him that I have the love in my life that I do.
I am blessed immensely.

I'll end on a bit of a sidenote:If you have tried church, and tried God, and it wasn't for you, please reconsider.
People aren't perfect.
Churches can sometimes just be buildings.
Just know that God, the real, true God, really is LOVE. Absolute love.

(Somehow, this didn't end up exactly as I'd thought it up in the car, but it isn't about me anyway.)

Reconnecting...better than ever!

My precious heart (Jordan) and I drove up to Southaven yesterday to see two of my long-time friends! After lunch with Emily, we spent the remainder of the day with Mary!



We hung out, played with her two precious babies whom I love and adore, got pedicures, and had the most amazing dinner ever. It's amazing, really, how middle school best friends can reconnect in their mid-twenties. It's like nothing ever changed. Sure, we're grown up (a little) and more mature (a little). It seems like we're better than we ever were! I'm so thankful for this wonderful, priceless re-addition to my life!!

After dinner, we walked around the cute area of Memphis where we were. We went in a cute bookstore, and Mary let me snap this picture for my blog! (I'm dying to do more posts about people in real life (rather than just celebs) who are inspiring to me!)

Mary is a mother of two, a hard-working wife, and she still manages to look flawless! LOVE the gladiator sandals (which I have the bronze version of)! Her outfit, tan, and flowy curls really give her a healthy summer glow!

Reconnecting with an old best friend has been amazing!

I'm so thankful for this wonderful life.

God has immensely blessed me!!!!

Here goes nothing!

I've been a blogger on and off for years. MySpace was my outlet. Tumblr is my latest obsession. I read Perez nearly daily. I'm inspired by so many other people who blog. I just feel like this is my chance to share beautiful things with the world! Whether it be a beautiful plate of food, an ocean view, a family photo, or a picture of a celebrity, I want to be able to share the little things that inspire me.

I'm on my journey through life.
Here goes nothing.