Complaints.

Recently I've been really taking a step back and examining the life I'm living. I've noticed how often I complain to my friends and family about everything and how much of my time I spend doing it. And now that I'm trying not to do that I am really running out of things to say. So much of my time has focused on negativity. I don' t want it to be that way but now I'm lost for words. I'm looking for the positive and that's a huge challenge to me. It's good though. So to start I'd like to say I have no complaints. The things that have challenged or hurt me lately have all been a part of God's plan for something so much better. I'm already beginning to see that. I've spent a lot of time focusing not only on the negatives, but the future. And now I'm not spending time trying to find what God has planned for my future but the right now. And there is no better time than the present. I think it's my favorite part of life.

The Blessing of Sisterhood

I can still hear the loud screaming of 7 other girls "Floor, Vault, Bars, Beam, we compete as a team....gooooooo Natalie!" Somewhat this form of encouragement from loud cheering of young girls lightens my day unlike anything else. As a gymnast, I spend a lot of time with coaches, judges, and other gymnasts-particularly girls. Young girls. Sometimes they get on my nurves and I lose the patience to be with them much longer or their childish games just get old. But overall-I love these girls and I consider them a blessing from God.

Going back to that cheer. We really do compete as a "team". Team means so much more to me now after these past few months being on a "team". There's our coaches, who train us to do our best and conquer our fears. There's our parents, who support us along the way and drive us to every practice and meet. But most importantly-there is us girls. We grow closer as the season goes on. I've been training with these girls for almost a year now. And I've gone from not tolerating them at all to loving each an every one of them as if they were my own sister. They all have such unique personalites, endless energy, laughter and joy. They've been such a blessing in my life and I don't know how I've ever going to be able to say goodbye in a few months. They've taught me to enjoy the simple things in life. And they've showed me that if they can do it, I can too. They've taught me not to try to grow up so fast. Because It seems like such a short time ago I was their age.

I love their innocence. I love their smiles. I love their strength. I love their courage. I love their talent. But most of all, I love them. We've all got this bond-this sisterhood that I will never be able to return. And I will never be able to pay them back for all the things they've done for me. They may never know it. They may not remember me, but I know that I will never ever forget them or this year. Even on my bad days they cheer me up. They've showed me gymnastics is most about having fun and feeling good about yourself and what you can do. I only wish that I could stay by their side forever. Watch them grow up. Protect them from when their boyfriend breaks up with them. Show them how beautiful they are when they don't think they are. I wish I could be a friend of their's forever. But sadly, I'm in a different generation. So for now I have to enjoy the last little bit I will ever get to be a part of my sisters' lives. Thank you God for giving me the blessing of these little girls. They mean the world to me.

The Hunger Games

This book has recently gotten pretty popular and sounded interesting so I got it for my brother for Christmas. He read it then told me I had to read it so I did. It is a great book that I would highly recomend to anyone who likes adventure books or just wants something different to read. It's the first book in a trilogy and I have yet to read the second and third but I look forward to reading them as soon as I can! Reading more has been one of my goals for this year since I really slacked last year. So far I've read 2 books, including this one and am really close to finishing a third. I've already started a 4th so I'm pretty busy with as far as books go. Can't wait to see how many I read by the end of the year! My goal is 25+. We'll see...and I'll be sure to keep you posted! Better go read some more if I want to finish one of the books I'm reading tonight.

Books read so far this year:
1. The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (still finishing this one up)

January Family Outing

Today my family went out for breakfast for our January family outing from our family resolution. It was a really fun time and I think we all enjoyed it. We went to IHOP and we all got pancakes except for Luke who ordered a burger. Overall it was a fun morning (even though we had to wait a while to get our breakfast). I look forward to more events this year with the family and I'll keep you posted on what we are going to do next.

Traffic

Life seems so busy. There is always something going on. There's all these distractions and things that get in the way of our time with God. I consider this the traffic in our lives. Traffic is frusterating, but you know that if you want to get to where you want to go, you usually have to go through some. Traffic is like those bumps in the road that makes us swerve off the path God has put us on. Traffic will always be in the way, we just have to learn to find God even through our distraction and hard time. This is something I'm trying to work on.

Whom shall I fear?

So there is this song I heard at church yesterday called "Whom shall I fear". The lyrics are so powerful.

When all you are
is glorious, oh God
Victorious and strong
Whom shall I fear?
When all you are
is powerful and true
and good in all you do
Whom shall I fear?

You hear my call
you hear me calling

You won't let me fall
when all else is falling

This song reminds me that God is so much bigger than everything going on in my life. And all the big things in my life are so much smaller than Him. And all the small things in my life matter to Him. So I think, wow...God really cares. He has reason for everything. He wants me and has a plan for me. Even if I don't have a boyfriend, if I'm not perfect, if I'm not worth to keep as a friend to some people, it doesn't matter.

God is powerful and true, so whom shall I fear?

FEARLESS