Food for thought...

So I'm in the library about to take a Business Policy online test.  Autumn and I have been talking about love, what it looks like in our life, what we learned about what it was growing up and how we struggle with it.  The Holy Spirit brought to mind 1 Corinthians 13 which is typically heard all around the Christian world during wedding ceremonies...love is this and that....blah blah blah.

But I got to thinking about it and I hope you follow the train of thought I'm about to unleash....  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says this, Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insistent on its on way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  The rest of the chapter goes on to say that love never ends even though things of this earthly world will pass away.

1 John4:8 says: Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says:  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I heard once that we should replace the word Love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 with God so it would say God is patient and kind;....so on and so on.  But I thought about it even further, that if God is love and is all these things; then why don't we go a step further and really examine our hearts and motives by putting our name in so that it says Ariann is patient and kind...

*DISCLAIMER* I AM NOT TRYING TO RE-WRITE THE BIBLE! I'm saying that if we are to be true imitators of God like it says in 1 John 4:8 then we should be all those things in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Would you fit the description of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?  I know that I don't and that is what the Holy Spirit convicted me of when I came to the library to study and take this dad gum Policy test.  Are you imitating God by the way you love?  Or are you irritable, resentful, envious, impatient, unkind, arrogant or rude?  

Maybe you should check yo'self before you wreck yo'self...p.s. I'm in the same boat!

Bipolar Texter

Oh the life of a college senior! I truly believe that they think I have no friends or any semblance of a life because of all the homework and what not I have.  I'm currently "working" on a study guide for my Business Policy class that covers only four chapters of the book.  I'm almost done with the Ch. 2 section and just started the 5th page of the crazy thing.  Tis ridiculous if I do say so myself!

Hectic has started to define my life and I kinda like it minus the lack of sleep.lol  My last semester of college is halfway over and I'm excited.  I'm not sure what lies ahead of me but I'm continuing to trust in God.  He at least knows what is in store for the next few decades or so of my life even if I don't know.haha

Welp, my senior project is less than a week away and I'm super excited about everything that I've planned!  It's going to be so awesome!  I'm learning to be even more confident in the abilities God has gifted me with to do this task!  Plus the people around me are super supportive and encouraging!

I wish someone would send me flowers on Monday! 

 Or maybe these.....

Or maybe just a variation of some type of flowers......wishful thinking I know.

...music...

So it's been a super long time since I've blogged. In my defense I have been super busy with school and my senior capstone project.  I'm starting to feel stressed out about it.  This is meeting is my baby...literally.  I'm in the process of giving birth to it and I hope it isn't still born. That's a terrible analogy I know but that's how I feel...I didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings.

Lately, music has been the balm to my wounded soul, pride, life and relationships.  There's always a song that fits a person's mood and luckily for me there are a LOT of songs out there.  Currently I'm waiting for the new Adele album to download and I'm super excited about it.  She is a definite role model in my life.  Even though I'm not musically inclined I still appreciate all that's it has done over the years and I just love it!!!

This past weekend I helped out at a concert event called WinterJam.  It was FANTASTIC! I worked merch for flippin NEWSBOYS!! It was super cool, felt one of the best adrenaline rushes of my life, and was with awesome people the entire night.  It also reminded me how I miss being friends with some people and how life changes.

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”

Life...what a quote!

To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.
Reba McEntire

Life is nothing without friendship.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life.  It goes on.
Robert Frost


A quick update on my mom!  She was released from the hospital on Thursday afternoon! Praise the Lord!  

 Life can be quite humorous sometimes.  Like when you're a kid you'd give almost anything to be a "grown-up" so you can do whatever you want and when you're finally older and more responsible you'd give almost anything to be a little kid again without any real worries or stress.  I think I'm in the latter stage right now.  I'm planning my capstone meeting and Blizzard 2011 has really messed stuff up.  I'm behind about a week with the things on my timeline, the meeting itself is about 3 weeks away, I still haven't gotten the speaker the topic, and I hate refining budgets.  I wish sometimes I could be humble, lay my pride aside and ask for help sometimes but that's like asking a tiger to change its stripes.  Everything is going to work out I'm sure but it's still gonna bug me until the day I turn in the stinkin manual.

Enough of that humbug crap.  Lately, God has been showing me just how blessed I am.  Making me realize I need to focus on the good things in my life and embrace them.  I'd like to think I'm doing fantastic at it! Yesterday was Valentine's Day and before I hated it with a passion.  Like everything else in life I had to make a choice, I could either feel the same way or choose to embrace the love of those around me and choose whether or not to have a positive attitude....I chose a positive attitude and I had a blasty BLAST!

Life is too short to worry about tomorrow, regret the past and not embrace today and everything it has to offer.  It comes down to the choice you make when you wake up.  Either look for the positive and seek God and have a life full of wonderful memories or choose to focus on the negative, have regrets later in life, and play the what if game.  Don't get me wrong there are days where we feel bad, down, negative but that doesn't mean even through that we can't choose to look for the positives.  We truly are blessed to live in a wonderful country with the freedom Jesus Christ has given us whether we believe in him or not.

I'm not sure everything I've written has made total sense to anyone but then again when does it ever?lol  I encourage us to live life, become an active partner in it and not just watch it go by and throw pity parties. I've been learning that they never accomplish anything anyways.What's with all the "life" quotes you ask? I say why not?lol  This past week has been a rollercoaster of....well life.  Life happens and sometimes not fairly.  But life goes on whether we like it or not.  I guess that's my apology for not blogging in a week!haha

A reason to sing.....

So this weekend has definitely been tumultuous that's for sure.  Yesterday I found out that my mom was in the hospital yet again because she literally could not breathe.  Needless to say I freaked out. 

Let me explain why I freaked out (yet again)... Almost a year ago my dad committed suicide and then my mom started having pretty bad health issues causing her to have to go to the hospital several times.  I'm not ready for my mom to die and I know I have to prepare myself that is going to happen one day and that I can't control it.

Satan is still trying to take down my family.  My mom has a respitory infection, bronchitis, severly low blood oxygen levels.  The staff at the hospital are being inconsiderate and disrespectful to my mom and even forgetting that she's there.  The medicine the doctors are giving my mom aren't really working and are affecting her diabetes.  The doctors are worried that something may be wrong or affecting the stint she has in a artery in her heart.  She is going to be in the hospital until at least Tuesday evening. My mom's car has broken down several times within the past few days.  I'm not able to get in contact with my older sister. 

Pray that Satan would be binded away from my family.  That God would give wisdom to the doctors so that they will know what needs to be done.  That even though my mom isn't a Christian the doctors and nurses will know that God is in control of the situation.  That my family would be strong and that I would not worry about what is happening.

But I am truly blessed with amazing friends that really are family to me.  They help pick me up when I'm down and encourage me to keep going.  Knowing that they are taking the time to pray for me helps me to focus on trusting in Christ.  I am amazed by the loving Savior I serve.  While working on homework & listening to music He has given me peace, spoke to my spirit through several songs, and blessed me with caring people who ask me about my mom on Facebook.

These are some songs I've heard that have reminded me of the goodness of Christ.

The song above is called "Let the Waters Rise" by Mikeschair

The song below is called "Desert Song" by Hillsong



Cabin Fever!

I HAVE SURVIVED THE BLIZZARD OF 2011! PTL!!

The past few days my house has been buried in at least a foot of snow and I have caught up on sleep but have gotten behind in my homework for my policy class which is not exciting.  I've gotten to hang out with a bunch of friends.  Today is the first day I've actually had access to the Internet. 

It's official I'm out of school tomorrow as well.  Maybe I'll go sledding finally!!! Who knows!

This isn't my picture of snow but you pretty much get the idea!

This is gonna be one crazy weekend filled with a bunch of homework, friends and hopefully sledding......I REALLY want to go SLEDDING!!!!

...Vulpine...

This weekend has been extremely fantastic.  God has really impressed upon me just how lucky I am to have the life I live everyday, the freedom of choice, a quality education, and a decent job.

The other day I watched a documentary about N.K. and I got really upset.  I was mad that there are still dictators in the world and the torture they put their citizens through and how much evil there still is in the world today.  Later that day I was really convicted about my reaction to what I watched.  I realized that even though those types of people still exists does not mean that God doesn't love and care for them like He does for me.  That instead of casting judgment on them I should pray that God would change their hearts and minds.  That they are just as much of His creation as everything else is.  It was a really humbling moment.  I told a friend today that I just want to fill a plane with bibles in that country's language and then just do an air drop and be like "TAKE THAT SUCKAS!!!"

...switching gears...

This weekend I was able to hang out with a friend and do some retail therapy..not always the best idea but really helped!  I ALWAYS have fun when we hang out.  By the end of each time hanging out we end up having made a ton of new inside jokes and laughing at each other!  She asked what IHOP stood for....that was fun.hahaha

Also, a really good friend of mine finished his 3 weeks in hell (green beret selection) and MADE IT!!!! I knew that he would do it.  I'm sure it took a heavy toll on him but I've never been so proud of him before until this moment.  I was definitely inspired to keep working out and not quit.  I told myself if he can go through that then I can definitely finish this freakin workout.  P.S. How many of you can say you have a friend that is almost a freakin green beret?? That's what I thought!haha

To end this out.... I am starting to really realize just how many extraordinary people I have the privilege of knowing and calling them friends.  Whoever reads this I challenge you to look around at your life and to recognize the good things that God has provided you and I ask if you're really giving thanks to Him for the life He has given you and the good things.

Just some food for thought!

Workin for the Weekend!

It's true! This week is finally over! PTL!!!!  This week has been a flippin terribly busy week.  I've learned a lot like my procrastination skills are still very much intact, that people in the library can be very annoying,  and that classmates can be irritating too.

BUT! I am definitely blessed with wonderful people in my life that put up with my moodiness and then tell me to suck it up and get over it because life just happens sometimes and not always the way you think it oughta go!

I'm ready for this weekend! I get to sort clothes for a local non-profit organization that gives clothing to the needy and go shopping with one of my very best friends. OH AND I GET TO SLEEP!!!!!

Southeast Asia, Europe, Malawi, Chile, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria & the Uttermost

Today has been a freakin fantastic day if I do say so myself!  It's been long but it's been phenomenal.  P.S. I should be doing homework instead of blogging.lol

Tonight one of my best friend's spoke about his 6 months term in Southeast Asia and how God challenged and encouraged him.  I know for the most part I give him a really hard time and I'm pretty mean to him but he encourages me a lot and challenges me to be a better person.

He spoke about trusting in God...hello story of my life! It's so hard to do that!  Like currently I'm waiting to hear back from the program he just finished.  It's called Hands On and is a section of the IMB (International Mission Board).  Hands On terms last 4-7 months and pretty much you spend that time "job shadowing" (for lack of better words) missionaries overseas.  Something he said really convicted me and made me realize I do this a lot. I try to have a back-up plan just in case God's plan doesn't work out.

How messed up is that?  I know in my head that I need to trust in God's plan for my life and that life is going to go the way He wants it to so that He receives the glory for the things that happen in my life.  It's just a matter of getting my heart to trust in God and have the patience necessary to truly believe that God's plan is the best one for me and to let go of my so called back up plan for my life.

I'm really glad my friend made it back safely and readily admits that he still doesn't have it all together.  That in and of itself is encouraging too.  It reassures me that I'm not alone in not having it all together even though some people expect me to have it all together and know what I'm doing at this cross roads in my life.

Jeremiah 6:16 says: 

This is what the LORD says:  
 “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
   and you will find rest for your souls.

Some rest for my soul would be fantastic right about now. :)

I really love this song because it motivates and convicts me to really reflect Christ like I should.  It's kinda long but you should definitely check it out.




And this is especially for my friend :)

Black Ice, Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Bieber & Jay-Z

I love pet names for people!lol

This weekend has been an adventure that's for sure!  I have watched a lot of movies with a bunch a friends and then I slept too long and woke up and realized just how much homework I had to do in such little time.  Then I looked into the mirror.....  My hair right now would give Tina Turner and Diana Ross a run for their money!  I told Blake that if he were here he would probably say "Woah! Where's Ike at?"

I had a lunch date with my best friend.....Beyonce!!! (aka Kim) NEW CAPRIS!  It was fantastic! We went to the classiest restaurant that T-quah has to offer....CHILI'S!! I always have a blast with her any where we go.  She really gets me and lets me be all cray cray when I want to be. I couldn't ask for a better friend. 

I love crazy moments....so enjoy the following video....like it, love it, or leave it.

This video defines my life...ghetto love!!!

P.S. Glozell if you see this I am your biggest fan!! AAHHH!

Shout outs & a Holla!

So I was talking to Kim earlier and she's a blog follower and she got really excited because I guess there is a lady that she follows and one Friday a month the lady has people post all their single friends called Show us Your Singles!!! So let me show you Kim:

Kim:

She's mid-20's & lives in N.E. Oklahoma.  She is an amazing friend that I've known since freshmen year of college.  She loves God, people, having fun, smiling, laughing, the Arkansas Razorbacks, cooking/baking, watching movies, and listening to an array of music.  She's the type of person that can be friends with anyone and everyone she meets.  She is one of the most dedicated people I know whether it's working out every single day or sharing Christ with a person.  She's my best friend!

Yesterday's News

Yesterday was an official snow day...which means a play day!!!  A bunch of friends and I tried to sled down a hill but it didn't really work out that well so we decided to just roll down instead.  It was all fun and games until I almost rolled straight into the creek that runs through the middle of the park.  There's a video on Facebook...it's hilarious!  Then we decided to make snow angels and play tag.  Yesterday was a fantastic day!

1 Scoop or 2?

Today has been a long day with a lot of random things! I'm not sure where to begin!

Scoop 1!
The beginning should work right?  Well Kyle aka Brother and I went to breakfast this morning...we are not morning people so I have no idea why we did this.  But we had some quality friendship time and talked about life and the like.  We talked about worrying and what it is exactly.  I believe worrying is pretty much an addiction.  I say addiction because we try to control the way things are happening in our lives and we don't "give it up" to God to take care of, we try to fix it on our own, and think we got everything under control.  We can't control others or their decisions.  Things are gonna happen and when we worry about things we unnecessarily stress ourselves out and in turn can affect someone else in an un-positive way.  Advice: Look up Matthew 6:34, it says "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble"  HOW TRUE!!!


I know that this is easier said than done...trust me it's pretty much the story of my life!


Scoop 2!
So I listen to David Platt sermons whilst getting ready in the mornings fyi.  The other day he was talking about how Christians in America assume the blessings of God are mainly materialistic.  While this is true there are also the "basic" (for lack of better words p.s. I'm para-phrasing now) and first & foremost blessings Christians have received from God.  Those being God's grace, kindness, mercy, love & His Son Jesus Christ.  It made me think what kind of message we're sending to believers all around the world.  Are we basically telling them that unless they have these HUGE mega-churches, nice cars, mansions, & lots of dough then God isn't/doesn't want to/won't bless them? How messed up & false is that?   ....just some food for thought...

Let me just say that I am truly blessed not only because God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to cover my sins & receive the glory from it but also because He has placed wonderful, amazing, patient, & diligent friends in my life.  I don't know where I would be without them.  I know that I can call my friends like Amanda, Yvonne, Jesse, Blake, Kim, Mandi, and the list goes on and on and know that they'll be there for me whether I just need to vent, cry, scream, or anything else.  I am blessed!



I had a lot of random other things that happened today but I'll save those for another day.

Is this real life?

So I told my friend Blake that this post would be dedicated to him so yeah...

I was talking to Blake about starting this blog business stuff and he was like why? I in turn said well why not?  His response was it's a commitment, most people can't.

*Disclaimer:  I have a bad habit of doing stuff and then when I lose interest or something is no longer exciting to me I stop doing whatever it was I was doing. Plus let me explain my friendship with Blake, We love to hate each other and then randomly will have really deep conversations because we're close like that*

I then said 2011 is gonna be about commitment for me.


Blake is right commitment is something that a LOT of people can't well ...commit to ever really doing.  I'm pretty guilty of this too. 

Don't get me wrong because I CAN commit to things.  The things I don't like to commit to are the really deep & serious commitments...like the BIG stuff like settling down with a guy, getting married, having kids and the like.  It just really scares me!!  I've really come to like being independent and taking care of myself and sometimes it scares me how independent I really am.lol

I'm not big on the whole New Year's Resolutions either.  I figure if you're really gonna do it then just do it.  Why do you need a CERTAIN specific day to start something you really want to COMMIT to in your life?  Life is about living and if you want to make a change just freakin make it already!

Ever heard the expression "Preachin' to the choir"?  That's the story of my life!

...life accidentally happens...

So I figured my first post should be the story of how my blog title came to be....

So I randomly thought to myself....hmm...I should give that blogging mess a try.  So here I am.  I plastered it on Facebook & Twitter asking for help coming up with a blog title and only a few friends helped.  We came up with names from Ariann's Adventures to Random Musings & ...life just happens sometimes...  I'd like to say that I knew without a doubt that I was confident about ...life accidentally happens... but it was honestly an accident that I named my blog that. I wish it was some super cool story but it's not.  I wasn't quite sure what I was doing and accidentally hit the enter button and so ...life accidentally happens... began.  I also learned that the backspace button doesn't turn into a magical "erase" button.lol

I'm just glad I didn't accidentally spell it wrong.  I would've looked like a real doofus but hey that's the story of my life accidentally happening.