Just a small reflection...

I am wearing the most comfortable pants I own.

(Not the ones in the photo, that was taken a few days ago.)

But it's crazy how something so simple, like comfortable pants, can turn your whole day around.

What puts you in a good mood?

For me, it's walking to school in the rain, coming up with crazy ideas with my sister, seeing a man with a beard, hearing my mother laugh uncontrollably, being able to be myself with my best friend, having my cat sitting on my shoulder, romping around with my dog Buffy, walking down the office supplies aisle, having time to craft, ect.

My sister is coming to Greensboro tomorrow!

Even though I probably won't be able to spend much time with her,

it will be nice to have family over.

If you like the story of Beowulf and want to waste 12 minutes, you should watch this video I helped my sister make for her english class. I think I only act this way when I'm with her.

ENJOY!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/video/video.php?v=1615597302266

PS: there is a boy in my Lit class that has my last name, Reyes. If I marry him, I wont have to change my name...something to consider.

A Treat

Today, I had an appointment with my advisor about which classes I should take next semester. I don't know how I didn't realize it before, but the appointment was in the building for education majors. It was so encouraging just to be there. It made me remember why I was going to college in the first place. I want, so badly to become a teacher.

My whole life, seriously, I have had that desire.

I used to make my brother and sister play "school" with me where I was the teacher, they were the students, and my mother served as the principal, janitor, and cafeteria lady.

I would actually give them homework; they hated me when I was in my teacher mode.

I dreamed of the day that I would have my own desk, with my own stapler, tape dispenser and other office supplies. And I remember the day that my mother and I went out and found my dream desk. The same day she gave me my first stapler.

O what a happy day!

So, just walking into that buiding today, nothing could take that joy away from me at that moment. Even the people inside seemed different. It was as if they understood me!

They saw my desire, just like I saw theirs.

It also made me realize, that there is nothing more attractive to me, than a man who has the desire to teach children one day.

I got to see those kinds of men today!

I think I really needed that encouragement.

I also found out at my appointment that I actually get to start taking teacher education classes next semester! I didn't think I would be able to do that until next Fall.

Praise God!

It's Coming

"Long hoped for calm; the autumnal serenity."

Quick Start

"Blessed are they who did not see,

but, being blind, believed."

I am so amazed at how fast this week has gone. Well, when I think about it, I am more amazed at how fast these past few months have gone by. It's almost Thanksgiving...seems like summer was only yesterday. And even though it was only a little while ago, looking back, I can see the change in me from then to now. When I got back from Kenya, I was a mess.

Everything was happening so fast. I had just experienced things that broke my heart.

Things that had me questioning God's will, God's justice, God's love.

I arrived home and had to say goodbye to my elderly friends at the retirement community I worked for for over a year. I had to pack everything in my room in several boxes ready to be moved in only a couple of days. It would be my first time living away from home.

My first apartment. Adulthood? Now? Just like that?

A week and a half later, I was moved into my apartment, left alone...after being around so many people day after day for a few weeks, it was tough. Especially with so many things weighing on my mind. But I thank God for the patience He's had with me. I cannot understand it.

I am adjusting still, but I am enjoying, so much, the community I have here. My dear friends!

People that know me.

They know my voice, my facial expressions, my likes or obsessions, (cats), even my struggles...

It is plain to see that I was placed here to be pruned.

But I am so happy that I don't have to do it alone!

God is good and He is faithful.

I do miss my cat though.

The Man Who Was Thursday

"Thus, and thus only, the whole place had properly to be regarded; it had to be considered not so much as a workshop for artists, but as a frail but finished work of art."
-G.K. Chesterton

Make Your Heart

You know how dogs can sense when you are feeling down?

Well, my cat has that ability. Only my cat doesn't comfort me by just being around me when I feel like crying. She makes me a cup of tea as well.

It reminds me of a song by Azure Ray.

"If I could make your heart, feel always loved, I would give my whole world up for you to feel always loved!"

Oooh Sophie...

Love and Permanence

Break my heart again, so that I might see!

Azure Ray is sooooo gooooood!

Where I Am

There are very few nights where I fail to put myself to sleep. But last night was one of those nights. I probably shouldn't have had Earl Grey an hour before bedtime.

Dreadful!

I was left alone, awake to think about whatever came.

I used to be so good about keeping certain things out of my mind. I suppose lately in my life I have been made weaker by this new season.

The season where everything is getting cut off so that there can be growth.

It has been tough! You know?

I guess I forgot how painful these seasons can be.

But last night, in an attempt to put myself to sleep, I started to pray.

Because honestly, most nights I fall asleep talking to God and it's lovely.

He reminded me of something though, something that used to be easier to remember.

And it is that there is so much to look forward to! That things will never always be like this.

God's will, which I am desperately trying to live out, is real.

He sees the woman He is creating, He sees the final product, and He is pleased!

Praise God that He is transforming me!
It makes me excited and ready to move forward in this suffering.

"If the leaves had not been let go to fall and wither,

if the tree had not consented to be a skeleton for many months,

there would be no new life rising, no bud, no flower, no fruit, no seed, no new generation."

-Lilias Trotter in Parables of The Cross

Tiny Sneek-Peek Ben and Sarah Engagement Photo Shoot

Man Oh Man, they're getting married!!!

Window shopping in downtown Greensboro.

Tire swing. The tiny bouquet Ben made for Sarah the day he proposed; kept in a mason jar.Tattoos. Sarah's engagement ring and some celebration.

See the cross in the window Sarah?

Vines!

I had the awesome opportunity of taking my best friend Sarah's engagement photos! She is marrying this great guy named Ben! They call me Beesknees...I love them!!! I praise God that it was such a relaxed session. It felt like we were all just hanging out. I am so excited for their marriage...it's rediculous. They are going to be such a great team, these two. I also cannot wait to one day live with them and in their childs bedroom and be the nanny! WOOOO!

Study Break!

Just something to show how excited I am that my best friend is coming HERE and we get to hang out and talk and cry and eat and do everything together TOMORROW!!!!!!

WOOHOO Sarah Hankins!!!

Notice the chalkboard in the back.

Rawwwww!

Eskimo

Sweet Pea! Apple of my eye!

I've got my hairs to keep me warm.

October 5, 2010

Walking in Target today while I waited for some photos to be printed, I got kind of sad.

I was observing the people that where shopping. Many were mothers with children sitting in the shopping carts. I was honestly horified at how much these mothers were neglecting their screaming, crying children. One lady, which I saw every once in a while the whole time I spent in the store, was on her phone chatting with a friend while her poor little girl was just talking away to her mother that wasn't listening. It was so obvious that she just wanted to show her mother funny things; spend time with her. But I wonder if the mother even noticed.

It made me think of the children in Kenya. There were SO many children that the majority of them would not get paid any attention. Their faces would light up everytime someone from our team would reach out to hold their hand, to take their photo, to pick them up, hug them, smile at them.

I have been missing those children a lot these days.

Victoria Reyes

Taking photos of my sister Victoria is probably one of the easiest things to do. She is a senior in high school this year so of course, I am taking her senior portraits! We will probably finish taking them when she graduates. It's just way too much fun. These are some from today. We were in uptown Charlotte visiting the new Mint Museum. This place is called "The Green" and it's right across from it.

So cute!

Be My Only

I am twenty years old and the majority of my friends are getting married. And it seems like it's only getting harder on me. Pathetic right?! In the back of my mind, (and I know this is silly), I hear an annoying voice say, "Always the bridemaid, never the bride!" The kind of tone a 4 year old would use when mocking you.

It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have this crazy, (and natural), desire to be a wife. For some reason, I think I would be so good at it.



Please do not get me wrong. I do not mean to sound bitter and jealous towards my married/engaged/promised friends. I am SO excited for them. For their marraige! Because I know that God will be in it.


It's just something I have had to continually deal with for over a year now. I really do want Jesus to completely fill that role in my life. I want that more than marriage. I know that I do. Satan has tried to convince me that He is not enough. But that is a lie.


Jesus, become my only. Be my husband, my best friend, my Father.


The love of God is stronger!





My best friend Sarah Hankins is coming to Greensboro for a few days to visit her fiance and to hang out with me! I can barely wait. I get to take their engagement photos! If I didn't have women like Sarah in my life, I would be one super angry, uptight, and depressed young lady.





PRAISE GOD!