a blogger party would be nice, right?

Since starting this blog, I've learned a lot of things.

1. People enjoy random things

2. People enjoy learning about other people

3. Drama exists even on the internet.

4. You don't have to meet a person to be best friends

5. Obsessions can be good things

6. God uses Blogger to spread His love and joy.

But most importantly, I've learned what it's like to have true friends. Or, as I like to call them: soul sisters. You know, the girls who love the same music you do; who crush on the same celebrities you do. The girls you feel like you've known all your life; the girls who leave sweet comments and write uplifting posts. The girls you have a crazy connection with, even if you're totally different people. And, especially: the girls who love Jesus as much as you do.

These are the types of girls I've met through blogging. And even though I haven't met any of you, I feel like you're my sisters.....sisters in Christ, that is. ;)

I've always wanted to organize a big, huge, over-the-top party for all you beautiful girls. We would come together and talk, laugh, sing, and worship God. We'd take lots of photos and discuss all sorts of different things. We'd actually get to meet our fellow bloggers and take some inspiration from it all. 

Now, I'm sure some of you are saying, "Sure, that sounds wonderful....but it's just too good to come true."
well, I let you in on a little secret: it isn't. 

See, in my mind, what I just wrote above is what Heaven is going to be all about! Fellowshipping with other Christians, praising the Lord with them, and spending all of eternity getting to know them. Just think: we're going to have forever and ever and ever to talk to each other, relate experiences, and become best friends.

So yeah.....that's what keeps me going when I feel like most of my Christian friends live far away: we're gonna have all of eternity to be together. And that, to me, is the best thing about blogging.

This is the best thing/the best thing that/could be happening/and I think you/would agree/the best thing/is that it's happening/to you and me.

--Relient K

"this is real, this is me"

listening to: "keeping me alive" by Starfield

looking forward to: dress shopping with my mom and grandma!

^^^^ yep, that's me. I was sitting in our kitchen during a thunderstorm, so that's why the pictures are kind of blurry and why I look a little scared in some of them. :)

Since I'm trying to be more real on this blog, I thought I should show you what the real 'me' looks like. Hope my expressions didn't freak you out too much. *wink wink*

your-pretty-goofy-blogger,
~Lily

a fresh, unedited start

listening to: "on the wing" by Owl City.

quote love: "the sea was calm, with a fresh wind blowing from the south-east;they sailed under a sky of azure where God was also lighting up His lanterns, each one of which is a world." 

~ The Count of Monte Cristo

{this post is going to have no editing....just me typing whatever comes to mind. Enjoy ;)}

I been feeling so tired lately. It's a good tired, but still....my body aches every time I move. It could be from all the piggy-back rides I've given while babysitting. Or from helping kids at gymnastics camp learn how to do walkovers. Of course, it's probably just from soccer practice last night. *laughs*

I've been feeling so happy lately. My past week or so has been filled with kids, soccer, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Babysitting is seriously the best job on the face of the earth. It pays well, little kids are hilarious, and I get free snacks......which is totally awesome. My soccer team is finally starting to feel more like home. The girls are becoming more outgoing, which is really comforting. I'm about halfway through TCMC, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how good it is! There are so many awesome quotes, like the one above. I love the beauty of Dumas' writing!

I've been feeling so stressed lately. Classes will start up soon, and this year is going to be crazy. Just thinking about it makes me sick with worry. *groans* I'll get through it somehow, I suppose. It seems like everywhere I turn, someone I know or love needs urgent prayer. And when all I can do is pray, I feel rather helpless. I'm kind of a control-freak, and I like being able to do something. But for things like cancer......all I can do is leave it in God's hands. 

I've been feeling so excited lately. Today, an earthquake hit where I live! Which is totally and utterly crazy, 'cause we don't really get earthquakes here on the East Coast. I need a t-shirt that says, "I survived the earthquake of 2011." My church got a new pastor, and so we've been getting used to him and his family. He has three daughters close to my age, and they are so awesome! For the past eight years they've been missionaries in Uganda, which means plenty of interesting stories to share. 

I've been feeling so restless lately. With the air outside slowly turning crisp, my heart is desiring to go somewhere new and exciting. Mostly Europe, but right now I would take any place that I haven't visited before. Why can't I have family somewhere in New York City or South Carolina? I could really use a break from everyday life.

I've been feeling like myself lately. And it is quite nice, just being myself. No more pretending that everything is okay, or that I live a perfect life; no more editing out all the 'bad' or 'boring' stuff. Just me, my thoughts, my dreams, my worries. I do hope you'll join me as I learn more about me and God's desire for my life.

linking up to the challenge over at Dramatic Elegance, hosted by Rachel.

that's it.... Summer, it's time for you to leave.

Today, I had a rather sudden desire for summer to be over and done with. It was mostly brought upon by the fact that my braided anklet broke this afternoon. See, every summer I braid a new one to wear on my ankle. It's usually 'round mid-September when I finally untie it, and to me it signals the end of summer.

*laughs* So, according to my anklet, summer ends today. Which is perfectly fine with me. Like Bleah said in her post, I miss boots, jeans, and cute coats. I miss the feeling of stepping outside and breathing in a deep breath of crisp air. The chilly wind rushing through my hair; the peppermint tea and a book; the beautiful leaves here.....I miss it all.

Autumn is when I feel most alive.Even though I'm adding layers, not shedding, I feel as if I come out of my old skin each September/October and start anew.

I feel like doing this....except with a coat, gloves, and a hat. ;)

Everything is easier during autumn, even simply living. I hope, in Heaven, we'll have different seasons......for though spring is sweet,summer is nice, and winter pleasant, autumn is my time to live.

~Lily

just a few things worth obsessing over :)

Stepping off the pedal of blogger-craziness has opened my time up immensely. The following things are what have moved in to make my life crazy again. ;) 

1. Ah, Dr. Wile. That dreaded subject called chemistry has finally come upon me. Though I really don't think I'm going to like this subject very much, I'm determined to get through it with a smile. 'Course, Mrs. Scott and my fellow students should make it, er.....interesting. *wink wink*

2 .I think I've actually jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon! I've been tearing through the books like crazy. Oh my word, they're so good. (: Yes, there's magic, yes there are wizards/witches, and yes the last few books are a bit dark.....but the characters are hilarious and the plot lines are really interesting. J.K. Rowling has such a creative mind!

3. Barclay's Premier League soccer started yesterday!!!! It's been a long summer without my English soccer, so I'm ecstatic that it is back. Go Man U!!!!!

4. Another book for school, The Count of Monte Cristo. I was surprised to see how many times Alexandre Dumas mentions God, just in the first few chapters!!! That's the highlight.....but I've never been one for revenge stories, so it's not my most favorite classic.

5. hehe......that picture cracks me up. =D The sixth season of Psych is on this October, and my family is doing our best to hurry through all the other seasons. Still missing Season Five.....grrrrrrrr!!!!! Anyways, I think Shawn and Juliet make a wonderful couple....if they ever get together. ;)

And there's my obsession post. oooh, one more thing:

"Can you hold me together/cause without You/holding my heart/I'm falling apart."

just an ordinary, moody girl

As most of you know, I'm a happy person. I love to laugh, smile, and just be happy. I believe I was put on this earth to help spread the joy Jesus' gives me.

And yet, there are times when I feel like I'm faking the laughter or smile. I feel like I have to put on a smile so people don't worry about me. 

The same thing occurs even here on this blog. While I'm ready to bare the happy part of my soul, I often hesitate when it comes to my worries, fears, and just basic sad feelings. I want my followers to come to my blog and feel rejuvenated and happy, not sad because of my ramblings.

That all being said.....sometimes I just need to be a bit melancholy. I created this blog as a place where I could rant to my heart's content, and I don't think I've stayed true to that idea. And so, I'm going to be more real on Snatched from the Wind. This blog is going to be more about me {sorry if that sounded rude} and what I'm thinking at that moment. It will be mostly happy and uplifting, but some posts will just be me pouring out my heart. 

I hope y'all don't mind. You've stayed with me for this long, so I'm hoping you'll continue to stick around and learn more about the real, usually-happy-but-sometimes-moody me.

"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."
~Stephen Chbosky

I can't really decide what I'm feeling right now.

*groans* I hate those moments where you're indecisive about your emotions. Like.....how I'm feeling right now. Yesterday was great.....tried on dresses for my Sweet Sixteen at the mall, had a pretzel, and finished Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets. Today has been great......pickup soccer this morning, looked at some more dresses, napped, and Manchester United plays later today. Tomorrow is going to be great....I leave for Messiah camp and am stoked to see all my girls from last year.

But at the same time, I'm feeling kind of restless, like I want to be somewhere other than here at my desk. Sometimes I feel like I'm nobody in this world.....like I'm never going to do anything worthwhile. *sighs* It's really hard to explain at the moment....so I'm just going to let these pictures do the talking for me.

m'kay, that's it for now. I'll be at camp 'till Thursday. I think it'll do me some good to get away from the computer and regular life in general.

love always,

~Lily

I have absolutely nothing else to say....

Your Favourite:

Color? Orange, green, purple, and turquoise. And sometimes pink. Depends on my mood. ;)

Candy? M&M's, Starbursts, Milky Way bars, Twix bars, and gum. 'Specially spearmint.

Main Dish? Grilled chicken or filet mignon.

Dessert? brownies

Drink? Apple juice or Sprite

Veggie? Cucumber and peas.

Do You:

Talk on the phone everyday to someone who is not family? Not really...

Read your Bible everyday? I try, but I don't always get it in.

Do lots of reading? haha, yes. (:

See your grandparents everyday? Not quite everyday, but usually once or twice a week.

Bake a lot?  Only at Christmastime.

Clean your room everyday? Yeah, that'd be a pretty sound no.

Have to say you're sorry to someone everyday? yeah, usually.

A Certain Thing You Dislike Of Each Category:

Veggie? Beets. oh, and mushrooms. blech.

Color? Mustard yellow, and red. For some reason I don't really like that color.

Animal? I'm gonna go with any type of spider. *shudders*

Drink? Dr. Pepper makes my stomach hurt.

Random:

Go shopping? Chadwicks, Kohls, Target.....and Barnes and Noble. Whenever I get money. =D

Eat out? Chinese food, or pizza.

Go visit? not really...

Read a good book at? In the car or on my bed.

What color is your room? Pink, purple, and green.

Do You Have A:

Pet? Yes, a bichon frise named Samwise Gamgee.

Gift card at the moment? I think I have like 20 cents left on a Starbucks card, and a $1.21 for Borders.

Sewing machine? My mom has one.

Big mess under your bed? I have a big box with stuff, but around that it is pretty messy.

Pack of gum in your bag or purse? Spearmint and Juicy Fruit. :)

Computer in your room? Not anymore. *sighs*

Have You Ever:

Been on a plane? Only one time, when I was three. And I don't remember much.

Been out of state? Florida, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island.....those are the places I've actually visited.

Been in a eighteen wheeler? *laughs* Can you say random? Uh, no, I haven't.

Been in a car accident? Yes, once.

Read about a hundred and fifty page book in about an hour? Yeah, probably. 

More Random:

Do you share a room with anyone? Thankfully, no. Though I used to, when my brother was a baby.

Have you ever gone swimming in a pond? no......am I missing out on something? 

How old are you? 15

What year were you born? 1995

Are you related to anyone important or famous? I wish.

Have you ever met a vice president? No, and I don't plan to. 'Least, not with this administration.

Are you getting bored yet? A little.......;)
A picture:

I am SO doing this with my husband.

What are you thinking? I need to empty the dishwasher. Blah.

it's a teenage girl thing

As I am getting older, I'm realizing why it is that teenage girls want boyfriends so bad.

Every girl wants to be loved. Every girl wants to be held, kissed, and told she is beautiful. Every girl wants a knight in shining armor, a prince on a white horse, a former thief who's changed his ways {Flynn.....ahh}.

And, for some girls, that need is found in a guy who's just temporary. Both girl and boy know this relationship isn't going to last, but they go with it anyway. They both get what they want out of the relationship.....or so they think.

But, at the same time, I know that waiting for one's Beloved is an important thing. I don't want to waste love for some boy I'm never going to marry----I want to save my love for My Guy. I don't know him yet, but I've already given him my love and my heart.

Trust me----I of all people know how hard it is to not have a guy right now. And I have those fears same as any other girl, that I'll never find him. So that's why I was so thankful when I found this following passage from Song of Songs.

All night long on my bed

I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

The watchmen found me

as they made their rounds in the city.

"Have you seen the one my heart loves?"

Scarcely had I passed them 

when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go

till I had brought him to my mother's house,

to the room of the one who conceived me.
 

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until it so desires.

--Song of Songs 3:1-5

I had just finished writing a letter to my future husband {yes, I'm cheesy like that ;)} and was feeling rather restless about finding him. I remembered what my small group leader at WorldViews talked about, that God has stuff in the Bible that would give me peace. So, I started reading the above passage.....and it all clicked.

We girls are like Solomon's beloved. We long for the one we love, the one we haven't met yet. We look all over for him, but we can't find him. We ask around, to see if anyone would know where he is to be found. And just when it all seems hopeless----there he is. We've found him, our Prince Charming, the one who has always belonged in our hearts. We hold him and never let him go, ever again.

not my image

I wrote this post to encourage my fellow Christian girls. I know it's hard at times, and it feels like we're never going to find our husband. But God gave me hope through Song of Solomon that everything is going to be okay. God is writing our love stories, and they're going to be beautiful tales.

the will to dream

Some of my dreams are realistic. But then there are the others, the ones that might never come true. This post is about those unlikely dreams. Some are silly, some serious.....but they're all deep from within my heart.

1.Work at Disney World.

2. Have Adam Young sing Vanilla Twilight at my wedding.

 3. Have Brandon Heath sing London at my Sweet Sixteen party.

 4. Open a bookstore that looks like this with Bleah.

 5. Get these bookshelves installed in my bedroom.

 6. Ride a dragon {preferably a Nightfury}.

 7. Meet Edmund Pevensie/Skandar Keynes.

 8. Have my dream guy propose to me right here.

 9. Take a roadtrip around America in one of these.

 10. Find the wardrobe and go to Narnia.

 11. Host a huge party to meet all my blogging buddies.

12. Have this as my wedding set

13. Travel in Mom-mom's footsteps.

14. Write a book that eventually becomes a classic

15. Have a double wedding with Anna {her and Peter, me and Edmund}. 

16. Raise a family in this cottage.

17. Act in a movie

18.  Go to a concert with all of these acts, each playing my favorite songs.

and

19. Be the First Lady

20. Know that I made a difference in someone's life

And there you have it. The dreams that make me who I am. Perhaps none of these dreams will come true, but I am thankful that God gave me the gift of dreams.

Also, visit Jocee's post on dreams  and Bleah's posts on dreams. Both girls' posts helped me think of this post.