Joni and Friends Michigan Retreat-Heaven on Earth

This year, Joni and Friends is putting safety measures in place, so we can have retreats again.

I am so happy that we can (hopefully) have retreats again, as it is an experience you will definitely want to have.

At retreat, people with disabilities and their family can come for a week of fun, relaxation, and faith, where they can feel like they belong, without judgment.

The people there truly care about everyone, and go out of their way to make each person feel special, welcome, included, and valued as the person that they are.

I am going to week 2 of the Michigan retreat, which I got to go to in 2019. This year, they are having 3 weeks, so more families can experience the joy of retreat.

They are still in need of STMs (volunteers) to help out each week, so if you or someone you know is interested, you can go to the Joni and Friends website HERE, go to the Ministries tab and click on Retreats and Getaways, then click on Family Retreat, where there is a list of all the retreats this year. 

Please consider volunteering for Family Retreat. It is an experience of a lifetime that you will not want to miss.

You get to make new friends, see old friends, minister to those with disabilities and their families, and strengthen your faith at an amazing, beautiful campus.

You can check out Week 1 of the Michigan Retreat (June 7-11) HERE, Week 2 (June 14-18) HERE, and the special Week 3 (June 21-25) HERE.

These retreats really are like heaven on earth. I am so grateful that I got to go in 2019, and have been counting the days until I could go again!

Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in serving. They may have to cancel if they don't get enough volunteers, and I do not want that to happen. Safety precautions are being put in place, so that we can serve, and have fun, in a safe, secure way.

Joni and Friends does amazing work for people with disabilities all over the world, and these retreats are worth experiencing!

16 Questions

 I got these questions from Girls' Life magazine, and decided to answer them in this post.

These are my own honest answers.

1. What movie or book character do you relate to most?
   Hmm...this is kind of a hard one. There are a few that I can really relate to, so it is hard to choose just one. 
   
   One is Matthew Cuthbert from the Anne of Green Gables series. He is soft spoken, doesn't really like to be around a lot of people, and prefers peace and quiet.
   Another is Bilbo Baggins, from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series. He likes being at home more than anywhere else, he doesn't like being around a lot of people, he has a quiet nature. But he is also known to enjoy an adventure or festivity from time to time.
   The third is Konstantin Dimitrich Levin from Anna Karenina. According to one description of him: "A classic introvert, Levin is happiest when he is alone to contemplate the world, engaged with thoughts that are often at odds with conventional wisdom. He avoids the city at all costs, preferring the solitude and authenticity of the countryside." Pretty much sounds like me.
   
   
2. Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert?
   Definitely introvert. I get drained easily from interacting with people, I prefer to do solitary things, and I like peace and quiet.
   
   
3. Which family member are you closest to?
   Probably my dad. It used to be my mom, but once she died, I think I went to my dad more. 
   
   
4. What's your dream career?
   Hmm....There are a few things I really want to do, and if they can be combined, I would be in heaven! Those are photography, baking, and writing.  If I could combine those in some way, then I would be very happy!
   
   
5. What's your proudest moment?
   There are a few moments that I have, that makes it very hard to choose from. But I think the one that I am probably the most proud of, as either graduating from college with my baking certificate (that took a lot longer than planned), or going on a trip completely on my own, with no help from anyone. I usually tend to want to go with someone, and have help with going on the trip, but with the trip I took by myself, I decided to step out of my comfort zone.
   
   
6. What superpower would you want to have?
   I can't pick just one, so the ones I would want to have are flying, teleportation, and invisibility.
   
   
7. What is something you want out of a relationship?
   I would really like to get an acceptance of who I am, of all of me. I am working on that myself, but I would love to have acceptance from another as well.
   
   
8. What change do you want to see in the world?
   I would like to see more communication, compassion and empathy in the world. Then, we would more likely be understanding of why people are the way they are. 
   
   
9. What's something you're afraid of?
   My biggest fear is of death. I don't know if it's the process of dying, or the thought of being dead that I am scared of the most, but death is something that has scared me for a very long time.
   
   The biggest fear after that, is speaking up. I am a very shy person, so I have a hard time talking to people I don't know, or whom I am not friends with. I am always worried about what other people would think, and it holds me back from saying a lot of the things I want to say.
   
   
10. Who inspires you the most?
    I think the person who inspires me the most is Joni Eareckson Tada. She has been through a lot in her life, yet she keeps going. She has a fighting spirit, and when she has a hard day, she isn't afraid to ask for help. Even with all she has been through, she has helped thousands of people around the world with her ministry, and is still going strong.
    
    
11. What's your favorite memory?
    My favorite memory is probably Joni and Friends camp. I went for the first (and only time so far) in 2019, and fell in love with the retreat. I didn't get to go in 2020, because of the pandemic, but as of right now, it seems like it will take place this year. 
    
    
12. What song means the most to you?
    Truth Be Told by Matthew West. It says what I have had trouble putting into words for years.
    
    
13. What goal do you have for yourself this year?
    There are two big goals I have. One is to become healthier (physically, emotionally/mentally, and spiritually), and the other is to be more confident in myself.
    
    
14. What's something you've always wanted to try?
    One thing I have always wanted to try is to make macarons. I love to bake, so I would love to be able to make macarons one day.
    
    
15. What values are most important to you?
    The values most important to me are compassion, empathy, patience, respect, courage, forgiveness, growth, listening, learning, resilience, creativity, and balance.
    
    
16. What motivational quote always keeps you going?
    "If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down." by Buddha
    
    It was hard to choose just one quote, but I really like this one.

20 Dreams

1. I dream of going on a Wheels for the World mission trip through Joni and Friends
2. I dreamed of being a police officer when I grew up (I changed my mind years ago, when I thought about what they go through)
3. I dream of writing and publishing at least one book
4. I dream of being more confident in myself, and to love myself more
5. I dream of being a photographer
6. I dream of being a baker
7. I dream of traveling the world (I have never been outside of the U.S. before, and I really want to change that)
8. I dream of having my own YouTube channel, and posting videos on a regular basis
9. I dream of being fluent in Spanish
10. I dream of being fluent in Italian
11. I dream of being fluent in Sign Language
12. I dream of adopting at least one dog in my lifetime
13. I dream of getting married and having children (whether biological, or adopted)
14. I dream of living on a farm, with a garden, and possibly horses
15. I dream of playing the violin again, and possibly playing in an orchestra
16. I dreamed of being a special education teacher (not sure this will ever happen, as I don't like having attention on me, I never really liked school all that much, and I have a hard time learning things myself)
17. I dream of sponsoring a child (not sure from where yet, but I would LOVE to do this!!)
18. I dream of learning to sew, and making clothing, and other useful items
19. I dream of learning to play the piano
20. I dream of writing at least one song

What are 20 dreams that you have?

My March Goals/Bucket List

How is it already March?! This year is going by so fast (yes, I know only 2 months have gone by so far, but they flew by in the blink of an eye).

With a new month comes my goals/bucket list for that month.

Here are my goals for March:

• Work on cleaning up my room (at least get all the garbage and recycling out)
• Practice the violin at least 2x a week
• Put together my Downton Abbey puzzle
• Journal at least 2x a week
• Write grief letters
• Finish the cape/shawl I started making in December
• Make a loaf of bread from scratch
• Make a vision board
• Make and regularly write in a prayer journal
• Have a spa/mental health day once a week (or every other week)
• Start and keep up a regular skincare routine
• Start experimenting with makeup
• Learn how to play the ukulele
• Start writing stories
• Connect with my friends on a more regular basis
• Bake something once a week
• Dye my hair purple

What are your goals for March?

21 Things I Would Most Like to Do in 2021

I know I've posted about things I would like to do this year, but I decided to do a post about what I would MOST like to do, and try and get these done.

I tend to be a homebody, and not do much, but I would like to change that, at least a little. I have made a routine of the same few things that I do all the time, and it's gotten boring.

Hopefully, this year I can start to change that, and get out of my comfort zone more.

So, in no particular order, here are 21 things I would most like to do this year:

1. Get my bedroom cleaned up
2. Redecorate my bedroom
3. Be an STM at a Joni and Friends Retreat
4. Dye my hair purple
5. Learn how to apply my own makeup
6. Relearn how to play the violin, and play on a regular basis
7. Purchase a laptop for myself
8. Learn how to love myself, and to be more confident
9. Get into a healthy, loving relationship with a significant other
10. Keep in contact with friends on a regular basis
11. Pray on a regular basis
12. Learn how to crochet a blanket
13. Start and keep up an exercise routine
14. Visit a friend in another state
15. Purchase a DSLR camera, and learn how to take better pictures
16. Read the entire bible
17. Purchase a new sewing machine, and learn how to sew
18. Put together 3D Downton Abbey puzzle
19. Make more friends
20. Host a Friendsgiving
21. Make a vision board/book

I want to add an extra one in, because I thought of it after making the initial 21, and it is to work on my cake decorating and baking skills. I went to school for baking and pastry, and have hardly done any baking since graduating. I love to bake, so it would help to actually put the skills I learned to good use, on a regular basis.

If the Joni and Friends retreats get canceled this year (which I hope it doesn't), I would like to instead get my a second piercing in each ear. I know that's quite different from going on a retreat, but it is something I have been wanting to do for a long time now.

Although, even if I get to go on the retreat, I may get the second piercing anyway, depending on how things go.

What are the things you most want to do this year?

My Current Favorites

I haven't posted a current favorites list in a while, so I figured it was time to make another one. There a few new things that I am loving right now

In no particular order, here are my current favorites:

• Alexa/Amazon Echo Dot
  (I finally got one for Christmas, and am really loving it!)
• WREBBIT 3D Harry Potter Weasley House Jigsaw puzzle
• Milano Milk Chocolate Cookies
  (I haven't had these in a long time, and had a craving for them!)
• Dreams Binder (one of my favorite bloggers originally wrote about it HERE, but I thought she did another post about it more recently, although I can't find it at the moment. I loved the idea, and have started making one for myself.)
• The song Truth Be Told by Matthew West
  (this song says everything I have been feeling for a very long time; not just because of 2020, but before then as well)
• Going the Distance CD by Jonathan Antoine
• Artist of Life Workbook by Lavendaire creator Aileen Xu
  (I got this workbook this week, and have been slowly filling it out. I have been wanting to do better with my life, and this workbook is motivating me to want to work on the things I want to change.)
• Outlander TV show (I am working on season 2 right now, so I have a ways to go, but I absolutely love the show so far!)
• WREBBIT 3D Downton Abbey jigsaw puzzle (it's a big puzzle-890 pieces-and hard, but I love things that challenge me)

My February Goals/Bucket List

January was a bust in terms of things I wanted to do, as I lacked the motivation to do stuff. And I feel really bad about that. 

Hopefully, February will be better in that regard.

Here is what I would like to work on this coming month:

• Get bedroom at least 1/3 of the way cleaned up
• Put books I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put CDs I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put DVDs I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put accessories I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Journal at least once a week
• Try making bread from scratch
• Start working on writing on book
• Learn Spanish
• Learn Sign Language
• Make a chicken pot pie
• Dye my hair purple
• Relearn how to play the violin
• Finish the cape I started making in December
• Write grief letters (something I learned about from Grief Share)
• Purchase a laptop for myself
• Work on putting together my 3D Downton Abbey puzzle
• Read at least one book

Here's to hoping that I can actually get at least some of these done!

Cautiously Optimistic and Excited

Registration for this year's Joni and Friends Family Retreats is now open, and I immediately signed up to volunteer.

But, with the way last year went, I am not totally convinced that we will be able to have in-person retreats this year.

I hope and pray that we do, but obviously since I and others don't know what will happen, I am half expecting retreats to be cancelled/postponed/changed to at-home retreats again.

My first, and only, time volunteering at retreat was in June 2019, and I absolutely LOVED it!!!

Plus, it was my first time traveling entirely on my own, so that was a huge step for me. And I am so glad I took that step.

I really miss my retreat friends, and would love to be able to see them again this year. Please be kind, 2021, and let us meet up again!!!

I loved every bit of my experience, and I am so grateful I got to go when I did. Before 2019, it just didn't work out, for me to be able to go to retreat, but 2019 was finally my year.

I made some wonderful friends, and experiences that will last for a lifetime, and I hope to be able to make more this year, and in the years to come.

I am just not sure how this year will turn out, but I am being cautiously optimistic. I would love to be able to go to retreat again!

Dear 2021

Dear 2021,

This year has been a very rough year for people all over the world, so please be kind to us.

We had more than enough of what the pandemic has brought.

It has been so hard for people around the world to deal with everything that went on. Please do not let it last much longer.

We need the connection we get from in-person get togethers, that we can't get any other way. Especially children.

I am fortunate enough that I got to keep my job (and get paid), and that no one I loved has died. But many cannot say the same, and I pray that these hard times come to a close soon.

Please let people come together in person again. 

Please let there be travel, and birthday celebrations, and retreats, and all the good things that people want to do, see, and experience.

Especially hugs, and all the good things that come from actually being with the people we love.

Everyone is tired. Everyone is frustrated, maybe even angry. Many are sick. We all need a better year. Especially those that are struggling (be it with their health, work, or whatever it may be).

Please be kind.

My Goals/Bucket List for January 2021

Like I've said before in other posts, I love making lists, and making goals/bucket lists is no exception. 

I have decided to make goals for each month, and I will see if I can break some of these up in smaller goals/steps, so I can achieve them.

In no particular order, here are my goals/wishes for January:

• Get my bedroom halfway cleaned up (there is a TON of stuff to go through in my room)
• Save at least half of the money I earn from each paycheck
• Finish the crochet cape I started making in December
• Try baking a loaf of bread from scratch
• Go to bed between 11 pm and midnight each night (pretty much every night, I stay up until around 3 am, and that needs to change)
• Wake up between 9 am and 10 am each morning (7 am on work days)
• Have at least one spa/mental health day
• Start writing book (or at least figure out the plot and characters)
• Make a vision/dream board/book
• Make a prayer journal and write in it on a regular basis
• Make a dream journal and write in it on a regular basis
• Pick up journaling again (regular journaling)
• Take better care of my possessions
• Stop procrastinating on things I want/need to do
• Put together the 3D puzzle of Downton Abbey that I got a couple years ago
• Read at least one book

Hopefully, I can get myself to work on at least some of these, and find the motivation to stick with them.