heaven & co

It's a mixture of high standards, shortcomings, pride, and comparisons.

Just feeling so defeated.
But it's through this feeling of defeat that the Lord draws me near and says, "Heaven, you can't do this .... not on your own."

So sometimes, we have to admit that we've lost and our increasing need for Jesus is every. single. day.

How appropriate that I was reading on Psalm 55 earlier today:

Listen to my prayer, O' God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and understand me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. (v. 1-2) My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can't stop shaking. Oh, that I had wings like a dove: then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape - far from this wild storm of hatred. (v. 4-8)

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care
of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. - Ps. 55:22

Thankful for seasons of life .... and for Fridays.

It hasn't gotten as cold as I would like, but in time. I decided to finally go ahead and post an outfit of the day so I could cross it off my 1001 list. :)

College has been good to me. Learning lots of new things and learning to love learning in its entirety. Maybe I'll update more in a future post, but for now, here's my outfit!

T-3 days. School is nearly back in session! I was determined to use this summer to prepare and to get ahead, but as you can probably imagine, my habitual desire to procrastinate was stronger than my will and determination, sadly, but that's okay!

However, I do feel more nervous than I had anticipated. Nervous in every way, too, about everything. School, work, social life, tuition. I'd be lying if I said I'd prayed about it and was no longer nervous. I want to work hard in school and I'm nervous that I'll get disappointed and disappoint others (notice I said "get disappointed" and not "if") when my efforts are not up to par. I want to work well in this new job (I'm a student ambassador!) and I'm nervous in the most excited way possible. I want to invest in people, make time, listen and be balanced in all of that and that makes me nervous because, well, it's tough. And school, it's expensive.

Amid all that I'm feeling, it is so good to know that God .. is .. in .. control. He says that we don't have to feel nervous, nor do we need to feel anxious about anything, but simply desires for us to go to Him. I love looking back and seeing His hand in all the areas of my life - which just so happens to be school, work, social life, tuition! It's exciting to see God's plan unfolding little by little and as this new year of school approaches, I'm looking forward to the new things, the changes, the people, friendships, but most of all, growth.


I'll leave you with this:
May you be a witness to the world of the work that the Lord is doing in your life and at the end of it all, continue to say, more of Jesus, less of me.



I can't wait to share more about what the Lord is doing in my life! Until then, take care!

>> Be disciplined for we are called to a higher standard.

I'm in the midst of preparing for my finals that are in a couple of hours, but I just felt the need to jot down this single thought.

... needing more of Jesus every day. Desiring to be just like Him; reflecting who He is. When I think about the Lord, I don't want anything to do with this world; all I want is more of Jesus, only Jesus.


Let it be Jesus, the first name that I call.
Let it be Jesus, my song inside the storm. 
God, I breathe Your name above everything.
- Let it Be Jesus; Christy Nockels

If this day I should get lost amid the perplexities of life and the
rush of many duties, do Thou search me out, gracious Lord,
and bring me back into the quiet of Thy presence.

- F.B. Meyer-

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us! (Romans 8:37) What a joy it was to wake up to sunshine this morning as we remember that long ago, God thought of us and saw fit that His Son would die in our place. Because of Jesus Christ, we have victory; we have freedom. Death has been defeated and today we celebrate His resurrection!

On a different note, it's definitely been a good long weekend. One probably needed, yet not exactly taken advantage of, but you live and you learn. ;)

- Enjoyed some real good korean food this weekend. I had crazy cravings for korean food, so this definitely did the trick. My first time trying ddeokbokki and definitely not my last. :)
- Esther and I did face masks and our faces were so flawless. haha!
- I had the wonderful opportunity in leading worship with Maggie!
- Enjoyed some good grilled food by some of the guys! Rice, I love it.
- Spent an incredible amount of hours playing volleyball.

What a good/fun experience! I wasn't going to do it, but friends pushed me to do so and it was such a good decision ... even though I was so slow. "Progress only..."

A couple things I've been learning about myself this week: 1) I can't handle the "truth." 2) I've become so inconsiderate and so wrapped up in my own bubble that I forget about other human beings. 3) Need balance, balance, balance. 4) Also need Jesus ... every single day.

In my ever changing life, I praise God because He never changes.


It's hasn't exactly been the toughest week although it is mid-term week. I can't wait for it to be over. I need some time.

I woke up this morning and Proverbs 3:6 was written on the ground. It was so good and very much needed. Lately, I've been finding myself dealing with feelings of uncertainty. My prayers to God for direction has not been unanswered though, 'cause you see, I woke up this morning to Proverbs 3:6 ... and yesterday night, I remember pleading from the Lord to simply lead me where He wants me. This morning, I was reminded that He wants me to be with Him, centered on Him, focused on Him, and knowing that He is God .. the God of my life, my plans, my paths. I love that in the verse, it says to acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. It's been a real comfort and I hope you find the same comfort when/if you're dealing with any kind of uncertainty in this season of your life.


 I wish the chalk was more visible so you'd be able to see it as well. It's too bad the afternoon rain washed it awaaay.

Thanks for reading!

I've been focusing on the Psalms a lot lately. As I read through chapter 4, this brought me much comfort and I hope it does the same for you! "But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him." (Ps. 4:3)

I really enjoyed today.

I woke up roughly around  8:50ish and prepared myself for a hall hangout. I told myself that I was going to be more intentional about relationships, so I wanted to go and get to know these girls that I've been living with for the past semester. They are so cool, y'all. So cool.

We went to a local restaurant called Natalie Jane's for brunch. Super cute place, by the way and one more restaurant that I can cross off of my list of 101 goals.

Hanging out with these girls today allowed me to realize this: if I want to experience, then I truly need to step out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it's tough though ... especially knowing that you will be uncomfortable, but I didn't regret it.

So that's what I did.


Aaaand this is me and my roommate before she left for a banquet earlier today. I am incredibly blessed with the people in my life and she's one that God has placed specifically as my roommate to balance out the kind of person I am. Sometimes, I'm too dramatic, too loud, too crazy ... but she balances me out in being the opposite of all of that.

I'm grateful for her heart as one who is so willing to serve and to love ... and to love me regardless of who I am ... ha ha.


Thanks be to God who so perfectly plans for our good in mind.

I apologize in advance for this half-selfie image. This is the most recent picture that I have of us two together. hah!

Yesterday night, Chris wrote to me and asked if I could help him with something. I feel bad that I wasn't able to help him ... but that's beside the point. I just wanted to say that I'm feeling glad that he would choose to come to me for advice, help, or favors. I'm his little sister so it means a lot to me that he looks to me for help, etc.

Chris, my brother, is such a kind-hearted person. He is the loudest person on earth, but my mom once said that he definitely brings warmth into a home, so I guess his loud-out-of-tune-singing is okay sometimes. Over Winter break, he woke me up after he came back from school and told me to get ready so we could go eat out. He said I could choose the place. Then, when I got to spend the day with him and his girlfriend, his girlfriend told me that he often tells her how much he misses me. Super sweet.


All this to say, I have such a wonderful brother and felt that this was worth a blog post.

I made John the Baptist puppets today with the kids and as we were coloring, one little girl sits on top of her seat while on her feet, looks straight down on another little girl's coloring skills and with an increased tone, she asks, "weeeeally?" (She meant to say "Reaaaally?") Not only did it shock me, but it made me laugh to myself. And then I asked her, "Now is that nice to say?!" And she told me she was only asking herself. Children these days never fail to amaze me with how quick they're learning. I can't remember if I was as smart as these kids when I was their age. Nevertheless, I love learning from them!

So there's this list. 101 goals in 1001 days. I've listed goals that I want to accomplish in the years ahead of me in hopes of actually accomplishing them. None of these goals are anything special in particular, but they're set so that I may do them and be able to look back and say that I've done such things. I think it's going to be great!

Start Date: January 12th, 2014
End Date: October 9th, 2016

1. Finish this list
2. Learn to swim
3. Have a conversation with the hard of hearing
4. Run a marathon
5. Run 3 miles non-stop on a treadmill
6. Donate my hair
7. Have at least 1,000 saved in my bank account
8. Send 50 handwritten notes or letters (0/50)
9. Pay for a stranger's meal/drink
10. Meet a need for someone
11. Lose 20 lbs
12. Visit a friend in another state
13. Take a road trip
14. Wear red lipstick
15. Acquire 5 new journals (1/5)
16. Learn to speak fluently in Hmong
17. Go to a concert
18. Post an outfit of the day
19. Invest in a good pair of shoes
20. Memorize at least 10 bible verses
21. Make at least 1 close non-hmong friend in college
22. Watch a movie marathon
23. Do 20 random acts of kindness - intentionally (0/20)
24. Try 5 new restaurants (or places I've never been before) (5/5)
25. Eat at a restaurant in Atlanta
26. Read a classic novel Tuesdays with Morrie. Such a beautiful book!
27. Learn to drive
28. Then get license
29. Treat both mom and sister to a mani/pedi
30. Go to a spa
31. Be able to lift 30 lbs
32. Buy an Essie nail polish (Mind your mittens)
33. Sit in a coffee shop with my laptop and do something productive
34. Spend a whole day in Barnes and Noble
35. Lead youth girls in something
36. Eliminate 20 tangible things
37. Watch a documentary
38. Create a list of big words to use more often
39. Take a day off and do your own thing
40. Put a dollar into savings for every goal accomplished
41. Clear out my closet
42. Surprise someone with lunch
43. Learn how to make papaya
44. Get a new job
45. Help someone move
46. Send random care package to a friend
48. Invest in a friend
49. Buy an elegant dress
50. Talk to a stranger about my faith
51. Pursue a friendship
52. Go on a vacation
53. Make an original song
54. Make a cover
55. Go hiking
56. Buy new guitar strings
57. Learn a new instrument
58. Give a gift
59. Set up a bed time for 11:00pm -- and make it a habit to sleep by then.
60. Attain HOPE
61. Earn all A's
62. Donate blood
63. Officially start my budgeting plan
64. Complete a resume
65. Finish writing through a journal
66. Go a week without any processed foods
67. Use at least one each of my products (moisturizer, chapstick, lotion, mascara)
68. Purchase pepper spray
69. Jog over the shore of a beach
70. Eat a Sprinkles cupcake ... or two.
71. Go a week without painting my nails
72. Teach someone a subject until that person understands it
73. Go to a drive-in movie theater
74. Learn to change a tire on a car
75. Get "Happy Birthday" donuts from Sublime Donuts (in Atlanta) for someone's birthday!
76. Buy groceries from Trader Joes!
77. Go sightseeing!
78. Dye hair.
79. Bake from a pinterest recipe! We actually just made a Chicken and Avocado dish. Super good! 
80. Read the entire bible
81. Purchase a book from my wishlist
82. Read 10 books (3/10) Jesus > Religion, The Fault in our Stars, Tuesdays with Morrie 
83. Send flowers to someone!
84. Get a credit card.
85. Become a morning person
86. Fast
87. Support a charity, foundation, or organization.
88. Be able to do one good pull up!
89. Get a passport
90. Send a care package to a sick friend
91. Invest in a friend's dream
92. Attend a conference
93. Go on a trip with friends
94. Learn how to tie a tie
95. Learn how to make a fire
96. Babysit for someone
97. Volunteer for something I was able to help clean/prepare an area in town with freshmen. 
98. Make a "day in the life" video
99. Collect, at least, 10 children's books for the future classroom
100. Greet someone with breakfast
101. Take a before and after picture