A Goooood Year

 Hello friends! It's been a while since I've written on here. About six months to be exact. I've had plenty to talk about, I just haven't been able to write. I just checked and I have about four different blog posts I started and never finished. I'm finishing this one. ;-)

 I love God. I love how He works in my life, even when I don't actually like it. Make sense!? Earlier in the year I made the statement that 2014 was going to be a good year. I didn't know what exactly that was going to entail, I just knew it was going to be big. Oooh boy was it!

I switched jobs in 2014. If you remember from an older post I really felt like God was telling me to quit my job at the cupcake store and jump off of the cliff into the unknown with him. I didn't know what He had next. I just knew I was supposed to jump. It has turned out incredibly in that. I'm going to share specifics about my job at Southwest Publishing later but God blessed me Over and Above what I was expecting, just like He always does. ;-)

I switched majors in 2014. I've been going to school since I started at Washburn for business. My new job, which is in accounting and office work, has helped me to decide that I don't want to remain in this field for a career. After much prayer and counsel I decided to switch to Social Work. It's only been a semester of those classes, but I already believe this is exactly where God wants me. My heart matches up with what Social Work is about. Every day I went to class confirmed this to me. It's been so beautiful! Again, I love how God works. I have two and a half years left of college instead of one year because of this major switch, however I know it will be worth it in the end. My schooling is not on a typical schedule, but when has anything in my life been typical?

I had my first boyfriend AND my first breakup in 2014. It did not go the way I wanted it to at all. I have so much to say about that experience. I've learned so much. It was rough, extremely rough. I was frustrated with God about the whole experience, but He revealed truth to me which has completely changed my perspective. First and foremost it has revealed to me once again how great God's protection is over my life. He has a full-time job watching over me. The biggest thing I could share to something else from this is to watch out for red flags. Do not discard them. Don't freak out about every little thing, but if words and actions do not line up there is most likely a reason for that. Truth and respect are vital in a relationship. If God is speaking, do not discard His words. He speaks in so many different ways and He often uses other people. Listen when that happens. Take it to God, but know that He has placed other people in your life for a reason. We often can't think clearly when we are in certain situations and others can see what we can't see. Relationships are a beautiful thing and the people God has placed in our life are beautiful. Make sure to remember to thank them for the difference they make in your life!! 

I filled out a FAFSA in 2014. That may seem a little small to some, but it was huge for me. It was a letting go of pride for me. I always wanted to finish school debt free, but I became too focused on my own accomplishment in this. I got caught up in what I was doing, not what God was doing. So I felt like God was telling me to let go of some pride and apply for financial aid. I wouldn't have been able to go full-time without it, but I soooo did not want to receive any loans. However, I decided it was time to look into them. As I stepped out in this I found out that I am receiving a Federal Pell Grant. It is for this upcoming semester AND last semester. Since I pay as I go this means that I got a check back in the mail which I can apply to next semester. The amount is enough that I will be going full-time next semester and I still don't have to use any loans. Wow. The deadline for financial aid for the year is February 15th, and I filled this out in November. Wayyy behind schedule. However, God is so incredible and has blessed me financially time and time again. It's amazing really. He blows my mind every day. Every single day.

These are just a few of the things that happened in my life in 2014. The big things. I have so many little things that happened as well. I have a few things that are beginning now or changing for 2015 which I may share in due time. I don't know what the future is, but I know that it is good. Despite the hard, God's plan is good. He has my best in store. My plans include good, which sometimes turn to bad. However God's plan is best. Because He knows all. I only see today, and maybe tomorrow. He sees the whole story. He knows. I can trust in Him. :)

Happy 2015!! I can't wait to see what it holds for me AND for you!!

Thankful for this beautiful family!

Boomerang or Frisbee?

  Do you know the difference between a boomerang and a Frisbee? Besides the shape? ;)

  When you throw a boomerang it comes back to you (if you throw it correctly).

   When you throw a Frisbee it goes toward it's intended target and either lands in someone's hand or up in a tree somewhere or on the ground.

Regardless of the other person's catching abilities it should not come back to you.

    Many times I live life trying to be a boomerang when I am supposed to be a Frisbee.

   I want to perform some action or encourage someone because I want it to come back around to me.

   I want to change an individual's opinion of me or help myself earn brownie points.

  I want....the focus is ALL wrong.

  God asks us to do things in life because of other people, for other people.

  He doesn't ask us to do it to build up our own kingdom or our own ego.

  He does it to kill our pride. To put the focus back where it needs to be. On Him. On His beloved children.

  Today are you trying to throw a boomerang or a Frisbee?? Check yourself. It's not too late to switch.

Words of Wisdom

 I absolutely LOVE quotes. I am constantly writing down words that people have shared with me. I think it comes from a love of wisdom. I want to learn how to grow and take steps forward. I do not want to stay in one place for too long. Therefore I have a multitude of quotes to share. Please do enjoy a handful of my favorite words of wisdom. I may do this again as I have so many to share!!

"Some of the most beautiful futures are built from the rubble of the most broken past." - Mandy Hale

"Extravagant love always leaves an aftertaste of lasting hope." - Bob Goff

"Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home." - C.S. Lewis

"What God does for us, He does in us." - C.S. Lewis

"We are called to take initiative in building strong relationships instead of waiting passively for others to pursue us." - Mike Bickle

"We do not 'try harder' to change our emotions but we fill our minds with the truth of God's Word that transforms our emotions." -IHOPKC

"Submission doesn't even begin until agreement ends." - Gordon Shipley

"Preach the gospel & if necessary, use words." -St. Francis of Assisi

"God's grace isn't nice and cute. It's scandalous." - Jefferson Bethke

"The most painful part of your biography will empower you to do your most effective ministry." -Bogdan Kipko

"If it's not something you value, it's not really giving, it's just discarding." -Gordon Shipley

"Jesus was never that interested in enthusiastic admirers." -Kyle Idleman

"Do you know what hurts so very much? It's love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things that we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies too. Or, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel." - Casper Ten Boom

"Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change." 

- Tony Robbins

"The main reason Jesus was able to endure the cross was because He knew what was set before Him. Always dream of the day breakthrough happens in your life." - Bethel Church

"Discontentment makes you a slave to what you don't have instead of a fully engaged participant with what you do have."  -Someone Wise

Life is a Highway....Texas

     At the beginning of the year I had the incredible opportunity to visit a dear friend of mine who lives in Austin. I didn't have a job at the time so it was the perfect time for a road trip! Another good friend of mine came along for the ride and I dropped her off in Dallas before I continued down south to Austin. It was SUCH a blessing to have Mandy with me. I'm not sure I would have made it all of the way without anyone to talk to.
     I like to make lots of stops while driving. While in Oklahoma we passed one of the largest casino's in the country. Naturally we stopped for a visit. The outside was decorated like different famous structures around the world so it made for fun pictures!

   When I arrived in Austin we made a list of things to see and places to explore while I was there. I am all about visiting new places and it was really fun to go to some places Marisela has been to and also to go places she has never been in her city. I love love love bridges and downtown's so we went to downtown Austin a few times. It is SUCH a cool city!!    I

oohhhhhh yes.

laughter is food for the soul

 

helloooooo Austin

We also visited this really neat place called Graffiti Park. There are so many walls full of graffiti that people are constantly adding to and changing. It was pretty sweet to see, and free to the public (always a bonus!).

graffiti park

 A good restaurant to visit if you are ever in Austin is Hot Toddy's. They have some tasty burgers and fries. They can be so popular that you have to wait in a long line that wraps outside and around the building. Luckily it wasn't so busy on the night that we went.

Alina and I

 

Marisela

tasty burger at Hot Toddy's

While in Texas I had to take a trip back to my childhood days. In middle school I took a historical road trip with my school and we visited the Alamo. I decided it was time to revisit so we spent the afternoon in San Antonio.  It is good to visit the Alamo and read some history about our nation and the battles fought! San Antonio also has a lot of very neat architecture and Spanish buildings....and I love the Spanish cultures!

Alina, Marisela, & Andres

Alina is a beautiful model!

      

One cannot visit Austin without posing in front

of the life-size postcard that someone drew outside of a building. Don't forget the pooper scooper either. Austin is full of fun and unique art. They also have the coooolest people that live there. I am SO blessed by my friendship with Marisela. She is an encourager and a challenger. God is stretching her in big ways and she is responding to Him. She has a servant's heart and is a very hard worker. Alina is pretty awesome as well. God is going to do big things in her as well, a future world traveler! :)

Greetings from Austin!

One of my Heroes

 Hero - a person noted for special achievement in a particular field; 

a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose

I want to tell you about one of my heroes.

His name is Gabriel and he just turned 10 years old. 

He is a man after God's own heart.

He loves to read his Bible.

He loves to share his knowledge of God and other facts about the world.

He hears from God.

He is a defender of the weak.

He is wise beyond his years.

He is bold.

He is creative. 

He is an author.

He is my nephew. ;)

  
  Gabriel is destined to do great things. How do I know this? Surely not just because he is my nephew and I am slightly biased. Not so. He is already doing great things so I know that it won't stop as he grows older. He is a dreamer. He has an incredible imagination and he is allowing God to use it NOW. From the young age of 4 or 5 years old Gabriel was already putting pen to paper and writing stories. I am absolutely honored that one of his first stories was The Story of Gabriel and Stefanie. I love this kid. God has placed talent inside of Gabriel and it has been coming out for many years now. We serve a big God. My 10 year-old nephew already knows this. 

Gabe's 10th Birthday Party

   This past Christmas was a memorable time for our whole family. Gabriel finished his book Toy Wars a while back and his mother helped him type the story onto the computer and edit it. There is a special company which actually allows you to create a book just like it would appear from a publishing company with a copyright, author's note and more. Gabe started saving up money to get the book "published" in the future. Little did he know that his Christmas gift would be an actual printed copy of his book. I think it is safe to say that the highlight of our family Christmas was to watch Gabriel open his gift of Toy Wars and to see the joy that he displayed. Pure joy. Dancing. Jumping. Singing.

my crazy. goofy. nephew.

   The thing that I find most incredible about all of this is that this is only the beginning. He has already finished Toy Wars II. He has started another series in which he plans to have over 20 books. He is not even stopping there. Gabriel is walking into the goodness that God has planned for him. He is not limited by his age. He does not believe that God has small plans for him. He is asking God for big things and experiencing BIG results because of this. 

  Gabriel is an example to me of a hero. A man used by God. He already has a special achievement. He has been overcoming many fears this past year and is proving courageous. He has nobility of purpose.  1 Timothy 4:12 speaks of not being held back by age. I believe that of Gabriel. He is an encouragement to me that I have what it takes to do the things God is asking of me. I have been using Gabe as an example to myself and to my friends to not be afraid to ask God for big things. When we limit God we are in turn limiting ourselves.

  This next year ask God what He wants to do in your life. How does He want to stretch you? How does He want to bless you? How does He want to empower you? What is His ultimate BEST for you?

    "Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use." 

1 Timothy 4:11-14

Thank you for taking the time to meet one of my heroes.
To read an even more in depth story of God's work in Gabriel's life this past year click here.

Goodbye Billy Vanilly

5 years. One job. That says a lot. Right!? ;) I can't believe how quickly time flies. Where do I even begin??

My job has been a God thing from the very beginning. After I graduated high school in 2008 I went to Mexico for a semester. After coming back it was time to start college and find a new job. I wanted something in the baking field as I had hopes to one day open my own bakery. So I looked up bakeries in Topeka. I found one that had a website. Daddy Cakes. I looked it up. Suuuper intimidating. They had pictures of beautiful cupcakes and cakes on their website. I thought 'there's no way I could make that!'

Yet I strongly felt God telling me to apply. So I emailed the store to ask if they were hiring. The owner replied and we set up an interview. I had the hardest time finding the store when I went in. I finally found it and after my interview I still wasn't sure. It wouldn't provide me with enough hours. Yet I strongly felt God telling me to accept the position. He would take care of me. Thus began my career at Daddy Cakes.

Daddy Cakes

I started out working in retail and quickly worked my way up to a position in the kitchen. Three months after I started my boss took her daughter to France so I was in charge of the kitchen. It was safe to say that I was trusted. :) The store business was rapidly expanding and we moved to a bigger store across the street. I became the kitchen manager with the new store. It was a great experience of learning how to work and manage in the kitchen. I enjoyed it! Plus I earned more money and worked lots more hours than when I started. God was taking care of me.  Along the way the store changed from Daddy Cakes to Billy Vanilly Cupcakes.

I took a break for a season when I moved to Colorado. When I came back I didn't think I would return to Billy Vanilly. However God saw differently and I went back to work at Billy Vanilly. Instead of returning to the kitchen however I began working again in retail, as the manager, and took a position as the office manager as well. It was once again great and I was learning more and more about running a store. Plus I got another raise to help balance out the fact that I was working less hours because I began attending school again. God was taking care of me.

Ariel's Cupcake Deco Party

It was a good year and a half back at Billy Vanilly Cupcakes. I believe that God wanted me there. However, this season is now over. A few weeks ago I talked to my dear boss and told her that I was done working for her and for Billy Vanilly. All in good timing. My season is just over. I don't know what I am doing next, but I know it is time for something new. God has a new job for me. I am taking about a month off to just relax, enjoy the holidays, rest, and seek out what God has for me. I am stoked!! Seriously. It was incredibly hard for me but now I am honestly excited. I can't wait to tell you where God takes me next.

Working with a dear friend!!

Memories....
  * I remember the day I walked into Daddy Cakes for the first time for my interview. It took me half an hour to find the place.
  * I remember working in a tiny store with a clock tower above it. There was only room for two or three customers at a time yet we often had lines out the door on a Saturday morning.
  * I remember moving into a new store. It was HUGE!!
  * I remember when the name changed to Billy Vanilly Cupcakes.
  * I remember actually having to start wearing a uniform. Tough transition. Seriously. ;)
  * I remember working countless Valentines Days with nonstop craziness. It's the busiest day of the year!!
  * I remember all of the fun conversations I had with my boss. She calls me boss and I call her boss. We have an unconventional relationship. ;)
  * I remember baking countless cupcakes...I remember the first time I baked over 100 cupcakes at a time!
  * I remember moving into a position where I got to interview people and choose who to hire. Fun job!
  * I remember making daily bank deposits and new friends at the bank! ;)

My boss and I! ;)

  * I remember hosting several music nights at Billy Vanilly....the store was full of people and it fulfilled a dream of mine!
  * I remember working with one of my best friends. They say it isn't good to live with your friends...or work with them...yet we only grew closer through all of that. and we had SUCH fun times working together. laughing together. dropping things. laughing together.
  * I remember working up front and realizing how often certain people come in. We truly have weekly, sometimes daily, customers.
  * I remember answering all of the silly questions....like which cupcake is the red velvet one. (It's red!)
  * I remember all of the fantastic people I have worked with over the years. They've become my friends.


I am soooo grateful for the opportunity to have worked at Billy Vanilly Cupcakes these last five years. I don't regret it for a moment. However, it is time once and for all to say Goodbye Billy Vanilly!

Cliff Jumping

   Ohhh goodness. Life is so wonderful. So crazy. So unexpected. So fun. Full of twists and turns. Last week I did something crazy. It wasn't a spur of the moment decision by any means. Yet, for me it was crazy. Kind of like jumping off of a cliff.

   I have been working at Billy Vanilly Cupcakes for 5 years come January. It has been a joyous 5 years. I was confident that I was supposed to work there. From the beginning. When I moved to Colorado for DLA I was confident that I would not return to Billy Vanilly. God had other plans. I have been back for over a year and I knew once again that that was where God wanted me. Since the middle of the summer however I began to sense that my time there was drawing to a close. I would pray and ask God if it was time and He kept saying 'not yet'. Recently I finally felt that God was telling me that it was time. I spent MUCH time in prayer before I did anything about it.

  A week ago I talked to my boss and told her that I would be quitting at the end of the year. That in itself isn't that crazy. However, I have NO idea what I am doing next. I just really feel God leading me into a season of 100% completely trusting and relying on Him to provide for me. To give me new direction. I'm not sure where I am headed, but I want to make sure I am pointed in the right direction. Before I can take another step I have to stop and listen. This being said, I don't have another job that I am moving into. I'm not supposed to.

  My security blanket is Jesus. Not a job. Not the number in my bank. It's God. I am jumping off a cliff into the great unknown. However, I am confident that that great unknown is not land that I am smacking into. It is as ocean. Of God's goodness. His provision. Faithfulness. His plan for my life. I jumped. Now I can't wait to see what washes over me. I have SUCH a peace inside right now. I know without a doubt that this is what I am supposed to do. I look forward to sharing with you what exactly God has in store for me. I am not sure what it is. I do know this. It is good. I am CONFIDENT of that. ;)
2014 is going to be a GOOD year!

Let's go headed down the open road unknown....

And we find what we're made of

through the open door

Is it fear you're afraid of?

What are you waiting for?!

Love alone is worth the fight!!!!

- Switchfoot