How the bl**p did I end up here?

*image from here


Have you ever asked yourself that?

I am very aware of how easy it is to get lost in the physical world (aka while driving/in a foreign country etc).

But I'm talking about life here, people.

At 23, this is not where I pictured myself. I can't say that I'm starving or homeless or lacking for comforts that some people kill for, I'm simply stunned at where I ended up compared to where I thought I'd be.

Even more stunning, is that it's harder then I thought it would be for my dreams not to come true.

I guess that's just the idealist in me? Though I don't think that imagining myself with a job and an apartment, possibly even being in a relationship with a guy I'm crazy about (though that may be stretching it).

Stupid feelings. I need to stop letting them rule my life (according to my therapist at least).

Sleep well, foks.

Where in the world is...

I've decided to make a Very Important List.
In no particular order!

Cities in which I think I could live:

Chicago, IL

Grand Rapids, MI

Ashland, OR

Savannah, GA

St. Louis, MO

Maybe that's where I should try looking for work...

Side by side income

My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/astenzel7 is full of beautiful products like this:

On a PERSONAL note I'm going to be arranging a fresh picked bouquet of flowers every week for the rest of summer. Just because.
Take a peek at this week's arrangment!

Peace out baby!

Where I'm at.

*foto courtesy of flickr

I find that lately I feel caged in a lot of ways, that foto is simply a beautiful illustration of one specific way.

There are certain times in my life that I find myself OVER-adjusting for each situation, instead of merely expressing myself as I see fit.

So here goes (an honest list) of what is currently caged: *My heart (obviamente) *My appetite *My future *My relationships with males *My relationship with my mother(familia en total) *My happiness

*le sigh*

I recently received both the dramatic AND melodramatic cards during an Apples to Apples game.

¿qué perfecto, no?

No comprendí, no comprendo, no comprenderé

I love my Savior.

I try as much as possible, though I am always learning and growing, to live my life to the glory of God, to please my Savior, and to be an example and encouragement to those around me.

I was born and have been raised LCMS Lutheran, that also includes baptism and confirmation in the LCMS Lutheran faith.

I went to an LCMS Lutheran grade school/church.

I went to an LCMS Lutheran high school.

My faith came alive when I was a junior in high school thanks in big part to the senior level theology teacher who constantly pushed us (in a good way) to live out our faith more and more as we grew and matured.

I did NOT go to an LCMS Lutheran college. I went to an "independent" Lutheran college.

At that college, I went to church, chapel, a Christian Fellowship. I led bible studies, and service projects. I worshipped, I sinned, I failed, and I was bathed in grace (Still am praise Jesus).

I now teach at my former high school. With that high school teacher who greatly blessed my life, and I respect as a teacher, a father, and a Christian brother.

Every once in a while, I have a brief exchange with that teacher, in which a shot is taken at my college. It is implied that I have fallen from my faith/my standing as a child of God, in a joking manner that has too much of a bite in it to be solely a joke.

I have just realized that it is the Devil's constant desire to divide and separate Christians through any means possible. Unfortunately, I believe that this is so often overlooked in and amongst ourselves.

Why are we allowing Satan the opportunity to use our own actions to hurt and cause our brothers and sisters as make our way through life in a fallen world? Isn't it hard enough with the world and society and our sinful nature beating us down every day? Why can we not encourage as well as speak truth that is biblically based into one another's lives?

No comprendí, no comprendo, no comprenderé.

Amanda N. Stenzel

Alleluia!

A blessed Easter to you all!




Mucho Amor!

So I was thinking..

I think I'm going to try something new in this space. Thought(s) of the day. Simple, concise, and possibly entertaining. (Also maybe rant-y)

Thought #1 - I fear that books may only have a few months to live.

Right? Can Kindles and I-pads replace the hefty feeling of a book in your hand?

Can you open a Kindle right to the middle and inhale the rich smell of the book binding?

Can you go back and read the comments you wrote in the margins the first time you read the book, and laugh at your limited insight? Then add more? And repeat the cycle?

Can you feel the ink on the page?

Can you truly appreciate the detail of illustrations?

Go ahead... call me old-fashioned. I won't mind. Although I do prefer VINTAGE.

Peace out.