Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Celebrating the Blessing of Singleness + A Challenge

PC: Gabriel Monson
We see plenty of posts on social media celebrating how blessed someone is because they are "in a relationship", engaged, or happily married, but when was the last time you saw a post celebrating the blessing of singleness? "Is that even a thing?", some may ask.
I'm nearing my 20th birthday and I've got to say that I feel SO incredibly blessed and thankful for this time of young adulthood and being single. I'm extremely happy with where God has me right now; and beyond just being content, I'm living a life that is filled with passion, purpose, and doing what I love.

Monday, March 28, 2016

1 Year Later // Reflecting On My 1st Degree Black Belt Test

PC: Gabriel Monson

Today, March 28th, marks one year since the realization of a dream and goal that took 6 years to reach. Like anything worth having or any goal worth reaching, it was difficult. Getting there meant a great deal of sacrifice, time, sweat, tears, and blood (literally!). It was, and will probably forever remain one of the greatest and most remarkable days of my life. "Why?" you may ask. Let me try to explain.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Dear 18 // A Letter


Dear 18, 

Can it really be a whole year since we met?  It certainly doesn't seem possible.  You and I have become good friends and we have had many adventures together, adventures that I don't ever want to forget.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

When The Destination Becomes Too Important

Having goals are a vital part of making progress in life.  They help us have a focus for our energy, time, and money. When we meet goals they serve as mile markers.  But as I have recently discovered, there is such a thing as being too goal driven and focused.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

My Karate History // Shodan Black Belt

As ya'll may or may not know, my brother Chris and I tested for our Shodan (1st degree) black belt in karate, on March 28th. One of the many requirements for our test was to share our personal karate history. Since I haven't posted in a while and currently don't feel like doing a picture laden post, I decided to share it with you all.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

This Moment // Life




Listening to my siblings watch The Man From Snowy River 
Drinking water.  
Needing to sew on the test piece for a new shop release.
Feeling calm yet restless.  Motivated yet unmotivated.  I know, it's confusing to me too.  

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Busy >< Life Lately

Can it possibly be almost Christmas?  Time certainly flies when you are busy!  Recently, it seems like there are 50 things running through my head each day that I need to get done, and even staying constantly busy, I can only seem to get about 5 of them done.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Liebster Award




Way back in May, Bethany over at Liberty or Death nominated me for the Liebster award. Well, I am just now able to do it. The Liebster Award is a way for bloggers to get to know each other by answering 11 questions and posting 11 random facts about themselves. Here are my answers to the questions Bethany asked: 



1. If you could have an expenses-paid vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?


Wow! I am not sure. I really want to see as much of the world as possible, but I am thinking Taiwan or Japan. The reason why I would choose Taiwan is because Mandarin Chinese is the language I studied in HS and will be continuing this Fall. I think it would be neat to go there, and get to use it! Japan, because my daddy lived there for 3 years in the Air Force, and I have heard many stories about it. 


2. What would you like to accomplish by the end of 2014?
Many things! One would be to run 5 miles in 30 minutes. I am at 3.5 in 30 minutes right now. It will take a lot of work, but I know I can do it! 



3. What was the last song you heard?
Shendadoah, before that, probably "Let It Go" from Frozen.



4. What was the last food you ate?
WAFFLES!!!! 



5. Last part of the Bible you read?
It was one of the Psalms, but I don't remember which one. I didn't pay attention which number it was when I read it this morning.:o 



6. What is the best advice on life you can give in up to 3 sentences?
I don't really think I qualify for this, but here is a couple of thoughts, that I have been recently encouraged and challenged by: 
I can do ALL thing through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:13 - The best kind of vision to have for your life is one that is bigger than yourself, given to you by God, and ONLY possible to accomplish through HIM. Let's not go through life fearing death, other people, what the future hold etc. fear a wasted life, that could have been used expressing your gratefulness to Christ for your life. 

Oh, and eat chocolate, ride horses, and drive a big truck... Amen. 



7. Are you a morning person or night owl?
MORNING!!! But if working on a project, I am VERY focused, and am known to stay up late working on it. I can stay up late just "socializing" but usually I either: laugh until I have a six pack even at things that aren't funny; or am sensitive to teasing remarks, and pretty much altogether lose my composure. You have been forewarned, attempt at your own risk. 


8. What is your dream car?
A BIG orange, Ford truck, complete with a 6" lift, big ole' mud tires, and Ranch Hand bumper and brush guard. Or a Jeep, an orange one, with mud tires, and, and... oh, never mind I will stop there.


9. Do you have a favorite plant or flower?
Sunflowers!



10. What cause(s) are you most opinionated about?
You probably don't want to get me going on any of them!



11. Is there any quality you think the Lord is growing in you right now (e.g., patience, love, trust)?
Faith in Him that moves mountains, as well as many other things.




Now, I'm supposed to post 11 random things about me? Well...

1. I have lived in 3 different states and 10 different houses. 
2. I was born on a full moon
3. I never cut my hair until I was 13. It was very, very long.
4. Cheesecake is my specialty.
5. As a young girl I was a drama, queen, and most people knew it. I still am, but now usually only those people who know me very well, know it (and those "kindred spirits" who, even if they don't know me well, know I haven't lost it if I get a little, or a LOT dramatic)
6. I have a list of 20 "hobbies, interests, and passions". Trying to incorporate all of them into my life can be a challenge at times, but somehow I mange... Most recently, I started combining karate practice, and horseback riding. 
7. I was not joking on that last comment. I have pictures as proof.
8. This already came out in the Q&A part, but I am learning Mandarin Chinese.
9. My favorite part of karate is Sparring. Which is ironic, because 5 years ago sparring was the part I HATED. 
10. From people who watch me spar, I have been given the names: Tasmanian Devil, Mexican Jumping Bean, and Jedi. Most recently, my sensei said that I am proof of dynamite coming in small packages, so I guess "Dynamite" can be added?
11. In real life conversations, I tend to get on bunny trails very easily. Hard to believe I know, but there was this one time that a friend and I.... Oh, sorry!: ) 



Hope you enjoyed reading these. Now, instead of the customary nominating of other bloggers, I am going to nominate anyone who is reading this and wants to answer all or some of the questions I list, in a comment below, or on your own blog. 



1. Where were you born?
2. Do you play any instruments?
3. Do you play/enjoy a particular sport, competitively or just for fun? 
4. If you were going to be trapped on a remote island, for the rest of your life, and could only choose the Bible, and one other book to have with you, what other book would you choose? 
5. Chocolate and peanut butter or chocolate and mint? 
6. What size shoe do you wear? 
7. What is one of your favorite Bible verses? 
8. What would be your advice on life?
10. What is your dream vehicle?
11. Who is one of the people that God has used most in your life?


Have a Fantabulous Day!


~Maria


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Overview of June

Wow!  How can I even begin?  Where do you start when your mind is full and overflowing with thoughts, and you have about 8 weeks of details to sort out?

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Graduated!

 Last Friday (May 23) I donned my cap and gown and joined 4 other homeschool seniors from our church for a graduation ceremony.  The planning and whatnot took quite a bit of time but the end result was an enjoyable evening.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Life Right Now


Since I am kind of stuck on the couch with a pinched nerve in my neck and upper back, I thought I would write this post out, because I am not sure when else I would be able to.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

CELP Results & Horsing Around

Hey Everyone!  Well, as I mentioned in Thursday's post,  I went in for my first CLEP test yesterday morning.   Thank God, I passed!  I now have my first 6 college credits, for Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, after about 2 months of intense study.  Yay!  

Now, on to tackle Western Civilizations 1.


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Cell phone pic= bad quality (oh well)

After my test, I went over to an acquaintance's home and worked with her and her horse, teaching them the 7 games plus another.

Monday, March 24, 2014

A Visit From Friends

Here it has been almost 2 weeks since Jason, Desi, Josiah, and Annalee left and I haven't done a post on their stay.  I didn't really concentrate on trying to get pictures while they were here, but rather just wanted enjoy being around them and soaking up the (too short) time we had with them!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Winter Fun and Friends

You can't tell from this picture, but this was taken at the top of a big hill called "suicide".  I think it got it name because it is one of the steeper hills that are farmed in our area.  Below, you can see all the tracks from snowmobiling. 


Friday we had some friends over for the evening.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Sunshine Award >< Q+A



 Becka and Cassie nominated me for the Sunshine Award! Below are my answers to their questions:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Idaho and Chores // Ranch Life

To start this post out, I would like to debunk a couple of myths. 

Number one- Idaho is snow-covered-skiing-paradiso

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Winter Riding



Few other things are as relaxing and refreshing, for me than riding.  Summer or winter, in the rain, sun, or snow, on a horse that is being well mannered or one that needs training, it doesn't matter.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Choosing A Pathway



Here I am encountering the first crossroads of my life where, ultimately, I have to make the decisions.  No longer a "little girl" I only have 10 months left to be considered a child and am looking young adulthood, graduation, and college in the face, and trying to smile and pretend I'm not a little scared.