My Screaming Cellulite!

Today was my first Track and Field practice. I felt like a fish out of water and intimidated by the beefy men. Seriously, this men were incredibly buff to the point where it felt uncomfortable for me to be around them. So I used the "text-my-friend-until-practice" trick which is very common this day and age in technology to avoid situations that make us uncomfortable.

My day started at 5 am today. 5 AM! Yep, that's a usual for me now. It's nice but mostly really hard to wake up I set five alarms within two minutes of each other and I still woke up 15 minutes than my intended time, but no one was up so it was easy to get ready fast.

Now getting around to Track. I haven't ran in a while, when I got back from my trip to Uganda this past summer the last thing I wanted to do was anything physical. I felt so drained physically, mentally and spiritually so I took these past few months recuperating and now I am ready to get back to my high school days where I ran a good 7min 20 sec mile. Please God put wings on my feet!

The warm up laps weren't that hard but that's because I forgot something: they are warm up laps. Warm up. Not your fastest. I forgot that I was probably going 60% and that's not good for a warm up. So now gets to the distance training. (By the way everyone was super nice so I feel blessed just in that factor.) We ran on hills. Hills that made my cellulite scream. Maybe the most humbling moment was when I felt in some much pain I literally felt like I wasn't moving and I looked around and saw the whole football team (which are full of the extreme beefed up men) watching this small girl (me) trying to keep up with the halfhuman/halfcheetah mutants.

Wow can we just marvel at the fact that some people are so outrageously gifted in the running category. I was in awe watching the other distance runners crush the hill, overcoming the obstacles of pain. So inspiring.

All I can go is up from here. In a few weeks is the first meet and I don't want to psyche myself out. At the moment I can't feel my legs and one of the girls on  my team warned me this would happen. That's good right? As I said before in another post who knows why I'm doing this, but I'm excited to see how God uses these legs He made for me for which I am truly grateful.

My weeping cellulite and I bid you a farewell my friends. Until next time.

XOXO,
Taylor

Master Locks and a White Cadillac

As a dedicated community college student I have joined the Track and Field team to make some friends, add to the lacking of women on the team and buying books through shady deals off of Craigslist.

Yes these deals are shady. Tonight I went and met this one man whom I had been texting about this one book I need for my Film class. So we decided on Starbucks at 7pm. I texted him saying, "I'm sitting outside." and the response was like I was in a mobster movie:

"I n white Cadillac"

No joke that is what it said and the car legit appears out of nowhere and the windows are tinted and I'm not kidding either it seemed that this mysterious fog came out of nowhere. Inside my head I'm praying to God because I was like "What HAVE I DONE?"

The car pulls up to me and I walk forward. Strike One for stupid girl (moi) who could have just been kidnapped. The window rolls down and the guy doesn't even look at me. Just hands me the book and I hand him the cash. He doesn't even acknowledge me and then he rolls up his window and drives off. 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WAS I PUNKED? Scariest and funniest thing ever. My mom was in a car near us and she was like, "That looked like a drug deal." 

Later tonight I was packing my backpack with my running clothes and remembered I needed a lock for the locker room but lo and behold I don't remember the combination and no I did not write it down somewhere hidden either. I was getting really frustrated and about to get dressed to go out because I would have no time in the morning so I just sat down and prayed I pleaded with God to please use my hands to open the lock.

Nothing.

Can you say patience? I felt like I was going to cry. Who knows why, I just felt like it. That's when I went downstairs and told my mother I would have to go out and her response was, "Well, did you pray about it?" 

"Yes mother." I rolled my eyes. 

"Let's all pray you guys!" my younger sister said. 

That's when it happened. My sister said this child prayer with full confidence and I felt confident and I felt a presence move my hand and I heard that open click. The MasterLock opened. God had provided. 

So today I learned about patience and having a little more faith. Now I'm praying that God calms my nerves about practice tomorrow. I get a little scared when I'm by myself in a new surrounding but I have to keep reminding myself that God is near me and around me at all times. What I do tomorrow will not have a lasting effect that will ruin my relationship with God. So I'm going in strides. I'm going to keep pushing and use these legs that God blessed me with and maybe someday work towards a marathon. 

Prayers are appreciated from anyone who reads this.

Also I would love to hear about a God moment where He provided even in the littlest ways that was just mind blowing. 

Have a blessed week~

In His Loving Name, 

Taylor 

30 days of nothing but...

So I heard of this thing that some people do which is spend 30 days only listening to Christian music. I thought it would be really hard but I think about the music that isn't Christian and how it affects me. Most of the music isn't glorifying at all to God or even shows that I have much respect for myself.

I feel that this will be the hardest thing I've ever done but I hope that God uses these next thirty days to open my heart to His Will and Love.

Here's to listening to nothing but Christian music!

Leave a comment if you know of any awesome Christian artists please!!!


In His Loving Name,
Taylor

Stand Alone Saturdays

So I thought I would go through my kindle library and make Saturdays where I review a book that is a stand alone book. A lot of books these days are trilogies it seems which is great for an avid reader like moi who doesn't want the story to end. Yet, sometimes it's alright for books to end and I have read some great books that have been enjoyable for myself as the author. So here goes the first Stand Alone SaturdayS book review- or now known as the S.A.S.S. reviews~

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

This is the second book written by Pam Hillman that was just released about a month ago.  I found this book on a whim because I was going to books by authors I've liked and I really enjoyed Stealing Jake by her as well. So when I found out she had written another book I bought it. By the way it was considerably cheap for a newly released book for the kindle. Most new Christian fiction are around 7.99 to 11.99, but this book was only 6.59 so I was all over getting this book and devouring it before the weekend had anything to say about it.

The book starts off with the premise that the main heroine Mariah Malone had written a letter in the aftermath of her father's passing. Little did she know the letter she sent would alter the lives of her family. Slade Donovan, a strong, tall cowboy with the rugged handsomeness all these books seem to have but don't we all love that? Isn't that the reason we read them? Slade shows up at Mariah's front porch after receiving her letter filled with vengeance to claim what is rightfully his and Mariah is like, "Say what?"

So basically that is when the complications ensue and as the reader you're begging on the inside for these two individuals to see what they are so blind to see. There are some mysterious shadow figures in this book that bring even more difficulties for both Slade and Mariah.

This book kind of reminded of the Romeo/Juliet. Both characters had father's who hated each other and claimed each other did wrong to one another and that causes Slade and Mariah to have inner conflict with the feelings they have towards one another. So the question rises: can they look past their father's resentment or have to set their true feelings aside?

I give the book a 4  out of 5. It was an enjoyable read and worth the money and considering two other characters makes me think it might be possible for a sequel of some sort? Yet I believe both books (if there is another one, don't quote me) could both stand alone by themselves.

 Hope you have time to add this to your kindle list or put it on your "Must Read 2013" list. If you have any other books you would like me to review or have read and think I should to leave a comment! I would love to hear back from some peeps who see this page!


Amazon: Claiming Mariah


Happy Saturday,
Taylor

The year my sister turned 9

Nine.

I was in the fourth grade, moved to another town, and my sister was just born. A lot happened to me when I was nine. It was a year that had a major impact on myself as a little girl. When I was nine I meet a girl named Gabby who has been my friend ever since. I consider her a lifelong friend and now as we battle the friends separated by going to different colleges I feel that we've both done well with staying in contact, and considering how busy we both are I couldn't ask for more.

Nine.

It was the year I finally got a sister. Yes! I wasn't outnumbered anymore! The teams were now evened. I remember the day my sister was born like it was yesterday. I waved goodbye to my Mom as she was wheeled into the hospital for her scheduled C-section (another thing my sister and I have in common). My grandma took me to school and she said when she picked me up we would go and see my sister. When I saw her I knew I wanted to be there for her. I wanted to be the big sister that she would always want to be with. Sadly as the years went on I forgot that promise I made to her. I went through teenage years and was at a place when being around my family seemed painful! Teenage angst I tell ya!

Nine.

Now came the time that my sister turned nine. The golden number year that we have been together. She's nine and I was nine when she was born, maybe it's stupid but I think it's just cool. Recently my mother shared an article she read about how important the year nine is for girls in today's world. This is the age where they build up confidence and self-assurance. They need role models in their lives that are respectful and have a good mindset. That got me to thinking me complaining about my body and always been obsessing sometimes with looking good might not result well in my sister as she grows up. I don't want my sister to have to deal with the insecurities and issues I had to when I got older.

Nine.

It's been a few months since my sister has turned nine and I have resolved to do something about it. I am going to build her up in anyway that I can. By telling her she looks beautiful today. That she can do anything she puts her mind too. Some things I've done is join my community college's track team call me crazy. Maybe I'm also just trying to start a legacy by being the slowest distance runner in college track history but I want my sister to see that I started something and didn't quit.

Nine.

I'm also pushing myself to get out of college to transfer to a four year by taking 20 units and diving into getting a 4.0 GPA. The year my sister turned nine is the time that she also changed me. She challenged me without even knowing. She's still nine and I want to be something she can be proud to have. I don't want to be distant from her because I want her to be able to come to me if she needs anything or just wants to talk.

Lately we've been watching a show that she loves and that in itself has bonded us. Now I'm not gonna say our relationship is perfect. We're sisters, we fight, it happens. But I praise God for the sister that He gave me and the responsibility that He believed that I could handle. I also want to be a Godly woman for my sister to watch and inspire her to want to have a personal relationship with God as she grows up.

I still have about nine months until this nine year is over for her so I'm praying God leads me to make the right choices and to be the best older sister I can be. And nine years from now who knows what we'll be like but I can't wait to be there and look back on all that we did since then.

XOXO,
Taylor

To Honor and Trust (Bridal Veil Island Book #3)

To Honor and Trust  
(Bridal Veil Island Book #3) by Tracie Peterson and Judith A. Miller

To start off I love both Peterson and Miller as authors alone so I was really pumped to see how they were as a duo. To Honor and Trust is the third book in the Bridal Veil Island series based in the early 1900's on a charming island where people spend their holiday. 

The great thing about this is that it can easily be read as a stand-alone. To be perfectly honest I have not read the previous two books and that was a small concern for me while starting this book but there was no issues so I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to start reading (but it can't hurt to read the other two of course). 

The story centers around Callie Deboyer who is a governess to the Bridgeport family who are very kind loving people who come to see Callie as a part of their family as well.

In the beginning of the book we find out that Callie's parents are missions in coastal Africa, who have written a letter to their daughter telling her of their dire need of more personnel. Callie wrestles with leaving her job of caring for the Bridgeport children and trying to figure out if going to Africa is something she wants to do and ultimately something God also wants her to do with her life. As the reader I felt the turmoil Callie went through and it made me think personally about times when I have gone through the same exact things and I liked this little element that Peterson and Miller added to this very likeable character.

Of course there is a little romance I mean come on it's called the Bridal Veil Island series. Bridal. Veil. Need I say more. Still, the romance was perfect. Not to much fluff that made you cringe and just enough where you didn't feel as the reader like you were wishing for more chemistry. It was clean, wholesome and it's something I think more girls should be looking for. 

The man is catches Callie's eye is Wesley Townsend, the golf pro of one of children she cares for.  Callie believes him to be a worker at the club when really he's a guest there! Will Callie ever find out his true identity and the past that comes with his name? I was literally on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how it would all end! 

Plus there is another mystery happening on the side of this already packed story. A thief comes to Bridal Veil Island and starts to steal jewels and Callie becomes a suspect. Will her name be cleared and the true offender be caught or will she be framed for a crime she didn't commit? 

I give this book a nice solid 5/5 stars because it had everything I could ask from a book. Romance, mystery, comedy, and a nice Christian element that always makes me smile. 

Recommend this to be added to your library rather it be your nook, kindle, other e-book reader or any actual library you have! Buy it!

Amazon

Christian Book

Barnes and Noble

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."*

Happy reading fellow readers~ 

In His Loving Name,

Taylor 

Browsing through my Kindle Library Reviews

As the title of my blog states, "Taylor Reid READS AND BREATHES" I need to share some of the books that I have read the past couple of weeks.

DISCLAIMER: I was not paid for any of these reviews and most of these books I bought myself and just want to recommend their talents and enjoyable reads to other readers. Some I did get for a review from a publisher and I will label which ones those were.

So without further ado my reviews will be up in just a few~

Tiny spaces equals Big results

Recently I have found this channel on YouTube called SpacesTV and it has literally blown my mind and twisted it like a messed up RubixCube. Sorry if that sentence made no sense I mean I was just so in awe by the creativity that God gives people. It's breathtaking.

Now to give you some more details as to why I am so amazed. So the channel SpacesTV goes to people's apartments that are crazy small like 90 to 500 square feet and how these people morph these what might seem tiny into a place that I would love to live in. I just couldn't stop watching episodes. Then I found another one from a Facebook link of this one guy's apartment and my mind was literally blank.

I was speechless. I highly recommend it to be watched and I even put the link for you and all you have to do is  Click Here.

If you ever have any free time and want to get ideas even for your little place watch it you won't be disappointed.

In His Loving Name,
Taylor

Sorta Average

My life has been sorta average for the past two weeks of so, haven't really done much so that's why I haven't really blogged about anything because there was really nothing to write about. Except I have quite a few books I want to review that I have read so I have to hunker down and do what book reviewers do: review the book. So pray for me on that because I go back to school in a week (YIKES) and I am already feeling the pressure.

I'm on the hunt for another job because sadly I am out of one again. The last job I had was seasonal and they wanted to hire me back but they couldn't because they were already tight on budget. I was grateful to have the job in the first place and I have faith that God will provide me with another job. It just might also be at the top of my prayer list and Psalm 66:20 is basically God saying He does not regret a prayer. Of course I know He could say no at this time in my life or wait (which is most likely is) but God is good and He is the one who answered my prayer to get the first job in the first place. So there.

It's late. I'm gonna crack open the Bible and learn something which I do every time. I will never stop learning that's for sure.

In His Loving Name,
Taylor

First post of the new year~

Okay I guess this is the first post of the new year five days six days late! Yes, as you can see I was going to post something yesterday and then life got a hold of me so I didn't. Life being going to grandma's house for a belated Christmas get together and stuffing my face with an unnecessary amount of warm delicious bread and a generous decadent scoops well-mannered portioned sized of this chocolate ice-cream called, "Death by Chocolate". Need I say more!?!?!

Since my last post two days before Christmas quite a few things have happened in my life. Two major events were  Christmas and New Years! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your families! My Christmas was awesome. Freshly made out of the box cinnamon rolls in the morning while unwrapping presents! All I wanted was Ener-gel pens and I got them, plus, I got four new books to feed this monster inside me which must read a book a week so I was really content and happy just to be with my family. My favorite gift though would have to be my brother's, he got a nose whistle. Yep, a nose whistle.

 For New Year's I got to spend ringing in the New Year praising God for two whole hours with nothing my my raspy voice (from all of the singing) and lifting my adolescent arms as high as they could go. At one point it felt like I was trying to detach my arms from my body so they could lift higher! Crazy I know but hey it was amazing! Just as a little adder to that, I was at a really awesome conference with CRU (Christian Crusade) in San Diego and that is why I got to do that with over 800 other college students. It was overall a really great conference and I was so honored to have gotten to go, so looking forward to doing it all over again!

Getting home from San Diego was a crazy story though. At some point we got a flat tire so my group and I stopped in the most isolated city that is basically just a pit stop for cars. Luckily there was a shop that could change our tire the only complication was that their English was as good as my Spanish. Hint: I took French in High School, the most Spanish I know it all thanks to Dora the Explorer. Really I should be stabbed behind a taco truck for taking French in California, how many French fluent speakers are there here? I mean really, but hey I can't roll my R's so I moved to French don't hit a girl when she's down.

About 90 minutes later with a lot of prayer riding on this tire which the guy did really well on it seemed we were on our way. Then I got home and I was just really energized by the Holy Spirit. I mean I just wanted to keep moving but I was so glad to be home hours in a car does not agree with my butt and legs. When I got home I went into my room and lo and behold what I found ANTS. ANTS EVERYWHERE!

I loathe ants.

I loathe ants.  

I loathe ants. 

I loathe ants. 

I loathe ants.    

Five days later I'm still battling this creatures. I know they have this wonderful purpose in the world, but they do not serve that purpose in my room and crawling on my hands when I am trying to write a post for my blog. Please God let them disappear. Is this some kind of metaphor for my life or something? Jesus I'm about at the end of my rope here but I was told that was where you lived so I
am going to give that up to you and pray, pray, pray that these ants soon go away because I don't know what to do anymore.

One a better note today was the first Sabbath of 2013. Do you hear a good message? I know I sure did. Hope your 2013 is amazing and I pray that God opens our eyes to see the blessings we are given each and every day.

Psalm 119:35

In His Loving Name,
Taylor