Hey, I know I haven’t posted in a loooooooooooong time, but I have had so many things going on that it has just been easier for me to let blogging go for a little while. But, here is something I want to share with you all, a chance to win this awesome Bible! Go ahead, sign up. 
Hugs,
Mariah
Okay, here is another one of these. Once again, I have a couple thoughts for posts in my head, but it takes me a while to get them out.
A is for age. 18 years, 6 months, and some days. Wow I’m old.
B is for burger of choice. Um, I like lots of burgers. Don’t really have a favorite.
C is for what car you drive. A 1995 3000 GT Mitsubishi.
D is for Dog’s name: They’re not mine but our dogs names are Elwood and Jake.
E is for essential item you use every day. Soap
F is for favorite tv show at the moment. We’ve been watching a lot of the Smoking Gun lately.
G is for Favorite game. I don’t have a favorite, some that I like are any kind of card game, scattergories, connect 4.
H is for Hometown. Small town with a population of 156, or was it 157?
I is for intruments you play. Piano
J is for favorite juice. Orange – But I hardly ever get to have it.
K is for who you’d like to kiss. If there was someone, I wouldn’t be telling you on this! 
L is for last resturant you ate at. Wendy’s
M is for your favorite Muppet. Never watched ‘em.
N is for number of piercings. Two. But I’ll probably get another one next summer.
O is for overnight hospital stays. I don’t think I ever have.
P is for people you were with today. My sisters and mom.
Q is for what you do with your quiet time. Read, crochet, play card games on my iPod.
R is for biggest regret. Not gonna say, but I have one.
S is for status. Single.
T is for time you woke up today. about 8.
U is for what you consider unique. My friends. Love you guys!
V is for vegetable you love. Corn
W is for wrost habit. Impatience.
X is for number of x-rays you’ve had. Um, maybe 1? I don’t know.
Y is for yummy food you ate today. I haven’t had anything yet.
Z is for zodiac sign. I have no idea actually.
^ What’s that? ^
It looks like a blob, a pretty blob, but just a blob of colors not making any sense.
^ And what’s that? ^
Looks like another blob, kind of like an ugly, jumbled-up mess.
That’s how I feel like my life is sometimes………..Blobs, nothing fitting together, nothing happening for a reason, every day is is new ‘blob.’ That ‘blob’ changes colors every day, sometimes it looks ugly, and other times it’s pretty. That’s all I can see most of the time.
Life is like a painting, I can only see parts of it at a time. I’m not the One doing the painting though, God is. He sees all of the picture, He has a plan, He knows what He is doing(Even though sometimes I wonder ). God sees how every one of those blotches, strokes, and ‘messes’ fit together to make a masterpiece. And the more of my life I hand over the the Creator, the more control I give Him, the greater the masterpiece will be.
Even though I don’t like them in there, the dark places in my ‘painting’ make it all the more beautiful. The shadows make the bright parts shine out all the more. It shows me how God can take someone that is such a ‘mess of blobs’ and make that person into something beautiful. And for that, I am thankful! I’ve certainly got a long way to go, but it’s a journey I’m happy to make.
Sorry that I haven’t been writing much lately. My life has been busy. But, I am mulling over a couple thoughts for posts in my head and I’m sure I’ll have something worthwhile to post soon. But, to pass the time, I’m just going to do another one of these. My friend Sheila did this one, and I liked the questions on it so here goes! 
What’s the age difference between you and the last person you kissed?
Um…15 years. (He’s my nephew
Where will you be tonight?
Um, probably here, but maybe at my sister’s house.
Who are you texting?
No one.
Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
Yep!
Do you have a bank account?
A-huh
Would you change your name?
No, but as Sheila, I used to want to.
Last time you had a nice bubble bath?
I don’t think I’ve ever taken a ‘bubble bath’
Do you like ice-cream?
Yep!
When is the next time you’re going away?
Could be any time, just waiting for the phone to ring.
Where is the person your thinking of?
In Canada, and another in Minnesota.
What do you miss most about your past?
Everything was so simple then! I didn’t have responsibilities, but I like it the way it is now too.
Do you talk to your siblings?
I guess, seems like most of the time it just telling them to clean up.
Are you going to have a good night?
Idk.
Anything weird happen lately?
Weird? Actually, yes, something totally weird happened yesterday.
What made you smile today?
The weird thing that happened yesterday.
Who do you tell the most to?
Maria and Sheila.
What do you carry with you at all times?
Um, I almost always have a kleenex on me, lol.
Do you like anyone?
Attempting not to…
Who knows the real you?
God? And like…2 people?
What CD is in your stereo?
Um, one that I made with songs a bunch of random songs that I like.
Do you have a job?
Babysitting, cleaning offices.
What did you do yesterday?
Babysitting, dishes, piano, played games on my iPod, went to Wal-Mart, cleaned, and other random things.
What big concerts have you been to?
The only big concert that I can think of is one in Canada that I went too. Right now I can’t think of the name.
Do you trust your friends?
Yeah, the ones that are close.
You’re single?
Yep
Look out the window:
I can’t, there is too much clothes in the way.
What are your nicknames?
Maya, Gracie, used to be “Gracie Facie” and “The Face” and one other one I’d rather not say, lol.
What kind of music do you like?
Pretty much everything!
Last thing you purchased?
Beads.
Are you watching tv?
Nope, but I can hear is coming from the other room.
Do you like to go back and read your old journals?
Love it.
Do you break things when you are mad?
No, I seem to usually end up crying.
Do you like the feeling of warm laundry?
Yep.
Do you know someone who “doesn’t cry?”
Maybe, there are some people that I’ve never seen cry.
Do you think you’re wasting your time on the person you like?
That’s what I’m trying to find out.
What plans do you have for tomorrow?
Cleaning……..Ho-Hum…..
When was the last place you fell asleep other than your own bed?
Probably on the floor in the living room.
What do you do when you have a bad day?
Cry.
Have you made any mistakes recently?
Yeah, I always make mistakes.
What is one thing you have learned lately?
I’ve learned I’m “gorgeous” lol
Do your parents really know you?
No way.
Have you ever felt hurt?
Totally
Do you feel like you’ve got some growing up to do?
For sure.
What are you looking forward to in the next month?
Thanksgiving
Do you think too much or too little?
Too little. I usually avoid it as much as I can.
Do you dance in the car?
O yeah!
Do you smile a lot?
Sometimes.
Where did you get the shirt you’re wearing?
I bought is at Kohls. I like it a lot.
Are there things you can’t live without?
Yeah…….
Who is the fourth person on your contact list?
Um, “Brittany Home” 
What’s your favorite thing to have on your bed?
I like it when Gizzy is on my bed.
Do you think you’ll be married in 10 yeαrs?
I kind of hope so.
Where were you at 9pm Thursday night?
Here at home.
What happened at 10:00 am today?
I was probably cleaning.
Do you laugh at all the wrong times?
No, I may have before but not at ALL the wrong times.
When did you last smile?
At least in the last hour.
Have you ever told anyone you were okay when you really weren’t?
Yeah.
Can you play pool?
Probably not very good but I think I can.
Who do you make fun of the most?
Um, maybe I shouldn’t say encase that someone would happen to see this.
Do you find it in your heart to forgive?
Usually. I can’t hold grudges so I guess yes. But every once in a while I find it hard.
How is life going for you right now?
Good, busy, confusing……
What do most people call you?
Mariah
What did you do tonight ?
It’s not “tonight” yet.
What color is your hair brush?
Silver and black.
What cell phone company do you use?
Alltel
What was the weather like today?
Sunny, a little wind, and cool.
Where did your last hug take place?
At Jessica’s.
What are you excited for?
My brother’s engagement.
Are you ticklish?
Sometimes. It depends who’s doing the tickling.
Bar soap or body wash?
I usually don’t use either.
What brand of shampoo do you use?
I don’t use shampoo, just conditioner. I think that brand is TRESemme.
Who was the last person you hugged?
Keenan
What is the best movie you have seen in the past two weeks?
I don’t remember seeing a movie in the last two week that was any good. Oh! Hitch! I liked that!
Do you know someone with the same birthday as you?
Yeah
Does anyone like you?
I hope so!
Pancakes or French Toast?
French Toast.
How many sister and brothers do you have ?
Five sisters, six brothers. And two friends that are like sisters.
Last time you laughed at something stupid?
Today.
What time did you wake up this morning?
7:54
Best thing about winter?
Christmas, fuzzy things, lots of treats, family.
Name a couple of favorite colors?
Green, Pink, black.
There you go! Boy, that took a while. I hope I got everything, I don’t feel like reading if over again to check.
Hopefully I’ll have a couple more posts for you soon.
Hugs,
Mariah
Last Summer
Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret.”
Be still~ That is something that I find hard to do. I can pray while driving, making supper, and while doing other things and spend time reading the Bible each day. But ‘being still?’ Now that is hard.
Wait patiently~ Wait…………..patiently? I’ve always thought that all I had to do was wait for an answer from God. But I need to learn to not only wait, but to also wait patiently, stop ‘nagging’ God, thinking He has forgotten. I’m trying to learn to pray constantly about whatever it is I am struggling with, knowing that God’s timing is perfect. This is what a friend told me when I wrote her about what I have been going through…..
“It’s like a story Corrie ten Boom tells. When she was a little girl in the Netherlands, her father went to Amsterdam every week on the train. Sometimes she went with him. He would always hand her her ticket right before they got on the train. In the same way, God gives us the strength we need right when we need it. Never too early and never too late.”
Do not fret~ Ah, that may be the hardest! I feel like even when I do give something over to God, I am stilling ‘looking over His shoulder.’ Checking to see if He is doing it ‘right.’ Ha! Like I would ever know!
Waiting can be a form of suffering, and when we suffer, we are, in a small way, suffering as Christ suffered. Which in turn, draws us closer to Him.
Psalm 27:13-14
“I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord:
Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
It’s cold…
My family’s house source of heat comes from a wood stove in the middle of the house. We haven’t used it this fall yet. We always like to see how far we can get into the fall and winter season without starting a fire. It’s fun, but that usually means that the house gets a little cold sometimes. Plus, in the summer we have a few window AC units, one of which is in my room. So, that lets in lots of cold air.
I could complain about being cold, about the AC unit still being in when it should have been taken out more than a month ago, or about some of the other little annoying things in my life.
But no, I’ve decided not to do that. I am going to be thankful for things I do have.
Last night I spent most of the night rolled in a ball trying to stay warm, but I am thankful for the blankets I had to wrap around me and the roof over my head.
This morning I was cold after I got up, but I am thankful for many layers of clothes I was able to put on to get warmed up quickly.
It’s extremely easy to dwell on the things that we don’t have, or think of some of things that we do have as burdens. But today I encourage you to dwell on the things you do have and thank God for them, even the things that you struggle with. If you take the things you are struggling with to God, He will use them and draw you closer to Him as He works through you. Think of the things you want, and pray for God’s perfect timing in those areas of your life. We don’t have to know the way, we just have to trust the Guide.
Sheila tagged me, so here are 6 random facts about me: Enjoy!
1. I have a recital coming up that I need to get my song memorized for.
2. I live in a room with 4 of my sisters.
3. I love going to the races in the summer.
4. I actually got to race one of my brother’s race cars in a ‘Powder-Puff’ race.
5. Winter is my least favorite season of the year.
6. I’m sitting here with a towel on my head because I just took a shower.
Well….The only person that I can think of to tag that may not of been tagged already is Maria. But she may have already done this too!
There you go! I’ll try post again soon but I have a couple of busy weeks ahead.
Hugs!
Maya
Lately, I have been dealing with some stress, about school, wondering what God holds in my future, which way I should turn, and many other things that come with growing up and taking on more responsibility. The last few weeks I have been confused about all of these things. And the last couple of days I have kept getting subtle reminders about the same thing: Peace.
Monday, as I was listening to the radio, the dj (I guess that’s what their called?) came on with their ‘words of hope’ for the day, or something like that, and they were:
John 16:33-which is Jesus speaking-
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Then, yesterday as I was reading a book, the author mentioned the same verse. Accident or not?
And, after looking at that verse on BibleGateway.com I clicked on some of the cross references.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
So, I have put my trust in God. And I have to make the decision to trust Him each and every day. Each time fear and worry starts to creep into my mind I have to make a conscious decision to hand that worry over to God. Sometimes it seems easier to try and take care of things myself. But, before long, I get bogged down and can’t seem to find my way out. I start to get lazy and am impatient with my siblings.
I’m learning, and for that I am glad. I feel like my relationship with Jesus is actually going somewhere. And that makes me truly happy.
Mariah
I think they’re so much fun!
Can you successfully blow up and tie a balloon?
Yes I can, I’ve done quite a few in the last couple of months.
What was your last purchase?
Um, a very cute purse!
Does anyone like you?
What kind of like? Like, like? Yes. I just plain like, yes. So I guess either way the answer is yes.
Have you made anyone laugh while they were crying lately?
Yep, my nephew Keenan.
Are you easily amused?
Yes, very.
Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?
Um, I want to sleep on my sides, but it makes my arms, shoulders, and hands numb and tingly when I do that. Which is very annoying because it keeps waking me up in the night and I have to try and ‘pop’ everything to wake it back up.
Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?
Yeah
What did you do Saturday?
I cleaned at home, cleaned some offices, and went to the races! It was an exciting night!
Do you trust all of your friends?
Yes
Morning or night person?
Night
Are you taller than 5′5”?
Yep, much taller.
Would you rather have love or money?
Love. Absolutely.
Do you have a best friend that knows you inside and out?
Kind of, I have a couple of great friends but I don’t even know myself inside and out yet!
Last person you watched movies with?
I don’t know, probably with my siblings that live at home.
Do you hide your emotions?
Most of the time, I usually seem to try too.
Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?
Morning, if I don’t have to get up early to do it.
If you could either float on the moon, or snorkel in the ocean, which?
I don’t know, how about ride in a race car? Does that count? I’d much rather do that. lol
Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?
I’d like to think so, but you never know!
Third text in your inbox? from who?
I don’t text…so let’s do email. It’s an email from an accountability group that has just started.
Have you been to New York City?
No, and I don’t care too.
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Um, probably dad.
Do you need to say anything to anyone?
Not that I know of.
What were you doing at 7am?
Sleeping.
What do you think of your number 3 on your top friends?
That’s stupid.
Can you legally drink?
No, but some people are wanting to change it and if it does get changed I will be able to. But, I don’t have any desire to at ALL!
When is the last time you saw your mom?
A couple of hours ago.
Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Socks, the floors here get to dirty or cold to not wear anything.
Have you ever been in an ambulance?
Nope
Do you hold grudges?
Well, I don’t hold grudges with family, I couldn’t even if I tried. But I’m trying to let go of some grudges against some jerks that race very obnoxiously.
Do you sing obnoxiously in the car?
I don’t know, you’d have to ask my sister.
When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
I’ve had them ever since last night. They’re getting kind of annoying.
Are you watching TV?
Nope, but I can here it in the other room.
Ah, it’s silly but I love doing these kinds of things.
Mariah
Well, my blogging hasn’t gotten off to a very good start! Maybe I can change that.
My life has been extremely busy as of late. With school, piano, babysitting, and just life in general. Even with everything going on my mind has just been blank. I couldn’t think of anything worthwhile to blog about. So, here I am, blogging about nothing in-particular. Here are a couple topics. Enjoy!
-Journaling
I hadn’t written in my journal for about a year until a couple weeks ago. Now I’m writing at least once a day, sometimes as many as 3-5 times. It’s a great outlet for me when things in my life are hectic, or I’m angry or scared about something. But it’s also nice to share what’s happening when everything is normal. My friends are very busy too, so my journal is always there to ‘talk’ to. I don’t have to plan a time to talk to it just to have the phone lines knocked out. 
It’s always there, and I’m hoping to have it filled by the end of this year.
I looked back at the beginning of my journal……WOW! It seems like I only wrote when I was upset about something, or extremely excited. It was like a roller-coaster ride. But seeing what I wrote then, showed me that I’ve grown up some in the last few years. Seeing how I responded to things in early 2007, and how I respond to them now. It encourages me to keep going. I couldn’t see the change as it was happening, but now I know that God has been working behind the scenes all along.
-Pictures
Here are a few pictures that were taken in August one morning when I went out to walk/jog. Everything seemed so pretty I had to get my camera.
-
There you go! It’s random but at least it’s a post!
God bless!
Mariah
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