So I saw a friend mention this on Facebook, and when I saw it crossed over into Blogland (thanks, Melissa!), I knew I had to participate.
What is it, you ask?
The Pay It Forward Project!
Ready for the deets?
The first 5 people to comment on this post with their e-mail address (and blog URL if they have one) will receive, sometime in 2013, a surprise gift from your's truly!
I love putting together care packages (even though I am often the biggest procrastinator at actually getting them in the mail, right Elissa and Jordan?).
But hey, with a whole calendar year, how badly could I procrastinate this one?
Determined to kick that bad habit to the curb, and get you a lovely gift in the mail!
This is the second time I've quoted that verse on the blog, and I'm sure it won't be the last.
It's just so good.
And yet, sometimes, it's so much easier said than done.
Why is that?
I know that His plan for my life is 100 times better than any plan I could even dream up for myself.
I know that He is a good God.
So much more good than I could even fathom. A type of good that can't be found on this earth.
So why is it so easy for me to stress about things in my life?
When I have already decided that I would rather God dictate the path for my life, why do I so easily forget and try to take the reins back for myself?
It's like a part of me thinks that He is so big, that He will forget.
He has so many important things in this world to take care of, right? How could He possibly concern himself with the minuscule factors of my life?
Like where I should live? Who I should marry? What dream job I should pursue?
He's only concerned about the big picture, right?
Wrong.
God is very much concerned with even things that go overlooked in my eyes.
The strangers that I cross paths with, no accident.
The stop light changing color to cause me to be a few minutes later than I had planned, no surprise to Him.
The fact that I put off buying new running shoes for weeks upon weeks, 100% used by Him to lead me to my future roommate and now amazing friend, Ashlee.
I want to stop worrying, and start trusting.
Because you know what, if there is one person worth trusting in this world, Jesus is it.
I've been loving these questions, thanks to all of the girls who nominated me and asked some awesome and interesting things!
Last, but certainly not least, we have Katie:
{LOVE her outfit in that picture!}
Katie blogs over at time of your life. I found her blog a few months ago, and have been hooked since.
When she posted her 2013 goals, I was pretty excited to see that we have quite a few of the same things on our lists. I can't wait to watch as we both accomplish them!
Here's what Katie had to ask:
1. Where is your favorite place in the world?
Alright, keep in mind that I am not very well versed in travel. I'm hoping to fix that this year!!
I'm gonna cheat and answer this in a few different ways:
Favorite vacation/relaxation spot: Hawaii
Place I would live if I wasn't in California: Boston. Hands down.
Favorite place ever: Southern California. It's just home, guys.
2. What is your biggest fear?
Being covered in spiders, or really any other creepy bugs for that matter.
Gross.
3. What is your dream job?
Working in full time ministry. Specifically in high school ministry, or women's ministry.
4. How many countries have you been to?
Considering how I answered question #1, you can probably figure out that this list is quite short, ha!
Technically, I've been to Canada, Mexico and the US (duh).
But I was too young to really remember Mexico or Canada, so I don't really count those.
5. What is your typical bedtime, during the week?
Usually between 10 and 11. Sometimes between 9 and 10, not gonna lie.
Old lady status.
6. Why did you start blogging?
I found out about blogging through my friend Alycia who blogs over at Crowley Party. I started checking out her blog and others daily when I started full time work, and figured blogging would be a great way to document my 20s (when I have no idea what the heck I am doing in the real world!).
So so so glad I did :)
7. Have you ever met up with any other bloggers? If so, how was it?
8. Are you an electronic calendar or an old school hard planner type of person?
I was definitely an old school hard planner type of person, up until a few months ago.
When I switched to the iPhone, I definitely started using that for all of my planning.
Who knows though, I'm definitely a "write it down" type of person, so I see myself switching back at some point.
9. What is your dream wedding like?
Honestly, I was never the type of girl to think through all of these details.
I think it used to be because I was afraid of jinxing it, ha!
Now, my dream wedding will be an outreach to others. I have plenty of non-Christian friends and family members, and while I don't plan to shove scripture down their throat, I hope that my wedding will give glory to God.
10. What is your day job?
I am a financial analyst for a defense contractor/engineering corporation.
I basically analyze numbers and make projections for how we will meet our metric goals for the year.
It sounds exciting, I know.
It's basically like my favorite econ homework assignments put into a full-time job.
Now, to introduce another one of my favorite blogs.
Before I do, I want to say that I have so enjoyed giving shout outs to some of my favs :) You guys totally deserve it, and not only brighten my work days, but have become true friends in my book.
If you missed any of the shout outs, be sure to check out Olivia and Melissa asap!
I wanted to say that I have been so fortunate to make so many amazing blog friends. I could only pick 3 for this Liebster with a Twist series, but I don't want the shout outs to stop there.
I'm hoping to start giving random shout outs to my blogger besties, so do keep an eye out!
With that being said, today, I want to introduce you all to Julie:
I love her heart for the Lord. Her posts inspire me, lift me up, and her fun attitude is just as contagious over the internet as I'm sure it is in person.
Her and her boyfriend are just the cutest.
Right?
...
Ha, kidding ;)
There we go, cue heart = melt.
Go do yourself a favor and check her out, you won't regret it!
I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful weekend.
I'll be in Tahoe through Monday, hopefully getting some pics in the snow that are half as cute as Julie's!
She's a 25 year old teacher living in Dallas but rooting for Alabama. She also bought her own house this past year, so I'm thinking I can learn a thing or two from her!! You can find her over at Bridge to Birmingham!
Heather was so sweet to nominate me for the Liebster award, and I'm excited to see what questions she has in store.
Ready, set, go:
1. What is your favorite sports team?
Definitely the New England Patriots. {The majority of you probably love me or hate me right now.}
Daddy raised a Boston fan!
2. What is your favorite healthy recipe that you cook?
Ohh, love this question.
One of my favorite dishes is this Turkey-Sausage Gnocchi Soup. I haven't made it in a while, but I definitely should make it soon. There are so many great variations you can do: veggie sausage for us vegetarians (holla!) or fire-roasted tomatoes for an extra spicy kick (yum!).
Another go-to of mine would be making fish with lemon and capers. Healthy, quick and delicious!
3. What is your favorite restaurant?
Take me to any Mexican restaurant, and I'm in heaven.
4. If money wasn't an issue, where would you vacation to this summer?
So long as all goes as planned, I plan to vacation to Honduras this summer to visit an orphanage down there.
Fingers crossed!
5. What is your life long dream?
To be a mom.
A husband would be nice, too ;)
6. How many times have you been in love?
2.
Although to be honest, I think being "in love" is different for everyone. I'm not entirely sure if there is a dictionary definition for that one. I have thought I was "in love" more than twice, and I say 2 because those were the most serious times. However, I'm not sure if it's been more or less than that. For me, being in love has been different each and every time as I get older and learn more about myself and love.
7. Do you believe that there is one person meant for everyone?
Yes.
But I also believe that some find another and settle down before finding the one, and it does not necessarily mean that it can't work.
I am sure that I could have "made it work" with any of my ex boyfriends.
But I am happy that we didn't, because I don't think any of them are my one.
8. What is your favorite childhood memory?
I am sure I have many, but one that comes to mind is when I caught my first pop fly in softball.
And in the middle of the game, ran with the ball to give my dad a jumping hug.
9. What is the best thing you got OR gave for Christmas?
When I was very young, I lost my favorite teddy bear a few weeks before Christmas.
It was such a tragic loss that my parents drew up "lost teddy bear" signs to post around the neighborhood and all over town.
{Brownie points, Mom and Dad.}
We looked and looked, but it was no where to be found.
My parents bought me a new one that could just not compare.
On Christmas morning, I came down stairs to find my beloved teddy bear, sitting under the Christmas tree with a bow on his head.
Both of my parents were so confused as to where he came from.
I questioned them about it in years to come, after realizing that sadly, he was not brought by Santa Clause.
Neither of them ever found out where the bear came from.
But our bet's on the nanny, who never fessed up :)
10. If you had to have a quote to describe your life, what would it be?
Everything happens for a reason.
11. Is there anything you wish you could change about your life?
Honestly? No.
Have I made mistakes? So many.
I have embarassing stories for days. Some of which, I should be plenty ashamed of, but I laugh about them now.
My past mistakes make me who I am today.
And I am happy to be a person who can look at others, no matter where they are in life, and love them without judgement.
I have learned, by experience, that God's glory and grace are bigger than my mistakes.
And I will walk with that lesson for the rest of my life.
But I will not walk with shame from my mistakes.
So no, no regrets :) Thanks for the awesome questions, Heather! Now to introduce another one of my favorite blogger friends. I "met" this girl just a few months ago, and it's one of those finds where every. single. post. I find myself nodding my head thinking "Me too, girl!! Me too!" I just adore her heart, and I know you will too! Meet Melissa:
Things you should know:
One: She is gorgeous. But you already know that by now.
Recently I have had a few bloggers award me the Liebster Blog award (an award for blogs with 200 or less followers), and I am so honored and thankful!
The first time I got this award, I nominated others. Some posted on it, some didn't.
I thought about it, and this time around I want to make it a little more special. So I will be answering the blogger's questions (my favorite part!) and I'll be doing a short spot light on that blogger to thank them for the award.
I'll also introduce you to one of my fav bloggers with less than 200 followers, as a way to spread some bloggy love to some of my bloggy besties.
Hope you don't mind me mixing things up :)
Today, I'm going to start with answering Caitlin's questions.
Caitlin blogs over at Letters and Lattes, and I have loved getting to know her over the past few months. We have so much in common, and she reminds me so much of myself just a few years ago when I was finishing up college.
Minus the fact that she does all of her own web design {which I sadly, do not}, and I think that is pretty darn cool considering her blog has the cutest design!
So let's see what fun questions she has in store for me, shall we?
1. What is one of your favorite items in your home?
Definitely my bed! Back in October when my college bff Kristi moved out, she gave me her old bed, since she wouldn't be needing it. For the first time since living at home in high school, I was upgrading to something bigger than a twin sized bed.
And I was 23 years old, cool I know.
I got all excited to get brand new sheets and a duvet that I had been wanting for a while. And now, my comfy bed is definitely my favorite place to relax in my home.
2. Favorite country song?
Right now, probably either Hard to Love by Lee Brice:
Or Wanted by Hunter Hayes:
And thanks for reminding me, cause I'm gonna go put them on right this second.
3. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Hmm, this is way harder than it should be.
Probably when I had my first legitimate injury of a stress fracture.
While I don't recommend the crutches part (ditched those right when I got to Boston), I will say that the boot got me major perks in airports!
Feel free to borrow it the next time you're traveling :)
4. What would you fight for?
I will fight for a relationship.
And up to this day, I've fought for all the wrong ones.
But one of these days that fighting spirit is gonna come in handy!
5. Who are the 5 people you hang out with the most?
This has changed a lot over the last year, but I'd say in the past few months, it'd be:
Tabitha, my coworker (the reason I changed jobs!) and host of our weekly Bible study. Love this girl a whole lot.
Karen, my mentor. Jesus has brought together a beautiful mentoring relationship, I could not have asked for or imagined anything better.
Gabe, the first real guy friend that I've ever had in my entire life. This guy has taught me what it means for a man to really and truly care about me. Aaand he's moving across the country at the end of the month. So you girls in Boston, get ready. You have a great one coming your way!
Madeleine, met her and Gabe both through my old job. She is one of those where our friendship just clicked from day 1 and hasn't stopped clicking since.
And the newest addition to the regular crew of mine, Ashlee. Met her when I went to get running shoes, and after finding out I knew her cousin from back home in San Diego, we became quick, quick friends. She is one of my all time favorite people these days (clearly, she's on this list!) and I am so blessed that God brought her into my life.
No pictures with Ashlee yet, but that will be changing very, very soon!
6. What are your long and short term goals?
My overall goal both long and short term is just to follow God's plan for my life, whatever that might be.
Some things that I'm working on now are learning to budget my money better, and gearing up to run that 10K in February!
7. Other than family, who is the biggest role model in your life?
Definitely my mentor, Karen. She is an incredible woman of God, and puts Jesus first in everything. I aspire to be as strong in my faith as she is one day.
8. Are you living your life to the best of your ability, or are you settling?
Honestly, yes, I would say that I am living my life to the best of my ability. If you had asked my that question a week ago, I might have said settling. Or maybe I was just wanting to settle. {Funny how we seem to do that sometimes, huh?}
But today, I can honestly say that I don't feel as though I'm settling in any areas of my life.
9. What are your travel dreams?
Oh gosh, the list goes on and on.
I would love to visit Italy, that would be the first place I would go in a heart beat.
I want to visit an orphanage in Africa.
Follow my heritage back to Ireland.
Really, anywhere that I can arrange a trip to with at least a friend or a group, I'm so there.
10. If money wasn't an issue, what would your dream job be?
My dream job is to be in full-time ministry. Specifically, I would love to work in high school ministry, or in women's ministry.
11. Favorite holiday?
Either Christmas, or Thanksgiving. I love Christmas time in general, but I really enjoy getting together with all of my extended family and sharing a delicious feast on Thanksgiving, too!
Done!
Great questions, Caitlin! Thank you again so much for the award :) You should definitely all stop by and say hello to this lovely lady!
And for another blogger that I'd love to introduce, meet Olivia and her adorable family:
Olivia blogs over at Mad Lib, and I have been following her since right after she announced her pregnancy! It's been so great following along on her journey into motherhood, and I have loved really forming a friendship with her through Blogland.
If you haven't checked out her blog before, do yourself a favor and head over!
But be warned, you might catch some baby fever from all of the precious Cooper pictures!
After you check out her blog, go take a look at her new etsy shop, Lou Lou Made! I am loving her pillows that are in there, and I'll definitely be getting myself one shortly!
That's one talented Mama!
That's all for today, guys! I'll be answering more Liebster questions tomorrow, and introducing another one of my blogger besties :)
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