Happy as a Clam

I'm pretty happy right now.

And I can't sleep.

And I have to get up in 6.5 hours.

But I don't really care.

I'm pretty darn happy tonight.

Middle Steps

Here is what I know about life from my 24 years of inexperience: Life will throw you curve balls.

I find that I am constantly trying to map out my life. I start something new at work and immediately I'm imagining everything falling perfectly into place in record time. I start dating someone and immediately I'm getting attached and imagining our future. I think of a new hobby and immediately I picture myself as an expert.

Obviously these things don't work out or I would have the perfect job, be married, and be an amazing guitar player/baker/runner. The problem is that I miss all the middle steps. I'm so busy trying to make it to the finish line that I forget to enjoy the middle moments and embrace them. I feel like I'm one of those people who would miss my entire engagement because I was so focused on the wedding day.

How do we learn to live in the moment and enjoy?? (seriously, I'm asking! I sure don't know!).

I realized recently that if I keep living for the future instead of the now, I'm missing out. Especially since the future never quite turns out the way we plan it. Life throws us unexpected curve balls that we just were not prepared for. I'm trying to live in the present so that the curve balls aren't curve balls, there just natural changes of course. I think it's easier to take each day in a stride that way. Anyway, this is just a mumbo-jumbo of thoughts but it's been weighing on my mind a bit. Why am I so focused on the next step? I'm learning to live life again.

ps - I think this calls for a donald miller book (don't you think jenny?!)

Slacker

Wow, I really have not been updating this puppy! My bad. There's not much going on right now. Here are my updates in a nutshell....

I'm swinging nicely into my summer therapy schedule at work

I'm going camping this weekend with friends from church

Mosquitos are taking over Grande Prairie

Joop is incessantly trying to dig his way under my stove but I can't figure out why cause I can't find any food there

I will never go to a movie on a Tuesday night again in GP (insanity!!!!)

My mom and grandma are coming to visit me in one month exactly :)

That's about all. My life is good. Everything feels pretty mundane these days. It'll be strange when my entire office leaves for vacation and there are only a couple of us left. Luckily I've schedules myself to be fairly busy so it should be alright.

Later gater :)

5 more gooder things

Here's another mini-list.

1. Heels/wedges that don't hurt your feet

2. Surprise texts from friends just wanting to say hi

3. Putting bandanas on my dog

4. Fireworks (I will like this no matter how old I am!)

5. Weddings & sharing someone's special day with them! (I heart you Alishia!!!)

These lists bring joy to my life :)

Giant Queen Size Bed

I don't think that there is any better feeling in the world than returning home to your own bed after travelling. That's how I know that GP feels like home to me. Whether I'm gone for two weeks, or two days, I'm always excited to get back to my own space and my own giant queen size bed :)

Most people I know don't know a thing about Grande Prairie. The size, the entertainment, the people. Zip, zilch, nada. In fact, most think of it as a small town with a bunch of cowboys riding around and nothing to do for fun. In some ways they're right... lol. But actually GP is much more than that. I feel like I've been defending the town forever, trying to find good things to say about it and get rid of people's misconceptions. But recently I realized that I'm not just saying those things to stop people from thinking that I'm crazy for moving here. I'm saying them because I actually really love it here. I do have a bit of a propensity for getting sick of places and moving on after a few years, but so far I like GP (as the cool kids say).

I'm honestly happy to get back to town every time I'm away. And although the giant queen size bed has a lot to do with that, there is a lot more that pulls me in these days as well.

So happy to be home :)

Coming Home

I'm just sitting in the Calgary airport, waiting to board my plane for London, Ontario. It's so great to be going home. Yesterday I was busying myself all day:

- cleaning

- packing

- getting Joop ready

- throwing out all my trash

- saying Good-bye

Mostly, I was trying to keep myself from going stir-crazy waiting to head home. I'm so excited to get back and see all the people I love in Ontario (and even a few that aren't from Ontario, but will be there at the same time, lol). I'm so excited!! And one of my very best friends is getting married :) I'm so happy that I can be there for her special day too.

This is a little something I'm bringing home with me too. My good friend has been waiting quite a while for this gift and I finally will get a chance to see her and show it off! YAY!

It's gonna be a busy couple of weeks!! CAN'T WAIT!!!

Everlasting Love

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son, that whoever

believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

Best. Weekend. Ever. True story. This weekend included watching chuck wagon racing (pictures to follow!), rollercoasters, amazing worship music, youth from across Alberta being positively impacted, roadtriping, and hanging out with good friends. What more could you ask for?!

YC (youth conference) Alberta is an event where youth from across the province, and neighbouring provinces, come together in fellowship. Thousands of youth gathered to praise God and learn from the wise speakers. A man named Reggie Dabbs spoke about being created to have a personal and loving relationship with God. He spoke straight to everyone's hearts when you asked people to stretch out their shame, pain, frustrations, hands to God because he wants to carry our burdens. He spoke about it not being our fault that our relationships fail, that people were abused, that people's parents fight, that people's family's are broken, that we aren't strong enough to handle what's thrown at us. God wants to love and protect us, but we have to let Him in and accept His love. It was very impactful, and most nights ended with me praying (and crying) with my girls. Those are moments that I don't want to forget - I pray that those thoughts and feelings stay with me and with the youth as YC moves further away. Here are some pictures from the fun times:

Here's my ticket from the lovely YC event!

Rexall Place was COMPLETELY packed with 17,000+ teenagers!

STARFIELD!!! My favourite worship band EVER was there :D

Hanging out with some of my youth girls outside of the rollercoasters in West Ed Mall! Totally rode them. Total awesomeness.

I heart this picture. Look at all those teenagers praising God! Makes me smile :)