Last Monday Mania Already?!

So I said I'd try and do thing every Monday for the whole school year... I almost succeeded, and would you look at that... Here is the last Monday of the school year.

Which means...

I am 3 exams away from finishing my first year of high school.

What?

No.

That was too fast.

Back in September, all these people told me that I should savour every minute of high school because these 4 years are the fastest 4 years of your life, and I was like, "Pssshh. These nostalgic old people... This is gonna take forever."

Gosh, that first year went fast!

And if the next three go by just as fast, these will be the fastest 4 years of my life!

Yikes. :$

Anyways, the song.

I thought I'd end with the same song I started with, because I just really, really love this song. :)

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39

Remember: HE loves you. Live like it. :) ♥

Look Like Love

I thought that this song by Britt Nicole went quite nicely with the blog post I wrote last week:

I love the bridge:

"If I believe there's a Saviour, is the proof in me? Is He alive and breathing? Is He what they'll remember? Is He what they see when they look at me? Do I look like love?"

Questions one should ask themselves everyday.

"The third time he said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?'

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.'

Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'" -John 21:17

Even If I Had to Stand Alone

I love this song.

It's a great reminder and it leads to a challenging question to ask ourselves:

If you were the only one left standing up for hope, for justice, for Jesus, would you? 

Even if you had to stand alone?

"By standing firm you will gain life." Luke 21:19

PS Look what I found when I tried to find Naima on compassion.com today! :D

God is so good. Hopefully this means she's really, for real sponsored and they didn't just remove her for some other random reason.

And if you're Naima's sponsor and you ever happen to stumble upon this: THANK YOU! You made my night, AND perhaps our two little girls are playing together RIGHT NOW. ;)

Mother's Day Mania

Well, they day after Mother's Day.

I hope that you all gave your mom an extra big and long hug yesterday and told her how much you love her and how thankful you are for her! {Not that you shouldn't do that EVERYDAY. ;)}

Anyways, I just wanted to highlight Justin Bieber's Mother's Day Tribute.

Yes, yes. Justin Bieber. {Whoa, I think he's almost tied with TSwift for appearances on my blog?! :O}

This is a super amazing {and cute} song that he put out recently for his mom. It tells the story of his mom's journey and how she made so many sacrifices for him.

If you don't know this already, Justin's childhood wasn't exactly a fairytale. His mom was young and single when she gave birth to Justin, and she says she doesn't know where she and Justin would be if it weren't for the help and hope they received from The Bethesda House. Unfortunately, Bethesda going to have to close down at the end of this month if they don't raise enough money. Click here to find out more.

So... Here's the deal.

All the proceeds from Justing's song, Turn to You, goes to save Bethesda.

Take a listen, and then maybe consider buying the song? :)

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. -Proverbs 31:20

Compassion Bloggers in Tanzania?! :D

Mt. Kilimanjaro
Photo Creds: @keelymarie, www.keelymariescott.com

So obviously, being me, I didn't hear that the Compassion Bloggers were in Tanzania until they were pretty much leaving, cuz I'm always the last to hear everything... (I'm the wide-eyed one going "She's pregnant?!" when everyone's already planning the baby shower... Or she's giving birth.)

So here's the thing. Most of you know I love Tanzania. It's the country that stole my heart through a little girl named Happyness. So I was super excited when I finally did get around to hearing about the trip. I will definitely be following along.

I'd encourage you to, as well! This is like, the closest you can get to experiencing Compassion first-hand, without actually going to the country and the projects. You can follow along here.

And I'll leave it to the bloggers this week to do most of the convincing, but if you feel so led, will you sponsor a child from Tanzania? And more specifically, one little girl from Picha Ya Ndege Student Centre {Happyness' centre} is still waiting on compassion.com. Would you seriously consider sponsoring Naima? I know it would mean the world to her. :)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ... And over all the virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. -Colossians 3:12&14

Kingdom Come

Happy Monday! :)

Here's my challenge for you this week: Find the places where "heaven touches earth". 

No really. Really, really seek those moments, those places, and then stop. Breathe it in and remember that we serve an amazing God.

"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

In All Things...

Lately, I've been reading back in my journal to times when I've been totally content with my relationship with God, to times when I've screamed at him, whined at him, asked him to speak to me [When he kinda already was... I just wasn't listening] and asked him "Why?" [As IF my life was so difficult...]. And through all that I look back and see how he shaped me, grew me and moulded me. He's always been preparing my heart and always he was with me, even if I thought he wasn't. I look back and realize he was always there, I just simply wasn't looking, or I was just too impatient to see what he had planned.

Truly, he makes all things work together for our good.

Truly, his love NEVER fails.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ... If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:28&31

No Greater Love

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend reflecting and celebrating with family and friends.

I had a pretty chill weekend - hanging with family, almost-family and church-family. :)

We had a great message from Bruxy at church... It really made me think about Jesus' death in a way I'd never thought about it before. I'd try and explain it to you, but it's probably better if you just hear it for yourself.

At the end of the message, I couldn't help but think of this song by Kutless:



God is waiting, with arms open wide, ready to love you. He'd begging you...

"Come back home."

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ... 'This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:20&24

Ready or Not, it's Monday. ;)

Yeah, I was super scared too. How relieved was I when I clicked on the link and saw this:

Haha, yes... I was fooled. :P

Anyways, Britt Nicole has a new album, Gold, and it's definitely been on repeat on my iPod lately. Ready or Not (ft. Lecrae) might possibly be my favourite track on the album. Two awesome artists on the same song? Yes please. :)

You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16

Back to Routine... Monday Mania :)

Did I really skip two weeks? Yikes. :P

Coming back to routine has been tough since Wilmington, but it's getting better. A lot of the same feelings/thoughts that I had after I came home from the Philippines are coming at me... How to balance, how to live knowing poverty exists - so close to home.

Went to see the Hunger Games yesterday, but that needs its own blog post, so come back tomorrow or Wednesday. ;)

I hope you all had an amazing weekend - and I promise, March has been a bit slow with the blog posts, but I'll be picking it up again... :)



Nothing like some good ol' Taylor Swift. :)

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. -Psalm 37:4


P.S. Come back cuz I got a blog post on that verse coming too, but it also needs its very own post! ;)

Monday Mania

This is from Kutless' new album, Believer.

Believer has seriously been on repeat on my iPod since it came out. Haven't listened to anything else. I fell in love with this song right away. Love the lyrics! :)

I was reading the sermon on the mount last week (Matthew 5-7) and a part that really stuck out to me was when Jesus talks about storing your treasures in heaven, not earth. 

I've heard this said many, many times, but not recently, and it was a really great reminder. No earthly thing that I own or do will last past my time here on earth. All my worth really is in Jesus. That's all that will be left when it's all said and done: What I gave Jesus.

My identity is in Jesus.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matt. 6:19-21

P.S. No Monday Mania nest week... I'll be in Wilmington! :)

Monday Mania

Hey! Happy Monday! :)



For some reason, I just absolutely love this song. It's just filled with so much hope.

That kind of really all I have to say today... Ha.

I just hope you all have a fantabulous week and find places to shine everywhere you go. :)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39

Family Day Monday Mania

Canadian readers, I hope you all had a great day with your families! :)

My birthday usually falls on or around this holiday, which is fantabulous because then it's like, four days of celebrating! ;)

I had a conversation on my birthday which really made me realize that we only live once, we really don't have that much room for regrets. Now, I'm not saying go and do some stupid stuff because you only live once, but still. Don't over think it, man. Cuz if you're thinking too long you might just think 'til you die. (Not to be harsh or anything... ;P)

Anyways, enjoy this song and have a fantastic week! :)

In the same way, let you light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16

Monday Mania

If you're discontent right now, don't be.

Here's a few reasons why:
1. You're breathing.
2. You have a whole life ahead of you (whether that's 24 hours or 80 years) to make a difference.
3. You're reading this, so I'm assuming you have internet, so that means you have the world at your fingertips. What are you gonna do? You could make someone smile, laugh out loud, change someone's life, or learn something new.
4. Jesus love you. 'Nuff said.

I love the song "So Small" by Carrie Underwood. Such a great reminder.

"When you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything else seem so small."

When you realize LOVE, not what you have or don't have, not your problems, not your fights, your flaws or your tears, but LOVE is all that matters after all, life gets a lot brighter.

Love never fails.♥



Yeah, Yeah

What you got if you ain't got love
The kind that you just want to give away
Its okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
You want to shut the world out and just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith

'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem so small

It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river thats so wide
It swallows you whole
While you siting 'round thinking 'bout what you can't change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by
Moving so fast
You better make it count 'cause you cant get it back

'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem so small

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. -1 Corinthians 13:7

The-Day-After-The-Superbowl Mania

Don't you just love "everyday" days? The days where nothing crazy-spectacular happens, nothing that will make you remember this day for the rest of your life happens, but it's still just a good day.

A good day because I open my wallet and I see Bell Bradley's beautiful face staring back and I'm reminded why I'm really here. A good day because I can eat lunch with some of my best friends. A good day because I did better than I thought I would in gym class.

A good day because God gave it to me and filled it with his grace and love. :)

That said, yesterday, and even today are not "everyday" days for either Eli Manning or Tom Brady, or any of their teammates. Who watched that game last night? My mom had the Giants picked out from Week 16 of the regular season, so she's quite happy. I can't say I had the same confidence in Eli and the gang THAT early, but yes, they were my team going in. ;) Sorry Pats fans, but you kicked out my Broncos. :P

Oh, and, did any of you hear what the price tags on those commercials were? Yikees! Some (or most) companies (ahem, GoDaddy, AHEM...) really should've skipped showing us that disgusting-ness and used the money to feed starving kids... Honestly. But some were clever. Like the Doritos one with the grandma and the baby. I laughed so hard. Serves that kid right. ;)

Anyways, I've totally rambled long enough, I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and have an amazing week! :)



Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honour. -Proverbs 21:21

Monday Mania

Exams are over. I did good. New, easy semester. More time to blog, write my compassion kids and change the world. Life's good. :)



Glow, shine, be a light this week, everyone! :)

Have a good one!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:5

Exam Week

It's exam week. Yay. Not.

I AM excited for second semester though! Lots of great stuff going on, including my compassion trip to Wilmington! :D

Got a first letter from Happyness today! Will share sometime later. :)

Have an amazing week, everyone!



"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age." -Jesus {Matthew 28:20b}

It's Monday

Again, I am SO sorry for being a blog-ignore-er right now! :( And it's only going to be worse for the next two weeks because of exams, but I promise after that I'll be blogging so much you'll be sick of me - because I have a lot of stuff to blog about - just no time! :P

And Monday comes again, my last full week of my first semester of grade nine. That was fast. :S

Oh, and shout out to Tim Tebow, because we still love him no matter how hard he loses (And who can blame someone for getting kicked out of the playoffs by the New England Patriots anyways?!) because at the end of the day he's still loving God and loving others - way more important than winning football games! :)



And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. -Romans 8:28

Monday Mania - Never Once

Just listen to it.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:11-12

PS Happy back to school! ;)

Monday Mania 2012

The first one of 2k12! :)

Today's song is "Say It" by Britt Nicole, which I think is very fitting for the new year.

I love the second verse.

I got so much to discover

A hand I could lend another

A word that could bring some healing

Is there any better feeling?

Hold up, gotta see the beauty

Hold up, gotta let it move me

I wanna be with You here in the now

I'm done missing out

How many times have you said "Tomorrow"? Or "Later"? And how many times has that "Tomorrow" or "Later" become next week, next month, next year?

Time to stop waiting. YOU have so much to discover, YOU have a hand that you could lend another, YOU have a word that could bring some healing. Open your eyes, see the beauty, let it move you.

Excuses die today, because before you know it, it's gonna be 2013, 2014, 2020, 2030... then it's gonna be too late.

I think it goes a lot with my two words for 2012. Jesus wants us to totally trust Him with everything, have no worries. No worries about what people will think, no fears that everything will crash and burn right before our eyes. He just wants us to give it all to him and shine. :)

So let's do it, be bold, and work at changing the world. :)



"Therefore, since we have such hope, we are very bold." -2 Corinthians 3:12