To Be Or Not To Be A Youtuber?

YouTube has completely taken over my television watching time. Don't get me wrong, I still love watching certain programs that come on my television, but I think we have a digital revolution upon us. YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu are much more convenient. We can watch our favorite movies, programs, or YouTube celebrities with limited commercials. And I for one am joining the YouTube takeover, by becoming a YouTuber. 

I want to simply preserve my memories, and if I happen to make a few friends along the way, well, that's good too. I love to create community, and have community with others. I have started doing weekly vlogs, and I hope to involve YouTube in my photography business by creating engaging "commercial" like videos, and educational material. Plus, it has always been a dream of mine to be in front of a camera doing something fun, and inspirational. Who knows where this journey will take us? But I love to just be creative, create community, and hopefully get the chances to inspire others. 

I hope that you will subscribe, and join me for the ride. 

MyLife.MyThoughts.Me YouTube Channel

Love always,

)(ope*

Current Read: Fearless by Max Lucado

I use to read all the time when I was younger. I couldn't even put a book down until I finished it. Sometimes I would read all afternoon until late in the evening instead of watching television. Unfortunately, I got "too busy" in high school trying to fit in with the crowd that I dropped my love of books altogether. But recently I've been re-discovering my love for them again.

I just finished Christian author, Max Lucado's book, "Fearless". And it's probably one of the best I've read so far. It literally touched on every single fear, and backed it up with scripture. Everyone has a fear. Some have small fears, and some have fears that overwhelm them to the point they stay up all night. The "God's Ticked Off at Me" & the "Caffeinated Life" chapters really hit me dead on. 

Every single day I always feel like I'm letting God down, and disappointing Him. And I'm scared to take those big leaps of faith for fear of what's next. Both chapters dove into the core of the fear. Making me ask the question, "Why was I afraid?" This book has made me laugh, and it's made me cry. I even had my Gru(Despicable Me) moment, "Light bulb!"  I highly encourage you to read this book if you are feeling down in the dumps, or feeling too afraid to move your feet. It's a feel good book, but it's a feel good book that makes you think. It hits the core of all your fears, and lifts you up to a level of praise.

Love always,

)(ope*

Grace

While cleaning out my documents on my computer today, I stumbled across this photograph. I made this in a program called GIMP when I first started my adventures in blogging.

It was from a 31 day challenge that is very popular in the blogging world. You pick a topic you are passionate about or interested in, and then you blog about it for the next 31 days.

There are days I want to cry. There are days where I just want to laugh out loud. And then there are days where all I want to do is be by myself. To rediscover the dreams God has given me.

I ashamedly admit this, but I've let all the voices, and noises of this world drown out the only one that matters. His. Jesus.

Some days I just have to turn the world off, because it becomes overwhelming. I can't focus on the tasks He has given me, or the super big scary dreams that are hiding in the depths of my heart. I let fear consume me at times.

I'm sure we have all had times like these. And it's those times that just leave me in awe of Jesus. How wonderful, sweet, patient, and kind He really is. When you take the time to sit down, and think about it; who do you know that would jump in front of a bullet for you? Who would die for you? Probably not very many people. But Jesus did. And that's what leaves me in awe. He loves us so much that He would die for us.

So when all of the voices of the world come flooding in, and you start losing your way. He doesn't get super angry with you. He's ever patient, and loving. He will lead you back on the path He has designed for you.

There are days where I am so hard on myself, and no one else has to put me down. I do it myself. Those are the days where I have to just find a place that is quiet, and focus on His words. Or listen to powerful worship music to bring me back.

We all mess up. We all make mistakes. Even if we have made mistakes so big, and it feels like He won't forgive us. He is always waiting for us, to come to Him, with open arms.

 Love always,

)(ope*

Hope for Haiti, and Baseball in a Time of Cholera

There is place that I dream to go. A place where the traffic can be worse than in the states. A place that in some parts of the country there are no roads at all. A place where there are so many broken people. A place that I sponsored a beautiful little girl in.
 

That place is Haiti.

This is Auguster Olda. She was in 1st grade when this was taken. It would be so neat to meet her, and see how she has grown!

Grateful November: Family, Friends, & Life

Life has been has been really tough lately. Trying to balance school, work, and juggling more responsibilities at the house, it's enough to make me sit down and cry. I'm not sure how to balance everything, and some days it feels as if my life is just spiraling. But even in the midst of all that, I am thankful. I am thankful for my wonderful family, and friends who keep me sane. 

Until tomorrow's post, stay thankful my friends. :)

Love,

)(ope*

Grateful November

After reading yet another one of Lara Casey's blog posts, I've decided that during this month of November I would do a Grateful November series. It seems like all I see on television are during the month of October are Halloween shows, then we skip right to Christmas as soon as November 1st gets here. It seems like everyone has forgotten about Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not just about watching the Macy's Day Parade, eating as much turkey as you can, and playing football. It's about spending time with family. Don't get me wrong, I love doing all those things on Thanksgiving, even going out black Friday shopping! But we should spend a little time being grateful. That's one reason why I wanted to start this series.