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Wow. This is so important. It’s real. Not just friends and family want people to stop cutting or abusing themselves, it’s everyone. It’s wrong. To anyone who thinks that abusing yourself in any way, physical or emotional, is alright. It’s not. Even Lauren Lopez says so. And, I love her, so… it’s pretty legitamate.

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So. This week I’ve been talking with some friends a lot about a certian guy. We’ve all been through that. And I’m not sure if I want to be with him or not; it’s a difficult decision. But everytime I think about us together, I realize that I may like him a little bit, but I absolutely love him as a friend. We’ve been good friends for a little over a year now, and I realize that I wouldn’t trade that relationship for anything. I just want to remind you guys that love comes in many forms. Don’t think for a second that a friendship isn’t a real love. :)

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So my favorite band tweeted me yesterday. <3 (Taken with Instagram)

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So, today. I walked home from the bus stop. I haven’t done that in a while, since school is just starting, but today I did. I realized that while walking, the trees and sky are much prettier, and you notice the little things, like a harmony you didn’t hear before in your favorite song, or a bright yellow butterfly flying past, or the rythym of your stride in tune with your heartbeat. It was absolutely beautiful. Then, I read a Glow* post about this guy named Antonio Machado, who said, “Travelers, there is no path. Paths are made by walking.” and it made me think. If we get our heads out of our technology for just a few minutes and take a walk outside, who knows what we will find? We may create a path of beauty for ourselves, and that’s something special.
Ps,
Witness
Accept
Love
Know

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So today. I spent a full day with my Mom. This happens a lot, actually. I’m so very grateful that I have this relationship with her. So many people take their family for granted. My only advice for you is DON’T! One day, too soon, you will miss what you could have had, or realize all the time that has passed by without the love that should have been there. Be appreciative of your family! God put you together for a reason. :)
This is a picture of a book at the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville. I used to go there a lot as a kid, and this was one of our stops on our day out. We walked through all the exhibits, including the kid zone. Relived some childhood memories! I thought it was neat that this picture book was called Tuesday, and that just so happened to be today. So there you go. :) Happy Tuesday!

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I want to talk about music. It can really impact people’s lives more than anything. There’s just something about the way the notes float around you and take you in that changes you forever. Music has always been important to me, because I played tenor sax in middle school, and I’ve been singing my entire life. I’ve just grown up with music all around me. But music becomes truly special when you decide to let it. When you take the time to actually listen to the lyrics and find out what they mean for you. The song Beautiful has always been one that I try to live by. It’s always hard for me to accept the fact that I’m beautiful, because we’re living in a world that tells me I’m not. But just because I’m not the size of a toothpick, and my hair isn’t board straight, and I’m over 5’2” doesn’t mean that I’m not beautiful. This song always reminds me of that. I am made in the image of God. What could be more beautiful than that? (also, I used a typewriter for this, and I think typewriters are pretty freaking cool.)
A simple line of a song also changed my life a few weeks ago. I’d been struggling with my Granny’s death, and I felt like I wasn’t honoring her, because I didn’t think about her a lot, and I haven’t talked about her lately. My mom and I actually had a little argument over it, and it really hurt me to think that I didn’t care enough. But then I heard this line of a song: “death is just a memory.” and I closed my eyes and saw her face, smiling at me. It was a really beautiful moment. And I realized that her death is just a memory. And what I should really be focusing on is her spirit, because it lives in the lives of all the people she touched. And it lives in me. She’s with me every day, and I shouldn’t have to dwell on the fact that her physical body isn’t here anymore. I know she is up in heaven, watching over me. And I know she’s happy.
SO. In short, don’t let yourself overlook something as simple as a song. You never know what you can get out if it.

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So, after a week of camp and carefree fun and spiritual enlightenment, I had to go right back to work. I had to wake up every morning and put on uncomfortable professional clothes and heels and sit at my desk and do boring inventory. I had to make copy after copy after copy. And there were files to be filed just about everywhere. I realized that at work, I just wasn’t happy. And then I had to ask myself why. It’s a great job. I couldn’t ask for better co-workers, and every day I go to work is putting me closer to paying off my Europe trip. But yet, I still dreaded going. Then I realized it was because I wasn’t being myself. I wasn’t laughing, or talking to anyone, and I wasn’t singing. (Of course I had lost my voice at camp so I couldn’t, but a few mugs of hot tea fixed that right up.) Then, over the weekend, I went to Hilliard with Kasey to babysit. These girls were crazy and hyper, and they never wanted to stop playing, and threw a fit when it was time to go to bed, and begged for countless piggy back rides. Needless to say, I was exhausted when I got home. But I was reminded that I’m still a kid. I may not be 5 years old, like the twins, but that doesn’t mean I can’t laugh and play and sing and enjoy the life I’ve been given. I went into work today with a smile, because why not! I hope and pray that all of you can find your inner child and let it out every once in a while.

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So, this week on Glow* (amazing website, check it out at knowyourglow.com ) the theme is “check YOU out!” And I haven’t exactly kept up with all the posts, but I did read one that was saying how girls these days are afraid to be confident in themselves because they feel like they will be judged or labeled as self centered. It really made me think. Why aren’t we confident in ourselves? God made each and everyone of us with special care, and he made us beautiful. So, why not love your frizzy curls? Or your big feet and little toes? Or your crooked tooth? Or your curves? It’s my challenge for anyone who happens to read this to stop thinking about all the things that are wrong with yourself, and start appreciating the reasons that YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL. (and original, because that’s what the stamp at work said, and I decided to make a sticky note which I happen to absolutely love. In case you can’t read it, it says “You? You’re original. Don’t let anyone take that away.” )

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So, this week I had the opportunity to go to church camp for my 8th time. It was the most amazing week of worship and praise and just love. it never ceases to amaze me how much God’s love shines through all of the campers and counselors, and how much you can feel his spirit. This is a picture of my awesome small group, which we called Pizzaz? And I don’t think I’ve ever had a better small group. By the first day, we were already comfortable with each other, and we shared so much with each other and got to worship together on the last night of chapel, which was ridiculously beautiful. We had a lot of fun too. Silly games, and ropes course, and punching Corey, and let’s not forget Teddy Time! Anyway, I just wanted to share this, because I think that our relationships with those around us are really important and we should truly cherish them. Wether it be people that you only know for a week, or those you’ve known your whole life, nothing is more important than sharing your love and spirit with others.

Raindrops on Roses

I'm just me, living every beautiful day God has given me to the fullest.

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