little miss keri

The Hunger Games

26 Jan 2012 1 Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

The Hunger Games.

These three words send shivers down many spines with excitement, adrenaline, and anxiety.
Myself included.
Yes, I have been converted to the dark side: AKA, I have begun the quick process of reading The Hunger Games series.
I’m on book two. I finished the first one in a day and a half [if I had been able to sit down for hours at a time, the time would've been much quicker].

For those of you who have not read the books, I won’t spoil too much of the plot. There is a girl named Katniss who has to [literally] fight for her life against twenty three other teenagers in an arena, solely for the purpose of making sure everyone knows that they are in surrender to the Capitol. How is this done? The Hunger Games are meant as a way of entertaining people while reestablishing fear in their lives.

I know this is a sad summary of an amazing trilogy, but I don’t want to give away too much of what goes on. You must read it for yourselves.

As I was reading it, I began to admire Katniss’, the main character’s, attitude. She’s strong, brave, wise, and will do anything for the people she loves. She’s alert, courageous, and adventurous. The way she battles for her survival in The Hunger Games, while making sure that whatever she does is the right and moral thing to do, is not only admirable, but honorable, as well. She’s stubborn, but strong. She thinks things through, rather than just think in the moment. Every move she makes must have a strategy behind it, must have been thought out so there are no surprises that ruin her changes to live.

While reading the first book in the trilogy, I couldn’t help but think of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Leave it to me to find a Biblical view on such a powerful and popular book, huh? 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.”

With the tiny description I’ve given you on Katniss’ character, I hope you can see the connection between her actions and the words of 1 Corinthians 16. I don’t think it’s simply ironic that the two intertwine in a subtle way. It just goes to show you that in whatever you do or read or witness, you can find God’s fingerprints all throughout it, if you simply stop to try and find it. I’m not saying that Katniss is modeled after 1 Corinthians 16 and I don’t know if the author of The Hunger Games is a Christian, or whether or not she’s even heard the aforementioned Bible verses. But, nonetheless, the character she has created illustrates God’s word, at least in a subtle, but obvious, way.

And with this random thought officially written and published to the blog, I must now return to reading the second of the series. And with each passing hour, the countdown ticks. On March 23rd, The Hunger Games movie will officially hit theaters and I, for one, am ecstatic.
(You can click here to watch the trailer for yourself!)

Join the trend. I’m not one for following every one else’s actions, but this is definitely an exception to a rule that I so strictly follow.

9.5 things that are on my mind tonight

18 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Hey, everyone!

Life is getting pretty busy again! Sorry I haven’t had time to blog for a few days!
Unfortunately for you, the fad of my lists/bulleted points is not over.
So, instead of blogging about all my thoughts in long descriptive paragraphs, here are a few highlights.

1. I miss the beach.
2. I miss summer in general.
3. Oh, I also miss being tan.
4. I need a hair cut…badly.
5. I can’t WAIT for March 17th for one reason and one reason only! McDonalds’ Saint Patrick’s Day milkshakes! :]
6. School starts in 2 and a half weeks… say what?!
7. It’s January 17th, 2012, and it hasn’t snowed since OCTOBER. that’s not right.
8. Tonight’s Glee episode was AMAZING. go watch it NOW!
9. Last night’s Pretty Little Liars episode was ALSO amazing. Go watch that now, too!
10. …I can’t think of something to put here.

Hope you are having a great week! What’s been going on?

(here’s a random picture of the sky I took!)

the best time…

13 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time. -Sponge Bob Square Pants

Prettttty sure Sponge Bob hit the nail on the head with this one.
I woke up today to dreary and rainy weather.
Usually, I’m not a fan of this kind of weather. It makes me want to go back to sleep or watch movies all day.
However, I had too much to do today to be lazy and so I trudged out of bed and went to my closet, where I knew I wouldn’t be able to find anything.

Girls, you know how this is. The daily routine consists of waking up, walking to the closet, seeing the mounds of clothing, and then deciding you have nothing to wear. Especially on rainy days, this daily routine never ceases to happen in my life.
But today, when I had no motivation to attempt an outfit because of the rain and grey skies, I saw my striped sweater.
Immediately I smiled (I’m so cliche like that) and decided that even though it was grey and rainy outside, my life would be bright and cheerful inside…thanks to my blue and grey striped sweater.

So, thank you, Sponge Bob, for your true words.
Because, the best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time…especially on dreary Thursday mornings in January.

Oh, and before you stress out and think, Oh my goodness!! Sponge Bob sang about striped sweaters?! Where on earth can I find this?! [*cough* yeah, I know that was EXACTLY what you were thinking... *cough*]…never fear, Keri is here.

Check out this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcllpUq-ILU&feature=related

Crisis. Averted.

Happiness

10 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Sometimes, I forget to be happy.
I just get so busy with other things that I forget to stop and simply be happy.
You know how it is… life gets in the way and you rush around all day every day, thinking about other things.
And you simply forget to stop and “smell” the flowers of life.
Instead of writing a huge blog post on why that is, I’m just going to say…
The less I say, the more I can hear God talking.
I found this necklace at Forever 21 (favorite store!) and then found this quote on Pinterest (addicted),
and I realized that sometimes, a quote and/or a piece of jewelry is all that it takes for God to talk to me loud and clear.
And so, I share with you…

“Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too.”

Silhouette

08 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

I had the intentions of posting this picture while Christmas was still a few days in the past.
But it’s January 8th, Christmas has long gone, and I’m just rediscovering this picture and blogging it.
Silly me.
However, it’s priceless, makes me smile, and can I just say my little brother is a cute little silhouette model?
Also, it’s his birthday today.
Happy birthday, buddy!

4 Quick Thoughts

07 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

I’ve been into lists lately. I love numbering things on paper and seeing exactly how many things I need to do before freedom.
To Do Lists, thank you note lists, books to read lists, the list of lists goes on and on…!
Especially on this blog, I love numbering my thoughts instead of expounding on them.
Believe me, this fad will eventually end, but until it does, you will have to deal with it.

So…with that little head’s up, here are my thoughts for today in bullet pointed numerals.

1. Boyce Avenue– amazing. I have a whole new obsession with them. (Listen to their versions of Drops of Jupiter and Grenade!)

2. It is awfully warm for January. A lot of people are complaining about it, but I really like it. I was never one for winter. Fall, yes, but winter, no.

3. Adele is really talented.

4. Kaila is a genius woman. We had a spontaneous photo shoot yesterday (beautiful day for it!) and she used bubble wrap, me, and sunlight and made this piece of art. Allllll Kaila and her wicked photography skills!

[Check out her amazing photography blog: kailaregina.com]

Hmm… only four thoughts today! I will have more later, I’m sure. :]

Realizations

06 Jan 2012 2 Comments

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Today, I made a few discoveries about myself and the world in general.
Let me tell you something: no matter how long you live, you will learn something new every day. True story.

1) I can see how Pinterest can be really addicting… became a member today!

2) Winter break lacks one thing right now– snow.

3) I’ve come to the conclusion [again] that stressing about things I have no control over doesn’t get me anywhere. this habit’s hard to break, let me tell you!

4) I love when babies smile back at me. It lets me know that I am not acting like a complete idiot for nothing.

5) My room will never be perfectly organized, because frankly, every time it is, I find something that “needs” to be redone.

6) Typing with acrylic nails is obnoxious… this whole time, I’ve had music on to block out the sound of “click click clickclickclickclickclick.”

The End.

Bring it, 2012. Let the challenge begin.

01 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Author’s note: Welcome, 2012! Happy New Year, people! As 2011 has drawn to a close and we have reached Doom’s Day, I mean…, 2012 ;], I challenge you to let this be your New Year’s Resolution. This blog post is a challenge to you, as my readers. I’m warning you, what is said in this post is hard, raw, and straight forward, but it’s worth it [hopefully to you]. I’ve observed this idea repeatedly and after lots of drafts, thoughts, and prayer, I’ve decided to finally post it. I’m still learning how to do this, too, so don’t think I’m perfect at this! No way! This is a struggle of mine and maybe it’s a struggle of yours. Either way, read this, think about it, and maybe focus on how this can impact your 2012. Happy New Year, readers. Thanks for being awesome.

You know when you write a paper for school, like a research paper or an essay, how you have to plan out your thoughts?
We’ve all gone through the writing process, in one way or the other.
You first need an outline but in order to make an outline, you need to know the ending. But in order to know the ending, you must know the beginning and the middle. Academic writing is all about planning and it’s all about knowing the end as you write the beginning. It’s all about figuring out how to get to the end while you’re still in the middle. How to make it all make sense in a logical and factual manner.

For my blog posts, however, I just type. I never know where I’m going until I get there. I just let my thoughts glide from my mind, to the keyboard, to the screen. I talk inside my head as I type and I just let my thoughts run wild. There is no organization and there is no outline. I don’t sit down and plan an outline for each blog post, because frankly, I don’t have time to do that for every post. I post sporadically, but when I do, I just create a new post and type.

Now, let me ask you a question.
When it comes to your life, which Creator would you want? Would you want the Author of your Life to be sporadic and not know what he’s doing as He does it OR would you want him to know every detail of your life so that He could help you get to the ending and for it to have all worked out perfectly?
I’m not sure about you, but I would want the second one. And if you chose the second one, too, (the planner), then congratulations.
God is the Planner and the Author of our lives.

Okay, Okay… you may be thinking. I know this already. Why is Keri telling me this again?
Because this simple concept and reality is the foundation of our lives.
Every decision we make and every thought we think is effected by what I just said.

Sounds a little out there, you may be thinking. But here’s my thinking.
If you believe that God knows your beginning, middle, and end, then why do you live your lives as if He doesn’t exist?
Why do you live your life forgetting that He’s right there; ignoring His very existence; disregarding the way He’s writing your story?
Instead, you [we] go about your lives as if you’re the story writers. We think we know best. We think we can handle it. We’re Super Man. We’re invincible. We have this whole life thing figured out…down to a science.

Then “life” happens.
Things get in the way. Obstacles come. Trials appear. Mountains are suddenly before us in this path of life we were walking. We didn’t plan these things. We didn’t plan the failures, the heart aches, the tears, the fears, the struggles, the confusion. But it still happened.
And now, our science that we thought we knew so perfectly comes crashing down around us. We freak out and question things and question ourselves.
What am I here for? What is my purpose? Why is life going like this? Why can’t I be happy?
The questions keep on coming, but we don’t have the answers.
The notion we had constructed for ourselves that we are the authors of our lives suddenly looks like a melted popsicle on a hot day… a gooey, slimy mess. It has no structure, no shape, no purpose. It’s just there and there’s no way to fix it.
We feel like failures.

But then, there’s a bright side to all this. We instantly realize, once again, that we aren’t in control. Jesus knew all this would happen. He planned it. He put those things in our lives. He wanted to see how we’d react. He challenged us to see what we’d do…if we’d let a little fear and a little failure stand in the way of Him. And then, we realize… we did. We put Him on the back burner as we continued to insist that we were capable of writing our own stories without Him.

Suddenly, it comes back to us. The fact that we are just little human beings placed on the earth. We don’t know what lies ahead of us, God does. We think we know it all, because we get wrapped up in the idea of knowing it all. We think we have it all, because the world teaches us that we can have it all…if we just try hard enough.
So then we wake up and live our lives for Jesus for a while until that fades away and the idea that we can conquer life again [by ourselves] comes back into our minds.
And the whole process starts over again.

I’m not sure about you, friends, but I’m sick of this process. The process where I keep putting myself first. The process that puts God behind me. The process where I think I know what’s best. This process is just like my earlier writing example. It’s spontaneous. It’s unpredictable. It’s random. And in this process, it doesn’t put Jesus first.

So, I ask you again. Which would you rather have? A Creator that is spontaneous and random, or a Creator that knows every detail of your life and knows how it’s going to all work out?
Because, if you chose the second one, prove it.
Stop putting yourselves first.
Stop focusing on what YOU want.
Stop making the world all about you.
Stop being in control.
Stop saying that God is in control of your life, but then not following through with it.

Instead, start…
Letting go.
Being free.
Praying.
Letting God take over
Watching how He writes your life
Seeing how it all works out

You may be afraid to do this.
It’s challenging, no doubt.
It’s scary.
It’s adventurous.
It’s different.
It’s unique.

It’s worth it.

I found a quote once on Pinterest. It was so profound, I wrote it on an index card in black sharpie and taped it to my wall in several different places throughout my room.

Let your faith be bigger than your fear.

If you believe God’s the Author of your life, challenge yourself to prove it.
Because when was the last time you saw the book’s characters tell the author how the story must be written?

Fill In the Blank Friday

30 Dec 2011 2 Comments

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Found this idea through a blog I read. Let the good times begin!

Fill In The Blank Friday.

1. New Years is scary, yet exciting. It gets my heart pumpin’ and I can’t ever seem to sit still. I have nervous energy the entire night into the early morning hours of January 1st.

2. One of my New Year’s resolutions will be to stay organized, yet still maintain a flexible schedule. [harder said then done, apparently!]

3. A New Year’s resolution I’ve made in the past was to lose weight [the obvious], but also to be a more dedicated blog writer…I guess I did alright, huh?

4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was to finish at least at least 7 books a month. So stressful, especially during senior year!

5. This year I will be spending New Year’s Eve with my family and lots of friends at a friend’s house. Traditions :]

6. If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be to stop obsessing over other people’s opinions of myself and focus solely on who God wants me to be.

7. 2012 is going to be awesome. I am determined to have more adventures, more lessons, more fun, more memories, and more patience!

Happy New Year, peeps! :]
xoxo

P.S. it’s also Follow Friday…so follow my blog and my twitter! @lilmisskeri93

50 Things I learned/did in 2011

29 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

2011 is about to come to an end.
My my my…2011 was a great and challenging year.
Looking back, 2011 passed in a blink of an eye. This year was challenging. This year was exciting. This year held adventure.
I feared 2011. Last year, as the ball dropped, my heart raced because I didn’t want 2011 to come.
Graduation.
College.
Change.
Everything scared me. I am not one for change. I do not LIKE change. I like schedule, routine, and habit.
But 2011 was different then all that, because 2011 showed that I was not in control of my life, but that God was.
And man, I learned a lot, did a lot, figured out a lot, went through a lot… and these are only 50 of the many many things I learned/did in 2011.
They’re not my Top 50, but just a few of the things I can remember that impacted my life and my memory of 2011.
So, here’s to the future and here’s to the past. Life is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.

50 Things I Learned/Did in 2011

1. I grew…haha sike, I didn’t grow.
2. I graduated high school with a 4.0
3. I graduated high school with honors
4. I competed and won in a small ensemble competition
5. I went to Disney World
6. I conquered my fear of insane roller coasters
7. Instead, I adapted a love and an addiction for roller coasters…preferably insane ones
8. I met Jack Sparrow (not Johnny Depp)
9. I went the whole year as a raven, instead of a brunette
10. I realized what it meant to be a raven.
11. I checked a few things off my bucket list (see bucket list to find out which things)
12. I drove to the mall for the first time. (lame, but true)
13. I learned who my true friends were
14. I learned how to play ukulele (a little bit)
15. I read over 60 books
16. I developed a deeper passion for photographing people, instead of just landscapes
17. I stepped out of my comfort zone
18. I was accepted into my first choice college
19. I didn’t fail OUT of college :]
20. I received a 3.5 GPA for my fall semester of freshman year
21. This means I made the Dean’s List (bucket list!)
22. I met challenges and defeated them
23. I learned what it felt like to be ridiculed for what you believe
24. I learned to grow a backbone with a few people
25. I learned how to be patient and loving to others
26. I learned that I never ever want to be a professional dog sitter
27. I learned that I never ever want to work for Hallmark
28. I realized how much I love playing piano in front of people
29. I realized that in order to have friends, you have to be the friend.
30. I got texting!!
31. I became even more of a Starbucks addict
32. Final exams will always require more caffeine…always
33. It is possible to succeed in impossible classes
34. It is possible to speak for 15 minutes in French
35. It is possible to NOT GAIN the freshman 15 :]
36. I understood the value of this quote: Let your faith be bigger than your fear
37. This became my motto: Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something, because with God, anything is possible.
38. Sometimes, keeping your mouth shut is not always the best thing to do.
39. I shot a gun for the first time ever (22 beretta) and hit the bull’s eye
40. I got acrylics for the first time ever
41. I aced College Public Speaking and English
42. I saw Switchfoot live
43. I saw U2 live
44. I learned that Coldplay tickets sell out in 10 minutes
45. I became a Twitter freak
46. I realized that I blog about everything and most people don’t even care about it
47. I fell in love with my planner
48. I strengthened my back with my 15 lb back pack
49. I discovered that I love green peppers
50. And in all these things, one single thing was found in all of them: I learned and saw through every action I took that God always has a bigger plan and purpose for your life. Sometimes, it may not seem like it. It may seem like God is no where to be found, but every mountain you climb is really just a stepping stone, because with God, all things are possible.

Two sentences.

28 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Two sentences for your Tuesday:

The reason girls have low self esteem is because guys expect photoshopped perfection.
It’s an exhausting process competing with a computer.

Merry Christmas post :)

24 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my blog whenever you get the chance.
It means a lot to me that you would do that and I am really grateful and thankful for you.
I hope you have a great Christmas and remember what Christmas is truly about…
JESUS!!!

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Love,
Keri <3

From my open and raw heart: personal post.

22 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

I keep a journal. I always ALWAYS forget to write in it, though. I don’t mean to not write in it, life just gets in the way.
You know what I mean? An idea comes to you and you think Oh yeah! I’m definitely going to keep at this idea! but then you never do.

That’s kind of like me and journaling. But I also have a problem. My problem is that I love buying new journals.
If I see a cute designed journal with a stack of blank paper inside, I go crazy. I have a mini obsession with stationary.
But see, I conflict with myself all the time, because even though I buy journals, I never use them.
It’s an endless cycle that will probably never be fixed, so I just keep buying new journals and barely writing in them.
The habit is addicting and hard to break.

However, once in a while, I’ll pull out one of my many half-written in journals and either a] write in it or b] read what I’ve previously written.
In today’s case, I did both.
After I finished pouring my heart onto paper, I flipped through the journal and re-read some of my older thoughts and feelings.
One post I wrote a while ago stopped me dead in my tracks.
I had completely forgotten about it and when I re-read it, tears came to my eyes.
The entry was written in my prayer journal, so it’s an entry written to Jesus.

Another thing, before I let you read the entry: I hate publishing my personal journal entries.
There’s something private and raw about it.
Blogging is one thing, but journaling just for yourself is a completely different thing.
I don’t like to mix the two, because it conflicts why I write in the first place.
However, I feel as if you may get something out of this, too.
Maybe, maybe not.
Either way, here it is.
I open my heart to let you in…

Jesus,
I’m in awe. Sometimes, I read the Bible and get nothing out of it and then other times, like today, I read it and I feel like you’re talking right to me. I read Romans 8 today because it talks about your love. It talks about how awesome You are. In a world so lost without you, I need light. I need direction. I need reassurance. Romans 8 does just that. Lord, You are awesome. Sometimes, I feel alone. I feel as if You aren’t there. You’re quiet and in a world so loud, I feel like I can’t find or hear you anywhere. But then I look at creation and read Romans 8 and I’m reminded that You’re always here and it comforts me.
A few verses jumped out at me while reading Romans 8. Verses: 8; 28; 31; 35-36; 38-39.
NOTHING can separate me from You. Not the sin, the sadness, darkness, lostness, people, or fear. They may try, but they’ll never succeed. Because You’re here and you love me. You call me Daughter and I honestly don’t deserve it at all. But you still call me that. You made me realize today that You’re still here.
It makes me so happy.
Thank you for everything. Really.

‘Find 1,000′ Challenge

14 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Stop and Smell the Roses.

We’ve all heard this quote. I hear it all the time. But what exactly does that mean? What exactly do you do when you “stop and smell the roses?”
What if there are no roses? What if you want to smell them, but you don’t know where to look?
Never fear. LittleMissKeri is here to help you with this predicament.

As I listen to my Straight No Chaser and Secondhand Serenade playlist, I am reading a book.

But not just any book.

No, this book is a book I wrote. and am still writing.

You see, I have challenged myself to join the challenge called “1,000 Gifts.”

This challenge is quite simple, yet very difficult.

What is this challenge? You may be wondering. Wonder no more. Let me tell you.
The Challenge: find 1,000 little joys, or as I call them, gifts.
Before you freak out: you don’t have to find them all in one day. Don’t stress. Rather, over time, write down the little joys as you find them.
As you go through your life, you will start to see the list grow and grow. Eventually, you will reach 1,000 gifts.
When? I don’t know. That depends on how you accept this challenge. How good you are at spotting hidden treasures.

This challenge is simple because all you have to do is write down the little joys you find in every day life.
Such as a rainbow, a child’s smile, or maybe even an extra five minutes of sleep in the morning.
Whatever the little joy is, you write it down.

This challenge is very difficult, because although you have to write down the little joys in life, you have to find them first.
This is easier for some, yet harder for others. For me, it’s hard.

I’ve explained to you before that I have a tendency to rush through life, not enjoying the many moments that are supposed to be the “roses” I smell every day. I am an organized freak who loves my planner and won’t do anything different then what it says. Every little thing, from doing homework to taking a shower, is written in my planner so I won’t forget it.
Needless to say, finding little joys is not so easy when you have a schedule that you strictly stick to, let me tell you.
But each night, I look through my book and write down the little joys I have found that day. On some days, this is a very easy challenge, because I can remember the little things that made me smile. One day, I wrote ‘the sound of the rain on my roof, Christmas music, the sun, mango Fuze, chicken nuggets that aren’t too hot or too cold, and hugs from close friends.’
But on other days, like today, this challenge is difficult and I can only think of one, maybe two, little joys hidden in today’s agenda.

Nevertheless, this challenge has helped me stop and take in my surroundings. I find myself saying “that’s number thirty-three… that’s number thirty-four.” Counting in my head what little joys will soon find their way into my book. Some times, I can’t find anything. I’m getting better, though. Even if it’s just one little joy a day, that’s progress. It’s finding something that I may have missed yesterday.

So, I challenge you. Find 1,000 little joys. Find 1,000 gifts. Stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Then, on days like I’m having today, when things weren’t very great and you are so excited to go to sleep and have a new start tomorrow, you can read your book of little joys and realize that even though you feel horrible, there are little joys all around you. big breath.

All you have to do is stop and find them.

Because as the famous quote says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

white and nerdy.

10 Dec 2011 2 Comments

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

I’m a nerd. and proud of it.
I’m only nerdy about certain things, though, so it doesn’t make me a COMPLETE nerd.
Just a partial one.
Like when it comes to reading.

Fact:
I love to read and I’m not ashamed.

However, I am at a loss as to what to read next. I have four books waiting to be read
(Soul Surfer, The Pact, The Lying Game, and My Sister’s Keeper), but after that, what should I read?
I’ve heard the Hunger Games is a good book series, so I’ll probably read that…
but what else?

If you have any books you loved and want me to read, comment and let me know.
I really want to read your suggestions during winter break!
I have until February, so I have lots of time to do things that I want to do for fun.

So, what are you waiting for?
Get crackin’ and let me know!!

:] Thank you, gracias, merci, etc.

And She Ran…

05 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

I decided to look through some old journals the other day.
I write a lot, I don’t know if you can tell… But I write everything down, or at least I attempt to.
I write when I’m sad, depressed, upset, or happy.
I write about the things that are on my mind: my dreams, my fears, my heartaches, my worries.
I was going through a hard time when I wrote this poem. I remember it like it was yesterday.
I wasn’t sure where to go or where to look; I just ran. Physically, I was sitting down. I was too depleted to run.
But mentally, I ran. I ran faster and faster until, in a moment, I came to a haulting stop. My head jerked upward.
Words came to my mind and I quickly found my journal and a pen and wrote this poem.
I remember my hands shaking as the words came faster and faster on paper, until I finished it.
It all made sense.
Why run? I thought. Why run when I know that this will work out?
So, this is the poem I wrote… I wrote it all down. And it just flowed. It just came.
And here it is.

And She Ran
She just ran and ran
Looking for an answer
to the unsolved pains in her life.
And as she walked away from
her hope, and the fears took over,
One thing that she cried…
She wanted to be free,
from the pain she was feeling,
but the farther she ran,
the closer they came.
Until one day, she sat on the ground,
and looked up to the sky.
Her tears were stained,
the rain was falling,
but she didn’t notice that for once this time.
All she wanted was relief
from the pain she felt.
Her hopes were far away.
And then her eyes, swollen from cries,
Opened to the light of day.
And just like that, it all made sense,
Why her running didn’t cause them to leave.
Her fears, her tears,
the rain, her pain,
Just pushed her to the cross to grieve.
And when the tears had stained
and the rain showed sun,
her eyes were red, but it was done.
She ran again, but this time back,
She realized Jesus was what she lacked.
And as she returned, her smile in place,
The tears no longer stained her face.
And she just stood there,
looking at the rainbow,
Realizing the storm was over.
And trusting that God really does work
And makes beauty from pain,
She’d no longer run
in the pouring rain.

DE-CEM-BRRRRR

05 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

It’s December :]

I love December! So many great things to look forward to.
And finally, cold weather is here.
Some of you are not too thrilled about the cold weather,
but I am.
Sort of.
Well, yes…I guess I am thrilled about it.
Ecstatic, really.
Yes, I love the warmth, but I also love my scarves and hot chocolate.
Therefore, I am glad that December is here.
That, and the fact that Starbucks is selling their holiday beverages, as well. (score!)

There are so many reasons to love December, I just don’t know where to begin!

But, instead of writing every single reason why I love December and giving a paragraph for an explanation, I will share a list of 10 reasons why I <3 December… It's been proven that lists are easier to read, too.

10 Reasons why Keri Loves December

1. Starbucks gingerbread lattes
2. Starbucks peppermint mochas
3. Starbucks eggnog lattes
4. Christmas music
5. Scarves
6. The end of fall semester
7. Happy people
8. The Christmas Story (both the movie and the actual story!)
9. Snow (when we get it, that is)
10. Good store deals (Christmas shopping…so fun!)

Do you like December? Why? Why not?
Share your thoughts and comments with me! Subscribe and share the blog, too!
Mucho appreciated, yo! <3

8…more…days!

27 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

My, my, my… time flies when you’re having fun…or, in my case, are also super super busy!
Where to start?

I guess I can first start by saying that God is awesome.
So awesome, in fact, that He has helped me survive the fall semester of freshman year…so far.
HALLELUJAH.
8 more days left and then a final and then I’m DONE FALL SEMESTER!!!

Seriously, though?! Where did the time go?
Okay, I sound so old saying that, but seriously…where did it go? It disappeared.

This semester has taught me oh so much about myself, about the world, and about Jesus.

It taught me that I have more of a Type-A personality then I thought I did. It taught me that I can’t rest until my homework is done,
I feel completely sure about studying, and my back pack and clothes are set for the next day.
It’s taught me that most of the time, my hard work pays off. And for the times it didn’t pay off as much as I would’ve liked,
a B once in a while will not kill me (whoa…I’m converting to the dark side).
It taught me that I’m stronger than I thought I was.
It taught me that although some people will disappoint you, it doesn’t have to get to you.
It taught me the value of making good decisions.
It taught me the value of being a good friend.
It taught me the value of picking friends wisely.
It showed me that no matter how short I am, I can make a big difference, if I put my mind to it (cliche, but true).

This semester has taught me that you should never judge a book by it’s cover. People are awesome if you give them a chance to be friends, rather than just class mates. They have interesting and diverse backgrounds and some of them quickly become lifelong friends. I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve met this year and for all the things they’ve taught me about myself, just by being them. I’m thankful for all of the inside jokes (Little Lisa, winning!, the dynamic trio, really man?, literally mediocre, smh!, I’m over it, oh hey girl hey, it’s whatevs, best friends forever!, and more). My friends really are amazing and although I’ve known them for only a few months, they’ve made impacts on my life that will be forever.

This semester has also taught me a lot about Jesus. I found myself in tough situations where I wanted to break down and just cry. I admit, I did cry once or twice, but honestly, Jesus kept me going. It’s so comforting to know that you always have God on your side, even when it feels that the world is crashing around you. When you feel as though you can’t go one more step, you find yourself taking it anyways. But it isn’t without God that you can do that. It isn’t without faith and trust and hope that you can make it another inch of the way. This reality kept me going this semester. This reality is an awesome reminder every day, because each days holds new challenges and obstacles to overcome.

This semester has proved to me that I CAN write a ten page paper in 6 hours, from start to finish. I CAN speak for 10 minutes about homelessness or adoption and still have things to say. I CAN raise my hand and answer a question in front of a class of 300+ students. I CAN learn a new language and actually understand what I’m learning. I CAN get enough sleep AND have a social life at the same time. I CAN survive college (so far…). I CAN lead worship for 30 or more people. Chik Fil A nuggets WILL help me get through the next four years…that and Mango Banana Fuze (both are amazing!) I AM able to walk around with a 25 pound back pack and still have good posture. It IS possible to have adventures while being stuck on campus; for this, I am certain. It has also taught me that the freshman 15 does NOT exist (or, at least, not yet…)

To summarize: this semester has proved to me that even though I CAN do all these things, I can’t do them by myself.

This semester’s verse: Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

I think back to everything that I’ve learned; everything that’s happened; everyone I’ve met and I can’t help but question…
If this is everything I learned this semester, what’s in store for me for the next seven?

I, for one, can not wait to find out.

small but mighty

19 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment

by littlemisskeri in because it's a keri thing to say

Ever felt small? Ever felt alone?

You feel as if nothing is going right, that nobody understands you.
You feel as if you’re just another person on this Earth and nobody sees your potential.
You see yourself as insignificant in a world so big.
You think: There’s no way that a little person like me could make a difference so big.
You’re just one person, one individual, standing in the middle of an open field,
looking at the sky and realizing that no matter how big you feel,
you really are so small.

It’s times like these when I feel hopeless, useless, and alone.
But it’s also times like these when I realize that although I’m just a small girl,
God still sees me and loves me. He still sees my potential, even if the world around me does not.
He doesn’t think of me as a failure, but he thinks of me as his daughter who He loves very much.

It’s times like these when God gives me the strength to keep going.
The strength to put one foot in front of the other and keep walking.

To keep going.

To keep persevering.

It’s times like these when God gives me the courage to keep on facing the big world out there.
Like one of my favorite quotes says, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says: I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Because instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t, I give myself reasons why I can.

No matter how small you are, you CAN do it. You CAN make it. You CAN get through it.

And no matter what, don’t ever forget your potential. No matter what, don’t ever forget that although you may be small, you can do great things.