California...

There are so many reasons to love California...
And when I say that, I don't mean economically or politically. That's a whole different ball game.
But California, in my travel-ignorance, is one of the most beautiful places in the world!
 

If you like the beach, California's got it.
If you like mountains, California's got it.
If you like rocks, California's got it.
If you like desert, California's got it.
If you like trees galore, California's got the largest tree in the world.
 

My point is: there's something for everyone in this beautiful state!
Though I haven't been to half the places I want to go in California, the views I've had the privilege of witnessing are stunning:

Yosemite National Park,
the Redwoods,
the Seqouias,
the Sierra Nevada,
Monterey Bay,
San Francisco,
the towns that place you back in time, like Columbia and old Sacramento,
and that beautiful coast that makes you want to stare for ages!!!
 

And let's be honest, there aren't many things more relaxing than sitting on the sand and listening to those waves. Best part of California beaches is that it's not cold in off seasons, but not full of people like in the summer... it's blissful!
 

If you haven't added California to your travel list yet, do so!! You won't regret it.

Why do you love Cali?
 

B


Tall walls

We see walls of Jericho in lots of situations in our life.

It’s normal. It’s our nature to doubt.

The walls seem to grow taller and thicker, and sometimes what waits on the other side of the walls don’t even seem worth taking down that wall.

 

Sometimes those walls grow so tall, you feel stuck. You feel like there is no way out. There is no way you can tear down those walls. And if you can, there is no way you can fight the armies on the other side.

 

Sometimes there are multiple walls to tear down. Sometimes there are multiple walls, but all you need is a crack to break through.

It’s a scary thought, a hopeless thought, a terrifying decision you have to make.

 

But “how great is our God?”

How amazing His grace?

How strong His love?

And how powerful His hands?

 

He created earth and sky, the stars and the sea, the birds of the air… and you.

And He died for you.

How many of His sons and daughters has He delivered from the enemy?

How many creatures that live to see another day because of His care?

And how many blessings He’s poured down on your life?

How many times He’s delivered you from every danger you’re exposed to everyday?

 

Think about how AWESOME our Savior is. How gracious, forgiving, and loving He is! 

So when these walls start coming up, remember that nothing to Him is impossible, and that He died for you! "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:6)

 

No matter how hard your struggle, there is One who can help you through it, if you only have faith. Jesus tells us that “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt 17:20)

So have faith.

And hold on to it  tight until you win the race.

 

God bless <3

B

Dear younger me (and all tweens and teens)

Earlier this week, Youtube launched a #DearMe campaign in honor of International Women's Day, which will be this Sunday. I won't make an awesome video for it... I thought I'd share my thoughts through written words instead :)

So here it goes.

Dear younger B,

You are so loved, so blessed... and so inexperienced.

Let me tell you...
Life isn't as tough as you think it is. I promise you, it gets better to deal with the lemons life throws at ya (you learn to make some sweet lemonade!).
You don't know better. Listen to others. You're not your own god. That's why God is there: to guide you, to direct you, to shape you into the wonderful young lady He meant for you to be.

Stop comparing yourself. It only hurts you. Those moments of "I'm not good enough" are purely in your head. You may not be the best at what you think you have to be the best at... But you're the best at something. And that something can be as simple as being the best at washing your own dishes, or as great as being the best actress in the musical. No matter how great it is, it's your best. And there's nothing you can do better than that. So accept your best, and use it to the best of your abilities!

Younger me, you have no idea that life will throw some really high hurdles in your path. But let me remind you of hurdle exercises: you go over some, under some, and around some. And yes, this can apply to your high school tantrums of "I can't wait to get out!" You'll get through.

You are such a spoiled brat. Everything is done your way! But I'll let you in on a secret: older B is still stubborn. My advice: train down your stubbornness for the sake of your older self!

But really, young B, you are enough. You are beautiful. You are smart. You are loved.

You could've been better... but I wouldn't trade the lessons I learned from you for anything.

Life awaits ya.

Love,
Older B ❤

Hello from B!

This is B sister!

We started a blog to share with the world our thoughts on random and most varied topics we think about in our daily lives.

Since we're opposites, I'll let you in on some of my interests...

Favorite music
SARA BAREILLES. I am completely into Sara at the moment. Surprisingly, this is one of the few things my sister and I share... How can you not be a fan of hers?? :D
I like jazz, contemporary, blues, Brazilian music (MPB-Musica Popular Brasileira), acapella music, classical, and some soft/pop rock.

Favorite books
I'm not a huge reader... I enjoy a book when it catches my attention within the first 20 pages. Otherwise... it takes a while to finish. But some of my favorites are (in no particular order):
The Desire of Ages,
The Great Gatsby,
Pride and Prejudice,
The Help, and I'm totally into Ben Carson's books at the moment: Think Big, and You Have A Brain.
Some of my blogs will be book reviews... Stay tuned!

Favorite movies
Again, in no order:
Gifted Hands,
Son of God,
Listen to Your Heart,
The Great Debaters,
God's Not Dead,
The Double.
I will blog about some of these... Stay tuned!

General interests
- I love music. My biggest attention in music is towards choir music. It doesn't even have to be a choir... Acapella groups amaze me! I love close harmonies! But I'll blog about that later... You guessed it: Stay tuned!
- I've been very passionate about education for a while now. Not just for myself, but I seek to know what's going on with education systems across the globe. It interests me, and I think it should interest everyone!
- I have an adventurous spirit that is yet to adventure... The world awaits me! South America, Europe - West and East, Africa, Australia, they all await me! Yes, these dreams will turn into blogs! :)
- I am a huge nerd. A big science nerd. I love micro things. Micro-anything interests me: bacteria, viruses, processes that go on in our bodies, the little (and big) muscles that are moving your hands to scroll right now... I am amazed!!
- I love languages and I wish I could speak every single one of them. I LOVE being able to speak in 2 or 3 different languages a single conversation. It's the coolest thing!
- And food. Who doesn't like food?

So voilà, a little sh-peal on moi! That kind of rhymed... ;)

Stay tuned for the revealing of the other sister!

Have a beautiful day/night/evening, world! <3

B sis.