It's summer!

Summer means: 

-heat

-beaches

-hanging out

-vacations

-family

-friends

-adventures

And...?

-work?

-school? 

Adulthood. 

That's what this summer brings for me, becoming more of an adult. And just because I say becoming an adult I don't mean becoming a bore (which I feel I am most days anyways, but that's another matter), I mean becoming an adult and facing the responsibilities that lie ahead of me. Paying bills, saving money, budgeting wisely both time and money, affording to put gas in the car. 

We're so quick as kids to wish away "the easy life" expecting bigger and better things on our own. And don't get me wrong, I have had some of the bigger and better moments, but if I could go back and tell younger me something it'd be this:

Don't wish the "easy life" away. Enjoy being home everyday, take the time to respect your parents having you do chores because once you get out on your own, they ain't gonna be done themselves. Take the time for family as well as friends. I have so much time with friends being away from home (as they essentially became family) that there never seems to be enough time with family when you are home. And remember, one day you'll wish you had it all again. But there's no going back, only forwards. 

Being an adult is hard sometimes, more often than it is easy. I often complain "I don't want to be an adult", "I don't want to adult today", or even "who made me adult?! Adulting is hard...". 

I'm sure many can relate, but whether we want to or not, we have to. Nobody said growing up (AKA becoming an adult) would be easy, in fact we often times stare in disbelief at the crazies that tell us otherwise! 

"What could be hard about making your own rules?!" one normally asks... 

-bills

-budgeting

-job

-money management 

-time management; both recreational, job, and educational

-house chores

-car responsibility 

I'm sure the list could continue for quite awhile. 

Essentially, what I'm trying to say, especially to those just getting ready to start a new adventure whether it's starting college, starting grad school, new marriages, whatever it may be! 

Enjoy the season of life you're living, because whatever comes next will be a new adventure you'll have to embark on. And if you sit back and try to reminisce about what you had before, you'll be missing the adventure in your hands. 

Spring Break 2015

Well, it's Thursday of spring break and I'm packing up all my stuff to head back to campus early. Adulthood requires, you know, like working and stuff. 

The last couple of weeks my saying has been "I don't want to adult!" because I really don't. I sometimes wish I was still in high school and home everyday simply because I miss my family. 

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being at college and the life I have their, I just love having time with my family and though I had nothing to do, my sister was at school, mom at work... And than there was church stuff a few nights during the week while I was home so I didn't get as much time as I wanted with all of the loved ones. 

There's never enough hours in the day. 

But, that doesn't make me any less thankful for the time I did get with them. Mom, Dad, grandparents, step-parents, little sister, a few friends. I just wish I had more time. 

Though I'm going back to college for the rest of break, I'm still going to have fun! I absolutely love my job! It's the greatest work environment with some of the best coworkers. And a Fargo Force hockey game on Saturday with some of my friends! First hockey game of the year! Literally, I haven't gone to a hockey game since last season... 

Guess I should go make sure the rest of my clothes are dry, pack up the car and some lunch, and hit the road! 

Hope you're enjoying your break and being safe! 

Being A Christian

When you hear the word Christian I assume most like to think of a person who's got it all together. Their life is perfect, especially if they grew up in a Christian home. If you're like me you think that everybody around you has had a perfect life, that it is perfect. I realized something tonight... 

The broken down, tired of life, struggling through their days, are the ones who seem the happiest. 

People that are just. like. me. ... 

I'm a Christian. I truly believe that God sent his one and only son Jesus as a living sacrifice for our sins. But I always thought I was the only one lost and broken down. Which was absolutely ridiculous because I know so many details of my fellow believers lives. Past and present. So many times I've prayed for them. 

It took me until tonight to realize not a single Christian's life becomes a happily ever after the second they begin believing. 

I've been a Christian for many years now and I still have yet to find that happily ever after. But through the struggles I do find peace knowing I have a loving, caring, holy being by my side with me always. 

This may all sound cliche but it's true. I know words can never truly express what one feels. 

Jesus loves you. He loves you for you. Your mistakes, failures, He's willing to carry your burdens. He loves you for your triumphs, your good deeds, your love you give to others. 

But most importantly, He is there for you! 

He doesn't promise that everything will get better the instance you accept Him into your life, but He does promise He will be there through it all. 

Every person who's ever been hurt by another human, anytime you've felt alone, anytime you rejoice, He's been there. Nobody has ever had a perfect life, Jesus didn't even have one.  He was put to death in the cross by the ones He loved! 

But the story doesn't end there, oh no! 

We know the ending to the story, Jesus wins. We will live happily ever after. For eternity! Though we all go through the sins of a fallen world now, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, one in which there is no pain or suffering. One where every Christian will have a perfect life full of love. 

If you look around now and seeing those whom say they have a perfect life, especially if their non-believers, don't believe it for a second. Every Christina I know has their struggles. But it's the love of God and fellow believers in which peace can be found. It's the times of hurt, of anger, of struggles that brings the love of Christ and the happiness that will alter your view on life's perfection.