Week 17: List Difficult Times That Have Made You a Better Person.

Well essentially all of life is a difficult road but I will share with you the three biggest life changing moments thus far in my 18 (almost 19) years of life.

1. My parents had once gotten ahold of my twitter and didn’t like what they were seeing so they forced me to work in our family restaurant as punishment. I suffered from a lot of anxiety, missed out on a lot of school events, and missed out on the joys of high school because I had to serve some sort of punishment. Working there gave me so much more confidence and boldness. I had to talk to people, yell, get things done, multitask, and all while not losing my cool. It was not always easy but I can certainly see how much more confident I am now compared to three years ago.
2. Being bullied all through my school career. People are just downright cruel and mean in school! I was picked on for everything from my clothes, my hair, my body, my face, who I was talking to. It didn’t matter. Those times taught me about perseverance and fighting for justice.  I kept going to school and learned to face these people head on and to eventually just let whatever they say roll right off my shoulders. I treat everyone equally and with respect because I know how it feels to be treated like a “less than” simply because I wasn’t like everyone else

3. I believe when my brothers born was a difficult time for me as a child. I had divided attention between my parents, my sister was already stealing the show, and now two little bundles of joy had come in to scoop up the scrapings of attention that were left for me. My parents worked a lot after they were born so I had to step in and be parent #3. It’s stressful and overwhelming. I always felt like I had to grow up so fast because my parents needed me. Although I was having the joy of being merely seven years old ripped right out of my life, helping raise those two little dweebs was probably the most beneficial to my life. I became more patient, compassionate, loving, and nurturing. They helped shape me and now even at eighteen years old, I still love seeing life through their eleven-year-old eyes.

When times get tough, trust me when I say God has plans for you. He will take care of you! He can turn dust into diamonds. He can use difficult situations to make us BETTER. Trust in the Lord. He’s got this. – Lex.

Week 16: List Your Essentials

• Toms from Maine chapstick
• Better than Sex mascara from Too Faced cosmetics
• My black Toms shoes
• Mint gum
• A reusable water bottle
• My Bible (duh.)
• My black Kate Spade crossbody
• A black pen
• A mini notebook
• Face moisturizer
• A contact case ( Fun Fact: I am as blind as a bat)

I love making these kinds of lists. I love those “what’s in my bag” videos on Youtube. I try to keep it small and simple because life is not about stuff and after I watch one-too-many videos I find myself wanting more and more. I think it is important to only have essentials but do not be afraid to splurge every once in a while for a new companion. Hope you all have a fabulous week. – Lex.

Week 14: List The Ways You Can Cleanse Your Life for Spring.

• Go through your closet and sell (or donate!) any used clothing and shoes.
• Wash all your bedding and pillows
• Spring Cleaning!!! Empty our all those junk drawers
• Remove any toxic people from your life
• Repent of any built up sin that’s been eating away at you
• Start reading some good books
• Cut out any unhealthy foods from your diet
• Get a fresh haircut

Detoxing your life does not have to be some big over the top extravaganza. It can be as simple as changing the throw pillows on your couch or as big as tearing apart your entire home and remodeling but what is important is the change. Change is good for the soul. Good change can be uplifting, spirit boosting, and down right fun. Spring is such an ideal time to make little (or big) changes in your life. So why wait? Throw in some new things and get rid of everything that is holding you back. Enjoy all that Spring has to offer – Lex

Week 13: The Things That Always Cheer You Up.

• My boyfriend
• Facetiming my favorite cousin
• Seeing my best friend
• Peanut Butter
• Finding money I didn’t know I had
• Someone asking me how my day is
• Nice Weather
• The beach
• Painting on canvas
• Watching my favorite movie
• Seeing family I don’t see very often.
• Listening to 90’s music

When we get angry it is so easy to get sucked up into our own misery. It gets easier and easier to sulk and let the bad emotions consume us. Make your own list of things that always cheer you up and give them to the closest people in your life so they will know how to pick you back up. Also, remember these yourself so you are able to resolve any inner issues going on with some simple things in life that just make your heart warm. It is so amazing to me that little things in life can make or break you so it is so important to remember the good things to recover from the bad. Stay happy and stay cheerful – Lex.

Week 10: Things You Probably Should Ignore

• Ignorance
• Hate
• Gossip
• Arrogance
• Lying
• Negativity
• Temptation
• Greed
• Other people’s possessions
• People’s flaunting Facebook stuff

I think it is cleansing to write down all the negative things in your life and make an effort to rid these things so you are able to live a more positive, happier, Christ-centered life. Replace these things with better alternatives. Someone is being negative? Compliment them.  If someone is hateful, be nice. If someone is lying, be truthful. You have to turn the other cheek because those who live by the sword die by the sword. I challenge you to jot down all the nasty things in your life that you pay way more attention to then you should, and free yourself from it. – Lex

American Family Values

My entire family is composed of immigrants. All coming here to pursue a better life for themselves and future generations but all I’ve witnessed is work addicted, money hungry adults. Family values are easily being diluted by the constant need for more. I am more than appreciative for the sacrifices my parents have made for me and my three siblings. I will never have to worry about college debt, a car payment, or if I have a place to live when I graduate but my parent’s sacrifices included missing my last year of competitive dancing, recitals, school ceremonies, even just simple family dinners. The family is something that is so valued in the typical Italian movies but I only witness tight-knit family time during the holidays and even then conversations were focused on money, working, and our small business. There was never an escape from the fast-paced American culture. Again, my parents working every day is something they do to support their family of six financially because, well in America, you have too.

America makes it almost impossible to support a family on just one parent’s income. We stopped valuing family and replaced it with money. Kids want more, parents work more. Parent’s work more to give their kid’s more. We miss birthday’s, events, and awards just so we can afford to give our kid’s a new Xbox or expensive sneakers so they can fit in with the rest of society. We have put way too much emphasis on stuff and not on experiences. You will never get back you child’s 5th birthday but chances are they will forget about wanting that new toy in 3 weeks. We need to stop raising our kids to want and we need to start focusing on family.

I just see such a difference in my generation than the ones before mine. We didn’t get the gift of family. Stay at home parents are a myth and being able to support your kids emotionally and financially has become an impossible task.  I can not imagine having to raise my kids this way. I want them to value family, love, and God. Not brand new cars, expensive clothes, and cell phones. America doesn’t seem to be to going back to the 50’s family values anytime soon and I don’t know how we ever will. Everything on this earth is so temporary but love is something that lasts an eternity and yet we let that slip through our fingers for a new purse or watch. Time is ticking and we are missing out on so much.

-Lex

SAVING GRACE

Well, I know it has been a long while since I have posted but today.. Today is my spiritual birth.. I was BAPTIZED. I never thought this day would come, I am now a child of God, his best friend, and his daughter. I have been studying the bible since May and now at the end of August, at my last service before college, I become baptized into a love I will never comprehend. Jesus is Lord of my life, my time, my money, my school work, my family, my relationships.  I can not wait to share this new journey with you guys! These gifts of the Holy Spirit are already working!! I am so grateful and full of love. Thank You Jesus for these glorious days and the not so glorious! I love you unconditionally as you love me.