Views From My Bedroom Window in Fall

I wrote this post a few months ago, back when the leaves were still on the trees. I guess you could qualify this as a Throwback Thursday. Even though I should've posted this ages ago, I still would like to share it with you. So, here it is; enjoy!

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As I'm writing this, I am cozied in my bed, looking out my window, and breathing in the fresh cool air from my slightly opened window. Why do I have my window open in the middle of October, you may ask? The answer is, I really don't know; a lot of reasons, I guess.

Fall has always been my favorite season. I know that's super "basic" but it's true. I love the smell and the feel of fall air more than any other other time during the year. I would describe it as cool as crisp, but that seems entirely too cliche and simple. Any time I breath in fall air, I am instantly transported to the past, a hazy nostalgia that I have no rush to escape. Fall air reminds me of soccer games, raking leaves, Halloween, youth retreats, and so much more: coming home on the bus and having hot cocoa and muffins waiting for me; finishing my homework early and watching the sunset at five; looking forward to each and every day.

I think I have been swimming in thoughts of the past because, in my current burden and affliction, I don't look forward to each and every day. You see, I have been suffering with severe anxiety and panic attacks for the past month. My brain has decided to go on the fritz, not allowing me to think I'm able to do all that I've been able to do before. And each morning when I wake, all I have on my agenda is my steady recovery of my heart and mind. While I've been cozied up in bed and reminiscing about fall, I realized that I have not enjoyed a fall season for about five years, ever since I started to experience anxiety and panic attacks, and that saddens me greatly.

I don't want this post to burden or sadden you guys in any way; I guess I just wanted to be honest with you, in order to foster a deeper sense of community. Although the past few weeks have been difficult, they have been filled with healing and growth. I have spent a lot of time reading the Bible and praying to God, more than I have in quite a while. I'll write later about what God has been teaching my in this season of my life, but for now I will say this: I think all of this needed to happen.

None of what has happened to me and within me is a surprise to God, not in the least. He knew this would happen and has used it as an opportunity to bring me back under His wing. Over the past few years, I have been so distracted by the world, mostly through technology, filling my head with entertainment instead of God's word. I have been practicing a lazy Christianity, simply going to church and Bible study, saying I'll have time alone with God but never actually. As dramatic and painful as the last few weeks have been, I know they needed to happen. And I know God will use it all for His glory, as long as I keep my heart surrendered to Him.

This isn't to say that all this realizing has come to me easily or that being a Christian with anxiety makes the whole thing easier. It most certainly does not. I went through a period at the beginning of all this severe anxiety where I was too anxious to leave my bed. I tried going to the doctor's and ended up having a panic attack there. All this hope the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to has come through weeks of severe hardship and exhaustion in fighting my own thoughts, in fighting myself it seems. And even though the last few paragraphs make it seem that I am better now, I am still fighting. I have a long journey back to what I would consider normal. But all that hope isn't fake; it is more real than you or I can imagine. And I am depending on it for my recovery and the fight for my life.

In the spirit of encouragement, I want to share a verse I have often come back to that has been my favorite for quite some time. It's in the book of John and it goes,
                       
                        "I tell you these things so that in me you may have peace.
                         For in this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world"
                                       John 16:33

Over the years, this has been my "anxiety verse." Whenever I have felt extremely anxious or out of control, I force myself to recall this verse. It always causes me to view my anxiety in light of eternity and the bigger picture. I always tell myself, if God has already overcome the world, there's nothing for me to fear in this world.

I have also been reading much of the New Testament. And while no verse has stuck out to me in particular, all of it has been extremely comforting and reassuring. Reading all that Jesus did during His ministry, healing so many from sickness and disease, as well as casting out demons really gave me hope when I first began my intense Scripture readings, hope for the riddance of my own mental demons. Reading Paul's letters to all the different churches has helped me to feel sure in Christ of my salvation and the grace God gives through faith in Jesus Christ.

While reading a book called Never Go Back by Dr. Henry Cloud, a Christian psychologist, a verse from the Bible he quoted in the first chapter gave me even more hope and assurance of God's plan for me.
                     
                         "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees"
                                       Psalm 119:71

This verse affirmed for me what I had already suspected: God is going to use this time to bring me closer to Him and to teach me His decrees. I wish I didn't have to be brought back to God's side in such a painful way, but I know this is the only way God could get my attention. I also know that God doesn't want me to give into anxiety and depression forever and that He will bring me out of this darkness. It will be a painful journey, but I can already tell God is going to use this whole experience for His glory somehow, and I can't wait.

I guess I ended up writing more than I intended regarding what God has been teaching me. Oops :/ I am going to leave it all in, though, as every word came from my heart and spirit onto the webpage. I'm sure God will teach me plenty more in the weeks to come and I 'll have more than enough to write about in the future.

The leaves in my backyard are absolutely gorgeous and the air still smells just as great as ever. I still can't decide on a way to describe it; I guess piercing would be a good word. While playing soccer each fall as a kid, I remember that every time I breathed deeply as I ran, my lungs would feel as if they were being pierced by tiny needles. It could've been the asthma, but I'm pretty sure it was the air. Although it hurt my lungs to run, I still ran, and I enjoyed it; it was a good kind of pain. And although this season of life pierces my soul and hurts all over, it's a good kind of pain. I know my suffering is not in vain. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

k, bye.

P.S. I know this isn't my usual witty and sarcastic writing style; it's a little more romantic and dramatic than I usually allow myself. I think I've been reading too many Christy Miller books too quickly (they're good books, though; ya'll should read 'em). I'll be back to my witty and charming self soon enough. But I wanted to let you guys know that every word here is true and heartfelt and I wouldn't change a single one. Okay, that's enough sappiness for now. Bye all. 

Chocolate Popcorn

Hey guys! How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was actually okay, which was a nice change. Anyhow, enough about disfunctionality, I have a yummy idea for you guys to try.

Like me, you probably have excess amounts of chocolate around your house in this aftermath of Christmas. Mine mostly came from my stocking, but I'm sure ya'll have lots leftover from previous baking projects. Well, get ready to start melting, because I have the perfect way to use all that up: chocolaty popcorn. Here's how to make it :

Ingredients and Supplies

-popcorn
-chocolate (milk or dark, but not baking chocolate)
-cooking oil (I used olive oil)
-milk
-salt
-pretzels (optional)
-decorations (like sprinkles, candy, etc...)
-parchment paper
-two pans
-metal or glass bowl

Instructions

Step One: Put enough popcorn kernels and olive oil into a pot to just cover the bottom. Cover with a lid, then turn burner to medium heat and wait for the kernels to start poppin'. You can also use microwave popcorn, but make sure you use the non-buttered kind.

Place popped popcorn in a bowl to cool before placing on a sheet of parchment paper.

Step Two: Fill another pot about a third of the way with water and boil. Once the water is boiled, place a metal or glass bowl over the boiling water and turn the stove temperature to between low and medium heat. Place chocolate and about a tablespoon or two of milk in the bowl and begin stirring; don't stop stirring, or else the chocolate will go tacky and not liquidy. Keep adding a little bit of milk every so often in order to keep the chocolate liquidy. Once the chocolate is near the desired consistency, turn off the stove and keep stirring until the chocolate is liquidy enough to drizzle.

Step Three: Salt popcorn spread out on parchment paper. I decided to add pretzels at the last minute, but you don't have to. 

Now take a spoon and drizzle chocolate over your popcorn. Add a little more salt after if so desired.

Step Four: Decorate! I used Christmas sprinkles, Wilton sparkle gel, and York mini peppermint patties.

And you're done! Here's my finished product

I hope you guys enjoy making this. This is about the third or fourth time I've made it this December, and I really enjoy the process as well as the eating. If you hate baking like me, you should try making this; it's actually not frustrating :) Anyways, I hope ya'll had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you the best New Year!

k, bye.

Oh, To Be a Kid Again

"When I grow up [grow up, grow up], I wanna be a kid [be a kid]."

If any of you know where that lyric is from, can we please be best friends? And, for those of you that don't know, it's the first line of the chorus of a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie song- specifically their mall adventure. During this song, the twins and their friends are going from toy store to toy store, singing this Peter Pan-esque song about never wanting to grow up. This song has come back to me time and again over the past week or so.

Along with this song, many other images from my childhood have come to mind. It's almost as if my life is flashing before my eyes, as it would if I were dying, although I surely am not. I am, however, yearning for the simpler times, due to some recent adult stresses, which I will divulge at a later time once I become more comfortable. But anyways, I have been reminiscing about school field trips, middle school, riding the bus, and the first time I received a B, all the way back in fourth grade. I have been reliving my life in my mind because my current state of life has become harder and harder to live.

I've been trying to remember what it was like to think as a child and view the world from an adolescent point of view, and I've discovered that I cannot. I cannot go back in time, as I so desperately want to; I can only go forward.

However, I have discovered ways to visit the past, and they have been most beneficial and rewarding that I hope you'll try them with me:

• Reading: I haven't read a book cover to cover (that wasn't for school) in such a long time, I honestly can't remember the last non-academic volume I read. So I have decided to read. I have read old favorites that always bring me great comfort; I have read self-help books for my current adult woes; and I've read more of the Bible over the past two weeks than I have my entire life (sad but true). Through all this reading, I have grown closer to God and myself, trying more and more to be comfortable with silence. Who knew that getting away from the distractions of the world and getting in touch with your inner child would bring one closer to God. Oh wait...

• Coloring: And I don't mean those fancy-smancy adult coloring books; I mean good old-fashioned coloring, with a basket of crayons and a big fat picture of a duck. I got so into it, I colored two dollar store children's coloring books and have now started to create my own coloring pages. I am no artist by any means (when I found out I wasn't required to take art in high school, I leapt for joy), but coloring has been extremely calming and nostalgic. 

• Listening to Tapes: Yeah, you read that right- tapes, cassette tapes. Ever since I was born, I've been listening to a radio theatre program called Adventures in Odyssey. I got away from listening to it this past year, so when I decided to revisit my childhood, this was one of my first stops. The stories are so comforting and familiar, the lessons so relevant to my life (even though they are aimed at younger audiences), I have not regretted trading in binge watching Netflix for these. Although I have now broken the tape player and had to switch to CD's, I still prefer this over a television program these days.

• Loom Knitting: This is a craft I learned in sixth grade craft club, and one for which I earned second prize at the county fair. I haven't loom knitted since sixth grade, so I was afraid that it would be a bust. But, surprisingly, the skill came back to me with ease (now if only my dormant needle knitting skills would come back to me so easily). I even taught myself a new technique and finished a scarf within a few days. Crafting and creating are things I've wanted to get back to for ages but foolishly kept putting off in favor of watching Youtube or checking Twitter. I can't wait to conquer other crafts that I've always wanted to, like knitting a sweater and sewing a quilt.

I do want to say I didn't do all this time travelling just for the sake of nostalgia. For some time now, I have realized that my overuse and oftentimes abuse of technology was hurting my life. It wasn't until recently that I realized how much. My journey to childhood me was my way of returning to simpler times, to allow my mind to detox from all the tech entertainment it had consumed. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that my strategy has enriched my life greatly. So much so that I have decided to give up entertainment technology for good, sort of. I still watched the new Gilmore Girls in November, and I have another favorite show of mine that I'd like to catch up on. 

But this detox from technology has helped me realize my priorities. I was so addicted to technology that I couldn't do and create all the tings I wanted to do and create. I lived in a fantasy world to protect me from the stresses of everyday life. And now, as I fight my way out of that fantasy world, I write to you some simple advice from the journey back: don't be afraid to be a kid again. I don't care if someone tells you you're being immature or that you're afraid to grow up. Allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures of being a kid again. Childhood is the safest escape from adulthood that I know of, and I strongly recommend.  

k, bye.