{a full} plan

finally get to see "the help" today with my bestie!

{a fully plan on reading the book too...}

convinced britton that "redeeming love" will be the best story he's ever heard.

{we're going to read it together.}

& i still need to finish a book i started in belize.

{oh boy, am i dragging my feet.}

so much to read right now,

sarahbell

holding {on}

sometimes holding hands, is holding onto everything.

so i take a deep breath {with you}.

& start over again.

{to be} forgotten

"there are things that have to be forgotten if you want to go on living."

{what} counts

let's hear it for the little things that can just make.a.day.::

#1 having exact change.

#2 revisiting favorite childhood places.

#3 a full fridge after grocery shopping.

#4 discovering a new song + instantly loving it.

#5 tossing something in the trash + making it in.

#6 when your pet cuddles up next to you.

#7 drinking the leftover milk after eating the cereal.

#8 the look of vacuumed carpet.

#9 drawing a straight line freehand.

#10 changing into sweatpants.

#11 rereading your favorite book.

#12 seeing sunshine fill the room as you open the curtains/blinds.

{all little things from just-littlethings.tumblr.com... but equally loved by me.}

these are the things in life that count,

sarahbell

strength + worth

"she can deal with stress + carry heavy burdens.

she smiles when she feels like screaming,

& she sings when she feels like crying.

she cries when she's happy + laughs when she's afraid.

her love is unconditional.

there's only one thing wrong with her... she forgets what she's worth!"

{love my friend cathy for posting this!}

i want to be the kind of person that has a genuine heart to love unconditionally. i know there's a stronger woman in me. it's true, i do forget what i'm worth.

i just gotta fight through this right now,

sarahbell

something better {than bitter}

"life is too short to be angry with people; be frustrated over things that don't matter in eternity or gossip about others. It's much better to forgive as we are forgiven; be kind to others no matter what they do to us; and believe the best in others instead of assuming the worst...this is what Christ did for each of us."

{loved this quote from a wonderful lady i knew at kanakuk kamps years back}

this is going to be a hard thing for me to face in the coming fall months.

i know myself too well, and it takes me a LONG time to forgive.

especially when i truly believe the decision someone made for me is a mistake.

but, better that i'm separated from it now to allow for healing + prepare for everything come January...

there's always something better than being bitter... being the grown-up,

sarahbell

admire + aspire

dear owl diary::

i love that i can share such similar "lessons learned" with you this week.

i admire + aspire to be more like all these things.

even your "mindless" thoughts + ramblings inspire my little blogged world + self.

for instance::

#1 a true friend is one who loves you in spite of yourself & your flaws.

#2 it's okay to be bitter temporarily, but never stop striving to be the better person.

#3 genuineness is rare- goal: be full of this.

#4 "fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me." stand up for yourself.

you have shed some light on a tough hurt + i am reminded {again} that it is best to go with gut instincts & stick with the friends i know will not intentionally burn me. i forgot where the confident girl inside me went + now i know that it's simply ridiculous that i lost her in the first place. now i know for sure:: i need to tune in to intuition + stop allowing others to victimize me. & you know what? then i'll be just fine.

i'm learning right along with you,

sarahbell

so long {summer}

i wish i could stay at the beach + ocean forever.

no makeup.

wild hair.

always tan.

but i do miss my kitties.

& my bed.

normal american food...

& being able to have a shower everyday.

packing is SO not my favorite...

sarahbell

faults + fairness

i'm having trouble coming up with the words.

so i think i'll just spit em right out.

i messed up.

not the kind of screw-up where it's your tone of voice or facial expression that gives it all away.

but a royal, goose egg of a mess up:: i was so honest that it came out brutal + cruel. ALL. WRONG. & you know what? i never really got to the point!

my part 1 post from last month was a mistake.

i erased it. the first post i've EVER erased.

i was hurt because i want her friendship but i feel like we are drifting. but that's not her fault nor is it fair.

so i'm writing to tell you, my readers, & the person i hurt deeply, i'm so very sorry from the bottom of my heart. for dragging you into my hateful thoughts. for giving too much information about my personal life. for ever being so mean and cruel about anything whatsoever on my blog. i never meant for my writing to turn into this.

i know it was God that did not allow me to go any further in my story, because you know what? it just never felt right to do it in the first place.

i am truly ashamed + incredibly sorry,

sarahbell

wandering {aimlessly}

i realized today that it is possible for adventure to take on different formations...

whether it be scouting out the best downtown shops in belize city.

then getting lost.

trying to find a specific restaurant.

& getting lost.

it doesn't necessarily have to be the well-thought out or planned kayaking, hiking, & snorkeling trips {although i am seriously stoked to see the mayan ruins + go cave tubing!}. sometimes, wandering {sort of aimlessly} + then celebrating in what you find in the end is the best expedition.

adventure is out there!

sarahbell

early {bird}

i desperately need coffee.

but there's no sugar.

ANYwhere.

yuck.

someone help me!

i miss starbucks. so sad...

sarahbell

{utterly} oblivious

after a day of updating all my social networks,

i'm still quite enjoying having my head in the clouds

& being completely + utterly oblivious to any sort of reality or responsibility.

i'll just try to ignore those two little things a bit longer...

sarahbell

beautiful shades + strategies

pretty awesome how You strategically place each cloud in the sky.

making a perfect formation.

or create the ocean to be the most crisp shade of turquoise.

i'm awestruck.

how a heart like mine can be so blessed...

i'll never know why.

but i love You for every hardship that led up to it,

sarahbell

just a minute/ {the sorry excuse edition}

hello my dear followers + friends,

didn't want you lovelies to think i abandoned you.

can't promise i will be writing too much this month,

but it's a bloggy break well deserved + needed.

so i'll keep it simple for ya::

just got hitched. {!!!}

am now exhausted from all the stress.

spent four wonderful days on the plaza in kc with my husband.

spent the last two days flying/traveling.

am now sitting in a chair with the island breeze of belize blowing through the window.

life is good.

God is great.

& i am so incredibly blessed.

sarahbell

{apparently my new nickname because "jo" was some of my maiden name. & let's face it:: asbell is SO much better}.