Trust, Forgiveness, Hope, Enjoyment.

Hi there and happy Wednesday! This morning has been so beautiful, full of sunshine and 60 degree weather, my favorite! I hope your morning has been just as lovely!

As I was journaling [Yes, I call it a journal because I feel like I am too old to say that I keep a diary] I had a thought and I think it may encourage someone else, so I am going to share. And if it doesn't encourage anyone else, maybe I will come across this post again and I will encourage me!

I know a theme within my blog has been enjoy. Enjoy life. Enjoy every aspect to every day. Enjoy the hard times and the really fun times. Lately, I have found it difficult to enjoy because I have been distracted. Sometimes, for me, it is difficult to understand that the Lord has truly forgiven me for every sin I have ever and will ever commit. After I repent, He forgives and moves forward. As wonderful as this characteristic of God is, I find it hard to recognize and live in a way that He has truly forgiven me.

As my last days at Liberty are rapidly approaching, I can say the biggest lesson I learned in college is, I can trust in my God and He will provide. He will always come through. He will always supply for my every, emotional, spiritual, physical needs. [It's pretty remarkable]

If I know the Lord will provide for my every emotional, spiritual, physical need- why do I doubt His forgiveness? I am not doing anything profitable by hanging on to guilt and living in fear. I am limiting myself and hindering my full enjoyment of life. I need to trust in God’s forgiveness and that means forgiving myself and moving forward. Trusting in His forgiveness is the best way to enjoy life. I need to trust that His model of forgiveness is the best possible way to live each moment.

 
Anyway, I am not even sure if this will make sense to anyone else, but it’s a thought I needed to find. Be encouraged that you are or can be free from your sins. You can live in the hope of the gospel and this will bring you true joy. Understanding that I deserve nothing and through Christ I have gained everything - that’s what gives me enjoyment, love and forgiveness to share from moment to moment.  - Happy Wednesday! :] 

Friday = A Happy Hales

 

I hope you Friday is as sweet as my yummy, cinnamon latte! Do yourself a favor and get some Starbucks today... Celebrate with me that it's finally FRIDAY! 

Hello and Goodbye!

Hi Blogger world! I am still here, I am alive, I have just been so very busy this week! Taking a couple days off to go to my cousins wedding put me surprisingly behind. But, it was so worth it!

Michigan was amazing, as to be expected. Seeing my family was even better. I cannot express the joy, contentment, and happiness when I am surrounded by those I love. I really do cherish and love my family, recently it has hit me how blessed I am. My family is truly a gift from the Lord and I am so thankful he put me where I am!

Here are some pictures from some time spent in Michigan and the drive back!

Sisterrr!

Pupppppyyyyyy

Little Bro! They won their game!

Pumpkin Patch!

Our snacks for the ride up!

The drive on the way back!

Needless to say, I had a GREAT time and I love fall things! Speaking of fall things- It is FRIDAY! And I want to fill you in on what I am doing this weekend! [Drum roll please!]... I am dedicating this ENTIRE weekend to fall... [Thank you Pinterest] From start to finish. Fall activity's- Falltivites!

Starting with some Hot Cider 

Recipe

Adding some Carmel Apples

Recipe

If I am feeling brave, some Chocolate covered apples 

Recipe

Of course, a scary movie! Which one should I see? 







And If I'm feeling really, really brave Pumpkin Bread

Recipe

Tomorrow I am going to a flea market with my, (drum roll please) boyfriend! And then hiking to the top of a mountain, maybe visiting a winery, making lunch and hopefully hitting up an Apple harvest festival, I have found six that are happening this weekend! I'll have some fun stories to tell and cute pictures to show on Monday!

I hope your weekend is full of fun fall festivities! If you are running out of ideas, I will 'leaf' (get it!) a list of a few things for you to do!

Yes, we are ALL single. [I know, we can't believe it either]

Traditions, Traditions, Traditions!

[I encourage you to play this song as you read this blog. It may make it more interesting] 

My family is all about tradition. Thinking back to when I grew up (oh, so many years ago) I can think of numerous traditions my family clung tight to for as long as we could.

1.  The Candy Cain Hunt. [My mom would give us all different flavored Candy Canes and hide them around the house, the kid who found all of theirs first won!] This was never really my favorite tradition because my sister was way to competitive about it [and always won... just like at Easter] and we always ended up with weird flavored Candy Canes by the end. [No one wanted to eat them.] 
2. The Pumpkin Patch. This was BY FAR my FAVORITE event of the fall season. We would all pile up in our red minivan and head to Heritage Farm pumpkin patch. We would listen to Adventures in Odyssey on our way and discuss the type of pumpkin we wanted. And of course when Halloween rolled around so did the book, The Ghost Eyed Tree and Dad's Halloween song. (He still calls all of us and sings it on Halloween. I'm telling you, we are all about the tradition)
3.  Christmas Tradition. Why do we insist on Dad waiting to bring  the gifts to the tree after we are asleep? We all know Santa is NOT real. But, That's just what we do, cause it is TRADITION. My family is stubbornly stuck on traditions... There is a continues argument every Christmas about moving where we open Christmas from the basement to the living room... It is always 3 verses 3. But, Chandler won't be at Christmas this year.... So, maybe I have a fighting chance? Christmas in the living room anyone?

So, this is a little taste of my family. My family who have come to mean so much more to me over the past year of my life. Sometimes, at the end of everything, all you have is family and that may have been all you needed in the first place. I am so thankful for them and so blessed to belong to this amazing and eclectic group or clan. (As my mom reefers to us, 'The Collins Clan') 

2006? or 2007?

In the UP representing our family Roles. Go ahead and take a guess at what they are. 

2007? At  another 'Back to School' tradition. :]
Which I reinstated this summer, with dinner and coffee.

Let's go youngest to oldest. 

This is my little brother, Guthrie. or GU3. or Gunther. or Goose, whatever really. His personality matches the description you would seem to gather in these pictures. He's starting his Senior year at Calvary and I think there might be a sigh of relief once the last Collins kid leaves the campus. We may, or may not have been instigators throughout out our many years there :]] 

Turtle Hunting, another Collins tradition.

  

This is my older sister, Blythe. Who will probably not read this blog post, because I know she sees blogs as a waste of time, and that is just one of the many differences between us. I think our differences have brought us closer the past 5 years and maybe not sharing a bathroom helped a little as well. :] 

This is my lovely and super smart sister. Always doing something, always being somewhere, always with someone, or making friends as she goes. She has recently picked up photography and check her out, she's SO great! I love her. We had a longstanding tradition of spending Spring Break together, in Florida with our Grandma for about 5 years? This is one of the many pictures we took on the Spring Break affairs.

Florida... 2007?

Florida 2009?

Last Spring in the Burg.

And, the oldest and most wise sibling,Chandler slash Chan. I love my big broski. He has a blog as well, check it out! He has moved to Israel for the year. [Tear.] But, not because I'm super proud of him going and doing something different. I love to claim him as my older broski and he's seriously fabulous. And, if you were inquiring, he LOVES being named Chandler, especially because of its natural association with the popular TV series, Friends.

This pretty much sums him up.

Please note both shirts represent the amazing state of Michigan.

And of course, we can't forget Mom and Dad. These two people are responsible for the weird, quirky kids we are.  I thank God everyday to have parents like them. I know I am a really blessed girl and I cannot forget that. My parents are pretty awesome in their own quirky kinds of ways as well.

My dad has an iphone... and he is really good at taking pics like this, and mass texting them to all of us kids.
My favorte one was when he texted me a pic of him in a do rag, and asked if it looked alright.... and texted me another pic with a different one asking which one looked better.

My beautiful Mom! Who was really the mastermind behind
all these wonderful traditions and memories!
Our family would not have these funny and wonderful memories without her!

And lastly, the most recent and probably most loved member of the family... Meadow.

So, this is my family. I love them all. Now, after meeting all of us, I think I should tell you, we are all single

And yes, we love Michigan. Very much. So, don't mess.

I'm Sorry.

This week I have been tossing around the idea of forgiveness in my mind.
Forgiveness is interesting because it is so different in various situations. I was wondering what the 'better end of the deal is.' Is it better to be the one needing to get forgiveness, or the one asking for it?

I do not think there is a better side; when forgiveness is necessary, somebody was hurt.

With starting my job, I have learned alot about forgiveness among children. There is much 'saying sorry' and 'accepting an apology' going on. The funny part is, it is CONSTANTLY happening. The girls forgive each other and MOVE ON with the day. They genuinely forgive... they just go back to playing as if nothing ever happened. (I think in that is a major life lesson)

How often do we honestly 'accept an apology'? How many grudges do we hang on to? How much hurt do we allow to scar our hearts and lives? How much unnecessary baggage do we hang on to that’s haunting us?

Bottom line: We are ALL human, we will all make mistakes and we will all hurt somebody, somewhere, sometime. 

I know I have hurt people, deeply and I know I have been hurt; we all have been on both sides of this equation.

I think repentance within forgiveness is an aspect that is easily forgotten. We train kids to say sorry, but not that weaved in and out of forgiveness is the need to repent.  Through Christ, I have the freedom to live in grace and forgiveness…. But when hearing that I think…. really? I see a pattern of wrongs in my life; I'm not so sure I am truly repenting when I ask for forgiveness. Why? Well, because asking for forgiveness is much easier then repenting for my wrongs. So, then can I truly forgive and ask to be forgiven??

I've been convicted of needing to give forgiveness and ask for forgiveness. This search for forgiveness in love, grace and mercy creates a freedom that only the Lord can give and that my friend is a very happy ending!

Reaching a place of true repentance means you've reached a place where you can truly forgive. 

While mistakes happen, to everybody, I need to cling to the perfect forgiveness that Christ can give to such an imperfect and wretched person, like myself. 

I also think it is imperative for life, to grant forgiveness to yourself. This may be the most difficult aspect of forgiveness for me. We do not need to hang on to the guilt, remorse, regret and baggage in our lives. That will destroy us and rob us of truly living life. 

Yes, I may have made really terrible mistakes.

And yes, I will reap the consequences for my mistakes.

My personal value is not in the mistakes I have made, but how I respond when mistakes happen. 

My value comes from what someone else did, someone much more powerful then me. He is my worth. In him is my value.

It is my job to do my best to refrain from sinning. But then, responding in repentance to others and myself when mistakes happen.

Living in a lifestyle of forgiveness creates a truly significant, fulfilling and beautiful life.

I don't Think God Cares If I'm Happy.

Things bother me. A lot of things bother me. I think whistling is annoying. I don’t like blue, brown and black together. Slow drivers, crappy bubble gum, wrinkled shirts, long instrumental breaks, weak coffee… and the list can go on.  I get annoyed FAR to easily.

I am not a very patient person and unfortunately my face blatantly displays my emotions for the world to see, no matter how hard I try to hide my feelings.

This past semester I was very overwhelmed, and there were so many moments that I just wanted to jump in my car and drive away. I can fit everything I own in my car… so why not? But, with the help of friends and family I made it through my distressing semester.

And now here I am, home sweet home. I thought when I arrived here I would be so re energized and ready to go! And to an extent, I am. I always feel a 100 times better crossing that Michigan border. (who doesn’t?!)

But, moving home I have been reintroduced to all sorts of new circumstances.

One night last week, I just really felt as if I had reached the end of my rope, I was spent, done, drained in so many different ways. And my dad and I got into a long discussion about circumstances….

Have you asked yourself these questions?

• Why am I in this situation? 
• Why did God allow this to happen? 
• What am I supposed to do now? 
• Why isn’t God making me feel better? 
• How come things can’t just change?
• Why can’t I just feel better? 
• I’m trying REALLY hard…so why isn’t God making this any easier?

Sometimes in my prayers I just look up and say “WHY?!?’ I think God just laughs at me… “Oh, Haley, my little over dramatic daughter.”

But seriously, what am I supposed to do when things are not getting any better?

I’m not saying I have the answers, or that I am right, or that this is even scriptural… this is just me, trying to figure ‘things’ out.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t think God cares about our circumstances. I think God loves us and I think he loves us enough to put us in crappy circumstances. I really don’t think he is concerned with making us happy…I think he is much more concerned with how we respond to our circumstances.

This is much easier said then done.

But think about Job, Samson, David, Paul, Jesus…. They all had some pretty bad circumstances to live through and God didn’t magically make them feel better, or give them a new car to ‘cheer them up.’ These Godly men had to DEAL.

Is that what I’m supposed to do?

I guess, when life gives you some down right terrible circumstances, God is not concerned with making you ‘feel better’. God is concerned with your character and how you will deal with it.

This semester I had some pretty gloomy circumstances surrounding me and how did I respond? I wish someone would have said, “Haley, this is a time to test your character. This is a time to test who you are in Christ.” I think if I had thought about it that way, I would have dealt with things so differently.

While mistakes happen and I think they are necessary for growth, if I would have thought of my circumstances as a way to grow and test my character, I may have made some less dumb choices this semester.

People often said the definition of character is how one responds when no one is around. I think character is the way one responds when life is not going their way. Character is how someone chooses to deal with his or her issues in circumstances.

I think James 1 when Paul says “Consider it joy my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” So, should I be joyful?

I’m not sure. Because I’m still hurt, I’m still healing; I’m still trying to deal with so many different circumstances…

But maybe instead of waiting for God to ‘make me feel better’ or ‘change my circumstances’ I need to deal with my problems and be joyful in my circumstances.

This is a time for me to question my character; this is a time for me to develop my character…. And I truly believe that’s what God cares about.

As Christians, I think it is easy to compare us to each other. I was recently confiding in a friend and they compared me to other people we know, trying to prove a point… but at the end of that conversation I couldn’t help but think, but it doesn’t matter what other Christians chose to do…

Isn’t Jesus Christ the one I should be comparing myself too? What did Jesus do with his circumstance? He prayed in the garden, and then did what God needed him to do. He lived and died through his circumstances.

Now, of course, it’s Jesus…He’s ‘perfect.’ But isn’t that what I should be striving after?

All I know is, God is not going to magically change my life into a perfect storybook. If we were all honest, everyone’s life is a mess. LIFE IS MESSY. I think the only way to truly live life, is to get involved… and that will leave you dirty, scared, jaded, disappointed, sad and many other things…

But isn’t it better to live with grass stains, scraps and dirt under your finger nails, than to be to far back you never even graze the top of the grass?

I think so.

Michigan. That's all I need.

Moving to Virgina was an interesting experience for me. I really learned how ignorant people are when it comes to the north in general and specifically, Michigan.

Some reactions after telling people I'm from Michigan:

1. The assumption I grew up in the ghetto. After saying I'm from Michigan people get that look on their face like 'I think this girl could kick my butt because she grew up selling drugs on the street while rapping with eminem.' So, then they sympathetically say something like "Oh, Michigan. Too bad what's happening up there." My response, "Well, Detroit is not all that's up there. There is an entire state." 
2. My FAVORITE reaction is when people say "Oh my gosh! Michigan! How do you deal with all that snow! Isn't it like always winter? Are you going back for the summer? Do you own shorts?!" Depending on my mood I sarcastically inform them that Michigan is not the north pole and the sun shines up there too... or I will say "Yeah, it's always cold, I wear a parka home."
3. One time I made up a story about how the Great Lakes freeze over and we all drive our cars on them. Judging by how cool everyone said that was, I've told that story a couple of times.
4. Everyone comments about the Great Lakes. Michiganders know how wonderfully, amazing these bodies of water are... but most people do not understand how big they are. So many people make fun of their size. [I get greatly offended] I just remind them you can see the Great Lakes from SPACE....they have to be pretty big? Right?  Those overly trendy and way to laid back West Coast people refuse to think a Great Lake could be anything compared to the ocean. Sigh.
5. "You're from Michigan? Can you swim in the Great Lakes? Oh wait, it's like winter all the time there right? So, they are probably always frozen over."
6. "You're from Michigan... where is that?" [I'm not kidding.] I said, Michigan is the state that looks like a hand. It is hard to miss on a map.

Once I learned about the Pure Michigan campaign, I was thrilled to show off these advertisements and prove to all the ignorant people that Michigan was amazing!

"The Pure Michigan campaign is designed to introduce to the nation the attributes that make Michigan such a popular and unique destination," said George Zimmermann,Vice President of Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

And I think it does just that.

This is for those who assume Michigan can not have beaches.
This is for those who think fall is prettier in the mountains.
This is for those who really think Michigan is all snow.
This is for those who think Michigan is full of empty cities and boarded up houses.
This is for those who think the ocean water could be superior to our Great Lakes.

Studying advertising at Liberty, I have found a great appreciation for these commercials and the advertising team behind these genius ads.

This campaign won the Best State Tourism Advertising (2007), Best State Tourism Television Commercials (2007), and Best State Tourism Radio Campaign (2008).

I could go on and on about how wonderful this campaign is and what a dream it would be to work for them. [Gosh, I think I would pinch myself each day]

Seeing the pride I have in my state made me think of all the other Michiganders out there... Do you also get excited when one of these ads play? What do these ads do for you? They often give me a flash back of an amazing Michigan summer night or a breathtaking Michigan moment. Moving out of the state has given me so much pride for my state.

So many people keep talking about the economy, education and all other Michigan issues.

Although we have state issues, I think we all hold a pride for Michigan in our hearts. Whether it be a city, sports teams, the UP, a job... we all have something to be proud of, Michigan.

I think this ad says it best:


And of course, the Michigan pride was all over the U.S. during the 2011 Superbowl.

As 'bad' as everything is in Michigan right now, I have hope in the Michiganders as people. We love Michigan, we hold pride in  Michigan and no matter what is happening, no one can take that away from us.

Like Chrysler said, 'the blue collar attitude can change the white collar world.' Michiganders know how to work hard and we know what it means to survive. That is why I love this state so much.

Not only is it beautiful, unique and a hidden oasis. Michiganders hold pride in what we have and provide hope for whatever is Michigan's future.

We are Michigan, and that's something to always be proud of.

[ Just Humor Me ]

It doesn't take too much to make me happy... well, I guess that may depend on who your asking. :] [I like to think I'm not too high maintenance..] It's Tuesday, and I really don't like Tuesdays. I think they should be skipped altogether. But already on this bleak, ugly, Tuesday morning I had a little moment of happiness fly at me, right out of my email.

I have a new follower. Summer. Check her out. She has quite an interesting story, and lots of fun posts. I found the picture below, on her site. I think it is full of great advice, and a good standard to live by.

I'm not typically that girl, but give me a second to brag about my wonderful boyfriend. Who has dreams and passions and the work ethic to accomplish them. Contrary to him, I'm a very scheduled person. I have my planner, my to do list, and I love accomplishing things well in advance!

[He always picks on me about my planner, and my working on papers two weeks in advance, ect...]

This past semester I have been contemplating- what really matters?

While I run around, working, focused, writing papers, taking tests, and meeting in groups [stupid group projects. gah.] In the midst of the whirlwind of my life- what really matters? 

 How much I accomplished? How many people I said hello to? How many moments of my day I truly enjoyed? If I passed my tests? If I paid my bills? How many hours did I work this week?

 I'm so thankful I have Tyler and I will be forever grateful for his contagious perspective about life. I have learned the importance of valuing every aspect that comes with this sometimes not so beautifully wrapped gift. 

Some days will be hard, hell, even unbearable. Some days will be so sweet you won't want to go to sleep- but in every moment, all moments Ty has taught me to embrace and LiVE.

I'm young and naive, but everyone has to start somewhere right? Plus, I'd much rather be old, still naive, and happy because I at least to tried to reach heights people told me I couldn't.

Anyway, with all these talk [blah]. Just embrace today and live.

And I'll try to do the same.

I'm not sure why I keep post wedding things...

... but please check out his amazing wedding locations below! They are absolutely GORGEOUS!

more.

Okay, really people- Southern meets a trendy antique. IT CAN HAPPEN! LOOK! 

more.

Okay. I am officially speechless.

more.

Now- you have to be asking, who captured such breathtaking moments

-- [insert drum roll here] --

{100 Layer Cake}

{MUST SEE BLOG.}

And, I'll leave you with one last picture! 

A Surprise Wedding' 

My loves.

Created by: MadeByGirl

i want one.

Craft with Candy.

i love candy. i'm not sure if ever want a big 'todo' wedding or not- one day. BUT- if i did. i would want it to be like this one.

Check out more.

Red is not really my color, but I'm really digging the whole "popping"' factor here.

Check it out.