What Will You Do?

What will you do with your one wild & precious life?

I know that I have not blogged for years. I am going to try again, if nothing else for myself. Perhaps the words I write for myself are also meant for someone else, it is my hope that the words written here will touch a heart somewhere out there. Because God knows, he knows what we need to read and when. Therefore, I will go forth with love & conquer all fear of putting my words out for the world to see. 

That being said, what will you do with your one wild and precious life? What are you doing to fulfill your dreams and grow as a person? For awhile I was just floating, not knowing what I wanted or what I didn't want. Just being, but not living. I let the darkness pull me under and I spent most of the winter alone, hiding in my bed. I would come home from work and just lay in the darkness until night and then I would sleep or lay awake with troubled thoughts. As if somehow, I could get away from my life if I just hid out and didn't face it head on. Winter is my worst season, it brings out the darkness in my soul and turns me into someone I don't want to be. Yeah, those were long months. I had no direction, no ambition, just dreaded routine and a black hole that my life was draining down. 

Spring came. Because it always does, it never fails. The sun comes back out and life begins grow from the musty earth. Likewise, I climbed my way out of that ugly black hole. About this time I began to contemplate: what am I doing? Why am I wasting this one life that I have? Last fall I started working at a school as a Special Ed Para. I grew to love the students I worked with, I began to realize that we all have a calling and I had found mine. Still I let fear hold me back. The idea of going back to school crossed my mind a few times, but I dismissed it almost immediately. My co-workers would make passing comments about how I should become a certified teacher, but I would shrug them off because I doubted my self worth. One day in the spring a co-worker sent a link about the teaching program at the local college and it was a sign from above. It was now or never. I wasn't getting any younger and I knew I had found my passion. I had to face my fears. 

Therefore, I took a leap of faith and applied for school. With overwhelming support from my family and friends I did what it took to get into college again. This summer I completed my first semester, putting me on my way to a degree so I can have my own classroom. When you find your gift, you have to move forward so you can use it. Even if it means going into the unknown and conquering all self doubt.

Sometimes the days start turning gray and I see that blackness closing in. Yet once again I turn my face to the sun & think of all the people who believe in me. I know then, that I must move forward without fear. "Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid. For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." That verse is my anthem, a daily reminder for me to go forth and have courage to live my one wild & precious life.

That is my story, that is how I came to be where I am right now. Finding my way, slowly, becoming the woman I want to be. So dear friend, What are you doing with your one wild and precious life? 

I Grew Up Here

           I grew up here, down a gravel road, where fields surround our house and open skies are not hidden by trees. In a square white house with scraggly grass and wood piled up for the winter. Worn wood floors and creaky stairs from years of use are solid under my feet. Each time I step through the door, my heart sighs, because I know I am home.

There is a shell of a barn on its last limbs of life, beside a well climbed windmill where you can see miles around from the top. There’s a lone barbed wire fence holding some cows and usually a calf. A plethora of vehicles are parked out front, some working and some ready for the bone yard. The dining room is filled by a large wooden table, the nicks and scratches are scars from years of use. Many times this table has been surrounded by people filling their stomachs and being blessed by the company they share it with. We have a little golden arm chair that was my great grandmother’s, it is the perfect size for me. This house has a history, and you can almost hear the voices of the past coming through its walls.

This is where I grew up, in a house of rough and tumble boys, and later one tiny little girl to be my only sister. This is where I learned to forgive and to love, where I learned the teachings of Christianity. Upstairs before bed every night we would gather in one room and say our prayers. I learned to not only be a sister, but to be a friend to my siblings. I was taught to leave the doors unlocked and be waiting with an open heart to any that might stop by. Our house is a comforting place, one where any can come and rest their feet even for just a moment.

I grew up here. In a place that God has blessed, down this gravel road is where I will always return when I need a place to call home.

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Corinthians 5:1  

Little Things

We had went to Karina's for tea on Saturday and I was one of the servers, so I snapped a few pictures. Here are a couple just random ones, her house has all sorts of cute little things in it!

 This cake server is just adorable!

 Tiny little cups :)

Dried Red Peppers!

Have a wonderful week!

-Brooke

Who Am I?

I haven't blogged in so long, I don't know if anyone even looks anymore, but maybe I will get back into it. For my senior English class we are doing a senior memoir project where we write a series of memories and thoughts in the form of chapters. I will probably be sharing those, this is one of them. 

 Who am I?

I am a dreamer.

A sister, daughter and friend.

I am a lover of those around me,

A giver of hope to those who need kind words,

A listener to the hurting,

and a giver of advice to those who need direction in life.

I am a caretaker and a worker.

I laugh.

Music is in my soul.

I am addicted to Mountain Dew

I enjoy the sweetness and caffeine rush of iced coffee.

I wear cowboy boots, a country girl.

Simple is what I am.

A believer in Christ who died for me.

I believe beauty is more than skin deep, I look for the good in people.

Sometimes I am quick to complain, so I remind myself to look up daily.

I’m a thinker and often over analyze things.

I am the middle child.

I grew up rough and tumble with the boys, I’m not scared of a fight.

I worry.

Many days I am simply a mess.

I have traveling in my blood.

South Dakota is my home, and my heart always wants to come home,

Open fields and endless skies call my name.

I am a lover of words and a reader of books.

My only goal in life is to be content with where I am.

I’m the girl who falls easily and cares deeply.

I find beauty in the little things of life.

I am an imperfect being in an imperfect world.

Every day I learn more about myself:

I am a work in progress.

This is me...

I bet you had given up all hope of me ever updating my blog again..well surprise surprise i actually havent forgotten about it..just have a lot going on!! and i do have a little story in my head,but its waiting to come out so i guess if i ever get it written you all can read it :)
i'm done with school, just been working and such...i guess i dont have to much to say..
Just going through life...one day at a time.

Portfolio

Here's a little sneak peek of my latest project :) A portfolio for class! I'm not sure i like all my pages but for the most part they are turning out, so here's a little glimpse i'll share more later :)

There's been alot going on lately... work & school & other stuff...so sometime i'll have time to come on here & write for you all :)

later,brooke

Hope.

The sun was shining today :) It finally feels like spring, i looked today and seen the green buds on the trees & green grass. Spring brings me hope. By the end of winter, i'm getting depressed because all there is is snow and cloudy days. When spring comes around it means summer is around the corner, means school is done, the grass is green, the flowers are peeking up from the ground-Its just so cheerful. It puts a song in my heart, a spring in my step and smile on my face :)
Not sure whats up with this picture its supposed to be sideways but i havent a clue how to change such things on here!!

Tree buds :)

Later, brooke