just to remind you

i was writing my ten-page research paper on eating disorders when, instead of writing, i start thinking. and for some reason, i think a lot about  the missions trip i went to in 2005 to the crow native american reservation in Montana. i think about that trip and that place a LOT, especially lately. it was one of the greatest trips i've ever been on. my youth group went, with three other churches in the area. we drove in vans from Minnesota- longgg drive.  there was about 25 or 30 of us- my mom went with, which at the time, i hated, but looking back i am soo glad i got to experience that with her. 

we did the typical missions trip thing- building/painting/working on houses and  playing with kids but for some reason it just had a huge impact on me, whether i knew that at the time or not.  i think not. but now, i'm noticing it. the reservation was all really run-down and poor looking, it seemed like it was a different country. the houses were really small and in bad condition, there were a bunch of dirty dogs and a few poor-looking stores and the like. so we painted up those houses and fixed broken things. but the part that really hit me and still affects me today, was the kids. we got to eat lunch with them at their school, which by the way, if you think your schools food is bad, you got nothin on this place. but it was soo fun to eat with them cause ALL of them wanted us to sit with them. they'd like pull our hands and sit us down in the chair next to them. and from there we got to walk them down to the park and there we would do our Bible school thing or whatever it was. i was on the game team so we got to come up with fun things to do. we thought up stuff like freeze tag or red rover but when the time came for the games, the kids were too busy hugging us or hanging on us or playing with us- they LOVED the fact that they had people that would play with them. they just wanted to be loved. so many native americans work constantly or struggle with depression or alcoholism and they have no time for their kids. 

they just wanted to be loved.

i remember this boy, his name was Ponyboy. yes, like the guy from the Outsiders. but he was little, probably 4 or 5,and he had short hair and a little braid down the back. but he was always hanging on me. if i wasnt holding him, he would come up from behind and grab onto my neck and jump on my back. painful at times but it just showed me just how much they crave attention and just kindness. my heart hurts for them, for the neglected.

so my big dream, here it is, is to start a summer camp on an indian reservation. i know its a long shot and i wouldnt even know where to start but i am soo passionate about kids and the native american culture and i love learning about it all. native americans have such cool history and an incredible culture, a lot of it has gotten lost over the years but it is still amazing to me. they need God there just as much as any third world country and i want to prepare myself to bring it to them. i mean come on, all those kids want is to be loved and paid attention to. if i can make this camp happen and if only one kid comes and has a great time, then i will be happy. 

as of now, the only thing i can do is pray. and i am praying. and slowly and surely, i will be working towards that camp.

encouraging

i sing because i am happy,

i sing because i'm free,

for His eye is on the sparrow,

and i know He watches me.

dear smoothie, you are so good to me, thank you. dear paintbrushes, i do not appreciate how the paint on the handles is peeling. dear new owl treasure box thing, thank you for being so coool. dear mama, thank you for the good, long conversation last night, it was lovely. dear little cinnamon mint things, you are SO HOT i have to spit you out. dear avett brothers, your music is heaven in my ears. dear boyfriend, you are so good looking and funny. how did i get so lucky? dear minnesota, i want to be where you are. dear sister, please stop stealing my clothes...!!!!! dear next year, i cant wait for you and all you hold. dear lost, how are you so intriguing? dear fisheye camera, i would love it if you stopped being dumb and started working please!  dear old people, drive better.  

dear summer, HURRY UP.

ray lamontagne

this guys voice is incredible, i never get tired of him.

plus, he cares about people. all the proceeds of the front row seats at his shows goes to the american cancer society.

plus, his music is amazing.

oh mr lamontagne, if you ever want to sing me to sleep, i'd agree in one second.

ch ch check im outttt

the office UK is soo much better then the US one.

watch em all!

spring is here!

this flower is proof!

owlzzzzz galore

if you love owls at all, go hereeeeee

frightened rabbit.

new album, the winter of mixed dreams is brilliant.

website.

paul is kickin my butt

"for the sake of Christ, then i am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. for when i am weak, then i am strong."

2 corinthians 12:10

i do declare!

today is a painting day.

"you were bought with a price, do not become slaves of men."

1 corinthians 7:23

thrift stores

are the reason i exist...

not really.

but they are full of character and lovely things and low low prices.

a little jewelry box

a japanese canister of luck or something

and my favorite, an owl circly box thing to put my treasures in

love

fortune

dang donald miller's good.




"i talk about love, forgiveness, social justice; i rage against American materialism in the name of altruism but have i even controlled my own heart? the overwhelming majority of time i spend thinking about myself, pleasing myself, reassuring myself. and when i am done there is nothing to spare for the needy. six billion people live in this world and i can only muster thoughts for one. myself."

"if you don't love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or how to feel. when you love them, you get pleasure from their pleasure and it makes it easy to serve"

--donald miller, blue like jazz

this guy.

is so great. God blesses me through him more and more every day. 

also, flowers are vair nice:)

why don't people smile anymore?