You is smart. You is kind. You is important.
I watched The Help for the second time today, and every time Aibilene says that, it strikes a chord in my heart. There's a place on the inside of every little girl that wishes for someone to tell them they're valuable, beautiful, wanted. Encouragement is powerful. Thankfully, I have incredible parents and friends who speak words of life into me all the time, and I know deep in my heart that I am these things. Even so, I've been in a funk since the middle of November. I can't explain why these "quiet" moods wash over me every now and again, but this one was hard to shake. I don't question my existence or get super depressed, there's just something inside me that withdraws from the world. It's funny, I don't know how God does it, but every time I'm in trouble He sends a random friend to pull me out of it. Besides my mom, there are two others who know me best, and they're always there for me. Yet, for some reason, He used someone who doesn't know me well to pull me out of myself and take off the weight that's been clinging to me. So...thanks random friend. Because of you, I truly enjoyed this Christmas even though I wasn't looking forward to it.
In other news, let me introduce you to Tad! Isn't he gorgeous? After months of thinking, dreaming, wondering, and planning, I finally went all in and bought a guitar!!! Well...actually it wasn't months exactly, it was more spontaneous than that. But still! I did good. I could've never done it without one of my dearest and most musical friends to help me out (I mean, technically I could have, but it wouldn't have been nearly as fun). And just so you know, if you ever need to tune your brand new guitar at 10:00 p.m., there's no better place to go than Yogurt Mountain. They're super friendly people. Much obliged, you guys!!! Oh yeah, and I already named him! What are the chances? I had my car for 2.5 years before I named her...poor thing. But this time, it just came to me. Literally. I was strumming my new guitar, trying to decide if it would be a guy or gal, and 'Tad' just popped into my head! So like the nerd I am, I looked up the name to find out what it means, and guess what?! (this is so awesome!) it's a derivative of Thaddeus, one of the twelve disciples...and his name means 'praise'. How epic is that! You might not be thinking so, but I don't care. To me it is, and 'praise' is the perfect name...Once again, God rocks my world!! I'm uber excited about this new adventure, and like my good friend told me, "One of the most encouraging books you can ever read is "The Little Engine That Could". Just keep playing. Every day. Even if you don't feel like it, just keep going." I might not have quoted her quite right, but that's what I got out of it, and I'm gonna run with it. To wrap this up, remember: You is kind. You is smart. You is important. And always keep going...You're the little engine that can.
P.S. Due to popular demand (a.k.a, the two people who have been hassling me about this), I'm bringing back the blonde!! So, I'll be sure to keep y'all updated on what's going on in my life and the squirrels I happen to run over. JUST KIDDING!!! I'm still scarred by that one. Anywho, adios till next time!