TOMS

Alright, Christmas is coming and one thing I really really want but don't think I'm going to get is a pair of TOMS. I can't decide if I want red or black, but I would take either! Haha. Plus it's such a cool cause. One for one. So awesome. I would love to have these for South Africa, but there are other things I need more. Like I've said before though, a girl can dream!

P.S. Shout out to Shannon Snyder for teaching me how to do the links!! Thanks girl! :)
P.P.S. Yes, this is my second blog today. Oh well.

Okay, that's all! :)

Too many to declare

"I waited patiently for the Lord; 

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, 

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear 

and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man

who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare."

-Psalm 40:1-5

I know I've said this before, but I do feel like the past year has been a year of waiting for the Lord. That He has been preparing me for something I can't even imagine; something I wouldn't believe, even if I was told. There were just so many huge experiences I had to to adjust to, and through it all, God taught me so much about trusting Him. He taught me about waiting patiently. 

I still feel like I'm in a time of waiting and preparation, yet I also feel my heart becoming restless. I find myself hoping that whatever it is God has been planning for me will be revealed to me soon. Maybe in South Africa?? Who knows. But I'm ready for Him to show that to me. I know I'm becoming restless, but my prayer is that He will give me a new song. That, even when I feel like I'm prepared enough, I will continue to seek His plan and growth for me right now. 

It's been a rough semester. Busier than I could've imagined and definitely took some turns I wouldn't have ever guessed. But in the midst of that, I have found so many blessings from God. So many wonders that are too many to declare. So...yes, I do feel restless and I feel ready for the Lord to bring me somewhere different in my heart and my life, but I also feel grateful. 

I was talking to some friends last night about the sin of unthankfulness and how we often forget about it. And usually I would say I do, but because of how much the Lord has brought me through lately, I feel incredibly thankful. Blessed beyond belief and ready to use this thankful heart to spread His glory. 

The Light Has Come

To the one with the wounded heart
The years fighting have left you scarred
Wait the light will come
To the one with the distant eyes
All this crying has left you dry
Wait the light will come
Wait the light will come
Lift your eyes
The sun has overcome the night
Come alive
As we shine in loves true light

Here is laughter beyond the tears
Here is courage to face your fears
Look the light has come
So rise you daughters and stand you sons
Claim the victory that Jesus won
Look the Light has come
Look the Light has come

The Morning After

The morning after Thanksgiving...it's normally something I avoid due to the insanity that is Black Friday. But, because of a desperate need for a quality purse that won't empty the bank account, I went. My mom, Michaela, and I all headed out to Macys at 6:00am and braved the crowds. To be honest, it wasn't that bad. Other than the absurd line in Old Navy, it felt like any other day at the mall. Which was definitely a nice surprise. Also, the sunrise that accompanied us on the drive to the mall was GORGEOUS. I haven't seen a sunrise in years and I loved it. 

After over three hours of shopping, I went to "Sports Day." It is a new Gennaro family tradition where we play as many sports as we can think of/have the energy for. Although I wouldn't say I'm the most athletically gifted person God's ever created, it was really fun. And, as every holiday is with that family, hilarious. 

Then I got to come home and take a nap. It was glorious. Like the sunrise, I can't even remember the last time I took a legit nap but today was the day. After that, we went to Mommars and Papa's house for Thanksgiving. Delicious. Dinner was followed by saying what we're thankful for, a little football, and then re-watching their recording of Family Feud. Awesome. 

Today was a good day. One of those days where you're just happy to be alive and everything seems to be going well. A day full of blessings from the Lord. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s Thanksgiving Day. YAY!

I really love this holiday. Although no holiday can ever beat Christmas (you bet I’m already listening to Christmas music :)), Thanksgiving is wonderful. There is no stress of having to buy presents, and you get to spend the entire day with family eating really good food.

Talk about a dream.

In honor of this wonderful holiday, I decided to list a few things I am thankful for. And just to make it fun, I’ll do the top 26, since today is the 26^th.

1. The Lord and his unending love and mercy for me

2. My family

3. All of my incredible friends

4. That I have the opportunity to go to a 4-year university

5. That I have a place like Ventura to call home

6. The beach

7. My AC leader and group

8. My opportunity to go to South Africa next semester

9. That I serve a God who hears my prayers

10. Laughter

11. Flowers (especially gerber daises, roses, and tulips)

12. Okay, let’s be honest…I’m REALLY thankful for Arizona Iced Teas

13. All the ways I’ve grown this past semester

14. The times I’ve been able to travel around the country and the world

15. A really good book or piece of art

16. Pictures

17. Pita chips and hummus…YUM.

18.  My high school experience

19. Good music that can fit any mood (specifically Taylor Swift, Coldplay, & Phil Wickham)

20.  My pillow

21. Yummy smelling candles/lotions/perfumes…I guess just good smells :)

22. Tea

23. Girlfriends who are more encouraging and supportive and fun than I could have ever asked for

24. Umm…it keeps coming to mind so I guess I’ll just say it…The Office. Haha

25. Snapper Jacks, Chipotle, The Habit, In N Out, Urban Café…all the food I’m going to crave next semester

26. Love. As cliché as it sounds, everything in my life I am thankful for can be summed up into that one word. I am thankful for love.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

AC Group

I had a lot of great things happen this weekend. My sister's soccer team won their championship game, which was super exciting. I got to see a lot of family (my immediate family and extended, on both sides) and I got to go to Lake Arrowhead for a night. However, I think the biggest highlight has been my AC group. 

Friday night, we had the Alpha banquet and then we all had a big sleepover at one girl's house...it was sooo much fun. They all are just so uniquely beautiful and hilarious. And then tonight, we kidnapped Amanda (our leader) and took her to BJ's where we had pazooki and gave her a scrapbook we made. We were there for almost two hours, sharing memories, eating good food, and laughing our faces off. We had an "ugly faces" photo shoot for about 20 minutes, and that somehow led to a dance party in the middle of BJ's. We then went into the parking lot to finish our dance party and have Amanda give us an INCREDIBLE demonstration of "crumping". It was probably the most I've laughed all semester. 

When I was in the car with some girls driving home tonight, I said "Man, I haven't laughed this hard since the banquet!" Which is funny since that was only two days ago, but those two nights with these wonderful people have been some of the highlights of this semester. I was just writing in my journal, thanking God for putting each of them into my life. My heart feels so full right now and it's because of them. :) 

Crazy weekend

I woke up this morning and was thinking about the weekend I have coming up...it's insane!! 

Today: I just went to chapel. Now I have the afternoon to work on tons of homework and pack. At 5:00pm, we have the Alpha Banquet which I am SOOO excited for!!! Everyone dressing up, hanging out with my favorite AC group :), having a fun dinner....it just sounds wonderful. Then we're leaving from the Banquet to do a sleepover at Amanda's house! Yay!!! What a great way to end this whole Alpha experience. :) 

Saturday: wake up early and leave Amanda's around 8:30 to get back to Ventura in time for Michaela's AYSO championship game at 10:00am. She's a soccer stud and I feel like I need to be there for this game! Especially since I won't be here for anything next semester! :( So I cant wait for that. And then my whole family is heading to Lake Arrowhead for an early Thanksgiving celebration with my mom's side of the family. Which should be good! 

Sunday: Hang out in Lake Arrowhead, drive back to Azusa, finish all the homework I need to do before Thanksgiving break. 

And I just remembered, I not only have to pack stuff for this weekend, but I also need to start packing up my apartment! I want to bring some stuff home since I'm moving out in less than a month!! That's crazy to me. Anyways, busy weekend but so fun!!