Over the years, I have received or bought a few keychains that have my name on them. It isn't very often that I can find things that actually have my name on them. (Since my name is just "Mandy", not "Amanda"). Most of the time, things with names on them have more common names on them. You can usually find the name "Amanda," but not "Mandy". So these are special to me because they have my name on them!
This keychain was given to me by my aunt. I think it was the first keychain that I got that had my name on it!
This keychain I got at Disney World a few years back.
This is another one of my favorites! Again because it says my name on it and also because it is a flip-flop! In the summer, I love to wear flip-flops. I have several pairs and enjoy matching them with my outfit!
Is your name a "common" name, on the "top ten list,"is it completely original?
Often times I wonder if I would like to know what my future holds. I wonder what will I be doing in 10 years, 5 years, 1 year, 1 month from now. But on the other hand, I don't know I really want to know. There are certain details that I want to know and others that I would rather not know. I want to know the good things, or at least what I would see as "good" things. "What job will I have?" "Will I be married?" "Where will I be living?" These are just some of the questions I wonder about... While I want to know the answers to these questions, I also believe there is a reason why we don't know how everything will turn out.
I believe God knows the big picture. He holds the future. And He has great plans for us if we choose to trust and obey Him. Sometimes we follow His ways and other times we choose to go our own ways. When it comes to not following God's ways, those are times I do not really want to think about. I know there are times that I do not choose God's way. Those times when we mess up, when we maybe "go astray," we wouldn't want to know we are going to do those things. Other times I think that we wouldn't want to know about are all of the heartaches that we endure - deaths of loved ones, health problems, family members turning away, and other heartaches that simply go along with being human. We would have a hard time if we knew we would have to suffer through those kinds of things. And then there are failures. When we strive towards a goal, a lot of times we run into trials and "bumps" along the way. Those are times we may give up. We may not even make goals if we counted all of the hard things we may have to get through to reach the goal. And in the end, if we could see into the future, would we have hope that things will turn out right? Would we still believe that change can happen?
Maybe. Maybe not.
So many times we get stuck in the here and now or on the opposite side we worry too much about the future, the future here on earth, that we forget that a lot of our worries don't matter as much as we think they do. I tend to be a person that thinks things through. I want to know what it happening and I want to know what I will be doing. But then I have to keep reminding myself (and sometimes others help me with this) that I need to live one day at a time. One moment at a time. And if I am living each of my days, each of my minutes for Christ, that is all that matters. I can put my trust in him to guide me one day at a time. One step at a time. So I am thankful that God only gives us one day at a time. I don't think we could handle more than that! I am thankful that He is with us through it all. And I choose to trust Him in the moment and try not to worry about tomorrow.
One day at a time is enough for me!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
P.S. On the "About Me" page is my life purpose statement. It reminds me to live with the bigger picture in mind. I don't need to focus on the material worries of this earth, but on the things that will last forever.
Would you want to know what your future holds or do you prefer one day at a time?
I was given this keychain on my 16th birthday from my aunt! It says, "Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly". This keychain was given to me on my 16th because I got my driver license right around that time!
When did you get your driver's license?What memories do you have of your first moments behind the wheel?
About a week ago, someone challenged me to keep a log of each day or journal something about it. The point being to just write, make memories, and to also have an account of the things you have done. This person was telling me of the many life experiences that he had had, but that one of his biggest regrets was not taking notes.
So many times we get caught up in the moment and then we think we could never forget it, but...we do. No matter how great the moment, we not remember it. I believe it is important to write things down. Make a few notes about the day. Even if they are just simple thoughts write them down. Store up those moments so you can remember them later and share them with others as well if you choose to.
I want to write down what is happening in my life, family, state, and world. I want to write it down so that generations after me may have a glimpse into this time we are currently living in. I don't know if it will be exciting or heartbreaking or funny or even interesting, but never the less, I want to tell the story. The story I want to leave is not one that focuses on me, but one that focuses on what God has done through me. I pray that in all I am doing, and will ever do, that my life will ultimately be a witness.
I want to leave a legacy...
Below are some lyrics that are about leaving a legacy and video with all the lyrics. please take the time to watch it and really think about the words.
Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
Chorus-
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
