History....

"The truth is we're sum of all the moments we've experienced with all the people we've ever known... and these moments become our history." - from the motion picture "The Vow."

The Three Little Words

Lately, love has been on my mind. And I find myself asking questions like: How do we take the plunge and let love in and not be afraid of getting hurt? How do we know when to fight for it?

Through out my life I have learned that every one wants to love and be loved in return (yes, that is from the movie from Moulin Rouge). But, think about it... Really think about it. Have you ever told someone that you love them and not want them to say it back? More, than likely, no. You want them to say those three little words right back to you.

Love in all relationships comes in many forms. I have a great relationship with a best friend of mine. We communicate as much as possible whether it be a "smiling poop" via emoji text or through a lunch conversation that consists of many detailed topics. However, every time we talk or see each other we tell each other "I love you". And even though we both know we love each other deeply, every time it is said something about it warms my heart. I think it is to be true for all of us out there. Seriously, sometimes we don't even love ourselves. But, to know that someone out there loves you can only make you feel more comfort in yourself.

There is this song called "Hope Now" by Addison Road, and it begins with: "If everything comes down to love, then just what am I afraid of?" I have replayed that line in my mind over and over again and I can't get over the simplicity of it. What are we afraid of? I would rather put my whole heart into someone rather than regret never taking the chance. Love is a huge part of my life. I love many things. I love God, I love my family, I love my friends, I love my dog, and most importantly I love the life God has given me. And all these things that I love have all hurt me before; intentionally and unintentionally. But this does not stop me. I will still love the things/people that come into my life if the feeling is there. I do not want to regret not taking chance on something that could be great. Because even if it does not end up the way I would have hoped I know that I am going to learn and grow from the experience of love.

2 Corinthians 4:16-20
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet, they produce for us a glory that vastly out weighs them and will last forever. So, we don't look at the trouble we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on the things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

why?

Why is it that the things that are most important to us we always seem put last?
All of my close friends, and my best friend do not live within a 100 miles of me. And even though I think about them everyday and pray for their success and happiness I still fail to do the right thing and send them a text or give them a call periodically. There’s this part of me that tells me that our friendship is strong enough to not keep in contact with them. But the thing is, I want to know what is going on in their life. I want to know their struggles and the happiness in life. So, why? Why do I not make a better effort to make that connection?
So, this week, my goal is to take some time out my schedule and give them the respect they deserve as my friend and make better contact with them.
~ada

Patiently Waiting

As I get older with age I find more and more reasons to ever get my hopes up about finding, "The One". Being 22 and being single my whole life, it becomes difficult to think that there is someone out there for me. I know I am still young but people at my age have normally been in at least one relationship. But, not me. Not even close. Many people tell me that I am lucky because I haven't had my heart broken. Sorry, my people, you're wrong. I have had my heart broken because the guys that I have liked have not liked me back. All of them. I honestly believe that it is worse than a three to eight month relationship. At least you got to test out the waters within that amount of time and the guy genuinely liked you back. For me, all I can say is, "What is wrong with me? Am I not pretty enough? Does my personality suck?" So many questions and they're not even answered. When you go through a break up at least you know why (well hopefully you know why) someone doesn't want to be with you anymore. With me, I am left with the questions stated above.

Though I have never been in a relationship, I have seen all of my gal-friends go through their share of boyfriends. I see the damage these boys do to them. Whether it be a short relationship or a long term one I have been there with them through it all. The relationships that lasted a year to two years were the hardest to go through with them. They had put so much time, effort, and heart into them. They would start to plan their lives together not knowing that it would only end within a short length of time. Then when the break-up happens it was like their life no longer made sense. But, I would be there through it all and show them my love and compassion and tell them, "He wasn't good enough for you. You're better off with out him.". Then my planning would begin. I would start to plan little things to keep their mind occupied, or more frequent lunch dates to let them know that they were not alone. I think the hardest part for my friends and their broken hearts were the parts when they had to start doing things by themselves. Or when the cute little text messages stopped even though they had been a part of their life for the past year or two.

Even though I have never been in a relationship myself, my friends' relationships have taught me a lot about them. And I feel that if I can give my friends insight that there is someone out there for them, then I myself can have a positive outlook as well. I know "The One" is out there for me, I just need to put it in God's hands and be patient and wait.
~ADA

The Change

Have you ever had that feeling where you know your life is changing? Well, I do every so often and right now I am feeling the change. Right now everything just seems so clear. In the past I have always thought of my life as a complete mess. Like I just messed up everything. But right now I do know a lot of things about myself and that I am headed in the right direction. Like I finally have the right people in my life and that my mind is set on things that matter the most. Such as God, family, and friends.

God has always been a part of my life. I attended a small christian school called Pathfinder Christian School where I learned all the basics of Christianity. And honestly I still remember sitting in that chapel every morning listening to the Word of God; this is where my connection with God had begun. We prayed every morning and we celebrated every holiday without any thought of offending someone, and of course at the beginning of class we would state the pledge of allegiance with our hand over our heart and the words "under God" were said with passion. This school was all that you wanted for your child. The classes had no more than 15 kids in a classroom and manners and religion were a part of every day teachings. Not to mention the education that I received. It was superb. I only hope the same for my own children. Even though, I attend a Christian school, my family and myself never attended church on Sunday mornings... I still don't know why we never did. My mom went to church every Sunday when she was young with her family and my dad I am not quite sure if he ever did. But still, you would think that me and brother growing up at a Christian school our parents would attend church as well. I don't hold anything against them for not attending church because I still think they did a fabulous job raising my brother and I. Both of us can hold jobs, have many solid friendships, and are genuinely good people.

About two years ago I started attending Sunday morning church in the town that I lived in and it was an eye opener for me. The pastors who spoke to me were amazing teachers of God's word. They just seemed to say things the right way for me to start changing the way I perceived things. I started noticing the work of God very suddenly. I had more patients, more compassion for others, and an all together better out look on life. I could feel God within me with every step that I took. I woke up and though of Him instead of other things that weren't as important as God.

This change was the most important change of all. I believe in the Lord with all my heart and I know that He works in all different kinds of ways. I am still very ignorant when it comes to The Holy Bible because sadly I have not read all of it. But, I have many close friends that have grown up learning the Word of God and I ask them all my questions so that I can gain more knowledge about Him.

Sadly to say I have not been attending church on Sundays. I find it very hard to get back into the groove of going. And I am not sure that I want to attend the church that I had been attending. I guess I need to go church shopping and try out different churches to see which one fits me best. It's just very hard because we have at least 30 different types of Christian churches in this town. I wouldn't even know where to start. I have many friends that tell me I should attend their church, but I don't want to attend a church for a friend. I want it to be for me. I have been there and done that. In the past I use to go with a friend but when she didn't go I wouldn't go. I don't want that to be the case this time. I want to go so I can learn about the Lord and praise Him.

All I know is I do love God and I believe in Him fully and I try to live my life through his eyes every day.

~ada

Introduction

So, do I introduce myself? I guess so, Hi! I'm ADA. I am a 22 year old girl living her life along side foothills in good ol' California. I guess my features would be considered the typical California girl look. But, there's so much more to me than blonde hair, blue eyes, and tan skin. I love the water. I love to drink it, I love to swim in it, I love when it when it is dropping from the sky, and I love the color. Even though chemistry sees water as just two elements making a substance, I believe it has made me, me. I have been around the pool twelve months out of the year since the age of five. Of course, I had a few breaks here and there, but my life has always consisted of four things: a cap, goggles, swim suit and a pool. At the age of twelve I found myself falling in love with the water once more when they threw a bright yellow ball at me and told me to swim with it. I know water polo is only a sport but it is a huge passion of mine. And even though both my water polo and swimming career is over, I share this passion with kids of all ages by coaching swimming and water polo here in this mediocre town that I live in. I feel that I found something truly special in these two sports and if I can help kids feel that same pleasure, I am going to do so in anyway possible.

There is more to me than just water. I do have a loving family, and a few close friends (who might as well be family) that make this world a much better place for me. My extended family is very large and very close. Just this last Thanksgiving we had 30 people enjoying the festivities in my grandparents not very large house. Even though it was very loud and hectic and we barely had enough chairs and tables for everyone, I could not have asked for anything less. It was perfect. Every one had a slice of turkey, a lump of mash potatoes (made my me) and gravy, along with the best homemade rolls you could ever taste. Let's not forget about the seven different types of pies that were made by my grandmother. But despite the food, it was the one time I could truly relax and enjoy the family God has given me. Not many people are as lucky as myself. Both my grandparents are still living prosperously, one pair living right next door, and other pair living in the town that I go to every day. My parents are happily married and going on 27 years of marriage, and I have a loving older brother that would do anything for me. I have eleven first cousins on my mother's side who are more like brothers and sisters to me. And you better believe on every birthday we nearly rip our vocal cords out singing Happy Birthday to the lucky person turning one year older. We might be a little crazy and not get along all the time but they are the people who have been constant in my life; I couldn't ask for a better family.

~ADA