Bieber Fever? [Whaaat?!]

Okay---

There's something we need to discuss in some depth now. That something [more like someone] is....

Justin Bieber.

For some background on my knowledge of this little guy, I had pretty much never heard one song by him in my life until I moved up here 3 weeks ago! I was simply fortunate [ ;) ] enough to move in with a family who has a 13 year old, girl who adores him. Thus I have been thrust into the world of a Bieber fanatic! Before this though, I had a pretty good impression of the kid because I had read a few articles about his [public] pro-life stance and just that he seemed pretty vocal about being morally upstanding. So I gave him some props right off the bat. And let's just be honest- he's adorable!! If I were 16, I'd definitely have a crush on him. I mean, he plays the piano & guitar, sings and dances like Usher [yeah!]. The whole package is pretty legit!

As I watched his movie "Never Say Never" with Jess [the 13 yr old I live with! Whom I reallllly love a lot, and she's totally become my little buddy!! btw!] I saw the hoards of fans that plagued the streets and venues he had shows at, I was in shock. He actually sold out Madison Square Garden in 22 minutes [which I guess is a pretty big deal!]. I was also disturbed by the amount of little girls who were claiming him as their husband and declaring their undying affection & love for this boy whom they've never even spoken to before. [But I guess that capsulizes being 13 years old.] This world is a strange place- however I will not say that I didn't do the same things when I was that age!

All in all, I find him to be a pretty cool guy--and I even think he is actually talented, in a day & age where they're getting all the little Disney stars to put out CD's when they have basically no talent. I was saddened though, because most kid stars who start off with such massive, world wide, obsessive results normally go insane by the time they're 23 and that makes me sad. And I'm not saying that will happen to him, but I am saying I hope it doesn't...and I hope there are people who continue to come into his life that teach him how to be a good man, and that he uses the billions of dollars he's making to help change the world in a real way.

I guess just to end this little post, here's a little example of Justin Bieber! [click on his name!] rockin it out, cuz if you're like my Mom [or actually literally my Mom!]....you've probably never even heard of him...haha! So enjoy :)

Day 17...

I somehow knew that when I moved away from Henderson, it would bring me into a new season of my life where I'd be [forced] to learn how to depend on God in lots of new ways! Not that I am resistant to learning that in my life, I just know that sometimes lessons like that come as somewhat of a challenge. Especially when you've had it pretty easy in life and pretty much never had to worry about things like money, food, water...[you know, the essentials!] All toiling aside though, I knew this was something I needed to do in my own life and a lesson I wanted to walk through by myself, not depending on anyone but God.

Regardless of how favorable the conditions I moved into were [no rent, basically no bills but my own stuff]... the first couple of weeks I still found myself getting all caught up in worry & concern about not making enough money, or being able to save enough for the fall when I go back to school- blah blah blah...

Even though the Bible clearly states that I'm not supposed to worry about tomorrow and not to worry about the clothes I wear or the food I'll eat, because God knows what I need, and He takes care of little flowers and birds. So how much more will He take care of me...His own daughter!?

All comforting verses aside, I was increasingly irritated at my meager 1 or 2 shifts a week at my new job- and becoming all anxious about the bills that were due in just a few weeks. Then!! The miracle occurred!! Just a few short mornings ago, I woke up and checked my bank account to see when exactly all my stuff was due to be paid...and I saw it!!! A check from LOWE'S!!! I had not gotten paid for the last few shifts I had there and I had completely forgotten!!!

My response of course was something like "THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!! This is TOTALLY saving my life!!!!!!!" Then the more I thought about the previous days I spent worrying and not trusting what I already knew was true, I realized that God really isn't going to just leave me hanging. He knew I'd be freaking out when I didn't get enough hours at work, and He knew I had enough money coming in to cover everything I need before I knew it! He just knew, and all I needed to do was wait on Him & trust what He told me.

So-- once the miracle occurred I proceeded to feel like a huge nerd for letting myself get all crazy over nothing, but was thankful for the lesson :) I know it's just a baby lesson, but I know that it's all just part of my walk with God and Him teaching me & showing me that I can completely trust my life to Him.

Day 13 on the [alien] planet.

I've been back in my "hometown" area now for almost two weeks! Just for the record, I say "alien planet" in the best way it can possibly mean, encompassing the fact that I've loved every moment spent with the loved ones I have here-however- internally being painfully aware that I am sooo not used to this culture, pace or area any longer.

I told one of my closest friends before I arrived here that I literally did feel like I was moving to a new planet. It's weird when you're entire life is lived with in the same twenty mile radius for four years straight. The way of living that I became so accustomed to began to be something that I truly fell in love with. I just didn't realize it while I was living through it, I simply had a romanticized picture in my head of how my life used to be, and thought that's what I wanted instead. Whoever said "The grass is always greener".....blah blah blah.....whatever!!

It is how our human minds tend to work at times though. We always think there's something better out there- which is a good perspective to have in certain situations. Another perspective to have though, is to be happy & content in every season of life- and get every ounce out of it while you can, before you can't have it again.

Luckily for me, I will be returning back to this place my heart misses quite soon! Orrr...at least close enough!
In the fall I shall return to continue my studies at the lovely USI :) until then, I am going to love every minute I spend here!

Here we are!

Well- it actually happened. I moved! :o

For those of you who have had to sit & listen to me talk through all of my "plan making" and scheming, you understand how big of a deal this is!

I am proud of myself--but I am also thinking of what a silly girl I am, because I've only been here for about 20 hours and I am so homesick! I know I'll get past it--and that the first couple days on a new planet is always the most rough. It just makes me laugh though, because the 4 years I was in Henderson, I tried soo many times to make plans to go on some new adventure and do something different--and it'd never work out. And here I am now, everything worked out perfectly, and I actually followed through with it--and I miss my little Henderson town-- and all the people there so badly.

Enough whining though. I am sure this new season has many wonderful and amazing things awaiting their discovery, and I am definitely determined to make the best of it! It helps that I am living with the best family next to mine, and have some great friends here already :)

Soo--on with this new adventure!