I Celebrate The Day

A beautiful Christmas song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPFNY4Z5t0

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

Tweaked Reality

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
-Dr. Seuss

What I've been doing recently...

That's right! I've been disguising myself as an elf and going into public places. Its quite a bit of fun.

So this is Christmas...

And I rather like it. I hold the firm belief that this time of year tends to bring out people's true character. Which is great, but sometimes messy. But I suppose that's just life.

For me, Christmas is all about love. Love for family, friends, people who don't have love in their lives, and most importantly, the love that somehow exceeds all other love combined- the love of a savior. I wish it was Christmas all the time. not because of the material advantages and pleasures (but really, what's wrong with having lights up all year round?) but because of the love.

I'm sorry that sometimes at Christmas, I concentrate on myself and my direct surroundings instead of acknowledging the bigger picture and loving unabashedly. Christ came to love, and I want love like that, be it Christmas time or not.

The Dance of the Cucumber

Today I am dressing up as Larry the Cucumber and singing Silly Songs around my school. It should be exciting. I'm wearing a giant sombrero and wrapping myself in a green tablecloth. As an ode to the most genius show on earth, Veggie Tales. Whoever created Veggie Tales, you are my hero.

The Happiest Place on Earth...okay, second happiest: Disneyland, by law, has to come first

Dear Ribbons and Lace,
I think it is safe to say that I am completely and incandescently in love with you. Your rows and rows of never ending ribbons and flowers and bows and tulle and many other beautiful things make me happy inside...and on the outside, too. I love that you have an aisle dedicated to polka dotted things. And another to glitter-y things. You carry ribbons with pandas on them, and ice cream cones, and volleyballs, and dinosaurs...it's basically any girl's dream come true. So thank you for making my day with your cheery goodness and dazzling prettiness. I appreciate it.
Love, Michaela
P.S. I do believe I would like to be buried underneath you store. Specifically in aisle 3, next to the sparkles. Is that weird? I choose not to think so.
http://www.ribbonsnlace.com/

Dust In the Wind

Ode to NCIS

Dear NCIS:
I love you. A lot.
You somehow manage to combine wonderful characters, good humor, medically correct autopsies, and crime-fighting awesomeness, as well as the occasional hostage situation, with talent and taste.
And it doesn't hurt that you have a character who is Israeli Mossad. Because that's also pretty cool.
Just one thing...exactly how does Gibbs manage to get his boat out of his basement?
Love, Michaela
P.S. Thank you for keeping me sane on those long days when I'm sick and can't do anything but lay on the couch and sip water. Somehow, I think it helps my migraines get better.

Stereotype Me

Today, I wore sparkles. Today, I was a cheerleader.

There isn't much I love more than close friends, sleepovers, lots of food, and dancing. I like to think I cheered my heart out during the past week of camp, but for some reason I feel like I've still got a whole season ahead of me. And that makes me smile.

I have to admit the reason I became a cheerleader was so I could break the stereotype of a stupid, trashy, blonde girl. But I suppose it's become more than that for me. Now it's about leading. And getting to know people. And encouraging others. And having fun.

You know what? I'm proud to say I'm a cheerleader.

Sprinkles and Sparkles

Today I spent 10 minutes searching Allrecipes so I could make cupcakes. I could not find any cupcake recipes, and I was rather dismayed. Until I realized that cupcakes are just mini cakes and therefore have the same ingredients as a cake. I felt stupid.
I am currently watching a Tinkerbelle movie , coloring in my Disney Princess coloring book, and applying a Strawberry shortcake temporary tattoo while waiting for my cupcakes to be ready. Multi-tasking at its finest.
It rained yesterday. Lots. It made me happy.
Yesterday I restocked my sprinkle supplies. Now I have 3 pounds of rainbow assorted colors to use to my hearts content! I also restocked my sticker supplies so I can send pretty letters to people. Alright, if you've been following any of this, you will now understand that I like colorful things. Especially if they're sparkly.
I suppose you could say I'm easily distracted...

Why Am I Here?

I'm not technologically savvy. At all. I often struggle with the simplest electronic devices. Microwaves. Remotes. Alarm Clocks. Yes, I'm that girl who has the calculator the nerds are jealous of but has no clue how to use it. But I like to write. And so I've decided I should try to step out of my comfort zone and connect two worlds: the universe of pretty words and the internet. So far, its been an enlightening experience. I figured out how to link another blog. I'm still fairly proud of myself for that. Alright, super proud. Like sing out loud proud.
It may be hard to believe, but there is a point to this ramble. You see, though I may not be able to navigate the computer very well, I can still read. And over the past few years, I have discovered these wonderful places called blogs. And I have learned many things, laughed several times, and shed lots of tears.
You see, in the world of words, there are no walls to break through, no miles of distance, no social barriers. Only raw expression and heartfelt stories. And I decided to officially join this world with My Cupcake Diaries.
You would be surprised at how many wonderful people live on the internet. Not literally, but their legacies and thoughts dwell there for the whole wide world to learn from. I have found many stories of love and life, disappointment and pain, joy and fulfillment. And somehow along the way, I began to pray for the faces and hearts behind the words. I found myself crying over updates on babies and families I will never meet, laughing at the silly and sweet things children of people who will never know me do, getting chills over accounts of God working in simple, mysterious ways in lives I will never talk to until Heaven.
So does this make me an "internet stalker"? I sure hope not. Rather, I choose to believe because of this confusing thing called technology, I am allowed to take part in something way bigger than myself. And I think that's pretty darn cool.
Through various blogs, I have been able to read the insights of men and women who, like me, yearn to share the Love of Jesus with the world. And I have been able to grow. And learn new things. And realize what I want to do in the future. The first place I ever read about or saw a picture of a premature baby was on a blog. The first time I heard of the specific help and therapists disabled children need was on a blog. I then considered that I may want to become one of these therapists. The first time I really realized that I was meant to help and love orphans overseas was while reading a blog. So to all the people out there who had the audacity and initiative to share their lives with the strangers on the internet, Thanks.

Crazy Beautiful

Mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth! The heavens proclaim His righteousness and all peoples see His glory. Psalm 97:5-6

Learning to love like Jesus. This is what I strive to do for the rest of my days: For those who cannot see the joy amongst their sorrow, for the orphans who cry themselves to sleep, for the grieving families, for the lost people who cannot find a way out...There is Jesus. I am one of those lost people, blundering along in the dark, stubbornly refusing to cry out for light. But He finds me anyway. Isn't that amazing? There he is, simply waiting for his child to cry out to Him, anticipating the day she acknowledge the strength of his arms as he holds her through the storm. And once she realizes his love for her, she cannot keep it to herself. Her heart literally hurts under the pressure of watching the people stumble along in the night, refusing to step into the light of the shining sun. She knows she will never rest until they too can hear of the unfathomable love just waiting for them. Only a heartfelt cry away.

So she does for them what He has done for her: she loves them with a love that is not her own. A fierce passion that she alone cannot posses. And she knows that one day, the lost will be found. They will turn to the One that has been pursuing them across the darkest night, cradling them through the fury of the angriest storms, lifting them above the waves threatening to pull them under, pulling them away from the snapping jaws of an evil monster. And they too will be smothered in His crazy love. And they too will be bursting to share it.

Hate is a strong word but...

Dear Satan: I don't like you. You make me feel all icky inside. You take pleasure in my pain. But guess what? My Jesus is way bigger than you. He takes away the icky feelings. He reminds me that he loves me...and nothing you do can change that crazy love He has for me. So Satan, you can stop trying. I know you won't, but that's okay: I may not know what comes next, but I do know the ending to this story, the victor of this Battle...And guess what satan? You loose.

Lonely People

The Mall of America: A symbol of the nation's grandeur and progression. Also a great place for people-watching (in a completely non-creepy way). I look at all the lonely people, trying to impress, striving for success, rushing about with superficial goals in mind. Babies cry, cranky families rush by, young teenage couples hold hands, grandparents out for the day. Wheelchairs, strollers, shopping bags, moving feet, colorful shoes, never stopping in one place for long. Welcome to America.

Flaming Kabob

Alternately Titled: The Best Place to get Middle-Eastern food when you don't have easy access to the actual Middle-East.
I feel like a very large Arab man right now.... Tzatziki, gyros, chicken shawarma, tabouli, tahini sauce, kabobs, humus and pita, all finished off with chocolate frozen yogurt.
http://www.flamingkabob.com/

Legacy of Love

I have many fond memories of cafeteria lines, sandcastles in volleyball pits, playing games involving an inflatable globe and a little felt board with cutouts of unrealistically white, bearded men in robes riding donkeys or holding palm branches. I guess you could say it was something I was born into: I was two years old at my first Candidate School, and virtually every summer after that we would all tag along with Dad while he helped people go share Jesus in faraway places; that much didn't concern me: I just enjoyed being with all the kids. But I always understood, on my own level, the importance of what was going on, and in my mind, it was a given that Candidate School would always be apart of my life.
Last week, I took part in what is probably something along the lines of my tenth Candidate School. This is my fourth year as part of the Kids' staff, and I loved every bit of it. Working with babies is my passion, and these two weeks I have been allowed to use my abilities and love for these children. These are the children that will soon be living in new countries, hearing foreign languages, and following their parents' calling to bring others to their Savior. They are too young to understand now, but they do understand love. It is out of love for the families yet to hear of Jesus that these people completely surrender their lives and decide to obey the callings God has for them and their own children, as well as the children without a father to tuck them in, provide for them, protect them. They go to tell of the One who will never abandon them, the one that is waiting to scoop them up in His arms and hold them for eternity. They go to bring love to these children. I am blessed to be able to love and be apart of this. Complete surrender, blind trust, willing sacrifice. They have no idea what they're getting into, but they know its going to be something huge. And to me, that's beautiful.

Cappuccino Sunday

My lunch. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually do more than just eat fancy looking foods. Like listen to Broadway music. And read American classics (currently The Grapes of Wrath). And play with babies. And make cupcakes. Okay, that is pretty much it.

Chocolate and Raspberries: A Match Made in Baking Heaven

Today I ate cake. I suppose you could say it was a good day.
http://www.pickycook.com/dessert/chocolateraspberrylayercakewith
chocolateganachefrosting.aspx