I am pleased to announce my return to blogging!

It's been quite a journey getting here after my hectic lifestyle for the past few months. Thankfully things are becoming more manageable.

For the past two years, I cried on New Years as soon as the clock struck midnight. For me, I felt loss as the previous year. It seemed to slip through my fingers like the ribbon of a balloon, drifting higher and higher until it was impossible to retrieve. I grasped tightly to my dreams, my friends, my memories, and the final years of my adolescence.

But this past year, I celebrated. I surrounded myself with people who shared the same love in God as I do. I eagerly awaited the moment when I could pull the string to my popper and release the coils of confetti within it. I brought in 2012 with a smile on my face and laughter bubbling out of me.

A small part of me was sad to let 2011 go, but years are meant to pass, meant for us to let go, meant for us to move forward. That's the attitude I held this time. My high school senior year was overwhelming and full of time-consuming projects filled with stress. I felt like a honey bee trying to endlessly keep up with the work ahead of me, but it was also filled with accomplishment, many new learning experiences, and astonishing discoveries.

This year, I pray that I can willingly follow the steps the Lord has set before me. I want to see what amazing and beautiful things He will show me, what struggles I will endure to grow closer to Him, and how my faith will grow.

I may not be comfortable with everything I will endure or come to, but I'll take it as another new learning experience--an adventure in my faith, and hopefully I will always remember that God has big plans for me and my future. (I just need to make sure I'm patient enough to wait for it.) ;)

I hope everyone's New Year is filled with discovery!

Blessings,

~Twyla

Hey everyone!


I feel terrible about not keeping a more consistent blog here. I do plan on blogging more in the future, but right now it will be sporadic. ;/


Why? Unfortunately, I need money to support myself, so I picked up a second part-time job. Besides working two part-times, I've been helping out at 2 different American Heritage Girls troops in town and attending Bible studies when I can. I miss my freedom sorely, but at least I'll be able to pay rent! Yay! :)


I'm also participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) so I'm plodding along in my story. I only have about 250 out of 50,000 words so far. I doubt I'll finish, but it gives me incentive to write. ^^


I keep my Tumblr updated more since it's nice for brief entries and fun pictures so you can find me there by following this linkie ---> http://twylascorner.tumblr.com/


God bless you all!


~Twyla

I owe you guys an apology for being way late on this. I'm hoping to be a bit more regular. The book only has 9 chapters, so hopefully I can get through it and post my thoughts here for you. :)


Chapter One - Part Two 09/19/11


Reading: Why Believe? Exploring the Honest Questions of Seekers by Greg Laurie


(Thought:) As I am reading further in the chapter Mr. Laurie talks about happiness. He quotes, "Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, 'The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.'" Mr. Laurie also mentions that we always hear of people who are trying to "find themselves." I'll be the first to admit I've said that of myself. It was something I strove to do when I was sixteen & especially when I was seventeen. I felt like I was neither a teenager nor an adult. It was really discouraging because the more I tried to figure out who I was supposed to be, I felt lonelier and lonelier.


Mr. Laurie mentions that kind of mindset is contrary to what the Bible instructs us to do. He brings to light, "Jesus said, 'You need to lose yourself.'" Mr. Laurie then quotes Matthew 16:24-25, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."


I believe this is figurative and literal especially when you think of how many martyrs have defended their faith and died rather than denying the Lord.


Thinking back on my personal search I wasn't happy and felt like I was on a treadmill--walking but never moving forward. Sometime during the year I finally gave up trying to "find myself". I went about my school, focused on God, worked on a mural project, and focused on graduating.


It wasn't until this summer that I realized I had changed, and I was happy. It wasn't a dramatic change, but it was noticeable to me and family at least. I had matured some and pushed the walls of my comfort zone out farther. I feel comfortable with who I've become now. I realize I will continue to change and grow without my interference, and I'm okay with that. 

By giving my search, and myself, I found contentment.


Here's a picture I made on Picnik for my Tumblr account. It pretty much sums up my last bit there. :)


Isaiah 64:8, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are the work of your hand."


~Twyla

I'm so sorry I haven't posted more on my "Faith Jouney". I have it written on paper, but not typed up. :P


I've been quite busy with my job and some Community Ed classes. 


Not to worry! I will be back soon. Most of my classes are finished for now. :)


Thanks for following!


~Twyla

Chapter One - Part One 09/17/11

Reading: Why Believe? Exploring the Honest Questions of Seekers by Greg Laurie

(?)Question: "What am I living for?" 

(!)Answer: Naturally, I thought, "God. I am living for God." Then I asked myself how? How am I living for Him? What am I doing that I have concluded I am living for the Lord? I actually had to think about my answer for a moment. "By living to be who God wants me to be." And who is that? "I am a sinner, and always will be one, but God has a set of Commandments He instructs that I follow. He also tells me to learn to trust,

Isaiah 26:4, "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."

to be patient,

1 Timothy 6:11, "But you man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, endurance and gentleness."

to forgive,

Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

and to love,

Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Throughout my life I have a responsibility to my Heavenly Father to grow in these attributes. It makes me happy to see the positive changes in my life.

What are you living for?

~Twyla

There comes a time in our lives when we suddenly seem to have doubts and questions about our faith and what we believe in.


I realized I'm there, and it's not a good feeling. :/ This summer I had been asked some questions by a close friend who has different beliefs than I do. It was then that I realized how unprepared and how poorly worded my answers were. I was floundering, and I hated it.


Also, my younger brother has some friends whom he's extremely close to, but they also don't believe the same way we do. He's been asking them some questions that they've never had to evaluate because they've grown up in the specific religion they believe in and have never had an excuse or even the occasion to look deeper into their church's doctrine.


As I observed this, I was struck by the question: What if I was in that position? I have never really questioned why I believe in the Lord because I grew up being taught He was the One true God and didn't question it. 


I'm not saying that I doubt my faith in the Lord, but I do have some questions and "holes" you could say, that I don't understand about my own belief in Christianity. 


I am incredibly thankful I am taking the year off before going to college because this gives me time to begin my "journey" in establishing my faith in God and religion. If you're following this blog or just viewing it, I invite you to see me explore more thoroughly in the questions I have throughout the year. I hope to update and keep track of what I'm going through.


Until next time!


~Twyla

Psst! I also wanted to mention I recently created a Tumblr account too. Feel free to browse and/or leave comments. (Comments are good because then I get see your guys' thoughts on things.) ;) Here's a linkie for you: http://www.twylascorner.tumblr.com