#WriterWednesday: A Piece I wrote For My Dad

I don't really have anything new to share so I just wanted you to check out a piece I wrote for my dad for Father's day that was a part of the Encouraging Dad's project.

An Extraordinary Moment Arranged by My Dad

Thanks for all the kind words about my new job. I love it!

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea 

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: On a Happier Note...I Got A Job!!!

I am absolutely honored and humbled that my beautiful friend Lux from the Philippines allowed me to write a guest post for her very successful and amazing site, About Life and Love.


Read that first by clicking the hyperlinked text. I wrote that near the end of May, and can happily report that as of June 7, 2016, I got a job as a cashier for Walmart. I love it. I'm not too fond of being on my feet for long hours but I love interacting with the customers and being the last person they see during their shopping experience.


I feel that God knew what I needed better than I did because this is public relations in its lowest form.


Thank you for always supporting me by reading and checking in with me. I love and appreciate all of you so very much.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea 

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#OrlandoUnited: A Tribute to Christina Grimmie

Before I discuss the tragic murder of someone who was absolutely innocent and precious, please allow me to offer my condolences to those affected or dealing with the loss of a loved one in the Orlando Pulse Night Club shooting. It is absolutely horrific and completely tragic that both of these shootings occurred.

After hearing the news of Christina Grimmie's tragic murder on Friday night and subsequent passing Saturday morning, I found myself bawling hysterically and feeling completely numb. 

RIP Christina

How could someone so young, so full of life, so full of love for everyone she met, and with so much purpose be senselessly murdered?

All weekend I awaited the media to give me answers. I was glued to my phone regrettably because I couldn't do much else. Yet, in all the chaos and violence, I realized something profound:

1. There is no reason good enough for this senseless act and we must find it in our hearts to carry on Christina's legacy of love after properly grieving her loss.

2. I don't believe that God causes bad things to happen in this world because he's not the ruler of it. John 10:10 says: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

3. The victory that overcomes the world is our faith. -1 John 5:4-5. Christina was open about her faith in Jesus (some speculate this may be why she was targeted) and it is what saved her and brought her right to heaven and in Jesus's arms when she was shot.

As most of you know, back in March I was selected as a part of Rachel Platten's Tour Crew for her Orlando show at the Cheyenne Saloon. I remember all four of us girls were standing by the merch table awaiting our next assignment when Christina introduced herself to us with a sweet smile and bubbly voice. She was wearing a beanie and a hoodie despite the Florida warmth. Her brother Marcus was right by her side. She told us to make sure that no one other than Marcus was selling merch at her merchandise table. It was apparent right away that her brother and her were very close. 

At around 8:30 that night she took the stage and having never really heard of her, I didn't know what to expect but when she started singing. I was completely starstruck by her immense voice and talent. And she performed some of her "Voice" covers as well as performed some of her originals some off her debut LP With Love and others off her recent EP, Side A. At the end of her performance, she urged people to come say hi after the concert as she would be hanging out at her merch table to sign autographs and take pictures. Even though she had such success so young, I felt a great humility about her.

Then, she later came on and sang with Rachel during her live performance of Stand By You. I may have not personally interacted with Christina but as I was asked to monitor the merchandise table following the concert along with the rest of the tour crew, I watched as Christina interacted with old and new fans alike and each one was greeted with a genuine smile from someone who was really listening to and soaking in everything the fans had to say to her. Again, you could see how humble and kind she was. And the best part was she was laughing and animated as if they were old friends. 

Two of those people she interacted with that night were my mother and father. They were incredibly starstruck by her as well and eagerly awaited the chance to go over and let her know how amazing they thought her set was. And she was so kind to them. And it's something I will never forget witnessing. 

You can see me in the top picture in the pink hoodie. Christina Grimmie, thank you for teaching us ALL that LOVE is a verb, that dreams are meant to be chased (even when you want to give up) and that sound faith will carry you through this life and into the next.

Then, to wake up the following day and see that over 100 people were either injured or killed while celebrating life at a nightclub in Orlando really disturbed me. Yet, with all this tragedy I think the best thing we can do is STOP sowing hate in this world (and that starts on social media). Stop posting argumentative political posts because James 3:16 specifically states: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

This evil occurred because of this principle as well as the choices of two men who may or may not have been in their right state of mind.

With that in mind, my friend wrote and shared this today and I thought it summed up Christina poeticly

The Grimmie family is in my prayers and especially Marcus during this difficult time. Don't allow unforgiveness to settle in your heart but find comfort that each of you will see Christina again. 

If you would like to support both or one of the funds for both tragedies please donate at the links below. 

Until next time, remember this my friends: ‘When the worst happens—whether war or flood or disease or famine—and we take our place before this Temple (we know you are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that you will listen and give victory.’ -2 Chronicles 20:9

Support The Grimmie Family

Sign this petition to prevent further attacks at concert venues

Pulse Victim's Fund

I don't know who or what you're struggling with, but I want to spontaneously encourage you today. You're gonna be just fine, loves

— Christina Grimmie (@TheRealGrimmie) June 23, 2014

Thank you, dear Christina. Now please rest in peace. <3 p="">

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea 

 xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#ViralVideo: Random Sale Haul

I saved so much money with a few sales that I had to share about the places I bought stuff from. Enjoy!

#ViralVideo: Diary of a Fangirl

I recently went to three concerts in the course of two months and my inner fangirl could not contain her excitement. Enjoy!

Diary of A Fangirl Video

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless

~Just Keep Swimming~

#PoetryPower: Happy Medium

I was kinda quiet during the month of April because I was trying to work hard on my writing projects as well as other stuff. I decided that I was going to write a stanza every day in the month of April but once the flow of the piece I was working on took over, I ended up with 35 stanzas. I edited the piece and it follows below:

What's The Difference 

Between 

Keeping Quiet

and Suffering in Silence?

It's one breath between

swallowing

A thousand pins

While being stabbed 

Repeatedly in the gut

Trouble slams the door

repeatedly

while I sleep

There's nothing worse 

for me 

than an interrupted dream

I crave it like Godiva

Covered in whipped cream

A chocolate covered strawberry

Dripping in melted desire

I think I'm just hungry for love

I have no appetite for casual hook-ups

kissing and telling

Having my freak

out in the streets

no matter how good I turn out and up 

in the sheets

How long until I can finally be me?

Judgemental comments 

Pierce my ears

Judgemental 

Condescending eyes

Dirty looks

It seems my bae

found a new bae

that ain't me

Everyone moves on 

without me.

No one sticks around

to ride the waves of life with me;

They just stop hitting me up,

They just leave.

What makes people stay?

Giving them their own way

A healthy hookup of 

give and take,

heavily weighted compromise.

Look me in the eyes

See the betrayal

The frustration

The bitterness of being

through the ringer

Seeing things no young human 

should; not saying things I wished 

I would

Doing everything the critics

said I couldn't.

I know what they saying but I promise that

I'm cool tho

God says that I'm fearfully and wonderfully made

Plus he pays my bills, gives me chills, calms the thrills 

pulsing through my veins

I'm enough for him

For now I'm content

Heaven will send

Me a man who

loves me the same

Worships Jesus 

Loves me tenderly

Fanboys my writing

Kisses me softly in public

Hardly can stand the thought

of waking up without me

Entangled in sheets

Swaddled in love,

Just us becoming we.

Romances me

Sweeps me off my feet

Just with the way

He enunciates my name

Each syllable

a chord in

the love song; 

the love story.

A girl can dream

even if she never sleeps.

You must have an 

xylophone 

in your belly

because

every sentence

you symphonize

Each phrase

rings in my ears

on the right key

Making it hard to forget

your melody

Like a radio earworm

on repeat

I'm stuck between killing myself

or them 

Since either one of us is

better off dead.

I'm less interested

in the chase of having someone

More interested in someone 

who relentlessly pursues me

Oppressed by a system 

that tracks my every move

just to prove

I'm worth the cost of EBT

College graduate;

worthless degree

Not in the talking stage 

with anyone

as I mentioned before

bae got a new bae

So I showed him

the door

The most talking I do 

with anyone;

the drive-thru 

window 

at Dunkin Donuts.

All fat; no luck

My own ghetto

Starbucks.

I'm loving this detox.

Have you ever drank

kale through a straw

so the scale number 

wasn't so raw and ruthless?

Swimsuit season

Fast Approaching

Sweeping in faster

Than Florida humidity

in April

Wonder what a cold season is

As I thaw out from the ice just served to me

In the look my sister just steered straight for me

Like a zamboni with no brakes

All caked on make-up

No true face.

Guess I've got to let go of you;

The idea of you and I.

Not yet a we.

Separated by pride;

Stubborn point of view.

My thoughts have made my head

Heavy

Lately you've been on my mind

though we haven't spoken in years

All your fault 

must be another pride

thing

I should have never

written 

you that letter

With that letter in your hand

I severed our good karma

positive vibes

I never got a hello or goodbye

you just stopped coming to my

 neighborhood

Most likely because you don't want

the invisible leprosy 

I have all over me

It's so contagious

It's affected my mind

My perception 

of me

Am I really being myself or fooling myself

to think

this is the live I want to live

Did I ever 

Have a choice?

~Chelsea DeVries~

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday I'm all but dying to tell you the truth about death

Complain and remain

Praise and be raised

-Joyce Meyer

Three years ago, we got a new neighbor. At first, my family was very sad to see our old neighbor leave after it felt as though we had really developed a solid friendship with said person. Yet, once we met Kathryn and her boyfriend Ken, it was easy to see this neighborhood friendship was off to a very friendly start. Most likely because my parents are from New Jersey and Kathryn and Ken are from Boston. Northerners tend to bond on some unspoken level. Mostly because the way we perceive the world is similar, and we build a bond based off that. 

Anyway, Kathryn went from being just our neighbor across the street from us to someone we held garage sales with, and then someone who gave us her extra fridge when our ten year old one crapped out, and my parents didn't have the financial means to get a brand new one from anywhere. Then, Kathryn started volunteering at a local church, and while there, she made friends with a man who worked for a grocery store and collected their leftover bread to donate to the churches food bank. Last summer, we didn't eat much cake but we had our own personal bread man. That was short-lived because Kathryn was volunteering a month or two ago and she ended up saying "crap" and "suck" too much for the taste of the high brow religious do-gooders of said church, telling her if she kept talking like that she wouldn't be welcome here. And the bread man blatantly told her that he wouldn't be giving her and her friends bread any longer. At the beginning of 2016, my family once again was in dire straights when our dryer crapped out, and Kathryn offered my parents her personal credit card so we could get a brand new one (she even said we should get the newest high-tech Samsung one). Kathryn was an active fixer of things she bought at garage sales, refurbishing old furniture and making it new again and she made the front of her house go from ghetto-looking to two green thumbs up. She even provided my sister a dresser when her old dresser purchased at Big Lots became a big pain in the ass with drawers that fell apart and all her clothes were exposed to anyone who walked inside the bedroom. 

Then, shortly after the incident at the church, Kathryn found our one of her tumors was malignant and she would need to start chemotherapy right away because the cancer was progressing.

Yes, you read that right. Sweet, give the shirt off her back, active older lady with the Boston accent Kathryn, who became like another family member to me and my family had stage four cancer.

Then, like the butt of a really bad joke, Kathryn passed away on April 1, leaving us all a fool for the legacy she left behind. 

Last Monday, I found myself in her empty house with free pass to take any movie in her collection that met my fancy, I ended up with a box of movies. Some of which I had wanted for my massive movie collection for years like childhood classic, Save The Last Dance.

Yet, it made me sad to find that some of her movies were still shrink-wrapped, some of her movies were opened but looked as though she had only watched them once or twice, and it made me realize the weightiness of death for those that stay living here on Earth. 

My mom was given so much baking goods and ingredients that it struck a heavy minor chord on my heartstrings to see that she was planning to make her own personal chocolate molds, and even chocolate covered pretzels. 

    Kathryn was a kind and compassionate soul and as she neared death, my family not only prayed for her but my parents visited her multiple times weekly, my mom made her plate after plate from different dinners she made like St. Patrick's Day and Easter, and we even asked healing ministers to come lay hands on her before she left us. Yet, they were one day too late. 

I share this story with all of you because as someone who experienced being at the brink of death herself, not knowing Christ as your personal savior and Lord, seems like such a quick and easy way to take the death out of dying. 

Plus, knowing Jesus is there with you, and his spirit lives in you, can mean a world of difference when life seems to knock you down, and no one whether they are of faith or not is subject to a free pass on the trial front. Everyone faces tough times and seasons in life. Yet, having Jesus means I have someone who goes to work on my behalf and who has already overcome the power the world has to harm me (John 16:33). Today while doing a study on the Holy Spirit I found some verses that spoke to me, breathed new breath in my lungs, ridded me of feeling winded by the worries of life:

But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!

12-14 So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

15-17 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life -Romans 8:9-15, The MSG.

God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way. -1 Corinthians 2:12-13, The MSG

Until next time remember, though my story was a bit somber, I find glimmers of hope in the message it shares. Death is something we all face in this life but we don't have to allow the world's labels to define us but instead create a legacy that affects people and inspires those we leave behind to also make their life count, not by this world's standards but by God's.

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