Thanks Goodness...

...cause this happens often...

I know that you can always find things to complain about...but what I've come to learn is that you can always find things to be grateful for. Things happen in our life that we aren't always expecting, but instead of listing complaints about them, we can dig a little deeper and find meaning and learn what we have to be grateful for about those experiences. It's terrific to know that a Father in Heaven knows every little detail of our life and where we are going in it. He has the tools to make us better and we can become better if we allow him to work on us. Find joy in today ♥

Family For Christmas

I can't even begin to explain what a wonderful, terrific, beautiful Christmas I had this year. I don't know who stated the quote, "Christmas is not in the presents, but in his presence." but it certainly was 100% truer than true. Because Christ's presence was very evident in my Christmas miracle. I LOVE my family. I had a splendid time with each member. I'm so tremendously blessed to have them in my life. I couldn't ask for better parents or siblings, or nephew.

In His Hands

Who would have thought the day that I posted my last post would be the day that ended my personal volleyball season early? With a nice little pop and a fall to the floor I would be faced with a difficult task at hand; an ACL injury. It was also the day however, that I subscribed to the Brave Girls Club. While looking at a post on a friend's blog I read about this new sight she had stumbled upon and decided to check it our for myself. Little did I know then that it would have the words that I needed to hear now...

"Dear humble girl,

You really can't begin to know how spectacular you are or how much you are capable of or how strong and brave the depth of your soul is.

Because we all understandably see things from such a limited and incomplete point of view...because we haven't learned everything we need to learn yet...it is hard to see that things that feel like failures or roadblocks or hardships are the very things that exercise our soul muscles and keep us in top shape to be able to live out our beautiful and constantly progressing potential.

Life would be so sad and so boring if there were never any wonderful and sometimes painful and difficult opportunities for growth. It is in the growing and the changing and the stretching and the soul exercise that the biggest joys come.

Keep your head up...keep sweatin' through the soul lunges...you are spectacularly fit for the challenge...you really are. You can do this.

You are loved.

XOXO"

(bravegirlsclub.com)

Something good will come from this "painful and difficult opportunity for growth," even if it is just to exercise my soul. I know that God sees the big picture for me and because I can only see a limited portion of it, it's my job to put my full trust in Him. I know He can make me better...if I allow Him to. I'm in His hands. Besides, what a greater love and appreciation I've been given for the resurrection. :) I've been so blessed to have a body that allows me to play volleyball and do all sorts of other things as well. Maybe I just need a rest from the vigorous activities I've involved it in. Whatever my lesson is, things will be ok. I will be ok. Because I know that no matter what happens, I'm a loved daughter of my Heavenly Father.

ANOTHER SEASON NEARING AN END

Only two

home games

left and then we are

off to

North Dakota

for our conference

tournament!

NUTS!

I'd have to say:

Enjoy the moment,

for in another,

it's already gone...

Things I love about Autumn

Jumping in leaves

Admiring the colors on the mountains

Wearing sweaters

Watching leaves fall off trees

Drinking hot cocoa

Wearing boots

Stepping on crunchy leaves

Fresh apple juice

Pumpkins, squashes, and gourds

Throwing leaves

Guilty: I like quizzes...

Yes, It's true...I'm a sucker for quizzes, whether it's online, in a magazine or in a book; if it's there, I'll take it. I was excited when I saw this one on Lifetime titled, "What's Your Greek Goddess Personality?" I absolutely loved learning about Greek Mythology in my ninth grade English class and would love to find some kind of mythology class maybe here in college...I'll have to see what they offer. Anywho, I'm intrigued by this subject, so of course, I HAD to take the quiz ;) and I'd have to say I think it's pretty accurate...Here's my result:

You’re Athena, Goddess of Wisdom

(according to myLifetime.com)

You’re smart, strong, independent and an all-around go-getter. You like to continuously acquire knowledge, whether you’re surfing the Net for random answers to questions, or have your nose in a book about culture or politics — anything that broadens your perspective. When it comes to love, you’re not ruled by emotion and would rather be single than be with someone who is not your intellectual equal and doesn’t appreciate your career aspirations and goals. While you’re a devoted and dependable person, you tend not to have many close female friends (which may have a little something to do with your critical nature), but you’re admired and respected by many.