Tuesday Special #3

My mother told me that I need to be more creative with my time. And, no, decorating journals and watching Doctor Who at the same time is not the same thing as being creative.... So! I've decided to write something instead of watching television tonight =) And, it's still Tuesday, so it's another Tuesday Special! Yippy!

Episode #3- The Eiffel Tower and Ireland

I've developed a mild obsession this year for the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. I literally can count--let's see--eight things in my line of sight that have the Eiffel Tower on them. It's not an all together practical thing to fancy, but, dude, there are literally over 1600 steps to the very top. That's a stinking lot of stairs! It's been around for 124 years and it's still one of the most toured places in the world. It's just a very large pyramidal iron pillar, yes, and it is not one of the wonders of the world, but it is so rich in history. Over 200,000,000 people have visited it since it was opened in the March of 1889. Can you imagine looking at the same thing people have admired for decades? Why, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway will have looked at that towering, well, tower. Anyhow, it's just been a fixation of mine recently. I hope you don't mind my rambling. Moving on.

Ireland. Maybe it would be a better idea not to talk about Ireland.... Nah, I'm gonna do it anyway. Ireland is my dreamland. I've never been there, but even pictures of it gets me daydreaming.

Don't even get me started on Irish accents. I adore Irish accents, and that's all I'm gonna say before I get really embarrassed. It's not just the landscapes and the way people talk in Ireland that makes me really admire it, it's the culture. Their way of life is so much simpler, so much more whole (grant it, they know how to have a good drink, but I try to look past that). I'm really drawn to Ireland, too, because it is in need of Jesus' love. If I were ever to go on a missions trip, I would go to Ireland. I'm not gonna go any deeper with that, because, well, because it's not a Monday. If you want to know more about how I feel for Ireland, ask me about it sometime! =D

Man! It's getting late. I'm going to sign off now. Happy Tuesday to you all!
And, just in case you happen live in New Zealand, happy Wednesday too! ;)

Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana

God's Love Language

Well, it's Monday once again...and I don't know what to talk about. Thinking back on my week, I spent it mostly in my room watching Primeval and British period dramas. But! I did knit a scarf and I actually cleaned my room! Well, it was clean for a few days anyway.... It was just a rather uneventful week--until I went to church! Recently, going to church has had a big impact on my daily perspective on life. It's always great going to church, don't get me wrong! But, sometimes it feels like I hear the same message and the same worship songs over and over and over again until I tune out. It's always nice to hear a new outlook and voice on things. For example:

This was put much more eloquently in worship this weekend, but it really changed my whole perspective on how we need to show our love to God. (Thank you Seth, if you ever read this....)

Have you ever thought about what your love language is? Personally, mine is giving. I love making people things and receiveing a smile and a hug in return. And, I love receiving gifts too. If you come and give me a bar of dark chocolate for no good reason, you might just become my favorite person. But, moving on... we usually give love in the way we like to receive it. Have you ever thought about God's love language?? Go ahead and look up Psalm 98-- the whole of my church congregation was challenged to do exactly what that chapter says. For example; verse 1: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. This is God's love language. He loves to hear our voices in new (even if off key) melodies that are of our own making. Words that are from our own imagination. From our own perspective. The chapter goes on, Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth! How often do you shout or whistle or scream or laugh with joy when you're alone with Jesus? For myself? Not very often, in fact, probably never. But this is how God loves to be loved! It will be unbearably uncomfortable (especially for me because I'm not very apt to do things out of my tiny comfort zone), but, in the words of my bestest friend, I need to want God's will...more than I want to be comfortable!  Seth called this idea "Doing the Word". Not just reading and listening to what God says...but doing it! That was basically the theme of church this week: getting off our bums and really obeying God's word. It's our job to find God's will, not wait for it to happen (that was also put much more eloquently in the message at church...). Worship. Pray. Obey.

Annnd, that's what I have for today. I challenge you to do the Word this week (and by challenging you, I'm challenging myself). Turn to a page in Psalms and worship just like it says. Love Jesus in the way He loves you. He sings songs over you (Zephaniah 3:17)! Why not sing your own, original, unique, beautiful songs to Him?

Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana

The Called

Last weekend, my Pastor at church said something that stuck in my head. He said "God doesn't call the gifted, He gifts the called." It stood out to me because sometimes I feel like I'm really not qualified to do some things. Especially in places of leadership. Just like Moses. But, in these past few months, God has shown me that I have more potential than I thought.

It started in March, when I was preparing to give a speech at a national bible convention in Chicago called Awana Summit. I wasn't at all nervous about it until about an hour before I had to give my speech. It was a competition, so to speak, with a small scolarship attached to the best score. And, honestly, even with all the encouraging praises I got at practices...I doubted myself (which is ironic, because my speech was about doubt). There were tears and twitching and shaking and much prayer. But, as soon as I steped up to do my speech, all of it left. God brought me through and helped me give my speech the best I had given it. I even won a gold medal for it (no scolarship, but still, a blessing)! That one experience has shown me that God, even when I'm shaking inside (and out), helps me to look confident and strong. He called me to write and give that speech, and he gifted me so that I could give it strongly.

Moving on to my next exciting Jesus moment. At the beginning of this month, I auditioned my my church worship team, and next to my Summit speech, this was possibly one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. I know I can sing. Being on the Awana worhsip team has taught me that much, but then, I never had to audition for the Awana worship team. Once again, I doubted my ability. But, the audition went rather smoothly. I didn't end up getting on the main team. But they told me that they wanted me to gain a little more experience on the Youth worship team. If God hadn't wanted me to be on the team, he wouldn't have put me on it. But, He gifted my voice with the ability to sing, and He calls me to use it for His glory.

One last experience, very recently, of how God gifted me... and this is one I wouldn't have expected.
I've never believed that I was very good with kids. But, this last week, I was asked to nanny a family of six kids (officially, I only had to watch four of them, but there were times when I had to watch the little ones as well). God told me immediatly that I was supposed to do it, so I took the job. But, a few hours after I accepted the job...I began protesting. What if they don't like me? What do I do if one of them gets hurt? Or sick? What if I can't get them to do what I ask??? These thoughts went running through my mind, and I started to panic! Nevertheless...God told me to suck it up, becasue he called me to do this, and he would help me through it. And, suprisingly (but not raelly suprisingly) I was fine. The kids were...um....semi-obeidient, there were some cuts and bruises (and even a lose tooth!) but God gave me the wisdom to deal with them. No one got sick. And, when I left on the last day, there were many pouty faces, which sort of shows that they did like me! I was so thankful to God that he gifted me enough to help out that family. I had a blast with them!

So...next time you think that you're not qualified to do what God asks you, just remember that God doesn't call the gifted. He gifts the called. And He'll help you get through whatever you're facing.

Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana

Tuesday Special! #2

Welp. It appears as if I missed yet another Monday post :P Sorry about that. But, now you get another Tuesday Special!!!

Episode 2- New Music and Doctor Who

I don't know about you, but getting new music is one thing that makes me exceedingly happy. I always ask for a few albums and iTunes money for Christmas and my birthday, but sadly, I rarly got any. Until this past year! Between my graduation and my birthday money, I've gotten at least $100 worth of music, and it is bliss. Haha! I have gotten many comments on how diverse my music taste is. I love the folk and indie bands that no one has heard of the best (Beta Radio, Mumford and Sons, Hudson Taylor, The Lumineers), but I also love the old, big band, stuff (Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong), and, of course, stuff like OneRepublic, Fun. (I was a fan of Fun. before they were on the radio! Haha! I'm so hipster...), and my resent obsession, Relient K. I won't even go into my collection of worship music, because I think your brain might just explode from the sheer awesomeness of it. Oh! And musicals. I have a weekness for musicals. ;) Haha! As you can tell, I'm pretty much a freak when it comes to my music. And I just got a whole bunch of new stuff from my bestie; it's making me really happy!!!

On a completely different note, those of you who know me moderately well know that I'm an avid Doctor Who fan. I could talk for hours about it! But, I will limit myself to one paragraph...maybe. Haha! I just finished watching seasons 2 and 3 (again) in about two weeks. That's pretty ridiculous now that I think about it =\. I always end up watching the most scary episodes right before I go to bed, which is not wise, and I would advise against it. For those of you who watch Doctor Who, you must know that David Tennant is the best Doctor (and let the argument begin...), there's nothing you can say that will make me change my mind. End of story. Doctor Who is just one of those shows that makes me feel happy! And, I thought that you should know that. Anyhow, that's all I feel like I can write without going into graphic details about my opinion on every single episode ever filmed. So, I'll say good day to you.

Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana

Being Single. It'll be Worth the Wait.

 

Heh. I know. Really generic title, but it's something that's been on my mind for a while.... I've never been on a date (shocking, I know), but I am in a relationship. It's not the relationship that you would normally think of, because I don't have a boyfriend either (mind blown!). I'm in a relationship with my saviour, Jesus. Don't tune out! I know it's super duper cliche', but it really is true! But, let me tell you, it is not easy. It's plain weird to be the awkward third, fifth, (and occasionally seventh) wheel when I hang out with friends. There are days when I literally beg God to send me a Flynn Rider (He has great hair ;]).

Awww! =) But, alas, I've come to a conclusion (But I'm not going to tell you yet. Ha!).

There are times in my life when I feel really alone, and I feel like that loneliness can only be filled by a person, preferably a special man friend. But if that is what I continually look for in life to make me happy, can I truly be called a worshiper of God? (Food for thought) What does it say about my relationship with God if I'm constantly looking for something to fill a hole in my heart, and I don't think Jesus is sufficient enough, and if I'm not letting myself be full of Christ?

So, my conclusion is this: I don't need to search for my perfect man. God already has my perfect man out there, chosen specifically for me. And if I keep seeking out Jesus, and His will...well, who knows who will pop into my story. It could just be my Flynn Rider! Haha! And let me tell you, that'll be worth the wait!

That's it for now.
Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana