Why do I worry? Why do I freak out? A book review of Live Original by S.R

When I think Ocean, I think shark.When I think plane, I think crash. When I think headache, I think brain cancer. When I think home alone, I think kidnapped. When I cough, I think asthma. When people are quiet, I think "they must not like me." when I think motorcycle, I think death. 

That is not my list, but it is right on the spot of how worried I am about everything. That list is from the book Live Original by Sadie Robertson. If you do not know who Sadie Robertson is, she

is the daughter of Willie and Korie Roberston from the A&E show, Duck Dynasty. I started following her on Instagram when I first got mine and when I saw how passionate she was about her friends, family, and faith I wanted to be the same way. I also followed Sadie's brother's wife, Mary Kate.

 Ok, so Duck Dynasty may not be your favorite show, you probably can't stand it but I watch it when I feel very nerved up because they are normal people.They don't try to be funny, they don't try to look rich, they don't try and act Christian, it's just the way they live. It's as real as it gets, Jack! It's a reality show, sure but the way they treat people on and off camera is not a reality show.

Man, I have learned so many things from Sadie and Mary Kate.  I have a daily devotion by the Robertson family and it's so inspirational. I also have Live Original, Sadie's very own book. Sadie has been a really big inspiration for me, she's eighteen and is so passionate about living her Faith not just telling about it. She is a young girl that is just like me and if she isn't afraid of exclaiming about God on national television why should I be afraid of sharing about God on my Facebook, Instagram, and blog?

Live Orignal is probably the best book I have ever purchased. Sadie deals with anxiety, and like many of you know, I, as well also struggle with it. I have never been so touched by a book before unless we are counting the bible. (The greatest of all books!)  I have put the chapter titles down below. You can get a glimpse of how amazing this book is just by the chapters.

Chapter 1: Think Happy, be Happy.
Chapter 2: Dream Big
Chapter 3: Never Give Up
Chapter 4: Confidence Is Key
Chapter 5: You Can Only Fix You
Chapter 6: Let Your Smile Change The World
Chapter 7: ARK: Acts of Random Kindness
Chapter 8: Shake The Hate
Chapter 9: A Friend's a Friend Forever
Chapter 10: Respect Relationships
Chapter 11: Five Seconds of Awkward
Chapter 12: Stress Causes A Mess
Chapter 13: Do Something
Chapter 14: Live Original
Chapter 15: A Quick Guide To Living Original 

My copy of Live Original has sticky notes hanging from every page and all the pages are highlighted. This has opened my eyes to how SO many people waste their lives worrying. I don't want to live my life like that. Neither does Sadie.

I don't want worrying to stop me from living my life to the fullest, or to stop me from enjoying everything God has created for me. I want my dreams to come true and I want to help others dreams come true and I can't do when I am worrying. In chapter 2 it says, "Whatever your dream is, decide right now that you will not be denied. Don't let the haters talk you out of it, and don't let a bad attitude make you give up on it. When someone or something starts telling you no, stand up and shout, "Yes!" if you want your dream to come true.

Not only is this book an easy read but it is so encouraging. It is hard to find good books out there that are healthy for the eyes, heart, and mind. I encourage you all to buy this book and to follow Sadie and Mary Kate on Instagram.

Have a blessed February, until next month Live Fearlessly
Sammy

You can't set sail with you anchor down- Kacey Musgraves

Hungry, I Come To You..........

I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus you're all this heart is living for, broken I can come to you for your arms are open wide, I am weary but I know your touch restores my life.  

This is my all time favorite mass/adoration song. My heart instantly goes in to the most vulnerable place and that's when I just give everything to Jesus.

I've been to adoration/XLT more times than I can count. Ever since I barley knew what it was. My sister played guitar in the band and my parents were the ones putting it on for Lifeteen. So when I was six years old I was very used to sitting still in the dark church staring at the pretty, gold, fancy contraption that held Jesus. I was used to people crying and holding their hands up even though I didn't know why they were. I just sat and listened to my sister playing guitar. That's all I knew, I didn't know any different.

The most recent adoration I went to was last Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. I was sitting down and when I go to adoration I bring a journal and if I feel God tugging at my heart I write whats on my mind. (Thats the way I get my feelings out is through writing stories, books, songs, and poems, and blogs like this one. ) I was sitting there and not once did i pick up my journal which was weird because I always do but for some reason I just stayed kneeling even though some stood, sat, and laid on the floor.

If you've never been to Sacred Heart, above the alter is a gigantic crucifix. The lights were dimmed and in the position I was kneeling at you could see the monstrance but behind the monstrance was the shadow of the crucifix. I saw Jesus's hands and feet and his body. It was then I truly believed and had no doubt that Jesus was there, before my eyes, right there listening to whatever I had to say. I could ask him things, tell him things even if it was as simple as how my day was. I could talk to him but most importantly He could talk to me.

It was beautiful and something I wish I could have experienced sooner. But God always sets things to happen when he wants them to happen. That moment, God wanted me to see that he was there listening to everyone in the Church, listening to me. The band wasn't singing just the same old songs, they were singing songs to their King, Our King. I wasn't telling my sufferings to God inside my heart, I was telling him my sufferings at his feet.

Hurt and weight had gotten lifted off of me. I had always told myself that right there.... He is Jesus. He is right there. He is here. I have had such a hard time believing it though. Doubt and Fear have always been struggles for me. What if I am just kneeling in front of a piece of bread? What if Im singing to a piece of bread?

It's not a piece of bread. Its a piece of Body. It' not just body, it's His body. My encounter, could really, not be turned in to words because God is indescribable and everything he does is.  Through this year instead of setting resolutions, I am setting targets for my Faith walk and my first challenge will be to let God ruin me and then to build me in to something beautiful. I want to trust in His plan even if it leads me on my knees, crying out for help.

He is the designer, He is Our Lord. Our Dad, Our Savior. He is God. He is the plan.

Fearlessly,
Sammy

I'm not lucky, you don't know how much I've prayed