Pumpkin Muffins

Hello. Last week my friend Emily and I made Pumpkin Muffins, and they turned out quite nicely if I do say so myself! It was really fun because we got vanilla frosting, and mixed in some cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. And then we topped the whole thing off with a few gold sprinkles we found in my pantry. One of our (mine and emily's) many common goals is to start baking and cooking more. So this was a fun start. There will be more to come, and I will include recipes as well!

On a new note, Fall did not come as quickly as I had expected, as there was a heat wave that lasted for quite awhile. 113 degrees in Fall? No thank you. But today it is cloudy and rainy, and although I'm sure I'll be sick of it by January, but today I'm loving it.

Another one of my goals is to take as many pictures as I can, as I want to work on my photography skills. I love taking pictures and and doing photoshoots! I would love to gain more experience, so if you or someone you know wants to do a photoshoot, or needs a photographer for an event, or wants portrait photos, let me know! I'd love to take pictures for you :) I'd gain experience, and you'd get free photos- what a win-win!

That's all for today! Enjoy the rain.

It Is Well

"Thankfulness is not a trick to ignore the pain in reality, rather, it keeps worry from interpreting life through a faulty lens."

I recently read this quote and not only did it make me smile, because I know the person that posted it is struggling with feeling joyful in a time of need right now, but it was refreshing for my own life too.

Why is it so easy for us to become caught up in worry? Worrying about the things that are going on around us, the things that aren't going on around us, the things we need and don't have, the things we want and don't have. Worry about how things will work out. Worry about if we are doing the right things. There are a million things people worry about- some not worth worrying over, and other that are extremely worth worrying about.

That's one of the downsides of having a personality that is so focused on the future. My top two strengths on Strengths Quest (a pretty valid personality assessment, even if Point Loma does hammer you over the head with it) are Futuristic and Focus. I'm a dreamer. I'm always looking ahead, always imagining what's next, what could be. When I do finally see what I want, my focus kicks in and I go for it, one step at a time.

Okay I got sidetracked. Small window into my personality. The point is, or was, that it's easy for me to worry about what's to come. To stress over it. To feel hopeless and frustrated when I can't see what's next, or feel like I can't control what happens. I think most people struggle with this though.

And that's where the beauty of needing God comes in. We don't want to be needy or dependent, and yet, isn't that how God created us? To completely and utterly rely on Him? In the good and the bad. Not only are we created to be utterly dependent on God, but dependent on each other as well, even though so many people don't want to. It's not always easy to admit that we can't do things on our own, and rely on another person. And yet we are called to be a people that loves others and provides for those in need. And isn't relying on another person still easier sometimes than relying on God? On the promise that God will provide for us? And the promise that God hears our prayers, cries, and petitions?

I sometimes become numb to the power of prayer and the awesomeness of how God truly HEARS and CARES about what I'm lifting up to him. And that he promises to answer me. Not necessarily in my way or my timing. But that's when I remind myself that I don't know the whole picture. I need to remind myself that God works all things for good.

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

Lastly, I love this hymn that speaks of how God desires us to be at peace and have the joy of His Spirit no matter the circumstance. Viewing these lyrics with the quote that I started this post with in mind, it reminds me that I'm not called to manipulate my emotions, rather, I am called to not submerge myself in the worries that cause me to view the world in a way that I shouldn't, and to remember that I am and will be loved and cared for by my creator.

When peace like a river

Attendeth my way

When sorrows

Like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot

Thou hast taught me to say

It is well

It is well with my soul

Thanks for reading my blurb, my thoughts and personal reminder to myself to be thankful and not allow worries to affect the way I view things.

Fall- A Fresh Start

Hello (all of you 3 or so people that read my blog), I am BACK! It's been far too long. I suppose when life gets busy, blogging is one of those things that sits on the back burner. However, I was recently inspired to start blogging again by my best friend's blog that she just created. It's just so therapeutic! So, here is a little catching up, through pictures...

Fall.

It's starting to feel like fall. Although the weather here (here being back home in Glendora, where I am now living) seems to be mood-swinging from hot to cold, I can tell it's starting to become fall. You can just feel it in the air. It's a time to start new again. Time for cozy sweaters, fires in the fireplace, yummy-smelling candles (although that's kind of all year for me...), walks outside in the brisk air with the few leaves that change color here in California. I've always been a summer girl, but I love fall more and more each year!

Fall Candles.

Every year growing up, when it becomes fall, my mom puts out yummy, fall-scented candles, has fires in the fireplace, and brews apple-cinnamon cider on the stove to make the house smell good. So these candles always remind me of fall in a nostalgic, comforting way.

Post-College Photoshoot Sesh # 1.

This is my lovely sister Cheri. She willingly obliged when I asked her to be my model because I want to continue using my camera and working on my photography skills! I'm nervous that now that I'm out of school I'm not going to make time to do all the creative things I love to do, so I am MAKING myself do them. Photography is quite high on the list. This photoshoot was a lot of fun and ended up with a fall/fashion sort of vibe. Isn't my sister gorgeous?!

Lists.

I now have a job (and feel very blessed!) that requires me to make lists, lists, lists! So it's a good thing I am naturally obsessed with making them. I don't know how people get by without them. then again, I do have a pretty bad memory...

To expand on the job, I was recently hired to be an Administrative Assistant at Glenkirk Presbyterian Church. More specifically, I'm in charge of all the publications they put out (weekly bulletin, devotional, brochures, advertisements, etc.), a lot of the website stuff, and other such projects. It's such a good fit as a first job for where I'm at in life right now- it's full-time, it's VERY close to home, all the people I work with are great, and it's allowing me to use the skills I attained in college. It's a good stepping stone for now.  

Puppy.

At this particular stage in my life, a puppy isn't the best idea. But I can't wait til I can get one in the next stage of my life! I am dying for a French Bulldog puppy or Boston Terrier puppy. This little guy is a French bulldog, and I love his coloring! In general I'm more of a big-dog person as opposed to a small-dog person, but these stout little guys are so flipping cute without being annoyingly small and yappy (Sorry to the people that like those kind). 

Israel.

This sumer I had the amazing opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip and serve in Israel. It was by far the best trip I've ever been on so far in my life. We stayed half the time in Nazareth and the other half in Jerusalem. We put on Vacation Bible school, served the church through various work projects, put on kid's festivals in very poor communities, helped at an orphanage, helped at a disabled home, and other similar things. We got to build amazing relationships not only with each other (the team) but also with people living in the places we visited. Such an amazing culture shock, my first of it's kind. 

In our spare time, we were able to visit amazing sites from the Bible, sites central to the life of Jesus. We were able to se some of the tension of Israeli-Palestinian conflict first-hand. And very excitingly, I was baptised by my dear friend and team leader Dr. Smith (for the first time besides my baptism as an infant) in the Jordan River (where John the Baptist baptised Jesus)! The entire trip was so full of amazing experiences. I would love to share them with you if you are interested at all. Just let me know!

That's it for now! There will be more to come soon...

Alan & Cosmo

So it's been much longer than I anticipated since I last posted on here. i don't have much time, but I took some fun pictures and I wanted to put a couple up on here. This is Alan, and the beloved Boston Terrier that he "babysits" (with kids as well), Cosmo.

photography

Now that I've made it through the first week of school and am in the swing of things I have some time to write a new post. My newly developed hobby? Photography. I have always loved taking pictures however I would go in and out of phases of being camera-happy. I am currently taking a Digital photography class and last week I finally received my Christmas present- a Canon Rebel Xsi! I am convinced that this beautiful camera could make anyone look like a professional, however I still have a lot of learning to do! First assignment? Color. I took lots of pictures in downtown Ocean Beach and did a mini photo shoot with my friends Danielle, Stephanie, and Stefanie (thanks girls!) down at the cliffs. So much fun! I'm putting some of the photos that i took below. I also am going to help out at a photo shoot tomorrow for my internship that I'm doing at Exquisite Weddings Magazine (owned by San Diego magazine). We are doing a groomsmen shoot tomorrow and although I will probably just be fetching food and directing models, I cant wait to see all the action!

Here are a few of the pictures I took. I just took them on Automatic so hopefully when I start doing things more manually from now on they'll be better.

Strange Compulsion?

My latest compulsion, when I have spare time, is looking at photography websites, event/wedding planning websites, and blogs. Is this because I am planning my own wedding? No, at least not not anytime soon. But I am fascinated with the plethora of creative ways that people create events that reflect personalities or make a statement. I also love photography.

Anyways, although this blog will be a compilation of my thoughts, inspirations, etc., a bunch of it will probably be pictures of things that I come across that I like. Just a little forewarning for those of you that have no interest in looking at flowers, candles, or whatever other girly things or design things that I happen to put up.

Item of Interest for the day: glass jars and bottles as vases, cups, you name it...

Welcome 2010

It's taken me awhile longer than I expected to warm up to the excitement of the New Year. Which is strange because I usually love new, fresh beginnings- new classes, new projects, new chance to plan my life away, haha. But finals week this last semester beat me down, and now it feels as if I am flying a million miles per hour into the future, my future- my last semester of college.

It's finally here! First of all, how did it get here so quick? I'm torn. I definitely have a slight case of Senioritis. A nice long break from school? Yes please. Not to mention I have a thing for planning and romanticizing the future. All those beautiful, daunting unknowns.

And yet, I don't think I'm quite ready to leave this beautiful place called Point Loma that I've grown to love so dearly. Four years ago it called to me, and through a blessed chain of events, here I am. I love the little things here, like driving out to the Point just to think, absorb music, and see rows and rows of white, military tombstones propped up against the San Diego city skyline. It somehow calms me in the midst of any chaos. I love getting my favorite coffee drink at my favorite coffee place right next to school. I love walking outside of my apartment on campus and seeing the ocean. And reminding myself not to take it for granted. I love quiet times with Jesus at Sunset Cliffs. I love recognizing people everywhere I go because my school is the size of a bubble. I love all the personal growth that has stemmed from all the ups and downs of the past four years. I've been blessed to meet so many different people that have come in and out of my life here.

Enough reminicsing. Hello Spring 2010. I have a feeling that you will be very stressful, busy, and daunting. Yet very exciting. I don't know where you will lead me, but with enough prayer and hard work, I think it will be somewhere good :)