God is NOT Dead!

   As some of you may already know, a new movie has recently come out... GOD'S NOT DEAD! I have been waiting for it to come to a town near me, and finally it did! :) Part of me was worried that the movie wouldn't be what I expected, but oh my... it was sooo much more!!

   These past five or some odd months I have been fighting my own battle. The hardest battle I have encountered yet. My character was being insulted and my faith put to the test. But I realized God 'crippled' me so I would run to Him. I have never felt a presence as strong as the one God has in my life. In the movie when a classmate asks Josh Wheaton why he wants to prove Gods existence, Josh replies, "I think of Jesus as my friend and I don't want to disappoint Him. You see to me, He's not dead, He's alive." That's what He is... a friend! He loves us... He loves us so much He gave His life for mine, He gave His life for yours. :) And He surely is ALIVE!! :)

   Atheists say we can't prove Gods existence, but no one has nor will anyone DISPROVE His existence. It isn't possible. Part of me wants to use all of the facts I learned from the movie and defend Him right here, right now, BUT I want everyone to witness this amazing movie for themselves before I give anything away.
 
   One friend mentioned how happy I seemed after watching the movie. How can I not be when I think about God? He is an amazing and an awesome God and frequently I'm selfish. Selfish in a way that I wonder why things are going wrong in MY life, when I should be more trusting in Him. I'm being a hypocrite, like many Christians. I am so undeserving, yet He thinks I am to die for. He saved my life more than once.... Not only did He die on that cross for me, but He saved my soul all over again a few months ago, like I said, I feel His presence more than ever. :) Despite my lack of patience and all, He has never given up on me and it's such a wonderful feeling knowing my faith can never be destroyed!!

 (Newsboys, God's Not Dead music video)

  Some may be doubtful, but this movie really moved me and I could watch it over and over. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I. Have a great one and God Bless!

-dan-

Curse....or blessing??

My weakness is that I care too much. Simple as that. I constantly ask myself time after time how can I be so stupid to continuously fall for the wrong person. Why am I allowing myself to get hurt like this? I ask God over and over and over, "WHY??" ..."Why do I have to care soooo much?" It just feels like a horrible curse that I want to get rid of. If I didn't care so much, I wouldn't hurt, right? If I was like a lot of other people and just worried about myself I wouldn't get my heart broken all the time, but I'm not like other people.

Then... other days are different. People come to me because they know they can count on me.. they know that I truly care. Those days... it feels like a blessing. I absolutely love helping people. I don't want anyone to hurt like I have and I'd do anything to prevent pain for someone else. Truth of the matter is, I love so easily... I love everyone, even if everyone gets on my nerves or I don't agree with their lifestyle, I still can't help but love people. "Never stop doing little things for others. Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their heart."

So I sit here wondering... is this a curse? or a blessing? At times it can be both, but I honestly don't want to look at it negatively no matter how much I get hurt. God only knows how many times I ask Him why. He only knows how much I don't want this curse... But He is also the only one that knows how much of a blessing this really is. He is the only one that knows the true intentions of my heart. He is the only one who knows how much I care for everyone. People have told me that I fall too easily... It's true... I do. I fall too fast, crash too hard, forgive too easy, and care too much, and people say I should change that.  .. it is definitely not my intentions to get hurt and let's be honest... God loves me. He has my story written and he has someone that will accept me just.the.way.I.am. 

So even though part of me wants to change that, I can't. For now on...my goal is to embrace my life and learn to accept myself. My goal is to not try and change everything to my standards. I realize I just need to learn to relax a little more and BE PATIENT and someday... all of this pain will finally make sense.

-love-

 dan

...it's up to YOU

Why, oh why, are people so determined to find evil in the world? Why?! Why is everyone so surprised when someone does something nice? Is it that rare? I don't think so, but then again...maybe that is the difference between you and me. I strive to find good in this world! Yes!! Times are hard. People are rude. Evil can be lurking around any corner. You can find this world to be one of two things: good or bad. That, my friend, is up to you!

Perhaps, YOU should be the difference in the world. You want humanity to be restored? well...then maybe you should go out and do something nice for someone. Do not just expect it to happen. Think about how many good things you decide to go out and do, and then think about how many people you are just "too busy" to help. I'm not saying I am perfect by any means... I could help a lot more people than I do, but then again... I'm not complaining about how cruel the world is.

People always say someone should make a difference in this cruel world. Well... aren't you someone? Do it yourself and never ever expect someone else to do it! Step up! Be a man (or woman)! and please, oh please, quit seeing only the bad things. Life really is a beautiful thing...

I am so blessed for this life I am able to live. I have two feet to walk and dance, two eyes to see beauty, a mouth to speak and sing, two ears to hear wonderful sounds,  a nose to smell the yummy and...oh so icky things, hands to hold and touch, a body to feel happiness and pain, because that means I am alive, and a heart to love.. and boy do I love the people in my life. They show me kindness all the time, just by being them. Wouldn't this world even be a tad bit better if we were thankful more? Maybe if we stopped crying about all the evil and started smiling because of all of glory..maybe then this world would find more peace.

Yes, it's a beautiful thing to see someone do something nice, but you wouldn't be so surprised if you just opened your eyes and looked for the good.... :) God bless you all! <3

-love-
  dan

Pray hardest when it is hardest to pray...

The going has gotten tough for many I have known lately... and it absolutely POSITIVELY breaks my heart. The thing is... I dont know what to say to them. I want them to feel better, but nothing I say, nothing ANYONE says can make it better. I'm very pleased and blessed that my life is decent at the moment, but then again... it isn't, because my friends are hurting....

What do you say to ease the pain? What do you do when nothing you say will help? Life can just flat out suck sometimes.... but that's life isn't it? This world we live in is NOT perfect, far from it actually, so what do we expect? There are so many devastating things going on lately and I've been pondering it for days... and days... I still know I don't have the right words for any of them. I have come close to asking God why... but who am I to ask Him such a thing? Who am I to be the judge of how things are to play out? I'm not... and neither are you. God has a reason for everything... He has a plan for all of us.

"Life has many ways of testing a persons will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once." -Paulo Coelho

I know some very strong people going through some of the toughest things you can ever imagine. Just know, you are never alone. Every single one of us is going through some kind of battle... everyone needs somebody. Let it out, cry, do what you need to do, but know, please know you are never alone. If anything talk to God... He happens to be the BEST listener out there!

Every night, I pray for every single one of you... and I mean every single one. God already knows what I'm thinking, but I make sure to say it so He really, really knows. I love you all and I wish I could do something to ease the pain. I know my words don't change anything, but I want you all to know that I deeply and truly care.

"It's in the tough times that we discover the depths of our strength."

 

This, my friends, is a test. And I know you are all strong enough to overcome it!

 

-love-

  dan

I love you all

I'm so out of practice with this writing thing...makes me sad. I don't really have a lot of time and not able to access internet at times either, but I wanted to make a point to write a little more. ...Today is a historic day for everyone... the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It effects all of us, even if not directly. But much more than that... today six years ago, myself and a numerous amount of other people lost an amazing girl. That day is burned into my memory... I remember every moment perfectly.... every.single.moment.in.slow.motion.

It's tough being away from home during a moment like this, but it's nice to know that my new friends, who never even knew her, are completely there for me. It's hard to not be selfish and feel sorry for myself, but every single person has their own tragedy in life..I believe everything happens for a reason and God takes the best people, but dangggggg!!

She posted a note to all of her best friends on Oct. 26, 2006, a couple months prior... I absolutely LOVE reading this!!

To my Best Friends,
I know that things are changing and i know that more challenges are coming our way. But know this. You are and Always will be my world and my everything. There are times when we feel sad, down, and hurt but there is no time that i can't be brought up by you. We have lead eachother through the hardest of times and those hard times have made us stronger in the end. There is nothing in this world that could come between us. Our friendship as been at the edge of the cliff at times but we never let eachother fall. Life is always hard and difficult, no one ever said it was easy. But with you i feel as if i could do anything. You have given me confidence not only in myself but in the rest of the world as well. You have given me the chance to experience a kind of friendship i thought never existed. Change isnt always a good thing and the changes that are to come will be the most hurtful of them all. But remeber this..that no matter how far away, no matter the distance, together or apart No One will ever take your place. You have changed my life in a way no body has ever done before. You are my sister, My whore, My Bridget, My rosey, My best friend, but most importantly..My Whole World. With out you I'm not me, With out you i am incomplete. I love you more than you will ever know.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!♥♥♥♥♥

Almost every single one of us girls in my class were best friends! We did have that friendship many people search their whole lives to find. "Change isn't always a good thing and the changes that are to come will be the most hurtful of them all." That change WAS the most hurtful of them all... but like she said, no matter the distance No One will ever take your place. ..No one has and no one ever will take her place. Many things have changed since then, but I will always love those girls like crazy. Today is hard for all of us, but just keep in mind, those of us who knew her, were privileged enough. :) We had amazing memories that will never ever be forgotten.

If today is tough, talk to someone, because believe me...we are all hurting. Also, remember to think of all the amazing times. There was never a dull moment with her... think about her amazing voice and her beautiful smile. She has the face of an angel.

Ashton Taylor Burr <3 Our angel

I hope everyone has an amazing day and if anyone needs to talk, you know how to get ahold of me :)
-love-
  dan

No matter how temorary... goodbyes are just awful.

Sooo.. tomorrow is the big day that I have been waiting for, for so long. I leave for Mississippi.. People keep asking, "Are you excited?" My response, "...nervous...just nervous." I mean.. I am excited and it is exactly what I wanted, but even though it is what I wanted, I am SCARED! ..

I don't want to admit that, being scared..but I am. Scared that maybe I forgot everything... or what if nobody likes me and I don't make any friends... What if it doesn't go as I want this time too??? ... I think those are perfectly logical concerns. But... then again... I have been through much harder times.

Even though I'm not leaving forever, I still hate saying goodbye. It is LONG enough... I am going to miss everyone soooo much but this is something I need to do for me. And goodbye doesn't mean forever..just for now! :)))

Anddddd I am excited, FINALLY!!!! I felt like this day would never get here, but now it is! :D All of the crap I have had to go through, all of the stress this has caused me... hopefully it all pays off. It is now up to me and God! :) I am so grateful for all of the support from my friends and family, it means the world to me and I hope to make you all proud!

"All glory comes from daring to begin."-william shakespeare

 

This quote makes me feel a little better... :) We will never get anywher in life if we don't first decide to start somewhere. To get where you want, you have to make sacrifices... my sacrifice will only last a few months at a time. I can do it... I have dared to begin! :)

I plan to write as often as I can, but I'm not promising anything. I will probably be busy, but I will be sure to tell you all about Mississippi! Sooo even though I hate to say it.. Goodbye, for now! :) and God bless! <3

 

-love-

  dan



The years of struggle...

Have you ever felt soooo scared or soooo sad that you just wanted to find a rock and hide under it?? Maybe if you just hid, everything would miraculously be that much easier.. Does anything ever turn out better when we hide? ... Lately I have been stressing a lot... I mean, I'm leaving in about three weeks. I've done this before so why am I so worried??

My whole life I've had to adapt and overcome. I don't recall a whole lot being easier.... In school I had to study harder.. in sports I had to practice harder... At Basic Training my whole flight had to adjust in a way other flights didn't. We didn't have heat for the first week, our pipes broke and we had to move to a completely different squadron the next..and that was just the start. Those are little struggles I have had to deal with, but still...struggles. I always asked, "Why can't ONE thing go right?" ..."Why can't ONE thing be easy?" ...but is it supposed to be? You'd think by now I'd be used to it anyway...

People ask me, "Well isn't this what you wanted?" Welllllll..... Yeah!!! But even though things may be headed in the right direction it can still be a bit of a struggle. ..It's hard leaving what you know...leaving that comfort zone. Honestly, I'm scared TO DEATH!! I don't want a pitty party or anything, but these will be the toughest days of my life yet!!

 "You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward." -unknown

Why am I so worried about having it all figured out? I have the amazing support of my family and friends. Some people are unfortunate enough to not have that... isn't that all I need? The belief from them..the belief from God... the belief from myself??

 



It's fun trying new things..going to new places! :) I've never been to Mississippi before and I most definitely am looking forward to that and my new journey... no matter what the struggle.

 

"One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful." -Sigmund Freud

Even now I look back on my past and realize that the things I went through... the "awful" things I encountered, they truly are the most beautiful. Those times, more so than the good, made me who I am. My struggles taught me everything! ...I may be scared, and times may be tough, but I have so much to live for and I'm going to miss everyone, but.. at least I have people in my life to miss. :) <3

If any of you are going through any type of struggle..don't give up. Don't always take the easy route just to make it. What is anything worth if you aren't putting everything out on the line? Take some risks and go after what you want. And sometimes when you go after your dreams, you may have to walk alone for a while..go your on way to figure out who you are, but it is then that you also find out who your true friends are... the people who stay by your side the whole time and don't allow you to travel alone.

There are others things we have to find before we find eachother... one thing being ourselves.
Sometimes... all that struggle is well worth it in the end.

 



-love-
  dan

Just take that first step...

Well hello, everyone! :) So... It's a beautiful Sunday morning, my Huskers won yesterday, and it has been a nice relaxing weekend; can't complain! Once again, I was looking at quotes, imagine that and I found a lot of good ones like usual, but the one I want to share is by Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

 

Everyone gets scared in life, because none of us really know where we are going. None of us know our actual purpose do we? Every single one of us are in the same situation, but we all act as if we are the only ones going through this. No one can see the whole picture, no one except for God, that is. We can't see the "whole staircase," but yet some of us still accomplish so much. How will we get anywhere in life if we never go outside of our comfort zone?

 

Oh_and NEVER compare your life to someone else's. Come on...none of us have the same journey in life and yes, some people may have an easier one, but that also means God knew you were strong enough to handle yours. He doesn't give any of us anything we cannot handle.

 

It's just ONE step at a time. Have a little faith and take some chances in life. How can you have any regrets if you are going after everything you dreamed of? The only regret you will have is not going after what you wanted.

 

Decide now what life you want and where you want to go. Decide now if you want the life you dream of.

 

:) Have a great day!

 

-love-

  dan

Stars...

Okay...sooo I've been kinda slacking pretty bad lately. I've had plenty I wanted to talk about, I just haven't had the motivation. So much has happened this past month, it's been crazy_ crazy, crazy, crazy!!!! One of my favorite things to do, like most girls, is to browse Pinterest! :) ...not just that... QUOTES...I love finding new ones!

"Stars can't shine without darkness." I love it! ...It's just like "...learning to dance in the rain..." Without bad days how could you ever have any good days? If everyday were good, would it actually be that great? If everything went the way we wanted it to, would we actually try and accomplish all we are capable of? Probably not!

 I know personally that I would not be where I am if things went great for me right out of highschool...  If I hadn't torn my ACL in highschool...well I could have done without that, but I would have then joined the Army, instead of the Air Force and missed out on the many opportunities I accomplished later and the absolutely amazing people I met along the way!_If everything worked out how I expected, I would still be with my first boyfriend or the next one and so on... no offense...but no thanks.Some of those ended pretty badly and caused some heartache, but I would have never learned what I truly deserve. There are soooo many things I would have preferred not going through, but without all of that darkness... I wouldn't have seen any light. I wouldn't have accomplished so much. I wouldn't have appreciated my accomplishments so much!

It's hard looking around sometimes and seeing other people live, what looks like, an easy life. I do believe other people 'have it all'...get through life so much easier, but I also know that everyone has their own obstacles as well. We shouldn't compare our lives to someone else's anyway.... God created us all in His own image. He created us all with a specific purpose. God knows all of our stories, He is writing every single one of them, so why in the world do I want someone else's story?? I shouldn't... but sometimes... I do. I should trust in the Lord and be satisfied with His work...and I try. We should all try a little harder to be more satisfied with what we have. It's great to have goals and dreams, but don't forget of the things you do have while you are going after the things you want! :)

Stars are one of the most beautiful things!! I love living in the country... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! :D I don't have to squint really hard to see those stars... unless it's super cloudy, I get to see them every night or morning! Hehe _But could you imagine... a night sky without any stars?? How boring would that be? Just...BLACK! ...but like it says.. you can't see those stars without the darkness! ..I don't see anyone laying out during the day to look at them!

Just stay postive and have a little faith... You will get where you are going. PATIENCE is key! :) Have a great day/night!! :) God bless!!

-love-
  dan

but as for me... I will always have hope!

So...last week or so I wrote about finally getting back to school. Well!!! Change of plans!! It seems all I am doing is going back and forth and it's quite tiring, but finally I found out when I am going back to training.. I should be happy. I am happy. BUT... I'm a little sad too, scared even. I was so ready for this so how can I be scared? I was getting so used to the fact of nothing happening, that I think I convinced myself it never would. ..I'm scared not because I can't do it, but because I am worried I forgot everything I need to know. ...I'm scared because this will be the first time I'm not home for Thanksgiving..or Christmas. _I can't complain about that!! Most of my AF friends had to miss many holidays with their familes already...and probably many more. That right there though may be the hardest thing I will ever have to do. It's too bad I can't take all of the people I love with me!! ..That would be one large suitcase!! :) One I am willing to invent!! Hehe!

I am so happy though... FINALLY.. I will be moving forward with my life, not just sitting around  working my life away. The AF changed my life and I don't want to be done with it. I've met the most amazing people and I can't wait to meet many more. I'm so happy I will get to put that uniform back on! :) SOOO HAPPY!! This is what I wanted... but naturally my emotions are all mixed up, there is good and bad in most situations.

I just have to keep in mind that I won't be stationed there forever. It's just a few months.. and I have done it before! My friends and family will always be here... and they will do just fine without me. ..and I need to remember that as long as I have God, I will not fail. Because of Him I was given a second chance, this is how He planned my life. I mentioned in another post that maybe I am where I am because it's where I need to be... maybe the time for that is about up and then it is time for me to be somewhere else. Like... MISSISSIPPI! :) I've never been to there before!! What a great experience it will be!! :D AND... I have a few friends there! YAY!!

 

Sometimes you are delayed where you are because there is a storm where you were headed. Everywhere God takes me is for a reason... that gives me hope! That gives me the strength and courage to do what I need to do. God gives me the strength and the courage! :) Besides... people are just people... why am I so worried about everything...they shouldn't make me nervous, because really, I'm only scared of making mistakes and not doing everything perfect,  but...I already know I'm not perfect. And worrying will never change the outcome, so what's the point?

I know what I want to do in life. I want to protect people...I want to protect my country. "You can't fall if you don't climb, but there's no joy in living your whole life on the ground." I could be like a lot of people I know and spend my whole life on the ground... but hey...I LOVE heights!! Why in the world would I want to stay down on the ground?? I did something most of the people back here haven't..it was emotionally and physically tough, but I made it just fine. I could have decided to be something around home..that wasn't so hard, but if you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much, and winning isn't very exciting. ...I want to win, but I don't want anything handed to me ALL the time. If you don't work for your accomplishments, then how can you claim the accomplishment as your own? I've worked my butt off to get where I am. Even though it may have sucked at times, I still accomplished it because I didn't give up.

I am so excited for this chance and I look forward to my new journey!! One other thing I will be sure to keep in mind .... My God is bigger than any problems I face!He is much, much bigger!! :) God bless! I pray every one of you continue with your dreams as well! :)

-love-
  dan

A girl's best friend..

 

 

 

Maggie - her happy self!

It has taken me a while to post a blog... I've had plenty to say, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.. Last Wednesday, August 22, my long time friend/pup died. We knew it was coming_ she was getting old, but I guess I was never prepared enough for the heartbreak it left me.

It all started about.... 14 some years ago. (we aren't completely sure when we got her) ..But my aunt and uncle lived in Ashland, Nebraska and they owned a basset hound. ...They received a phone call one night and someone asked them if they were missing their dog. Nope. It wasn't there dog. ...A few days later they called back again and asked if they wanted to take the dog or else it was gonna be put down. WHAT?!?! ...they were gonna put down a perfectly healthy dog? :( How awful! So soon after they received her, we came down to visit. I was about 8 which would make Nick about 6... OF COURSE WE WANTED HER!!! :D Sooo we took her home. I can remember very vividly the ride home, how we were trying to pick out a name. Maggie it was.  ...What baffles my mind though is_ Who honestly wouldn't want her? Who in the world would just dump her on the side of the rode and leave? It was a busy highway...it was no accident.

That thoughtless act, however, gave me one of the best dogs I could ever imagine! ...  her, Nick, and I went on many adventures together. Too many to write about here... we created some amazing  memories together. It was the three of us who went out to the pond and fell through because Nick and I had to save her, of course. :) We went in the trees all the time... she made us feel safe. It was funny too..everytime my family and I went camping we had to take her along, she wouldn't have it any other way... and when we were out on the jet skis, so was she. :) Can you imagine? A little basset hound riding a jet ski! hehe .... Every day my brother and I would get on the bus, she was right there waiting with us. When the bus took off I saw her run the other direction to grandma's! :) ...and then she knew approximately when we got home from school, because she would say goodbye to grandma and come running home to us! She really, really loved us. We were her people.

Then...one day my mom, dad, Nick, and I were eating supper.. I was in 6th grade.. my dad was terribly sick at the time.. and a kid came to the door and told us he had hit our Maggie. She was just lying there... and I thought that was it. Then... ten minutes later... she popped her head up. It was a miracle to me. She had survived and lived for another ten or so years! That dog was meant to be in my family's life. When my brother and I went through good or bad... she was there for almost all of our tragedies.

Maybe you don't care about my story, but I'm sure most of you have your own with a pet. Isn't it crazy how much you love them? How a dog or cat can be your best friend? How much a dog can truly love you? They devote their lives to us.. they know love more than we do, I think. I knew one day this would happen... but I guess I never thought one day would actually get here. or perhaps..I was HOPING it would never get here.

All she ever did was love us...never hate. When you get mad at your pets, they are sad, but then... they still love you!  I just pray she is great and healthy and happy now. All dogs go to Heaven right?? How could they not? So innocent. <3 They know not what they do wrong.

 Gunther (my pup), Suzie Q (Nick's pup) and Maggie (family pup)

They were best friends! :) and Abby (kitty, not pictured) hehe

Thanks for your time...and if anyone else is saddened over a loss of a pet, it will all be okay... they will be okay. :)

-love-
 dan

Unexpected Kindness...

Yay! Finally, back to school... I'm not sure what is more exhausting though. My day full of classes or my 12 hour day at work?? I'm beat... One plus to this arrangement is the fact that I can sleep in a little and then wake up to watch the news before I head to my first class. This morning they talked about a 30-year-olds dying wish.

His name was Aaron Collins and his brother, Seth described him as "he was the type of person that took great joy in unexpected kindness." Aaron's request: "Leave an awesome tip (and I don't mean 25%. I mean $500 on a f***ing pizza) for a waiter or waitress." Not only did they leave $500...there generosity turned into about a $50,000 charity.  How awesome is that?? First.. he inspired his family to do something like that...and then can you imagine the impact it left on those who received it?? They couldn't believe it... that sort of thing never or rarely ever happens.

I am sick and tired... and I will emphasize that even more... SICK AND TIRED of hearing that this world is awful, no one has any respect anymore, it is all about hate. Look around darlin'...There is plenty of love in this world. What the young man did...that was love. It proves there are good people. Not only a few either... you just have to start looking for the positive instead of the negative. ...Last Christmas I was sitting in a drive thru during my lunch break ..I heard the girl at the window tell the woman in the vehicle in front of me that the person in front of her had paid for her meal. I remember hearing her ask..."but why would they do that?" I know why...Because they are good hearted people too!! :) Witnessing something like that made my heart smile... And kindness is very contagious! I wanted to do that too!! It inspired me... So... I did it ... I don't even know the reaction of that person..but I pray it made there day!

"The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow, do good
anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough, give
your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It
was never between you and them anyway." -Mother Theresa

 You never know what someone is going through... If you do some unexpected kindness, people may not remember your name, or what you look like...but they will never forget how you made them feel! Maybe that person was just about to give up hope, maybe they just lost their job, lost the custody battle for their child...maybe they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. One small act of kindness can do some wonderful things in someone's life.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another..." -Ephesians 4:32

It's much more than giving away money. Try telling someone you like their hair or shoes or eyes. Perhaps they are lonely and just want someone to talk to. Better yet... you probably try something as simple as a smile. Those things go a long way! :)

Don't be selfish, think of other people's needs AS WELL AS your own! :) You could make a huge difference!
<3 God bless

-love-
  dan

Could I make that sacrifice?

Good evening everyone!! Lately there seems to be a lot of negative emotion in the world, with all the shootings, death, hate.. Perhaps I am just noticing it more because I am growing up. Surely it isn't any different than any other time in the past. This past weekend I read in People Magazine about the shooting in Colorado...about the people who lost their lives..about the brave souls who gave up their life for the ones they loved! The other thing that got me thinking about all this is a song by Keith Urban, "For You."

Well, all I saw was smoke and fire...
I didn't feel a thing.
But suddenly I was rising higher...
And I felt like I just made... the biggest mistake.
When I thought about my unborn child...
When I thought about my wife...
And the answer rang out CLEAR from somewhere up above

No greater gift has man, then to lay down his life for Love.

And I wondered, would I give my life?
Could I make that sacrifice?
If it came down to it, could I take the bullet... I would
Yes I would, For You

Could I make that sacrifice? Ever since I was really little I have asked myself that. YES! I could... and I would. In fact, that is one reason why I want to be a cop and a soldier. So if the time came, I could be there to protect the ones I love. I have fears like anyone...snakes, needles, the dark, failing... dying is not one of them. In seventh grade I overcame my fear of death. I decided then, by myself, what and who I truly believed in. I now know where I am going.. maybe having that knowledge gives me the courage. No matter what happens to my Earthly body, my happily ever after lies beyond the gates of Heaven.

My mom and I were talking about this the other day. We were talking about whether or not we would risk our life for the ones we loved.. OF COURSE..without a doubt we would. Then..would we risk our life for a stranger? ... Yes... I would give my life for anyone else... yes, anyone. A complete stranger. My brother. My parents. My best friend. My "not so good" acquaintances. Why? ..because I care way too much about people... all of my friends and family mean the world to me. If something happened to any of them my heart would be broken... and that's why I would give my life for a stranger. Because if something happened to them...their friends and families hearts would be broken as well... so if it was up to me to prevent their pain, I would. I pray that I never have to make that decision, that I am never in that situation, but my decision will forever stay the same. :)

I'm not trying to make it seem like you are a bad person or anything if you wouldn't. We are all built differently.. I feel like I have a rare courage that many may lack. That doesn't make you weak if you question it or if you are incapable. Everyone has a different job in life... different jobs require different abilities. But.. could you make that sacrifice?

Don't think about it too much :) And have a great night! God bless!

-love-
  dan

"For You"-Keith Urban

*Check out this song... it is AWWWWESOMEEEE!!! :)
  


It helps me learn...

Soo..the hardest thing for me to do right now, is to write without making people mad... I'm starting to realize how much of the world doesn't agree with me and I'm starting to not care. My mom always tells me, "who cares what other people think." .."If they were your friends, they wouldn't care." Ahhhhh!!! I LOVE MY MOM! ...she and I, well we don't always see eye to eye, perhaps for the soul reason... I AM my mother's daughter. We are too much alike, mostly stubborn! :) ...but even so, she is my biggest fan! :)) She is there for me when no one else is.

Yesterday for example... I just got a new pink/camo hat!! Yay! I love it! ...camo and pink :) Well anyway.. I wore it yesterday and I was told it doesn't look good on me.... :(((( WHAT?? I was like gee thanks... but it bothered me all day! So, of course, I told my mom... she said... "you look amazing in hats, you know that" ... and then.."wear it again tomorrow since they don't like it!" :D great idea mom! ...if someone doesn't like something you wear or do, wear it or do it anyway if that is what you want! Why did I let that ONE person ruin my day? It's funny how much I grew over the years though...I used to care, but now.. the story is changing.

But why I originally decided to write this is because many times..I speak of God. I by NO means, mean to offend anyone! ...I talk about God because it makes me feel better. It helps me understand His word more. It helps me learn...A lot of people feel that if someone talks about God that you are forcing the information on them. YES, when I speak of God, I want the people listening to believe.. I really do, but I don't think you are a bad person if you don't.  I don't think I am any better just because I do believe. I have had people say..."well Christians think their beliefs are the only right ones."..WELL...let's think this one through... If you believe in something doesn't that mean you think you are right?? Why would you believe in something you aren't sure of? Haha that actually makes me laugh...people get soooo aggravated when God is mentioned... when they hear His name the conversation is over. Why in the world am I such a bad person for spreading His word, when other people aren't "bad" for telling me to shut up?? ...does it not go both ways...or will I constantly be in this world where I will never win?

...Then I start to realize why I am the one being ridiculed for my beliefs.. this world is full of sin. OF COURSE, the belief of God is gradually getting lower and lower.. hanging by a small thread that Satan created... I see hate every single day... just how people act towards one another at work even... It is disgusting.  I see people mocked every day because they say something about God..... Oh the wonderful joys of growing up... and moving out there into the world. ..In my little small town, USA I never saw what I do now. I was sheltered for sure, but I love that sheltered life.. It gets overwhelming because everyone knows your business, but at least, for the most part, you are respected here.

I guess what I am trying to say... everyone has their own opinions and beliefs..THAT'S GREAT!! ..but don't hate people because of theirs. Don't be close minded. "Never, ever apologize for anything that makes you happy" << My beliefs make me happy!! They are what get me through the day! ...I hear stuff that makes me think all the time... maybe someone has a better point than I do... These posts may not help anyone but myself..but then again, who am I living for? ...myself and God. Judge me if you must, but I know who the real judge is! :) Plus... "those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter!" ;) ...Goodnight!

-love-
  dan

The teacher is always quiet during a test...

This is your life...live it your way!!



SOOO...Yay! Tuesday is over! :) If you remember; my least favorite day of the week!! Haha So I think it was this last Saturday_I was watching a movie with my dad..a few actually. He never saw them though, because like usual...he fell asleep. hehehe and then he wakes up half way through and tries to catch up! :) so cute.. anyway, one movie we watched was An Unfinished Life, starring Morgan Freeman, Robert Redford, and Jennifer Lopez. I don't know if any of you have ever seen it, but I sure got a great lesson from it! :)

In the movie a down on her luck woman, who was constantly abused by her boyfriend was desperate to provide care for her daughter, moves in with her father in-law from whom she is estranged. Through time, they learn to forgive each other and heal old wounds. The father in-law blamed her for his sons death..something she blamed herself for every single day. Morgan Freeman's character proved that you can go through the worst thing in the world and still forgive. His character was mauled by a bear and he was in horrible condition... People wanted the bear gone for good, but not him... he knew the bear was an innocent animal and he forgave.. he didn't let the attack dwindle his spirit! :)

 I seriously recommend this movie... Everyone's life may take a bad turn, but does that mean you just give up? No. I don't think so anyway... You hear about people everyday who go through extreme struggles and accomplish soooo much! ...a shark attack, an explosion, a car accident.... People are told they may never get to walk again, but they won't accept that answer. Some people would give up... would say..."well the Dr. said.." Who cares what the doctor says!! They have been proven wrong MANY, MANY times! ..Then there are the people who laugh at the doctor and say "actually doc, YOU are wrong." ...Some of those people accomplish more than those of us who are fully capable. Why is that??

Possibly..it is because they ALMOST saw everything they loved to do be completely ripped out of their grasp! They realized how much their life would suck if they gave up. That if they didn't adjust to the obstacles in their way they may never be happy again. ..Sometimes..you don't realize what you have until it is taken from you. Those people didn't ask for those obstacles... they never ever planned for them either.. they just took what was given to them and that made them an even greater person! :)
Life isn't always what it seems... things will be taken from us, people too, but God is writting our story. I trust He knows what He is doing for me.. He knows EXACTLY what He is doing..and those lessons, they may be the hardest lessons ever, but just think about how strong you will be after the test. :) ..I saw a quote the other day that went a little something like this.. When you are going through something hard and you are wondering where God is at...just remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test! How awesome is that?? I never thought of it that way but it is true! God is ALWAYS right there if we need Him, but He wants us to try it on our own first.

I feel silly for being upset about my life sometimes.. I've been dealt a bad hand a time or two...but nothing like so many other people. My struggles are my struggles..just as bad as anyone elses..but we all need to realize that it isn't over until we say it is. Who likes giving up? being a quitter? ..eww not me.. But at times I want to soooo bad...but is my life that bad? is yours? ...maybe not. :) I look around and see soooo many faces that love me and if anything else doesn't help me...they do! :D

Somedays it may feel like you are all alone...  I have those days, but it's also those days that I connect with God more. And then I ask myself, what more do I need as long as I have Him?  With God, you are never alone.. He is the only one that doesn't get sick of our questions... He is the one who is always listening..always there! He is the one that gives that courage to the weak...the knowledge to know what we deserve..the heart to press on...the wisdom to know when we need to stop. He knows what He is doing... and He is the only one who knows our purpose.

The next time you get close to selling out...reconsider. There is a reason for your struggle! :)

-love-
  dan

The Bread Of Life!

So while my internet was out I thought of many, many things I wanted to write about...but I had to remind myself_ one.at.a.time. :) I had my post all planned out in my head before I went to church this morning, but then... I listened to a great lesson.

I love Sundays! I love learning about God! I love having that ONE thing in common with those many people from my community! ...Many people are going to judge me for my beliefs; christians..non christians..but I no longer care. At least I HAVE something I believe in! :)

Pastor Reehl from Grand Island came and gave us todays sermon. What an amazing speaker he is... his stories and lessons are amazing. Today the sermon came from John 6:35..."Wonder Bread." Many can guess what the lesson was about...and many of us have heard it many times, but it is necessary to be reminded.

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."(John 6:35)

Jesus is our bread of life. Really...It is as simple as that. In the sermon Pastor Reehl talked about how he loved Wonder Bread when he was little and not long ago he asked a nutrition how healthy it actually was, and came to find out that it is HORRIBLE for us. The wash away all of the nutrition and bleach it...  Just like the Wonder bread, their are many things in this world that aren't good for us, but definitely more tempting. Jesus is the healthy, nutritional "bread" in a sense.

He told a story about a couple boys he knew... one of the boys' family made their own bread, milk, cheese, and sausage meat_ the other boy had Wonder bread from the city and peanut butter and jelly.. They traded their bucket of lunch almost every day because they wanted what the other had. Isn't it true that we usually want what someone else has? That we are rarely satisfied with what we are dealt? We shouldn't want someone else's "bucket." We were given this life for a reason.. and we should learn to be satisfied with it_ easier said than done!

He told another story about how a lady told him that she was ready to go with God because she led a good life...BUT.. we need to remember that it isn't about leading a good life. It doesn't matter if you fed all the homeless in the world, if you didn't live for God then you didn't fulfill the goal. It is said that Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. Doing good in the world is amazing, it really is, and I'm not trying to tell anyone they aren't going to Heaven...but he is the only way. Jesus answered, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life; nobody comes to the Father but through me." ...I have made many mistakes and will be the first to admit that I do not lead that great of a life all of the time... I really do try, but one thing I do know is who died on the cross for me...Jesus. I know where I am going because I believe in Him with all of my heart! :)

God has a plan for ever single one of us... He is writting our story. ..Sometimes I'm not so happy with the story given to me... but then I remind myself. He has a plan for me...for you. We need to put our trust in Him. AND be happy with our story! :) Just like you need food for life... You do need Jesus for your spiritual life! <3

Have a great day!! GOD bless!

-love-

  dan

19 years...

<3 <3 <3

I wasn't able to post yesterday because the lightening, ONCE AGAIN, ruined our internet... it seems that we have the worst luck ever with that! ...Yesterday, 19 years ago, I received one of the greatest gifts God could give a little girl... a baby brother! :)))) Who knew being a big sister could be such a blessing? ..I somehow remember how terrified I was though... I knew when someone was in the hospital that someone was hurt_I knew my mom was in pain and that Nick was pretty much the reason for it..but I still knew what a blessing he was! YAY!!

Always had our Husker attire on! :)

When my brother and I were little we did EVERYTHING together.. we lived 15 miles out of town so we weren't really able to hang out with any of our friends as easily. We explored in the trees, went to the river, ran through the corn fields, walked on the half frozen pond, hung out with grandma & grandpa ....and the list goes on. We were best friends. ...I honestly feel bad for the only children of this world...  I would never want a life without him!

a couple of our Nebraska winters... '09 & '10

Nick and I have grown up quite a bit since then... and we have many of the same beliefs!  ..We may not see eachother as often or hang out with eachother as much, but I KNOW we will always be friends. The day a baby comes into this world isn't just a big day for the parents... but for the new, big brother or sister!! :D

I don't remember anything from my first two and a half years before Nick, but the next 19 years were the best... I know that without him.. I wouldn't be me! :) As any sibling knows... You are the only one who can mess with them. When someone else hurts your brother or sister, there is some butt to kick! :) I would never have known that 'protective' feeling without my little brother in my life!

His birthday last year (2011) ..I took him to the Yankees game

My brother is the most important person in my life... and even though we are both growing up and going our separate ways, I look forward to the many more memories we will experience together! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICHOLAS CLINTON BURR!! <3 I am so proud of you... and I love you very, very much!

-love-
  dan

It's never too late...

:) So another day has come and gone.... and I am FINALLY writing another post. ...Today at work a lot of us were talking about the Olympics. How totally awesome it would be if WE were one of those people. Could you imagine??? Being that great at something?! One of the women I work with said, "that's it..I'm gonna start training right now. I'm giving myself four years to train."She was kidding, of course but...Honestly... why not? She could do it. Couldn't any of us? If we REALLY wanted to?


All of those amazingly, talented people we see on television everyday did NOT get where they are by complete chance...they busted their butt because of something they really wanted to achieve. I mean look at Michael Jordan... I watched Space Jam..I know how the story goes!! haha but for real... he worked hard to get where he did and now he has a status that very few players can even come close to! ...or just last night I watched Missy Franklin, from Colorado... I saw her story and I saw how much swimming meant to her. I saw her win a gold medal!! How totally awesome is that?! But what was even more awesome...she could have taken contracts to get paid for something she is great at, but instead she chose to stay a kid a while longer and not leave her highschool team and family and friends behind. That kind of a decision for a seventeen year old would be hard... and in my opinion I think she made the right decision. She said she wouldn't be happy without them with her so she wouldn't perform as well. ..Of course, those are only two people, but I can't name them all!! haha

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again." -F. Scott Fitzgerald

Has there ever been something you wanted to do? Somewhere you wanted to go? ..but you think, "well shoot, I missed my chance." .."I'm too old now." .."I'm too young." .. "It's too late." ...whatever your answer is. YOU'RE WRONG! ...It is never too late..or too early. The only reason you can't do something is because YOU convinced yourself that you can't. It isn't someone else telling you that you can't either... it is just you. In my opinion, I love when people doubt me. It makes accomplishing my goal so much better, because I just proved them wrong!!! :) andddd..people doubt me...ALOT! :) That is success right there!

 If you want to get somewhere, do it for you. If you think you wanted something and you want to stop...then stop. Your decisions are YOUR decisions! :) And it's easier said than done, but so many of us let others define who we are, but sometimes...we need to take more control.  Don't ever let someone say your dream is stupid either... those who put down your dreams never went after theirs! AND never laugh or make fun of someone else's dreams... at least they are living for something!

God gave each of us talents..MANY different ones. We were given these talents, not to waste them, but to use them to our full ability! Show people what you are made of..and remember, it is NEVER too late! :)

Don't be afraid to explore the amazing opportunities our God has given us!

-love-
  dan

We live in a fallen world...but God is here to give us hope.

WOW--  I woke up today in a pretty good mood, why wouldn't I be?? It's FRIDAY! ..but then I was told of the heartbreak, that I am sure you have all heard about... The shooting in Aurora, CO.. a man walked into a movie theatre, the midnight premiere for Batman; nonetheless, and shot the place up... He shot at 71 people...killing 12. That isn't to mention all the wounded; physically, mentally, and emotionally. The pain I feel in my chest is immense! My heart breaks for the victims and their families...the pain they must be going through... the sorrow... and the questions. WHY?? Why would somebody do such a thing? We ask that everytime something like this happens. ..but none of us seem to have the answer. And why would we have the answer? Most of us WOULDN'T do such a thing. We aren't in that same mindset as the killer.

I still, in fact, believe that everything happens for a reason. What in the world is the reasoning for all of this?? ...We may never know. My thoughts seem so contradicting... and I feel so confused. It isn't just this tragedy that is getting to me either. It is all of them. September 11th...Columbine...Virginia Tech... and the many, many more we all know of. ...Not only those though... It reminds me of all of the loved ones I have lost as well.... Death... it is such a hard concept to grasp. No one is truly ready for it and no one is EVER ready to let someone they love go, but there is no way out of it. It is the one thing that happens every single day, that we just won't accept. It's our selfishness...

Some people probably don't understand why I say that...selfishness... but we are. The human race is SELFISH! I am...you are... As you can tell, I strongly believe in God. I believe when I die that I will go to Heaven with my Savior. So why on earth would I want to be here...why I on earth would I want my loved ones to be here?? This world is full of pain and suffering compared to Heaven. ...I want to go to Heaven... but I don't want to go now. I want to live my life to the absolute fullest for Him! And being the selfish human being I am..I want my family and friends here with me.

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." -Abraham Lincoln

We can't let such a tragedy define the rest of our lives. Those victims all over the world wouldn't want us to be hurting. If they are as amazing as we say they are...we should celebrate their life...the times we had with them. I am saddened all the time by my cousin, Ashton's, death. But then... I think back to all the crazy things all of us girls did together. It makes me smile... I think back to how amazingly talented she was... and beautiful! She knew how to live her life to the fullest with no regrets_and the lives she touched...WOW...she definitely meant the world to a lot of people. ..And my grandma Bogatz... :D She was a pure angel! ... I swear she didn't have a single bad thought in her head... and her faith was unbelievable... if you knew her story, she didn't have an easy childhood or life, but she kept to her faith and she raised EIGHT beautiful children...and then had EIGHTEEN grandchildren..along with SIX great-grandchildren. I'm not sure what her exact purpose was, but looking at the numbers... she fulfilled something amazing, a strong family. So why think of all the bad...when those people created such happiness in your life?

God never said our journey would be without heartaches, without losses. Those are the things that define us. If we didn't lose the ones we loved, would we appreciate life as much as we do? Jesus knows what suffering is... he died on the cross for all of us. But even before that...when his friend, Lazarus died, Jesus knew he was going to raise him up to Heaven, yet He still cried. He knows when we are hurting, and He hurts with us. It absolutely sucks when a loved one dies...but God will be there to be your comfort and your hope... just give your burden to Him. He will bring good from those tragedies... it may be a very long time until you get rid of that grief, but at least we don't have to do it alone. And remember...It is only a temporary separation.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. -Matthew 5:4

My heart and prayers go out to all of the victims and families of lastnight's shooting... May God bless each and every one of you with the strength to press on..

I hope everyone still has an amazing weekend..

-love-

  dan



Your life's purpose...

Ahhh, Sunday... What a wonderful day_ For the most part I love Sundays! I love going to church! :) ...but Sundays also mean the next day is Monday, work day.. Haha, that's the sad part. Going back to the plus side of Sundays though... Today in church my pastor talked about our purpose. ...Maybe we are working where we are because we are there to help someone else. ... I feel a tad bit ashamed for hating my job. I have a purpose in this world_and possibly it is helping the ones I work with. I shouldn't be so selfish to think of my own needs, when someone else may have even greater ones!

I believe and was taught that we all have a purpose in this world, and when we fulfill that purpose, it is then that we get to go home to our Heavenly kingdom!! :))) I'm so excited!!! ...but I always wonder_what is my purpose? There are so many roles that people play, but what is mine? And then I think... I'm just an average girl. Nobody cares what I have to say... or what I do. And if my purpose IS to have people listen to what I have to say, why would God pick me to do something like that? I'm so...ordinary, plain, simple. I don't have all my facts straight. I'm not as educated as many other people. AND... I'm shy... I was the girl in speech class that stood up there giving a speech, turning bright red, I couldn't breath, and I talked really, REALLY fast just to get it over with. Sharing my opinion has always been hard for me. I was that girl who always kept her mouth shut and avoided any eye contact, as to not be called on. _and yet, here I am, telling you MY opinion. _Something else my pastor said this morning... There are many great people in the Bible who felt they weren't good enough to spread God's word... a tax collector, a prostitute, a linen seller... but God still chose them. It doesn't matter who you are or were.. so maybe it doesn't matter how ordinary I am. :)

"God made you as you are in order to use you as He planned."- J.C. Macauley ...isn't that the truth. :) Every one of us is different. Some smarter. Some prettier. Some more athletic. Yet, God still wants EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! We all have a different purpose in this world... and we may never know what it is. _When I was little, I decided I wanted to be a cop. It's funny how much crap I got for that..and maybe that's what made me want to do it even more. And then there is the Air Force... and I LOVE to write and help others. I'm 21 and now I have no idea what I want to be... I love kids. Maybe I'm supposed to help them. Or be a cop...or a soldier. Maybe a stay at home mom someday? ...Maybe I'm helping people right this minute as they read this? ...No matter what my purpose, I look forward to fulfilling it! :)

_I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. -Philippians 3:12

What is your passion in life?? That may be your purpose. Something that will never get old... maybe it's art, teaching, music, writing, sports... Find your passion and run with it! Never give up on it either...maybe you aren't where you want to be, but it may be where you NEED to be. God knows what he is doing, maybe if I woulda stayed in the Air Force something might have happened to me...if I was able to join the National Guards years earlier I never would have joined the Air Force and met some AMAZING people. I know I will get there... it just takes time. Just because it is our purpose doesn't mean it is going to be easy. _But in the end, I believe it will definitely be worth it! :D

"Keep your head up, eyes focused, a smile on your face, and keep on going!" -DB

Goodnight and God Bless!! :)
-love-
  dan