you tell a boy one thing and they hear another. haha.

My mom has been looking for her sister since she was a girl. Two days ago, they were running towards each other with arms wide open and tears falling down their faces. What a beautiful thing this is. Family is special, and I am lucky I come from a home where my parents are together, and my sisters are my best friends. A piece of my mom has come and found her, and now she feels whole.

It's Your Life- Guys, this song gives me CHILLS!

This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

(Chorus)

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

How Much Hurt is it Going to Take For Me to See It?

Whitworth started a "Post-Secret" box. It is a box that sits in the main student building(like Kellogg Hall at WWU) next to a pile of white paper. You take a piece of paper, fill it out with a secret, and then anonymously put it into the box full of secrets. Every week the secrets are added to this big board of secrets that fill the hearts and minds of the student body.

I stopped by the board the other day, and read until my heart became heavy, and then I kept reading and reading until I knew the secrets of all the authors.

This was Friday, and I am still thinking and hurting over the things I read...

It is so easy to read/hear stories or watch movies with people who are hurting, and then when it hits close to home, everything about that hurt changes.

Here are some things I read:

"My great grandma, grandma, and mom were all raped by their fathers. My dad broke this tradition, but I still dislike him."

"I was raped."

"I pretend to be single and happy, but everyday I ask myself "What is wrong with me?""

"I feel so alone."

"I decided not to get an abortion. Give me your love not your judgment."

"I cut myself."

I always forget there are people hurting all around me. After I was done reading, I just wanted to hug all those who shared what was on their hearts and minds.

Everywhere we go, we are crossing paths with someone who feels alone. I wish I could be the friend or the comforter for those strangers that are hurting.

It is important to be aware of the hurt all around us, and to not forget how much we are needed in this crazy world.

Date God

When I decided to rededicate my life to God, I called myself a nun. My goal was to "Date God." I wear a bracelet around my wrist everyday that reminds me of the commitment I made to Him almost three years ago. Sometimes something we look at everyday is not a good enough reminder to keep us focused on the REAL things in life. I was looking through my documents and came across this...

I hereby declare that I am a nun

As a nun I promise to do the following:

1. Fill my thoughts only of God

2. Strive for God’s Will in my life

3. Surround myself only of the things that lift God up

4. Be an example

5. Make a difference

6. Love and be loved

7. Speak only uplifting words

8. Refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God

9. Choose positivity

10. Take each problem as an opportunity to see God.

11. Be Content

12. Always strive for a better relationship with God.

13. Be Humble

Sometimes I make myself laugh, and sometimes I realize how smart I was back in the day...Time for some refocusing.

Corey and Ian

Today, I hung out with two new friends of mine. They are AMAZING guys. We had one of those great convos, many like to call them "heart-to-hearts." That is what it felt like anyway...Like our hearts were all speaking to each other and connecting on a new level. New friends are great, but it is even better when you find those friends that just carry the image of God so well. Corey and Ian, thank you for making this world a better place!

Dream. Mission. Goal. Passion. Love. Help. Give.

I have been inspired more than once. Now, it is my turn to go and do something...

P.S. - I met these guys this weekend, and I think what they are doing is beautiful. If you are looking for a new winter hat, definitely check them out!

http://krochetkids.org/who-we-are/our-story/