Time Flies!

So...I realize it's been almost 4 months since I've last posted in this blog, and figure it's about time for an update. You can see how high this ranks on my priorities! The last few months, however, have been so amazing. I can't even begin to describe all of the changes God has made in me.

First off, I failed miserably at the pushup goal. As predicted, I barely made it to the end of February, but it was fun while it lasted and it's ok because I was spending my energy doing other things that I definitely would count as more important. One of those things was participating in a 13-week intensive Bible Discipleship program at my church. We read through all 4 gospels, three christian books, and re-prioritized our lives by cutting out a lot of media influences and other "activities" that were taking away from time with the Lord. During this time, I realized there has been a lot in my life that God has been wanting me to change, but I had just never been willing. Materialism, bad time-management, and misguided priorities are just a few of the things He brought up, and even though it's been tough, I'm glad that I'm starting to change things around (with His strength!). Stuff I didn't think I could live without I now have found I don't really need, and it's been nice to simplify things.

One work God has begun in me is the decision to attend Calvary Bible college in Murietta, CA this Fall! I'm moving out August 22nd! I feel nervous, but also excited. I enjoy change and am excited for all that God will work in it. I can't say Bible college was ever really on the top of my priority list....but a lot has changed in the last 4 months. I feel so much more peace, joy, and passion in my christian life. I'm still not quite sure where it will all lead, but I have peace knowing that God will bring me where I need to be as long as I am willing to follow Him. I realize I've been trying to lead all this time, when I just need to take a step down and find the joy in following.

I'm currently taking a break from activity as a Fire Explorer, but I am still interested in pursuing the EMS field. I'm looking at an EMT class that will be starting in June and going to August. I'm going to still try to go on ride-alongs to get more experience, because I'm still not quite sure if the medical field is for me or not. I'm sure I'll find out sometime this year.

Well, that only touches the surface of just a few things that have gone on, but if I wrote about everything it would take up too much room. I guess that's why people are supposed to blog more frequently, and not wait 4 months?

66,795 pushups, anyone?

I stumbled across this idea and thought it might be fun to do, but I probably won't make it past February. We'll see. Anyway, basically you start with one pushup on January 1st, and each day add one more until you get to a grand total of 365 on the last day of the year. Now, that 365 doesn't necessarily mean all in one set, but in as few sets as possible to reach the goal. I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes! Here's what my schedule will look like (I love having schedules to check off when I complete something)....

And yeah...I'll keep you posted on how far I make it. If I make it to the 365, the grand total of pushups is 66,795 for the entire year...hence the title of this post. Kind of random, but kind of cool!


Countdown till my trip to CA: 2 days! Technically only one, since I leave Saturday and tomorrow is friday! 
Outside Temp: 43°F
Verse of the Day: 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.

Colossians 3:12

A Little Painting...

I was rather pleased with how these turned out, so I decided to post a few pictures of the bookends that I hand-painted for a good friend of mine for Christmas. I'm not really a painter, but when I bought them they were kind of a bland off-white, and I thought it'd be fun to splash some color on there! Here is the finished product:

In the process, I found out that the painting was actually really nice therapy. I'm keeping my eye out now for more fun little projects like this. 

Catching Up

I feel as if I have utterly failed at blogging. It's already two weeks into December and this is my first post since October! Suffice to say, times have been busy. But even in all the busyness, there have been lots of enjoyable times along the way. Thanksgiving with family and friends was wonderful (yes, I am jumping back a bit to November). We had family from three different states come in to spend it with us in AZ, and a family here in town came over as well. We made adorable cupcakes that looked like turkeys (my favorite project of the week - pictured below), and just got to enjoy spending quality time with each other and remembering all the things that we are thankful for! God has truly blessed us. Even through the hard times, there is always a reason to praise His name. 

Turkey Cupcakes!

Moving on, I am pleased to announce that I am now officially finished with my degree program at Central Arizona College! This semester was my last, and I will be receiving my Associates degree in Liberal Arts (with an emphasis in Communications). It has been quite a journey, these past 2 1/2 years of school. I've taken a variety of classes, some I loved and some I learned absolutely nothing in. Some of them were those dreaded "required" courses. I definitely learned the trick of finding what pleases the teacher and just "getting through" it - which can be seen probably as both a good thing and a bad thing. But all in all, it was worth it because, as far as I know, I graduated with a 4.0. My official grades haven't come back for three classes yet, but from my calculations I should have all A's this semester, which makes for a straight-A college experience. Phew! So glad that's over! And since I was home-schooled before college and thus have never had an official "graduation," I had my graduation photos taken by my aunt and will be sending them out to people shortly. To those I'm not mailing them to, it's because we're friends on facebook and you can see them there! 


Oh, I am so glad it is December! December has to be one of my favorite months out of the year. The house has smelled like sugar cookies for a few days as my mom and sister mass-bake enough to feed all of my mom's music students (and us, of course), and I love seeing all the houses with their decorations, going shopping, attending christmas parties, and just the joy of remembering why we celebrate Christmas in the first place! In my morning quiet times I've been studying different words associated with Christmas (Peace, Joy, Love, Hope, etc) and going through their different meanings and what all the Bible has to say about each of them. It's been really cool, and already has broadened my perspective and reminded me of the importance of it all. 


And last but not least, I got a puppy! It was kind of an impulse buy, but we now have a new addition to the family. She's a border collie/german shepherd and I named her Dakota. She's around two months old and is really cute and small! The last two nights have been rather sleepless with her constant crying, but I know it will only be for a time - we'll get through it and I'm very much looking forward to having a future jogging partner! 

Countdown till my trip to California: 18 days!
Outside Temp: 41°F
Verse of the Day: 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 

Tale as old as time...

I promised a report on my thoughts of the play, so here ya go!

Sunday night I attended "Beauty and the Beast" at the Gammage theatre with some friends. It was my first time getting to see the Gammage (which was quite stunning!), and my first time in a long time seeing a professional production. Suffice to say, I was very pleased! The scenery, costumes, acting, singing, live orchestra - EVERYTHING was beautiful!

We shared a lot of laughs and had a great time.

Being on a practically non-existent, college-student budget, we got the cheapest tickets available ($27), which ended us up in the highest seats available (what a drop!). It was pretty crazy! And even though the actors much resembled ants to us, the show still ROCKED. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the front-row seaters. Still, we had a view that a lot of other people didn't get, which really made me appreciate all the choreography, scene placement, and scene changes. They did great! I would definitely go see another show there if anything comes up that I think I would enjoy.

Outside Temp: 78°F

Countdown till end of school: 46 days! (I'm going to make it!)

Verse of the Day:

Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9