Shoot for the Stars

Walking under a blanket of stars that just seem to surround every ounce of your being and are so close that you can almost touch them makes for a perfect night to get out and have a chat with God. Thanking Him for his incredible forgivenss, soaking in His infinite wisdom, and feeling his immense love that erases any fears the world can put on us. So... I decided to take a step back and look at my life. I've been trying to make a habit of this. Not in a way that I make changes to please people, but to act the way Jesus would, and to love others the way he would. I began to realize there is so much I would like to do and fix. But it can't happen with just the snap of the fingers. There are friendships I want to sizzle and sparkle again, relationships that I want to glow so bright, darkness cannot exist, and there are THINGS I want to do! I have such a wide range of interests that are hard to narrow down. I want to get to that self-actualization stage:) I want to better myself, expand my knowledge, chase my dreams, and become the best well-rounded person I can be. And I want to do it with the Lord next to me every step of the way, dedicating each one to HIM! So with that all said, I decided to make my very own bucket list. I have heard the quote many a time:

"Aim for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars."

That sounded pretty good to me. So whether some of my goals seem ridiculous or not, I am going to give them each a shot. Carpe Diem, Seize the Day!

Here is my Bucket List - it will be growing
I recommend you make one too...set goals and shoot for it...You'll make more than you think:)

1. Make an entire cookbook in a month or given time
2. Compose/write a song
3. Name a star
4. Build a tree fort
5. Start my own business doing something I love
6. Run a marathon
7. Do a triathlon
8. Let my teachers know that shaped my life
9. Mentor someone
10. Let someone who has inspired me greatly know about it
11. Climb a mountain
12. Find a four leaf clover
13. Make a difference in someone’s life
14. Volunteer for a good cause
15. Sing to an audience
16. See the Northern Lights
17. Go stargazing
18. Speak publicly in front of a group of people
19. Throw a huge party
20. Experience a sunrise
21. Experience a sunset with someone special
22. Plant my own tree and watch it grow
23. Get a little turtle
24. Get a complete makeover
25. Learn social etiquette
26. Matchmake two great people
27. Play guitar
28. Be able to play a song on the piano
29. Read musical notes
30. Take up dancing
31. Learn a martial art
32. Pack my bags and set off for a random location with no itinerary planned at all
33. Swim with dolphins
34. Live in a different country for at least 3 months
35. Act in a film
36. Knit a scarf
37. Whip up the best meal ever for my loved ones
38. Camp in the wild
39. Visit a waterfall
40. Eat raw food for 21 days straight
41. Conquer my biggest fears
42. Snorkel and see marina up close
43. Tell at least 10 people about my bucket list and encourage them to do the same
44. Start a movement on a cause I believe in
45. Get closure on all my hurt, grievances, and unhappiness from the past
46. Organize a picnic outing
47. Do something completely crazy and out of character
48. Hit a bullseye on a dartboard
49. Visit a volcano
50. Have dinner with someone I had only dreamed of meeting
51. Go on a cruise
52. Try out being a waitress
53. Fall in true, deep love
54. Do a front flip
55. Do the splits
56. Learn sign language
57. Visit a castle in England
58. Find my relatives in Italy
59. Go to a costume party and dress up as my fantasy character
60. See the 7 wonders of the World
61. Learn Spanish fluently
62. Lose 15 lbs
63. Meet Taylor Swift
64. Read a 25 books in one year
65. Skinny dip in the moonlight
66. Write and publish a book
67. Learn to breakdance
68. Laugh. A lot
69. Smile more
70. Be reliable
71. Write a message in a bottle
72. Visit all 50 states
73. Stretch daily – improve flexibility
74. Marry the man of my dreams
75. Own my own horse ranch
76. Be on a commercial
77. Translate my name into Chinese
78. Grow a Bonsai Tree
79. Make 100 origami and give them to friends
80. Paint a beautiful painting for someone special
81. Learn to juggle
82. Win a photography contest
83. Bike across America
84. Catch fireflies and put them in a glass jar
85. Go in a lighthouse
86. Fish in Alaska
87. Swim in the Great Salt Lake
88. Touch a snake…ew!
89. Visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington
90. Visit one of the top zoos in the U.S.
91. See a Cubbies game at night
92. Watch turtles hatch and go into the ocean
93. Publish a cookbook
94. Publish a poem
95. Be a model
96. Adopt a child
97. Eat fish and chips in London
98. Collect more recipes
99. Be my ideal weight
100. Experience pampering at the spa
101. Have my teeth straightened
102. Acquire patience
103. Become a better listener
104. Be present in the moment
105. Have an attitude of gratitude
106. Find more quotes
107. Learn how to compliment well
108. Rescue an animal
109. Find out how the ship gets in the bottle
110. Try toast in hot chocolate
111. Learn to sing
112. Have my dream wedding at home
113. Fall madly in love and be loved back
114. Read the Scriptures daily
115. Make a hole in one
116. Learn all I can about John Wooden
117. Volunteer 1000 hours
118. Gallop a horse along the beach

The Beat of my Heart

Within my heart, lies immense passion for others. I care so much, almost to the point where it sometimes gets taken advantage of and definitely taken for granted, yet there is just something about helping others that makes it worth that risk. :) I know Jesus calls us to serve others, and with an unselfish heart. It is so easy to get taken into the daily routine of meeting your needs first, then others. But I don't want that anymore. It doesn't satisfy me, and it just leaves my heart yearning for more. I want to make a difference. And I know I can.

I didn't always know if I wanted to be a teacher. In fact, I was near switching my major. Every single family member of mine had been teachers, and I felt like I was supposed to do more, whatever I meant by that. I hunted for another job that I felt would suit me better. I pursued one very strongly until I pointed out a sign to the Lord that would make it an obvious closed path. Sure enough, He closed it. I was heartbroken, but that next week, I spent a whole week in the classroom of Cleveland Elementary, where I fell in love. Words can't describe how my answer became so clear. I had prayed and prayed, I had spent years in classrooms observing, but it was never so obvious. These children come from broken families, low incomes, and have hearts beaten from the unfairness of life. But the thing is - I need them just as much as they need me.

I have learned from these children that love is what we make it, our attitudes are what we choose it to be, and our lives are better spent loving others than looking into our neighbor's faults.

It's not every job you get asked out twice a day, have a hug from the most mischievous child you've been batting heads with all day, or feel respected and loved for who you are, and the smile you share. But I found where my heart belongs, and now it beats with a beautiful rhythm that I can finally dance along with. :)

Lend a Hand :)

When it comes to helping people, I am a big fan:)
I know I can definitely do more, and I want to encourage anyone who is willing to do the same as well! :)

Lately I've been sponsoring some soldiers. I started out with one, and got such a heart for them that I wanted to help as many as possible. It's as simple as being a pen pal to them, and letting them know that we care. Care packages can be sent as well:) It gets lonely for them over there, and I couldn't imagine being away from my loved ones for that long. So I encourage everyone to please join and let them know we care! :)

Here's the link you can click:
http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/
Then go to the link that says,
"Click Here to Register for Adoption"

Here is another way to help! All you have to do is click and food & water can be donated to the hungry. :) Crazy, but the sponsors pay for it!
http://www.nicethingstodo.net/freeclicksites.html

Worship

There's just something incredibly powerful about worship music. It speaks to the deepest part of me. I feel so alive and in tune with God when I praise Him. It opens my heart, but doesn't stop there. It becomes so much easier to open that part of me that nobody on this earth sees. Working its way through the torn, missing pieces of every broken piece of me, it begins mending and bringing to my attention places in my heart I didn't even know existed. It cleanses me, and makes me weaker and stronger all at the same time. It's the most beautiful connection with my Savior. When I sing, I feel so close to Him - like He's only a whisper away. I can literally feel His presence and His comfort that washes away all the sadness, unforgiveness, guilt, and bitterness.

When we worship in Chapel sometimes I see a hope for a revolution beginning. I know that's what God intends for this place, but we have to be the ones to make it happen. I can see a revolution that brings all people together, nobody better than another, to worship the Lord, and change the world together. If I want to live up to that, it's time I start acting out on it. It's time I start taking time for those that so desperately need it. It's time I start putting my whole heart into everything I do, so I know I gave everything the Lord gave me to bless others. And it's time I become who He wants me to be. I don't want to put this off any longer. It's time for me to step out in faith, in courage, and to actually trust God completely. Let it be your time too! We musn't wait any longer. Today could even be our last day. I sure don't want my last day to come, and me not have given absolutely everything I can to Christ. I pray we can all set our differences aside, and see how alike we all really are, and be the Christians God intended for us to be. I believe. :)

Whoa, so my tangent started with worship. You can see how it really inspires me to do God's will:) I believe it really lets us express our love and adoration to our Savior and at the same time, praising the Lord with our hearts lifted high adds immense power to Scripture and prayer. Praising Him with music seems to do what words cannot, and captures the heart of me. So I encourage you to take that step with me, out in faith, and see the glorious life God has for us. Nothing on this entire earth will compare! :)

I've been listening to "Salvation is Here" by Hillsong United. It's up on the list with my favorite worship songs because after all is said and done, I really do know my God will save the day. He gives me incredible comfort when the world throws me curves, and the love He gives me day in and day out is simply astonishing. Thanks to Him, I do know It's Gonna Be ALRIGHT! :)