Silence

This is not one of my best poems, but I loved writing it. 

Noise holds many happy things

Laughter

Conversations

Music

And so much more

But silence

It holds peace

Connection

It holds words unsaid

Things undone

It holds possibility’s

And ideas

Silence makes you listen

For things you never hear

For words spoken into your soul

For mystery’s unsolved

It holds music

And story’s

And all you have to do

Is be still

And listen to the silence

Life Just Got Crazy(ier)

Life has gotten a bit crazy over here. I've had my license for almost a month, and the fact that I got it still boggles my mind. I didn't think I'd have much of a chance to use it, but then I got a job. It's only once a week doing childcare, but it's a full day. I have only worked there once so far, but I'm loving it. It involves a lot of really sweet kids and good company. 

In two weeks, I'll be starting back up on my Wednesday childcare job I've had for two years now, so I'll be working two days week now, which I'm thrilled about. It's far from full time, but with all the chores and projects I have going on at home, it's going to keep me really busy.

I've also been sick twice in the last two weeks, so that's put a bit of a damper on my plans, but my family has been super nice. They've taken care of me, covered my chores, and been generally awesome.

Last weekend I went to a young adult re-retreat my church was a part of. It was pretty awesome to see all those passionate-for-God people my age in a room together. Next weekend I'll be with my siblings for our second annual sibling's retreat. We all go in so many different directions, it's good to just have time to just hang out together.

There you've got it. A bunch of random things going on in my life right now. What's up with you? Is anyone else getting excited for NaNoWriMo even though it's months away?

Do I Have That Book Challenge

Kate tagged me to do this. You should read her awesome post is here.

1. Do you have a book with tattered edges?
Resistance by Jaye L. Knight. It's been a very well-loved book and I hope to completely wear my copy out someday.

2. Do you have a book with 3+ people on the cover?
Little Women By Louisa May Alcott. *Hugs book*

3. Do you have a book based on another fictional story?
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. It's based loosely on Daddy Long Legs. I have read half of Daddy Long Legs and in my opinion, Katherine Reay did it better.

4. Do you have a book with a title 10 letters long?
The Abolitionist by Elizabeth Allen. This book is awesome!

5. Do you have a book with a title that starts and ends with the same letter?
The Clue in the Patchwork Quilt by Margaret Sutton. This is book thirteen in the Judy Bolton series. If I ever can find the rest of the series, it'll be great.

6. Do you have a mass-market paperback book?
Nope. I thought I did, but I don't.

7. Do you have a book written by an author using a pen name?
Quite a few, actually, but Red Rain by Aubrey Hanson Aka Rachel Greene is one of my favorites.

8. Do you have a book with a character’s name in the title?
Annabeth's War by Jessica Greyson. One of my favorite books. <3 (Also, Keira by Kate Willis is really awesome)

9. Do you have a book with 2 maps in it?
No. I'm not much into Fantasy, and that where most maps are.

10. Do you have a book that was turned into a TV show?
Christy by Catherine Marshall. It's an amazing book and a really good show.

11. Do you have a book written by someone who is originally famous for something else (Celebrity/Athlete/Politician/TV Personality…)
I love both The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling and The Hope in Front of Me by Danny Gokey. They are amazing books.

 

12. Do you have a book with a clock on the cover?
An Hour Unspent by Roseanna White. It's my least favorite of the series, but I love the clock.

13. Do you have a poetry book?
We're All Just a Garden Full of Souls by Julia Ryan. Her two poetry books are the only ones I own.

14. Do you have a book with an award stamp on it?
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. It deserves it.

15. Do you have a book written by an author with the same initials as you?
No. Sadness.

16. Do you have a book of short stories?
Second Impressions is a collection of short stories based on Jane Austen's words. I'm published in this one, so that's pretty fun.

17. Do you have a book that is in between 500-510 pages?
The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas perfect 510 pages. It's an amazing book. <3

18. Do you have a book that was turned into a movie?
Emma by Jane Austen is one of many I own. But I love both the book and the movie

19. Do you have a graphic novel?
No.

20. Do you have a book written by 2 or more authors?
Hello Stars by Alena Pitts, Wynter Pitts. This book was adorable, and I am super excited because I recently got the second and third!

This challenge was super fun. Thank you, Kate! 

Have you read any of these books? If you do this challenge (or have done it), please drop me the link so I can read your answers! 

Five Newsboys Lyrics I Love

Five Newsboys Lyrics I Love. I grew up on old Newsboys. They're greatest hits album was one of tiny Mikayla's favorite things. I would jam out to it for hours. I have continued to love their music, but I just recently went back to their greatest hits album and remembered why I loved it so much. And now that I'm older the lyrics mean a lot more, so here are my top 10 favorites. 

1. Something Beautiful

When that muffled sigh

Says you're barely getting by

Cut your burdens loose and just simplify

Simplify

Sometimes I get caught up in trying to sort out every one of my emotions that I forget it's okay to just let go and let God handle them. 

2. Shine

Shine

Let it shine before all men

Let 'em see good works and then

Let 'em glorify the Lord

This is still one of my all time favorite songs mainly for this part. <3

3. He Reigns

Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation

Some were meant to persist

Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples

None rings truer than this

When all God's children sing out

Glory, glory, hallelujah

He reigns, He reigns

This song is one of my favorites worship songs because it's all about rejoicing in God's soverinty. 

4. Stay Strong 

Stay strong

You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead

There's a new dawn to light our day, our day

You've gotta stay strong

You and I run

For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

I did not get this song until I grew up, and it just gets me when I listen to it. 

5. I'm Not Ashamed 

Who are we trying to please?

Shrugging off sin, apologizing like we're spreading some kind of disease

I'm saying, "No way, no way"

I'm not ashamed to let you know

I want this light in me to show

I'm not ashamed to speak the name of Jesus Christ

I love this reminder to not be ashamed about sharing the gospel. =) 

That's it! So, do you like Newsboys? Anyone else like them better when they were Australian?

July Highlights

July was a simply amazing month. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday month! 

Well, one of the first things that happened this month was that I turned 20! I had an awesome time with my family. We went to the zoo, had pizza, and just an all-around awesome day.

I did Camp NaNoWriMo this month. My goal was to edit 54 pages of my book, and I reached it a bit early! So I got to start in on my next round of edits.

It was two of my siblings birthday's this month as well, so my sister and I baked cupcakes. I tested a candle and managed to accidentally leave it burning. So there was a burned line about four inches long. I felt silly for having done it, but thankfully my mom was able to just paint over it. =)

I watched all four toy story movies for the first time this month. I didn't like number one, but I loved two and three. I have very mixed feelings about four. ;D I also saw Newsies for the first time!

My phone died, so I got a new one. I got an old Google Pixel, which has worked pretty well. =)

My family had a day where we watched old family videos. It was fun to re-visit a bit of our past, and see how little me looked. ;)

Belle: Because, well, she's adorable.

We had a cold front, which is pretty unusual in July. It was 60 for a couple mornings.

I did so much swimming with my siblings. It was great.

The day before my driving test, I found out that I needed one more class I needed to take. So I rushed and took the class. The next day, I took my test and I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE!!! I am so excited to finally have my license! =D The guy who did my test was really nice and was super patient even though I pretty much flunked parallel parking. I didn't get a great score, but I got enough to pass! =D

Stargazing was amazing this month.

It was a pretty slow month for reading, but I really enjoyed what I did read! Lord, Change My Attitude was a pretty life-changing book (pun intended). But seriously, it was amazing. So was A-Spying We Will Go. 

Surprise! Aria

Stealing Fiction (The Good Way) Leatherbound

What Free Speach is Not The Left-Handed Typest

The Cost of Exaggeration Little Blossoms for Jesus

Wildflower Themed Bedroom Tour A Farm Girls Life

A Phone Call || Made Me Think Once Upon the Ordinary 

How was your July? What's your favorite book that you've read lately?