January 25, 2014

EVERYDAY BLESSINGS


  • Saturdays mean a day in a warm house, no more long freezing walks back and forth to get to classes and running out of breath from practically flying to make it to class on time, warm coffee and hot chocolate overflowing, catching up on TV shows like: How I Met Your Mother, The Carrie Diaries, and New Girl, and curling into your bed with a good book. 
  • Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman. Look it up, devour the text, and live the truths... such a great reminder of who God is, what He can do for us and through us. 
  • Candles are a girls best friend. 
  • As are warm cookies.
  • The sounds of Laura Osnes and Cinderella on Broadway are flooding the house right now, inspiration at it's finest, remember: impossible things are happening everyday.
  • I have a facetime date with my dearest best friend Stacey who has been away working with Cinderella and Rapunzel in Disney World.
  • It's official... spring break is me and Lauren heading to New York City for another New York Adventure! 
  • I know I have wrote on this before (Me Myself and I and That's Okay) but I lost sight on that truth. My singleness is a blessing in itself. I get to focus on my dreams, making me a better person, and growing in the truths God wants to open my eyes to. If I have waited 20 years for a real first date, I think I can wait a little longer. ;) 


January 22, 2014

NUTELLA STUFFED CROISSANTS


Snow days are for hot chocolate, nutella stuffed croissants, and best friends. 

January 15, 2014

OUR LIFE RAFT


Yesterday I was doing my devotions and two things stood out to me. First, this verse above.. I mean God does this for us daily. Everyone has their own deep waters, their own struggles, and their own battles. Yet no matter how deep our water, he is willing to take hold of us and draw us out!? LIKE WHAT. In acting class we had to close our eyes and think of a time we were in an extremely boring conversation and think of why we wanted to get away and how we felt. Every person we all thought of... they have deep waters and he fishes them out too! THIS IS AMAZING.

Second, Judah Smith's Jesus Is_____. is obviously a favorite. I know I mention it often, but it seriously has so many amazing points. Here I quote a section from the book that goes perfectly with how he fishes us out of the deepest and murkiest water.
I know about second chances because my two boys played T-ball. Are you serious? The ball is stationary on a rubber T. How many swings do these kids get? It's the eighth swing, and parents in the stands are saying, "Good swing, Johnny!" I'm thinking, "He didn't even hit the rubber T and it's three feet in front of him. Why are we celebrating this mediocrity?" Then on the eighth swing, he brushes the bottom of the T, and the ball falls off. And the coach yells, "Run." That's a lot like God. We get one strike, then another strike, then another-and everybody is saying, "I can't believe this guy is still alive. I can't believe God is still blessing him." We keep swinging and swinging. And God, who is rich in mercy, picks up the ball again. "Swing again, slugger. Just swing again." Meanwhile, people watching us are shaking their heads. "He's out." God says, "He's not out till I say he's out." 
No matter how dirty your water is and how far under you are being pulled, he will save you. He died on the cross for us. God is soooo good!

Let me know if there is anyway I can be praying for you!

--B

January 10, 2014

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS



I left Chatham when I was in sixth grade, while it may not feel like home to me anymore. I can revel in the past, the heartaches, the rejoicing, the old friendships, and the lessons. Coming back to this town didn't fix things or give me the fairytale life I always thought visiting would, what makes this home? Family. With my family being here, well now it's like home again. 

January 7, 2014

REVELATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS


1st Revelation: I am a little behind on the whole media circus and tv circuit, but during winter break I have become accustom to four new tv shows that have changed my life. Okay, that was a little strong... but have made me incredibly and lazy and glued to the couch or bed is more like it. 
  • I am behind a good couple of years, but boy did I not know what I was missing not having Happy Endings in my life, I finished the whole run in the course of three days with much help from your handy dandy youtube. I ate that show up, couldn't put my computer down.
  • A roomie bonding activity is piling in the den and watching Last Man Standing, seriously if you haven't checked out this show... I urge you to the point of annoyance. It is funny, easy going, and did I mention... funny!? Not to mention a show the three of us can agree on and bond so easily over, score. 
  • One show that everyone seems to be squealing on and on about is Scandal, after weeks of it popping up on newsfeeds, netflix, and conversations... I took the plunge and I haven't stopped since. I am only on season two right now, but let me tell you I am hooked and can't get enough. Not to mention the Mr. President was the voice of Tarzan!?!? Is it sad that sometimes I just close my eyes and truly listen to his voice!? Pathetic, yes. But it's TARZAN!
  • Now I join into the phenomena that is every teen and adult women's fantasy show, that's right I am talking about The Bachelor. I was first introduced to this show when I had a blind date which was like the initial meeting in a group setting, and we all went to the mutual friend's house to watch the show, eh Bachelorette version. Now I am extremely girly, a hopeless romantic, and sometimes way to Disney Princess Fairytale for my own good (did you not just read about my obsession with Tarzan?) but even I, thought this show was way to girly for me. I admit though, one episode and I wanted to be hooked but it was almost over and I was so confused. So with it being what all fans affectionately call Juan-uary, I am now hooked and join the millions in love with show. 
1st Resolution: To stop comparing. It doesn't matter how many likes that girl has on facebook, the face she has a perfect smile and sometimes when I smile I look like a horse, it doesn't matter how anyone views you. They don't define your beauty, self worth, or the type of person you are. God loves you just the way you, heck in the words of Bruno Mars "'Cause girl you're amazing just the way you are."

2nd Revelation: 

You never know whose life you might change, or who might change your life. It is so important to give into the world, shed a light, and be genuine. There is beauty all over the world if you open your eyes. That revelation can make life so much more.

2nd Resolution: To love others fearlessly and genuinely. 

3rd Revelation: Ummm call me crazy, a newbies in the makeup department, or just plain clueless but I learned something craaaazaayyyy today! I just recently learned the importance of concealer, that I need to be using it like all the time asap, and how to apply it.... but the how to apply it came today. Did you know you apply it before foundation not after!? My life is changed, it feels like I have been living a lie when it came to my face since today. 

3rd Resolution: To fall day-by-day more and more in love with Jesus. To know who He is, to crave His word, and to let Him change me... to give him full control of all aspects of my life. A good friend recently came to the realization that she could not fall in love or be ready for a good relationship until she herself came to terms with growing up. For me, it's truly falling in love with Jesus. Because if I can't love who I am in Jesus, who he made me to be, and can't fully give him control of my love life... well the right guy isn't going to be at the right time and we don't have a shot at working whoever he may be. It's time for me to realize in order to have a shot at love, I have to be immensely into Jesus. Cliche but oh so true.

4th Revelation: 
They have a new lifetime wish added to the Sims 3 when you get the expansion pack, University Life... it's to be a top blogger. Now I am not sure which is sadder: how excited I got at this new addition, the fact I got my sister completely head over heels OBSESSED with The Sims, or that I am twenty years old and still playing the sims. You can decide. Funny rabbit trail story though, I once made this guy I liked on the sims (don't worry this was a long long time ago) and well... we were in that awkward talking face and it wasn't the good kind, the kind that should have been let's pray and see if God really wants us to go for this. It was just us getting no where and me waiting on his word til he ultimately found someone better but i digress... 
Well I made him on the sims and he wouldn't even ask me out on the sims haha. Talk about a sign that that relationship was never going to work out. 

4th Resolution: To get to a healthier state of living- what goes into my body, the words I use, and the physical state of being. Time to run around the neighborhood, get those endorphins (cuz happy people just don't shoot their husbands!)

Here is 2014, let's make some new revelations and stick to my resolutions! 

January 6, 2014

YOUR FIRST LOVE

There is something truly special about knowing there is someone who loves you at your worst, at your best, and in between. The most beautiful picture ever painted about love, is the love that God has for everyone. We are all God's favorites, we are all wanted by him.. no matter how we start our day, end it, and what we do in between. Nobody is an outsider when it comes to his love, because that's the beauty of who God is and of his immense love, it is on the basis of his love and not ours. Earthly love can be beautiful, don't get me wrong... but typically it's on giving to each other and giving back basis. Katy Perry says it right with her new song Unconditionally, because that is God's love... unconditional. 
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, to think that someone loves me, us THAT much. Beyond the point of recognition and understanding. 
To know that no matter your mistakes, your sin, or walk with God- He is there with open arms waiting to give you hope. The hope that stems from not only his love, the fact of dying on the cross for you, but  also that even through our mistakes God has a plan. A gorgeous plan for each of us, one that we can't foresee or imagine it's beauty. 
I worry way too much, to the point of getting myself sick even. I remember my best friend telling me there was no need to worry, with God on your side and holding you up why would you worry. I remember thinking I know he is there for me and that he has my life in his hands, but I just couldn't grasp not worrying. Then while reading Judah Smith's Jesus Is ____. something clicked. There is no need to worry because of the very fact your future is in God's hands. The very man who loved you before you were even born that he sent his son to die on the cross. The same one that no matter how many times you may have lied, he is waiting with open arms. He loves you so much that he is willing to pick you up each time you fall. 
I am so thankful to have that influence in my life, and that everyone gets that love rather we give it back to God or not. It's a beautiful thing. 

January 5, 2014

2013... WHAT A YEAR...

Truth is I have been putting off making this post for many reasons 
a) it's generic, over-used, and typical 
b) I love generic, over-used, typical things so with the whole new year resolutions and all... shouldn't I try to change that..? 
c) It takes a lot to look in detail what 2013 really meant... to enjoy all the lows and highs.
 But it's fun, this is my blog, and as much as I wished I was totally cool and millions read my lovely posts... they don't and that is OKAY. This blog is for me after all... ;) 


January
It all started with my first mainstage callback where I had to remember six years of lost ballet and let me tell you when I leaped after everyone had already leaped in unison... I knew I was going to be a star. "Mr Demille, I'm ready for my close up." I went on my first blind date ever, and by the end of it I had myself wondering if the guy was gay because he was way too into asking questions about our school's Tarzan than me. But hey... Tarzan is a cool guy, so I will give to him. We didn't work out, mostly because he laughed at my major and accused it of not being beneficial (okay Mr. Worship Major). Also, is there nothing more exciting then getting on facebook and seeing a notification that the guy you have found to be the most beautiful guy in the world has liked your status... and it wasn't a mistake. It's a beautiful thing, I may or may not have ran around the room crying saying I've been waiting for this moment my whole life.... 

February
The month of love, or in my case the month of free chocolates, a gift from my father, and a date night... with me, myself, and I. This years gift was Tarzan on DVD, because what better thing to cry along to when you feel lonely, forever alone, and well.... you aren't going to be Jane Porter anytime soon. 

March
NEW YORK CITY. There is nothing quite like having your first we are grown ups alone in my future home trip. It included all the right of passage things your typical first grown up vacation has to include. 
Right Of Passage 1: Run into the boy that broke your heart as you are running with joy and a little patheticness towards the Once Marque. 
Right Of Passage 2: When seeing your role model aka LAURA OSNES in Cinderella, only a few weeks after the final debut... you must dash out the door after curtain call bringing an unsuspecting man with you as you get yourself attached to his camera case...
Right Of Passage 3: Get hit on by a mysterious man as he asks if you AND your friend would gladly like to partake in being his girlfriend. FINALLY SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SNATCH ME UP. 
Right Of Passage 4: You say no to this offer for you and your friends safety and state of mind.
Right Of Passage 5: You find a bookstore full of plays, feel like Belle, and it is forever your favorite place in NYC.
Right Of Passage 6: You can hardly talk but you manage to smile AND get a smile back from the guy who plays Prince Charming in Cinderella.
Now that is a good first parents free, NYC trip. Can't wait for round two.

April
My birthday month.... holla! This birthday takes the cake so far, my twenty-first has A LOT to live up to. 
1. I did my first sophomore hearing, and while not passing... I learned a little more about me, about my style of acting, and about my professors... and it honestly made me fall more in love with theatre. 
2. Ummm my favorite thing in the whole world, okay no not Jesus so that was a bit of an over exaggerated statement... but one of my favorite characters TARZAN came to live in my school's professional production of it and let me tell you... I still think of that play often. 
3. My friends threw me a surprise party, only something I have wanted since I was old enough to comprehend the concept of a Birthday party!!! I feel so genuinely blessed, encouraged, and thankful I can say my friends are my friends and their influence on my life. 
4. I finally talked to that guy I had wanted to talk to for years now, and what resulted? MARRIAGE. hahah totally kidding, no time for that. We did share a hug and he turned back and smiled before leaving... so it was cute. 
May
I said goodbye to dorm life once and for all, and boy has it been heavenly. Good bye random, no good roommates. Third wheel conversations and overly dramatic conversations that I try to give good advice to while wondering why you come to me for guy advice when I am so being chased by the boys. 


June-July
Started yet another summer of beach tagging. This summer was special though, I made some of the most important friends of my life this summer. More importantly, I made my "tagger bff," I also brought two people together. Let's all face it... Disney says it right: True Love Conquers All.


August-October
It was a great month, a month of firsts. Most importantly, I finally found roommates I clicked with. I say roommates, because when I did previously live with my best friend... it was just her and it was wonderful. But since then it was like a roommate nightmare, but now I can say I am incredibly blessed daily by my roommates. 

November
Spending time with my beautiful, amazing Grandma was the best blessing any month could bring. It was nice to sit down, talk boys, and laugh it up. If there is one person I look up to it's my Grandma. She is the strongest woman I know, with the largest heart of gold. She is always seeing the best in people, seeing the beauty in the world, and then making the world a more beautiful place. I hope to be half the person she is and to make a difference in the biggest of ways through the smallest of things. I love her so much. 


December
I spent Christmas on the Carnival Fantasy, two stops in the Bahamas, plenty of virgin strawberry daiquiris, and lots of family time. I may be a thousand times heavier, but man was this a trip to remember. 
Here is to 2014.... let's make it a good one.

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