My Motto for 2015

Hey Blog Followers!!!

Happy 2015! I hope it's been a great start to the new year and even if it hasn't, the good news is we still have the rest of the year to turn it around. 

Today, I wanted to share with you about a counseling secession I attended a couple weekends ago and the topic was about how to deal with transition! We are constantly living in transitions and I know 2014 couldn't have been more of a transition year for me! I had to transition from having a job to having my first real grown up job, seeing my sister get married, and really just having to grow up in a lot of ways I wasn't really prepared for (first car accident!!!) 

Some of you are transitioning from being single to getting to relationships or maybe transitioning from being a mom of 1 to now a mom of 2, maybe you are transitioning in a new job position, break up, budget cuts, commute, who knows... But regardless, there is something or something will eventually come! 

The secession I went to made me write down and reflect on 2014 of all the events that took place! It's funny how we forget about the struggles sometimes, but as we are in them we think it's the end of the world. I encourage you to write them down and take some time to reflect! I can send you the template if you would like!

Anyways, by the end of the secession I concluded that I have the power to change the things that I'm not happy about. Many of my close family and friends know that I can complain.... ALOT. Bless their hearts for the ones who put up with it. However, I even got sick of it myself, that I decided my motto for 2015 is : "Do something about it". I have the power to do something about it!!!  If I really dislike my commute so much then it's up to me to do something about it. Or if I feel I'm ready to start dating again, then instead of complaining-I'm going to do something about it (I have a whole blog for that coming out soon).

You have the power to do something about it too! What are some things you guys are making excuses or complaining about that you can start changing your thought process on actually doing something about it??? Let me know blog followers so that we can support one another.

These are the things I had to say.

#Dreasaidit

November In California

Hey Blog Followers!

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving Day! There are many things to be thankful for and I hope you have been able to take some time to reflect on all the good things that you are blessed with! This blog post is dedicated to my loving and talented family members!

The Table is Set: My sister-in-law (The same one I have mentioned in previous blogs) is truly amazing at creating a beautiful and welcoming setting! She helped me with my sister's bridal shower and this year she felt inspired to set a fall themed Thanksgiving Table. I love every detail that she implemented that I had to share it with you guys!  Take a look at the pictures and maybe you can find some things that will interest you for your table settings!

                                
                                 

                           

                                 

Family and a Fall Walk: 
I'm so thankful to God for placing me in the family that He did. My sister and her husband just got married this summer and I'm so thankful they were able to spend their first Thanksgiving as Newlyweds at our house! I was able to take some pictures of the ones I love and some fall inspired pictures around my block.

                                    

                                  
                                  

What were some things that you were able to do this year Blog Followers? I want to hear from you too!!!

These are the things I had to say.

#Dreasaidit

I Don't Believe in Coincidences

Hey Blog Followers,

It's been a while since I have posted last! I wanted to share some stories that happened this past week of how God has been SO present in my life.

The first story, which is fresh in my mind is, this morning I was feeling a little down before going to church and the song that popped up into my head right away was "Our God" by Chris Tomlin and if you're not familiar with it, then  CLICK HERE

Immediately, I felt the urge to play this song out loud on the piano before going to church....and guess what one of the songs they played at church today?!?!

For a person who doesn't believe in coincidence this was such an amazing moment for me. I was filled with so much joy, mainly because it was God's confirmation to me saying,  "I hear you and I know you, I know your heart, your pain, and I know what will make it feel better!" The part of the song that I love to drill into my brain and heart is: 

"Our God is greater our God is stronger..."

Anything you are going through, the God that loves me and that I love, is so much greater than anything we are going through! He is for us and not against us!

The second story was on Thursday night when I shared my testimony at church. Maybe one day I'll have the courage to write it down and share it with you in detail too, but for now I'll keep it to the point. I shared my 5-7 minute testimony and right after we listened to the pastor speak a message and it was based on the biblical story of when Jesus talks with the Samaritan Woman. (Read John 4). Man, God spoke to me loud and clear that night....what a blessing to hear that story! The pastor didn't know my story and again, I don't believe in coincidence! God put the passage on his heart to share and it totally went with my testimony! God has cleaned my stains, he died for ME, he has and is making me new!

Lastly, the car accident story! First, everyone is ok and I thank God that it wasn't worse than it was! I got rear ended on my way going to work, but God provided the friendliest people to help me out! A person who was OFF duty for AAA pulled over to help me and check on us to make sure we were getting the proper help! What a blessing! I believe that God put every person involved for a reason...sometimes we don't know exactly why, but I'm sure this story is still in the making!

All these stories the good and the bad have revived me to share the hope and love of Jesus! Right now I feel like "screaming it from the mountains, and tell it to the masses, that He is God." That was a song that was played at church today and it's moved me to share these stories with you! Click Here if you don't know what song I'm talking about!

I want to hear from you too blog followers!!! What are some stories that God has whispered to you or you have no explanation for?!?!!? So appropriate for this week on reflecting on thankfulness! Happy Thanksgiving!

DreaSaidIt!

Photo Credit: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2611/3914363448_51d3a30223.jpg

  

Sci-fi and Christianity: How they are the same

Hey Blog Followers,

 

Today's blog post is a little random. I just got back from watching The Maze Runner and oh my goodness... I'm sure my blood pressure is off the scale now. I love movies that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think. I've been thinking anyone who loves sci-fi is just a cool person and I need to be your best friend! You must have a brain that is so creative and able to appreciate other people's creativity just as much. There is no way around it really, because that's exactly what sci-fi settings and characters aresuppose to do... They are suppose to take you to a place that doesn't exisist or Introduce you to creatures or things that there is no description or defintion for. 

I HAD to take a sci-fi writing class at APU during my sophomore year of college. Yes, it wasn't a choice... We had writing classes that had certain focuses, so since I signed up late I got stuck with sci-fi writing. It was probably one of the best classes I took and I still remember it clearly. The main thing that has stood out to me throughout the years is how the professor compared sci-fi and the christian faith. He said ultimately they both are about Good versus Evil and in all good stories, including Christianity there is a savior who sacrifices themself in one way or the other. 

I often say things before thinking and one thing that I have laughed with my friends about is when I shared with them (and now you) the time I thanked God for creativity, because He allowed Twilight to be created. Haha, well, I'm still going to thank God for all the authors who have created stories that are so good, because ultimately they come from God. He's the one who had the idea first of having a plan of Good v.s evil and having a savior come save the world, including me and you! 

What are some of your favorite sci-fi books and movies that just make you think, even to this day? I want to hear from you blog followers!

These are the things I had to say!

#dreasaidit 

How in the world did I end up in middle school

Hey blog followers,

Man oh man, I've made it to week 3 of teaching and one question that I keep asking myself is, how in the world did I become a MIDDLE school teacher!?! It's extremely different than elementary level! The planning, the age group, the drama,  the attitude (ok ok, not always that different...) but goodness, it's a hard thing for me to swallow and really comprehend at times. It's not that I don't like it... It's just different. I never thought this day would come, but I feel I'm forgetting what it's like to be a kid. Dealing with discipline in middle school is different than elementary in many ways. There is the obvious that I'm not asking kids to pull a card if they did something wrong, but I will say calling parents at any grade level  is never fun. I feel I'm gaining some tough skin that I didn't even know I had in me. My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness: compassion. I have no idea how I'm ever going to discipline my own kids, because I feel like if I start to tear up with strangers kids, then how in the world am I going to deal with my own? I miss being with the kinders everyday, but I must say I'm sure one day I'll look back and say the same about my middle schoolers. Life is weird... I never saw myself where I am today. Basically to sum it up is the only thing we can really expect in life is to expect the unexpected. These are the things I had to say!

#dreasaidit

Mentoring

Hi blog followers,

This message is for my 20 something friends who feel they are to young to be a mentor. I don't believe you are to young. If you have experience and are able to share with others how God has worked in your life then I think you are capable of being a mentor to someone else. Sure, we may not know it all and we still are learning just as much, which I believe it is important to invest in a mentor too! 

I'm going to commit to finding a mentor and being a mentor to someone younger than me too. Maybe it can be a short goal and commiting to seeing them  at least 1 a month in person and weekly emails! I just encourage you to find people you can reach out to who may need an extra ear. Today I saw it first hand and it has inspired me to go out and give. Give time. Give wise advice based on experience. Give hope in Jesus. 

These are the things I has to say. 

#dreasaidit

Not neglecting!!!

Dear Blog Followers,

This blessing (my new job) is taking over my life, more than I would like it to. Being a first year teacher is exciting, but for sure has it's challenges. I'm so overwhelmed by all the things I have to do. The biggest shift is trying to learn a new school culture, staff, and even the campus!!! It's been go go go since I started that I haven't even taken a tour of the whole campus! I'm also going to have to do BTSA (induction program to clear my credential) and having teacher evaluations at some point on top of keeping up with grades, lesson plans and a lack of sleep. People say it'll get easier as time passes, but as of now I'm literally taking it day by day.

So, with that said, I apologize to my friends and family if it seems that I'm neglecting you or ignoring you... I'm not. I'm simply sitting in traffic and not texting/calling back, I'm home shutting out from the world for a bit, or sleeping. I hope to get back to my blog and vlogs at some point, but at this point I'm just treading water with this new position. 

These are the things I had to say.

#dreasaidit