Tranquility

For the most part I am a pretty social person. I like to be around people, I like to talk, I like to tell stories, I like to hear people talk and tell stories, and I like to relate to those around me. However, I also have a quieter side of myself that I enjoy very much. There is something to be said about a person taking the time to be quiet in today's society. With so much hustle and bustle, upgrading, and discovery, it seems as though quiet is a rare find. The beauty about the quiet is that you have a moment to hear your thoughts and feel your emotions without an interruption.

A couple years ago I was living with my grandmother, who is a prophetic evangelist, on the Central Coast of California. Looking back on the time I lived in that area, I've come to really cherish it. When I lived on the Central Coast, I was alone a lot. I didn't know anyone in that area except for my grandma, aunt, and uncle, and I wasn't going to school so it was harder to make friends. Rather than allowing myself to get depressed, I found myself enjoying the journey of discovering myself and my relationship with the Lord on a much deeper level. It's a fascinating experience when you allow yourself to identify you more, and it's even more invigorating when you uncover your relationship with the Lord in a more intimate way.

Often, when I was alone on the Central Coast, I would drive to places that I found beauty, silence, and tranquility. I was usually lead to the ocean, the cliffs of Cambria, or the hills in San Luis Obispo. I figured out that the farther away from the city, the more peaceful the quiet was. I truly believe that nature, creation itself has a voice, but not everyone can hear it because it's a quiet whisper. But when we take a moment to listen to the conversing world around us, we'll find that we can and will hear what creation has to say.

I've looked up verses in the Bible that reference's nature, creation, the world, and our connection to it all. I hope you find time for yourself to embrace the world around you and what is has to offer. Enjoy!

Matthew 26:36- "Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said,'Sit here while I go over there to pray.'"

Zechariah 14:8-"On that day life-giving

 waters  will flow out from Jerusalem, 

half toward the Dead Sea and half 

toward the Mediterranean, flowing

 continuously in both summer and

 winter."

              Both photos taken by Josh Sparrow

 Romans 1:20- "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

 Photo taken by Josh Sparrow

 Photo taken by Josh Sparrow

Psalm 19:1-6

"The heavens proclaim the glory of

God, The skies display His

craftsmanship. Day after day they

continue to speak; night after night

they make Him known. They 

speak without a sound or word;

thier voice never heard. Yet

their message has gone throughout

the earth, and their words to all

the world. God has made a home

in the heavens for the sun. It

bursts forth like a radiant bride-

groom after his wedding. It 

rejoices like a great athlete eager

to run the race. The sun rises at

one end of the heavens and 

follows it's course to the other 

end. Nothing can hide from it's

heat."

Psalm 23:1-3- "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name."

Isaiah 44:3-4-"For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank."

Hebrews 12:22-"No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering."

Last but definitely not least I encourage you to read all of Psalm 65. it's a beautiful poem about the connection between, us, creation, the Lord and His blessings. 

Thanks for reading! <3

City Lights

I firmly believe in being thankful for everything around us no matter what circumstances are going on. Of course, it's easy to say that but to really apply it to your life takes much more effort AND strength. I believe a thankful person is a joyful person; and generally other people like to be around joyful, thankful people. I may not always remember my own advice, but there are definitely moments in my life when I breathe in the air around me, and take in the sight before me that I can't help but be thankful for all I see.

I'm not much of a city girl, or a country girl for that matter, I enjoy the suburbs. It has a little bit of both city and country which gives you a taste for both when you have a craving. Well, my husband on the other hand, loves the city. He believes that when he sees tall, beautifully structured buildings that industry is booming. So we compromise, we live in the breath taking suburbs and we visit the bright city lights around us.

Over the weekend my husband and I explored together (which is one of my most favorite things to do with him) and we came upon a few illuminating sites...these photos allow me to see why the city is beautiful to so many people.

By the way, all these photos are taken with the amazing camera my husband got me!! I'm sooo thankful.

Birthday Wishes

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." - I'm referencing that song because my birthday is on December 13th, which would be considered "the first day of the 12 days of Christmas" (which really makes no sense if you celebrate Christmas as a holiday..but I like it none-the-less)

This is ME.

My birthday was a couple days ago and I officially turned 23. I decided I'd like to stay 23 from here on out. It's a good ripe, young age yet still mature and at times, sophisticated (as you can see in the picture above). It just seems like birthdays are coming faster and faster each year. Eek! I would not mind if time slowed down a bit.

By the way, my mama makes THE best homemade birthday cake ever!! SO GOOD.

This year for my birthday I was so excited because the movie "The Hobbit" came out!...Produced by Peter Jackson, who also produced "The Lord of the Rings" movies. My family is sort of obsessed with these books and movies, so I couldn't wait! My family and good family friend, Deron, came to visit my husband and I to see "The Hobbit" the day after my birthday. It was amazing! We watched the movie in IMAX 3D which added even more amazingness to the movie. After that we relaxed at our apartment and played the new Halo 4! I really enjoy family time and being able to geek out with them, so this birthday rocked. (not to mention my husband spoiled me with a brand new camera with a bunch of goodies to go with it, two birthday dinners, and breakfast) He is amazing!

Here are a few pictures of our Hobbit adventures...

 This is my sister and although we look like twins, she is 2 1/2 years younger :)

 Hahaha...Oh the life of being a sanguine couple. <3

NEVER enough kisses from my love.

 My two beautiful younger sisters! They are amazingly talented, funny, athletic, and gorgeous!

 Look at that smoulder...sorry ladies, he's married to me!! <3

 This is my other younger sister who also looks like my twin if I had red hair. :D

 Don't mind my husband's hand getting in the way of this cute picture! These are my lovely parentals...still in love after 22 years of marriage

 This is my cute little bro, who is also a sanguine...only he is VERY sanguine. He makes my sanguine look Melancholy. Hehe I <3 him.

And this guy is pretty much my uncle. I've known him all my life and he has been friends with my pops since they were toddlers. Such an amazing man to have a part of our family!

Okay before you look at the next couple of pictures...a little back story...since my husband got me an awesome, new camera we had to take TONS of pictures with it. So my two younger sisters were pretending to model as I took bunches of photos really quickly....well it was my turn to try and....

 Suffice to say...I am NOT a model. Ha!!

Happy Birthday to me! (and Taylor Swift) <3

Color

When my husband bought me a new camera for my birthday, I was ecstatic! By no means am I a photographer, but I thoroughly enjoy getting to know the different features on my new camera, as well as taking in the beauty of the world all around me.

Well I haven't really had a chance to go out and take pictures of randomness until the other night.  Where I live they have the "Great Park" and it is HUGE. I mean they named it after the literal fact that the park is ginormous. Anyways, they are currently developing the rest of the park to have different athletic facilities and other various places to hang out. I am so excited! It's only 5 minutes from my house and I love to go there just to breathe fresh air.

All that being said, I was able to get out of the house and take a few photos of the various colors around me. :)

This tree wasn't at the park but I LOVE the colors!

Happy Hump Day! Enjoy the colors around you. <3

Thankful!!

I am so incredibly thankful for where I am, the people around me, my life, and so much more.

Lately there has been so much chaos, sadness, and confusion in our world...well I guess it's been going on for thousands of years, but it seems as though it's broadcasted so much more now days. It's pretty depressing how you can turn on the news every morning and hear of all the craziness going on in our giant world. 

Here are a few of the things that have gone on in just the last couple of months.

Hurricane Sandy

U.S. Embassy Attacked

U.S. Egyptian Christians fear for faith under Morsi's Islam agenda

Israel confronts rocket attacks from Gaza

Not to mention all of the little tragedies along the way...murder, theft, rape, etc going on all around our beautiful world every day and night. It's amazing how we are just one planet among so many in an enormous universe, yet we have so much tragedy within ourselves.

Over the last few weeks, listening to everything that has been going on has truly made me more thankful than I've ever been. I live in a nation that still believes in freedom. I live in a state that rarely has natural disasters and so many people love to tour. I live in a city full of rich land and beautiful scenery. I live in a season full of joy and wonder, and I'm gearing up to celebrate a holiday that is the most important holiday of all. I am truly blessed.

While we have the luxury of waking up in the morning without fear, and watching our favorite shows on T.V., and enjoying the Christmas season, I can't say it enough...We live a blessed and freeing life. We should definitely try to remember how truly blessed we are every day of our wonderful, amazing, exciting lives.

I love this life, I love this land, I love this season, I love the Lord, and we are all so much more blessed than we could ever fathom to be thankful for.

Have an amazing start to your week!

<3