It's simple, really..

There are a thousand of reasons to smile, just pick one.

Two Different Plans

Planning. There is the type of plan where you map out what you want to do with your day, and who to spend it with. Then, there's the plan where you map out your life. When you want to finish college, get married, have kids, travel...the list continues. I think everyone has a road map in their head of how they want their life to go and turn out. I also know that we have no say in the matter.

God has this plan set out for us on a canvas..how He wants every little detail of our life to go. Honestly, being a believer, I think this may be the single hardest thing to wrap my head around. Just when I think I am following God's will and plan for me and I am almost one hundred percent sure that's how He wants it go...He throws a curveball.

I've gotten a couple of curveballs thrown my way in the last few days. For one, the roommate I had planned to room with isn't going to Northern Arizona University anymore. I thought for sure we were gonna take the campus by a storm together, but God wanted something different for the both of us. He blessed me with a new roommate and although it will be hard to start over and learn so much about a new person, I am so excited to start my journey. The other thing, was that Whimsical, the frozen yogurt/gelato place I work at is going out of business. It was sudden and abrupt and my last day ever will be this Friday. That was an excellent first job, even through all the struggles of it. What I am going to miss most is the time I got to spend with the girls that worked there. Talking about our lives in between customers, and having the funniest moments happen to us. It will be hard to say goodbye, and I thought I still had a few weeks before I had to do that. But like I said, God has different plans than what we expect.

I talked to my best friends about this and they helped me get such a clear understanding as to why. I firmly believe that God changes things when we get too comfortable. He didn't intend for us to just go with the flow and live life behind the scenes. He wants us to go out of our little box and actually do something worthwhile. I'm not sure what that is for me yet, and I may not know for a long time, if ever. But what I do know, is I have to trust and have faith in His plan for me. No matter how terrifying or crazy or uncertain it is.

So it's time for me to REALLY start my next chapter and prepare myself for the future. I leave in exactly a month. Here's to the rest of my life!

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future." -Proverbs 31:25

I wouldn't want to be anybody else

So it's technically Monday as I write this post..BUT I get to go to New York Tuesday morning (bright and early) and I couldn't be MORE stoked. I have two places that I would classify as my all time favorite places. One being Washington Family Ranch (a YL camp where I worked) and the other being my Grandparents cabin. No words can explain how much I love this place. And for those of you that DON'T know..I grew up in New York, so this place is like my second home.

Not only does it have 18 years (well, more than that..but that's how long I've been going there) worth of memories, it is one hundred percent breathtaking and beautiful. If you don't believe God created it when you look at it, then you're crazy.

My favorite childhood memories have been at this camp and it literally has shaped me into who I am today. Getting away in such a seclusive place with my amazing family has got to be one of the best things in the world. I can't wait to kayak down the river, canoe with my Grandpa, hike down the rocks, make fudge with my aunt, make doughnuts with my Grandparents, read, relax, and enjoy God's amazing gift that He gave me and my family.

I couldn't be MORE blessed, overjoyed, and ecstatic to be there in two days. To show you bits and pieces of what I'm talking about...here's some pictures. Enjoy :)

See you in a little over a week California, New York will have my heart :)

Strength

I've started writing about 3 different posts about the past month of my life, but I never finished any of them. And when I signed back in because I have every intention of posting a blog, because I haven't in forever, I always start a new one because new stuff has happened to me. It's a vicious cycle that I am putting a stop to right now. :)

I'm going to list the things that I have been up to and the things that I am thankful for because I want to make this post worthwhile as well as just stating what I have been doing. Cause I mean, in all honesty, who cares? Haha. But this is my blog and I'm going to anyway. Sooo here it goes..

-I got to spend 3 days at my future home with my future roommate. Northern Arizona University is absolutely beautiful and I can't believe I get to live there this Fall with an amazing roommate! I also

had the incredible chance to meet a few incredible

girls! I can't wait for my journey to begin, even if I am

nervous/scared/anxious. It will be incredible.

-Long, in depth conversations with those who

matter. Whether it be a funny one, or one to help or heal..they are all spectacular.

-The FAIR with two of the best ladies in the entire world..Kendal and Madeline. They are angels from Heaven, literally. I am at my best and my happiest when I get to spend a whole d

ay with them. They teach me, help me, and make me laugh uncontrollably.

-My parents, their love, and their wonderful graduation gift (my new macbook pro!) I couldn't ask for better parents &l

t;3

-4th of July at the Sports Park in my town...it will always hold a special place in

my heart.

-I LOVE summer nights with my best friends that include driving with the windows down blasting music, laughing (and some

of us peeing our pants...), swimming, eating, and the list continues..I'm so thankful for them.

The list is endless, but those are just some of the few things I have been blessed with in

the last month.

Now onto bigger things. The title of this blog is strength. I have seen strength in so many people in the last month and it is truly inspiring. Strength to me comes in many, many forms. I fully believe that crying shows strength. It shows that you have the ability to feel and the ability to grow and move past whatever it is your going through. On the other hand, the ability to smile and be joyous when something is killing you, also shows strength.

The reason for me blogging about this is because the topic of strength has come up a lot in conversation and I admire anyone that has this characteristic. (Which pretty much everyone does, even if you don't admit it).

The other reason for posting this, is because my family as a whole has shown such strength in the last couple of weeks. My last post was rather depressing, I know, but I am so amazed and thankful for my family and our ability to grow together, and get closer when something not so great comes our way. You know how I said I was waiting for that silver lining? I think that's it. I won't really know for sure until I can talk to God in person about it. But I think that's what He was going for in His all powerful and incredible plan. So I can't complain.

Taylor Swift (I know, cheesy..) says "Talk to the Man with the reasons why" SO true. Who better than God to sit down and have a chat with? Thanks T-Swift <3

Well, that's a wrap for now. Enjoy the little things and notice the beauty. That's what I shall leave you with :)