You are the child of a King who is not moved by this world. Your Heavenly Father is always with you and goes before you. Do not fear... you are His! You are His precious child, He will never neglect you. God is making things happen for you. Even when you don't feel it, even when you can't see it, even when it is not evident.. God is working on your prayers.

Trust in His plans for you.

Be patient in His timing.

Be His.

A few thoughts about #YOLO....

1. It is used to justify decisions that would normally make a person hesitate.

2. No matter how many times you use YOLO as a hash tag or a life motto, your decisions  (good or bad) will always have consequences. You can make a decision in as little as a few seconds, but your consequences can live with you forever.

3. You only live once? False, you live everyday. You only die once.

4. Since you only have one life, why risk ruining it?

5. YOLO can also mean You Obviously Love Oreos

6. Instead of seeing YOLO as an acronym that encourages rash decisions, use it to inspire you to spread God's love to others. At the end of the day, you want to be able to feel blessed not remorseful.

7. Like I said above... there are good "YOLO" moments. I have had a many.... ask me about them!

8. Before you "YOLO" your way through life, think of the long-term effects your decisions may have on : future jobs, your future spouse, your health, your future children, your reputation.....

9. Don't forget that God's grace erases all sin and pays all debt. He is redeemer! It is never too late to start over.

I have this awful tendency of belaboring how I have been wounded. Rather than turning the other cheek, I discover a million different ways to say "You hurt me". I formulate a million excuses as to why I should not accept an apology. Forgiveness has been an incredibly difficult concept for me to grasp. I'm prideful; forgiveness takes humility. Forgiving others was never natural or genuine until I began to remind myself of how much God has forgiven me. I withhold forgiveness from so many people because they have wronged me a little, yet God has forgiven me of so much. Remembering God's infinite love and forgiveness  has helped me love and forgive friends, family, strangers, and even enemies. I will never be a perfect forgiver, there is only One who can ever fulfill that title. However, forgiveness is the alternative to a life quenched in bitter feuding. Holding grudges is like drinking poison and hoping the other dies. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness is what we are called to do as Christians.

I encourage you to forgive those who you have yet to be reconciled with. It can be in person or even a letter, but I promise you that you will feel free after you bury your hurt and allow God to worry about the wrongs you have suffered. All the while, mediate on the grace you have undeservingly been given and every second [third, fourth....one millionth] chance you have received. It makes the forgiveness you are offering have a true purpose and that much sweeter.

"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." -Colossians 3:13

Take a glimpse at my well-spent Saturday....

Because the four goldie pups were already spoken for, no doggies were purchased in the process. Just a whole lot of love passed around!

This would be such a great tattoo & a wonderful reminder to be
content in the Lord. This says "I AM" in sanskrit... It is
almost as if you are branding that you belong to Him.

"I AM" is one of my favorite names for God. Why is that? I AM is the greatest example of contentment. Chew on that for a few moments...when are we ever truly content? We aren't. We never walk around just saying I AM; we always finish our sentences with I AM tired, I AM hungry, I AM ready to have fun, etc. Unlike us, God doesn't have to finish His "I AM"statement because if He did, it would imply that He changes and He never does. If I am honest, most of my thoughts are wasted on worrying about my future or reflecting on my past. Both of these thoughts rarely include the Lord. The simple words "I AM" are a reminder to be fully present wherever I AM and to learn to be content whatever my circumstances.

Jesus, 

           

       Thank you being such a humble king and leaving Your throne. Thank You for taking my place and bearing my cross. You laid down Your life so that I would be set free. Jesus, You took my sinner's crown and placed Your crown on me. Thank you for showing me unfailing love and amazing grace. Even though You know the sin that taints me, You still call me by my name. No matter how many times I reject You and disgrace You, Jesus, You still remain faithful. 

All six Vaschak cousins (June, 2013)

Dear Massachusetts, it literally cost us an arm and a leg (and my stomach contents) to arrive in your state for my cousin's wedding. Dear Cleveland Hopkins Airport,  I am impressed with your incredibly sympathetic employees. When we were stuck in the mile-long security line, nearly missing our flight, your employees kindly stood there and smiled all the while watching us panic as time slipped away. I have decided to blame you for making me have to sprint what felt like a marathon, scale three flights of steps, and puke on the airplane. I puked in a bag.... that is just gross.  Dear Fisher Cats,  I am now aware that you dine on small animals, toddlers, and grandmas. Thank you for not inhabiting Ohio and please do not get any ideas of doing so anytime soon. Dear Vaschaks, my legs felt like jello ... that means it was a successful night of dancing right? We need to draw straws to see who is getting married next. I am ready for round two already!