Singing Cinderella themed movies (Chapter Three)

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" ~Cinderella

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song: Katie doesn't want to lose the money her father left her. She's going to use that money to better her life and chase her dreams of becoming a singer. She does what her stepmother wants so that her stepmother will not use her money. Katie doesn't plan on falling in love, but she does and he helps her achieve her dreams. What makes this movie different than all the rest, to me, is the fact that Katie has a very young stepbrother who has never been shown love until Katie. He tries to make her life hard, but she loves him through all of that. This movie teaches us that no matter how bad our situation we can help someone else in need!

Another Cinderella Story: Mary wants to be a dancer like her mother. Her mother is dead and the lady her mother use to work for takes her in. Of course with this being Cinderella, Mary is mistreated by her stepmother and two stepsisters. Mary still goes after her dreams. Her stepmother tries to put a stop to Mary's dreams, but thanks to her best friend and her new love interest, she overcomes her hardships and gets to go after her dreams. This movie teaches us that God will bring someone to walk along side you through the hard times in the perfect time. (Selena Gomez is in this movie and she is a big supporter of Uheros who work to put a stop to human trafficking).

Elle: A Modern Day Cinderella Tale: Elle grew up with "Country Roots". She wants to be a singer/songwriter, but puts her dreams on hold because of guilt over the fact that her parents died in a car crash on the way to see her perform. She moves in with her adoptive uncle and works at his record label. Meeting a talented singer named Ty Parker helps her overcome her guilt and follow her dreams. This movie is different because it shows "Cinderella" with guilt and facing other problems in life than finding ways to follow her dreams.

Under Construction: college life

took this while the sun was rising on the way to school.

        

I should've known that I would end up writing a "back to school" post. I have written a post about my college experience every time classes start back since I've had this blog. I didn't think I would this year, but here I am again, three days late, writing about my classes.

First, let me tell you what I am taking this semester.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I take English 112. It's pretty much a class that teaches you to interpret literature and write about your thoughts with facts to back up said thoughts. My first paper is on why The Crucible should be taught in Sociology. It's the next step in becoming a writer for me.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I take Physics, which is a class I am surprisingly enjoying and I have a great teacher in. I'm so thankful for the help that my teacher gives me and that he cares whether or not I truly learn Physics! I also take a Humanities class called Human Values and Meaning. I find the class interesting, but my teacher does not believe Christians should be allowed to give their opinions. Every religion is important but Christianity in her eyes. I have a Bible verse that comes to mind every time I'm in that class. It's Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (NIV).
I'm still working at the pregnancy center. I still love the work that I do and I am so thankful everyday that God put the opportunity to work there in front of me. I have another great opportunity that I get to share with you! I was picked to be a part of the Street Team for a book called The Chase: trusting God with your Happily Ever After by Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky. My book came in the mail today and I can not wait to start reading this book and to write about it on this blog! If you want more information on this book visit Kyle and Kelsey's website.

Kyle and Kelsey's book

Finally, the last thing I want to share with you is how this blog post got its title. Every morning on the way to school, and sometimes on the way home, I have to wait in the worse road construction traffic I have ever seen. Today I realized how that road construction compares to my life right now. I'm in a chapter of my life where I am still under construction. I'm having to realize what's important to me and how to stand up for my beliefs but still be a godly Christian woman. There are days when it is hard, but I'm so thankful that I am "under construction".

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 8

This is my grandmother who's a good example of a Proverbs 31 woman in my life.

                          

• Peter's Mother-in-law: Not much is said about this woman other than the fact that when Jesus met her she had a fever and was so sick she had to stay in bed. What speaks volumes of her character is the fact that family members beg Jesus to heal her and Jesus does. Also, as soon as she is healed she gets up and starts waiting on the people in her house! I think that is a Proverbs 31 woman if there ever was one! (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39).
• Lydia: This woman listened to Paul and Silas who were sitting in the streets talking about God to anyone who would listen. Lydia already worshiped God and God opened up her heart and she received the salvation message. Her and her household were baptized and she invited Paul and Silas to stay with her family. Then when Paul and Silas got out of prison, Lydia held church in her house so they could continue to preach. (Acts 16:14-15, 40).
• Lois: Grandmother of Timothy, who was a young man who did mission work with Peter. Lois passed on her Christian faith to Timothy and helped mold him spiritually. Lois was a spiritual mentor and, through Timothy, she impacted tons of lives. I don't think this woman set out to bring glory to herself. I think she just wanted her grandson and other young people of the faith to be on fire for God so she spent time with them to train them and love them! That's a Proverbs 31 woman! (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Eunice: She was Timothy's mother. She was the daughter of Lois. She passed on her Christian faith and helped mold him spiritually too. In Acts it tells us Eunice was from Lystra and that she was Jewish but her husband was Greek. The fact that her husband was Greek is a big deal because back in this time, the Greeks did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah so God really did use Eunice and Lois to teach Timothy about Him. What a great honor! (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5).
• Anna: She was a prophetess who lost her husband after seven years of marriage. Instead of being bitter towards God, Anna went and served at the Temple. The Bible tells us that she was faithful to God and worshiped the Lord night and day and fasted and prayed. When Anna was 84 she got to see Jesus as a little baby when Mary and Joseph came to the temple to sacrifice. God allowed Anna to know that this little baby was the Messiah and Savior. This woman was a Proverbs 31 woman when it came to worshiping God. (Luke 2:36-38).
• Elisabeth: She was a descendant of Aaron, the High Priest, and her husband Zechariah served as a priest in the temple of Jerusalem. One day her husband came home not able to speak and Elisabeth found out it was because the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave the news that Elisabeth would have a son n her old age and he would grow up to be the man to prepare the way for the Messiah. The Bible says that Elisabeth and Zechariah were righteous people in the Lord's eyes because they stayed faithful to Him even in the hard times. (Luke 1:5-25, 39-80).

Cinderella themed movies: Chapter Two

"Even miracles take a little time." ~Fairy Godmother

So here is chapter two of the See you soon Cinderella series. There are so many lessons to learn from the different adaptions of the Cinderella fairy tale. I really enjoy re-watching these movies and finding the treasures of the bigger picture in each one. I hope you enjoy it too.

Ella Enchanted: I love this movie because of the twist on the Cinderella tale. Ella doesn't go looking for a guy, once Cinderella doesn't ether. Ella doesn't want to get dressed up and go to a ball. Ella wants her freedom back. She sets out to find her Fairy Godmother so she can undo a gift she gave Ella. Ella has dreams she wants to achieve and she doesn't even like Prince Charles when she meets him! Charles just pushes his way in and stays with her. They grow to like each other and they each fight for the other. I feel this movie teaches a person about chasing their dreams and stumbling into love, the way God means for it to be!

A Cinderella Story: I can relate to this movie a lot. Samantha is focusing on her writing and getting into her dream college. Yes, she is talking to a guy on the internet, but she isn't "chasing" him. When she finds out that she is talking to Adam, the most popular guy at school, she tries to cut all ties with him. This is when his character really grows and becomes the prince every girl deserves. He finally makes the choice of who he is going to be and what is really important to him. I love the lesson that "class" and "status" doesn't matter and that you can do what you set your mind to. (Side note: Hilary Duff is a big supporter in helping put a stop to human trafficking).

After the Ball: Kate wants to be a fashion designer but no one will hire her. She goes home to stay with her godmother and work for her father and stepmother in the "family" fashion business. The problem is that Kate and her father have grown apart and he doesn't believe her when her stepsisters get her fired for leaking information. So Kate disguises herself and goes back into the company. She uncovers a secret about her stepmother and finally shows her dad what she can do. Plus she falls for the handsome shoe designer as a bonus. I like how this movie turned "Cinderella" into the princess, instead of there being a prince to rescue her, and showed the important relationship between father and daughter.

Ever After: I love this movie! Danielle is "Cinderella" and Henry is the Prince. Danielle is a different "Cinderella" because she is not the damsel in distress. She is smart and she tricks her master into freeing her just seconds before the prince shows up to rescue her. She also speaks her mind even though she knows she may be punished. She also looks out for other people that are in her house. For example, she goes to buy back a family servant instead of leaving her stepmother and sisters. The same lessons can be learned from this movie as in other movies. That being kind to the people that hurt you is what God wants. For example, Danielle tells her stepmother and stepsister she forgives them even when they do not ask for it and speaks up to save them. Another lesson that can be learned form this movie comes from one of the stepsisters. She shows Danielle kindness in privet but does not stand up for Danielle in front of her mother and sister. I think the lesson to be learned is to not judge people because of who they hang out with. I think the reason this stepsister did not stand up fr Danielle in public was because she feared her family. But in the end she was rewarded for her kindness when Danielle asked her to be her lady-in-waiting.
Sorry for the delay on this post. I was in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday and Friday. I needed my computer to finish doing the research for this post and didn't have my computer. So I had to finish the research on Saturday. That's why the post is coming to you on Sunday.

A guide to the month of August

        

We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. ~Hebrews 6:19
As I am writing this I can hear the relaxing sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. This moment makes me feel the closest to God. When I am in awe at the masterpiece He has given me to enjoy and then I realize He has given it to me to enjoy because I am His greastest Masterpiece in His eyes! Wow!

My family and I left late Tuesday night to head to the beach. The car ride was uneventful. But tge first hotel we went to, the one we booked, was not a good hotel and it was obveous we could not stay there. It was two in the morrning and the man working the desk was very kind and helped us fined another hotel. By the time we got settled and could go to sleep it was four in the morning, but God provided for us.

My cousin, who is only four months older than I, came down the next day. I was happy just being with my mom and dad, but i havent seen my cousin in months! I was happy that I would get to spenlld some time with her. We all have pretty much been poolside this whole trip. I would sit and read "Summer" by Karen Kingsbury and when I got to hot I'd get in the pool for awhile. We've walked along the beach and took tons of pictures. My cousin even cut my hair short, once is a drastic change for me. 

We've made memories that will last a life time. And in every memory I have seen God's hand at work. It's amazing! I had to share my thoughts on this trip. And now I'm ready to let all of you know what is to come this month.

On August 8th I will be posting the second chapter in the "See You Soon Cinderella" series. In this post I will be writing about the life lessons I think a person can learn from the movies "Cinderella Man", "Ella Enchanted", "Ever After", "A Cinderella Story", and "After The Ball." 

On August 15th I will be posting about some more women in the Bible and what we can learn from them. We will be starting on tge New Testment women on this day.

On August 22nd I will be posting about some more Cinderella themed movies and tge life lessons each ond has to offer. These will all be the singing movies and all of this is leading up to the book and actual Disney Cinderella movies.

On August 29th I will be posting about some more women in the New Testament of tge Bible and what they teach us. I just love studying these women and seeing how Gkd is working in all their lives!

Finally, on September 5th I will post another "list" of sorts about wha g is to come that month.

See all of you next Saturday! God bless!