2023 Quotes I LOVE

 2023 Quotes I LOVE

The Believer's Freedom

"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." Corinthians 10:24

“And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, and the name of that river was suffering … and then I saw a boat which carried souls across the river, and the name of that boat was Love.

-Saint John of the Cross

(Thank you, Steve)

“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”

-Pope John Paul II

(Thank you for sharing this powerful quote, Lauren.) 

Things I've Learned in 2023

 

Things I've Learned in 2023

• When I focus on breathing, I can finally stop thinking and be present. I am working on lingering here for longer periods. Asking myself Eckhart Tolle's question helps blank my mind, "I wonder what I am going to think of next." 
• Watermelon Meow Meow is a funny song to play for kids
• Giant Ponchos are key for enjoying concerts in the rain. We were totally prepared.
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• On Ponchos- I realized there is more than one reason to wear a poncho. Yes, they will keep you dry, but....did you know that it feels like you are wearing a cape thus making you feel like you are a superhero? Nobody can see you take your hand warmer out of your gloves and shove it into your pant legs. You are hidden when you awkwardly tuck your many layers of shirts into your corresponding layers of pants. A hidden place to exhale. You are free to own your white girl dance. It is a bubble of comfort. It blocks out your peripheral vision while wearing the hood, so you feel like you are the sole audience member at the concert. Lastly, you can hide inside of it! Where's Kelly?
• Stay off Guanella Pass during peak leaf-peeping season, especially on the weekends during the middle of the day.
• Honey Pot > Tampons (Thank you, Beth) If anyone wants to learn more, I am happy to share why I will never use tampons again.
• Alcohol is normalized poison- I gave it up on July 11th, 2022. I am more than one year sober at this point. 
• The Crested Butte wildflowers during peak season are gorgeous. If you can experience them firsthand, I highly recommend it. If you are planning to camp during that time, be ready for camping with mosquitos.
• My iPhone 14 can take pictures of stars in the night sky! SOOOOOOO COOOOOOL!

The night sky in Eleven Mile Canyon, CO

• Bonfire Burritos are sold in the frozen food section of Safeway
• Never put a child's dance costume in the washing machine. #oops Nice work, Maya and Kel.
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• Duh, Kelly- Don't go outside during hail storms. Double duh.
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• Uno FLIP is loads of fun!
• I love Kava and Kratom! Linz and Tat do not like to drink Kava and Kratom. #Dirtwater #AirportVomit
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• Never use Turro in NJ- only in CO #CarRentalExperienceFromHEDoubleHockeySticks
• Tat and Linz are a ridiculously good team at charades
• Operation Underground Railroad is a non-profit organization that leads the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide. It rescues and supports survivors, provides aftercare, and educates the public through various initiatives and stories of hope.
• Katie is freakishly good at Foosball.
• The free app Yuka is a game changer at the grocery store- Thanks, Juleh!
• I have renewed and continue to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. Thank you to Lauren Tracey, Marissa and Randy, The Chosen, Mom (through Grandma Josephine), and Katie
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• Thank you for the tank top and necklace, Mama.
• Kaskade has an awesome Christmas Album on Spotify
• I Farted on Santa's Lap is an actual song...lol
• She is a hostage. Her mother is dying of cancer. Yet human beings think it is okay to rip down her missing poster. Watch Noa's story here and make her feel human to you.
• Home Grown Tap and Dough offer a PALISADE PEACH PIZZA (seasonally)!
• If you attend a concert at Ball Arena, dress warm and bring earplugs.
• "Earplugs" is one word.
• If you buy tickets to see Lauren Hill and you end up 3 hours late to the concert...don't worry! She won't be on stage yet.
• New Artists I have discovered and have been listening to this year- Mihali, Sensi Trails, The Steeldrivers, Ashh Blackwood, Oliver Anthony, Dierks Bentley (Sun Sets in Colorado-Thanks, Linz.), Mayestra (Culture of Love)
• Jack Johnson came out with a new album
• I love the feeling after a good cold plunge! I worked my way up from 10 seconds in the shower to 3 minutes. Thank you to Rich Eagan for the encouragement. He sent me a video of his 4-year-old daughter cold plunging. Now my motivation is if Sienna can plunge, so can I! Deep breathing helps a lot- thanks, mom
• 
• Uno No Mercy- is insanity! Fun too!
• My family is a bunch of prepared campers. I already knew this, but this year they refreshed my memory after showing me their ice maker- Jax & Fred.
• One of the best meals of my life was eaten on a paper plate with a plastic fork.
• My Mom is a hand model...didn't she tell you?
• My dad is mysterical.