My Heart Is Stolen

  So today was actually rather lovely (if you haven't noticed already, I'm OBSESSED with using the word "Lovely"). I woke up at 5:30 (yes, AM). This sounds horrible but I did it partially because I wanted a picture of the sunrise for my friend, and partially because I really feel like I need to have better quiet time with God. I tend to put it off, or try to hurry through it before bed, or fall asleep in the morning while trying to read my Bible (I swear, my eyes just WON'T stay open!), but today, I said no. No to the excuses. No to the sleepy eyes, the rushedness of it all. Today I said yes to spending time with my Savior.
  And boy was it worth it.

  So the night before, I decided to write down any prayer requests I could think of in my handy dandy... NOTEBOOK. That way, when I'm half asleep in the morning, I don't have to go through this task. I also decided a little while ago to read through Romans, because I like a lot of stuff in Romans... that's all. And I also set my phone and clock alarm to go off at five, and two more alarms on my phone to go off at 5:15 and 5:30. Obviously I didn't get into reality until the 5:30 one. Then I sat up, grabbed my camera, took a not so good picture of a partially done sunrise, as seen above, grabbed my Bible, and began to read.
  Something I've also recently started doing, is reading through the chapter twice (I only read a chapter a day... my brain can only process so much at once). This helps me absorb it more, and sometimes notice things I missed. I also decided to find a verse in that chapter that I love, and memorize it. Today I read Romans 5. And the verses that really touched me were 20 and 21: "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
  It kinda gave me chills to think about it. And it makes me want to dance. "But where sin increased, GRACE increased all the more." WHOA!!!! *Starts dancing and waving hands around and.... well, you get the idea.* Also, I felt even more was revealed to me in some other areas, and I wrote it all down in my handy dandy NOTEBOOK, but that's upstairs. And I'm too lazy to go and get it. But I was quite happy with what God spoke into my heart (for lack of a better phrase, that's what I'm going with). Then I prayed. And it wasn't a "man, I really want to to finish so I can sleep" prayer. I meant it - which sounds horrible, because sometimes, I don't have my heart in the right place when I pray. It's just a quick "please & thank you" and I'm done. But I didn't rush. I spoke to God. And He spoke to me.
  You have to understand that some of this is new to me. I've always had a hard time getting some alone time with The Man, but I've felt that this is something I really need to make a priority, even if it means not being able to sleep in as much as I'd like. I need to talk to God. I need to hear from Him, get into His word. So that's what I'm doing. And I ask that you would pray for me as I continue with this! Today went well, but I know it's not always going to be this easy. If you happen to remember during your day, ask that God would just keep me by His side and give me a burning desire to be with Him. So please & thank you!
  So moving on...
  After breakfast, piano lesson, lunch, and some computer time (that's honestly not that needed... need to monitor my time there), I took Chloe outside for some fun water time - in the sprinkler hose! It was 90 today and poor Chloe was panting away, so I decided to get off my lazy butt, and go cool off!

  This time also involved some mud on my face... and my mouth...
  Some "Inception", dinner, and softball, and my day is pretty much done! That brings me here where I'm talking with y'all! (well, the conversation is a bit one-sided at the moment, but hopefully, y'all will change that ;)
 To continue with my little blogging challenge:

C: Cars... talk about your first car, the car you have now, any accidents, driving pet peeves, etc

  Well, I've never owned a car. But I was in a car accident a few years ago. My mom was driving our van, I was in the passenger seat, my aunt and three-month-old cousin were in the middle, and my two sisters were in the back. It was January, dark, and snowing. The snow was packing tightly on the road, and we just lost traction and the back side of the van swerved and we just started sliding. A truck was in the other lane and stopped. We slid, front right side first, into the truck. My aunt and the two littlest ones had been sleeping. At impact the little ones both made a little cry... and then fell back asleep. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. I was closest to the impact, and I found out a few minutes later that my window had been shattered. What I thought was a small piece of the window missing was actually the only part of the window still intact. I was pretty close to getting some pretty shards of glass in my head. I remember My aunt, oldest sister and I just praying and thanking God that we were okay. Some people who lived nearby had heard the crash, called 911, and came to help us. A sweet old lady lived nearby and let us hang out at her house. I still remember her, and though she thought nothing of just being there, I'm grateful she was willing to open her house to us and all the probing people of help. My mom got some whiplash, my aunt also had some whiplash, my youngest sister and cousin were unharmed. We thought my other sister was fine, except for some slight whiplash, though we found out a year or so later that she had had some damage in her neck from it (nothing serious, but it gave her problems for a while). I ended up with whiplash, a few bruises, and something happened to my hip... I don't remember what. I do know that I was limping for several weeks and couldn't continue swimming for that time. It was also a pain not being able to turn my neck. But hey, it happens ;) we're all healthy now with no problems.

  And that's all about cars that I have to say. Except it makes me nervous when people don't watch where their going when they drive and drive like maniacs. That's all.

Cheers♥