Summer is ending!

In my typical fashion, I will type this post in a list. I just love lists. Okay but anyway, I have learned a lot this summer, it's definitely been one of growth and change, but I'm so ready to get back to life at college.

1. Bad habits are hard to break. A person can say all they want that things aren't how they used to be, but that's generally not the case.

2. Prayer is EVERYTHING.

3. Jesus will always bring you back to him.

4. Heartbreak is a necessary part of life. Dealing with it teaches you a lot about yourself and a lot about life.

5. Life can change in an instant.

6. I adore my family. I already knew that, but after spending a year (off and on) away from them and coming home for three and a half months, I realized how beautiful and incredible each member is.

7. Attempting to fix people is just that, an attempt. Leave it up to Jesus. See number two.

8. My grandma is beautiful and by far my biggest hero.

9. Read a book. It's a healthy escape. Give up facebook for forty-five minutes and enter a different world.

10. I need to fall in love with Jesus before I can fall in love with anyone else. See number four.

11. I love my brother more than I'll ever be able to tell him.

12. I hate packing, I hate leaving, but I can't wait to go.

13. I have the best friends, and I thank God for them whenever I realize that.

14. Trusting God will bring you happiness and success. Thank you Mandy for that lesson. :)

15. I have a decision making complex.

16. The world is big, and there's a lot I don't know and haven't seen. I want to change that.

...I'm sure there's tons more but that's it for now. Enjoy that random mix. :)

It's been awhile...

The topic of the day is something that's been on my mind for awhile. Why do such terrible things happen to such good people? I'm sitting in my beautiful home, with my amazing family, just got back from the most relaxing vacation, and I'm still ungrateful. There are people suffering all over the world; with sickness, grief, anger. There are people unable to pay their bills, people waking up everyday worried about how they will put food on the table. And I'm sitting in my house worried about what I'm going to wear today and what I'm going to do tonight. I suppose ignorance is normal, I mean, if you don't know the other side of the picture, how are you supposed to empathize? Still, I wish I could understand and I wish there was something I could do. The famous quote is "Be the change you wish to see in the world." But we all live in our little bubbles our whole lives, thinking someone else will "be the change." I don't want to do that my entire life. I want to make an impact. I'd like to think that by teaching, I'm going to make a difference. But still, what's enough? People are still hurting all over the world while others sit back and watch. What can we do about it? Obviously, we can pray. We can get involved. We can show them Jesus' love in every way possible. Maybe, one day I'll understand exactly how to be the change and do all these things. I guess that's another huge part of growing up.