my weekend via instagram & a little bit of honesty

This past weekend I was able to go back down to the Austin area to see two of my sweetest college friends tie the knot. Let me tell you, it was absolutely gorgeous! Paige, the bride, did such a wonderful job and it turned out exactly how we had talked about for the past year. I was so thrilled to be a part of their special day and see it all come together! While I was there I was also able to see some of my best friends. Here are some photos from my instagram.

instagram: sara_pena

  

photo one: some of my friends with the bride and groom

                                                           photo two: the most beautiful bride in the world, Paige.

photo three: one of my best friends Zack and I

photo four: Kelsie as she slides down the stairs instead of packing up to move

photo five & six: photos from the arboretum

photo seven & eight: the sweet kids that I'm nannying this summer

Along with my weekend photos, I figured I would also give a little bit of encouragement to my readers.  It seems that lately I have been talking to people lately who are going through a time where they are needing to feel encouraged, more at peace with a certain situation (myself included) whether it be a big life change (graduating, moving), a new job, a big decision that needs to be made, a relationship. Whatever that thing is, encouragement always helps. 

As some of you know, I am a Christian and base a lot of the way I react to situations on my faith in the Lord. Over the past few weeks I have come across many verses, as well as quotes from different books, that have seemed to really help me in my time of need of encouragement and love. I want to share these things with you, whatever you may or may not believe in. I hope that it gives you some sort of peace and relaxation when it comes to knowing that trails in your life are so temporary. No matter how big they may seem. 

One book that I have been reading the past few weeks is Crazy Love. If you haven't read it, I strongly encourage it. It is a book about the love that Christ has for us, no matter how broken we are (cause let's face it, we are all so very broken in so many ways). These are a few quotes/verses that I found within the book:

"God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine"

"But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." 

-1 Peter 4:13

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

-Philippians 4:6-7

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yolk upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yolk is easy and my burden is light."

 -Matthew 11:28-30

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" 

-Luke 12:25-26

"Don't lose hope. When you are down to nothing, God is up to something. Praise God even if you don't know what he's doing"

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."

 -Psalm 28:7