Time for a Getaway

This last Friday I took the day off for a mini road trip to Palm Springs. Cory had been there for about eight days at a fair where he was playing the drums with two other guys. My best friend Sophie and I started out on our little trip with a road mix CD and some iced coffee. After making a stop at a random gas station to use a ghetto bathroom and grab some snacks, we finally arrived to our destination a couple hours later. 

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I was so excited because I hadn't seen Cory in over a week, and that was our longest time apart. We spent the whole day at the fair in the warm 85 degree weather. We walked around, drank frozen lemonade, ate some friend zucchini, watched Cory and the guys play, and met all of the other entertainers. 

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After a long day in the heat, Cory, Soph, and I headed to dinner in the town where we ate at a delicious Mexican restaurant that his family goes to called Las Casuelas. After enjoying a wonderful dinner and even better company, we made our way back to the hotel where we went in the spa, then hung out in the room listening to music and enjoying each other's personalities. We finally got to bed around 1230 where Soph and I shared a bed so big we had about 2 feet between us all night long. 

A couple of the other entertainers :)

Walking in town...

Dinnertime!

Cory woke us up in the morning to two hot coffees from Starbucks, my favorite... it put a smile on my face. We finished getting ready and headed to breakfast to a small place down the street before heading back home. I didn't want to leave him, but I knew that I would see him soon enough when he comes home. So we departed from Cory after breakfast and headed back home. The drive back was such a great time because Sophie and I were able to talk about so many different interesting things about relationships and how both of our journey's have been so different. After 2 hours of pure conversation, we finally arrived home.

It was a wonderful night that we spent in Palm Springs to see Cory. Soph was able to get to know him a little better and put her stamp of approval on him for me :) Now I will spend the rest of my weekend studying for my upcoming exams... accompanied by a couple cups of coffee, of course!

God Bless!
xoxo,
Jewels

dei gratia

How is it, that one person can affect us so much? Think about it, something as little as someone opening the door for you can point your day and attitude in a better direction. When someone acts negatively towards us whether it be something small like getting cut off when driving or something greater. We don't really pay attention to the fact that one person can impact our attitude, our day, our views, how we talk, and how we treat people, and even our lives.

Lately, I've experienced this in such a positive way. About three months ago, when Cory walked into my life I had no clue what God was doing. And now, after spending almost every day together I know exactly why God placed him in my life. He's someone I can share my love for God with, my passion, my struggles, my happiness, and myself. I find my happiness magnified, my attitude changed, and my view on life different. He is someone that has impacted my life in such a short time and in such a positive way. I get to grow with someone and watch them grow in their own way. Even in the past 3 months I've seen how much Cory has grown in life and how much he has helped me grown. He is someone who encourages me and builds me up...and the life that I am experiencing is almost impossible to describe. My excitement and happiness is unable to be put to words, and that has never happened to me before.

I have always had the ability to use words to express feeling. There hasn't been a time in my life where I have experience something too great and too wonderful that I just cannot simply explain, until now... and I think that's how love should be. God's love for us was so strong that it wasn't through words, but in actions when he sent his only son to hang on a cross where He died and through his actions he demonstrated the greatest love that will ever exsist. I feel so blessed....with the love of my Creator, the love of my family, and now the love of a man that makes me a better person. I may not be able to put it to words, but I know that I am forever thankful to be abundantly blessed in this life... all by the grace of God.

Spring Clean

Eddie Rickenbacker once wrote, "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do and there can be no courage if you are not scared." This week I began school and I couldn't help but be nervous for what it was going to bring me. I am coming into a semester that is extremely important and very difficult for me. While I am worried aboutmy semester, Cory also starts school again this semester and I hope that we can both encourage each other and do well. I have really been recognizing the blessings in life lately and Cory has been one of them. After work, He came over and we went school supply shopping with my little brother to get ready for our classes. After we got home we made dinner: homemade Mac and Cheese and vegetables :) we danced in the kitchen and helped Brad with homework and finished off the evening staying warm on the couch watching "Once Upon A Time."
I have been focusing on courage and strength this week... And I have found, especially in the past two months... What happens when you have the courage to allow God to take control of your life, and how he gives such blessings. Joshua 1:3-9 says, "I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you...No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses, I will not fail you or abandon you.'" I am going to have the courage to allow God to challenge me this week and to give me peace in my heart.

Xoxo,
Jewel

Cord of Hope

"Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and my rays of light will reach you through the darkness." -Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

This week, my Grandma Dora passed away. Although death is sad and painful, I know that she no longer has the pain of this world and the worries of her time of departure. She passed in her sleep, where she didn't have to experience pain or suffering in her last moments. After she breathed her last breath, she left a broken world behind that no longer had anything to offer her... also leaving behind the people that love her, including my Grandpa Bill, who has stood by her side through it all. When I think of the word commitment I think of him... because through every course of action, he stood by her side. I no longer have either of my Grandmother's, and it breaks my heart. But I know that they are both together in a place where they are healed, happy, and enjoying the presence of my Lord and Savior. I have hope, like a golden cord that connects me to heaven, to my heavenly father... and to the one's that are no longer part of this world.

Lately, I have had a thirst for the Lord. My parents got me a 365 day devotinal for Christmas called, Jesus Calling, as I already mentioned. And although the study is short, it gives me a taste and I only want more. Prior to the news of my Grandma, I spent my Sunday getting breakfast with the entire Sass family and friends, and listening to a sermon based on love and the good Samaritan with Cory at home. I find it a total blessing to be able to pray with someone or to listen to sermons with someone, and not just anyone--but someone who has a thirst for it as well.

Monday night, Cory came over to hang out with me and Brad while my parents went to dinner to get some alone time. We spent the evening in comfy clothes making spaghetti, broccoli, and burnt bread while we watched a movie called Shooter. It was a simple evening, but one that I enjoy most... just being content with someone in a completely relaxed state. I have a full day of work ahead of me, but I started it off perfectly with a Starbucks Coffee and another day of Jesus Calling.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Psalm 46:1

Eleven.

1. Changed my major from teaching to Business Management and decided to be a part of the family business.
2. Spent a week of my Summer at Hume Lake as a Counselor with a cabin full of wonderful young junior Highers that changed my outlook on life.
3. Got the news that I will be welcoming two members to the family: a nephew and a sister in law.
4. Worked and completed an entire catalog for work with my sister.
5. Began my second year of college.
6. Changed my direction of life... Let go of some people that were bringing me down and was blessed with a handful of some incredible people.
7. Said goodbye to my Grandpa Dave, who I was able to spend some time with and get to know in the last year.
8. Turned 20 years old!
9. Got my braces off. Now my jaw is practically healed and my smile is bigger... Whether that has to do with the man in my life or not... ;)
10. Met Cory Sass, who I have been blessed with to have all to myself and share memories and adventures with.
11. Fulfilled a dream of mine when I went to see Wicked at Pantages Theatre in LA with Cory.

Eleven things... Only eleven of the things that came into my mind when I thought about the past year. Just like every year, we make mistakes, we gain something, we lose something, and we ALWAYS learn at least one thing. This year, I've learned two things... One, that regardless of the circumstances, God won't ever leave your side and he always has control. Second, is to never settle for less than you deserve. I put myself through a lot this past year, and when I finally gave God the reigns... He started me on an adventure I would have never gone for alone. He has brought people into my life, people like Cory, who have been behind the scenes for such a long time until God knew it would be best timing for the both of us. And now, with an incredible family, astounding friends, an exquisite boyfriend, and a perfect God... I couldn't be more thankful for the past year... Because even amidst the difficulties and trials... I was blessed with sunshine in my life and true happiness. So thank you 2011, for what you had to offer me and for the trials that you gave me to strengthen me.

"Here is to the nights this turned into mornings.

The friends that turned into family.

The dreams that turned into reality,

And the likes that turned into love."

Happy New Year!!!

Oh the Holiday's

"A moment later, he plopped down on the sand beside her, and when the accidentally touched Gabby had the briefest flash of them sitting together just like this on a hundred different weekends in the future." -Nicholas Sparks from The Choice 

Now that I have finished finals and school for the semester, I have done nothing but enjoy myself and losing myself in a novel lent to me by Cory. I couldn't even begin to explain how wonderful the past week has been for me, even amidst a week of finals... there was just too much happiness in my heart to bring me down. 

Last Saturday, I spent the evening with Cory's family attending his Dad's firemen dinner where he received fireman of the year. After some time in the spa and a Christmas movie, Cory figured it was just about time to celebrate my birthday and surprise me with something he had planned. We jumped in his truck which was filled with blankets, and grabbed some warm coffee. After driving, he explained that he was taking me up to Palomar Mountain. We made our way to a perfect spot after seeing a deer and an owl, and he threw some blankets and pillows in the back of his truck. We laid there with warm coffee and looked out at the beautiful sight: a full sky of stars and a completely full moon. After enjoying a perfect sight, he put on some music and we danced under the stars. I felt as though I was living in my own Nicholas Sparks novel, that somewhere someone was writing my story down because it was that perfect. 

After the clock struck 12, I turned 20. As we made our way down the mountain, Cory pulled out my present... a CD that said, "Happy Birthday!" on it. He went on to explain he had spent the past couple weeks working on a song he had written me. He put in the disc in and I sat back and listened. I was completely taken back and had goosebumps all over... it was just perfect. 

After getting some rest, I woke up and celebrated my birthday with my family and some close friends. It was small and perfect, just what I love. The rest of the week studying and taking finals, and on Friday celebrated with friends. I couldn't be more blessed with this life that I am living out. Christmas is right around the corner, and I can't imagine being in a better place that I am right now to enjoy it. 

Becks <3

Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Handsome Boyfriend :)

My Best Friend <3 

Christmas Lights Galore!

God is Able

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes, and silly people." This past week has been a challenge for me, in the light that I didn't let the struggle outweigh the blessings that were placed upon me. I had some issues with friends this past week which are still clearly not dealt with. I am the type of person who needs confrontation, someone who will come to me and talk with me to my face and resolve issues... a HUGE pet peeve of mine is trying to deal with issues over the phone or over a text message and that is how this issue grew. Yesterday, hurtful words were said to me. While I was eating lunch with friends yesterday, I received messages with words that broke me down to a low point. I tried my best to brush it off my shoulder and not let those words keep me down. When I had some alone time on the way home from school, I simply prayed that God would guide my thoughts and words to his will. 

I carried on with my evening with a group of friends to go see Hillsong at The Rock Church in San Diego. We listened to Frank Sinatra the whole ride up and enjoyed each others company. The concert was incredible... we were about 3 feet away from the stage where we stood worshipping our forgiving God. It was an incredible experience to be able to stand with people that I love and worship the God of love. In those moments I realized how truly blessed I am to be able to come and worship God with my friends. With all that was on my heart, all anger, all hurt, all resentment... I let it go and trusted that God will use it towards his will. Just as people question why there is evil, or why there is pain in this world... we never ask why there is happiness or joy. We are blessed ... and sometimes, we take that for granted. I have so many wonderful things going well in my life, and this weekend I get to celebrate my birthday with the people that truly care for me.

Cory and I after Hillsong

Feet away from the stage, worshipping God. 

Christopher lol