2013, YOU SON OF A *PEEP*

Picture: http://imgfave.com/view/4291795

It's 31.12.13, which means it's the end of the year and everyone is highly anticipating the new year. Reflecting on the past year, all I can say is, that it was tough. It wasn't only tough for me but also for my family, friends and loved ones. A lot of tragedies, disappointments and mistakes happened within the Year of Faith, nevertheless, these challenges helped me to get to know myself better and somehow made me also grow as a person. Yes, I've had enough times this year where all I asked myself was 'When is this year finally over?' and now I find myself being a bit nervous about what the new year has to bring. I really do hope that 2014 will be a year of miracles. I kinda need a lot of that, to be honest :P

What I've learnt from the year 2013 is that prayers will be heard, changes are hard but inevitable and that family is everything. I'm not really going after the 'new year, new me' saying because I don't want a new self. I want an improved and better self who has grown out of the wounds, hurts and disappointments. Life won't get any easier so I might as well just learn how to persevere and deal with whatever life throws at me. I've also learnt that your passions can sometimes be misleading when you don't listen or respond to the red flags. Energy saving mode is something I'll try to pull through when it comes to dealing with difficult situations in the new year. To get to the point, I won't be putting my energy into something I can neither control nor change. I've given a lot of lessons this year, that when the big Man up there doesn't want things to happen and you're not obedient, he'll give you a heck of a lesson for you to finally get Him. 

With all the plans I have in 2014, I can only be excited. I'm happy that I was able to go on missions a lot this year. It made me appreciate the community even more. I want to thank all my friends who have stuck with me another year, I want to thank my family that still loves me despite the hurts I've put them through and finally, I want to thank you my readers. Never have I felt so much love for my writing through my readers! I know, I say this at the end of every year, BUT, I'm not giving up on this blog or on my writing and I really want to try to make it up to you and be better at updating. You inspire me!

Lastly, to everyone who I hurt this year, I'm forever sorry, you can bet on that!

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR! 

GUTEN RUTSCH! 

COME AT US 2014!

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS

I hope you had a blessed Christmas celebration with your families! Here is just a little reminder of what Christmas really is about - the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Wish you all happy holidays!!!

https://scontent-a-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q71/1505601_10152065360492708_1427662513_n.jpg

THANKS IG, YOU MADE ME REALISE I DON'T FIT IN

Picture: https://31.media.tumblr.com/2c2f1446f8ae7fbc507b86a46dbfe1e1/tumblr_mxkcgqOTxO1req6ngo1_500.jpg

I've been contemplating a lot about deleting certain Apps on my phone. I've even been contemplating about avoiding Facebook 'til the end of the year. Why? Because these social networking sites give me a negative vibe. Why? Because I don't agree with most things I see on there. Why? Because they make me insecure. I start to envy the people on the pictures and I simply end up pitying myself because basically everyone around me is too darn 'cool' for me. 

Just by looking at people's pictures on their IG, I often find myself thinking 'Oh boy, is this how you're supposed to be nowadays? Is this how you should live today?' From selfies, over to parties up until alcoholic beverages, that's what most people I follow post these days. It kinda portrays everything that the world loves to see. Everything that society is okay with, everything that society wants to see and feels. Is that how my lifestyle should be in order to fit in? Should I be taking a dozen of selfies a day just to prove everyone I'm a girl who is confident? Should I be taking pictures of my new coppings just to let everyone else know that I've got that style and that taste? Are my group of friends cool enough and have that great style to post a picture with them? Is this party IG-worthy? Will the people be impressed by this because I'm having such an extravagant dinner? How many likes will I get on this picture? Just so I can assess my worth on Social Media. 

It's amazing how pictures can be so deceiving. It's amazing how pictures can make you feel emotions that shouldn't be felt in the first place. When I look at certain profiles I sometimes think to myself, how on Earth would I fit in this society? Nothing I ever see is me or could represent my personality. It saddens me a lot to find myself in a generation that has become even more shallow. It saddens me that personalities look so great on pictures but in real-life just suck. What happened to authenticity behind pictures and in real-life? 

All I care about is being genuine and being confident enough to show that the world through your actions and not through pictures. I care about real art and pictures that motivate and send positivity out into the world. Hence, I don't curr about having to see your face every day and you trying to make your face look inspirational just cause you added some inspirational BS as a caption. 

d.f.t.s,

Ezzy

30 DAY CHALLENGE - All the Rest of the Days 23 - 27

If I could be a cartoon character, I would most probably be... Lizzie McGuire's cartoon. The reason would be because that character would just describe any day in my life. The times when something embarrassing happens to me, when I fangirl with my best friend about our crushes and just completely be a teenage (feeling) girly girl. My days would be filled with any day to day life situations. But mostly with awkward and embarrassing situations since my character would never know how to cope with those situations which would automatically make them funny. I wish to be a funny yet relatable cartoon character.

Regarding this situation, I'm still very annoyed. I haven't been sleeping well or enough the past days and I have no idea why. Well, I kinda have my theories, but I feel more comfortable not to share those with you :P Anyways, in February, it was a very packed month. They were filled with deadlines, EYC'13 plannings and meetings as well as YFL Missions. However, during the weekend of the EYC'13 Planning, I literally only had about 4hours of sleep from Friday to Sunday. However, my determination to finish writing my Seminarpaper and the determination to plan something awesome for the EYC kept me quite awake. It was a struggle since the worst feeling you can have is being extremely tired, yet you have to keep your brain intact and your eyes open. Through the help of the Holy Spirit I managed to not be as grumpy and mean as usual when I lack sleep. However, towards the end of the planning, I indeed ended up acting like a 4 year old child and also ended up sick. Yet, everything was worth it. I wrote a 'B' on that Seminarpaper and you guys saw the result of this year's European Youth Congress in Vienna.

My worst habit... would probably be procrastinating A LOT and complaining. Ugh, even now I can facepalm myself for being so lazy. And yes, I figured that no one really can keep up with a complainer for a longer period. Hence, I have tried to change my attitude about things that don't work out right away. Instead of complaining I have tried to be more of a do-er instead of a dumpling-er - yes, I just quoted New Girl. But back to the procrastination: yes, it did get me to the very wrong situations. For instance procrastinating to study for exams. Constant struggle and such a hard habit to break. So... I guess I ought to start studying, right?

MISSION: SALZBURG - "Ohne Schmäh, ganz nett, ne"

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Ever since the EYC'13 it was hard keeping up with the YFLs in Salzburg since everyone started getting busy with school, uni and work. However, Kennet and I managed to visit them for a weekend. It is always a great feeling to be in Salzburg. The fresh is air, the town of The Sound of Music is always beautiful and the people are just always welcoming. We never need to worry about starving because the Titas always serve the best food, and a lot of that. 

Besides the food miracle here, seeing how well the Youths grow here is amazing. It's been a long time since we've seen them but they are still on fire. Despite all the obstacles and struggles they face, the never seize to keep their faith and see the Lord in each others eyes. They have a great bond and fellowship with each other just because they know who should be the center in their lives. I enjoy being here because I learn a lot from them as well. Missions are always great. They open your eyes to the most simple but most important things in your life. It is great hearing all their sharings and it is inspiring too because each one of them is so unique. I felt really humbled about a sister who I haven't met before up until the Household who reached out to me because of her struggles. I think it's a beautiful experience to just see the youths grow in trust with you. Of course, that challenges me to be accountable but with the outcome and the visions I have for this area, I am more than willing to continuously live a proper and exemplary life.