blackwhiteback

Monday, April 2, 2012

Jan/Feb/March/April Update?

I've been gone for a while and I wish it wasn't so. There has been so much I have wanted to write and share but frankly, theres just no enough hours in the day. Things have been so chaotic and busy that last time I checked, I was unwrapping Christmas presents and now I am 4 weeks away from being done with my second year of school. Crazy huh? 

Despite all the busyness life consistently entails, one thing has been present... every. single. day. Ready for it? Well, joy. Pure, unending, consistent joy. The greatest thing I have learned is to find yourself knee deep in the so many errands, assignments, and duties but to have a calm and joyful heart. Never in my life have I been happier or felt so fulfilled. Here's a brief example from today: I spent a few hours going to the bank, to the store, and other miscellaneous tasks and as I drove with my windows down, the 73 degree sun and breeze shinning down, the only thing I could do was smile and laugh. This is the day that the Lord has made, and it was just perfect.

4/2/12


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Quote of the Day 1/3/12

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."         [Muhammad Ali]

Twice the reason to celebrate!

January 3rd isn't officially over, therefore I still have some time to brag about yet another two wonderful women in my life who happen to coincidentally, share a birthday today!


First of all, this person has been talked about before but not formally introduced. The picture above is of my bestest, dearest, most amazing, loving, inspiring, honest, motivating, best friend... Shannon Nicole Orr. At some point I will have to write about the story of how our friendship came to be because it is really one fascinating story. Shannon is the one person, outside of my family, who knows things about me. She has literally been there for some many things that have happened to me over the past few years, both the really good and the really sucky. What I have appreciated the most is the honest in our friendship. We tell each other how it is, and respect the criticism because we mutually understand that it comes from the most loving place. When it comes to fights, there haven't been any. Our moments of frustration with each other last about two minutes, because we can always say whats on our minds. PLUS, I have cried to her about the same boy(s) quite a few times in the past few years and she never would even roll an eye, I think she is a keeper :). We live quite a few thousand miles apart now, but things haven't changed. We aren't growing apart, but growing together. We love each other, pray for each other, and couldn't imagine life without each other. She is one of a kind and she's changing the world. I am so blessed and gracious to be able to call her my best friend. Happy Birthday S!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Quote of the Day 1/1/12

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.      [Helen Keller]

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Life Lessons With Lydia (and a Nov/Dec update)

The past few weeks have been exhausting, exhilarating, and educational:exhausting because you run on minimal sleep, exhilarating because life always throws a curveball or three and educational because well, you never stop learning. I have not written in a few weeks but in the meantime, I have been thinking and reflection about what I want to write. There is so much I have experienced and wrestled with the past few months but along the way I have discovered life lessons to abide by and things that naturally, I also struggle with. Ignore my cheesy title, I promise you will find these life lessons very applicable.