Brandon Heath's "The Night Before Christmas"

What an amazing song for Christmas :)) I love it! Click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCitZPr2oD0 and listen to it!

the beginning of a new blog

I'm beginning a new blog just for my writing, and this new blog will be going private in a few days. I will also keep this blog. If you want an invite to the "new" blog, please leave a comment. Here is the link to my new blog, http://mylovewriting.blogspot.com/.

hallelujah!

It just gives me chills to think of the power that brought Jesus into this world. Nothing could stop it. GOD gave them a star to follow, prophecies to be remembered, and angels to proclaim. king herod couldn't stop it, and neither could all the powers of darkness! :))

it makes me happy!

So how about I have this love for Africa, and it's never going to cease :)) And I like it!

Also, I will officially be on Christmas break at around 12 today!! Yippie!!

All They Really Want for Christmas...

Steven Curtis Chapman's song "All I Want for Christmas is a Family". Link below to music video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnRNP0Qipws&feature=related

yay!

So, I think I've finally come to the conclusion of what I will be doing next December around this time :) I had written a post earlier [a few weeks ago] asking everyone's opinion or advice on what I should do once I graduate next December with my BA in English. Well, I finally got up the nerve to ask my parents [don't know why I was scared/nervous, but I just was lol] to ask their opinion about what I should do. These were the options I explained to them that I have
# 1 - graduate Dec. '10 with my BA in English and begin looking for jobs, obtain a high school teaching job & earn my license while teaching.

# 2 - graduate Dec. '10, then go to grad school for Master's in Creative Writing, and then teach [& get license while I teach].

or

# 3 - graduate Dec. '10, go to grad school for a MAT degree which would give my a license there & THEN find a job and teach.

Well, drum roll please....











With much thought, though, and even more thought, I have [I think, for I'm still praying about it] decided I will go with option # 1. Even though it is the least paying option I have, it will allow me to keep only an undergrad amount of college loan debt. In the area I will be teaching in, the salary is not exactly the greatest, and there is NOT a major difference in the salary if you have a Master's vs. Bachelors. Go figure. BUT, I want to help these kids. They are underprivileged, and I want to give them a chance, because hardly anyone else wants to.
Even if I was to go to graduate school and obtain a MA degree in English or MAT degree, I would be left with lots of extra loans that I would have to pay off, when I could just graduate w/ a BA & then obtain license. So, that's what I plan to do :)) And, I am SO happy!
It's funny how you learn to become estatic over the things that most people wouldn't, just because you know that you're following your heart & what He has planned for you. Trust me, there are NOT a lot of kids I went to school with that are going to come back to this area, because they [let's be honest; and when I say this it doesn't speak of everyone, just the majority] feel they want it all, they want the high paying job with the huge house, so that they can buy the best car, etc. Well, that's not me. I want to be content with what GOD wants me to be content with. And, I have a feeling [ just a little bit :))] that GOD would rather I help the "least of these".

Like I said, I am completely happy with my decision! I can't wait to see what GOD has in store.

p.s. Just in case you haven't done the math, this means I will graduate next December & then get a job!!! Wow. I'm nervous, happy, scared, excited...

ARRRRRRRRRGGH!!

How 'bout them PIRATES???!!! C USA champions 2nd year in a row!

Worldwide AIDS Day 2009

So how would you like it if you were labeled untouchable by a infection you didn't ask for, an infection you were born with? No one touches you, people are scared to hug you. You are only three years old. Think about it. HIV/AIDS isn't a person, it's an infection. Worldwide AIDS day.

Flash Friday

I'm willing to go

I am SO thankful, GOD, that You have blessed me with the life I have. I will use everything within me to get to Africa. I want to hold those little ones who are stereotyped as infected and abused. I want them to know the hope You bring. I want them to know You, to know Your love for them. Faith without deeds is dead, ...so I'm ready. Use my life, my love, my everything.

"I give all my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus." Lincoln Brewster

"Now that I have seen, I am responsible." Brooke Fraser

"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12

A grateful heart

This year has been a defining, strengthening, empowering one to be sure. I have found my calling, my love of African children, and part of who I was meant to be. I am SO thankful for everything in the past year, because without it I would still be the immature, self-centered Natali of 2008. And, trust me, that would NOT be a good thing. As everyone does, I grew up and I realized that life was not about me, but included others - even those who are rarely seen by anyone. I realized that GOD has given me a heart for missions, specifically African. I don't know why I love this continent so dearly, but I do. And I love that it was something that grew on me, and that I can say it was a GOD thing. Because a little over a year ago, I would not have cared about the orphan. Of course, I would have wanted to help, BUT, I would not have put plans in action to do so. I would not have told people about them. I would not have really cared. Thank You, GOD, for bringing me to my senses. I will never be the same.

I am thankful for my Mama and Daddy [I don't have a picture of them together, so you'll just have to imagine]. I love you both SO much, and I want to thank you guys for all the opportunities you have given me, for raising me in a Christian home where GOD and church were first, and everything else second. I want to thank you for showing me that real love isn't all about money, but a genuine feeling.
I am SO thankful that GOD has given me a twin sister, Allisyn, who I share my deepest desires and thoughts with. Like myself, Allisyn has a heart for the orphan and one day hopes to adopt from China. She, along with GOD, opened up my eyes and heart to the orphan, and for that I am grateful. I also want to thank you, Allisyn, for having a relationship that isn't like the world. You and Cristian are great role models. I love you, twin a, and wish you guys only the best.
I am SO thankful for my older sisters, Stephanie and Kimberly, and both of their families. Without them, my world would be very dull. Without you guys I would never know the meaning of trusting GOD, and not worrying.
Cole, I am thankful for you. You have turned into a wonderful 13 year old young man, that is very talented and will go far. Thank you for making me realize that GOD did give me the little brothers I asked for long, long ago - even if it was through 4 nephews.

I love you, Holden, and I am SO thankful for you and your sweet little 5 year old self. I have loved watching you grow up, and consider you my practice kid :))

Jillian, beyond words you are the best 4 year old niece ever!

Judah, your silly personality makes me giggle everytime I think of you. Keep being the precious little 3 year old guy you are. I am SO thankful for all the laughs you give me!

And little Josiah, even though you are new on the scene, 7 months of my life have been better because of you :)

My little foster kitty, Izzie, love you sweetheart, and I am so thankful for the spontaneity you bring to the apartment.

Little Lexi, THE sweetest cat ever! I am thankful for your loving personality. I've needed it this year.

My little kitty daughter, Nastia Joy, love you honey! I am thankful for the warmth you bring to my feet at night :)

And last, but definitely not least, dear little Max. I love you, and I thank you for showing me that there is a season for everything. My little Ribb would love to still be here with you, but I am thankful that you have filled the void.

Thank You, GOD for all you have blessed me with. The best job ever, loan money to be able educate myself, and a warm apartment. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I thank You for all You are doing, all You have done, and all You are going to do!

a little slice of truth

"Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10

Every heart has its defining moment, this is mine and I'm not going to miss it. I don't care if it makes me look different, I'm not letting go of my convictions. --- Matthew West

I AM going to go on a mission's trip as soon as possible (with funds, etc.)

I AM going to adopt one day.

I AM going to live by what GOD's plan is for my life, not mine. So if that means not knowing about my future job, my spouse, my kids, that what it's going to be. I'm not settling for a cookie cutter life. My GOD has planned it out for me, and it is anything but normal. :))

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

What to do? I'm SO confused about my education right now. As of next December [2010], I will officially be a college graduate with a BA in English. It opens up a world of possibilities!

plan a [the plan I REALLY hope works out]- Graduate with BA in English. Attend Graduate school for Master's degree in English/Fiction. Get a job teaching English at a local high school and, while I work, obtain my teaching license [which is doable, I already checked]. [My heart is creative writing, and I just don't feel adequate with a BA to teach high school students the craft of it, so that is why I would be furthering my skill in creative writing] & perhaps teach overseas after I've established myself.

plan b - Graduate with BA in English. Attend Graduate school for MAT [Master's of Arts in Teaching] degree that is coupled with obtaining my teaching license. Then get a job.

plan c - Graduate with BA in English. Get a job teaching high school English, obtain license while teaching. [LESS MONEY. p.s. and not that it is all about money, b/c believe me it is NOT. but just something to think about]

If any of you have any experience, advice, thoughts, prayers to give me, they would be very much appreciated! :))
Gosh, there's so much to think about these days...

To the least of these...

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:40




You were helping this little sweetie...

And this little guy...

And this little kid...

And these too...

Even these.

I want to feed the hungry children, and reach across the farthest land, and tell the broken there is healing and mercy in the Father's hands. My hands, my feet, my everything. My life, my love, Lord use me. --- Britt Nicole

Africa, you're all I think about lately. I know GOD is raising up a generation within your own lands and others to reach this generation of lost, sick, and lonely children. GOD's children, that is. <3

"Keep your heart open, and love will always find its way in."

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I have to keep these words from my Father in mind daily. I am not going to settle for less and play it safe in life. I WILL give everything over to Him. He has plans for my life, and they are NOT to harm me. Worry is not going to take over, but the hope He has given me is taking full control.
I am terrified of flying again, but I'm not going to let it stop me from going to Africa or anywhere else.
I am wondering about my future, but I know He knows what's going to happen. And, he says it's good :))

I trust in You. I believe You're all I need. --- Kari Jobe "Healer"

grateful/thankful thursday :))

I've never done one of these, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon today :))

I'm thankful that although it is flooded all around me, that I still got to school and back to my apt. safely.
I'm thankful for my parents who have raised me in a Christian home and love me & support me.
I'm thankful for my three beautiful sisters who are SO encouraging.
I'm thankful for my 4 nephews who are like the little brothers I never had.
I'm thankful for my niece who is giggly and silly and wonderful.
I'm thankful for GOD giving me a love for Africa, for missions, and for orphans.
I'm thankful for the uplifting group members/speakers at Chi Alpha.
I'm thankful for my church family.
And... I'll continue next thursday :)) Have a great one!

wow.

My friend, Amy, had this video in her last post, and I just had to put in here. Watch it and then you'll want to do something, you'll want to change things for those who can't help themselves change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4NlyZqJhwk

I will follow YOU

I try, but I can't control my fear. Where do I go from here? Sometimes it's so hard to pray when You feel so far away. But I am willing to go where You want me to. GOD, I trust You. There's a raging sea right in front of me. Wants to pull me in, bring me to my knees. So let the waters rise, if You want them to. I will follow You, I will follow You. -- Mikeschair, "Let the Water's Rise"

Things are coming together bit by bit, I "think" I'll be able to go to Ghana next summer! I'll keep you guys posted :)) SO happy & ready to hug those kids and tell them they DO have hope in GOD!

I'm holding onto You. I will follow You.

you may now kiss the bride <3

I'm going to my cousin Levi and his fiance, Kasie's, wedding rehearsal/dinner tonight :) I <3 weddings! Levi and Kasie are SO cute together, and I wish them only the best as they begin their life together as one.

p.s. Sorry if this is random, but like I said, I love weddings & I just thought I'd post about it. LOL.

There's a time for everything

In Ecclesiates 3, it speaks of "for everything there is a season". This is my season of waiting. Lately I have been asking myself why SO many of my friends are getting married, and here I am single, 22 years old and never had a serious boyfriend. I have had two boyfriends (both less than 2 weeks), one in middle school, and one in high school. I have never been kissed. And the kissing factor, I WILL NOT kiss any man other than the one I am to marry, yet why haven't I met him yet? I always had this plan that I would be married by 21 ( like 2 of my older sisters did, and my other sister is as good as married it seems, she just turned 22). I don't know why GOD is making me wait, BUT I do know that GOD has fashioned and created this guy for me somewhere out there. I know that I must wait, because it is all I can do.
It's very different than "my" plan used to be ( to be married by 21, having a kid by 23, etc.), but I know His plan is best. He knows every second of every day of my life, and the future seconds and hours and days of my life to come. And I must trust Him.

I know it's like the picture above. My future husband is here, I just can't see him yet.

our GOD is faithful

He has faithfully kept you, brought you out of captivity. Rejoice, rejoice with all your hearts; sing him a new song. That's heard high on the windswept mountains, it will resound. Lead, Lord with unfailing love those that you have ransomed. And we will sing out as we go along, "our GOD is faithful, our GOD is faithful". --- Bethany Dillon, "Exodus".

i <3 this scripture verse

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for." Ephesians 1:11

I Saw What I Saw

My sister Allisyn introduced me to this video, and I just loved it! I wanted to share it with those of you who may not have seen it before, and reintroduce it to those who have. http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=38974b6dd52e94ba5bb2

You're ingrained into me by Him

I wonder what my future little one is doing right now. Is he or she in Ethiopia, in Ghana, or maybe even right here in my own home state? Or are they even born yet? If not, GOD is thinking of them, and He knows them fully. He already has a plan for their life.
I do know one thing: little one, I think about you everyday & what you will look like, who you will be on the inside, whether or not you'll be a big kid or little kid when I get you, and how much love I already have for you.
I had a dream about you the other night. You were beautiful, but I've forgotten what you looked like now.
It's hard knowing you were meant to do something, and having to wait SO LONG to do it. Adoption is my heart, ingrained in my thoughts.
Dictionary.com says to ingrain is to implant or fix deeply and firmly, as in the nature or mind. Yep, little one, that's what GOD has done to me. And it is the most wonderful feeling in the world to know He has changed me, redeemed me, saved me, and molded me into the person I am today. I do love you, little one. And one day, when I finally meet you face to face I'll squeeze you and hug you, and kiss you a million times infinity. One day...

:))))))

GOD is just too amazinggg for words :))

Things are happening that just speak of his "prosperous" plan, things that give me a hope that my future was designed by Him, and is being carried out as we speak :)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." --- Jeremiah 29:11

yay!

I was looking through the classes they offer next semester [b/c I have to register next week] and, lucky me!!! :)), they offer African Literature! :)) Yay!!

monkeys, and lions, and giraffes, oh me!

So yeah, I was walking through Ross [aka the best store ever!] looking for scrapbooking things and a baby gift for my cousin's new baby Abby. I found all that stuff & then I saw it. It was hanging there on the rack calling my name :)) I couldn't resist this great deal on this fabulous 5-piece Carter's onesie. My ark just grew. And just so you know, it's hard to just wait for that great deal every once in a while - but I'm doing it really well, I think. This is the first thing I have bought since the first time at Target :))

p.s. And I'm making myself wait until next year sometime to buy the next thing.

...

Sometimes I wonder why GOD feels so VERY far away, then I remember those before me who had no Bible. Like Abraham, for example; he had no text to look at, to remember the promises. He just knew that what he felt was real, eternal, and so amazingggg!

I get to thinking sometimes about what I would say if anyone ever asked me why I believe in GOD and His Son Jesus. And you know what? I can't explain it, at least not in any definite terms. He is my life, He is what enables me to breathe. He is my hope, my salvation, my eternal love. GOD cannot be put in a box, and defined with one word. He created everything, therefore He is billions upon billons upon more billions, millons and trillons of beautiful words. And amazing is the only word I can come up with that sums up a bunch of those. Yet it still doesn't do him justice :))

I apologize if this post appears scatterbrained LOL.

Over the rivers and through the clouds to Kimberly's house we go...

little Josiah, 6 months. so sweet. silly jilli, 4 1/2 years. such a character.

I stand in awe of You.

mr. judah, 3 years. spontaneous sweetie.

What a fun time my sister Allisyn & I had at my older sister Kimberly's house! :)) I, of course, loved seeing my niece, Jillian, & my two nephews, Judah & Josiah, but most of all it was great to have some sister time! There are ten years between my sister Kimberly and my twin sister Allisyn and I. When we were younger it was such an age gap, but now that I (and my twin sister Allisyn ) are twenty one, almost twenty two, and my sister Kimberly is thirty two, it is becoming so much fun! We are closer than we have ever been and things make more sense now between us three. I do have another sister, Stephanie, that is sixteen years older than me, but she lives only a couple of blocks from my parent's house, so I see her every weekend when I go home. Above are pictures of Kimberly's kids :)

hmmm...

LOL. The plane ride was kinda nerveracking for me LOL. I didn't like it - at all. Somehow, some way I am going to get to Africa.

p.s. I did pretty good when I wasn't looking out the window. [this was on an hour & forty minute flight]

ahhhh!!!!

Hehe. The title of my post is how I feel about now :)) LOL. I'm about to leave for the airport to get on my first flight EVER!

yay! :))

This friday [in 48 hours!!!] I will be heading to the airport to board my flight to Florida! My first ever time being on a plane. I'm kinda nervous, but I've come to realize that Jesus walked through the fire with the Hebrew boys, so He can board the plane with me & my sister :))

Allisyn & Cristian/my Daddy's bday/Holden

So today was my Daddy's bday! And with Allisyn & her boyfriend Cristian (of 11 months) there @ my parent's house I took the opportunity of snapping a few pictures of them before the guests arrived for the bday party.

The picture above is the product of my five year old nephew Holden! Of course, it had a little help from editing, but nonetheless I thought it was very good! The rest are pictures I took.

This picture was Cristian's idea. My sister Allisyn was hilarious!

As I mentioned, it was my Daddy's bday today :)) Here is the cake that my Aunt Greta made for him.

Here is my five year old nephew Holden. He loves his aunt Allisyn & Cristian. He just had to tickle her!

One of my favorite pics of the day! For those of you who do not know Holden, this is a classic Holden face. LOL!

He's just kidding around!

Wow.

Okay, so earlier tonight my mom, sister and I were wrapping Christmas presents (I know, early! lol) and my mom made the comment, "What would yall like to watch on t.v. tonight? Another Wifeswap (she has millions dvr'd)", and I was like, "Please, not another wifeswap" hehe. I thought a minute and I was like, "You know what would really be great? I wish I could see "Losing Isaiah"." And they all agreed. Then a few minutes later my mom, my sister and I went to the livingroom and my dad was looking through the channels to see what was coming on at 8:00, and what do you know "Losing Isaiah" was coming on Lifetime Movie Network tonight at 8:00.
Now those of you who have never watched this movie may not get the significance, just google it and I'm sure you'll find something. Youtube it even if you want to see a clip :) I absolutely adore this movie, not only because it speaks of transracial adoption, but because it shows how powerful love really is. I cannot explain how surprised I was to find out that it was coming on tonight just moments after I wished I could see that tonight! :)) Some may say I'm crazy, but I know I'm not. That was a GOD thing. For sure!
I have been thinking so much about transracial adoption lately, especially this week it seems. I know I needed to see this movie again. And GOD knew just how to cheer me up and give me an extra layer of hope :)

i just want to hug these little ones

These kids are just so precious, so unique. GOD made them, and with a purpose. They too have a purpose, just like the kids that have parents, that have someone loving them at this very moment. Just because they may not be privileged like the kids in the suburbs or the city, or even the country doesn't mean they don't have privileges. It doesn't mean they don't matter. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. They have life in their bones that speaks of struggle, of real struggle. They may know hunger, prejudice, hate even. Yet they somehow are still here, struggling through it all. They have a perseverance we don't. We - including myself - grumble about not having the "right" type of sugar. Do we want brown, white or powdered? They have never tasted any. They don't have many choices to make, but they do have one. They continue to strive for a hope and life they have never known. They persevere without anyone whispering in their ear it's going to be okay.