Michigan Weather Sucks.

                           So, this winter here in Michigan has been very odd this year. The norm is this:

But for some odd reason each day has like this:

Then this:

Then:

...

-_-

Michigan weather sucks.

Smack the Brats

 Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone RIGHT next to you and their kid is too loud for you to even hear? Or have you ever been walking through the store and saw a handful of bratty children controlling the adult?

  Don't you think it's time to take control back? Don't you see what the future of this world will look like? They will take us over!

                      And do you realize what will happen to us?

              So it all comes down to the crucial moment...

I'd say it's about darn time we take control of our children...Do it now before it's too late!

(characters were drawn by me.)

Life as a Carpenter

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a carpenter?...yeah, me either, but when I was offered the job I quickly began to wonder!

                    This is what I pictured life as a carpenter would be like.

             And...well...I wasn't too far off..
                                                                                                                                                                     

Cutting base

Putting up a corner shelf

base cutting station

                             

This job, at first, kicked my butt. I was the only chick there. I had no prior carpentry experience. I definitely didn't feel qualified for the job. Waking up at 5am isn't really my thing. And then to get home at 530pm was a drag as well. I was bruised and banged up. I was sore. I was exhausted.

I initially quit after my second day. My boss actually begged me to come back! He said I was doing great for not having had prior skills.

I am a stubborn girl. It can be used for bad, but it can also be used for good. I dug my heels in the dirt and let my stubborn side take over. I wasn't going to be a quitter. The only way I wouldn't be a carpenter is if I were fired.

So I went back. I got teased and mocked by the guys.They didn't know what I was made of. I dished it back...and after time they grew to like me. And surprisingly, I grew to like the job! I worked hard and made sure to impress my boss. I hung cabinets, doors, casing, base and hardware. I did it all baby!

I did resign and decided it was time to move to North Carolina, but if you read my previous posts, you would know I wasn't able to make it there because of a stupid semi...but I do miss this job. Perhaps one day I will experience something like it again. Even if just as a hobby. 

Who Am I?

Who is that red-headed baby on the floor? 

 It's me. My name is Samantha Yvonne and I was born in 1990. My mom is in the above picture and the below picture in the background. I love her! She raised me as a single parent, and she did a fabulous job! Just look at me!

I have two sisters and a brother. My sisters are step sisters, but I never think of them as so. They are awesome! Samantha, Elizabeth, and our brother Ivan. And, yes, my sister and I do share the same name.

Growing up I made many mistakes and I took many wrong paths. I isolated and was very depressed. I battled an eating disorder that tried desperately to steal all my joy and happiness. For many years I had no idea how beautiful life really is. I had no clue what beauty even meant! Until November 17th 2010, when I applied and was accepted into Mercy Ministries of America in Nashville, TN.

                 It was at this place that I met my best friend, Danielle!

                             Nash, my pup, is the love of my life!

                                   I was a carpenter, and I loved it!

I eat a certain craving until I can no longer look at it without gagging. I love food. I loved the smell of cooking food. I love to cook, and create. I hate peanut butter. I love Adele! I play the guitar. I like to run. Camping is the BOMB. And my passion is to help others. But I think the thing I love the absolute most is Jesus. Without Him, I wouldn't be here. He has saved me time and time again. I owe Him my everything!

Doggie Hunt

Have you ever went on a dog hunt? Searching for the right dog is hard! It takes patience and diligence to not give in to the first set of puppy eyes you see.

After I moved back to Michigan from Nashville, Tennessee, I had a bad case of the southern blues! I missed the south quite badly! And all I wanted was a puppy from Tennessee to bring back with me. I wanted a piece of TN with me.

So, upon having worked hard enough and saved up enough money, I felt that the timing was right! I needed a small companion to not only keep me company, but to help pull me from the sharp, cold grasp of isolation!

So I went to a nearby animal shelter. Filled out papers for me to begin an adoption process. I went back there EVERYDAY for a week!

I searched through and met several pups that wanted to steal my heart. It was hard to go home empty handed each day!

Then came the day where they got in a huge bundle of new joys!
They go down to all the southern states and rescue animals from high-euthanize shelters.

In that bundle of joy, I saw the love of my life! I knew nothing about him. In fact, I didn't even know it was a 'him.' But I knew I loved him immediately.

 As soon as I began the adoption process I looked at his papers...guess where he was from...


TENNESSEE!


Yup, my baby boy is from my favorite piece of land!

His name is Nash and he was born on October 6th 2011.

Definitely the love of my life!

Home Sweet Home

               




  How would you like to say 'Home Sweet Home' to a place like this? I know I love it!










So this is now my new home! Temporary, of course...but I love driving up the driveway and seeing this masterpiece! I can really see God's beauty in this. 




 Up until a few months ago there were horses and cows here. This is my uncle's property, and he has been so gracious enough to let me live here too!
They have a front porch swing that I love sitting on and playing my guitar. Oh, just pure utopia!

This is definitely a new journey...and one i particularly like!

Remodeling.

This weekend I am helping a friend remodel her four year old sons bedroom. It's a huge project. She doing everything pirate themed. The mural is already set in place and looks great! But we are trying to make the ceiling look like the sky.





Having a wee bit of trouble with this one! But I have faith it will turn out. I guess all that matters in the end is if the four year old likes it. And he likes most anything that's done haha.

With my mad carpentry skills I'm making a pirate ship bed. Wish me luck! I'm excited to be using power tools again! Wahoo!

:) hope every blogger has a splendid weekend! And remember, life's a beautiful blog! <3

Water skiing!

Have you ever been water skiing or wake boarding? OMgosh it's the most fun thing I've ever done! I seriously suggest you try it!

We met up with a ministry called In His Wakes at Kenny Chesney's summer home in Nashville, TN. It was absolutely beautiful.

We went water skiing, wake boarding and tubing. And also heard wonderful testimonies!

In His Wakes is a non-profit Christian based ministry. They do travel around. So if you are interested check them out at http://www.inhiswakes.com/

Well hi there!

Well hi there! Today you are more blessed than yesterday because you've been given today.

It's been a while since I've posted. I have a good excuse. I was hit by a semi. That's right. My small 97 Chevy cavalier was struck by a speeding semi that hit and ran. In any other circumstance it wouldn't have been such a hindrance except for the fact that everything I owned was in it and I was headed to move to North Carolina.

All of my belongings and me and my mom who was riding down south with me and my puppy all made it out alive! No one was hurt much at all! Not even sore the next few days afterwards.

That was over a month ago. I've been homeless and jobless and without a car since.

But boy is God so faithful! He is providing. I haven't lost my faith or trust. I am fighting.

I am in a war. I am armed and equipped. I already know who wins in the end so I'm not even the slightest bit afraid or intimidated.

Prayers are always welcomed and appreciated. They are the strongest weapon we hold power to.

Make sure to give thanks to God for all the little things in your life that help make your life just a wee bit simpler. And if u can't think of anything, ask Him. He will gladly point them out.

My love is with you!

Love

We all know that Jesus loves us. We are taught that at an early age...but I don't think we understand that Jesus loves us INDIVUALLY. Yes, He loves us as a body; a whole; a congregation of followers. But His love is so much more personal than that. He is much more personal than that.

Lately I've been making quite a few mistakes in my christian walk. I am not perfect. In my past I would have felt compelled to punish myself for the condemnation I felt within my spirit of disobeying my Abba. I would have self-harmed, or starved myself, or inflicted some sort of physical pain to count as a punishment (like getting a spanking as a child).

With one of my most recent mistakes I laid awake the whole night in fear...fear of God's wrath. I was terrified of what God would do to me. Like He is a giant man up in the Heavens with a baseball bat ready to bop me on the head. I forgot for that night that God LOVES ME.

I was reminded of something He had said in Isaiah 43:4- That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I LOVE you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

Jesus' love is so real; so thick; so tangible; so personal! Your mistakes don't make who you are. I am not my failures. I am not my sins. I am not my mistakes!

I know who I am, and I know whose I am.

I am forgiven.
I am set free.
I am cherished.
I am LOVED!