Why I'm Not Dating

Hey guys! How are you today?

As I have recently entered high school, my exposure to teen dating has sky rocketed, and I am not sure I'm absolutely enjoying it. Some kids just don't know how to treat each other right!
I don't have any experience in dating, but please don't think that I am writing this post because "I'm mad that I can't get any guys" or something. That is not true. Neither am I judging anyone who has decided to date as a young teen. I'm writing my opinion, which is absolutely open for discussion in the comments! I would love to hear from you guys

Here we go!

//////////

I believe the ultimate goal of dating is finding your spouse

I absolutely know people that do not intend to get married, and just want a boyfriend for their whole life. For fun. Though I don't quite understand all of that, I don't think it's really what dating is meant for. My perspective (coming from a Christian background) is that dating is meant for finding your spouse, and being able to share that relationship together with Christ.
You don't often hear a married person say "I am so glad I dated around in middle school/high school, it has really helped my marriage a lot!" What I HAVE heard more often is "I found my first love in high school. He was my soul mate and we promised ourselves to each other, until he cruelly broke my heart for no apparent reason."
Don't get me wrong, I have heard those beautiful stories about high school sweethearts, like my parents for instance! They have been married for almost 18 years and still celebrate their dating anniversary! But the stats don't lie, folks, most teen relationships don't make it and end up in heart break. Not everyone turns out like Cory and Topanga. Besides that, I am trying to think ahead and not have a super long list of exes to explain to my future husband.

Via gifsgallery.com

//////////
I am too lazy for drama OR I have better things to do
Hey. I have attended high school for exactly seven days and I have already figured out that I don't have time or energy to commit to a relationship or even attract a boy. Sometimes just seeing the kids around me get heart broken wears me out. I have decided for myself that when I am this young and this hormonal, putting my relationship with God first will be much more beneficial to me and my future. Plus, I still have to wake up by at least 6:30 each day, finish all my homework, be civil to other humans, and balance a whole bunch of other stuff (which I talked about in my last post)!!
Being super emotionally committed to a boy at this point in time could possibly tip the scale and I'm not much of a risk taker. Yes, I have seen other people be somewhat successful in that balancing act.
But there is SO MUCH ELSE TO THINK ABOUT.
In this day and age, texting someone you find cute is apparently a group effort. The response to his text must be perfectly flirty AAAND hard to get but not too hard because you certainly won't friend zone him but still not come across as too desperate/clingy
"k"
*cries*

GUYS THIS IS FROM WIKIHOW WHAT HAS THIS WORLD COME TO

//////////
I don't want to be tempted
Now you may ridicule me. Your parents have probably said this at some point, but seriously, I don't want to put myself in a spot where I will be physically tempted. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't want a list of things to explain to my future husband, even if it isn't "that bad" by other people's standards.
 I'm just cutting it all out. Please understand

Via AHAHAHA ok this one gets me everytime

I don't think it's cool when kids are twerking all over each other at the school dance, or anywhere for that matter but ahahaha that pic is funny. I'm not that weird
//////////
Maturity.
I don't know about you but fourteen year olds don't have the best reputation for being super mature or having the best judgement. And this is coming from a fourteen year old. Last time I checked, committing yourself to another human being requires a whole lot of that maturity thing. I just leave it there
//////////
This is one of the ways I have decided to be a girl without shame. One girl who doesn't care if the other kids think it's weird she doesn't have a boyfriend, or any interest in getting one. No shame

Via twitter.com

//////////
As a bonus, here are a few Bible verses about dating :) If you are interested, click the links to read them!
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Proverbs 4:23
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Ephesians 4:2
Colossians 3:14
//////////
That's all I've got for the time being, please please share your opinion in the comments, I would absolutely love to hear it! Also, I will re-stress this. I AM NOT JUDGING YOU IF YOU HAVE DECIDED TO DATE AS A TEENAGER. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS RIGHT?
Hopefully you found this interesting :)
Have a great day
Love,
Brenna, girl without shame ♥

Dear Students: Let's Chill

Hey y'all! Sorry I haven't posted for a bit, I just got back from an amazing but short trip to Savannah, Georgia to a regional conference for Youth For Christ. It was a great experience and before I start this post I really want to show you this picture I took from my hotel room window 

Anyway, today I'm thinking about going to school. Even though I've only been in high school for two days, I've already witnessed the effects that stress has on people. I'm writing to tell you beautiful people to take care of yourself.

via tumblr.com

Here are some tips to making school a little less stressful, your body a little more happy and our school year a lot more chill!

1. Make sure you are getting enough food, water and sleep. It's pretty much the basic way to start feeling better. Being tired and hungry at school is the worst.

*Eat a good breakfast that fills you up

*Bring a water bottle to school and USE IT

*Put your phone out of reach at night and sleep

2. Organize your work in a way that doesn't put too heavy a load on your shoulders all at once. 

*Take study breaks 

*Do your homework early and get it out of the way if you can

*Write your assignments and due dates down and check them off to make sure you finished

3. Have a creative outlet and a friend!

*Make sure you are doing things that you love, like reading, drawing, listening to/making music, playing a sport, making new friends. Have time in your week just for hobbies

*When you have problems, knowing someone is there for you all the time is such a stress reliever. Talk to someone and get a new angle on your situation. 

*Also do fun things with your friends! School doesn't last forever and it's a great time to make some memories. Just make sure you're in a good place school-wise

4. Find positive role models

*Don't hang out with the kind of people that continuously make your life suck, even if you think it makes you cool. It isn't worth it

* Having a mentor is super cool. They aren't perfect but they might be a little more experienced and kind of know what they are talking about

There is a lot of things that need to be balanced, and hard work and confidence are essential. If you need someone to talk to, feel send me an email and I'd love to listen and be there for you. 

Please make sure to get enough relaxation and make good choices. 

I want everyone to be healthy this school year, so share this post with a friend!

Love ♥Brenna, the girl without shame 

WHY I LOVE MY BFF/ WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A FRIEND

Yesterday was my BEST FRIEND FOR TOTALLY LIKE EVER WITHOUT EXCEPTION'S birthday and I regret to inform you, the internet that I live 2,500 miles away from her. This is an appreciation post about her and how much I love her!!

You have probably heard me talk about her before. A little back story, we 'met' in the church nursery when we were little tiny babies and have been best friends for life ever since! Here is my testament to how awesome she is, pal for life, please enjoy. If you aren't said best friend, please read this as what I look for in a friend.

Just knowing that someone out there is rooting for you, and isn't afraid to show it. Someone who wants you to be happy, joyful. Like for real. And they can tell if you are faking it or not.

Unbearable. That's what life would be without them. Just unbearable. Because they are there for you through your ups and downs. When telling anyone else in the universe is impossible, they will be willing to hear you out. And not judge.

Loving each other unconditionally is essential to friendship. My ride or die and I are basically inseperable and we live thousands of miles away and though it's terrible, we are able to have a great friendship without seeing   for months at a time. If we ever fight, it doesn't last. It's kind of not worth it to fight, because we need each other for survival XD #13yearsandcounting #ithink

In being best friends, we need to be brutally honest sometimes. Being able to tell the truth without getting hurt or gossiping is a huge deal, especially at this age. And it's not only that. Honesty also means showing your tre personality. When I am at her house, I like to eat all of her food and she has no trouble farting in front of me, or wrestling her little brother, which I will gladly take part in. We are family

Adventure is one of my favorite parts about having a bosom friend. All of my best stories have happened with her. Like remember the countless times I almost got away by hiding under your feet in your car? Remember the 100 otterpops? Remember the lightning storm and the trampoline? The glitter incident? Flooded barbie pool? SHOWER CURTAIN COURTROOM?! We're basically kindred spirits

Almost cried while writing this because I was listening to Count on Me by Bruno Mars and the whole time I was like PREACH IT BRUNO and I just miss her so much GIRL I NEED YA BACK IN MY LIFE

I can count on you, you inspire me, I miss you every day, and I love you a lot.

Love, your BFFTLEWE

Bubbles :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEIRDO

p.s. comment something about your best friend. what do you look for in a friend?

The Ichthus Experience

Wednesday morning I got up at 6:30, grabbed my bags and headed to church to have a short Bible study, then drove to Lexington, KY for the Creation Ichthus Music Festival. Little did I know how much fun I was going to have and how much I was going to grow.

Day 1

Day 4

On the first day, my group got there around 10, after talking to the most random people and getting lost several times. I didn't really know the people I was with because I only moved to the church a couple of months ago, so making new friends was really good for me.

If you've ever been to a camp of any sort, you know it's pretty common to connect with people extremely fast and be able to mess around and still get to know each other through deep conversations. I really enjoyed being able to do that.

Newsboys Concert

The concerts were crazy! I saw a whole range of artists from rap, to indy, from heavy metal to contemporary pop and hymns. I loved all of it, and got 2 albums. My favorites were a band called Author and a singer/songwriter named Abe Parker.

I also got a whole bunch of free stuff, but aside from that I bought 2 t-shirts that I love and really want to show you!

On the second and third days it rained really hard and since the festival was held in a horse park, everyone got muddy and gross and smelled of something quite similar to animal poo.
I had to give up my poor green flip flops which did me no good anyway, and battled the rain head on.
Everyone was stationed at a canopy pole in our camp ground during the storm so we wouldn't blow away. I secretly enjoyed the rain because it was cold like back home, instead of hot and disgusting.

God's promise after the storm :)

Saturday was a gorgeous last day. We played Frisbee with strangers and tied dental floss to the legs of one of thousands of June bugs. I couldn't believe that it was already over, and how much I had learned about God through talking to others and hearing music.

A henna tattoo I got for free (before it dried and peeled)

 :) I'm sorry to bore you all to death, so I'll wrap it up. Thank you for reading and hopefully you all have had a blast this week too!

Have you ever been to a music festival?

#brennaonbroadway

Yesterday I went to New York City! And it was wonderful! Since I grew up in mostly small towns and only visit Seattle or downtown Louisville every once in a while, so going to a huge city like this was a completely new experience.

Manhattan is so old, beautiful (a little smelly) and completely filled with history and music. 

I'm a big Broadway person, and the TONY AWARDS were happening. I walked by Radio City Music Hall during the big rehearsal, I didn't see anyone, but I was REALLY REALLY CLOSE to Kristen Chenoweth. There was one lady in a very fancy nude, rhinestone and black dress that looked very serious about being in New York. I wonder who she was. :)

Across from Radio City Music Hall

 I also walked past the Belasco Theatre, where I mentally met Darren Criss, who is currently starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He was in Glee and pretty much wrote (and starred in) Harry Potter the Musical. 

DARREN CRISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I also sang at Carnegie Hall and saw The Lion King on Broadway ;)

Singing at Carnegie Hall

Look closely

We also visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, and it was beautiful. They were actually having Puerto Rican mass, which was completely in Spanish. I'd never been to mass before, but it was pretty cool. The building, though, was something else. Huge stained glass windows, sculptures and detailed stone walls. I bet the whole experience for a Catholic visiting the city is amazing. 

Front of St. Patricks

Stained glass in St. Patricks

Ceiling Detail in St. Patrick. 

At the end of the day, I saw the One World Trade Center, which is quite a pretty building, and seeing how smooshed together the places are, I was able to picture the 9/11 attack, and that day must have been one of the most terrifying thing anyone has ever had to experience, and America will never forget that. 

One World Trade Center

I also saw Lady Liberty from across the river, but it was too far away to get a good picture, so you'll just have to imagine it. ;) This was an amazing experience and I am really hoping to visit again in the not too distant future, but no promises. 

I hope everyone is starting off summer with fun memories and lots of sleep! 

Have you ever been anywhere really special to you?

Love, 

Brenna

There You'll Find Me

There You'll Find Me
A Catholic story that takes place in and around Abbey glen, Ireland, by Jenny B. Jones.

So I got this book for Christmas along with another book (which I''m reviewing once I finish!) and I brought it along with me to Washington! Oh yeah, by the way I'm back in my own house now I read about half of it at a time on each flight. I really enjoyed it!
The main characters are Finley, a previously spoiled American exchange student and Beckett, the young Hollywood heart throb. They visit around Ireland together, following Finley's deceased brother's travel journal. As they go about their journey, a love story is created, but it's not just that. Finley's walk with God is taking some big detours. While going to a Catholic school and visiting an elderly woman in her last few months of life, Finley's life changes drastically. It kept me interested the whole time (even though I had nothing else to do...) I understood the characters thoughts like they were my own. I recommend this book! Make a note that I'm not Catholic, but I still really enjoyed it :)

COMING SOON~  SECOND CHANCE SUMMER BY MORGAN MATSON
QOTD:  Do you like any Christian fiction?

#reunitation

I'm home! The Olsons safely flew here to Washington yesterday :D

Last night my little sisters went to friend's houses, I went to Julia's and LC3 youth group!

I miss Lakewood/Parkland/Tacoma so much and I just got here! 

To be honest, it felt like I had never left, or I went back in time. Like I just got home from school or something. It's great here.  I find it kind of scary how much growing up somewhere can change your perspective on other places. This place hasn't changed at all, and it's very comforting to me.

Take 5 and...Action!

Hello!
I'm Brenna (and if you haven't noticed) I suck at blogging. I have somewhere around 4 other ones that I rarely look at. But since I moved away from most of my family and all of my friends, I decided I should give it another shot.
So buckle your seat belt and prepare for this hopefully-not-short-again ride!
I don't know who will read this at all but I guess you can hear my story anyways. I moved to Louisville from Lakewood roughly 2 months ago. I got culture shocked big time! I lived in the Northwest my whole life, and went to a steady youthgroup for a long time. My best friend and I even met in the toddler room at our church, (love you Julia <3) so going from that to not knowing anyone was a really big change. Since then, I've started school and become a part of a new church and made a few friends but I've been struggling spiritually. I met this really nice lady who runs the small group for my age and she talked about it with me and it really helped! (I can mention my struggle in another post if you'd like) Also, my girl Julia wrote a blogpost about her being God's princess that also encouraged me a ton.
Here's the link: http://saysomething12.blogspot.com/

Anyway, if you haven't been paying attention -which is completely understandable, I'm a bad blogger remember!- I will be talking about God a lot! I'm Christian, but I like to say I have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ

So, yup! Thats the most recent me!

And honestly, I've got no idea of what this page will be about...at all. Maybe you'll get a laugh or two, maybe not, but you can be certain that I am trying my hardest

So here's to another beginning! My writing style is kind of confusing I guess, but bear with me, and hopefully I can get better at this whole bloggin' deal :) Thanks for reading and feedback in a certain comment box in a certain bottom of this page would be very much appreciated.

Yours Truly,

Brenna Mae