Another chapter closed.

2012. In some ways, it was the most life-changing year of my life. So many places, so many faces, so many new, strange, unique, and completely God-made experiences! Those are the memories I want to keep forever. Others, like breakups with friends, hurt and distrust--I've buried. I've surrendered to my Jesus. And that's the miracle of 2012; learning the true meaning of complete surrender.  I'm done with worrying about living my life according to other people's standards; I am me. And I must follow His perfect, unique path for my future.

{via}

That's 2013. An adventure into the unknown. Pages--like my heart put into poetry--blank and waiting to be filled by the Master of life. Aside from the SAICFF (more on that in a minute) I don't have many plans. . . .and it's a little frightening. My heart left the Shire and my comfortable Hobbit hole long ago; The World is Ahead!

{via}

2012. 

--my 21st birthday.  if i could stop time (because seriously, i'm getting old!) i'd stay right here. 21 is somewhere between maturing-young-adult and little girl who doesn't NEED (or want) to grow up. . .yet. and i'm happy that way. 22 will be great, i'm sure. . .but after 22 comes 23. . .then jumps to 25. and right now i don't even want to think 30. (Peter Pan, i'll always love you!) the interesting part of turning 22 is that i'll be celebrating it in TX. and i've already gotten a Kindle Fire HD as an early birthday gift. which is pretty awesome. :)

{taken in MI by my friend Danielle} 

--attended the 2012 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival with a whole crew-ful of beautiful people. we drove alll the way from Ohio, and while i'll admit that overnight road-trips and i don't get along, it was one of the best experiences of my life! we sang, talked non-stop, rarely slept, ate nothing but sandwiches, granola bars, and M&M's, cried, laughed, debated, nearly lost the ball-bearings on a tire, stayed overnight in a parking lot (while said tire was being repaired,) ate more M&M's, watched countless movies, sang some more, met hundreds upon hundreds of people, talked a lot, had the van window broken into, danced, ate a few more granola bars, and bonded in the deepest way possible. i love my friends.

--drove down to Branson MO for Vision Forum's Titanic 100. it was a gorgeous event, full of speeches, special music, and a 3-course dinner on the showboat Branson Belle. plus Anna and I got to spend it with our daddy. :)

--lost my precious Banjo-man Nick in June. as some of you probably remember, Nick was the Yorkie i got as a therapy dog--at least, that's what i hoped he'd become. it's still very difficult for me to talk about, and i try NOT to think. putting down my puppy was the worst thing i've ever done--one of the hardest, most challenging decisions of my life. i went through a lot of guilt. i cried until my TMJ flared and my throat was sore. but now, looking back, weighing the facts, and through lots of support from my family, friends, and prayer, i know my decision was the right one.

{Nick in his Christmas jammies, about five months before he died}

i miss you, little buddy. thanks for leaving your squeaky-puppy for me to snuggle. it smells like you, and whenever i see it, i see YOU, scampering in the backyard with your beautiful, silky coat, floppy ears, and a mouthful of squeaky-puppy. ♥

". . .because I knew you. . .I have been changed for good." 

--spent over 2 months sewing a ballgown and all the trimmings for Beyond the Mask, an Independent Christian film by Burns Family Studios. Though extremely challenging, (think layer upon layer of clothing--all authentic, hand-drafted re-productions) working with the Ohio branch of the BTM costume team was hugely rewarding! i learned so much, and while i'm STILL not an expert seamstress. . .the seam-ripper and i aren't on the friendliest terms anymore. WIN! 

 

{sneak-peak of my finished gown. the second picture is post-huge hairstyle. :P }

--went on an epic week-long vacation to North Carolina and my forever-beloved Tennessee. ok, so i had the worst head-cold of my life (curse you, sun-poisoning!) and hardly remember anything about Dollywood. . .but swimming for the first time ever in the real-life Atlantic ocean was total bliss. if that's what you'd like to call being knocked over by every single wave. it's what you get at 4'9. ;)  i loved exploring the tiny, secluded island of Baldhead--where Blackbeard and other pirates supposedly roamed, once upon a time--in a golf cart. that is, Blackbeard wasn't in a golf cart. we were. oh my, but all the little golf-cart garages! sooo adorable. i want one. 

 

  

things to remember on vacation: always, always, ALWAYS wear sunscreen on the beach. otherwise ones knees are prone to turning bright-pink and hurting horribly. and ones face may turn red. and one may get a horrible head-cold. and then one may not be able to properly enjoy cabins-in-the-Smokies and hillbilly bluegrass jams across the NC/VA border. word to the wise.

  

  

{pics by Anna}

--saw my friends and Celtic band The High Kings in concert. again. That makes 7 concerts now. 

 

 {R-Darren (my favorit-est King) gives the BEST squishy-daddy hugs. he's an absolute sweetheart.}

--went to a rodeo for the first time. as in bull-riding. yes, i'm addicted. 

{by Anna}

--lived through another Ohio Summer Rendezvous! it was my third year as main event planner and hostess, and thanks to my co-planners-in-crime, OSR '12 was truly the best yet. 

--worked with the (MI branch) BTM Costume team AND appeared as an extra in the masquerade ball scene. see, this is why i haven't put up a proper BTM post. there was so much beauty in the 9 days we worked in MI, it can't be put into words.

sewing until 7:30 AM. . . root-beer floats at all hours of the night, deadlines, colds, eating way too much, laughing our heads off. seeing set for the first time! o.O i won't even TRY to explain. let's put it this way--i am an incredibly blessed girl. i have bonded with the most incredible people in all the world. i have lived in a household of crazy-amazing young ladies. i have BEEN IN A MOVIE.

and i was hugged twice by John Rhys-Davies. 

the end.

i can't wait to see what God does with BTM--it's hugely fascinating, watching the Independent film movement revolutionize the world.  

{pics my Anna}

to my Beyond the Mask family:

"Now we're back to the beginning

It's just a feeling and no one knows yet

But just because they can't feel it too

Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger

'Till they're before your eyes

You'll come back when they call you

No need to say goodbye

You'll come back when they call you

No need to say goodbye".

you have no idea how much you mean to me. i love each and every one of you--for your uniqueness, your spirit and love for the Lord. for your purpose and oneness of mind. for embracing me in your circle, even though i knew you for only 9 days. thank you so much! 

{copyright Joe Henline}

And now stretches this white, empty canvas--this thing called 2013. Already I see so many changes. Watching my "little sisters grow up, for example. how does that happen? just a couple weeks ago I had a deep heart-to-heart with my 15 year old sister Julia. Once these chats were secluded to the "older set". Julia isn't a little girl anymore. I've seen--and am seeing--her blossom into a young lady who is smart, thoughtful, sincere, and in ways very above me in maturity. That girl is going to teach me a lot, I can tell. 

{our parents. i'm assuming dad got wet from the fountain. ;) } 

{L-R: me, Julia, Maria, Lidia, Anna}

2013. Who are you? So far we've seen The Hobbit together, I've booked tickets to the SAICFF 2013, I'm turning 22. . .and everything stops there.

Write upon these pages Lord. Make them Yours. I give them to YOU.

an awfully big adventure. . .

. . .this thing called life, and I love every second of it. So far, in this new year, 2012--already?!? I have eaten innumerable amounts of food (diet, here I come!) started the 1st book in the Left Behind series (can't put it down.) spent an entire evening texting my loverly friend Tory, oh, and celebrated my dad's birthday (turned 25 again! ;) ) with homemade appetizers and Fiddler on the Roof. Yum. The movie, I mean. . .oh, and the food was amazing. I seriously can't begin to say how much I **adore** FotR. It has a certain special place in my soul--maybe because I can identify with the family--five daughters--and the tradition. Topal is a genius, just sayin'. And Motel is close to my heart. . .don't ask me why, he's horribly unattractive. o.O

It seems just yesterday I was an insecure ten year old, dreaming of adulthood--grateful it was so far away. And here I am now, almost 21, still growing. . .but realizing that back then, I was merely existing. At last I am truly living. It's rather frightening, in the most thrilling sort of way. Every page in life's book is an adventure. Discovering new roads, distant dreams, future hopes. . .falling, getting back up, knowing my Savior, my Guide, is there to mark each path, to carry me through the darkest night. It's breathtaking. But I don't make New Years resolutions. Oh, I used too. . .in fact, this is the first year I didn't agonize over "what might happen"--because life is just continuing. I can't stop it. I can't alter anything in it's course. "Resolutions" are turned to goals. . .goals that can only be achieved through His will. How can I change. . .what can I do to draw closer to Him--making those goals, these "resolutions" into an everyday lifestyle. I want my life to be a constant resolution. . .it IS my goal.

Looking over my year, I am dazzled by all the blessings. He has opened so many incredible doors, when just a few years ago things looked bleak. Me, the girl with no opportunities. In His time, when He saw fit, when He was ready, He changed everything--almost overnight. For me, this new bridge means purpose. And slowly, day by day, I am beginning to cross it.

2011.

--my 20th birthday dawned with a celebration that utterly stunned my very-"blonde" self. A surprise Les Miserables themed party, put together by awesome friends and even awesomer family. It will always be one of my most cherished memories. . .

{via}

--flew in an airplane for the very first time on the way to Oregon then California. Mm. . .I am convinced there is nothing so spectacular as seeing the sun rise under a blanket of clouds, all pinkish-gold. And then Oregon! I could so live there. . .the huge trees, mountains, the little roadside coffee stands. It pretty much calls my name. . .spending time with my dear friend Nicole, attending a HUGE English Country Dance Ball. . . divine. But no. . .when I really think about it, I want to live in Disneyland. On MainStreet. Because it's magical--truly. The happiest place on earth. Hollywood, [sushi!] Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive. . .they were all nice, but much too ritzy. Give me my good ol' Midwest any day. Or Disneyland.

    

{via}

--saw the ocean for the first time [again. 2011 was  a year of firsts.] The beautiful, wild, Pacific; frothing over the beach, begging me to always stay. I left a piece of my being there.

{via}

--found another nanny job after our neighbors moved [where Anna and I worked for 3 years.] After that too came and went within a few short months, the Lord hand-picked another, the best yet. I am so grateful! Plus I adore these kids, 18 month old twins. They are an adorable joy--my favorite widdle Mr. and Miss. :)

--went to 4 more High Kings concerts. . .bringing the times I've seen my favorite Irish band up to 5. [go look 'em up. . .THK are the BESTEST. You can't be my blog reader unless you at least know who they are. It's blasphemous. :P ]

 --participated in a star-lit reenactment (!!)

--an old theater, ornate, creepily-gorgeous in gold and red velvet. Tickets clutched tightly, squeezing past hundreds of people. Seats found. . .then the wait with bated breath. Until the orchestra sounds the first chord; until the curtain rises. Goosebumps. Heart-stopping chills. Nothing is as exquisite, evokes a spirit of emotion--like a play. All the color. . .the music. The weaving of song, story, costume, and voice into one masterpiece. The DRAMA. Les Miserables. . .it came to Cleveland. And I never blogged about it. But you see. . .I put the pro into procrastinator. ;) Let's just say I almost died. . .almost.

{via}

   

{via}

--it officially happened. . .when Anna bought herself, mom, and I tickets to. . .an Andrea Bocelli concert. :I DIED: My hero, MY Andrea. . .the voice of an angel. Sitting at the very top of a huge arena. . .the most amazing tenor in the history of the world a tiny dot on the stage, far, far, far below. But there were screens--and I saw him, I HEARD him. I sobbed. . .unabashedly. And now I can die in peace. For real. :P

--last but not least, I met my own furry little man, Banjo-Man Nick (haven't gotten him AKC registered yet. . .I'm toying with the idea of throwing "Tebow" somewhere in his name. ;) ) He is my constant companion. ♥

I was an amazing year, sprinkled with trials that often overshadowed the rest. I've been learning that no matter what others think--I must stick to my guns. Conviction matters. . .legalism is a separate issue. I'm not going to let anyone convince me otherwise! Christ is my King and I will obey HIM. Everyone has a different heart--everyone's journey differs. . .and I'm quite satisfied with the one He's given me. Here's a bit of encouragement--follow His Will. Big things can happen. And when they don't. . .you've pleased Him, above all. That matters more--matters most.

The greatest gift I ever had Came from God;

{this pic was taken on the gorgeous Oregon coast. L-R: me, dad - Dave, & Anna}

 I call him Dad.

 - Author Unknown

There aren't words enough to say how much I love my father - how important he is in everything I do . . .all through my growing up years, and now as a young woman. My daddy has my heart, a treasure I wish every girl could own. A girl *needs* a father figure in her life - and I've always had the very best. I mean, think about it - my dad's an unusually strong guy . . . (aside from his muscles, ;) ) he's the father of five daughters. ;) Over the years many people have "sympathized": "WHAT??? Did you say ALL girls?  I'm so sorry." - but truly, my dad LOVES all of his his daughters with every ounce of his being, and ya know, he's become rather a "softy" because of it. Coming from a one-time rigid military man. . .that's more then impressive. ;)

My father has brought our family through so many trials with his unmovable faith in Christ Jesus. (yes, I'm gushing, but really, I don't know any other man with as much wisdom, Biblical knowledge, or love for the Lord.) On a personal level, dad is my role model (along with my mom,) teacher, counselor, confidant, inspiration, buddy, best friend. I couldn't describe the sort of man of God he is. Thank you Lord for my daddy - a man I look up to, the person I learn so much from . . .my greatest hero.

 ♥ ♥ I love you, Dad!!!! ♥ ♥

I'm baaackkkk!!! {updates on life}

It seems like hundreds of years since I've blogged. ;) But no - I have not expired, I am STILL quite alive and breathing...and feeling so blessed these days by the Lord and His beautiful way of caring for His children. Really, I don't feel as though I deserve the joy, loyal family, lovely friends...Christ's mercy and presence in my day-to-day life! I've can't say it enough: God is ALWAYS good.

I very much dislike bragger-blog posts. This is *not* one. Yet there have been so many special things happening - a constant, crazy, whirlwind of LIFE. And so, I'll try to update y'all really quickly . . .

Sorbet and smoothies are my newest obsession . . . I know what I'll be ordering all summer when the rest of the family goes out for ice cream! Oh, yeah - I'd much rather have the ice cream . . . fat, sugar, all that good stuff. ;) But considering I'm lactose intolerant (which mean's no dairy outside of organic,) something fruity-cold will have to do! Soooo excited to have discovered Graeters recently. o.O

{L-R: friend Hannah Michelle, me, and Anna, before seeing The High Kings}

Last month I had the opportunity of seeing my  friends and favorite Celtic music group, The High Kings, live fore the second time in concert.  

Anna and I have gotten to know Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and Martin Furey after seeing them back in August and later keeping in contact via facebook. It was very special seeing them again knowing that our "fanship" has turned into friendship. :) 

"Now the music's gone, but they carry on . . ."

{The Town I Loved So Well - Darren's version is stunning}

 

 

It was so memorable being able to share in Finbarr's birthday! We bought him a t-shirt that said "Made in Ireland," which I had the honor of giving him during the concert. He loved it! 

{note that this is a supremely unflattering picture of me. :P } 

Just have to mention that Darren is my favoritest King. ♥ He is such a talented singer and musician (like the rest of THK,) and has the squishiest bear hugs. :sigh: See my friend Hannah's video of us greeting the Kings from a different angle. . . and Anna's post HERE and our youtube channel for more HK fun!

Currently I'm reading about 4-5 different novels. *ahem* In the middle of The Count of Monte Cristo right now. . .which (thanks to Anna for spoiling the ending. Ok, I ASKED about it. :P ) - is overall very disappointing.  I mean, Edmond is so dashing in the beginning. :sob:  Ah well . . .it's not keeping me from going to Oregon in May to attend a CoMC themed ECD ball! o.O T-this will be my first time in an airplane. 

No blog entry is complete without mention of the always epic, forever inspiring, breathtaking, (give me more adjectives! ;) ) Les Miserables. The 10th Anniversary concert still leaves my heart pounding and the tears welling in my eyes - no matter how many times I watch it . . . but I'm about hyperventilating, because on SUNDAY I'll be seeing the West End/Broadway musical LIVE. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! 

Lately I've been learning (or at least trying to learn :P ) patience. Anna and I are now part-time nannies for 4 of the most adorable children ranging in age from almost 7 to 3 months old. It's a challenge for sure, but I am so grateful for the experience! Spending time with the kiddos is a delight. . .even through the tantrums. ;) And little newborn Anthony is at the perfect huggable stage. ♥

Here's a sneak-peak of the costume I wore recently to a Literary Ball . . . I'll be doing a post on it soonishly.  Can anyone guess who I went as? (no telling, Flop. ;) ) 

And there ya have just a tiny glimpse of whats been happen'. BUSY stuff - and again, please, please don't think I'm bragging . . . o.O From the bottom of my heart, I only want to update everyone. :) 

What have YOU been up to as of late???