Let me start off by saying that I have no style. Wait. Let me rephrase that. I have style I just am not real sure how to show it. Thank goodness for pinterest!

My wish is to move out, go to college, keep growing my photography business, find a cute christian guy, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. Is that too much to ask? I mean, that is the "American Dream" right? That is what is bred into us. We have been taught that from the day we came to the earth. "go to college, get married, have kids, repeat." But why?

Why do we put such an emphasis on education, marriage and kids?


I have friends that found out that it was not in God's plan for them to go to college after high school. Is that wrong? Does that make them any less of a person? Does it make them any less intelligent? No! They are just as "smart" as any other person. They shouldn't be thought of as dumb or lazy just because they are following God's will!

I don't have a boyfriend. It's pretty common knowledge. Why don't I? Because I feel that you only need to pursue marriage (date/court) when you are ready to be married. I personally don't think that I, nor any other 16 year old is ready for marriage. I have people ask me and my friends (who also don't have boyfriends) "do you have a boyfriend?". My question to them is "why do you have a boyfriend?" Now I understand that sometimes God does bring the person that you are to marry in your life earlier than others. I'm talking about the people that purposely seek a boy just to say that they have a boyfriend. And that is wrong.

My friends that are in their 20s, people ask them "why aren't you married yet?". I personally am so glad that I don't get asked this one yet. Why does a 20 something HAVE to be married? Why is he/she looked down upon of they are not? Maybe it's not in God's plan for them to get married at all!

The same principles go for having kids.

The "American Dream". What is it's purpose? To make us set long term goals, or to make us un-content (if that is that a word). I am so ready to move out and start "life" all because of this silly idea that all of our lives should go the same way! Most likely by the time I've been at college for any length of time I'll start wishing that I was married, was done with school and popping out kids.

So what's my point...

You 16 year old that can't wait to move out, you 20 something wishing you were gonna have that ring by spring, that person that is married but hasn't been blessed with children yet. Be still. Stop and think. Be content. God has you where He wants you. Let Him use you where you are.

One of the things that I'm really trying to learn this school year that I am where I am at for a reason, and God doesn't make mistakes. I'm really trying to focus on my new life motto...

church service in our quaint little church

a random trip to sonic in the next town over for lunch

fall finally decided to arrive

watching our boys win (31-7 hashtagwhodat)

a friendly neighbor stops by to visit

coffee at 3 o'clock

a nap

this is how our small-town sundays go



Grace

P.S. I promise that I still have a life! I just haven't had time to blog about it! I will though. Soon. Very very soon.

Green leaves turn to brownish shades of orange. The wind begins to blow more forcefully than it did in our long summer days. Our sweaters and scarves come to the front of the closet where our shorts and sunglasses were before. Change.

Hiding behind her mother's leg as a church family member tried to talk to her she replied shortly, if at all. Her mother filled with embarrassment, pulling her daughter from the grip of her leg, sweetly says "don't be shy. say hello". Fast forward 12 years. That same girl has turned into a very blunt, honest person that has to make sure that she doesn't offend anyone. And prays that she has tact whenever having to seriously speak with someone. A girl once afraid of talking to people to a girl that has a hard time not talking. Change.

A girl that was happy to be taking pictures of flowers and leaves in her backyard to a girl that is just about to take a professional photography business off the ground.

From a girl thinking about what she wanted to do first and then considering God, to asking God first and waiting on His timing. Change.

From having hardly any friends to more than she can handle. :) Change.

So many things in my life are in a transitional period. Like a snake shedding it's skin and going from a tight, itchy, skin to a bright, shiny, comfortable one. I have grown spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally over these past 6 months. I feel new. And I feel good.

I can't wait to see what God has in store over the next 6 months!

Things are a changing.

Grace

making : music in the shower
missing : my friends that live so far away, the campers that changed my way of thinking this past summer, "my" horse
drinking :  sweet tea, and coffee with lots of french vanilla creamer 
reading : blog after blog after blog
wanting : a phone upgrade
looking : at school work
playing : with this amazing three year old that is growing up way too fast
wasting : time as always
wishing : I was in college
enjoying : writing letters to friends
waiting : for my licence forever
liking : all sons and daughters
wondering : what is wrong with my knee! It is getting better though
loving : having quiet time with Him
hoping : to have a skype date soon with someone I love very much
marveling : at how fast this year is zooming by
needing : a trip to goodwill, to talk
smelling : coffee
wearing : basketball shorts and ratty my favorite t-shirts
following : lsu football
noticing : that my summer tan is fading away
knowing : that I need to enjoy life where I'm at
thinking : about where God will lead me in the next year
opening : my bible more often
giggling : about anything that comes out of my brother's mouth
feeling : ready, anxious

I got this post idea from here :)

Grace