blessings

I've never been more happy with my current surroundings...

Two years ago I went to a camp in Washington that changed my life. Little did I know that my involvement there would eventually lead to my moving to the state.

How could I be sad? How could I morn? The place that had key involvement in reshaping my whole future is now the place I dwell all the time.

While one day we'll have beautiful warming sun..

The next we'll have huge blizzards, with everything in between...

For years these girls have brought me so much joy. Now I get to live with them all the time. Here they are spending time with me while I was sick in bed.

Whenever we want, we can go on little dates. This day I made pizza with Sadie (left), we had a date in the living room, and got ready for bed together.

My crazy family.... they keep me going. They make every day a new adventure. When I'm with them, my joy is overflowing. My life without them would be nothing, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for each of them. Together, we are the Blaneys. (Blake + Chaney)

I love it here. God's creativity is never ending. It says in Genesis 1:1 that "In the beginning, God created..."

He is the most creative individual of all time. He made our earth. He made the snow and the sun and rain and hail. And sometimes, just to make it fun, He'll let us experience all four of these in one day. (like He did yesterday)

He is amazing! Washington is overflowing in opportunities and blessings. I'm excited for everything I have here.

 

recap : goodbye faith community church

Oh my gosh. Blogging world, I'm sorry for my extended absence. Lots has happened in the past week. But right now I'm feeling a little sentimental. Let's take a trip down memory lane to January 29th.

January 29th was my last day at church. I just got all the pictures from this day on my computer and I was scrolling through them and they made me so happy. Which I guess is kinda odd. You'd expect a sad day to bring back sad memories, and in turn, make you sad. But not really.

I got to celebrate the season in my life that these people had been a part of. I guess that's why I didn't cry at all when I was saying goodbye to them. I wasn't really sad. But just very happy to see all the people who had taken such a huge vested interest in my mom, sister, and I, send us off to a new chapter with blessings.

Many of them had filled huge rolls in my life that were empty. They healed wounds that had been inflicted on me for years. They blessed my life and were a huge part that will forever be important to me.

They provided me with knowledge. They filled my heart with love. They listened when times were tough and situations were overwhelming. And I know they will never be far from opening up their ears again.

They brought me joy. They joked with me, laughed with me, made my life so much more enjoyable just by the love they'd show through laughs and fun moments.

They helped bring my relationship with Christ to a new level by praying for me, with me, and allowing me to pray for them. God made us a family. And he is the Father.

They taught me. They filled my heart and mind with new ideas and perspectives. And that is something that I will never take for granted.

I'm doing so good right now. I love my life. The joy of the Lord is my Strength! He is faithful in showing me the blessings and wonderful opportunities that are available for me in this beautiful state! His mercies abound, and his love is never ending.

a heart that misses california

They tried to tell me it wouldn't happen. They tried to tell me nothing would be different. They tried to get me to believe a glorious truth that couldn't possibly be. And I gave in a little. Which has caused the reality of my new life to be even more painful.

I love Washington. It's wonderful here. It's beautiful. You never doubt God's goodness, grace, mercy, love, and beauty. It's impossible to when I'm living right in the middle of his outstanding creation. But that doesn't mean I don't miss California. It's not painful. I don't greatly desire to go back. But all the people I left behind aren't able to easily be forgotten.

Ties and bonds have been formed that will last forever. But can they last now?

It's hard for them to with me being so far away. And I told them. I told them it would be different and things would never be the same. But they didn't believe me. And now that it's true, it hurts even more. Because that glimmer of hope had been being held onto so tightly.

This is a tough season. While I don't have an immediate community of friends up here, I have many opportunities for one to be formed. But for 16 years, I had a community, and they haven't grown totally blurry in my rear-view mirror yet. Every day is easier. Every moment is more bearable. My soul is not crushed. My life has not ended. But those moments still come, and I start to wish for those friends who knew what my favorite color is...

(days twelve & thirteen} something i love : favorite band

{A picture of something you love}

I am absolutely obsessed with Flamin Hot Cheetos. I could predict my cause of death today, and it would still be true when my unforeseen passing comes about. "Tragic death. The poor girl overdosed on Flamin Hot Cheetos. She couldn't take the heat."

{A picture of your favorite band or artist}
Owl City. Cute, young, christian, different, and the name has 'owl' in it. What's not to like? 

I am also obsessed with owls.

one of those days

Today was the oddest, probably hardest day I've had since I've been here. And I know the date says it's the 12th, but I'm writing this at like 1:30 in the morning, so to me, it's still Saturday the 11th.

There was nothing specific that happened that caused it to be a hard day. I just got very overwhelmed with the amount of schoolwork I had to do and all that is happening in my life right now. I had really wanted to talk to my friend, who I hadn't talked with verbally in a few days, which hit me really hard tonight, cause I miss her a lot. I skyped with another friend that I haven't been on totally good terms with for a few months now, and though the general product of that conversation was an extremely positive one, I was still extremely anxious leading up to it, which was a good portion of the day since I didn't skype with her till later. I have so many different things happening in my life. They're not all huge, however some are fairly significant and excessive, but there are just so many things that I have to handle right now, or sit back and watch others handle, and I can't do anything to help them. It's a hard season in my life and it's very stressful.

The one thing that was good about today was church. Judah Smith is an incredible speaker. His delivery is incredible. He can keep your attention, with you gripping your chair, as you hang on his every word, even if he's talking about what he had for lunch last Tuesday. He's incredible, and his sermon was one that I wouldn't normally get that into. It was about sex. Yep, you just felt that tightness in your chest. Cause in today's culture, sex is uncomfortable. Which is why I didn't think I would particularly enjoy this message as I read the title, "Jesus is bringing sexy back". But it was the most accurate, honest, true, plain, and eye-opening discussions on the topic I had ever sat through. It was incredible and it greatly inspired me.

So it was a difficult day. There are a lot of things happening in my life right now that are really hard, but at the end of the day, it's not about me, or my life, or my issues. It's about Jesus. It's always about Jesus. It's never me... It's always Him.

{days nine, ten, & eleven} through the most with : messed up things : something i hate

{A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most}

That would totally be Brandi. If you're a regular on my blog, you've seen me write about Brandi a lot, and her daughters, Hailey and Alyssa. I met Brandi a year ago, and never really talked with her. In October of 2011, I got a text from Brandi with a verse in it. When I saw her later that night, I told her how excited it made me when I get her text. So, she proceeded to text me more often. I don't know exactly what caused our relationship to hop on the "Friendship Express" and be catapulted to where it is now, only 3 months later, but I can say it was a total gift from God that he brought Brandi to me. In the middle of the hardest period of time in my life, she helped me through it. She will be a life-long friend.

{A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with}

Oh my love... Delaney Aydel pushes me outside of myself. She gets me to do the weirdest things. She stretches me to be more. To be different. Unique. God brought Delaney into my life to force me into those uncomfortable areas of life I don't usually like to travel into. And over the course of our friendship, I've started volunteering to do those odd, goofballish, things. I enjoy them. Not because I want a reaction from people, I want them to think a certain way about me, or that I am seeking attention. But only because I have so much joy in my life because Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I want the whole world to know that His love has made me a new person. A person who enjoys life. Who doesn't care if she looks weird sometimes or maybe looks a little stupid. I don't care what people here think. I only care what God thinks. I hope you like me, but I won't be hurt if I'm a little too freaky for you.

 

{A picture of something you hate}

Texting lingo and improper grammar used in everyday life. We're not barbarians. Stop rattling off a bunch of letters to me. Join society. When you do that, you either look like you're too lazy to talk, are too stupid for your own good, or those annoying peppy cheerleaders that are in your face with excitement because your eye shadow matches your shoe laces. Don't be a peppy cheerleader. Talk like a human being.

a week in review : mommy arrives

Time for everything to work! My mom is coming today {along with my kitty!}, and I guess everything can finally get back to normal.

Or not!

Uh, I live in WASHINGTON! Everything I've ever known is 100% DIFFERENT! And you know what... I don't care! It's beautiful here! I walk to get the mail, and it's like going on a journey through the most breathtaking scenery in the world. And that's just my front yard. My last few days have been quite interesting. A week ago, I spent the day with Anne Briggs, our cousin Adam's girlfriend. We buried a bunny, appreciated fine wood-work, played T-swift on the piano, and whipped up gourmet deliciousness.

Saturday, I was taken every-which-way in Snoqualmie Falls by my love, Delaney Aydel. After first feasting on cookie dough with chocolate frosting, we went to a Chinese restaurant, out to the Big Log, took part in the tradition of writing down our phone numbers on the tourist board, and lastly we spent a half hour starring at the namesake of the town, Snoqualmie Falls. It was the most magnificent thing I've ever seen. There was a huge spotlight on the falls (because it was night time) and Delaney was so filled with joy by God's creation that she starred singing jubilant worship songs and dancing around!

Sunday, we went to church and I got to see Delaney get baptized. Afterwords, we spent an hour at Starbucks talking about the differences and similarities between Karate and Taekwondo, while simultaneously taking pictures of Delaney's Starbucks stalker. The whole rest of the day we spent at Sambica for Refuge {the highschool year-round program} to watch the Super Bowl. I got to see a lot of the people form the summer, and it was a fantastic reunion.

Monday and Tuesday weren't so exciting. I just did school. The scourge of the world...

Wednesday though, I got to make lunch for my sister, and then figure out how to make chocolate frosting with Heidi, and that evening, I got to spend a few hours making Valentine's Day cards with Ellie.

Today, I went to the glean with Heidi and got to sort produce for people. This afternoon we set up my mom's room, and then Sydni and I went upstairs to get our room ready and clean. {but we really just watched tv}

So now, I'm sitting in my room, waiting for my mom to get here at 5 with my kitty and grandma, and then everyone will be here. We're not in a million places. We're just together. Like a family. As it should be.

{days seven and eight} most treasured item & picture to make me laugh

{A picture of your most treasured item}

This is my elmo. I've had him since the day I was born. He has never left my side, and never will.

{A picture that makes you laugh}

Haha, these girls bring incredible amounts of joy to my life. My little sisters. This was when we went to coffee at Panorama park in the beginning of January. Alyssa was being an odd child, I was attempting to look demented, and Hailey is just cute as a button. This was a very fun, and very funny day.

wake up call tuesday {february 7th}

Sadie, the 3 year old you see above, has been talking in the third person since we moved up here. It's like, the cutest thing ever. It's a habit for her now. She doesn't even think about it. She'll come into a room and be like, "Sadie's hungry!" "Who wants to play with Sadie?" or my personal favorite "Sadie is happy today!" It's adorable!

She picked this up from her older sister Ellie. Like her habit of speaking in the third person, Sadie has also picked up other things. One day, I said the running water in the sink was annoying me, and the next day, Sadie started complaining about the noise that the running water makes.

I guess the whole gist of what I'm trying to get at is, kids are extremely impressionable. Especially at Sadie and Ellie's age. They watch what you do, think you're cool, and try to do what you do. Since I got here, I've had to be on the lookout. I can't just throw things around anymore. I have to be cautious. Even on a bad day. They will see what I say and do, maybe think it's cool, and try to copy.

There's always someone watching. Never think that it's ok, cause you're alone. Because you're not. There's always someone who is watching what you're doing. Be it young or old, you will always make in impression on people. Will it be a good one? Or a bad one? It's your choice. I personally don't want these girls screaming out things like "GOSH DANGIT!" ... Better try and stop that nasty habit.

{day six} person to trade places with

{picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day}


Becca Brubaker. Cause she's da coolest person I know. I love her and miss her and can't believe that we've been in the same state for a week and haven't had a play-date. Love you! 

{days four & five} night and favorite memory

{a picture of your night}

Last night, Delaney took me to see the Big Log... it was ginormous.

{a picture of your favorite memory}

This day. Not even this specific moment, though it is insanely precious, but the entire day. I would spend so much time with them that each of the times we got together are just kind of starting to meld themselves in my brain. So when I think about time I've spent with Alyssa, Hailey, and Brandi, random memories bubble to the surface that I will put with another memory, from a totally different day, two weeks later, and think they were at the same time. So I'm glad we took pictures here to remember the moment, but if my past facebook posts didn't say I had spent the whole day with them, I wouldn't remember.

listening to god

Time to get honest. I hope you all have enjoyed my recent themed posts. Those will be coming for a while. I will fill in the space with things like wake up call tuesday and current statuses of my heart and how it's adjusting.

I'm sorry that I've been so slow on updating how these adjustments have been settling with me. There really hasn't been much to write about, besides the girls. Which is why I started their segment that will have new posts out every Tuesday.

But since I've been here, I guess things have been a little difficult. Which is a long way from where I've been. Today has actually be a much better day. And today was still difficult.

I guess I just miss people.
And my church
And the sun
And my friends
And my family
And walking
And God...

I guess for the past few months things have been really dry between God and I.

He has been trying to get my attention through different people and circumstances, but I always feel like He doesn't hear me and ignores me. But as a great friend of mine told me, He's not the one who doesn't listen to us, we're the ones who don't listen to Him.

So I'm listening to you God. This has been up there with the hardest things I've ever had to do. And I give it to you. Take this deep pain away. Allow me to go through my new everyday life without a stabbing reminder of what I've left behind. Fill those empty spaces with new things. New people. Allow me life to move forward fast, on a roller coaster. And give me the strength to get through these next couple of days, because I know they will be hard since I haven't found where I fit in up here.

{day three} favorite show

{A picture of the cast from your favorite show}

I've seen every episode. I watch at least one a day. I will never stop watching your awesomeness.

Even when I've seen an episode 7 or 8 times, I will watch it again. love love love love the office.

{day two} longest friend

{A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest}

My little sister, greatest annoyance, and best friend. I love you Sydni. For 14 years, you've made my life a crazy roller coaster, and I've loved every second of it.

Please continue to bug me when we are old and gray. If you don't, I'll have to move in with you. And we both know how well that's going now... ;0)

Love you baby sis.

{day one} 15 facts

{A picture of yourself with 15 facts.}

I love Jesus.
I love music.
I love music that has Jesus in it.
I'm a vegetarian.
I like to mix clothes that wouldn't normally go together.
I want to work with special needs kids as my career.
I just moved form California to Washington.
I miss California.
My family is the most important thing to me.
I'm sweet and soft, but I can be tough and hard.
I hate it when people don't use proper grammar.
I'm really ticklish.
I don't have my license or permit, and I'm 16 years old.
I need money, and I have no job.
I think the color orange is ugly.