Greece

 As many of you know, I am in Greece! I arrived today, and still couldn't believe I was actually here. Although we didn't do much, the site of overlooking the entire city of Athens was breathtaking!!! 

 

 Athens was built within 7 mountain/hills. When you reach the top, you will see a city that onced seemed chaotic, but from the big picture it all just made sense. Sometimes we just need to see the bigger picture and things won't seem as confusing. 

 As we finished up, we went back to the hotel, where dinner was prepared for us. The food they served was definitely not what I was expecting. They had some bread on the side. Then for the first course they have these crepes per say that had ham and cheese in them. It tasted like a grilled cheese sandwich. 

Then they served us this cabbage only salad with good dressing. Finally, for the entree, we had some mystery meat and rice, but it tasted good! For dessert there was fruit. I hope that is only like a one time thing or else Greek food is not what I expected at all. 

I wonder what enexpected adventures are waiting for me tomorrow...goodnight all! 

Love, 

Yours Truly 

 

Inspiration to Start Anew

There are people who enter your life, and create an unexpected passion to rise in you again. It's as if a powerful spirit sweeps across your soul, touches your heart, and inspires your mind. Dreams of the past are now of the present, and a realization that they CAN be fulfilled is confirmed. 

Today, I met a woman who will soon be my future employer. As my interests are in photography and anything alike, I take my step towards fulfilling my dreams and putting my talents to use for the better of a company and hopefully, a community as well. As we discussed ideas for a blog for the company, she told me, I should do the same for my photography, so everyone could see it. Not only did she want me to succeed in the company, but on my own as well. 

I have had a blog for as long as I can remember, but sometimes fail to write for extended periods of time. The idea of sharing my photos and telling a new story everyday made my heart pound out of my chest! I want to share all I have to offer to the world! You never know what may inspire people or make them come alive again. So tonight, I write this blog with an empowering spirit inside ready to let it reach the depths of my being, and allow a new life of creativity to inspire and accomplish. 

Lots of love, 

Lydia. ❤ 

Vows

"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the
temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?" -Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

This is so true and so true with not only God but others. If you aren't going to say what you mean, then just don't say it at all. It's pointless. Because as you go on saying things you don't mean, your words become less and less credible. Words are truly meaningless unless you are able to back them up with action. So before you try to smooth talk someone or commit to something or someone, you better have actions to prove it and fulfill it. God really does bless those who can endure through life. Think about that next time you promise someone something or more importantly promise God something. Because he will never let you down, so why should you let him down if you know you can't do what you say?

Sweden: A Place of Beauty and A Wake-Up Call Into Reality

Sweden was so BEAUTIFUL! It was lovely. They had AMAZING bread and chocolate. America, you fail on bread. :P haha. We spent a lot of our time in Old Town Stockholm where the roads were composed with cobblestone and the buildings were hundreds of years old. All of the shops were small and quaint. They had many cafes. The Swedes also had VERY strong coffee. It was like expresso pretty much. It was normal. American coffee will probably taste like water when I have some again. Haha.

Though the town and country was beautiful there was something very wrong with spirituality and moral basis. There was none...any crime could be excused if the person was drunk. Everyone did want they wanted to and didn't think it was bad as long as they didn't feel guilt. Though there were many lost souls I met some AMAZING Swedish Christians who were strong and stood up for their faith even though they live in the most secular country in the WORLD. They had a fire passion. They asked questions. They were thirsty to know MORE and not just settled for some knowledge. They were kind and friendly and genuine people. I am glad I met them. I loved hearing they had to say about Americans. It was extremely funny sometimes but never offensive. I have to dedicate this blog to them so here's to: Olive, Natalia, My, Arash, Josef, and Erika!!! :D You guys really made the trip worth while. I wouldn't have traded it for anything else or for more time for scenery because I would rather know the hearts of Sweden and not just the land that won't talk back to me or be my friend. So here's to Swedes! May God bless all of you and your country and for all the other lost souls that haven't been reached yet! May God speak through you and win souls for the kingdom through all of you!!!

Love you guys!,
Lydia :)

On the Plane

Finally heading to Sweden!!! I'm so psyched! Our plane was little late leaving but that's okay! I'm gonna miss my puppy, Leah do much. My parents will probably be thrilled that I'm gone, but then again maybe not.

Once we got to the airport, we took a group picture and got all of our information needed. Then we went through check-in and waited about 45 minutes until we boarded the plane. As we bean to take off, I could feel the plane accelerating and feel the excitement rise from within me. There is always the fear that the plane will crash, but I know God is protecting me. As the plane took off its first few feet into the air, everything below me became smaller and smaller. It's as if the world became a dollhouse with miniature moving cars and tiny house where the dolls live and could be played with. I felt as if I could just pick up the objects and do what I pleased with them. The landscape wasn't just a landscape anymore, it was a majestic piece of art crafted by the finest hands. The trees weren't just trees they were lines that defined boundaries and outlined a picture. Rivers created shapes with everything curve. The grass filled in all the empty spaces. The people made everything come to life. I felt like a giant peering into the lives of others. Up above everything was different. Everything was from a different perspective. Nothing was as it was anymore. It wasn't just some geographical place you could find on a map. It was MORE. It is the things we take for granted. Above we can analyze all we have forgotten. The beauty of the world, the life we live, how precious it all is, and how vastly small we are compared to the universe that holds our planet only with gravity, and if we were to move out of outlinemeant we could either freeze, or burn up (depending on if it was towards the sun or away). Being in the sky makes my mind turn with thought I wouldn't have thought below. I like it though. I like how I feel when I am in the air and picturing the wondrous place I live in.

Though I will be landing soon, I will board again to have a direct flight to Sweden! I know my week will e quite interesting. Keep safe everyone and think to yourself how lucky you are to be here

Sweden Mission Trip

I am so excited for Sweden!!! I can't wait! It's gonna be so much fun. :) This is my first mission trip and first time over seas. I have been out of the country but not across the ocean like this or anything. I can't wait to see what God has in store for this trip! I really hope to be able to reach out to lost souls and help people. Only 1% know of Christ. It is a very dark country. On the bright side, I hear it is also a BEAUTIFUL country, and from the pictures I have seen, it is.

As I was packing for this trip this week, I was so anxious I was going to forget something. I am done packing and taking my sister to the airport where she will depart to see family in California (it's our spring break). After that I'm going to my hotel, so I can't really go back to the house to get something if I forgot it. I guess I'll have to find out if I forgot anything important when I actually get to Sweden.

Well guys, pray for me and this trip and my sister! Have a wonderful spring break!!! :)

Casablanca

I absolutely love old movies! On my cable channels, TMC is always there. Some of my favorites that are funny are the Yum Yum Tree with Jack Lennon, Some Like It Hot and Some Like it Cold with Marylin Monroe and Jack Lennon, and Susan Slept Here with Debbie Reynolds. The murder mysteries and suspense movies are always best when done my Alfred Hitchcock. He has strange, yet compelling movies that will never bore you. One of the movies that are my favorite my him is Psycho. Oh my goodness, that is a thriller for sure!!! Well, you might be wondering why I am talking about old movies, but no need to wonder, I will tell you! Today was the 70th anniversary of Casablanca, and they were having a one time showing in the theaters. I went to see the movie this evening with my mother, Kimberly, and Connie (a family friend, a little older than my mom). It was wonderful, and so cool to see an old movie on the big, theater screens! I only watched bits and pieces before, but I finally got to see the whole thing tonight. I didn't regret going one bit! I had a blast, and can't wait to see another old movie in the theaters again! :) TMC forever!