Who I am.

I realized something a while back and was reminded of it again just yesterday.
We are who we are because of those around us. And obviously because God made us the way we are... blah, blah, blah. Yes that's a no-brainer. Really though, I am the person I am because of my family. I guess because they are the people I'm around the most, which I love! :)
I am so thankful and blessed to live life with these precious people who love me for who I am, which is not always an easy task, I'm sure.
I think of this especially with my dear sister. We are so alike and share the same ideas, dreams, and experiences. It's weird, really. I say that we are twins and somehow time got mixed up and I was just a few years late. You know, like some crazy movie. But, of course no one believes me. Seriously, though we have something special and I just love it. My family is really close and I'm glad that my parents made family a priority when we were younger. It definitely has paid off. And because of that, I plan to do the the same some day if God sees fit to gift me with a family.
Back to what I was saying... I am who I am because of them.
I see it in the words I use, the faces I make, and more importantly the decisions I make about life.
Yesterday, I had just gotten dressed and looked in the mirror, adjusted my shirt, and tilted my head. BAM. That was such a Lana! I instantly saw her in my mind doing the same thing and laughed to myself. I will always make toffee like my mom does, like her mom did. I am a physical touch person, like my dad. I talk weird sometimes and my words don't always make sense... thanks to Matt :)
These are just trivial, silly things. But there are also life changing decisions I have made because I look up to my siblings and trust my parents and I have seen the importance of honesty, the reward of faith, and the freedom of forgiveness by watching them live. And for that I am truly grateful.

haunting.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."- Luke 12:34
So short, so challenging.


My words are no good today...

Some words are not meant to be spoken, but kept inside to remain a mystery. Only one knows them. And that's how it should be.

Words are powerful. Be cautious with them. 

I'm trying not to use so many these days. 

Good day.

Where does one start?

Well as anyone who reads this blog (which is not many, though i'm not complaining) knows... It's been a while. Due to a few reasons. But not anymore :) I'm ready to start writing much more, a new years resolution perhaps? Nah, just one more thing i'm aspiring to. I really don't know what to even write about at this point. When so much life happens and you don't really know who all you're talking to and what they know and don't know, it's quite difficult. Maybe I will reflect on the last year, since that's a recent happening ;) Well here goes, let's see what happens...


Peter Pan and Aladdin. Two shows I was in last year. Those were really testing, good times. What's amazing about being in a production is that before it starts you know there will be challenges, but you don't really know what they will be yet, only that they will come. And then, then you get into rehearsals and things aren't always as you want and were thinking they would be, and you have that Ah-ha! moment. "THESE are the challenges I knew would come!" And with plenty of sisterly and motherly advice you get through them one by one, from a horrible costume, difficult people or maybe the fact that your co-actors are a group of 30 eight year olds. Yes, it happens. But even through all of the problems and trials there is something about being apart of a group of people with a common purpose that is just wonderful and exciting and makes me happy just thinking about it.

Alaska. Another family vacation. I think it's probably safe to say that some of, if not most of the best moments in my life have been in a far away place, on an adventure, with my family. Some of our extended family was a part of this trip, which was so much fun! (I'll still pretty convinced that I have the best family in the world.) Before, I didn't really know much about Alaska besides the fact that Sarah Palin was the governor and that is was full of coldness, bears, and whales. And though Alaska is known for those things for a reason, it also has much more to offer, which I discovered while spending time there. I believe a previous post has more on my Alaska adventure if you're interested.

Then, a few weeks after we returned home from Alaska, my dad decided the cruise was just a teaser and stole my mother away onto a romantic, month-long, motorhome trip to... yes, Alaska. My cousin flew here from AZ and we had a wonderful visit and I didn't think about them being gone. Then after she left, it was kind of a weird time for me; living without parents, having to do stuff I'm not used to doing without them. It was really good for me. Some people think that there is a magical age when you have to grow up or become mature and maybe for some there is, but I think it comes when you don't expect it (cliche, I know.) And for me, I grew a lot during that month, because I had to take responsibility for things I wasn't used to being in charge of.  I love my parents and I'm so glad they were able to take that trip, and I'm glad I learned a lot by them being gone... but I have to say, It's really nice having parents. Around :)






And now I'm looking ahead, hoping for a year with exciting adventure, more knowledge, new creations, continued friendship, and a deeper understanding of Christ Jesus, my Lord.


-J