Going Beyond.

Tomorrow night we are leaving for Beyond Malibu!

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

I wish you could understand how excited I am.

Beyond Malibu is a Younglife trip where you go backpacking through mountains in Canada for a week! It's been something I've wanted to do ever since the first time I went to Malibu, my Sophomore year.

I can't believe the time is finally here!!

The best part of this, is that I am going with some of my absolute favorite people in the world.

Mike and Marla, two people who I so look up to are leading us. They are the ones who introduced Matt and I. They're awesome. And I cant wait to hang out with them for a week!

Matt is going. There are good things and bad things about that... Good: our relationship will be tested. It will grow so strong together through the tough challenges, and most importantly we will get a chance to grow in our faith together. Bad: No showers, deoderant, or toilets for a week. If he loves me after this, I know it's true love. ;]

Mimi, my bestfriend is going. I am so happy I get the chance to spend this week away from life and stress and business before I leave to school to spend with my best friend! She has been such a big part of my life and my walk with God, and I couldn't imagine her not going.

Kylie, Matt's sister is going. I love Kylie! And I think it's only going to strengthen our relationship! I also love that for Matt. They are so close and I am so happy they get the week before Matt and I head out! Also, she's going to make it so fun!

Nathan, my best guy friend is going! Nate has been around for so long in my life! And this last year we have gotten so much closer, leading YL together. Neither of us got to go to Malibu with our crew this summer. And Nathan has been leading Younglife for 5 years! So I'm really excited for him to get to go to camp and focus on his relationship with the Lord, not other campers.

There are some other people coming on the trip that are going to be so fun! I cant wait!

Beyond is going to be challenging! I know that. I'm nervous about the physical parts. I hope I trained well enough. I just don't know what to expect! And I hate that!

The part I am most excited about is the quiet time away from the rush of everyday life, spent with God. Focused on God.

I know that I'm going to hear from Him. I know that I will get answers. I know I will learn about myself, my fellow campers, and about Jesus.

I haven't been many places where I can say I know without a question of a doubt that I will hear from the Lord. Beyond is somewhere I can say I know I will.

Please be praying for our safety and comfort. Pray for our growth and perserverance. Pray that we hear from God.

Oh, and I will be sure to share pictures when I get back!

Until then, enjoy the ones taken from other Beyond trips.

xo/Austin

You are here.

"Today, you are older than you've ever been--and the youngest you'll ever be."

Enjoy where you are.

Enjoy the season you're in.

Whether it's the worst of your life, or better than you ever imagined.

Whether you're moving forward at 100 miles a minute or feel like you're standing still.

Wherever you are, it's changing you into the person you will be tomorrow, next year, 50 years from now.

Don't speed to the end. Enjoy the ride.

Thank God for where you are now, and for who you are becoming of this exact moment.

Love where you are. Love where you're going. Love your life.

Xo/ Austin

Summer Faves.

I don't think I am the only girl in the world who loves to shop, and I wont appologize for it!

I feel like every season a new list of "wants" come to me. Am I alone here?

This summer I have been obsessed with a few items..

1. These Salomon Trail Runners. I'm obsessed.
2. Chandeliers. Why? I really don't know. But anything that has a chandelier involved quickly becomes something I like.
3. IPhone. I got one finally--and I love it.
4. My brand-spankin-new Maui Jim Palms.
5. Braids. Basically any kind. But I am especially Impressed with the Waterfall Braids currently!
6. Garage Sales! Such a wonderful world of surprises :]
7. Journaling. For any reason at all. And I love new journals, so I tend to make a new journal for every different occasion I possibly can. But come on, there's no better feeling than finishing with your last page on a journal!
8. HIKING! We leave for Beyond Malibu in about 2 weeks! And I cant wait!
9. Healthy Recipes and workout plans! I've officially lost 15 lbs this summer! And It just makes me want to keep going!
10. Doing things I never thought I would. <3

Since I haven't been around to keep up on updating, here are some pictures from my summer so far

I love summer. Whether we get any sun or not! So many amazing more events to come this summer. I cant wait to tell you all about them <3

xo/Austin

The Voice.

I don't know if any of you watched NBC The Voice, but it was awesome! I loved that it was about the voice of the artist rather than their looks. And the talent on the show was unbelievable.

I have always been a fan of unique voice--this show was full of them.

My top two favorite on the entire show were Dia Frampton (runner up) and Xenia.

Both of the girls were a part of the same team, and only one artist from each team can make it to the final, so sadly Xenia left after the semi-finals.

Watching the show and getting the opportunity of listening to the beautiful and unique voices sparked my artsy musical side into looking for new unique voices I don't know about.

So far I've found Dia's band, Meg and Dia, Adele, newer Augustana, Classic Crime, Lydia... I downloaded over 40 songs! Yet, I'm not quite satisfied.

I want to know about these amazing underground bands.

I guess I just need to do some more research.

Who are your favorite unknown artists?

xo/Austin

Second|Corinthians 4:18.

This morning during my quiet time reading my bible, I was reading in 2Corinthians..

This was the verse what really stood out to me today--

"...because we look not at what can be seen but what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal."

This really got me thinking. This specific verse is referring to heaven. This chapter of Second Corinthians is a lot about looking toward eternal life with God. But beside that, how many things can you think of that are everlasting that we cannot see?

1. The Lord.
2. Heaven.
3. Love.
4. Memories.
5. Hope.
6. Faith.
7. Integrity.
8. Compassion.
9. Joy.
10. Trust.

These are only ten of the hundreds of unseen treasures we are blessed with, but I don't think anyone would arugue with me when I say these are some of life's biggest blessings.

They say "The best things in life are free.." In a way, yes, I agree. The best things in life don't cost you money a lot of the time.

God loves you for free, but it's hard to give love freely--unconditionally.

God promises to be faithful--but its hard to have faith in someone other than yourself.

God provides you with compassion--but you must learn how to have compassion on others.

I could go on forever. The thing is, life itself and the afterlife--aren't completely free

They are offered to us freely, but like anything in life, we have to act to recieve these free gifts.

You aren't going to take a beautifully wrapped present from someone and then set it in your closet and never open it, are you?

Life is never a stand-still. With any of God's greatest gifts, you don't have to do anything to deserve it. But you do have to act on it.

You have to take the gift, and open the gift.

"...because we look not at what can be seen but what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal."

Open the gift.

xo/Austin

A Case of the Mondays.

This girl has got a case of the Mondays.. and I didn't even have to work today!

It feels like everyone in my life is gone this week.

1. My family is at a family reunion.
2. Matt and his family is camping at Moses Lake.
3. My Younglife crew is at Malibu.

so basically... I AM BORED.

Since I am so bored, I have spent some quality online browsing/shopping time!
(P.S. me being bored is not a good thing for my bank account!)

I have got a chance to finally catch back up with some of my favorite blogs!

Including: La La Lovely, It's a Love Story, my good friend, Vicki's blog, my favorite Paleo blog, and a fun friend's blog!

Something else I have run into recently, is Pinterest!!
I just learned about this website a week ago, and I am currently obsessed. You can follow me here!
Love, love, love.

Also, like I said I have made some purchases...
In light of summer (though we have not seen it yet here in good ol' Enumclaw, they promise it's coming!)

1. I bought myself a Victoria's Secret bathing suit.. oops. But it was on sale... Does that make it more forgivable..? It's adorable, and zebra (because i LOVE zebra), and I cant wait to get it!
2. I bought these Athleta capris. They are super cute. And I will be able to wear them for hiking, work, and just to look cute.. cute but logical. Necessary.

Now if only the sun would come out I could use these newly found treasures...

Until next time, loves.

xo/Austin.