NovelSisters

watching, reading, and writing stories

What are you going to do with your life?

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Recently I’ve had several conversations with people about their futures and what they are going to do with their lives. There’s this pressure put on everyone to know who they are, what they’re supposed to do, and start taking steps to accomplish it.

In high school you’re supposed to know what college to go to, in college you have to know what major or field to study in, once you’re out of school you’re supposed to have a career path, a plan, your future all planned out. I’m just one of the many who’s struggled with what I’m supposed to do with my life. And honestly I don’t have a specific plan, or in Christian terms, a calling.

But as I talked about this with other friends who are struggling with the same thing, I started to wonder if I really need to know. Then I came across this quote from the Valley of Vision.

“As I pursue my heavenly journey by thy grace
let me be known as a man with no aim
but that of a burning desire for thee,
and the good and salvation
of my fellow men.”

What if my goal or “aim” isn’t a certain career, or a job I love, or getting married and having kids? What if my only goal is to desire God, to know Him better, and to do good to my fellow humans and point them to who can save them? That can be achieved in any circumstance, at any age, in any place, with anyone who’s around me.

I still may have a job I pursue, or one day have a family, but the thing that defines my life, my relationship with God, won’t change. And what I do for God, because I love Him, will have the most significance.

So if you’re struggling with what you’re supposed to do too, take a step back and spend some time with God. He has the best, most fulfilling and awesome plan for your life, and He’ll help you take the next step in that plan for His glory and your good. He may not tell you what exactly He has planned (I still don’t know what He has planned for me) but He will be with you every step of the way. And ultimately, that’s a lot more comforting than knowing what’s coming.

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Galentine’s Day and Happiness

So if you don’t know, I’m a huge Parks and Recreation Fan. I enjoy the humor and the characters of the show a lot and I’ll often watch an old episode just for fun. One thing from this show that I thought was quite clever was a character creating her own holiday. She called it Galentine’s Day. And instead of going on a date with a guy, she hung out with all of her girlfriends and had a nice dinner and just enjoyed their company. Well this past Valentine’s Day, I found myself in a familiar situation with no romantic relationship to speak of. It doesn’t bother me too much, but since the day after Valentine’s Day was a holiday (President’s Day) and several of my friends were off of work, I decided to hang out with a few of them. It kind of turned into my own version of Galentine’s Day.

First I got a manicure and pedicure with one friend, we talked and laughed the whole time and I really enjoyed the massages and how clean my feet felt after the scrubbing. Then I called another friend who lives a couple hours away and we just talked and talked for over an hour. And finally I went out to see Kung Fu Panda 3 with one more friend. Although we had trouble finding two seats next to each other that weren’t broken, we just laughed it off and enjoyed the movie. I have enjoyed all of the Panda movies in the past and this one was no exception. I laughed a lot and when we were done, we decided to get some dinner at Chickfila, where we saw a horse drawn carriage. We took our food back to my friend’s apartment and talked some more as we ate. Then I introduced her to one of my favorite older movies: Singing in the Rain.

All in all, it was a marvelous day filled with laughter and happiness. Even though each activity was with someone different, I enjoyed them all. This day reminded me of how many deep friendships God has given me and that makes me very thankful. So even though I don’t have a boyfriend, I’m content with where God has me. I am not alone, my life does have meaning, and I can have a lot of fun with these girls. But more than that, I’ve been learning that all I have to be grateful for really comes from God. He created me, my friends, laughter, happiness, stories, humor, and everything that is good and He wants me to enjoy them and praise Him for it. When I express my gratitude to Him it helps me remember how much He loves me and how much He’s given me, and it makes me happy.

So I hope your holiday weekend was full of happiness too and that you’re enjoying what God has given you.

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My Adventure in Irving

This past weekend I had the privilege to go to Irving, TX with several girls to see Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles Series.

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It was quite a drive, but several fun stops along the way and some good company made it fun.

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My sister introduced me to this futuristic fairy tale series several months ago and I got hooked. So even though I decided not to dress up in a cosplay outfit, I did enjoy the excitement of the fans and all of the cool activities they had set up.

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My sister even got interviewed on TV with her friends and was able to make friends with people all over Texas who also enjoy the series.

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I particularly liked seeing my sister give several pieces of a puzzle to Marissa from fans all over the world. By the end of the tour she will have all the pieces to make the picture collage.

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I even got a photo with Marissa.

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But one thing Marissa said while she was speaking that stuck out to me, was her advice to young authors. My ears perked up, since that’s what I consider myself. She said to enjoy the writing process and where you’re at, at this moment. And I could see what she meant. She was at the library signing for hours, we left at 6:30 pm and there were still about a hundred people who wanted books signed. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to have to fly from one event to the next and talk with so many people. I’m sure it’s fun, but also exhausting. And I’m glad that for now I can just enjoy where I’m at in my writing career, and keep working on my own projects and encouraging others in their own.

Well I hope you enjoyed the pictures and if you haven’t had a chance to read Marissa Meyer’s work, I highly recommend it.

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Eragon and Superpowers

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So I’ve been reading the Inheritance Cycle series recently. I finished book two, Eldest this past week and began reading the third book, Brisingr. Usually I’m not too fond of reading about magic in books but as I was reading these books it came up over and over. And it got me thinking about how common it is to have some kind of special powers in books and movies as well. It seems that we all have a desire to be special and kind of wish we had superpowers. Whether it’s Percy Jackson being able to control water, or Eragon healing a wound with magic, or a superhero being able to fly or read minds, we enjoy the possibility of people being superhuman. And I think we all kind of wish we were able to do these things for ourselves; that we had a secret power that helped us overcome obstacles, face our enemies and do heroic things.

Unfortunately, it’s all make believe. Or is it?

I was reading a passage in Romans and something stuck out to me as I read Chapter 5. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Verse 5 NIV). God has poured out His love into our hearts and given us the Holy Spirit. If we are alive in Christ then we have access to the greatest power in the universe.

It reminds me of this song by Jeremy Camp called “Same Power” specifically the chorus:

“The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us”

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So even though I can’t use magic, or manipulate water, or any of those crazy things in books and movies, I am able to confront my circumstances with the greatest superpower ever; God’s love. No matter what I face, I can turn to the One who loves me and seek His help. For with Him, nothing is impossible. And it’s not make believe, or imaginary. He is very much real and His power is limitless.

So anyway, I was thinking about that this past week and thought I’d share it with y’all.

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