Jesus' Blood Never Fails Me

I have a lot going on in my head and I'm thinking through a lot of stuff which is the reason for this post!
On my drive home from counselling, I passed a wedding. Within 10 minutes I passed a funeral. Now having heard my father in law state yesterday about trying to glean a spiritual reason for something happened, I instantly had the same thought. And God is so beautiful that you know everything just fits together in His timing.

I've had a tough time recently in terms of thought life, negativity, encouragement and friends and where they feed into all of that. I had been sharing this morning too about thoughtlife, and how it is all a process this transformation that Romans promises. How you (with God) have to train yourself not to think certain things and to meditate on the truth. Choosing truth and God over lies and what the enemy wants you to meditate on. It takes a while, its something you have to actively do and discipline yourself in.

Now cheesy christian link if you will, but life happens so quickly. It is only like 10 minutes down the road in terms of eternity (from wedding to funeral). not being morbid but actually I don't want to waste this marriage, this life, struggling with negativity, when the truth is right there. I don't want it to be natural to think negatively when I have the power and resources to choose the truth and to choose life. I don't want to waste time under things that friends have said that haven't been encouraging or lifegiving (whether they mean to or not) and hide who I am away because of bad experiences. What a waste that all just seems like in terms of eternity and our short time here!!!

The things I want to pass onto my children (not pregnant) is that life is for living, for doing, for growing, for learning, for transforming, for thanksgiving. A wonderful woman said to me recently that God didn't promise us security - He promised us peace, He promised us joy. I want me some of that. 

There's been a lot about Jason Russell over the last few weeks, especially in the last few days. It's a difficult situation but I know this - people love to talk. In a world where we are more connected than ever before, with so many forums on which to type words, people fire out their thoughts so quickly, without realising the damage words can cause. In an ideal world, words that other people say or don't say would never get anyone down but unfortunately we don't live in that world. We live in a world where words can speak life or death over people. Words that people say, or fail to say, ruin friendships and create misery. Words have such an impact on our minds, on the words we say to each other and on the thoughts that run through our head without a checkpoint.

I for one love being connected. I love being in touch with everything going on in the world. I love twitter, facebook and my blackberry. But sometimes being connected can open you up to the negative voices in the world. What happened to J. Russell could have been a result of many negative words on his mind. The body and mind are a strange thing - it isn't strange to me that he reacted in a shocking way.

Words cut and people cut themselves with words.

Use every opportunity to speak encouragement. Use every opportunity to keep silent. Seek out ways to love others if correction is needed.

'Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.' Matt 15 v11

'And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.' Hebrews 10 v24-25

As Frank Sinatra croons 'each time i find myself lying flat on my face i just pick myself up and get back in the race.' It feels like every week I'm finding out that I've hurt or offended someone, and be it founded or unfounded, it still leaves me something to deal with. I'm not the kind of person to not care, and I don't hold onto words but some words stick hard and take a lot of work. You like to think people know you and know how you operate but honestly there's not a lot of people who really do.

It's made me think a lot about my words, what I speak over myself, my life and others. It's made me think about honesty, assertiveness, my own ambitions, and where all that comes in daily life. 

Rev 3 v 7 -13
v11 'Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.'
Ultimately our plans lie before the throne of God. This bit of this chapter is written to a faithful church and as I'm reading through the old testament  (I'm in Numbers) I can't help but get really frustrated at the children of Israel. Their words, their constant complaining, their mocking and their unfaithfulness and unbelief. But when God spoke to me about this chapter in Revelation I felt just like those children of Israel. i complain. i forget. i moan. i mock God by not remembering His words and I am unfaithful to His promises. I could wallow in that or I can remember that He is coming quickly. I should be careful with my words because of the power they do have. Time is fleeting. Things look different in the light of day. Something you are hurt momentarily about can be gone if you let it go. What's the point of holding such things when what we have to hold fast to is what we have - God's word, His promises, His truth. and even if its just with 'a little strength', 'persevere.' For God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, He will only add to and multiiply what is there already. We are in His hands.

'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.'

God is looking for people who are just crazy enough to believe the promises He has given and boldly claim them over their lives. He is our covering, nothing else can cover u-, He is our covering.

One year anniversaries are always a big thing, and this one kinda swept me off my feet. It's been a year since my friend Alan died, I didn't realise how raw it all still was to me until yesterday. And it made me feel the same way I felt when I first heard the news. It made me think of all the time I had wasted, of all the plans I hadn't seen through, of all the promises unfulfilled and all the silly things that hurt me. 

It made me think of death, and how we only have one life. It made me realise the importance of some things and the stupidity of others. While it is good to be in that place, it sucked to still feel in the same place as a year ago.

He is never far from my thoughts. 

'So you shall REJOICE in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house'

I am thankful for him. and I am so thankful for a God who surpasses all understanding

i can't believe this year has disappeared so quickly! It's a bit crazy! But it has been a fantastic year and I thought I would recap it!

January 2011 - Andrew and I had a fantastic christmas and new year if not a difficult one also in terms of snow and heating! We have some awesome friends who paid for us to go away for a lovely meal and night at ballygally castle so this is a big shout out to them!


Also Pete and Victoria got engaged in New York. Excited much!


I started with Connect Christian Counselling :) and I started a photo blog :)
http://laurabrownphoto.blogspot.com/

February 2011 - February was a difficult month. I learnt about the suicide of a friend from uni. I will never forget the journey to Cookstown, the hope of it not being him, his funeral. Or him. Always a wee encourager and a friend indeed.
 

We discovered the oil we had purchased after the trying Christmas period had run out/been stolen. But God was faithful to provide. This is a big shout out to that person too :)
Also, Doo and I took over fire at the end of February, which brought its own challenges and trying times! But this has been encouraging in terms of meetings and friendships also.
We saw Lifehouse :)


March 2011 - Doo turned 24 and we embarked on our first trip to Castlerock to stay in a friends house. We have awesome friends!! and we love Castlerock.



April 2011 - I went shopping with my brother to buy his lovely lady an engagement ring! I found out my friends were expecting twins - exciting!

We also had the drama 'One event' which was a great night for the team!


May 2011 - My brother and Laura got engaged!


June 2011 - our first wedding anniversary! this was just.......wonderful. I love being married. I love my husband. He is the best.



We went back to Castlerock! Stevie Blair and Team Choo Choo! and as an anniversary present I got a tattoo. Hurt! But I can't lose this anniversary present, unlike the earrings I lost one of......:(




We also went to Alton Towers - this was a great trip and there are many quotes and highlights! 


We said goodbye to Hilary and Opa but not forever!!

July 2011 - Markie's wedding!


I turned 26 which made me sad cos I'm on the other side of 25........it was a big deal ok!!!! but I got to dance, eat mexican and play rounders on a beautiful night, made it so much better!


Maddys 1st birthday party which was madness! And wee Ava was born!!! 



August 2011 -  I was still a cricket widower on a Saturday :(  Bria turned 3!!!


debs and I took to many shopping trips and photography trips :)


September 2011 - Hen Doo times started......:) Doo and I caravaned it in Castlerock (told you we loved Castlerock!) So relaxing, I read a whole book in a day. When do I ever get to do that! Steve Blair times again, always great! Also the Drama trip to Limerick which is a really long way away!


October 2011- 2 weddings - Amy and Chris, Morag and Andre. lots of lovely times, photos and a wee ride in a limo. 
 

I started with a drop in centre in Donaghadee - to go towards my counselling experience :)

November 2011 - my brother got married!! Crazy I know!


Victoria's Elf themed Hen Doo! Fab!


Oh and I got a placement at Anchor Counselling. Big woooooot wooooot!

December 2011 - Fire Christmas Dinner, Mum's 50th, swallowing cameras and its only the 13th December!!! This month still holds Pete and Victoria's wedding, the birth of twins and Andonova baby, Christmas times and New Year's Eve!!

I've been reading a book called 'Having a Mary Spirit'. You know how God knows exactly what you need for when you are going through it..........even the timing of when I get to read this book is perfect. For every time I open it and read a few chapters, it's right on the money for what I am going through and what the Lord is speaking about.

I've been thinking a lot about living life abundant, and how everything we are missing in life is found in Christ. And I don't mean like a new car or lots of money, I mean all the feelings, emotions, values, qualities, etc, behind all the materialistic things, highlight something we are missing in Christ, in order to live a life abundant. How we walk daily with all these blessings but don't drink from the well. We have to put on Christ. And that means leaving a lot behind. 

The book gives a list of attitudes and habits and feelings and emotions that need to be left behind and as I made my way through the list it seems quite daunting (some may apply more than others and by no means is it a definitive list!) but I'm pretty sure I could write a few things under each thing.

Jealousy, Perfectionism. Regrets. Shame. Blame. Coarse Joking. Self-hatred. Gossip. Fear. Short Temper. Fantasies. Envy. Lies. Swearing. Complaining. Guilt trips. Ingratitude. Comparison. Impatience. Careless words. Passivity. Laziness. Worry. Greed. Negativity. Self pity. Lust.

Can you imagine taking all those things off? Do you know just how much time in a day all those things can fill up! what would be left!!!!!

Colossians 3 v 12 'Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'

Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. compassion is a reaction to others in their situations, kindness is an active attitude towards others, humility is a holy awareness of self and a whole life focused on God, gentleness is to be cultivated in God and patience is a peaceful relinguishment.  AKA eyes off ourselves, focus off us, everything onto God, a heart towards others. I love how the book says it is a 'loving absence of complaint' and 'respond rather than react'. Cos I am very tired of doing it all in my own strength. Even yesterday, though I tried to exercise this I got hurt offended negative etc etc at a few things said to me. I'm thankful that it is a process, that every day we may fail, but we just have to be willing to let go of the old to take hold of the new.

Ezekiel 18 v 31 'cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.'

Isaiah 51.' Awake, awake, put on strength, 
      O arm of the LORD! ....
o the ransomed of the LORD shall return, 
      And come to Zion with singing, 
      With everlasting joy on their heads. 
      They shall obtain joy and gladness; 
      Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ....
But I am the LORD your God, 
      Who divided the sea whose waves roared— 
      The LORD of hosts is His name. 
       ¹⁶ And I have put My words in your mouth; 
      I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, 
      That I may plant the heavens, 
      Lay the foundations of the earth, 
      And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

there is more than this. there is life abundant. Grasp God's hand EVERYDAY and say lets do this, Blessed be your name!!!

 Most people don't know that I wake up and go to sleep with a sore tummy. Some days are bad, some days it can be ignored. Most people do know i have a cold 8 months of the year. I'm not here to moan - its my birthday so i couldn't if I wanted to! I'm here to say that there is a life abundant for me, there is more than just the pain and the endurance. There is a life so beautiful, full of smiles and tears, victories and challenges, friends and family. I never want to be defined by any illness or job.....I want that life abundant. Its a choice everyday...some days its hard.

'For the seed shall be prosperous,
The vine shall give its fruit,
The ground shall give her increase,
And the heavens shall give their dew—
I will cause the remnant of this people
To possess all these.
13 And it shall come to pass
That just as you were a curse among the nations,
O house of Judah and house of Israel,
So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.
Do not fear,
Let your hands be strong.’
Zechariah 8 v 12-14

JPR

 I took a real blow to my self esteem, confidence, recently. I let something pull me down. I doubted myself, where I am going, what I am doing. and it was really easy to do because everything felt too hard, too far out of reach and I could find mountains of evidence and voices telling me that it was useless and I was never gonna get there. 

Well thats not enough for me anymore. I intend to understand myself, discuss, stand up to and be victorious for the glory of the Lord. for He is not the author of confusion, He did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind. It silly and interesting how easily we lay down and forget the word of the Lord when He intends to teach, lead and take us from glory to glory. its meant to be transforming - the failures and the successes. We have to be transformed by the renewing of our minds - that means realising that a lot of what the world has taught us is BS.



JPR

When you get engaged, your wedding day is a big deal. It is a huge adventure. After your wedding day, the next big adventure (according to most people) is having your first baby. I want to say that it's not. The next big adventure after your wedding day is being married. It is awesome! And if you prepare for marriage as well as your wedding day, it pays off. Marriage is an adventure because finally after the dresses and flowers and guests and gifts, you get to live in a house with your best friend and your new husband! You get to eat meals together in your own dining room and hang out in your own living room. You get to share a bed and a bathroom......it is delightful. Andrew and I have discovered we love being in the kitchen together cooking or cleaning....just together. We clean the house together as much as possible (together as much as possible, we don’t just clean as much as possible), we go to bed at the same time as much as possible, we just sit and read together, talk together, play cards or mexican trains together. This doesn't sound like an adventure but it is!

You can't run off to your own room during an argument cos it's 'our room'. You have to learn how to deal with that other person in your bad moods and in theirs. You get to see that person last thing at night and first thing in the morning. You get to grips with their bad habits and show a few of yours. You have to learn how to communicate again (its very different from dating.) You get to go places together, as Mr and Mrs. People lend you their holiday homes and caravans!

This is a complete adventure. It was at the beginning of creation! God gave Adam Eve and they had an adventure to live together. And communication let them down.

An exciting adventure. You waited for your wedding day for so long, but you are a bride and a princess everyday in marriage. And your husband is that tall handsome prince you dreamed of when you were a little girl, if you let each other be this. When you promise to honour, love and cherish, this is a learning adventure. Until death do us part - a lifelong adventure!

And then, when you do bring in children into this, it is only the continuation of this adventure together. I’ve grown more in love with Andrew in our first year of marriage, I’m so excited for what is to come.

 I made a list. It was a kind of here's what im thankful for. and in a way i am very thankful for everything on this list. it turned into a 'being alive' list also. i'm very thankful for being alive! and every experience, feeling, and thing that comes along with it. Life and abundance! so here is that list - it's my list therefore there may be things that you don't agree with but this is my experience, all 500 of them!

breath
sight
hearing
smell
movement
my husband
music
dancing
friends
yankee candles
chocolate
salt and vinegar crisps
water
photos
camera
hugs
the bible
the ability to read
being able to drive
a car
the smell of fresh cut grass
sunny days
fire inside on a miserable day
flowers
rolling hills
sound of children’s laughter
a roof
family
snorting when laughing
beach
sound of the sea
naps
green lights all the way
fairy lights
books
ipod
cupcakes
games
duvet
hot showers
hair straighteners
nail polish
driving on a sunny day with sunglasses on
good tune on the radio
doing nothing and sitting in the sun
the smell of summer
bbqs
Worshipping the Lord with one heart
not having to wear a coat
wrapping up with scarves and hats
kisses
squirrel kisses
sweets
sharing a meal with people
praying
blackberry
facebook
truth
a Father who is bigger than anything in this world
notebooks
colourful pens
education
history
movies
bubble bath
baths
toilet roll
butterflies
cups of tea
marshmallows
learning from others mistakes
learning from your own mistakes
skinny jeans
glitter
hyper moments
giggles
hiccups
the moment when you feel nothing can stop you and everything is right
the moment of despair which cause you to make resolutions
milkshakes
cold glass of milk
earrings
perfume
comfy sofas
rainbows
blue skies and greenness of fields
watching birds fly
toothpaste
cupboards full of food
bedside tables
pashminas
christmas decorations
after eights
tears when laughing
christmas trees
giving gifts to others
presents
unexpected gifts
new shoes
track bottoms
“kindred spirits”
hoodies
shared jokes
fluffy towels
baby wipes
contact lenses
“feeling” of summer
the seasons
kicking leaves
memories
the buzz of christmas eve
learning your mum and dad are fun people
brotherly sisterly love
nail files
opportunities
pub quizzes
bible studies
pizza
neurofen cold and flu
lipbalm
purses
handbags
travelling
walking adventures
smell of bakeries
church family
being silly
being wise
wedding dresses
all the “no’s”
lady dixons park
sunshine
pretty high heels
urban decay eyeshadow
getting to the till and discovering further discounts
writing cards for people
planning surprises
barefoot walking round the house or outside
rounders
jason upton
staying up late talking
bank holidays
triumphant days at work
warring in the spirit
a job
takeaway coffee cups
recycling
online banking
charity work
icecubes (cubed or crushed)
chewing gum
ice cream
tissues
converse
finding money in an old coat or purse or handbag
photo frames
disneyland
laundry baskets
dressing gowns
slippers
razors
the Ramore wine bar
popcorn
being taken care of when you’re not well
grandparents
speaking in a funny accent
receiving mail
black eyeliner
coming home and finding presents on your doorstep
fajitas
finding a car parking space in a busy area (and having a husband who can park)
frosting and teddy grahams
shower gel
a toilet
successfully packing a suitcase
late night trips to tesco
boots (not the shop)
duvet days
waking up in the middle of the night and discovering up still have hours to sleep
finally coughing up whatever was stuck in your throat
sausage rolls
growing up into all things
being on holiday
exploring
the sound of nothing but nature
the busy city noise
the feeling of nervous anticipation
being hurt
thinking something might not work but doing it anyway
the Holy Spirit
sneezing
going to someone else's house and it feeling like home
pillows
learning how to floss
discovering more and more about yourself
making someone else laugh
being supported
nose piercings
the beauty of northern ireland
being vulnerable
serving others
hairbrushes
badminton
roadtrips
being told you are beautiful
in laws
getting married to your best friend
the feeling of getting an itch scratched that you couldn't reach
stars
saying something at the same time as someone else
hot water bottles
getting your back rubbed
getting your head rubbed
moving into your own house
being teachable
seeing someone else grow and learn
random text messages
the moon
coming home from work
smiling at people walking down the street
hugo boss for men
cleaning the house with your husband on a saturday morning
going somewhere you’re not sure about but having a really good time anyway
becoming an aunty
being called aunty Laura for the first time
someone lending you their holiday home
being disciplined
waking up and not being in a rush
teddies
flip-flops
electricity
seeing God move
apple sponge and fresh cream
making new friends
having old friends
learning to cook
being able to cook
snow ball fights
listening to a child’s (many) questions
jars of clay
reading the old testament (and enjoying it)
getting your hair cut
pretty bracelets
casting crowns
someone else paying for lunch
paying for someone else's dinner
shadows
wearing your husbands jumper/shirt
finding something you thought you’d lost
the smell of your grandparents house
hearing something you didnt want to hear but knowing that you needed to hear it
prophecy
dancing in worship
being still and knowing
picnics
slow dancing with no music
finding old notes/photos/letters/videos
stretching
yawning
tidying out a wardrobe
ice cold diet coke
having a drink of water when you are really thirsting
seeing a band live
finishing an assignment
understanding
smarties
wotsits
fresh fruit
getting your eyebrows waxed
being tickled
getting your real driving liscense
getting dressed up
missing home
socks
doing life together
having a new favourite song
getting all your photos printed
having people round for dinner
being heard
being treated like an adult
being a kid
being understood
clean sheets
making a playlist
being given money when you really need it
new fileblock/new book
smell of newspaper
keith green
debating (not arguing)
saying sorry
saying thank you
saying i love you
breakfast in bed
cookies
birthdays
just hanging with people you love
working out things in your head
having God lead you
faith
hope
mercy
righteousness
peace
obedience
being on fire for the Lord
rubbish bins
the scary dog being a a leash
the friendly dog knowing when enough is enough
watching children dance
the jangling of keys
cotton buds
the feeling of hunger and being able to eat something
working together
kneeling before the King - abandoned
not being scared at the dentists
being poured out in love
vegetables
warm clothes from the tumble dryer
not being the same person you were last month/year/5 years ago
worship
joyfulness
binding things on earth and heaven and loosing things on earth and heaven
the Lord’s prayer
discovering something you didnt know
the word ‘awesome’
the gifts of the spirit
bike rides
swimming pools
suncream
doughnuts
oreos
blogs and livejournals
tomato ketchup
potato bread
pick n mix
hearing a baby’s baby talk
fancy dress
cute villages
coffee dates
phone calls
walking on a wall
sparkling rose wine
climbing a tree
country air
the view from a hill/mountain
dreams
disney store
imagination
veggie tales
silly songs
driving with the window down
being able to be 100percent yourself with someone else
the national trust
creativity
exercise
fireworks
creme eggs
bouncy castles when you are an adult
bumps in the road that make you feel like you’ve left your tummy behind
hindsight
snowglobes
remote controls
oil burners
zumba - exercise even I can do!
finding the start of the cellotape
wrapping presents
licking envelopes
building something from ikea
rubbing your eyes and not being able to stop
trying not to pick a cut or a spot
the silence and the ticking of a clock
the sound of the kettle
the opening of a diet coke bottle
giftbags
losing yourself in the moment
the feeling of ‘just knowing’
building a fire on the beach and getting it lit
roasting marshmallows over said fire
when it gets dark when you’re hanging outside
ice pops
popping bubble wrap
going on a ride at fun park even though youre a little scared
bowling and coming up with inventive ways to bowl when its your go
the smell of the cinema
dancing madly when the moment takes you
singing loudly with no music
singing songs on a bus - cheerio cheerio cheerio
remembering childhoodness
plucking your eyebrows and that satisfying feeling
making up words - cocabola!
bringing your slippers to everyone elses house when you go visit
laughing when youve just taken a drink and making sure it doesnt come out your nose
needing to go to the toilet really badly
new years eve
sunlight creeping through the curtains
spinning like a kid
making daisy chains
wearing something you haven’t worn in ages and getting loads of compliments
watching the sad movie again and crying...again
hearing the ice cream van music
the wrinkling skin after being in water too long
the smell of petrol
easter
having the first christmas with your husband
mmmbop
dresses
knowing the word of encouragement is for you
phoning your mum and getting told the same things all over again
the face dad makes when hes trying to fix something or work something out
scrapbooks
teaching a child to high five
the “i love this soooong” moment
bible app on phone
catching the eye of someone you love across the room looking at you
being in your nannys - fill your boots
the anticipation of christmas dinner
blessing others with money
holding hands
knowing you are never alone
children not being able to say your name but trying
the 2 second silence between when a child falls and when they start crying
baileys
pet names people have for each other
catchphrases
my pastor
dandelions
learning to skim rocks
trying to find dock leaves when you get stung by nettles
balloons
glee
macbooks
battery chargers
staying up to watch the oscars
funny youtube videos - forever wedding dance
strawberries and cream
chai tea lattes
furniture
seeing someones eyes light up
being able to breathe through your nose after having a cold
taking joy in others achievements
summer tuneage
songs that bring you right back to the moment you first heard them
becoming friends with your friends parents
being adopted by friends when your heating is broken
having someone tell you they were thinking of you
my husband’s laugh
discipleship
trampolines
skipping down the road
bbc news
elf the movie!
hillsborough forest park
a full dance floor at your wedding
watching your friends getting married
high fives
christmas music
early morning walks
ulster fries
faith mission bookstore
spending ages in a card shop picking cards
glasses
becoming friends with your sibling
being moved to tears
playing hide and seek/sardines
honeymoon
your team winning
train journeys with friends
when your granda wanted spuds potatoes and chips for tea
diesel and petrol
learning to navigate the motorway
oxford
queens university
anniversarys
waking up to a hug
having songs written for you
writing
saying a word so much it sounds weird
talking in your sleep
baking
having your own apron
greys anatomy
getting your paycheck
changing your name from miss to mrs and learning that this is your new name
vicks
the word ‘epic’
piers
going round town at christmas
street buskers
following directions and finding the place
lake michigan
bangor and the swans
planning a wedding - your own wedding!!
wedding ring and engagement ring
the first piece of jewellery your other half buys for you
singing in the shower
catching yourself snoring
opening a card and finding a mini essay inside
girlie sleepovers
crazy tuesdays at the cinema
knowing that i could go on finding things to be thankful for and things about being alive!!!!!