Inspiration..

Every once in a while I find something that I know will inspire me for years to come and often I find that inspiration in books. I just read a book called Led By Faith. It's a sequel to Left To Tell which is the MOST amazing book I've ever read. This book talks about a woman's experience during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. What a terrifying display of human suffering, yet there is beauty and love found in this tragedy and this woman's faith will forever touch my heart. I couldn't help but post some of my favorite quotes from this book. Perhaps it will inspire you as much as it uplifts and inspires me..

But my entire family is gone! Whom can I love now?
Go back into the world and find someone to bless with that same type of love. Give it to someone who has no love at all, such as the homeless, the sick, or the orphaned. Look for the beauty of God in the eyes of a little boy or girl. Find a child whose heart has been shattered, and give him or her some happiness. Remember, all love begins with a smile.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.37

…when we suffer a loss too great to bear, our hearts and minds are open to miracles…
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.76

Hatred, anger, mistrust, and fear enter our lives every day in a thousand different ways. We’re all wounded by these evils, but we can all be healed through the power of love and forgiveness—a power readily available to all of us when we have faith.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.192

Faith is a living thing that must be nurtured every day through prayer, kindness, and acts of love. It will lead us through our darkest days and restore love and light to even the most troubled soul in the most dire of circumstances.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.192

She lived with pain, but she also lived with hope. She had faith that God would make each day better than the last, and that was the beginning of happiness.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.196

If the evil that was unleashed here could be conquered with love, where could evil not be conquered? If the hearts of Rwanda could be healed through forgiveness, then what heart couldn’t?
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Led By Faith, p.200

Summer o' fun!

Wow it has been such a fun summer and I have failed to write about any of it! I can't believe August is already here and I leave in a month for Hawaii!! AHH!! This summer I have done my best to fill each and every moment with fun! Here are some pictures of some of the adventures I have had this summer, including random hikes and 4 in the morning, Dancing until one in the morning every night, nannying the cutest kids on the planet, boating every weekend, and much much more!

Sending Rachel off on her mission to the New York, New York Spanish speaking mission! Good luck bud! :) She'll be great!
This is the cute little girl named Breelyn that I babysit for my summer job. We have so much fun! I just adore her!
Hiking Angel's landing with my family! It was such a fun hike!
I went to New York City with my best friend in the world Kelly! We had so much fun! This is us in Times Square. What a blast! Love ya Kell!


Here is Andrea and I about to go boating! We have WAY too much fun together!


Four-wheeling up at the cabin every weekend with my cute little dog Mooshie!!

I couldn't help but put a picture of my cute little cat Bum up here. This is probably his last summer seeing as he looks diseased and he's only half alive. I just love BUM!!

Summer is great! I'll be sure to post more pictures of my adventures later.. but I'm too lazy to do more now :) Enjoy!