Just keep swimming: my life in a nutshell

"Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall."
- Ray Bradbury

Wow, where should I start? Every time I write on my blog, I spill out all my guts (Maybe, not literally, but you get the picture). As I have said time and again, I grew up in a musical family. We are just as excited about music as we are about swimming.

 I've been swimming since I could crawl! Luckily, I was homeschooled so I was free to swim as much as I wanted. My parents decided early on to put all of us kids in a swim club called NOVA. Back then, swimming was all I knew because I was there every day from 3pm to 8pm monday through friday! Crazy, huh? Now that I look back, I didn't really care too much about competition. I distinctly remember playing cards with my friends at Junior Olympics before my heat was up. Unfortunately, I totally missed my heat and my coach was mad! I was having so much fun already that I forgot about my race and I wasn't even worried about it at all. Swimming is and always will be my favorite sport! I am not sure I'll ever go to competitive swimming again myself, but I'll cherish those moments forever. 

Butterfly is my best stroke. This might explain why I have gnarly muscular legs on my tiny body. If you've ever met me, you already know! I'm definitely not ashamed of my muscular legs, and I'd go as far to say that I'm proud of them even if that makes me cocky. God gave me a height of 5 ft 1.5 in and it's amazing how much I can do with all he has given me. I used to think of my short height as a bad thing and wanted to be taller. Then I realized there's no greater gift than the body God gave you and he has such an amazing plan that you cannot even fathom.

To all the athletes like me, remember that you are blessed to have a sport that you played and your parents were probably the reason you were able to become an athlete in the first place. Thank God I was given the amazing opportunity to be a part of a swim club team like NOVA with my siblings. I'll always remember the early mornings as a blessing because I wake up at 5:30 am automatically now.

Once a swimmer, always a swimmer

Rachel

St. Patrick's Day: Young Life changed my perspective

'He is handsome, she is pretty! She's the bell of belfast city, she goes courting... 1!....2!....3!..... Please, won't you tell me who is she? 

Wyoming as winter was just around the corner

Who is he? Lucky charming? Maybe his name is Patrick (:

First of all, Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I read many articles to see what I should say. This is such an important holiday! Some wear green, some drink bubbly and beer, and some may chill out at home to spend time with family and say YES, Praise be! I will be doing all of that minus the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. (: Whatever you are doing, celebrate a day where you can see rainbows, rain rainbows, and even eat them too (Lucky Charms of course! Or Rice Krispies, your choice!).

 The bold quote at the top is a song I sang in Choir circa 08'. The reason I chose that song is because it is based in 'The Luck of The Irish'! Wait for it. Okay, I think you have grasped the joke and point of that statement! I can't believe it was that long ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. I will say those are some of my fondest memories for real. 

Now for the 'ahhhhh' moment, Who is Saint Patrick? I have attached an article or maybe two that will tell clearly depict how much I see the importance in this holiday! History is so important in our everyday lives. If we don't know history, how can we live our country fighting for freedom? I am a patriot and Mel Gibson definitely one of my favorite actors who does such an act. Enjoy this glorious holiday and listen to Spotify's Happy St. Patrick's Day if you have the time. 

Hardy harr harr and eating spinach, Rachel

http://www.summit.org/media/journal/2000-11-Summit-Journal.pdf

 http://www.summit.org/blogs/student-virginia/virginia-session-62709-pt-1/

Freedom from gluten: to liberty and justice with God

About ten years ago, I became very sick with stomach issues beyond my control. I went to many doctors and most of them said I "probably" had colon problems or a stomach bug. Ew, thanks for telling me I have a horrible stomach ache that will never go away! 

Over the past couple of years, I've gotten better with eating clean and getting my exercise to keep up my body as a temple for God. Obviously, I want to look good because I am a girl! But I think it's important to remember that it's really not for me. God says so in 1 Corinthians 3:16. I am here on Earth to show how much God gives as the creator of everything living and breathing! It's amazing and strangely awesome that he created the World and wants us to prosper even if that means we will go through trials. I live to praise him through my health issues. 

This year, I made a pact to be more intentional. Many people choose to lose weight or read more books for the new year. I agree entirely with both of those! Moreover, I think there's so much more than those. And that's why I am excited to say that I can, without a doubt, eat gluten now!

That may sound super weird, but I have not been able to eat any gluten for ten years without throwing up or tasting acid in my mouth anytime I had a bite of gluten. Pretty gross, huh? Yeah, my body wasn't so happy that I was such a beach bum! I think the reason my nervous system is working so well now is because... I have quit watching movies and tv shows on the daily. I gave it up for Lent, and I honestly will probably keep it up! I'd rather be outside and watch a movie every couple of months. It's much more affordable and fun (:

Cheers to temples, rain, and sunny days,

Rachel