its all part of the journey

Its all apart of the journey.....in the past few days I've experienced great sadness, extreme happiness, complete freedom, and accomplished goal # 23 on my list, . :)

*Saturday night I went to the drive-in movies with great friends- I call that, "accomplishing goal #23 on my list" as well as, "experiencing complete freedom"

Have you ever been caught up the moment, any moment and all of a sudden something catches your eye or someone says something that steals the attention and inspires you to think?  well that's what happened to me. As I sat in the blazing Texas weather, in a crowded car trying to watch a movie, something just begged for my attention. The word Freedom kept popping in my head and when I finally acknowledged it, all I could do was nod my head and say, "exactly!"

Freedom. simple right? Well, to us that live in America that is. Perhaps you've never even thought of it that way b/c you haven't had to think otherwise about it. We just live our lives- I'd say... happy.

We're not confined by limitations. We are not under physical restraint. We are not in the position to feel like we have no control over self. . There's no "obligation." We are not under imprisonment. We have the power to determine action. We are free from ties. We are free to use at one's will whenever, and we have the right to enjoy all privileges.

Freedom allows us to see things far ahead. It gives way to a path or paths, to say there's not just one way, but many. It gives the power to move forward. There's hope. There's life. There's laughter and its all yours! Its simple right?

Freedom: Pure enjoyment of life.

The absents of freedom probably feels as if confinement always lingers in you, always feeling restricted and imprisoned. No trust, no hope, just looking out for the next moment trying to determine if you'll live for the next, or the next be no longer living. The absents of freedom probably looks like someone always looking over their shoulder just waiting for someone to zap them with one wrong move.

Freedom causes me to think that I really do have it "so good." Freedom in this moment was defined as being ABLE to enjoy a simple thing like a drive-in movie with great friends. To be able to laugh, go and come as we pleased, to be outside and munch on a corn dog or fill yourself with a yummy funnel cake and an ice cold cherry coke! Man thats the good stuff!! Sounds funny right? Maybe simple? Well not to those who have not and probably will not have the freedom to do so. To them its probably considered luxury to those who have the least of these things. To sit OUTSIDE. To watch a MOVIE. To be with FRIENDS. To LAUGH.

Just think about it, thats all.

I say all this for the obvious reason, not to take it all for granted, but also to say "simply" enjoy life- your life, b/c you and I have the freedom to live one, weather its carelessly, depressed, happy, peaceful, or burdened. However you choose, remember its b/c of Freedom that you actually get to choose. 

How do you live out Freedom? How do you live your life?

I choose to Live Life Beautifully.

*Sunday I had to say goodbye to my besfran Sydney. This is definitely called "great sadness"

Saying goodbye always stinks, but I'd rather be the one leaving than to watch that person leave- its less painful to me. And even though she was leaving, I had to leave on a road trip before she did.

I can say that I hate when I'm the one to watch someone drive away until they're no longer in sight. It always feels like apart of me is going away too for some reason, not knowing when you'll ever see the other part of you again.

LEAVE. what a poopy word.

When you're being left, something inside always goes "don't go." I always want to find a way to make them stay the very moment they turn and walk away- but I know there's nothing I can do or say b/c they've already made up their mind. 

When you leave, you know exactly what you're leaving behind.  A friend, a family, a love, a home, a special place etc. I know what its like to want to turn the car around and go back, and honestly I don't know why-just do.  Maybe its to be in their presents for a second longer.  To say something that you wished you'd said before. Maybe you'd jump out of the car and run to take them by the hand to hug them one last time.

Do what you want and as John Mayer says , "say what you need to say....its better to say too much than to never say what you need to say, Even if you're hands are shaking..." Don't wait, for it may be too late, but better late than never- even if it means turning the car around. :)

*Sunday afternoon as I continued on my road trip, I got a call from my cousin Rey that I have been praying for EVERYDAY for the past 8 months. The specifics.....he's COMING to masters! I never thought I would ever hear him say the words that he did, but I knew what God had told me to do yrs. back and that was to fight for him and love him despite of what's happened. I still loved him, but I didn't fight for him the way I was supposed to. But in December God reminded me of how crucial it was to do so everyday and I made a commitment to intercede for him. Sometime between Dec. and Sun. God had wispered in my ear where he was going to call him and I had no doubt that God was gonna do what he said he would do. I told a couple of my friends to help fight with me and I am eternally greatful for their prayers! I know that "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19) I held onto this verse and believed that I would see him there. When God says to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) 

So Sunday came and not one prayer was said in vain. God confirmed it to him three times that week and he decided he would move forward with what he said. PTL!!!!!!! On Wednesday, I will be making my way back to Dallas with my suitcase, my dad, Rey and all his belongings! (which was totally his idea to be there a month early) I call this my friends, "Extreme Happiness!"