Patience

I just read that patience is one of the most satisfying fruits of the Holy Spirit -warm smile-
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect & entire, wanting nothing."
-James 1:4

A first

I professionally face-painted today (sorry, I didn't take any pictures of that). I Had my veteran mom on the side and the crazy wind blowing all the adorable things: dresses, hair, ribbons, napkins, and decorations from that cute and colorful kindergarten.
I still have paint on my hands, I got so full of it! I still believe it was a miracle, however small, that an open bottle of yellow paint fell on my lap and didn't spill! (You can just imagine my wide eyes)
They were two and a half good hours of work. I can see how my mom loves it. Even with all the commotion, confusion, kids coming in from all sides -this time gracefully held back by tender teachers- kids are kids and they're lovable, cute, unique, funny, little people that keep coming in! They remind me that God still has hope in humanity, He keeps sending love in the hearts of these little ones, new eyes and carefree rays of light! They're not perfect by any means, but that makes no difference and is unnecessary. Parents love their kids even though they make a mess of things, even though they spill their juice every meal time, even though they fall and cry, even though they stain their new clothes, drop the cell phone, crash into a wall, forget the dance steps or eat too much cake.
We shouldn't feel bad when we do things somewhat like those... We've got the best and most loving of all loving Parents, who watches over us, cares for us and loves us through it all.

Build the bridge

...to the one you love. One can't ever regret things done for love. Because even when we don't think so, love is never wasted, love lives on.

"As for the question of destiny... all I know is that even when destiny really wants to accomplish something, it can't do it alone. You still have to go to that restaurant. You still have to show up. You still have to build a bridge... to the one you love." -My Sassy girl (2008)

I want to make those right choices, I'm getting those bricks, I'll put them one at a time and see how far they take me. I'll love with all my heart, with all I've got.

My grandpa said

"When I gave up trying to be perfect I finally became happy."

This hit me like a lightning bolt.
It made me smile so big, it's liberating!

Perfect control

I said: Jesus, You keep the world in perpetual motion, moving in perfect synchronization and with ethereal displays of beauty. The seasons come and go, the wind blows, I may not know what will happen next, but You take such great care of nature around me and the world spins just as it should, that I'm given more than enough reason to trust you to take care of little ol' me and my life, the uncertain, dynamic, beautiful, scary, surprising thing that you've made my life to be.

I asked to be given eyes to see that everything's alright, because you're in perfect control.
And true to your word, the very next morning you reminded me and assured me through this message how it's all true, not just a hunch... but I knew it.
This you told me, and I thank you.

"I made the world. I made you. I know your past. I know your future. There is nothing you will encounter in life that I haven’t foreseen or that I’m incapable of handling. Life may seem random at times, but it’s not. Every factor in your life is under My control, and you won’t encounter anything you are incapable of overcoming with My help. I’m not only in control of eternity, but I’m in control of your future."

Perfect, you are perfect.

Steph Cartoons by Adrian

These little things were created a boring Saturday at the Chilis restaurant. We work for kids, we entertain those munchkins, and there were none around. So I sent Adrian to the bar and he started sketching, he came back with this:

(Click to get a better look)

-grins- He personified different aspects of my nature (blush, blush) I thought it was so cute!
Complete with his drama...no, that's actually an all round family trait.

Notice the "Anja" book -wink-
I marry Gregory, dunno how that fits in with the story but I marry him.

"The Guardian", with Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner. You have to watch that movie if you haven't already! It's every bit worth your time, I tell you.
-grins-

It all started like this, his first inspiration.

Anyone who knows me knows I adore the moon. Hahah! Increadibly close to reality.
Yes, I love my little brother! Hahah, and he loves me, just as I am -smiles-
Am I not so lucky?

-Meet the artist: funny, smart, artistic, dramatic brother of mine.
Isn't he great? And what's best, he enjoys drawing so!
..I should encourage him more and give him more constructive criticism, he longs for it -like so many of us do.
It'd be so sad if we could see how much we played a part in not letting others learn to fly by failing to encourage to grow their wings.

"Don't ruin today"

"You cannot change the past; But you can ruin today by worrying about tomorrow."
I have a feeling that was written for me.
And the truth is..God is in control, He'll take care of that which concerns me. Why work myself into a tizzy, when there's an Awesome, Loving God to take care of it? I don't know.
He worked out the past, He's working out the present -and I tell you, its pretty goood!
And He will work out tomorrow, just like He did in the past and brought me here, to where I am today.
That's right Steph, just trust.

Omg those crunchy dry leaves are killing me!
(I wanna step on them!)
I'll enjoy the spring for now...there's actually a sweet smell in the air!

With new eyes

I feel like a little girl with new eyes.

Because I've got glasses with new lenses!
Everything looks sharper, clearer and even colors look brighter.
It reminds me how much I want a better, richer perspective.
Positiveness is so much better!

A very wise Vietnamese said:
"You can use your life in a very useful and intelligent way. You can very well transform negative energy into a positive energy that empowers you and makes life meaningful -and here Steph smiles real wide-." -Thich Nhat Hanh.

"Some people are unbelievably cheerful in the midst of difficulty or obstacles; others bemoan the slightest inconvenience. Those who look for the upside of any trouble are the ones who come out ahead in quality of life. And the radiance of their positive attitude sheds light on the paths of others." -Chloe West

To me, it's worth fighting to be one of those people.

To my girlies

In an ice cream container I read: "There are lots of reasons to celebrate, look around, and pick one!"
And I want to celebrate you my girlfriends! -beautiful, crazy nutcases whom I wouldn't be the same without.
It's a celebration in thankfulness for friends like you, who stick through thick and thin, who know what makes me feel ashamed of myself, and still love me, in spite of myself.
You choose to stick around bearing my burdens, helping to heal my wounds, watching my back, inspiring me to love better and give my best shot at life. You encourage me, and by seeing the best of me you help me to believe in myself. You remind me that there's nothing love can't do, no place love can't reach. You remind me that there isn't anything in this life that can't be conquered, because you are fighters yourselves.
You're many times just the reminder I need, telling me that I'm not alone. And it's true, I never am.
You are more than enough reason to celebrate, not just now but to live celebrating!
Not many are blessed with such friends like you, sisters, angels in disguise...and partners for crazy moments.
To you! (clink, clink)
I love your girls -smiles- thank you for your unconditional love. You take me as I am.

Bus stop encounter with joy

I was standing at the bus stop, waiting for my blessed little bus to come by and take me home from school. As I was there, waiting with my mp3 on shuffle mode, it came to an audio of quotes on Joy I had put in there this morning. It was complete with beautiful soft music and I left it on. -I'm so glad I did!
While waiting there it was like splashes of bright colors were filling the somewhat drab parts of my world. Reminding me to live. To not let hurt dreams stop me, to not let something not turning out as I wanted to, steal my joy. Joy I could have! -No matter what.
And I wanted it, quite badly.
It was beautiful to listen to the messages from Jesus contained in that audio. I felt so at peace, surrounded by His arms of love, opening my eyes to beauty, the beauty He has placed around me. But there was one quote in particular that made me jump, my heart skip a lil beat and my eyes widen in realization. I also gulped.
Here it is:

Remember that you only have one chance for this Earth life.

This is "it", so enjoy it while it lasts.

Enjoy your life for Me while you are here.
Enjoy the company of those you live and work with,
or the people you fellowship with,
because it won’t last forever.
Enjoy your present circumstances,
because this is the only time you’ll be here like this, in this place, with these loved ones.
Enjoy time! Enjoy the moment, because in a moment this present moment will be past.

You are free to enjoy the time you have right now. If you don’t enjoy it right now, you really don’t get another chance. You can reminisce about good times or regret bad times. You can remember with fondness how you did enjoy the moment, or lament that you didn’t. But the only actual time you can enjoy the moment is right now, at the moment. So seize the moment! Seize the day! Seize the joy.
-Jesus

And later on that day I met a new family who had just moved in, somewhere along the outskirts of the city.
The way there was lined with tall, stately trees; there were rays of sun shining through my window.
I got to see two beautiful families I hadn't seen in months, met two extremely adorable Asian little girls and enjoyed every bit of their chubby hands and squeaky voices. We even sang "Twinkle, twinkle little star" on the way back to their home from a nearby lake. I enjoyed every smile, every hug and the ripple effect in the lake waters as the girls threw rocks at it. And I saw Ashley with her light, long brown hair, big eyes and shy nature. Not to mention little Sarah staring out into the distance while holding on tight to her moma. It was so nice to see them! With the extra plus of being out in nature.
We were squished together on the way back to our place and we had to spend some time waiting for our driver and dear friend to finish some business before taking us home. But all five of us -in my small little family- had a good, hearty laugh while waiting in the car. I swear I don't remember what it was about, my mom was just in a foolish mood. God help us:P It was a grand afternoon, and a grand day as a whole, thanks to Jesus, thanks to Joy.
Did I mention we ate some delicious pizza thingies? And I tried goat cheese! It was good, no worries. I just don't recommend you eat it in great portions -grins-, it's also quite salty.

Love so great, the price's been paid

(Jesus:) Celebrate this Easter as the beginning of our new future together. Think about a love so great that it was willing to die for you, love so great that it was willing to give and to sacrifice all. Let My love wash away any hurts, fears, misunderstandings, or mistakes. My love has already covered all these things, but now it’s in your hands to dispense that love and forgiveness to others and even to yourself.
I already paid the price long ago when I died on the cross and rose again, and now it’s in your court to complete the cycle of love and forgiveness on Earth. When you take the plunge to let My love and forgiveness flow through you, Easter will be everywhere!

-I cannot explain-
It amazes me how there's nothing I have to do, but just receive Your love and let it in.
I want your forgiveness, I want a clean slate, I want healing of past wounds and I also need You to fill me with your love so that I can forgive others completely, without leaving any bits of it to use against them later.
I'm only dust, yet you made me Yours!
I'm not worthy, yet you payed for me with Your own life.
I'm nobody, yet you love me like I'm the only one in the world.
Nothing can describe Your love, can it?
For your undying, never ending, strong, passionate, perfect, unconditional, out of boundaries, supernatural, true love, I thank you.
I'd be nothing without you. I'd be so lost without you. There's such joy in knowing I don't have to spend a single moment of my life without You.
Nothing can compare to you, my Love. You save me anew every day, you love me anew every day, you renew your mercies toward me every day. Your love's so great I cannot explain.

And to top-off wonders, take a look at this!
You can see for yourself just what I mean, His love is there for you, and it's true, He won't ever leave you...The one thing you can trust that never will.