IT'S NOT COMPLICATED.

"Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?"-Avril

I, on an almost daily basis, have been called a hippie. Sometimes because of the way that I dress and sometimes because of the way that I view life. The definition of flower child is (as told by www.dictionary.com) a young person, esp. a hippie, rejecting conventional society and advocating love, peace, and simple, idealistic values.
[Under that they could have just put this:]

In all honesty, I am kind of a hippie. A flower child, if you will. It's not that i'm channeling the 70s every moment of my life...it's just who I am. I'm simple. I don't like to complicate things. I take life at face value because that's what it's worth. I'm happy because I like being happy. I think that people over-analyze things to the point where it's impossible for them to just be content with what is actually happening.

Life isn't that complicated.
You're born, and then you die. And you're given a few years in between those two events to do some really amazing things and to make the most out of your life! So why worry about how expensive your clothes are or if the snobby girl in your biology class thinks you're "awesome"? Life isn't about being popular or cool or rich. It's about being happy and friendly and helpful. I just want to make people smile. I enjoy helping others. I genuinely feel wonderful when I am able to make someone laugh or just knowing that I could make a person's day a little bit easier, a little bit better, a little bit happier. Isn't that what life is about? Making the world a better place? Isn't it about creating moments that truly take your breath away in pure astonishment? I don't hold grudges because I think they're a waste of time. I don't stay angry because I am too happy to be mad. I will be friends with anyone who is nice to me and fun to hang out with. I really just like life. I like living. I like laughing. I like being simple-minded. I like being a hippie. (and I really like wearing flowers in my hair, in case any of you ever want to get me a gift. just sayin.)

People aren't that complicated.
Yes, sometimes boys are confusing and girls are overly dramatic. But, if you think about it, we're not that hard to figure out. Boys like to feel needed. They like to be dominant and fix things and make you feel safe. It's what they're good at. Tell them they are handsome and let them teach you new things. Girls want to feel wanted. They want to know that somebody likes and wants and needs and cares for them. Tell us we are pretty, hold our hand in public, leave a note on our windshield just to say hi. It's not that hard. (I understand that not everyone is the same and these do not apply to every single person in the world. I'm only making a point. No need to get defensive.) I realize that telling a guy he is hott and letting him teach you how to golf is NOT the only thing you have to do. There's more to it. But that is like, the core of it. People are only complicated when you make them complicated. If someone REALLY, genuinely wants to be with you...they'll let you know. If someone honestly doesn't want anything to do with you, they'll also probably let you know. Don't read into what he's not even saying. Take it for what it's worth. If you surround yourself with good people, you aren't going to have complicated relationships. Be nice to other people and they really will be nice back.

Love isn't complicated.
It's not hard. It's not stupid. It's not worthless. It's not complicated.

God isn't complicated.
He loves you. He wants you. He sent His son to die on the cross for you. All you have to do is fall in love with Him. It's the most amazing thing in the world and it is NOT complicated. It's simple. God is simple. Faith is simple.




I know that there are people who view life in a completely different way than I do. I respect that. I just don't like to make a mess of things that don't need to be chaotic. I think that people are genuinely good, sometimes we just make a few mistakes. I feel like, if I keep spreading the love...it'll catch on. I don't pray for world peace, I pray for world love. Because where there is love -- there is peace.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will then know peace."

Take life for everything it can be. Make every opportunity you are given count because you don't know how many more God will give you. Life is fun and easy, stop worrying and stressing about things that don't matter. It's all good!


peaceandlove<3

LADY OF PURITY

80% of unmarried woman have lost their virginity by the time they reach the age of 20.


WHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT???????/!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, before I get into what I actually wanted to blog about: THAT IS ABSURD. I am honestly shocked, and appalled, at that statement. I mean, I know that tons of girls are being promiscuous in high school/college, but 80%?! That's just ridiculous. Anyways...now that I got that out of my system...this blog is about being a lady of purity.

As you all know, sex is tempting. It's desirable. We live in a world where sex before marriage is promoted in every aspect of our lives. TV, radio, friends, movies, songs, books, billboards, EVERYTHING. Media makes sex seem so fascinating. It's rarely frowned upon anymore. That honestly really upsets me. It makes me sick to think that so few people care about the intimacy and the bond that sex was created for. God wants us to have sex, lots of it. And He wants us to enjoy it. But, like most things in life, there is a right time for it.

It's like, say you're on a really strict diet. You're doing REALLY good for a few weeks, and then someone offers you a slice of cake. Rich, moist, delicious chocolate cake. Complete with the most insanely scrumptious icing in the whole entire world. You could seriously drool at the smell of this sweet treat. Cake is good. Cake is desirable. But when you're in the middle of a very strict diet, cake can make you really sick. Enjoying the enormous pleasure of that cake is wonderful -- but it's all about timing. God wants you to have cake --and sex-- but He wants you to wait.

"God wants you to be a Lady of Purity because He wants to protect you from the consequences that sex before marriage brings. These can be physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual."

PHYSICAL:
God wants to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. They affect no only you, but your future husband. The next time you're tempted to have sex with someone you aren't married to, think about this: imagine the perfect proposal -- your perfect man, the perfect place, an amazing outfit, everything is exactly how you want it to be -- this perfect man is down on one knee and he asks you to spend the rest of your life with him. *insert girly, daydreaming sigh* You can't wait to say yes, but before you do...you have to tell him that you have an STD because you couldn't save yourself for him. ouch.

God wants to protect your 'first time.' It's like Christmas morning. When you're sitting around the tree and you open a gift that you've been wanting for a really long time: the feeling of excitement is incredible. But what if you've already seen it? What if you're like my brother and you sneak into your parents room and peek at the gift before it gets put under the tree. When you look at it in the closet, you are SO excited! Not so excited when you open that gift on Christmas, are you? That's because you already know what it is. There's no anticipation. You aren't fidgety. There's no 'I hope I like this, I can't wait to open it' feeling. Because you ruined it. You can't 'unsee' that present, just like you can't 'un-experience' your first time.

EMOTIONAL:
"God intricately and delicately formed women with emotional characteristics that differ from men. A woman cannot separate her emotions from her physical state. The man who touches your body, also touches your emotions. God made you that way, and He desires to protect your heart from being ripped apart by any man."

I've heard girls say that they're just having sex for the sex. They don't feel something for him, they just want to feel something ya know? No, actually, I don't know. All I know is that no matter how bad she wants to believe it, any girl who tells you that there was no emotional attachment is lying to you. God will forgive you, but it takes a long time to heal from the emotional damage that takes place after premarital sex. Let God protect your heart.

RELATIONAL:
Girls want to be known and loved for something other than their bodies. They want a relationship that is full of friendship and communication. Once you introduce physical passion into a relationship, it's hard for a guy to stop and be okay with just developing the friendship. This is where my motto "if it's not for sale, don't advertise it" comes in. It's like a bow on a present. If you let him play with the bow, he's going to want to untie it and unwrap the present. As a lady of purity, it is our duty to not distract him with the bow.

I know too many couples who have said, "well we're going to get married anyway so it's ok." False. Because once you get married, there is going to be a new form of insecurity racing into your relationship. "If he couldn't display self-control with me before we got married, how do I know he'll be able to display it when a hot young girl comes tempting him?" Putting a wedding band on a person's finger does not give them the instant power of self-control.

SPIRITUAL:
"Passion makes it difficult to see that God set physical limits to protect you spiritually." In Hebrews, it says that God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. It feels awful to be separated from the Lord because of the guilt of sin.

Actions speak louder than words. How can you share Christ with someone who knows your reputation? Are you causing younger/weaker brothers and sisters to stumble? 'One night of passion can totally destroy the reputation you have built over a lifetime.'


GUARDING THE TREASURE:
Okay, so the subtitle is a little 'piratey' but hey, we all love jack sparrows, right? Anyways, being a virgin in 2010 is hard. There. I said it. You have to protect yourself from the temptations of the rest of the world. You have to guard your purity. Make a list of reasons you want to remain pure until marriage. Don't lower your standards because you think it will capture a man's love forever. (It won't.) Be strong. Have a support group. Don't fall into the 'if you love me...' trap. Guard yourself from sweet talkers who will say anything just to get in your pants. Women are easily turned on by words and guys know that. Don't become one of their trophies. Don't become one of the 'conquered' that they "love" and leave. Save your body -- save your heart.


WHAT IF IT'S TOO LATE?:
Let God heal your broken heart with forgiveness. Once you have brought your sin to God, don't dwell on the past. Learn from your mistakes, but don't continue to beat yourself up with condemnation. Jesus paid for that on the cross. God is the God who forgives and forgets. You can be forgiven, and God will forget about it. And since God can forgive you, you must forgive others. That is the only way to feel completely free. "You will not be free of the hurt if you harbor bitterness. A quick way to ruin a beautiful complexion is to hold onto an unforgiving, bitter attitude." Give forgiveness, accept forgiveness, and don't feel like a damaged good. God has better in store for you. You are a treasure.




Remaining pure means so much more, to me, than saving sex for marriage. It's not about virginity...it's about purity. It's about not making out with every cute boy you meet. It's about taking care of your heart and your emotions. It's about being the type of person that you want your future love to be. It's being someone that your parents and God and future husband and kids will be proud of. It's about dancing with God and letting Him decide who is good enough to cut in.

I am a 20 year old virgin, and i'm not ashamed of it. I'm actually really proud of it, and i'm excited for the day when I can give my special gift to my husband. People always tell me not to expect to marry a virgin, because they're hard to come by these days. I hear the words, but I don't listen. I'm aware of the scarcity of virgins in America. If i'm strong enough to stay in the 20%, I think that God has created a beautiful man who is just as strong.



You are beautiful. You are a gift. Make your wedding night feel like Christmas morning.



peaceandlove<3

18 WEEKS!

18 weeks.

18 weeks to raise over $1,500. 18 weeks until I get on an airplane for the first time. 18 weeks of nerves. 18 weeks of anticipation. 18 weeks of praying and worrying and fundraising and more praying. 18 weeks of being ridiculously excited. 18 weeks of telling everyone I know about how excited and nervous I am.

18 weeks!

Ahh! So, in case you haven't figured it out, i'm going to Peru in EIGHTEEN WEEKS!!!! I, along with a few of my friends, am going on a mission trip in July to Lima, Peru. We will be working with an orphanage and teen pregnancy home, doing whatever needs to be done to help bring a better life to the people in the city while we are there.

I cannot even begin to explain all of the emotions that I am ALREADY feeling for this experience. I am excited and nervous and happy and anxious. And I am terrified. There are so many 'what ifs' running through my head, but I don't even care. I know that this is going to be a life-changing experience for me, and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do while we are there.

I pray for this trip daily. I pray for myself and for my friends that are going with me. I pray for our finances, and for the organization that is helping us plan everything. Mostly, I pray for our hearts. I want us to be open to what God has in store for us while we are there. I want us to share a little bit of hope with a child who just needs to know that he/she is loved. I want us to be selfless. I want us to make a difference.

18 weeks. That's so soon, yet so far away. I'll keep you posted. =)




peaceandlove<3