The following is my contribution to the blog chain from Christian Writers.

Every day is a gift from the heart! We just lived out 364 days of 2011. Every time we get up in the morning is a wonderful gift from God.   It’s another chance to be angry because the car wouldn’t start or because you had a bad day at work. Another chance to be happy at a funny joke you heard or someone you love making you laugh. Or how about another chance to make someone laugh or smile? How will you live for the Lord this year? After all He has done for you, it’s only right to try and live for Him. Can you even believe that it’s going to be the year 2012? It still seems so unreal to me.

It’s time to think positive. Yes, there are days where you’re going to be sad, but you have to know that God is going to pull you through all of the dark times you may have! He will always be there for you! Surround yourself with positive people. Try to stay away from negativity and gossip. Be aware of what you watch on television and what you read. That reminds me of the Sunday school song, “Be Careful Little Eyes”: ‘Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little eyes what you see. There’s a savior up above watching over you in love so be careful little eyes what you see.’ It goes on to say, ‘Be careful little tongues what you say’, ‘be careful little feet where you go’, ‘be careful little hands what you do’. Our Savior is up in heaven watching us. The song holds true! In everything we do in the New Year, let it become the gifts from our hearts!

There will be 366 days, 8, 784 hours, 527, 040 minutes and 3, 162, 240 seconds in 2012. That’s right; next year is a leap year so we even have an extra day to work with. What will you do with all of that time? I would start with one minute at a time. Try to smile more! Try to give more! Every precious second is a gift. You aren’t guaranteed tomorrow so do what you can with the time you are given. Try is a great word. In our sinful nature, it’s so easy to fall. God knew we’d need a savior. There is a song from Among the Thirsty called ‘I’d Need A Savior’, oh it is such a beautiful song! It’s such an amazing reminder of what gift God has given to us.

You may not be able to control what people say around you, but you can certainly control what you listen to on the radio. Listen to more Christian music. Live out Loud! Show your love for your Savior. The world today shuns God. The world today wants you to keep Him quiet and not “shove God in our faces”. That’s a big WHATEVER from me! I’m going to keep sharing God’s word. I’m going to keep talking about salvation and how through Him I am on my way to heaven.

With any goal you have, put your everything into it! Put your heart and soul into any project you may have. Reaching the end of 2012 is not a guarantee, I’ve already said that. Not because I’m buying into the whole ‘World will end December 21, 2012’, but because every day should be treated as if it were the end of the world. Give your heart to every second! Don’t fall into any secular media trap, keep far away and continue to strive living in God’s word (another gift from God! Woo hoo!). He has sent His son to die for us on the cross, what a touching and amazing gift from the heart! You are special, God loves you, always remember this. I’m so thankful to have found Christian Writers this year. Have a safe and happy New Year everyone! 2012, here we come!

My rock and my fortress, my surety divine!

Nine Places

Hello again and thank you for tuning in to my blog! The following is my contribution to the blog chain from Christian Writers. I have been thinking hard about what I can talk about concerning the number nine. And here's what I've come up with...nine places I want to go. Now don't groan! I am not an accomplished traveler by any means. I've been to Canada, Puerto Rico and a few different states, but never any place I really wanted to go to, d'ya know what I mean? I'm going to list my top nine dream destinations. If you happen to be from one of these places or have visited one of these places, please don't brag too much in the comment section! It's just so amazing to think of all the wonderful places God has created!

Me in my favorite place to go, New York City!

Though there are many places I want to go in America, I want to share which countries I want to go. I'll start with the two that I've been to...

Blurry picture of me in Ottawa, Canada

9. Canada – Montreal (Best China town ever!), Quebec, Ontario, Toronto, I've been fortunate enough to actually go to all of these places. I drank milk out of a bag instead of a gallon! And not one Dunkin Donuts in sight, it's all about Tim Horton in these parts. I promise not to say, eh. (guess I just did!)

Puerto Rico in 2000 

8. Puerto Rico – Think about sitting in the warm green water under the hot sun. Drinking from a coconut, walking through a rainforest and diving into lush waterfalls.

7. Rome - Can you just imagine walking into history? When in Rome!

I'm not in this one but it's nice to imagine!!

6. Scotland – “They may take out lives, but they will never take OUR FREEDOM!” Okay, I'm so Americanized I automatically think of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. Yet I also think about the beauty this place holds.

5. Australia – Trekking in the outback, catching an opera, having a dinner party on a yacht with the sights, snorkeling, the Great Barrier Reef and so many other things. This is definitely a spot I would love to go!

My Precious!

4. New Zealand: Here's my next geek confession; I became interested in New Zealand after Lord of The Rings came out. I know, I know! But hey, that's how I came to know about this awesome little country.

3. Paris, France - J'ai simplement j'adore cet endroit. Je veux manger beau pain, du fromage et du vin. Voir la Tour Eiffel et colle mon nex a touristes americains! Oh la la!!

2. Ireland – I am so happy to say that I have close friends who live here so if I really wanted to go, all I have to do is make a few phone calls. The problem is 'when' of course. The majesty, the history, the castles. I want to see it all. The lush green open space, the simple farming life (not that you'll ever catch me milking a goat, it ain't happenin').

1. London, England – Brace yourselves because I'm going to say it: Yes, I was a huge Spice Girls fan. I even came up with my own Spice name...Mocha Spice...it's corny, yes, but don't judge me I was only thirteen!! I'm happily going to be cliché and talk about how much I want to see Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The shops, Hyde Park, the haunted tour (even though I don't believe in ghosts), Bedlam, etc. I can do a spot on English accent and love having afternoon tea. Doctor Who anyone?

Now don't get angry if I didn't mention or miss some really great places, but these have always been in the forefront of MY mind. I am absolutely aware that there are many other wonderful places rich with history and grand scenery. Isn't it wonderful that God made so many beautiful places?!

"God saw all that he had made and it was very good." Genesis 1:31

Check out December's blog chain starting tomorrow. My list is on the right. The theme is "Gifts of the Heart". 

Harvest Moon...and Other Things

This is my first contribution to the Christian blog chain for ChristianWriters.com.

The topic for the month of October is “Harvest”. When I think of harvest I automatically think of food. I guess it's only natural since I happen to love food. Do you know how many recipes you can make with all of the yummy harvest veggies? I can go on and on. See, I told you that I always think of food. I can easily write a nice little poem about all of the harvest goodies, but since my first post is on Halloween, I only find it fitting to speak about something a little “spookier”. Have you ever noticed the harvest moon? I find it quite beautiful and peaceful. It hangs low in the sky, which I know is just an illusion, and the color is so...autumn! I'm going to write this poem after I finish this paragraph, meaning I'll make it up as I type. I hope you enjoy!

Hanging in the sky so big and very low,

The color of your orb leaves a somewhat “scary” glow.

You come during the time of reaping a ready crop,

I love to gather the corn and watch the kernels pop!

I've gone off track again, I can't get food off of my mind,

I'm not writing this while I'm hungry, I'll be a little more kind.

Harvest moon, you are beautiful with your reddish-orange hue,

I feel so thankful for Gods blessings, He makes all things new.

Festivals take place under your vast unfading stare,

The harvest is prepared and before eating there is a prayer.

Under your watchful eye, a beautiful night breaks free,

I'll cherish this time forever, because forever is not a guarantee.

Harvest moon, keep shining your gloomy light,

I'll just sit here and watch you while stealing a little bite.

Carrots, corn and squash grew under your giant hood,

I'll try one of each and I hear that broccoli is pretty good.

I've learned that some people keep the last of what they have reaped,

And place it in the next crop for luck in grand heaps.

Thank you for your tasty veggies; of that I'm not immune,

Until next we meet again, my wonderful Harvest moon.

Wow, that was fun to write! Hope you enjoyed my first post and see you again next month! Please check out the column on the right for other Harvest topics from Christian Writers!

♥ Suzette

Shelter

Press Play and read along! 

Shelter - by Jars of Clay featuring Brandon Heath, Toby Mac and Audrey Assad.


Gossiping is a big part of teen life. In fact it's so big that it carries over into adult hood. With that said, I've found that the people I surround myself with is a big factor. It's only natural to want to talk about someone whether it be bad or good and most times the bad outweighs the good. When you surround yourself with people who are positive, the conversation tends to be about 'good' things. When I was fifteen years old, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and let him dwell within me. Fifteen was a tough age because well, everyone should know that its just clearly a tough age! Growing in the Lord depended on the crowd I hung around. I constantly surrounded myself with my Bible studies clique, never leaving out those who weren't apart of it, but inviting them into the group as well. I went to Bible conferences with a whole group of kids my age. We went out for pizza, we lifted each other up and learned from each other. Now, at 28, I still have a good chunk of those people in my life. 
A little while ago, I started to hang around a specific person who constantly gossiped and never talked positive about anything. I continued to hang around with her hoping that she'd see the why I was put a positive spin on things, but it didn't happen that way. Eventually I found myself gossiping along and even coming up with new topics to pick at. My original way of thinking went down the tube. I had strayed from reading the bible, I had avoided my 'good' friends. I was always depressed about challenges that came up and never saw the light like I used to.
I took a step back. What was the Lord doing here? Of course, this was MY doing. I have free will after all. But what was he trying to tell me when all I was doing was being a Negative Ninny-muggins? I distanced myself from the person I felt was bringing me down and began to pray for her. I began reading again, I began hanging out with my good friends again and standing on top of the hill, I looked down and realized the hole I had been in. 
Of course obstacles continue to come up, but I no longer look negatively at them. The people we surround ourselves with are very important for our spiritual growth and we can only pray for those who choose not to live for the Lord. God had given me my group of friends and in the shelter of their arms I am comforted.


Seeing ye have purified souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently... 1 Peter 1:22


Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

♥Suzette

One Heartbeat At A Time

This song made me cry the first time I heard it. Maybe because I'm just an emotional person or because this song really touched my heart or maybe it's both! By Steven Curtis Chapman, this song is dedicated to all of the mothers out there.


You're beautiful, so beautiful. How you're changing the world one little heartbeat at a time with every touch and every smile.

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:26-31 (KJV)

♥Suzette

You're Beautiful

 This song has completely touched my heart and is so true. There are so many days where I feel "ugly", but I should know that God has made me just the way I am. I shouldn't change a single thing because his fingerprints are all over me. 


You should know that you are treasured, you are sacred, you are His, you're beautiful!! MercyMe - Beautiful


   ♥♥Suzette

Sailing On A Ship

There is an inspiring singer named Phil Wickham. His lyrics are poetic and very beautiful. So today's song is Sailing On A Ship. I have a personal experience with this song. I was on vacation on the beach this year (wishing I was there again!) and every morning I would go out right when the sun rose into the sky. I stood on the beach  with my iPod and this song came on. It was perfect. The ocean waves, the sun rising, the sea gulls flying around, the smell of salt and beach. It was deserted so it was just me and God and his amazing beauty. Tears came into my eyes because I was so touched at the beauty the Lord has made. Enjoy this song!


 ♥ Suzette


 The heavens declare the glory of God; 
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Fingerprints of God Lyrics

Jonny Diaz-More Beautiful you lyrics

Fingerprints of God

This song is a true inspiration for me!! Wanted to share that with you! The lyrics are very strong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWtbq4tl1w8&feature=related

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand and perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living, breathing
Priceless work of art

And I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
And God's not through
In fact, He's just getting started!

My book

My Accidentally Fun Summer will be released in another week! For now, check out its new facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Accidentally-Fun-Summer-Suzette-Andujar/200891239984715

More Beautiful You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UJE22Td9s


More Beautiful You - Jonny Diaz