Blogging is the method I use to process my thoughts.

Unfortunately for me, this specific thought process hit a dead end.

I have made my decision; I would like a man who is involved in the same ministries as me. It just makes things easier because it means both our hearts are in the same place.

Currently, I'm involved in the Jr. High ministry. How is that problematic, might you ask? Well, let me tell you. My church makes it a little complicated to get involved in this ministry. They prefer to have people they know, people that go to school there. Are you following me? People that go to school there, aka, people in high school. On average, high school seniors graduate at 18. I am currently 22. So as of this very moment, the oldest guy I could possibly meet would be 4 years younger than me. And I'm only getting older. And this is where I hit a dead end.

Hahahahaha! SO true.

[source]

Several hours ago, I witnessed the worst ending to a police pursuit that I had ever seen. After the police hesitated to perform a pit maneuver on the suspect because they didn't have a "safe opportunity," the suspect t-boned an innocent driver at quite a high speed. Immediately, I burst into tears.

It was about 11:38 pm when it happened. I had just gotten home at 11:15 pm and when I walked into my house, my dad already had the television on. He informed me that moments earlier, the suspect had driven right through my neighborhood. Casually I said, "Wow, good thing I missed it."

When the violent crash took place, it was as if a sudden reality check crashed into my heart. I missed it. By about 20 minutes. That could have very easily been me. God definitely holds the keys to life and holds each one of our breaths in His hands. At any moment, it could be taken away.

It is 2:19 am right now and I am unable to sleep. I am anxiously awaiting the state of this innocent victim.

Just a few moments ago, KNX 1070 said that the woman is in the UCS Medical Center with only minor injuries. I couldn't believe it at first. Minor injuries? After a t-bone crash of that impact? It could only be God.

I'm continuing to pray for this innocent woman. God can do miracles. There's no doubt about that.

Excerpt from Jon Acuff's "The Trouble With Fruit":

Here is what Proverbs 3:9 says:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops”
That word, “firstfruits” is a powerful one. We’re not called to give God the last scraps of our fruit, the remainder, but rather the “firstfruits.” Now clearly, there are financial ramifications to that verse, but what if it’s bigger than that? What if we’re called to give:
The firstfruits of our time.
The firstfruits of our creativity.
The firstfruits of our focus.
The firstfruits of our energy.
The firstfruits of our love.
Can you imagine what church would be like if members gave the firstfruits of their creativity to the Lord? We complain that the church is cheesy sometimes. Of course it is, we’ve been feeding it rotten fruit.
Can you imagine what church would be like if we gave the firstfruits of our love? We like to take shots at the church for being unloving and judgmental. Of course it is, we’ve been feeding it rotten fruit.
Can you imagine what it would be like for your life if you gave God the firstfruits of your time? I can’t because all too often I’ve given him rotten fruit. But I’m trying to change that and I’ve already learned something new in the process.
When I give God my firstfruits in the morning, when I start the day with him, it’s like putting on 3D glasses. The rest of the day looks different. I can see his hand more clearly, hear his voice louder, and feel his touch closer.
I’m not perfect at the firstfruits concept. At heart, this is an “I’m failing, but don’t want to” post. But with grace and hope, I’m working on being more deliberate with my firstfruits.
Let’s stop giving God our last fruits.

I've been convicted a lot recently from books I have read and am reading. Once again, conviction comes from John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: Or Brief Faithful Relation Exceeding Mercy God Christ his Poor Servant John (Penguin Classics).

John Bunyan was imprisoned for 12 years merely for "gathering people together" and preaching the gospel to them. His crime wasn't the preaching, but the gathering of the people, for he gathered them outside of the  structured Church of England.

The officers gave him many chances for release—even telling him that they would release him if he simply said that he wouldn't gather the people anymore. They didn't even care if he preached to them. Yet Bunyan was so completely sold out to Christ that this wasn't even an option for him. He would rather stay in prison that comply with their small wish.

I wonder what I would have done if I were in Bunyan's situation. I've been raised in a culture that promotes self-comfort so I feel as though I would have probably told the officers what they wanted to hear, and then gone back to doing what I was doing. A little white lie is all that it would have taken. But even that was too much for Bunyan to do. I wish I had this boldness with my relationship with Christ. I wish I was able to hold back from telling even a little white lie even if it meant losing my comfort for the sake of the gospel.

Lord, please make me bold. I want each action of each day of my life to be ordained by You and done for You. Help me to die to comfort and die to self for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of Your glory.

I always try to break out of my comfort zone when it comes to clothing styles. I hate being classified under a category. I dress the way I like as long as it looks okay on me regardless of the fact that it may or may not be "my style."

So I bought these vintage boots :)

They would have been peeeeerfect for our vintage arboretum shoot, but they didn't match the rest of my outfit. Oh well. Next time.

Jen and I are VERY fond of going on photoshoots at the LA Arboretum. This was definitely one of my favorite shoots! And here are two of my favorite photos! :)

Andddd...a video!

P.S. If you're my friend on facebook, I suggest you watch the video there. That one is MUCH better quality!

I know there are still 73 days until my birthday, but I really really want a pretty, girly camera bag.

I'm giving you some options, so be appreciative.


http://jototes.com/handbags
-or- 
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/bowler-camera-bag/