tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52537112903130683972024-03-13T15:25:45.379-04:00One Girl RevolutionI wear a disguise; I'm just your average Jane
Super doesn't stand for model but that doesn't mean I'm plain.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Witty Writer Poet Chelsea DeVriesChelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-50526684482934004222019-08-04T20:59:00.000-04:002019-08-04T20:59:09.711-04:00#WriterRevelations: Life Lessons I've Learned In My 28 Years by Chelsea DeVriesAs I head into 28, I've come to the realization that I've learned a lot thus far and since I am always looking for ways to help someone else through a hard day or a hard time in their life, here are 28 life lessons I've learned.<br />
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Whatever life throws at you is absolutely nothing compared to who is for you and what you have within you. Don't quit. Don't give up!<br />
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With the popularity of social media, it's become such a common thing in our culture to brag on ourselves and the things that happen to us. Why I believe that some good testimony does the soul good, an excess of bragging on yourself or on the things we have only serves to weaken the soul of a person. Stay Humble at all costs. It will make you the wealthiest person in the room.<br />
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Work Hard and don't apologize for it. So what you have three jobs and no time for friends? Chances are, if they are truly your friend, they will support whatever endeavors you pursue and be their for you when things slow down.<br />
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Show mercy even when it doesn't seem right. God sees all and will right the wrong no matter what.</div>
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Forgiveness will allow you to live in peace.</div>
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Life is way too short to not celebrate. Celebrate the fact that you still are breathing, that you still have a heart beat, that you got up and went for that run, that you chose not to eat that for favor of something more healthy and nutritious, celebrate your progress, your growth moments, celebrate that you chose to speak up for yourself. </div>
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Honestly, so far in my life I've loved and lost two furry friends and it felt like someone shot me in the leg and expected me to walk five miles right after without stopping. It was a pain I never felt and an uneasiness in my gut that had me not wanting to eat for days. Dogs love with all they have so losing them from this earth when they cross the rainbow bridge just absolutely stings.</div>
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I've lost people in my life too and nothing compares to losing a dog.</div>
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Take that cruise. Buy that bus ticket. Visit that landmark. Get tickets to that game show. Shake hands with a legend. One of the most eye opening experiences I've had so far in my life is when I decided I wasn't going to keep waiting to visit California but instead go on a cruise and now Grand Turk became one of those places that ended up making my heart smile from the inside out.</div>
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Grand Turk also broke an eight month writer's block for me so for that, I will be forever grateful that God provided the means and the perfect time for me to visit that beautiful country.</div>
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Sometimes life gets hard and you don't have the monetary means to take that trip you've dreamed of. That's where books come into play. They take you to places you've never been even while you sit in the here and now. You even may end up with a few new friends from books. Some fictional; some real life friends. Either way, books open so many doors and offer an escape like nothing else I've ever experienced. Reading has always taken me far in life. It is now the premise behind the passion of my very own company, The Smart Cookie Philes. Being smart is cool and reading is rad.</div>
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Fear will actually hold you back from living a full life if you let it. I've still not fully allowed my fear of driving to get lost but I did say fuck off to my fear of roller coasters and ended up having a really fun time at Disney two years ago this September. Have faith and let the adrenaline rush through you. It will give new meaning to being alive.</div>
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I've always fallen in love without a thought. Right now, I've fallen in love with a guy who may never know how I feel about him and who may never feel the same. And that may make normal people run away. But for me, it signals that my heart (which was badly broken and believed it may never fall in love again) has found a reason to beat rapidly again, to smile again, to sing a song, to hum a new tune, to dance like no one is watching. Falling in love is something in life you don't get a choice in and it's something I've never apologized for. The fact that I've got such a giant heart who longs to love someone and be loved back. As long as that longing still yearns within me, I will keep on believing in love and accepting all forms of love in my life, even if they aren't romantic or fairy tale like.</div>
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Someone went to bed thinking of you last night. They smiled because of something you said. They believe in themselves a little more because of how you looked at them. Stop focusing on the poison and instead focus on the remedies that this life provides. Sure, the good moments come and go but during the hard times, the joy experienced during the good moments will help you get through the hard times.</div>
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Sometimes life gets complicated and if you put away a little bit every week, eventually it multiplies and can help you through a rough patch.</div>
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My last blog post truly expanded on this lesson but love people. Accept them for all they are. People are never going to be perfect because we were created as works in progress and just like a writer's literary work, growth and exploration play a role in the human being's journey toward greatness.</div>
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Respect what makes someone who they are, and chances are higher they will do the same for you.</div>
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With that being said, you should care less what people think of you because at the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you and your life's journey and not follow blindly down someone else's path. Dare to be unapologetically yourself. If people get offended, they aren't meant to be in your life.</div>
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Prayer works. Don't believe me? I prayed every single day for my coworkers at my last job and I've been praying every single day for my coworkers at my current job and I've watched the entire atmosphere of the place change for the better. Everyone has become more polite, communicates a lot better, works as a team, and respects that you can't always agree on everything. God works for the good of those who love him. Cast the care. Pray about it today!</div>
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Towards the end of my college career, I fell into a deep depression. It was all because I finally realized this guy I was chasing after didn't even care about me at all. So I had to go back to basics and those basics included realizing that Jesus loved me with a love so great he can't love me anymore in this moment than he did yesterday. Now that I've matured, I've realized that being single doesn't have to be a season in which I spend in self-pity because it looks like no one will ever love me back in the same way I love them or I can let Jesus's love for me be the foundation for my identity as a person and let my season of singleness count for something great. God will reveal the guy in his perfect time. And even if he doesn't, I am forever loved by a guy who thought I was to die for. Nothing else written in romance novels and in movies compares to that and never will. Sure, society will say that's absurd and unheard of. Your uterus doesn't agree. You may never have kids. Blah Blah Blah. To all of that I say loud and proud, "Jesus is the answer."</div>
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Life is meant to be lived loudly. So dye your hair, wear that outfit, wear those shoes. Blast that song. Sing along. Scream at the top of your lungs. Have a beer. Sip a glass of Pinot. Be loud and proud of how you live. So what that you live differently from someone else. At the end of the day, we all feel the same things and just want to be loved for who we are. Everything else is white noise. Take the chance today!</div>
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Do you wear glasses? Do you like wearing crocs?</div>
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Do you like reading the end of books and reading them backward?</div>
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Do you drink your coffee black?</div>
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Do you eat ramen with a fork?</div>
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Whatever your weird is, own the fuck out of it.</div>
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I learned at a young age that I wasn't born to be normal or to fit in any box that people wanted to put me in. Now, at 28, I wear purple in my hair and let the colors that make me ME bleed loud and proud for the world to see, be inspired by, and to fall in love with.</div>
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This world will give you a million reasons why whatever you want to happen can't happen:</div>
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You are African American and from a poor area of the country. You can't afford to go to college they will tell you. </div>
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Don't let them tell you who they think you will be.</div>
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Show them all you are.</div>
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Prove them wrong.</div>
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And do so with a big bold smile on your face.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRdpPgSGEx8/XUd6tXunwfI/AAAAAAAAPok/a9BO4N8ap1cHicX6leVplhl711QTxZntQCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252836%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRdpPgSGEx8/XUd6tXunwfI/AAAAAAAAPok/a9BO4N8ap1cHicX6leVplhl711QTxZntQCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252836%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't chase money; chase goals. </div>
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The money will eventually line up with the passions and projects that bring those passions to life.</div>
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Keep at it.</div>
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Even when you aren't sure how you will keep your lights on or how you will eat tonight.</div>
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Hard work and perseverance always shine bright and pay off in the end.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9ydmftCS40/XUd7HhATHEI/AAAAAAAAPos/D1n3TuI_RFEsVpQ5D9foeaz72PPrXhNuwCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252837%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9ydmftCS40/XUd7HhATHEI/AAAAAAAAPos/D1n3TuI_RFEsVpQ5D9foeaz72PPrXhNuwCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252837%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are some things in life that I will never understand:</div>
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Kids who get cancer</div>
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Kids born with disabilities</div>
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Homeless people</div>
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Homeless veterans</div>
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How animals can be abused</div>
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that teachers have to pay for the supplies for their classroom and get paid so little</div>
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how librarians are no longer valued and may never have been</div>
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why actors make so much and servers and manual labor jobs end up with people who struggle from paycheck to paycheck</div>
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Support the causes you care about. Some that I support include:</div>
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anything animal related</div>
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anything veteran related</div>
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anything to help those who can't help themselves</div>
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anything education related</div>
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anything to help further the arts</div>
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It really takes next to nothing to make someone's day. Tell a funny joke. Make fun of yourself before others do. Compliment someone. Build them up. Make them see their own potential. Buy someone lunch. Bring a coworker coffee. Pray for someone. Hold the door for a stranger. Smile more.</div>
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Once you believe in yourself, you cannot fail. There will be forces and days when this world will actually make you believe the doubts and the fears. Those are the days you will have to dig down deep into the reservoirs of what strength you have, and remember who you are.</div>
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You won't regret it. Take that chance. Tell that person how you feel. Send that manuscript out for publication. Audition for that show. Write that story. A life lived on the edge is never a life you should feel sorry for.</div>
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Throw out the to-do lists. Go for drinks with that guy who you've been talking to. Get coffee with that girl from your church group. Turn off your phone and look someone in the eyes. Connect. Be present. Live in the moment. Life is too short to not notice the small but steady blessings all around us.</div>
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Dare to just do whatever sets your heart on fire.</div>
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And stop apologizing for it.</div>
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If they can't handle it, let them eat cake.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cp7cjpsH4Ok/XUd-EJImLaI/AAAAAAAAPpg/pK_pjbISnJ40PaUFyhA0uXsMJLn2Ryu9wCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252847%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cp7cjpsH4Ok/XUd-EJImLaI/AAAAAAAAPpg/pK_pjbISnJ40PaUFyhA0uXsMJLn2Ryu9wCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252847%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Be yourself 100%.</div>
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I'm a bookworm.</div>
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logophile</div>
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Heart full of love </div>
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Heart of gold</div>
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Purple hair</div>
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Vote for Pedro</div>
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Disnerdy</div>
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Jesus Lover</div>
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Adventurous</div>
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Faithful</div>
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Loyal</div>
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Friend</div>
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Sister</div>
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Daughter</div>
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Writer</div>
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Artist</div>
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Creative</div>
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Leo</div>
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Hugger</div>
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Child of the one </div>
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TRUE KING.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white;">In Christ Like Love and Confidence, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chelsea</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white;">xoxo</span></span></div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-90006159897253785062019-07-10T00:00:00.000-04:002019-07-10T00:00:13.766-04:00#WriterRevelations: Come As You Are (What I Learned So Far Working in an Office)Well, how you doing?<br />
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I bet you thought I was never going to post another real blog post again.<br />
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Sorry if I made you feel alone and unloved for even one moment.<br />
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I had all intentions of posting my usual content but then it got harder with my full time job and all the things I've been up to this year...<br />
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I've been working. I've been doing Smart Cookie content. I even took a month or so off social media to focus on my writing career.<br />
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Basically, I've been just living day to day but I've been meaning to come back to share something special with all of you.<br />
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No, unfortunately, I am still single and not really looking to mingle.<br />
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I mean, if I met a guy who made me forget what day it is, then maybe...<br />
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I'm back because something I've learned working at my new job has really proved to be weighing on my heart.<br />
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I have witnessed what it is like to work in an office. I have witnessed what it is like to work for a small company. And I have witnessed how lonely it can be being a full-time employee.<br />
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There have been some months since I began this job where I did not know how I was going to face another day because my anxiety and depression got so bad, I couldn't see the light anymore.<br />
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I even considered quitting BUT God and his grace absolutely saved me from all that.<br />
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It all started when I lost sight of how much Jesus already loves me and how my identity is solely found in how he sees me.<br />
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Before this, like some high school freshman looking to become popular among the upperclassmen, I was eager to get these people to like me.<br />
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But from the first day, I literally felt like a fish out of water, struggling to breath and drying out from within. The only saltwater I could muster were tears that would sting at the corners of my eyes.<br />
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Yet, I didn't want to go back after that first day, but something said: Just Keep Swimming.<br />
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So I sat in the shallow puddle prepared to face a prolonged death sentence upon the shore wading in and out of the water, not sure what fate await me, I showed up that second day and a guy I met for like two seconds the day of my interview spotted my confusion and mustered not a word as he came to my rescue and that small but sincere act of kindness has stuck with me.<br />
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This guy, I am sure, has no idea that it was him who saved me from quitting and was the hero who showed me that this job was worth one last try. I've considered quitting a few times following his small kind deed but whenever I think of just leaving this job, I am reminded of him and how he literally didn't put me down in front of those customers, he never pointed out that I was an idiot and should be fired, but he just offered me help when he barely knew me.</div>
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And just like that, i witnessed a miracle within society and in a place where the cold tense air of poor communication could quite literally cut glass, and I have started to see why God put me there.</div>
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I am a writer with a heart for people. I know what it is like to feel unfit, unqualified, rejected, betrayed, talked about, used, abused, and hurt by the words and judgement of others. God put me here because he wants me to be a light for these people. To teach them how to communicate effectively but with a sense of empathy for the other person. To teach them how to encourage each other and work as a team. To smile, to inspire, and to pray for them. </div>
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Of course, no matter where I go in life, I always want to leave it better than when I arrived but it seems like I walked into a rosebush if you will, the thorns and weeds were quite thickly ingrained in the way these people went about their day, that I almost felt that no matter what I did to brighten their day, it would and could not make a difference, hence why I've returned to the notion that quitting was the answer.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhkYEMqAeWI/XR6-rx7xxqI/AAAAAAAAPN8/V3SPVYOlHIIyQRY2_NKMBiPP7mQA5pcUgCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252891%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhkYEMqAeWI/XR6-rx7xxqI/AAAAAAAAPN8/V3SPVYOlHIIyQRY2_NKMBiPP7mQA5pcUgCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252891%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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It honestly felt as though I may never have a friend here or someone I could trust but the craziest thing happened. Since I've been nothing but kind to these people, I've witnessed how powerful love given freely is to soften the hardest hearts.</div>
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And that guy who saved me from just going back to part-time employment and a life of being a literal starving artist, he is now someone I consider a friend. </div>
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God asked me to pray specifically for him, build him up, and make him see his own infinite potential. </div>
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And in the process of all that, I gained a friend.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBXncj1uNO4/XR6_o8FuEDI/AAAAAAAAPOE/YjZYV3n3IbcqsU7OfMaGc6ivyuTU-Yt9QCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252893%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBXncj1uNO4/XR6_o8FuEDI/AAAAAAAAPOE/YjZYV3n3IbcqsU7OfMaGc6ivyuTU-Yt9QCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252893%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am someone who is open to just about anyone being my friend. I can honestly say that I don't judge people with the same standards that other people usually do. Like I don't care what you look like, what you believe in, or even who you love, if you accept me for the very strange bird that I am, I offer the same acceptance to you, no matter what.</div>
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Strange birds should always flock together.</div>
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Ultimately, I don't know how long God wants me here but for now, he does. And I will stay until the mission has been served here. Until he sends me to my next station of serving others.</div>
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If you happened upon this post, and you have no idea how to deal with someone who is just completely different from you. For example, they are materialistic, self-absorbed, entitled, and undermines and questions everything you do, I am reminded of Jesus when he said to turn the other cheek. </div>
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Sometimes you would love to tell that irate co-worker: Get ready to clock out for the knock out.</div>
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Yet, that wouldn't solve anything. Anger leads to broken hearts and relationships.</div>
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If I've learned anything these last seven or so months it's this:</div>
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1. People aren't perfect and they will disappoint you.</div>
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2. Judging people unfairly makes you a weak human.</div>
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3. Respect people for who they are, not who you want them to be. (Any type of shaming toward someone is out of a critical spirit and actually stems from an inadequacy being sensed within yourself.)</div>
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4. Communicate with people honestly. And be the first to apologize even if you weren't directly at fault. And be the first to show mercy and forgiveness. Free yourself of all that negative bullshit.</div>
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5. When dealing with others, use your heart. Show compassion, always be kind, and empathize with people.</div>
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6. Stay true to yourself no matter who judges you. If they honestly are that hot and bothered by the way you live or do things, then you don't need them in your life. Be polite if you have to continue working with them but remember not everyone you meet is meant to be a friend. Some people choose misery as their default setting. Such a pity really.</div>
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7. Love yourself. Accept yourself. Believe in yourself. After all, A GREAT GOD made you in his image so there is GREATNESS in you.</div>
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8. Go the extra mile.</div>
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9. Stop allowing fear to keep you from opening up to people.</div>
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10. A warm smile looks attractive on most anyone.</div>
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Other notes about being a good employee include to show up, don't be late, speak up, don't argue, do what your asked, and don't steal. Also, the adult world is plagued with people who will ask you to do something and then take credit for your hard work, smile and let them. God's got bigger and better plans for you on the horizon.</div>
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Keep me in your prayers and if you need a specific prayer, please comment below or message me.</div>
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Until next time, remember:</div>
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PS: Will try to not be a stranger here. Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms.</div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-19625030275717367322019-06-13T22:33:00.001-04:002019-06-13T22:33:52.674-04:00May Faves<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UUpYLLDktME" width="480"></iframe>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-11953457042322850062018-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:002019-01-23T07:06:43.900-05:00#WriterRevelations: Trust and ObeySince college...I've suffered with social anxiety so it was only a miracle that at the end of September, I finally decided to trust and obey Jesus and just go to the young adult group at my church for the first time in 2 years.<br />
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And, it was awesome, and I realized the only way to rid yourself of your fears is to face them.<br />
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Then, I started suffering from general anxiety and depression for the entire month of October. I couldn't even read or write my way out of it. I wasn't even sleeping because I would tormented in the middle of the night with thoughts of the things people said to me (usually critical and judgmental in nature), and it was affecting my every day life and well-being.<br />
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Sleep is where your mind repairs itself, and on top of it, I work on my feet 20 plus hours a week, and do extreme workouts via Beachbody. My body without rest is a breeding ground for getting sick.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikdEQoDLgS4/W_G0SHquFqI/AAAAAAAANGc/NZU6nUfXeX0Gd1FwT-R2TmYmrQIW8oRjACLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%25288%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikdEQoDLgS4/W_G0SHquFqI/AAAAAAAANGc/NZU6nUfXeX0Gd1FwT-R2TmYmrQIW8oRjACLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%25288%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I was scheduled to leave on Friday October 26 to head to the Port of Miami and head out on open waters on my first ever cruise but before I left, I used poetry to gather my thoughts.<br />
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My cruise was extremely necessary because I am always busy striving toward the next goal that I never usually simply celebrate life but God wanted to overwhelm me with his favor.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLl2LYSAlDw/W_G7J7SfJZI/AAAAAAAANHM/FZC1iid_RzIxn4SV_tWUGKGn0GLW9FCkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181028_072723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLl2LYSAlDw/W_G7J7SfJZI/AAAAAAAANHM/FZC1iid_RzIxn4SV_tWUGKGn0GLW9FCkgCEwYBhgL/s320/20181028_072723.jpg" width="180" /></a> I witnessed the sunrise over the Atlantis.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zzhas0kv5I0/W_G7I9kE-yI/AAAAAAAANHI/ws_n58HL05YADGir-UDZysihv-awQwmowCEwYBhgL/s1600/752696102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zzhas0kv5I0/W_G7I9kE-yI/AAAAAAAANHI/ws_n58HL05YADGir-UDZysihv-awQwmowCEwYBhgL/s320/752696102.jpg" width="320" /></a> I visited the Atlantis and spent time on the beach.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdwUMftUYm4/W_G7IpOWCqI/AAAAAAAANHE/ubZbGm5E8wUUjFUeNQzcQuZ7IKqsW1N6QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdwUMftUYm4/W_G7IpOWCqI/AAAAAAAANHE/ubZbGm5E8wUUjFUeNQzcQuZ7IKqsW1N6QCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_4553.jpg" width="320" /></a>This picture encapsulates everything that this trip did for me. It reminded me that we were made for freedom.</div>
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The first Monday I was home from my trip I finally wrote a brand new scene in my WIP,</div>
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which only meant that I was fixed, peace and sound mind, within my soul.<br />
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Yet, I was finally happy and ready to conquer the world and all my tasks again with fresh eyes, and an unexpected door was open to me out of the blue.<br />
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A connection I made at a wine dinner got in touch with me, and it turns out, she had a full-time job for me. It is close to my house and the pay is much better than I ever made at my current job. And I was promised that within ninety days, my pay will be increased.<br />
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I will admit, I hate that life is always like this, I finally find solid ground. I was used to working at my current job, I was actually getting along with my coworkers, and now a monkey threw a wrench at my CD player, and my soundtrack keeps skipping.<br />
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I just pray I still have time to write and time to do The Smart Cookie because those are my life destinies, and no amount of money will ever make me want to give those up. I am a creative introvert who loves to help see other people succeed. And not writing for ten months was bad enough on my psyche. <b>Please pray for me no matter what. All in all, I know that now is a new chance for me to trust and obey.</b><br />
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And if you are suffering from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or just any ailment of your mental state, please share this with whomever you think will benefit from this post. In case no one ever openly said this to you, even Jesus became depressed and had to overcome it:<br />
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Until next time, remember:<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IYwpW71_Ac/W_HI-88kwCI/AAAAAAAANH4/xZEDTVSAtsQHPReHLT_Lj64uUZWMiMfBwCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252816%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IYwpW71_Ac/W_HI-88kwCI/AAAAAAAANH4/xZEDTVSAtsQHPReHLT_Lj64uUZWMiMfBwCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252816%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-58884709173854101732018-08-20T17:49:00.000-04:002018-08-20T17:49:19.619-04:00#WriterRevelations Reflection: Just Call Me The Comeback Kid (Six years after my near-death experience)So, you all know that I usually share blog posts on Wednesdays but today I am celebrating six years of being alive.<br />
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For those new to my blog or my platform, I know you need a little backstory to get what I mean.<br />
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Six years ago, today I was released from the hospital after a long battle with thyroid issues that ended in a near-death experience:<br />
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<li>August 11, 2012 (One week after turning 21) I was taken to the hospital because I couldn't breathe. It actually felt like there was an elephant on my chest.</li>
<li>August 12-14, 2012 The doctor who caused the thyroid storm covered up her medical negligence by having them diagnose me with bird flu and putting me on some of the harshest antibiotics out there all while still struggling to breath (I was actually on 15 liters of oxygen and still barely absorbing oxygen).</li>
<li>August 15, 2012 I went under the knife for a triple lung biopsy surgery that also resulted them in them leaving a drainage tube in my side to drain the fluid that had collected in my lungs.</li>
<li>August 16, 2012-August 19, 2012 I was in recovery and had to have someone rebandage the stitches in my back once a day. I was finally beginning to return to normal twenty one year old health despite the fact that my thyroid was still sick.</li>
<li>August 20,2012 I received clearance from all my doctors that I could be released from the hospital but had to be on bed rest for two weeks before returning to school.</li>
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When I think back to this ordeal, I am amazed that I lived. Some really hard days have me wondering why I was saved in the hospital, or what purpose God had in all of it.</div>
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So before I get to the climatic conclusion, let me share some truths that God has revealed to me lately.</div>
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1. It's OKAY to have an off day if you realize that a BAD DAY DOESN'T EQUAL A BAD LIFE.</div>
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2. It's OKAY to give yourself more GRACE.</div>
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3. It's OKAY to NOT GET IT ALL ACHIEVED BY A CERTAIN DATE OR AGE.</div>
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4. It's OKAY to LET SOMEONE GO if you are the only one putting in all the effort.</div>
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5. It's OKAY to BE UNFILTERED.</div>
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6. It's OKAY to ask for help.</div>
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7. It's OKAY to be different, weird, outlandish, original, YOU-niquely yourself & not apologize.</div>
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8. It's OKAY to cast your cares on the one who paid the ultimate price for YOU, and who CARES WHAT HAPPENS to you.</div>
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9. It's OKAY to choose forgiveness when someone unnecessarily insults or belittles you. </div>
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10. It's OKAY to not always understand or have it all together or even know how it will all work out but trusting the creator and author of life, believing ALL THINGS will work out for the BEST. </div>
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Maybe this was the entire reason I am still here with a heart that beats, breath in my lungs, and a tough fighter spirit, maybe God wanted YOU to see this.</div>
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If so, I invite you to read an excerpt from my forthcoming memoir <i>One Last Breath</i> which is available for download <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/fr0mgyobtwfu8vb/Breathless%20by%20Chelsea%20DeVries%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">here. </a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>God Bless!</b></span></div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-38549822644890926462018-07-26T02:11:00.000-04:002018-07-26T02:11:08.897-04:00#WriterRevelations: He Holds It All by @ChelseaDeVries<br />
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This post has been in the works for a while but I made the decision to discontinue my books with Outskirts Press.<br />
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That is why, you may or may not have noticed that I took away the link to my books on Goodreads<br />
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but guess what?<br />
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Goodreads will forever keep the books and all the bad reviews on the site forever.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgM8kLcwj7w/W1lSep4vFYI/AAAAAAAAL7Q/fhjHAi4oBZY3lRrjI8ybhsGCFacsLH6TACLcBGAs/s1600/giphy%2B%25282%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="350" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgM8kLcwj7w/W1lSep4vFYI/AAAAAAAAL7Q/fhjHAi4oBZY3lRrjI8ybhsGCFacsLH6TACLcBGAs/s320/giphy%2B%25282%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
I guess I can never technically erase my poor reviews and equally unfair one-star reviewer.<br />
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Yet, when I decided to discontinue them, it wasn't because the one-star reviewer had won but it was because I wanted to rid myself of that ball and chain.<br />
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Outskirts Press ripped me off from the start. They did little to help me market my books, and because I owed them money for the yearly fee, they kept my last royalty check.<br />
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So basically when I wrote them a final email asking how I could cancel the contracts for both books, they were a little taken aback but they discontinued them. Twitter erupted with panic and comfort from author friends new and old, but I reassured them I was totally ok with this decision.<br />
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In fact to be completely honest, I felt more free in that moment than I had in a while.<br />
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I want to be known as a YA author whose books were well-liked and accepted so I will anxiously see what God has in store for me and the future home of <i>Kickflip My Heart </i>in the meantime.<br />
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Yet, if an agent or publisher does not reach out for a full manuscript request or begin the process of publishing the novel by December 10, 2018, I will be moving toward publishing with a publishing house that welcomed me from the get-go, and even offered to publish my memoir once I get copyright permission for all included song lyrics.<br />
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Yet, I can't forget <i>The Lovely Review</i> done by McKenzie:<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eaVXZSRzGLQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Yet, I penned an essay about being One-Star reviewed for a contest for <i>The Writer Magazine</i> and unfortunately did not win but still think it's worthy to share:<br />
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Being that I’m a go-getter who believes anyone can do anything at any age and they don’t have to wait for the right time or circumstance to achieve something, I published my first novel at 15 years of age. It all came about when my creative writing teacher in high school always made it a point to let everyone know in the class who her favorite was: not me. And even worse, she always gave me B minuses and C’s on all my writing assignments.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At fourteen, I took a chance and submitted a poem I was proud of to a student anthology and got accepted. This momentum made me enjoy the glory of seeing my name in print and made me realize my love for the written word came less from my love of reading but an almost innate heart of a writer.<br />
Yet, you will know you are a writer when you know how to embrace rejection because it will be a common obstacle on this path. If you have always been accepted by your peers and never done anything truly awkward or weird or like me to blatantly stand out, then you are not yet a writer. Not everyone is a writer but that’s okay. Writers are only as good as the encouragement they get from their readers. <br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My teacher who already made me feel second best assigned us a short story and what resulted for me was this idea for a young adult romance set in Walt Disney World featuring a half-Latina lead female character named Jessica Cortez, who happens to be a famous actress, deciding to take a Disney vacation to escape the hastiness of Hollywood to pursue love full-time by inviting three male suitors. These include her teenage celebrity crush Jeremy Koeingzfield, her high school crush that got away, Pete Young, who is now a male model, and her first love, sexy thrasher Bryan Snyder. It starts out bachelorette-style where she dates the guys in groups and then goes on one on ones but we all know what they say: three is a crowd. In a rebellious move, I self-published the book with a vanity press when self-publishing was still completely taboo.<br />
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To read the rest of the essay, please feel free to download a complete copy by clicking the image below.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/7584fppciedx17h/One%20Star%20Reviewed.docx?dl=0" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QONqPsUe7UQ/W1lXBx4LkrI/AAAAAAAAL7c/2bE6Bul-G-QRjZtjDI_uCbrcpmjFCnI2ACLcBGAs/s320/image-500x375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So far I've cut my hours at work and it has allowed me to focus on God's purpose or calling outside of writing, and that is The Smart Cookie Philes.</div>
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You can benefit both The Smart Cookie Philes and Bess The Book Bus with a purchase from the new merch shop.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJsLfz0o0s/W1lc4ItPGnI/AAAAAAAAL7o/KI_AxzValH4GoPnTKebXUhW2bpmcLIKfwCLcBGAs/s1600/T-shirt.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJsLfz0o0s/W1lc4ItPGnI/AAAAAAAAL7o/KI_AxzValH4GoPnTKebXUhW2bpmcLIKfwCLcBGAs/s320/T-shirt.PNG" width="257" /></a></div>
Shirts with this design will always and forever benefit Bess The Book Bus.<br />
They start at $21.<br />
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For more on Bess The Book Bus, find out more <a href="http://bessthebookbus.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Buy One <a href="https://teespring.com/cookiesforacauseTSC#" target="_blank">Here</a> or to the right via The Smart Cookie Philes link.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w42G50zn-ro/W1lc6_Yh86I/AAAAAAAAL7s/9xUswlNjYeEK8XTTQ9F6_ME-H6TTY6MhwCLcBGAs/s1600/Mug.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="417" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w42G50zn-ro/W1lc6_Yh86I/AAAAAAAAL7s/9xUswlNjYeEK8XTTQ9F6_ME-H6TTY6MhwCLcBGAs/s320/Mug.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
Mugs with this design allow you to ESPRESSO YOURSELF literally while reading the newest review or watching the next Booktube installment fully benefitting the maintenance and content of The Smart Cookie Philes.<br />
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They start at $15.<br />
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To find out more about The Smart Cookie Philes, view this page and video<a href="https://thesmartcookiephiles.com/about/" target="_blank"> here.</a><br />
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This sticker design starts at $6 and you can make all your notebooks look SMART from the start of the school year and beyond. </div>
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Click The Graphic below to shop SMART.</div>
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<a href="https://thesmartcookiephiles.com/cookies-for-a-cause/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8GSsCMC1jds/W1lfol9sGFI/AAAAAAAAL8E/c2KqcLm9kOoBohuPbNF5Y431qhEM_S7RQCLcBGAs/s320/Cookies%2BFor%2BA%2BCause.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I am trusting that either the Smart Cookie keeps growing or I find a better opportunity doing something I love and not feeling frustrated because my job feels like empty time and just a paycheck.</div>
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Yet, I know God's got my back regardless of what comes next. And in the meantime, I can find strength in the wholeness of his all-encompassing grace.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rhf6fB4hKA/W1liFPdHpbI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/mDRVM968t4QIGCSPS8_z4yIvJuneG1prQCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252821%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rhf6fB4hKA/W1liFPdHpbI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/mDRVM968t4QIGCSPS8_z4yIvJuneG1prQCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252821%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I must stop looking at the circumstances in front of me, the wind and the crashing waves, and realize that my Lord is calling me to walk on the water amidst the storm, and asking me to step out in faith.</div>
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<b>After all, we walk by faith and not by sight.</b></div>
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Until next time, remember this insightful revelation from Dr. Charles Stanley:</div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Confidence and Love,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-37544356780691785822018-04-18T20:28:00.000-04:002018-04-18T20:28:42.158-04:00#WriterRevelations: We are all Works in ProgressFresh off the high of finding out I made Employee of The Month at my job, I seriously felt like my life was riding a never-ending high. Yet, what goes up must come down, and down I did.<br />
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Prior to finding out I was Employee of The Month at a job only 90 days ago, I didn't think I was even qualified for, I started to notice that people kept bringing up the fact that I work as a hostess and making it sound sour and insanely bitter, like they had just sat in a corner sucking on lemon peels.<br />
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First, my dad brought up that I can't live on my own on the salary I have now, and <i>how am I ever going to move out?</i><br />
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Then, I hung out with friends from college early last month, and they all asked why I was working as a hostess when I have a college degree, as if working as a hostess was something that should be beneath me because based on the tone of that question, it was definitely beneath them.<br />
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Recently, I was at work when a co-worker who knows I am educated and have a degree in marketing asked if I was still working on getting another job within my qualified industry because as they said, "just to keep your experience going."<br />
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Although each one of these people meant well, I felt like yelling, SCREW ALL OF YOU at them when they had the audacity to question my life choices.<br />
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Yet, really, why is it anybody's concern why I am doing the job I do now. It is a job; not my livelihood.<br />
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And as I go to work each shift, I realize that although the company may have hired me because they needed me, I needed this job even more so.<br />
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It is helping me in ways I never realized I had become setback on, and it is more of stepping stone toward my greater destiny than any internship I've done or any work within my field I may do.<br />
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And I suddenly seen this with extremely clear eyes.<br />
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Until this weekend when I came down with the flu, and my world was at a standstill because all that mattered was whether I could keep food down.<br />
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I called out of work on Saturday morning and upon hanging up with my boss, I broke down crying. I felt like I had to apologize for my frailty and lack of good health. The same thing happened on Sunday, and again on Monday afternoon, when I was due back to work Tuesday morning.<br />
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I felt guilty for missing out on money, being there for my team during the weekend rush, and putting my manager into a short-staff predicament with little advance notice.<br />
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I firmly believe that things happen because they cause you to slow down at look at your overall life. And one thing was sure, I'd been working nearly 30 hours a week with little to no rest.<br />
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Because I convince myself that I must keep doing things in order to prove my worth.<br />
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Yet, I forgot something my near-death experience at twenty-one years of age taught me:<br />
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Health is Life's Greatest Wealth, and you should pity the fool that works himself to exhaustion and takes that for granted.<br />
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So getting the flu taught me once more that even God rested from his work when he created the universe which means having a day where I do nothing but put my feet up and laugh at jokes on <i>Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt</i> is not only okay but God gives it a thumbs-up.<br />
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And returning to the nosy people not minding there own business about my life choices, I realized that my livelihood has the perfect metaphor to put that nonsense to rest, too.<br />
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I sat down to re-write <i>Dream Girl</i> and <i>Jessica's Choice, </i>I only did it because of some hater from college who ruined my goodreads page and tried to make my worth as a writer equal to one star.<br />
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I had no idea where the story would go, as at first, I was just sprucing up the original book, until I quit asking for approval from people about the story, and decided I was going to sit down with my Lord, and write a story he would be proud of.<br />
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Yet, while the story was being written, I would put finished chapters up on Inkitt because I thought they would publish it. They never even offered me anything but having it on the site did help me see that what I was writing was working for the people I consider my original audience: the people that enjoyed the original premise of <i>Dream Girl </i>and <i>Jessica's Choice</i> BUT who wanted to see what a new version would read like ten years later.<br />
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The results became the finished version of <i>Kickflip My Heart </i>I have now, and although I've been told by various people to change this or that about how the story reads, the finished product reads as I always imagined the story should, and I'm leaving it the way it is. (Although, I had to make the theme park completely fictional because Disney is not allowing me permission to use their intellectual property as a setting for my completely fictional novel that was meant as a love note to everything Disney, and that's ok. It gave me yet another challenge to overcome with my novel, and allowed for further creativity on my part).<br />
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He allows us to develop and grow in a way he can step in when needed but without taking away our freedom. For example, if I want God's help, I have to pray and surrender whatever situation or person I want help with. He just won't play with my life like I'm a puppet and he's the puppeteer because that goes against his very nature. He is love, and love allows you to be completely yourself even if it's not entirely what the other person expected or anticipated.<br />
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Yet, we are God's created beings so in terms of him, we are no surprise to him EVER.<br />
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Me getting the flu? He saw it coming but he was there in the midst of it, healing my body and showing me what RESTING in him looks like.<br />
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Me feeling guilty about calling out of work, losing money, and not doing anything except binge watch tv, sip water, not eat, and then eat gradually does not mean the world will stop spinning on it's axis because I can't tweet, I can't read those books I am scheduled to review, or my company will fire me because I was sick.<br />
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With all this fully in perspective, I found out I lost five pounds.<br />
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Each of those pounds represents symbolically the five days a week I am scheduled, outside of those, I must take one of my few days off, to watch tv the entire day, and be unapologetic for it.<br />
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It's vital to be a better person, employee, and a smarter cookie, and above everything else, it is my GREAT PHYSICIAN's orders.<br />
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So next time my to-do list seems impossibly long and I debate whether to keep checking stuff off, or put it aside to sit down and rest, I will remember this mature thought:<br />
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So go ahead, call out of work if the day calls for it, and don't apologize for it, this is your one life and you are being worked out and developed for a greater purpose, and rest is required to complete that greater purpose.<br />
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Until next time, remember:<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-2953250212314567992018-03-24T19:32:00.001-04:002018-03-24T19:32:47.448-04:00Katrina turns 10<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t4At2eh2sUQ" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17UuzhDEgc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17UuzhDEgc</a> For a funny blooper, make sure to click that link to a five second clip of Katrina's precious smile!<br /><br />
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God Bless and so much love,<br /><br />
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Chelsea<br /><br />
xoxo<br /><br />
<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-38411401525564826942018-03-07T02:07:00.004-05:002018-03-07T02:48:08.238-05:00#WritersRecap: Tampa Pro 2018 was drippin' in finnesse<br />
For some people, they feel at peace in a church. For other people, they feel at peace in a hot tub. Me? I am one of those weird people that feels most at peace at a skatepark.<br />
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My love of skateboarding began in 2005. Most of you all know that story or remnants of it so I won't share it again for fear of repeating myself. #LongStoryShort: Skateboarding is music to my ears, and it's the muse to my artistry as a writer. For as long as I've been a writer, skateboarding has always appealed to that part of me, the creative part that society labels as outlandish, peculiar, an outsider of sorts.<br />
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Yet when I am at a skatepark I meet other people just like me: skateboarders.<br />
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They skate to their own rhythm and aren't afraid to break the rules. They even defy gravity in the meantime. Yet, this was no ordinary weekend at the skatepark. This is Tampa Pro weekend. The biggest pro contest for the east coast that is what the X-Games used to be for Los Angeles (This year, they debut in Minneapolis so that should be rad. I am just equally stoked for skateboarding to finally be in the Olympics in 2020.)<br />
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So my friend and I got our Weekend Passes and headed out to one of my favorite local skateparks: the Skatepark of Tampa or SPOT.<br />
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We arrived drippin' in finesse and ready to obsess over all the ollies, heel flips, and board slides.<br />
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And yes, I have purple hair!</div>
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Right away, my friend and I got our wristbands and we were so totally stoked, man.</div>
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Then, my friend realized she really had to pee.</div>
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So naturally because I haven't been to Tampa Pro or SPOT since 2013 I only remembered the outside bathrooms so I pointed them out to my friend and she shut the door just as a skateboarder was heading to go in himself.</div>
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I was looking down at my phone out of habit when I hear a male voice ask me, "Hey are you in line?" I look up to realize the person who asked me is none other than pro skateboarder and past Tampa Pro winner, Luan Olivera.</div>
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Figuring the line for the bathroom wasn't the right lighting for a selfie, I just said, "No," and left him alone.</div>
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In my head, I was totally tripping the freak out!</div>
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Then, we went to watch the open practice. I spotted many of my faves and some new dudes I never saw before. Yet, this one guy looked like a young Kane Sheckler to me and I felt this sense that he was going to win by the end of the weekend.</div>
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My friend and I watched the dudes practice for 45 minutes before we headed out. We decided to walk through the shop so my friend could look around. As we were looking around, I happened to look toward the door, as a rather tall older dude was walking in wearing a hoodie and dark jeans. </div>
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I gasped as we made eye contact.</div>
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The dude who just walked in to SPOT was none other than Chris Cole.</div>
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Someone I never saw in person yet in the near 13 years I've been an avid supporter of the sport and those who participate in it.</div>
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Then, he walked nonchalantly carrying his board in hand.</div>
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And this was only day one out of three.</div>
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Day 2 was equally as rad except my friend and I didn't stay for the entire qualifiers so I didn't get to get a selfie with Leticia Bufoni. Yet, it was no surprise that Manny Santiago got Top 2 alongside Yuto because he was on fire for both of his runs. We came back later for the night life portion of the day and it was totally cool to see how the skatepark looked at night.</div>
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Day 2 included me making a joke that I found Ryan Sheckler there but really it was just his signed deck in the Boards For Bros display. </div>
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The finals started on Sunday right on time. Yet, we arrived late. Thankfully, after a little while of watching it on the big screen in the back area near the pool, we found seating right outside the warehouse in the area that used to be the picnic table area (at old school Tampa Pros 06-13 prior to it becoming part of the Street League Skateboarding program). </div>
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Here we are sipping our After Sesh Lager and watching the finals. Yet, I got a little bummed that I barely saw any of the skaters just hanging out on the courtyard. I mean, did you even really go to Tampa Pro if you didn't get a pic with a pro skater?</div>
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Next thing I knew Jagger Eaton put down a sick run straight out of the gate, and by the time all other 11 dudes went, he was the champ on top. He was officially declared the winner.</div>
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So naturally, I happened to see him and asked him for a picture and told him "Congratulations!"</div>
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Dang, the young Kane Sheckler walked out of Tampa, FL $75,000 richer. And what's even cooler is like a Sheckler, he's not even 18 and already smashing records. (He's just a Sheckler look-a-like but still).<br />
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After I took a picture with the champ Jagger, I turned around to see one of the dopest dudes in skateboarding coming down off the ramp. And I wanted to cop one of his custom made Grizzly shirts but by the time I tried to get one they were already gone.<br />
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Yes, I am referring to Mr. life of the party, Torey Pudwill.<br />
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No selfie with TPuds? Tampa Pro didn't happen.<br />
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Of course, my family gave me a small list of who they hoped I would get a photo of or with:<br />
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I didn't get to meet my sister's crush Curren Capples but I did get a photo with a young Japanese Chris Cole, my mom's favorite: Yuto Hurogome.<br />
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I did miss seeing the OGs like P-Rod, Sheckler, and Chaz Ortiz but Tampa Pro weekend was officially a success. And I left happier than my dogs whenever I ask them if they want to go on a walk.</div>
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Until next year, Tampa Pro. It was a real freaking pleasure! And who knows maybe next year, my book <i>Kickflip My Heart </i>will be out and I can promote it while I'm there. A writer can only dream, right? :D</div>
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As I was sitting down to write this post, I happened to fall down one of those rabbit holes on Instagram where it keeps taking you to look at content similar to other photos you've liked and I happened to see a familiar face of a snapshot featuring Nyjah Houston. Wouldn't be the first time I was caught in the background as a true fangirl of skateboarding. Naturally, I am smiling from ear to ear and look at peace. </div>
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As you can see, skateboarding will always<i> Kickflip My Heart</i> every single time.</div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-14870947426931590882018-02-28T18:23:00.000-05:002018-02-28T18:23:12.716-05:00#WriterWednesday I Entered A Contest and Lost but It was Cathartic Anyway<br />
I recently entered a writing contest to try to win $500 for my #WorstDateStory.<br />
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I lost but found the overall story came out of me like leftover sweat following a good gym session.<br />
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Without further ado, you can read the story by clicking the picture below:<br />
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<a href="https://humans.media/myworstdatestory-1" target="_blank"><img alt=" https://humans.media/myworstdatestory-1" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1120" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QrnR6t0Hv9s/Wpc5bnX_v-I/AAAAAAAAI-Y/8qtYc_6SenYRJK9L004t8w_5QOxtWpGqQCLcBGAs/s320/9ec59bcbfd1e1a7713e352dffa3489a7-700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-66978928459708155692018-02-13T17:36:00.000-05:002018-02-13T17:36:03.839-05:00#WriterRevelations: Adopting a Servant's Mentality<br />
My dear friends, I do hope this post finds you happy and healthy nearly three months into 2018....this new year has been treating me well thus far. Without further ado, it's time I share something new I've learned.<br />
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As you all know from the last time I wrote a post, I got a new job. It's such a blessing and I am very grateful to have it but when I first started it, I don't know if it was from the autonomy of my writing/freelance writing career but I was a bit arrogant and self-absorbed when I started my job.<br />
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It was something I realized because as soon as the holidays were over, I really took a step back and suddenly felt like the same girl who was insecure and inadequate in the fourth grade who's legs were literally shaking delivering my yearly Tropicana Speech (in Florida grade schools, they require you to give a speech in grades 3-6 in order for you to learn the art of public speaking and speech writing). I was overcome with this intense feeling of "I Can't Do This" and just an overall theme of wanting to quit.<br />
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Am I proud of it? Absolutely not. I mean as a writer, I've always felt like I could adapt quickly because I pretend I'm just taking on a role of a new character for a novel, and I'm living their story. Right now that role requires a job of working as a hostess in one of America's most popular breakfast based restaurants.<br />
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Once I was overcome with all these feelings, I sought God with my shaky hands and weak knees.<br />
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He reminded me that he gives out assignments not based on qualification but as part of the overall process of refining us for our great God-given purpose. It was then that I realized that this job was not about me at all. That I was playing a role and I was working out someone else's story.<br />
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God called me there to that particular restaurant at this particular time because he wanted me to light up the dark corners of it until it shown brightly with his glory, honor, and favor.<br />
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He would provide the grace and the strength but I would have to trust that he would be doing the job each shift.<br />
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So each shift, I pray the night before work: <i>God, give me your favor, your grace, and your strength to not only get through this shift but let them see you in me.</i><br />
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I mean, it's nice to have a small paycheck but for the most part, I just remember as long as that name badge is displayed above my shirt pocket, my name is no longer Chelsea but Jesus. It is him in me I want to showcase. He lifts the high chairs, he helps the servers bus their tables, he speaks kindly with an irritated customer, he takes the to-go orders.</div>
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Yet, sometimes, I forget that I am Jesus for those 6 hours and I get in my own head. For example, this past Sunday. A server I work with came in and spoke unkindly about me to the manager and I heard what they said. I got in my head and got upset because I was thinking with my flesh instead of the spirit, and I thought, <b>How dare they say that about me? Do they know who I am? </b>Then, I mentally checked off a list of why what they said wasn't true. I even started saying something to another server but like the good-hearted person she is, she talked me down and said, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure that's not what they meant."</div>
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And just like that, I saw her face but I felt Jesus speaking to me with her words. And I remembered his famous last words hanging from the cross, his body nearly giving up life, and blood dripping from his thorn-crowned head, <i>Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.</i></div>
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And I remembered who I work for. Not my manager. Not the company. I am there as a servant of Jesus Christ. And it is him this world desperately needs. And I got myself together, and ended up having a very hell-bent shift but I grinned and bared it. Why? Because Jesus was there with me. </div>
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And the best part was, I was going to clock out 30 minutes early and just as I was heading over to the computer to do so, a little old lady came in to place a to-go order so I had to take it. Yet, she was the sweetest. And she ended up giving me a tip so I felt as though God ended my shift on a positive note despite the persecution I faced early on.</div>
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And I take my days off to do the things that make me happy, with the knowledge that I showed up for the assignment the Lord Jesus gave me. As for the hard work of the shift, that's all him. I am owed no credit. Anytime the servers or my manager tells me I did a great job, I just smile and thank them, then look up and whisper, <i>Thank you Jesus.</i></div>
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Lastly, this was my unconventional Valentine's Day post about how God's love can empower you to do anything even when you are dead set on thinking you cannot. And, an even better reminder of the truest nature of love is that it is unconditional, quick to forgive, and is always ready to lay down it's life for the sake of his or her friends.</div>
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Yet, one thing I'm embracing this Valentine's Day is how much I've learned to love myself by seeing myself through God's eyes and thanking him for all forms of love in my life even though romance still hasn't happened yet. (I still believe it will. With God, ALL THINGS are possible!)</div>
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And my own picture inspired the following micropoem I wrote. I call it <i>Angel In Red</i>.</div>
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God asked me to write this post with that in mind, to remind you that he loves you enough to give you the ability to overcome the obstacles, the challenges, the persecution, the hateful comments, the mundane parts of life, and allow his love to make the world around you to become vibrant with his beautiful lovingkindness and relentless mercy.<br />
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Until next time, remember:<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>With Christ-Like Love and Confidence, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-30778579379525979262018-01-17T22:21:00.001-05:002018-01-17T22:21:55.985-05:00What I Learned From Reading People by Anne Bogel<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GD4-wGmVfSY" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />
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Tomorrow <a href="http://thesmartcookiephiles.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Smart Cookie Philes</a> turns two. Celebrate all day with<a href="https://www.paypal.me/SmartCookiePhiles" target="_blank"> donations</a> and by checking out the origin story and all the new changes to the site. God Bless!<br /><br />
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~Chelsea~Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-64407538411795896422017-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-25T00:00:08.076-05:00#WriterRevelations: The Great Christmas Miracle and What I Learned in 2017 There I sat upside down and the blood rushing to my head, as they pried and prodded my teeth, recommending high quality but less than affordable dental treatments. I would love to get everything fixed within my mouth and have the perfectly aligned teeth, my wisdom teeth out and teeth free of plaque build up. Yet, the reality is you can't always get what you want, and it isn't a priority right now to have all this extraneous dental work.<br />
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Plus, even worse was that my dental insurance expires like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage at midnight on January 1, 2018, and to top it all of, as I sat in the dental chair, I was still between jobs. I have actually successfully gotten two seasonal jobs this holiday season but they left a lot to be desired and were temporary so I moved on to find a better opportunity.<br />
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I have been praying and praying for a financial miracle since I lost my job in September. Then, by God's great grace, on October 17, I was hired for the first job, and used that paycheck from one day's work as a tithe to show God that I was faithful in believing his great grace could provide the job for me.<br />
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Then, on November 13, 2017, I was hired for the second job and again used my paychecks as seeds to sow to continue in faith toward the job that was meant for me.<br />
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In the meantime, I just continued to be diligent toward the completion of my novel, <i>Kickflip My Heart. </i>And somehow, God not only gave me the words but the plot lines to complete it and it ended up after a good editing to be 40,655 words. I have never written that much in a fiction project in my life but <b><a href="https://ctt.ec/8Uwbv" target="_blank">with God's help, the impossible became possible.</a></b><br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Not only did I write 1697 words in one sitting today instead of 1078 but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KickflipMyHeart?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KickflipMyHeart</a> is officially done being written. I will be editing it this week but it finished at 40,619 words. I did it everyone. I wrote a complete YA novel. I am over the moon right now! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/amwriting?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#amwriting</a> <a href="https://t.co/B1gxrReTq6">pic.twitter.com/B1gxrReTq6</a></div>
— Chelsea DeVries🦋 (@ChelseaDeVries) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaDeVries/status/940007211706867712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Then, like God rewarding me for being obedient to him, I received a call Monday afternoon asking me to come in for an interview Friday for a hostess position for one of my favorite restaurants.<br />
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I arrived for the interview right on time and entered the building and introduced myself to the girl in the front, and it turned out that the manager I was supposed to meet wasn't in and the guy who called me for the interview would be interviewing me.<br />
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Before I even began the interview, he asked me if I wanted something to drink.<br />
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I was already impressed by his hospitality. I did the interview and although I felt my resume was lacking for the job position based on my experience, God made something out of nothing.<br />
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He asked me when I was available to start, "Whenever you need me," I eagerly stated.<br />
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Then, he said something that made me aware of God's glory in my life:<br />
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<i>I can tell that you have the personality to deal well with people. Just the way you came into the restaurant and introduced yourself, your patience, and you aren't even nervous sitting across from me now, that I believe you would make a great hostess!</i><br />
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So not only did I complete my novel after a year and a half of work, and never having written 40,000 words of fiction before, but I got a job out of the blue. My Christmas wish came true!<br />
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So no matter what your Christmas looks like right now, I pray that you get everything your heart desires this Christmas but even more so, I pray that everyone who reads this blog post comes face to face with Jesus this Christmas and is full to the brim with his peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable.<br />
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Say this out loud right now: "Father, I thank You that I am furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. You have fully supplied and completely decked out my life. I receive every need fully supplied, every debt totally wiped out, and I have more than enough to help others, in Jesus' Name!"<br />
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<u>Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!</u></div>
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Until next time,<br />
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-43989399262777554252017-11-29T20:33:00.000-05:002017-11-29T20:33:28.808-05:00#WriterWednesday: New Poem Fresh Off The Press<div style="text-align: center;">
Out of the Woods</div>
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Tired of not seeing the forest for the trees</div>
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when it comes to you</div>
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I would cut down every tree to get to you </div>
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but you would only call it wasted paper.</div>
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I tell everyone you are my world,</div>
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the sun, the moon </div>
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all while diminishing my own star</div>
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in order to keep you shining.</div>
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Why do I hold on </div>
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when you leave me</div>
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standing in the cold</div>
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with nothing to cover me</div>
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but a single feather.</div>
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Loving you is tough</div>
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lust and leather</div>
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that doesn't withstand</div>
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the weather;</div>
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my skin sweats </div>
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and sticks to you</div>
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uncomfortably.</div>
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Cubic zirconium</div>
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when I wanted</div>
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a diamond ring</div>
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on my left hand.</div>
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A green remnant</div>
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reminds me that </div>
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all that glitters isn't gold.</div>
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To have and to hold</div>
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Nothing holding me</div>
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but fear and unbelief</div>
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Not even</div>
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a prayer and sacrifice </div>
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can save me</div>
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Religious ritual;</div>
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no faith.</div>
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I hold your picture in my hands</div>
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so hard I bleed</div>
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but you have no interest in phlebotomy.</div>
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Or me.</div>
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It's you I idolize yet</div>
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all you ever do is cut me down to size</div>
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Loving you is no prize</div>
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And frankly my dear</div>
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I'm tired of all the wasted time.</div>
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~Chelsea DeVries~</div>
Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-82451492554363173072017-10-25T18:31:00.000-04:002017-11-02T14:32:49.695-04:00#WriterRevelations: What Are You Worth? (Self-Worth)I know I'm not the only one who has days where you start to lose control of the thoughts and the things that bombard you and your mind. They come in waves and they are creepy crawlies in that you don't detect them at first. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, you are insanely happy about something in your life. Maybe you just lost 15 pounds, you finally conquered a massive fear (this year I conquered driving and riding roller coasters), you just started dating someone, or you just published a book. These are all made up scenarios but it seems like the instant life is going good, the bad thoughts creep in to shake things up from the inside out. And then one day, you look in the mirror and you are confused with how things have gotten so off-course.<br />
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Truth is: A true sense of identity and/or self-worth must come from within the inner workings of your spirit being.<br />
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Before getting serious, let me give you an actual anecdote from my real life. As you may or may not know, I recently became jobless and recently, my family and I had a very huge falling out. Things were said back and forth that were negative, belittling, shameful, and aimed at cutting me down to size according to the perspective of the person who was saying it.<br />
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It made me feel hopeless and broken but I chose to forgive anyway because one truth life has made abundantly clear is that oftentimes, someone cuts you down to size because somewhere along the line, something they dealt with, had to go through, or even a wrong thought pattern made them feel hurt they couldn't bear alone and people handle or hurdle the pain that presents itself to them along the journey of their life.<br />
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That's why I chose to forgive because I knew the person or persons words and actions were done out of this handling of pain. They feel like they were unfairly shamed, made to feel small, or even worthless. Yet, they aren't even aware that this isn't the entire truth at all. It's not even partially true because your feelings matter but they don't have any basis in truth.<br />
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People work long hours and sacrifice their families to gain the approval of an employer and feel valuable at the office. They get in debt buying clothes, cars and houses hoping somehow those things will make them feel more important.<br />
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If you trust in Jesus and made Him your Lord, you've been made the righteousness of God. </div>
<a href="https://ctt.ec/8bx5U" target="_blank">Tweet: But have you ever let his sacrifice settle the nagging question of your self worth? #WriterRevelations: What Are You Worth?</a>
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A grandson of a preacher I consider to be my spiritual father says it best:<br />
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<a href="https://ctt.ec/4LDSK" target="_blank">Tweet: The price paid determines the value.
The price paid determines your value.
#WriterRevelations What Are You Worth?</a><br />
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Until next time, remember, the price paid determines your value. Forget everything except Jesus!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>In Christ Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-66085639545241894562017-10-11T13:47:00.000-04:002017-10-11T13:59:58.940-04:00#WriterRevelations: How and Why Discontentment sets In
September 25, 2017 I decided that I was willing to lose the job I've had for two years. This year alone working this particular job was like trying to live in a house that was situated on an area highly-prone to weekly earthquakes. Some weeks you would only feel tremors, other weeks the 8.1 or higher magnitude waves would shake the ground you were standing on, and you didn't know if this would be the death of you. Financially, some weeks were harder than others but somehow God took care of me throughout this year alone following the signing on of a new client as of the end of January 2017. Before this, this job was as stable as any other freelance gig. You do the work; you follow the instructions of what the client wants in terms of writing or social media management and you get paid. Sounds simple, right? Yes, it was. And I was grateful to be paid for my writing, no matter if it wasn't exactly enough to live on.<br />
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Yet, I never recall a time since graduating from college that my financial resources were completely depleted. God always found a channel to give me exactly what I needed even if it wasn't enough to move out of my parent's house, and be completely free of the impossible expectations I feel I have to meet in order to be loved and accepted by my family, or anyone for that matter. This was where the discontentment seed planted itself in my heart, and as long as things were not changing for me, job-wise, I let it fester.
Then, just when I blogged that everything was secure again, I was going to be paid for my 3 weeks of work, plus work a few weeks in October, the client canceled the contract with us, and decided to move on. No explanation as to why but for about a day, I was a little hopeless. Although, I remembered how I felt like a clean slate would be the best place to begin again from. So I accepted the client's decision, despite not at all knowing where I was going to get money to pay my monthly bills let alone buy beauty aids, Christmas presents, and some treats for myself.<br />
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The slate was completely wiped clean. And I've never felt better. It turns out my discontentment wasn't due to the fact that I have to live with my parents or my interferring sisters who care more about my mediocre life than they do about me living my destiny and just being happy with my current life, no matter how unstable it is. My discontentment began to grow leaves and sprout up when I started working for this client. Without going into too much detail, I can honestly feel a weight has been lifted off my chest and I am content to see what God has in store for me next now that my only source is Him, and Him alone.
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If left unchecked, this dissatisfaction will infect every area of my life. So for today, I plan to keep my focus on all the blessings I have in Jesus. I will thank Him for who he is, for what He has done, and for what He will do in the future. And I hope that will bring me one step closer to learning the secret of being content in any circumstance...and keep me from my own fall.<br />
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Some examples of those blessings I have in Jesus:</div>
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1. Joint Heir in Christ</div>
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2. Forever Forgiven for any and all sin</div>
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3 Righteousness of God in Christ</div>
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4. Healing of my body, mind, and emotions</div>
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5. All things richly to enjoy</div>
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6. A roof over my head</div>
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7. A bed to sleep on</div>
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8. A/C</div>
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9. Running water that is safe to drink</div>
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10. Never Knowing Hunger that isn't satisfied by proper nutrition</div>
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11. Wi-fi</div>
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12. A Smartphone</div>
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13. My laptops</div>
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14. My ipod</div>
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15. Gym equipmet</div>
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16. Paper and pens to write</div>
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17. A printer</div>
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18. DVDs</div>
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19. Clothes</div>
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20. My dogs</div>
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21. Extra time with my parents despite being in my mid-twenties</div>
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22. Pandora</div>
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23. Coffee </div>
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24. Hulu</div>
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25. Netflix</div>
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26. Laundry Detergent</div>
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27. Soap</div>
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28. Deodorant</div>
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29. Razor</div>
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30. Shampoo/Conditioner</div>
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I could go on because I could even go further to name all my friends, all my friends via social media, or this blog, or even The Smart Cookie Philes, and all the celebrities I've met.</div>
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So really discontent is a lie from the pits of hell and now that I've seen it in the garden of my life, I've pulled that weed up from the roots and not allowed it to destroy all that Jesus died to give me.</div>
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So no matter what happens next, my trust and all I dream is in the hands of my God, at the feet of Jesus, and I refuse to take a thought or care about it.</div>
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Now I am not trying to be political here but there has been some recent division regarding whether one should stand during the national anthem. Now I tend to lean one way but for the purpose of the various people reading this post, I will not air my views about this issue but I want each of us to get quiet and join me in the #TakeAKneeChallenge:</div>
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Make a list of all the things in your life in this moment that are holding you captive, things you need to see with new eyes. Then claim the promise of Jesus over those things, and rip up the list. He has come- you are FREE!</div>
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So in this somewhat uncertain season of my life, I choose Jesus every single time because I would rather be content in Him than discontent in the pleasures and promises of this world. If, like me, you are in a severe drought season, your slate is completely clean, and you are in immediate need of provision of some kind (healing, deliverance, or even monetary provision), please know this is your direct confirmation from the throne room of heaven that the promise is about to manifest in your life. Get ready for your YES to come raining down!</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-22874822267469234982017-09-26T19:03:00.000-04:002017-09-26T19:03:16.573-04:00#WriterRevelations: Rely On the Source (Manna From Heaven)Boy, it always amazes me how much God uses my life to preach and teach to my readers. After two months of very few updates, I am back with three new posts over the next month!<br />
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It's been almost a year since I got fired from Wal-mart. And ten months since I quit working seasonally for UPS. Yet, I've managed to work as a freelance writer for the span of two years. And no matter the client, I've always done my best work because that's how I am when it comes to writing, it's my best work, or I step back and wait for it.<br />
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The same goes with these blog posts. I pray, pray, and pray for a word for you guys and then magically the happenings in my life seem to mirror the overall theme I receive during my Bible study and then I sit down to write. You can bet I pray about plots and subplots for my novel as well. If I am going to write it, I always bring it to the throne room for the final anointing so God can use it to minister and encourage his children.<br />
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I used to blog about my daily occurrences but this year, God asked me to start a new series called <i>Writer Revelations: A writer chick using the Bible to explain and challenge people to live their best life. </i>So anything I want to be silly about or less than serious gets posted elsewhere (mostly Twitter), and here is where I present what God wants you to know.<br />
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You don't have to be a Christian to receive these messages. Whatever faith or denomination you subscribe to, as long as you believe in a higher power, these words of encouragement will work to make a difference in your life.<br />
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And if you don't believe me, that's fine. I will just preach this to myself. LOL.<br />
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Since the beginning of the year, I've been planning a short trip to Disney in order to give myself some hands-on experience in the parks so that my novel reads authentically. Plus, I figured it was a grad trip I could give myself for getting past 20,000 words in my WIP.<br />
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Come the end of August, things were looking like I may or may not go. Then, my mom happened to write to her cousin via social media and ask if she could get us $79 tickets for our trip. Yet, she asked when we were planning to come out, and it turned out she was off that day, and because she is a Disney World Castmember, she could get us in absolutely free.<br />
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<i>God-wink #1.</i><br />
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Then, came the news of Hurricane Irma, and people everywhere started to panic. Prior to this news, Panera Bread notified me that I was chosen to receive a free <b>Daily Bagel From Panera. </b><br />
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I bet you are thinking, "Ok, what does that have to do with anything?" As you may remember, I was kicked off food stamps back in May, and have struggled with that for the past four months, so God provided manna for the month of September so I would remember who the source of all things really is.<br />
<br />
Yet, since the Hurricane was heading for my home state, Panera was closed for a week, and my trip truly looked like it wasn't going to happen. There was nothing that I could do except one: it doesn't get enough credit but it's probably the most vital thing we can do at anytime in this life.<br />
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Yet, Irma came and left without my house suffering severe damage other than our front fence falling down. We never lost power, got flooded or even evacuated because we have faith in the Source.<br />
<br />
My faith was high and I was floating like a leaf in the blistery, hurricane force winds. Yet, the day following the aftermath, my boss of two years wrote me saying he did not know when he was going to be able to pay me. I got a little concerned. Here I was heading to Orlando, about to spend every dime I had managed to save starting with my tax refund at the beginning of the year, and my boss was making me rethink this whole trip.<br />
<br />
To make a long story short, I ended up choosing to trust in God despite the fear of lack and poverty that besought me, and God rewarded me for it.<br />
<br />
I went on my trip and had a killer time. For a full 25 minute video of the whole experience, please check out my<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJWVh0u_FRQ&t=1211s" target="_blank"> #WaltLife VLOG</a>.<br />
<br />
This trip proved so many things to me but basically #1 is that<br />
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If God cares about the number of hairs on your head, what makes you think whether you go on vacation or not does not matter to him? So, whatever you perceive as fun, God cares about that.<br />
<br />
God showed me that with my trip because every little detail of it was taken care of and I was able to just enjoy being in the moment for the first time in a while. Plus, he cares about the fate of my novel which boggles my mind because it's just this glorified Ryan Sheckler Disney fanfiction that I started when I was 14 but he has turned it into best-selling material that will speak to people from all walks of life which I can further praise him for.<br />
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I came back from my trip to find out that not only did I still have a job but my boss is going to pay me the full amount he owes me for 3 weeks of work, plus he even agreed to let me work two weeks in October after originally thinking he would need me to take a month off.<br />
<br />
<b>Thank God for his infinite love!</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel that ever since I started working when I was in college, it is easy to start to look at your self and your efforts and think of your job as your only source of income, provision, or prosperity but God has proven this year alone, that he still is REIGNING as the Source of all every time he rains his love, favor, and blessings on me.<br />
<br />
My next post will go into this further but there has never been a month since being fired and prior to working at Wal-mart where I lacked for food, shelter, or a bed to sleep on. And even more amazing is when during those really hard months God will give me extra manna to buy that whatever I have my heart set on: whether it be a gift for my family member or dogs (I love to spoil my dogs in case that wasn't clear) or my favorite artists new album, or even a new athletic outfit to workout in.<br />
<br />
MY God is so AMAZING to me because he CARES about it all.<br />
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The Lord is inviting you and I to trust Him and live in both the adventure and security of a life of faith.<br />
<br />
Until next time remember,<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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<br />Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-87004993268151141742017-09-06T17:36:00.002-04:002017-09-06T17:36:58.636-04:00#EncouragingDadsProject: Laughing In the Face of Trails<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, I’d say I have a great sense of humor. If there is
one thing about me that people can find likeable, it would be that. Yet, I
inherited that trait from my father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was young, he was always doing outlandish things to
make me laugh, and he taught me the greatest lesson: life is easier to handle
when you can laugh at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually he had me memorizing jokes to tell my friends. I
was so young that I didn’t even realize they were a bit too crude for my age
group. Yet, I did happen to make people laugh, which ends up making the people
around you feel as if you’re easy-going and you can find the good in life to
focus on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a year ago, I went out with my dad and he happened to
go to a barber shop. He said he had been going to that barber for many years
but the shop was empty and the barber was way too quiet that it almost seemed
as if he was only a mirage and not actually a person. When my dad and I got
back into the car, he goes, “I swear that man was so old he may have been a
ghost.” I said, “What?!” and busted out laughing. Then he goes, “Yeah, I think
he’s a ghost barber.” We both laughed so hard we were tearing up. We even kept
laughing all the way home. To this day, every time we drive by that barber
shop, if one of us says “ghost barber,” we both start rolling in laughter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So whether your dad is a bit of a hardworking man or
imaginative like mine, you should find time to spend with him and something to
laugh about because life is short and tomorrow really isn’t promised to no one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another example would be from my childhood, we used to have
a hammock in my backyard. My dad and I would lay in the hammock and read <i>The Terrible EEK! </i>Retold by Patricia A.
Campton. It’s a Japanese story but my dad would read it in such a way that we
would both laugh and laugh. I even recently gave him a copy for his birthday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These days, I don’t always agree with my dad but if I give
him a little time, I know he’s going to make me laugh or try his best. And
there’s no medicine better for when life is full of sadness, violence, hatred,
and evil. Laugher is truly the best medicine and I wouldn’t know at all what it
tastes like if it weren’t for my dad. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Before I go, here’s a joke I came up with myself: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What did the corn cob say when it was getting undressed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Aww shucks. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-13137986894831285132017-09-06T17:30:00.001-04:002017-09-06T17:30:23.898-04:00#EncouragingDadsProject Top 10 Piece: An Extraordinary Moment Arranged By My Dad<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
June 3, 2005. The day was charged
with an excitement unlike any other because today was the day my dad was taking
my sisters and I to the opening day of <i>Lords
of Dogtown</i>. A movie about “skateboarding back in his day” was how he
described it. I was peeking through the curtain of fourteen years of age. I was
just absolutely stoked to be going to the movies with my dad who up to this
point was actively involved in my life, teaching me to ride a bike, and soon he
would start teaching me how to drive. A driver of some sort most of his life,
my dad always was a dreamer and it was one thing I admired about him. He saw
things through child-like eyes despite the fact that I was his first born, and
he was my father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet,
that movie awoke a fire in me that has yet to be extinguished. Not only did
that movie entertain me and strengthen my bond with my dad but it caused me to
relate to skateboarders on a whole other level. I saw the way they were
rejected from popular society (even in the Dogtown era) and how what started
out as a niche became a movement. As someone who was rejected by the popular
kids most of my life, I empathized with that commonality: being true to
yourself no matter who approves of you, and it’s why I ended up falling in love
with skateboarding altogether. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast
forward to October 2005, my dad heard a radio advertisement for this event
called the Dew Tour and one of the professional athletes named in the ad was
fifteen year old skateboarding heartthrob Ryan Sheckler. My dad heard that and
he said, let’s go on a family trip to Orlando and see this guy skate in person.
There we were, October 15, 2015, sitting in the hot sun, establishing a good
old fashioned Florida sunburn and I was wondering when Ryan was going to make
an appearance. Finally, after walking in and out of the festivities, hoping to
catch a glimpse of this rare breed of teenage boy. None of the boys at my
school were as driven and ambitious as Ryan was when he skated, and I couldn’t
help but admire that about him. It also helped that he was cute; we finally
stood next to the skate course because they announced the prelims were about to
start for skateboard park. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of
a sudden, I was just about to turn to my dad and ask him if he’d seen Ryan,
when out from under the skateboard park course crawled out right in front of
the barricade where we stood, none other than Ryan himself. My dad instantly
knew it was him, and yelled out, “Hey!” to Ryan. Yet, Ryan just nodded at him
before looking over at me, and he kept his eyes on me as he walked up the
embankment to get to the top of the ramp. I was floored. Was he really looking
at me and not looking away? This young Phenom. Throughout the rest of the
event, my mom kept nudging me and telling me Ryan kept looking at me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall,
that first Dew Tour experience was a fangirl experience like no other. Thanks
to my dad’s courageous “Hey,” I wrote Ryan a fan letter and we corresponded
regularly over the next six or so years. I went on to star in a movie alongside
Ryan (Street Dreams), have his mom set up a private meet and greet at the hotel
because she recognized me, and Ryan even had the chance to meet my dog Geniveve
on March 6, 2011. I’ve always been grateful to Ryan and his mom for being so
gracious towards me and my family. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, it
never would have happened at all, if my heavenly Father never set it up for my
dad and I to bond over the sport of skateboarding,<i> Lords of Dogtown</i>, or even had my father hear that late night radio
ad while long-haul truck driving. It’s something that is unforgettable, an
experience like that and it’s all thanks to my dad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So
fathers everywhere, be sure to recognize when your daughter has a dream or a
goal, or even a celebrity crush, and go all out for her, because you never know
if your daughter will end up being friends with a professional athlete thanks
to your efforts.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-utkYpMzHpow/WbBnMg4ItbI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/n4DDIKgT-e4Pz5Q4F6C4q_vhKjBqdWrTgCLcBGAs/s1600/1914010_102706999742224_7727778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="499" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-utkYpMzHpow/WbBnMg4ItbI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/n4DDIKgT-e4Pz5Q4F6C4q_vhKjBqdWrTgCLcBGAs/s320/1914010_102706999742224_7727778_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJEdoG-PLsc/WbBoqNRg8OI/AAAAAAAAIbc/S_wWAl0QKIgrBKj1wNtBVTNGgt1j8MjIgCLcBGAs/s1600/DCPYYrmXYAAxLOE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJEdoG-PLsc/WbBoqNRg8OI/AAAAAAAAIbc/S_wWAl0QKIgrBKj1wNtBVTNGgt1j8MjIgCLcBGAs/s320/DCPYYrmXYAAxLOE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />An actual shot of where I stood on October 15,2005 and how close I was to the action. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDK0jctYKc4/WbBorIK7c3I/AAAAAAAAIbg/JYRiZzsECQY6TVThJwMY4YMY12X98BU3wCLcBGAs/s1600/DCjKkPQXgAAzTnt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDK0jctYKc4/WbBorIK7c3I/AAAAAAAAIbg/JYRiZzsECQY6TVThJwMY4YMY12X98BU3wCLcBGAs/s320/DCjKkPQXgAAzTnt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-85259923181815649342017-08-26T20:35:00.001-04:002017-08-26T20:35:16.172-04:00Fabletics :Unboxing (6 months strong)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/55TKAgviY8A" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<a href="https://www.fabletics.com/invite/TSCPhiles/">https://www.fabletics.com/invite/TSCPhiles/</a>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-32396291127440193912017-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:002017-08-16T00:00:05.766-04:00Dud Day At Busch Gardens: A VLOG<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JSCUSIqnWvE" width="459"></iframe>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-22678286918353107102017-08-06T17:56:00.001-04:002017-08-06T17:56:00.041-04:00Birthday{ Book} Haul<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hi6dTyeWKzk" width="480"></iframe>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-22989460750772712432017-07-19T00:00:00.000-04:002017-07-19T00:00:25.549-04:00#WriterRevelations: The Power of Being Positive (Social Media)Lately, it seems to me that the trend on social media is to be negative, pessimistic, or bragging. Or all three if you are really popular on social media. Here I was hoping that those rude and hateful posts would go away following the election of 2016. Yet, here we are, in 2017, and people are really becoming as the Bible says they would in 2 Timothy 3.<br />
<br />
I have started to post less on Facebook (or as I call it Fakebook) mostly because people don't see my posts or they just ignore my posts on there. I've heard from others that it's not just me and it has to do with the algorithm Facebook encrypted into its server in 2015. Now Twitter seems to also be suffering from the same problem, and that makes me even more sad because I really enjoyed tweeting. I have been an avid user since when it started up in 2009, and I even helped celebrities like Ryan Sheckler learn about it.<br />
<br />
Now everyone uses it and I feel as though people ruined it.<br />
<br />
It used to feel like a safe space but now, I get all types of judgement from whatever I post there.<br />
<br />
The social media platform I never expected to like was Instagram. What I had heard from the media was that Instagram was full of Selfies. The media once again hit us with a bit of fake news.<br />
<br />
Actually, the nicest, most sincere people I've never met (and some I have) are on Instagram. People will support whatever you post there and guess what was even more surprising?!<br />
<br />
Positive people thrive there!<br />
<br />
I went from starting my Instagram with 200 followers and now I have almost 800, and I truly believe that the sole reason for that is because I always post motivational and positive quotes.<br />
<br />
In college, my walls were covered from ceiling to floor with motivational and positive confessions and quotes because<br />
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The funny thing was I caught a lot of flack for it. Some people were actually truly hateful toward my #positiveonly vibes. One guy I was friendly with once said to me,</div>
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"You truly believe and see good in everything?" </div>
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I replied, <i>Yeah, it's better to be that way.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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He retorted with, "No, it's not. It's not realistic. It's better to see things for what they are instead of for what they can be." </div>
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I've been through some serious shit and I'm sure most people reading this have too in some way, shape, or form. Or maybe you identify with being hated on for who you are. Let this post be your motivation to keep on being that same positive, extremely valuable, love-worthy human being no matter how people treat you. Turn it into a positive: Keep being a light.</div>
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We all do it. That subtle offense we take when someone ignores our text, our post on social media, or the major offense we take when someone questions or argues with us via our posts. Whether it's on social media or in real life, you are better to just love people and pay no mind to whether they give you recognition. Besides, that offense comes from our pride, and pride is a deceitful little beast we should all tell more often to be quiet and remind ourselves that it isn't all about ME! </div>
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Stop being so gosh darn selfish and I promise you, good things will start chasing you down and your positivity will attract all the right people but even if it's slow in coming, God always loves you and that's a great foundational truth to build your life on. </div>
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Last month I wrote about diligence and I have to update you all that I finally faced my fears and drove on the real road. <a href="https://youtu.be/-FBNK7pu8N0" target="_blank">For all the shenanigans, check it out here.</a></div>
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If you are having trouble facing a fear, call to mind Moses didn't think he was the right person to deliver the Israelites from out of Egypt but God knew he was not only called but chosen:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYnJsXUdL5c/WWltLDW6nlI/AAAAAAAAICA/eW5W5RnukBoHGO9MC1u4tlJ82iSBRrtsACLcBGAs/s1600/1499965079448_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SYnJsXUdL5c/WWltLDW6nlI/AAAAAAAAICA/eW5W5RnukBoHGO9MC1u4tlJ82iSBRrtsACLcBGAs/s320/1499965079448_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I'm not saying I never have a sad day but I choose to never let a sad day define me or ruin God's great plans for me, and sometimes I even take my frustrations and use them to further motivate me. When life is difficult and you don't know where to turn or who to talk to, start with this confession, write it out on Tumblr, and talk to God or a close friend. And always remember, suicide is never the answer!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIrHt08CaOQ/WWltn0u6FQI/AAAAAAAAICE/MWPcwwYMZ2ArymyEj8aXkLChKQZLM9HfgCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252821%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIrHt08CaOQ/WWltn0u6FQI/AAAAAAAAICE/MWPcwwYMZ2ArymyEj8aXkLChKQZLM9HfgCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252821%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Until next time, remember I love you and pray for you daily!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnMMIN_gYdI/WWltz1ufs_I/AAAAAAAAICI/M_kz4CYWIHIN3Tek9KWEs6rkSLCKkp-3gCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252822%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnMMIN_gYdI/WWltz1ufs_I/AAAAAAAAICI/M_kz4CYWIHIN3Tek9KWEs6rkSLCKkp-3gCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252822%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Choose encouragement over offense and you will live a long and happy life, I can guarantee it!</div>
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If you read this blog and it gave you positive vibes, please feel free to share it or the graphics with your social media network. Let's create a wave of #positivevibesonly and see how it ripples around the entire world!</div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-51126323492660397532017-07-12T00:00:00.000-04:002017-07-12T00:00:00.993-04:00#WriterRevelations: The Keys To Success (Christian Living)Dear Lord, I'm so sorry. Some how I had all these intentions to post a blog last month but the month flew by and before you know it was Hazel's birthday.<br />
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If you're interested, here's some videos:<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKU8aHg-g8Q" target="_blank">Hazel's 5th Birthday!</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0K9pP9FcsY" target="_blank">Hazel's Fifth Birthday Extras</a></div>
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Have you ever felt discouraged about trying to live the Christian Life? If your efforts to make a difference in the world seem fruitless, following the Lord's example could change your outlook.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzDqUhcPOFk/WV6tAG4917I/AAAAAAAAH7A/pN_8YgWXxy0ZwohwOL7iaXovxrtjo49twCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252810%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzDqUhcPOFk/WV6tAG4917I/AAAAAAAAH7A/pN_8YgWXxy0ZwohwOL7iaXovxrtjo49twCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252810%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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How was he so effective? Scripture tells us that Jesus did not speak or act on His own initiative but instead depended on His Father abiding in him to do the work <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A10-14&version=MSG" target="_blank">(John 14:10)</a>. And we are to do likewise.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sXqI2dGmuQ/WV6uF9dtXxI/AAAAAAAAH7E/uytrwYniPdUL1XcxfXrtK13_09WaZZiWQCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252812%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sXqI2dGmuQ/WV6uF9dtXxI/AAAAAAAAH7E/uytrwYniPdUL1XcxfXrtK13_09WaZZiWQCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252812%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even though we may pour great effort and long hours into ministry, these alone won't produce fruitfulness. It's far more important to minister as the Lord intended.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pjzWsSYpxk/WV6wR65pJII/AAAAAAAAH7M/KZqpk1PuNWAZnDnu13zbMLhuzJh-qa-bwCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252811%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pjzWsSYpxk/WV6wR65pJII/AAAAAAAAH7M/KZqpk1PuNWAZnDnu13zbMLhuzJh-qa-bwCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252811%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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What comfort this should give us!</div>
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Until next time, remember:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztPyP2yv06Y/WV6zPOBPlII/AAAAAAAAH7U/bCib5FIw_x4WjQkC7Vf2Wwc1Wromvlt1QCLcBGAs/s1600/pablo%2B%252814%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztPyP2yv06Y/WV6zPOBPlII/AAAAAAAAH7U/bCib5FIw_x4WjQkC7Vf2Wwc1Wromvlt1QCLcBGAs/s320/pablo%2B%252814%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>xoxo</b></span></div>
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Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253711290313068397.post-34750153207413881972017-05-30T19:24:00.003-04:002017-05-30T19:24:30.655-04:00#WriterRevelations Diligence: How To Take Dreams and Make Them Come TrueAs most of you know, I recently lost 15 pounds despite having a thyroid disorder. I started practicing healthy eating habits and rigorous exercise habits as well. Yet, it's been a rough five months of the year thus far, in all other areas. I was stripped of my food stamps because they found a false excuse to kick me off the program. Then, I haven't been hired for any other jobs since November when I worked for 1 day as a UPS golf cart driver for their seasonal deliveries. Even worse is that starting in April, the agency I freelance write for started to get scattered with my pay, and even cut some weeks from my work calendar so I would literally have to stretch whatever money I did get for two weeks instead of the usual one.<br />
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Needless to say, I started to feel that although my health was in tip-top shape and I felt more energized, confident, and experience more joy, I was wondering why I seemed to have hit rock bottom, so to speak.<br />
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So I brought my life before the feet of Jesus and sobbed in his presence asking him to show me where I was missing the mark, and asking him that my life MATTER for His Glory.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEc8oXJzb4o/WS31MBDiikI/AAAAAAAAHlo/6sEVKTM0ZqE5-hoZ69Sr2VhUWpuL_nKMACLcB/s1600/pablo%2B%25289%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEc8oXJzb4o/WS31MBDiikI/AAAAAAAAHlo/6sEVKTM0ZqE5-hoZ69Sr2VhUWpuL_nKMACLcB/s320/pablo%2B%25289%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I realized that starting in April, I began to go driving but God asked me to go driving every day in order to conquer my fear of it. I have had my license since September but after what happened with the UPS job, it made me feel insecure and that I lacked the overall motor skills necessary to be competent enough to operate a motor vehicle.<br />
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So a month has gone by and I have only gone once every now and then. Yet, God showed me that because I lacked diligence it was affecting all other areas of my life.<br />
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My writing was also another area that has suffered from lack of diligence and God has asked me to write one scene a day at least in order to complete the 40,000 words needed to finish my YA rewrite.<br />
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Companies will hire those that appear to be hard workers and diligence is an in-demand trait. Yet, just because you hold a college degree or have the five years of supposed needed experience doesn't mean you are a shoe-in for whatever job you are pursuing if you are looking for employment such as myself.<br />
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I suddenly came to the obvious conclusion that if I want a job, I must be diligent with the tasks God has given me right now.<br />
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I've always believed that I was a diligent studious persistent hard worker what with IB (3 years worth) the publication of my first 2 novels, and obtaining my college degree but now I see that although I have an impressive resume, one thing employers can see is that I lack diligence.<br />
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<i>What is diligence? </i><br />
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<b>According to Vine's Bible Dictionary, it is the process of working, an endeavor, or business. An earnest zeal or the haste accompanying this work, business and/or endeavor.</b><br />
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<b>Webster defines it as: Constant or persistent to one's work or industry.</b><br />
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Yet, starting today that is about to change.<br />
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Already went driving and went to apply for a full-time job.</div>
— Chelsea DeVries🦋 (@ChelseaDeVries) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaDeVries/status/869586331575476224">May 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Plus, I did not write ( I consider this to be my writing for the day) yet I did story map so I know where to pick up from tomorrow.<br />
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So take this as word of warning; Maybe you are wondering why it seems to be taking <i>forever</i> for your dreams to come true like I was?<br />
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Examine your life and lay each area before the Lord, allowing him to show you where you need to focus, and where you are holding to things to tight, casting all your cares upon Him because He cares <b>FOR YOU!</b><br />
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Before I leave you with a final thought, I apologize for taking over a month to write you a new word of encouragement. I am trying to build my Youtube platform so I was focused on making videos for a little while but I will purpose to be diligent in writing you here more than once a month, as well as c<br />
ontinuing with videos for Youtube.<br />
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Until next time, remember:<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Chelsea</b></span></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Chelsea DeVrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671192659805513853noreply@blogger.com2