I never thought...

I never thought I'd move out of my parents' house before I got married. Yet now, this Saturday I'm moving into a house with some other girls, and I'm quite excited!

I never thought I'd be able to smile at a complete stranger and say hi to them. Yet now, almost everywhere I go, I find myself smiling at people in hopes that I can share just a bit of God's love with them.

I never thought I'd have the courage to talk with guys, aside from the formal, "Hi, how are you?" Yet now some of my best friends are guys, and I'm perfectly comfortable talking with them (and most other guys too).

I never thought I'd find anyone who would understand my love of clouds and nature. Yet now I know at least 4 people with whom I can share this fascination.

I never thought I'd care about other people's souls or thoughts of God. Yet now there is nothing that would make me happier than to see others grow in their understanding of and love for God, and I pray for them to that end.

I never thought I'd change or grow. Yet now, just these past few months, God has changed me in so many ways spiritually it is ridiculous. And He has brought me so much joy, peace, and freedom. :) I just wish I could give away all of my joy to my friends, so that they can be joyful too! 

Random Fact Wednesday (8)

So, I have a goofy side. Sometimes that's hard to believe, even for me, but what fun would it be if I was never goofy?
I like to:
1.) Turn on dance music and intentionally dance ungracefully, while singing purposely out of tune.
2.) Make ridiculous faces at myself in the mirror.
3.) Attempt to speak in a British accent, usually while quoting a line from a movie. (quite entertaining, since I pretty much can't speak in a British accent)
4.) At work, when the headset is muted at my end, I sometimes talk back to customers, laugh at them, or repeat back what they said in an exaggerated way.
5.) Make my own commentary out loud during movies that I've seen multiple times. (which can be annoying to other people sometimes)
6.) Have a long dialog with an inanimate object or with myself. The latter of which has produced some strange looks in my direction.... apparently I'm half crazy.
7.) Make sound effects for almost everything. 

In conclusion, If I'm ever goofy around you, it's because I'm comfortable being with you. :)

And, here's a daily odd compliment for you.
"You know what the difference is between you and a narwhal, aside from your physical features, dietary habits, social skills, mating rituals, interests, intelligence, and reading level?
Nothing. Because you're both amazing.
Isn't that crazy? It's like you're twins."

Random quotes and other stuff

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light." Luke 8:16

"Your fear is the only thing standing in the way of you receiving the gifts that God wants to give you. Your fear keeps you from doing things you know that God is telling you to. You hold back because you fear what might happen if you step out and surrender fully to your Father."

Wow, God is trying to tell me something. Through recent messages on Sundays, my Bible reading, conversations with friends, and random events, God is basically telling me to come out of my shell. 

For example, the other day at Walmart there were 2 separate incidents of people asking me if I knew where an item was. I just knew it was God giving me the opportunity to grow in my 'people skills', and if I didn't try to help then it would have been disobedience. I was able to help both of them find what they were looking for, and they were both so happy. It made me happy to see them happy. :)

So, I'm going to try my best to overcome this idea that I can't change how introverted I am. Sure, God made me an introvert, but that doesn't mean that I can live under the delusion that I will never be good at talking to people. Nothing is impossible with God, even for this socially-awkward girl!
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On a lighter note, here are some random quotes I found the other day. Enjoy. :)

"Be weird. Be random. Be who you are."

"There is a certain happiness in being silly and ridiculous."

"Never trust an atom. They make up everything."

"If you're lucky enough to be different, don't ever change."

"When I'm sad I just sing, and then I realize my voice is worse than my problems."

"To Do List: 1)Buy a sword. 2)Name it Kindness. 3)Kill people with Kindness."

"You are /never/ too old for a Disney movie!"