Friday, June 30, 2017

On Change, Being Left Behind, and Finding God's Voice


Hello friends,

As much as my family liked to tell me differently, I always stood firm in the idea that I was NOT a planner. Sure, I liked to know things ahead of time, and I liked to be prepared, but that didn't make me a planner, right? But the more I grow and opportunities arise and life changes, I find myself making these plans. Plans that are big, plans that are important. I felt like I needed to make these plans, because everyone else in my life was moving on, changing, coming into exciting opportunities. People in my life were leaving me behind, and I needed to figure out what my next big step was going to be.

I had plans. They were simple and sure, until one day they just didn't seem so simple.

I think life is too complex, to unpredictable to make these major plans, but I don't think making plans is necessarily bad. But when we, us humans, start making plans on our own without seeking the voice of God, without seeking His divine plan for our lives, then that's when we go wrong, and that's when things get messy.

You see, I'm a very emotion-driven person, which can make me so passionate and excited about things, but can also cause me to make very rash decisions or burn out fast. In the midst of my passion, when I think everything is just right and how it should be, I forget to seek the Lord's plan for my life. It becomes this tangle of my own desires, which seem honorable and wise, and where God is wanting to steer me, which never seems very clear. But maybe it's not suppose to be super clear all the time.

I hate when change is happening around me, and I'm just staying the same. I hate being left behind, and being left to do the same ole same ole. But what if God is calling me to stay? To wait?

What to we do when God is calling us to do something, and we don't want to do it?

I think of Jonah, when God was calling him to speak to Nineveh. Jonah, knowing they were Israel's enemy, was like no way. He disobeyed God instead of trusting Him. Jonah was given direct instruction by God, but ran from Him. In the end though, Jonah was never actually hidden from the Lord, and went on to do what God told him to do. He was so concerned about himself, instead of what God's plan held (which included saving thousands of people from destruction).

My story is different, but yet, very similar. It's easy to think you know what is best for your life, and to be afraid of what the people around you will think, but ultimately, God knows what is best and what will be is what will be. There's no place to hide.

Guys, dealing with change is rough. Being left behind is rough. But in these last couple of weeks, as I've opened my eyes to changing my plans to follow God's plan, I've realized that maybe it isn't so hard. The Lord already has provided me with a good job with steady hours. He's provided me with a new beautiful soul of a friend who speaks wisdom every day and never fails to make me smile. He has given me the opportunity to grow closer with my family and learn to love them even more. He has offered me a way to save money on college while still pursuing my dreams. He has opened up more doors for me to travel and do mission work. Guys, God is so good, is He not?


So maybe you're like me, maybe you plan and make lists, and have your entire life ready for yourself, but maybe God is calling you to do something different. Are you ready to listen to Him?

Have a great weekend,

Elizabeth

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Life Right Now



Hello dear friends,

How are you all doing today? It's been awhile since I just wrote a post talking to you all about life, so I'm here today doing just that. Life has been extremely hectic lately. So many things have been happening in such a short amount of time. It''s been overwhelming, but exciting at the same time. I'm so pumped to see where God is taking me, my friends, and family in the next few chapters of our lives. A lot of change is happening, but I trust His hand is going through it all, even if I don't always understand His reasoning.

finally graduated// Guys, I graduated high school!! I'm so beyond excited to be done with this chapter of my life, but also extremely terrified because that means more responsibility and life decisions I'm not ready to make. But not only did I graduate high school, I was able to get my first year of college done through the program "Running Start" that Washington has. It basically allows students to take college courses for free while them still counting as high school credits as well. So I'm kind of going into my sophomore year of college next year too, along with graduating high school. Exciting stuff ya'll.



the wedding// As many of you know, my older brother Zachery went into the Air Force last November, and this June, he came back and got married. I have a married brother. My brother has a wife. It's weird, really really weird. But the wedding was absolutely beautiful! Honestly, I can't think of any other person more perfect for Zach than my new sister, Nicole, and I cannot wait to see where married life takes them (and what their babies look like). They left on Monday to Montana, as that is where Zachary is being stationed, so I already miss their cute faces, but I'll be seeing them again soon, and I know they're on their own little adventure, which is more important.

working lady// For the last two years, I've been a nanny for different families and I've absolutely loved it, but with my dreams of transferring to university and traveling to new countries, I've realized I need a more stable job that gives me solid hours. So here I am, a new, stressed out host at Red Robin. I've been working at Red Robin for over a month now while continuing to nanny, and it's actually worked out super well! Granted, it can be tough and I have to deal with some not so happy people at times, but it's worked out great with my schedule and I've learned a lot! But guys, I could totally do an entire rant post on what it's like to be a host. Honestly, it's only been a month and I already have a couple crazy stories.



next steps// With graduating and completing my first year of college at my local community college, I've been really contemplating what do to next with my life. Should I stay at home for another year and get my AA? Should I transfer to university right away? Should I take a gap year, travel, and do volunteer work? I have a lot of options right now, but I feel kind of stuck. It's hard for me to discern between my own emotions and desires, and God's ultimate plan and His words. So right now, I'm trying to be flexible and at peace: waiting to see where He takes me as I journey on through the high school-free life.



Long time no see, what's new with you? Any exciting news or upcoming decisions? Leave me a comment down below and let's talk about our lives together. 

Have a wonderful day,

Elizabeth 


Monday, June 5, 2017

Hey There June


Hello friends,

As always, I come to you with another wrap up post days later from when June actually started, but hey life is busy and who has time to be on time for everything? Certainly not me. May was a very busy month, but full of a lot of exciting news and June will be even more busy and full of wonderful events, so I'm excited to share with you all what's been happening. Hopefully in a week or two I'll be having some more in-depth posts on my life, but for now, this brief little update will have to do.

Currently// Gathering all the customer nightmare stories at my new job, graduating high school and realizing people know me really well (all my gifts were coffee related-YUM), preparing for my brother's wedding this Sunday, enjoying the sunshine Washington has been blessed with, writing like crazy for all my college classes because finals, trying to post on my Instagram more, and realizing my little brother's 16th birthday is in a week and I've got nothing for him (yet). 

Reading// The Good Rain by Timothy Egan because in my lit class we're studying creative nonfiction written about the Pacific Northwest, and honestly, it's not half bad! Also, Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery. There really is nothing more whimsical than being back in the lovely world of Anne. And Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, which is a super cute summer contemporary that I'm very surprised hasn't disappointed me yet. So far so good.

Listening// To my summer playlist on Spotify, which is currently still a work in progress, but be my guest if you'd like to check it out. My little brother keeps making fun of me, saying each song is basically all the same, but I'm enjoying it so that's all that matters, right? :P He'll just have to put in his own headphones when I play it in the car.

Enjoying// Amanda's post, Enough: my battle with the hustle, the stress, and the busy, and how I found rest (because i think we can all relate and find the beauty in the busy). Julia's post, Glimpse Into Humanity // A Poem From Things I've Seen + Pretty Shadows (because wow have you read her writing because it hurts in every good way possible). Cally's post, core to my lips (because ouch it's like i'm there and feeling all the feelings). And Raquel's post, When You Don't Feel Like Loving God (because so much truth in this).

Loving// The warm weather that has finally arrived in Western Washington, the fast that school is almost done, receiving a mini french press for graduation, picking wildflowers while walking in the forest, afternoon badminton games with my lil bro, my big brother returning from the Air Force tomorrow, car rides with the windows down, Taco Bell's dollar menu, and quiet Saturday mornings reserved for reading and sipping coffee.

Disliking// Being the newbie at work and figuring out life, having a receipt thrown in my face, road work that disappears for a week then surprises you again and makes you late for everything, leaving for class when my dog is still asleep, the fact that coffee costs so much money, swimsuit shopping, and the tragedy of flies getting in your room and not being able to catch them.

Blogging// Hey There May, where I talk about what happened in April and my hopes for May; Travel Diary: Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock, where I invite you to explore two beautiful places with me; and Five Ways to Have the Ultimate Family Night, where I share all the ingredients for having the perfect family night without spending too much money.

Hoping// To pick up all the things I need for the wedding, finish the rest of my home subjects, figure out work without too much confusion, finish my college classes with a bang, learn how to make relatively easy and healthy dorm room meals, explore the outdoors more, be kind even when it's difficult, and grow more in my relationship with the Lord.



How was your May? Any exciting changes happening or coming up? Leave me a comment down below and tell me about your life (please, I'm nosey and want to know).

Have a wonderful week,

Elizabeth

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