He Knows

     First, I want to give praise for the handy dandy bible app. It has not only given me scripture no matter where I am, but it has also saved me from possible hours of wasting time on Temple Run.
    This week has been pretty insane. I started school for the Spring semester and luckily my schedule isn't too horrific but some classes (actually just Chemistry which I think the devil is involved in that matter) are pretty stressful. Also, I have a dorm to myself which has been bittersweet Bitter because I'm by myself and sweet because I'm by myself ;). My home has changed tremendously with a new roomie, a new room which contains a n new surrounding for me.. hardwood floors, which is ballin.
   
    Anyway...

     So I, like many others I'm sure, have struggled in the past when it comes to getting into the Word (I capitalize word in assumption that you know it is ze Bible :) ). But this week has been awesome. I've been able to clear my mind easier and also welcome what God wants me to know in.
     This is how I read the word daily:
     Step one: opened the app because my bible was left in my car (that's where the praise comes in)
     Step two: prayed to God to show me what I need to read.. not just me reading more of what I read in church the previous Sunday.. it's more personal in my opinion.
     Step three: I let him show me (which includes shutting my eyes and letting Him guide my fingers over the books.. the chapters.. and then I start on verse one)
     It has been a tremendous success!! Each time I have done this, He has shown me things I need along with things I wasn't at all thinking about until now.
     True story (actually just happened)
     I have to work so I wasn't able to attend church so I took out the good ol' app and let God do His work. He led me to Jude 1 and I began reading from there.
     At first I didn't realize what He was trying to tell me but then it hit me....
     Just before I read this scripture, I had to do an English assignment which was to read and respond to "There is No God" by Penn Jillette. I wasn't frustrated but it left me thinking about a lot.. like what caused him to feel this way. In Jude, it talks about patience and pretty much just allow God to His job. Sometimes all we can do is pray.. and so I did :)
     It's stuff like this that just pushes me to read more and pray more and love more and hug more and smile more and laugh more and... well you get the positive point :). It helps me go further in my walk.
     I mean, it just proves that HE KNOWS. He just brought words to me from an essay I had just read. He was watching over me as I did a simple homework assignment. That's amazing how He truly does look over even the simplest of things that we do.

    Praise Him :)

In Remembrance of Brutus

     I know I did a blog post yesterday and I don't really like having a daily thing going.. but it's 12:03 and it has already been a super emotional day.. So writing/ typing things out will make things better! And after reading this, if you have come to a conclusion that I am dog crazy.. well you'd be right :)

     

     This will be a letter to my dog (yes dog) Brutus:

     Dear Brutus,

     I remember when I first got you..... I was five years old and I was awaiting for your arrival at the house. Well... maybe not you specifically.. I thought you were a new barbie.. I mean mom said on the phone that my new present was blonde, so what else was I supposed to think? You were way better than a barbie though....

     You were the cutest thing ever! A small, blonde Pomeranian.. with cute little eyes and a puppy love like no other. 

      I remember when I used to dress you in my cabbage patch kid doll's clothes.. I'm pretty sure that's the reason why you hated any clothes after that.. Sorry I scarred you for life.

      I remember when we lost you for a few days when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. Those were the worst times of my life.. and it was such a blessing when we found you. You traveled pretty far away remember? Like ten miles away. 

     I remember when you'd lick away my tears when my daddy didn't come again... I knew that you loved me. 

     I remember when you would sit in my lap for hours because you could never be petted enough. 

     I remember when you started getting old. Your kneecaps would give way and you were in pain a lot. 

     I remember during this time, you were still .licking away the tears off of my mother and my faces when we found out that the family of three was torn apart. 

     I remember you getting older

     and older

     and older

     I remember mom and I talking about you and you couldn't even hear us. Or see us for that matter. 

     I remember when we decided that it was time... time for you to no longer be in pain

     I remember this morning holding you until you fell asleep... and even afterwards, petting your tiny head as if you knew I was there. 

     I remember the sadness that filled me.. but happiness and joy that you were no longer in pain. 

     

     The biggest thing I remember is...

      Other than mom and me.. you were the other one that has been there through everything.. EVERYTHING.

     I will remember you always. 

     You had a good run Brutus :) 14 years of nothing but love. And our love for you continues afterwards.

This is Brutus before he started getting old. :)

                                                                                                       

                                                                                                 

Twenty Twelve... Two Thousand Twelve...2012..Dos Mil Doce.. Etc.

     Well this is my first blog of the new year!! Woo (as confetti and paper horns fill the air)!
   
     Anyway....

     I thought that it would be cliche but acceptable if I started with a my New Year's Resolution list:

     1. Be healthier (I know it's so unique and insane)
     2. Finish my first year of college with all A's and B's (halfway there!)
     3. Meet some new folks
     4. Have less anxiety attacks when getting lost.. (I would say not to get lost as much but that's just an impossible goal to reach)
     5. Figure out my specific major
     6. Try to be more spontaneous
     7. Get a tattoo (or "tatted up" if you will)
     8. Be in a movie as an extra or.. pushing it... a character!!! ;)
     9. Maybe have some questions answered (wink wink..nudge nudge God)
     10. And last... have as much fun as I can while also having the least amount of stress in my mom and my life.

     Sorry it's not that exciting.. but when it comes to the outrageous sky-diving or flying my own airplane.. well that can wait for another year ;)
     All in all I truly believe that this year will be a great year! I've learned a lot.. been through several obstacles... found out who I am... and also became comfortable with who I found... I loved.. got my heart broken.. wrote a song about it.. then another one... been through tension at home... tension at school...tension with friends..I've gained weight.. lost weight... gained weight... lost weight... etc.
    I've been through a lot.. and I feel that this year will be a bit of a break. Positive things have already come into my mind that I know are happening this year and it just puts a smile on my face when I answer the door to 2012.
     I super hope that everyone has a bright light ahead of them when thinking about the new year. If you start with positive.. you'll end with positive :) Have faith. Everything de-tangles and works out in the end. When you're struggling.. there's always someone struggling more than you are. So let that help be thankful for what you have. Put a smile on. Chuckle a little.. and let the new year of 2012 begin!!!!!

Dear Dad..

     Dear Dad (aka my name for God),
Thank You for everything You've done for me. It still amazes me that You've done this much, yet I don't deserve any of it. You're too good for me and yet You still love and adore me.

Thank You for filling the hole. The hole that was left by past fathers who left me in heartbreak.. and You stayed with me...even when I didn't know it. Your embraces that I feel are more nurturing than any father can give me. You've made sure to give me more hugs than the others did.. which isn't saying a lot but it's so awesome and generous of you.

Thank You for Your answers at all the right times. They've led to the best testimonies because of Your creative way of doing things that only You would do. Waiting for the responses have been hard sometimes but they become so overwhelmingly joyful and worth the wait when I receive them.

Thank You for showing me that I'm not alone. I focused on the wrong target.. relationships (boyfriend/ girlfriend that is). I made it harder on myself to withstand the "single life" but You made it easier.. I'm more patient for that perfect one that You have already made and know. By not being with an earthly boy.. I've only strengthened my relationship with You.

Every day is my Father's day. So this letter can be for any day..

Oh and Dad.. thanks for being the best Daddy anyone could ask for! I'm so lucky to say that I am Your daughter. I just wish I would have known your greatness when I was a child.. cause everyone would have definitely been paying attention to us at the Daddy Daughter Dances ;)

                                                                                               Your Daughter,
                                                                                                        Karlye

What I Could Have Been...

     Back home for the holidays! I've been missing the good ol' Douglasville for a while. Missing my friends and family and especially the lack of cop sirens and ambulances in the streets like in the city. But last night wasn't too enjoyable even though I was with some old friends.... I was able to truly be the "outside looking in" on a lifestyle that I was part of.. and it was embarrassing to watch.
     As I arrived at the establishment, the first thing I hear is live country music, even though it was good, it's hard to get into something that I can't really stand hearing ever! The mixture of hunter camouflage Bass Pro Shop hats was enough for me to forget my longing to go home. Then,  more people started arriving. More familiar faces. More bad memories. As they showed up, I could easily tell that none of them were at a normal state with their glassy, blood-shot eyes and their beer at hand.
     If this were a few years ago, I would have been okay with this scene... would have laughed at their stupidity and joined along to get a dose of that "liquid courage." But now, being that I have moved on.. it was rather embarrassing knowing that I looked up to them because they were "cool" to me. Yeah... I used to be dumb.
     As I sat there, no smile on my face, or laughter in my eyes, I thought about all those times I shared with them....and also knowing that majority of them didn't know who I was because every time I encountered their drunken presence, they were too intoxicated to meet me properly and remember me the next morning.
     With all this being typed, it gives me a chance to reflect more on the situation.. in a more positive way.
      I am just so glad that God took control. I don't have to look up to any being.. just The Almighty One.. and that's pretty ballin. I get to feel productive each day. I get to cry tears of love and joy while I worship instead of hate and pity that I can't fit in with everyone else. I get to feel comfortable and sure that my God is going to be there for me no matter what instead of unsure and worried that my "friends" will forget to take me home... or they aren't physically or mentally capable of doing so. I get to have God's love wrapped around me instead of a stranger who's dark thoughts become actions when alcohol is involved.

     I love who I am.

     It's just so great to know that I took the right path when I did. I'm just so thankful and undeserving of God's love, yet He gives it to me anyway... I've never been happier than I am right now. Looking for human satisfaction will never suffice. It doesn't matter. Humans partake in sin just as much as I do if not more, in some cases. Don't look for acceptance because God has already found you and accepted you for who you are, the clothes you wear, the color of your hair, and even the weird make up you wear. We are loved. And I'm so glad I chose to love Him back instead of choosing what I could have been...  

The End is Near

     Well... the fall semester is coming to an end. I have just about survived my first half of my first year of the college chapter in my life. It's been fun, hard, stressful, hysterical, momentous, moving, powerful, scary, disastrous, awesome, spiritual, earthly, etc. It's so crazy to look back and just know that not even an entire year ago, I was safe in high school, only worrying about the gas in my car so I can go to all of the places I need to go for my own leisure. I miss that. 

     This end also marks a beginning of a new time, a new semester. Things will be changing....

My roommate is moving out and commuting, so I either A: will be a loner or B: will have to meet someone new while also living with them. It can be fun but also irritating. Also, my schedule is going to be totally different next semester with more days off than on, which leaves more space for tons of activities!.... or just for more hours at work. 

     I feel that I am ready for this new step in college. More friends to meet, more surroundings I get to accommodate to, and more money to do things that I feel like doing..( not really gas worries since I'm part of the "no car" club on campus ). I'm just waiting for the guy to shoot the little gun and say "GO!"

     Or am I? I have a whole month of chilling! A whole month of no homework, no checking class sites for announcements, no writing extra credit essays, NOTHING! Just enjoying the sparkling lights of Christmas and the crazy strobe lights of the New Year. Oh yes... 

                                                                                    The new chapter will be great. 

Start Something That Matters

     So for the past couple of weeks I have been reading "Start Something That Matters" by TOMS Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie. To say the least, it was an awesome read!! I was able to learn the great yet struggling beginning of TOMS and how they prosper now. What we, as the buyers, see are just awesome shoes that seem pretty easy to make, and we don't ever think of the hard work that goes behind the scenes... kind of like we see Santa but don't really think of all the hard work those poor little elves go through to put those smiles on our faces Christmas morning. 

     Even though learning about TOMS history was rather interesting, my favorite part was the rest of the book... how Blake talked about so many other small and large businesses and how they were able to succeed. It was great seeing that he wasn't just wanting to show his own earnings and lessons, but so many others. Also, it wasn't at all about us helping by joining TOMS or just by giving to charities but BEING those charities. The main goal was, as the title says, to start something that matters. I loved it! 

     By reading this pretty ballin step-by-step to making a difference, you can get all the information and thoughts that you need to start your very own business whether it be non or for-profit. Anyone can make a difference, Blake is just trying to pry that want out of us. 

     We can all help.. individually or even as a group!

     

     " A leader can create a company, but a community makes a movement." - Blake Mycoskie. 

     I encourage all who are reading this post to go and get this book now!! Even those who aren't reading this should read my mind from miles away and know that they should get this! I mean come on.. if you're wanting to start up a small movement, why not read the thoughts of a leader who has produced one of the biggest movements of all! 

Carpe Diem!