Merry Christmas

I opened up this post to begin writing but quickly closed it because I decided I just don't have the time tonight since it is 1am and I need to finish packing for  winter camp. I still don't have the time but I am siting here in my room with a haunting feeling I have felt all day on this Christmas Day.

Our house is in full celebration! 

Celebrating the birth of Jesus, celebrating my brother coming home from a month long mission trip to India,  celebrating finishing my classes with good grades, celebrating everyone having some time off and spending time together. We are rejoicing! Yet I am sad. 

There has been so much sorrow that has accompanied this years Christmas; Broken families, sickness, death, sorrow. What all these things have in common is that they leave you feeling alone in the situation and loneliness can be one of the most hideous thing. 

I was driving to a christmas gathering after church tonight and the whole ride I was fighting myself to not allow myself to start crying because the weight of these sorrows are just so heavy on my soul today. It made me sad to know that some people were spending their day in tears, in numbness, in despair. 

This brought me to think of the new and upcoming year. I began to think and decide of what changes I want to make in my life as I beging to take on the upcoming season and as I began to add a few changes to my mental list I realized that my list was getting quite lengthy. I have this much to change!?!? I had to make a mental break and stop my  list to take a moment and process what I had just came to the realization of? That I'm not ready! I'm not ready for this year to end because I had certain "levels" to reach physically, mentally, and spiritually and I haven't reached them! I really am not one to beat myself over things I have not yet finished because why bother over things that can't be changed. One of my favorite quotes is that "the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now". You pick up from where you left of and you keep going! But why was I so paralyzed by my realization that I am "behind on the game"? Loneliness. 

Loneliness in the sense of feeling that everyone is on their game and somehow I fell behind. 

And even thought that's not the case because most of the time if not all the time majority of us are in the same boat, we still let that wretched nasty feeling creep right in and if we don't act upon it fast enough it gets quite comfortable and begins to make itself at home. 

I wish I can spread joy, peace, and love around like confetti! Some for everyone! Not one more person to feel alone in this crazy world. Thank you Jesus for sending your only Son to bring us that peace, love, and joy that changes our world radically! But may we act upon that and come to God not holding back, ready to receive His free and perfect gift! 

I am looking forward to this winter camp I'm going to. Cram a bunch of teens in  tight rooms with enough space to blink and see how lonely a person could feel haha there won't be any room for any of that. So I hope for this camp to bring much unity for everyone and for us all to see that we are never alone and that we were given each other as friends to rejoice during the good time but also cry together during the bad times. I love people! (: 

Off to pack. Yes just pack not over-pack haha let's see if I can for once in 

my life not over pack! 

Merry Christmas Everyone! (: 

Always follow the star! 

Flagstaff, AZ

* Drum rolllll please*

FLAGSATFFF!!

My absolute favorite city in Arizona!

Thats really all I can say to sum it all up.

I have been to Flagstaff multiple times this year yet I have not had a chance to share with you guys how awesome this place really is! I'm also not quiet sure I can even capture the true essence of Flagstaff! So the best that I can do, as the year comes to an end, is share with you some of my absolute favorite places in downtown Flagstaff, some fun things you can do and see in Flagstaff and   a few videos and pictures from multiple trips.

Favorite Places

1.Macy's European Coffeehouse

My absolute, number 1, favorite coffee place! Not only is their coffee devinely

delicious but their bakery items are amazingggg! They use natural ingredients and create some of the best pastries I've had!

2. Fire Creek Coffee

Another really good coffee locations that has delicious coffee and teas as well as a cool atmosphere where you can find inspiration all around you! 

3.Criollo Latin Kicthen 

My favorite restaurant in Flagstaff. I really cant even describe how yummy their food is. All I can say is that this place is a must try! Anything on their menu is delicious I have tried a few of their dishes. 

 4. Diablo Burger

If your looking for a tasy burger this place is it! And I am a huge burger fan! I LOVEEEE BURGERS! So if in doubt this is your place to go eat! 

5.Shoes & Such

A small boutique smack in the middle of downtown. I have purchase one of my favorite shirts ever from this store and I have abused the shirt of how much I've worn it but I absolutely love their clothing! Check it out.

6.p.j Chillcotage 

Obviously a lot of these place are my favorite places so this here is my most favorite boutique in Flagstaff! The cutest little shop ever! Not only do they have awesome clothes but so many knick knacks that you want to spend every last penny on them! I just bought something from there few days ago (; 

7. AZ Pedal Tours

BEST BIKE RENATL IN TOWN! And there is no better way to explore Flagstaff than on bikes! We have rented bikes from here multiple times! Great prices as well as staff and have multiple types of bikes to rent. 

There are sooo many more places in Flagstaff I have yet to try so these are just a few of my favorites that I have tried so far. I am sure there are plenty of more delicious coffee places as well as restaurants so dont be afraid to try anything new, Flagstaff never disappoints (: 

To avoid writing a lengthy post about Flagstaff I will leave it to the pictures to do all the talking as I will most likely ramble on about Flagstaff plenty more in the future.
Every season brings out something great in Flagstaff and I am glad I had the opportunity to experience them all. 

JANUARY 2014
This was the first trip that started the snowball effect of heading up to Flagstaff and boy was it a good one to kick of this love for Flagstaff. We went for the day to take care of some paper work as well as do a photo shoot I've been dying to photograph. 

March
The month where coffee changed forever! Nothing has tasted as good to me as Macys European Coffee in Flagstaff! This trip was another first of many. We went to one of our friends cabin and since then we have never stopped! Really its thanks to the most wonderful sisters that I have had the opportunity to spend so much time in Flagstaff this year. It might just be becasue of them and our awesome memories we have made in Flagstaff, that makes this place so awesome! (;

May
My trip this month equates to this...

JUNE
In June we went up to Flagstaff two times. Im not joking when I say I cant get enough of Flagstaff!!
The first trip us girls went over night and the next day a few extra friends drove up. We went cave diving at a near by cave called Lava River Cave. This a definite recommended place to visit however make sure you bring a flashlight!

 The two awsome sisters that share their Flagstaff cabin with me! Love you two!

2nd trip

This probably was the most perfect day. I cant even explain the feeling!

And for those of you who haven't gotten sick of Flagstaff just yet from this lengthy post here is Flagstaff in fall; and boy does fall look good on Flagstaff (;

October

November

and lastly! We headed to Flagstaff for a very nice long weekend. Actually wait I kind of crashed in on a thanksgiving family weekend haha but boy was it a great one!

So if your looking for some good coffee, nice views, funny people, yummy food, awesome architecture, delicious bagels, cool trees, bike rides, hiking trails, crisp beautiful mornings, cute boys everywhereeee, cool libraries, awesome buisness names, even more good coffee, and just great memories.. Flagstaff is the place. 

Till next time Flagstaff..

Always head north!

(: