I do. I believe that unconditional love is the only kind of love there should be. No matter what the other people in my life do, I always try to find it within myself to forgive them and to love them. I don't believe that love should just be taken away because someone makes a mistake or they say something or do something wrong or that they don't mean.

Here lately, my thoughts have been more guided towards the future. I'm trying to work out what my goals for the future are and where I see myself. I'm working on figuring out what I want to do and how I can achieve my goals!

Jesus. :)

Strength. Intellectually, I know I am strong. I have been through enough at my young age, unfortunately, that my strength has been proven. Emotionally, I feel, most of the time, very weak. There are days when I feel as if the slightest little thing would cause me to crumble and it is those times when I search deep within myself to find my inner strength.

My faith helps in this quite a bit. A recent concert I went to allowed me the privilege to see a performer by the name of Jason Gray. He reminded me that it is not "the strong, the beautiful, the brave/not ... the ones who think they've got it made" but it is "the poor, the broken and the meek" that receive the Kingdom of God. In our weakness, God is made stronger and we can find our strength in Him. God uses my wounds, my imperfection, to bless me and others and to show His light to others.

So I search for strength within myself -- not the strength that masks the weakness, but the strength that allows me to stand in the face of my weakness and accept it fully, to move past it and use it to grow and further my spiritual development.

"Relax."

There's quite a bit going on with me this week.. I've had tests for school, and I've got an upcoming speech for my Fundamentals of Public Speaking class, which is very "AHHH!!!!!" for me.

So, I think "relax" is a good word of the week for me, for this week and every week!!

I'm wishing for -- Sunny with a high of 75. :) Which is a bit hopeful of me, consdering the forecast this morning is for cloudly skies and a high of 59.

But this Q&R reminded me of a Relient K song and I'm going to share the lyrics -- please note that I make NO CLAIM whatsoever on these lyrics; they belong to Relient K and the record company, definitely not me. That said, this song never fails to make me feel happier, so I thought I'd spread the joy.

We were talking together
I said, "what's up with this weather?"
Don't know whether or not
How sad I just got
Was of my own volition.
Or if I'm just missing the sun

And tomorrow, I know,
Will be rainy at best.
And the forecast, I know,
Is that I'll be depressed.

But I'll wait outside
Hoping that I'll catch sight of the sun.

Because on and off,
The clouds have fought
Their control over the sky
And lately the weather
Has been so Bi-polar
And Consequently so have I

And now I'm sunny with a High
of 75
Since You took my heavy heart
And made it light

And its funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be alive

And the temperature is freezing
And then, after dark,
There is a cold frost sweeping
In over my heart

And we might break up
If I don't wake up to the sun

Because on and off,
The clouds have fought
Their control over the sky
And lately the weather
Has been so Bi-polar
And Consequently so have I

And now I'm sunny with a High
of 75
Since You took my heavy heart
And made it light

And its funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be alive

Sunny with a High of 75
Since You took my heavy heart
And made it light (made it light)

And its funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be...
Alive

Call to action: make today a bright and sunny day in your life; enjoy today, enjoy your life, and remember to be thankful for the chance to see the sun today. :)

Cheers,

Anda

I will never regret the mission trip I took to Monterrey, Mexico. I learned so much about serving God and serving others, and so much about myself, that I know that weeklong experience in my life will constantly be something I will look back on throughout my future to re-inspire me and give me hope when the road gets rocky.