The Beginning

Hey Y'all! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall weather, I know I sure am. Guys also sorry for not posting, I’ve been having difficulties with Blogger lately. Now that I got my blog fixed I am ready for the next installment of my Work Crew story. If you are new to the blog here is part one. (Welcome)  

     As a Young Life kid, I have always loved camp; from cabin time, to crud wars, to even the little chipmunks at Crooked creek Ranch camp was always THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE as promised. Usually Young Life in my area goes to four different camps:

1.         Freshman Beach Trip (Awesome)
2.          Polar Bear (Our Awesome Winter Camp held every year)
3.     Crooked Creek/Sharptop (Sophomores-Seniors)
4.          And WILDERNESS (Last HooRah before College for Seniors/Juniors)  

The summer before my junior year I went to camp at Crooked Creek. I actually ended up running into an old friend from middle school who was doing work crew the same session we were there. This was crazy enough in its self but before talking to him I honestly didn’t know what Work Crew was. After many questions and talking to a close friend at school who did Work Crew at Malibu I made up my mind that I HAD TO APPLY! If I am being honest I was terrified to try because it was a whole month away and I had the fear of not fitting in with my other people on WC.

It took about 8 months to find out if I got a spot at a camp, this is not normal. Long story short my application got lost and I waited until May to talk to my area director about it. (Now that I am looking back the “losing” of my application was defiantly a god thing. ) One night I got a call from my area director saying “Hey, I have two spots I found for you Washington Family Ranch and Rockbridge in Virginia and I need you to pick which one soon”  Immediately, I felt something telling me that Rockbridge should be the place I spend a majority of my august.

I left on July 29^th . Did I mention this was my first time flying on a plane, or traveling alone! It was an awesome experience. I thought I was just going to be serving god, having some fun but nothing to great. Boy was I wrong. By the end of the session I had this new family, a whole entire group of brothers and sisters in Christ. We cried, laughed, worked and did everything together. As of now I have been back home for almost three months and there has not been one day that I don’t go without talking to my work crew family in our groupme. I can honestly say I made some lifelong friends.

P.S- We are already having a reunion (we loved each other that much)

Next part will be on Week 1 of Work Crew. 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Provebs 16:9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore: http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:  http://www.pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr: http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram: alyssajarae

Four Reasons Why Sweet Berry Farms is the Best

Fall In Texas

With school in full swing and the weather for the most part also in full heat, I was finally given a break on Columbus Day.  In Texas it does not start to feel like fall until the end of of October but does that stop me from dressing in cute fall clothes with my warm pumpkin spice late... no. Luckily when me and a couple of my friends decided to take a trip to one of the best pumpkin patches in Texas (Sweet Berry Farms). Everything about this day was perfect. From my excellent made coffee, to the wonderful playlist for the hour drive,the company, the Jesus talk and everything else through out the day. 

Sweet Berry Farms

Growing up I always went here as a kid but did not remember much about it. When I read an article on pintret about things to do in Texas in the fall this automatically became number one on me and my best friends list.  I am going to tell you four reason why this pumpkin patch is a MUST attend. 

       1.     Thousands of Pumpkins (and they are cheap)

 They ranged from about $3- $12! WOW! I know right! I was so impressed because these were beautiful award winning looking pumpkins and it added tot his experience. 

2. The adorable kids who are all dressed up in orange or like candy corn

 Okay there were so many fabulous moms here it was great. Sweet Berry is a perfect family outing from the hay rides to the pumpkin of all sizes. There is a little something for boys and girls of all ages. 

3. Stuff Your Own Scarecrow

 We didn't end up personally doing this but I talked to a family who made a scarecrow. It is a really cute concept for $16.50 you get all of the materials you need to make you very own life-size scarecrow. I honestly think this would be such an amazing fall family tradition to do every year.  Get a pumpkin and a scarecrow. It was truly awesome.

3. Picking your own Bouquet of Fresh Flowers

This was my favorite part of the entire trip.I consider my self sort of a flower child. I am in love with anything floral, or floral scented. Lets face it... flower make me happy. For $3.00 you get a vase and some scissors and go out into a giant field of flowers and pick as many as will fit in the vase. This is where we spent the most time picking out the perfect flowers.

Honestly you guys I could give a million more reasons why Sweet Berry Farms is the best pumpkin patch in Texas but I am going to leave it at these four. If you ever get a chance to make it down to marble falls this fall I highly recommend it. Oh and after take a trip down the street from Sweet Berry to the famous Blue Bonnet Cafe you wont regret it. 

-Happy Fall Y'all-

“Autumn is as joyful and sweet as an

 untimely end.” 

― Remy de Gourmont

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore: http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:  http://www.pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr: http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram: alyssajarae

Dance Like No One Is Watching

When You Have A Chance To Be Taylor Swift, Always Be Taylor Swift

I attend a school where the word fun is nonexistent. We spend most of our day studying and stressing over not dropping in our class rank. It is insane. I took it upon myself to bring a little fun to the halls of my high school. Although I proved most of my peers cant dance, I also proved that they can take a break from their studies and have a little fun.

Enjoy!

“We should consider every day lost on which

we have not danced at least once.” 

― Friedrich Nietzsche

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore: http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:  http://www.pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr: http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram: alyssajarae

Rejoice in this Divine Romance

       I am completely and utterly amazed by Jesus. Earlier in the week I hit a low and just broke down and Jesus was there to pick me up. I literately felt the spirit of the lord wrap his arms around me letting me know everything would be alright. The thing I probably struggle with most is image and fulfillment in satisfaction other people have for me. If you think about it though, almost ALL people deal with this. 

Jesus is really the only person you need to worry about. If the most gracious and perfect person ever to exist can love you for who you are, than why can't you also love yourself for who you are. He sewed every piece of us together in heaven, from the neurons in our brain to the freckles on our face. Every single thing that makes you, you is from Jesus. Guys, I just get so excited when I think about this. It honestly blows my mind. JESUS, HE MADE ME, HE LOVES ME, NO MATTER WHAT. I have to remind myself of this truth every single day. 

I am not on this planet to please my peers, get straight A's, become famous, or any other goals I might have once had. I am on this planet to serve others, lover others, and spread the name of Jesus. 


Guys I don't know where I want this blog to go but I do know I always want to talk to y'all about Jesus. So stick around because I cannot wait to share what he has in store for me this year. 


God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore: http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:  http://www.pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr: http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram: alyssajarae

Back Again

Hello Friends! Gosh, I feel like I haven't set down and wrote y'all in what seems like months! Maybe because... it has been months. I am so beyond excited to finally update everyone on my crazy, hectic, wonderful, God filled world. Now that I am finally back from my hiatus I plan on writing two or more times a week to stay consistent. As you may all know from my prior post I spent the entire month of August at the beautiful  Rockbridge Alum Springs, a Young Life camp in Virginia. 
Lets take a moment to look at it and all its glory

Every morning I had the pleasure of waking up to this (Thanks God). Honestly  the short time I was there you guys, I found my forever home, and my forever family. Due to this I plan on telling my story in installments by the three different YoungLife ministries I got to serve. 
Week 1- YoungLives (Teen Mothers and their absolutely beautiful babies.) 
Week 2- Capernaum (Our friends with disabilities ) 
Week 3&4 - WyldLife (Middle School Kids) 

So in all honesty I got to serve God with some of the most amazing people for the most amazing people. So stay tuned! I will do my first post about week with YoungLives.

Picture of most of the girls before we all left. (we were balling)

MABRY- My amazing Summer Staff Prayer Partner. Love her lots.

Not everyone, but some of the servers. Love these guys! 

It Takes All Kinds Of Kinds
 - Miranda Lambert

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore: http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:  http://www.pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr: http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram: alyssajarae

Where Have I BEEN?

Hello my Lovely followers! Okay so I know what you are thinking WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Although it is not an excuse for two month to just disappear like Elsa did into the frozen wilderness but I took a little blog hiatus to finish up this school year, work a lot, and prepare for my trip coming up in the next few weeks. I hope you can understand but when I do return August 20th I will be back and better than ever.

Just letting y'all know also that I was chosen to serve on Younglife work-crew at the lovely Rockbridge Camp in Virginia! This is going to be a great opportunity to serve god and grow in my religion and I am beyond pumped. Also a little plus for this TEXAS girl is that while my lovely friends and family will be enjoying 105 degree weather I will be nice and cool enjoying Virginia s 85 degree weather. I promise y'all not only an abundance of pictures when I get back, but also tons of stories. Below are some pictures of the camp and actually a video explaining Work Crew!

P.S If y'all would care to write to me while I am away, my address will be on my insta closer to my departure! Hey and if you do write I will send you a sticker! (Not a Bribe)

  Thank Y'all so much for reading my blog. It truly means the world. I cant wait until I am back for good. 

I leave you with this today. 

Following Jesus is more art, less 

science. It’s not about following rules, 

it’s about following Him.

#SHEREADSTRUTH

Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore:http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr:http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram:alyssajarae

My Nine Favorite Wedding Ideas

Nine wedding ideas I want at my wedding <3 by alyssajarae featuring CB2

If I told you where I aspire to be in 10 years two of  the things I would say both involve weddings. First being, actually getting married and second is to become a successful wedding planner! For my entire life I have been in love with the idea of being a wedding planner. Helping brides and even bridezillas obtain a perfect wedding day sounds like a amazing career choice for me. Another plus side of being a wedding planner is all of the new ideas I will get for my own wedding.

 Pintrest also helps add to my obsessions with weddings. When I am not pinning clothes, i'm looking for new wedding decor ideas. I have multiple people come up and ask me "So whens the wedding?" that is how bad it can get. With all this time spent on wedding Ideas I have come up with nine ideas I will have at my wedding and some I will even suggest to my future clients. 
Peonies in my Bouquets 

Okay, this one might be a tad bit obvious from my blog name. I love peonies and I think they add a great touch of feminism and are very romantic. All of my favorite bouquets have them in them. Although they are not always in season I believe they are a must have wedding flower. I mean if they are Blair Waldorf's favorite than that is saying a lot. Here are some different peonie bouquet ideas on pintrest!

Dancing Shoes 

One of the biggest rules of weddings is to keep your guest comfortable. This current idea is extremely under rated, but will be greatly appreciated.  Having a basket filled with cheap flip-flops to save your guest feet from being in pain is a lovely idea.I believe that every wedding should have a system like this because It keeps the party going.  You can also customize them to add a personal flair. You can even get the flip-flops cheap online at a whole sale website.

Outdoor Wedding

For me personally having an outdoor wedding is a must. Depending on the location I feel like this would add to the intimacy of the ceremony. Although I know I want my ceremony outside I am stuck between two location; a plantation house, a rustic hidden location, or in one of the many green wedding areas in Austin. 

Favorite Alter 

Sparkler Send-Off

Instead of the traditional rice and flower seeds many couples are handing out sparklers for their big exit. Not only is it extremely fun It is a great photo op. I would love having this at my wedding It gives a playful touch to the ceremony.

 

Hand- Painted Picture

Having someone paint your wedding while it is happening will create an everlasting memory you will be able to relive every time you see it. This is another fun bridal Idea to consider if it fits in the budget. You have a new painting to start a new life with your husband and you will also have an everlasting memory. 

Joint Ceromeny Seating

The hardest part of weddings for guest is assigned seating during the ceremony. It can get awkward and confusing and sometimes does the opposite of joining both sides together. By having signs that tell the guest to pick their seats comfort levels rise. My favorite quote people use is  "Choose a seat, Not a side. We're all family Once the knot is tied." How cute .

Kids Corner

Another genius ideas that weddings that have a few kids on their guest list should have is a kids section. I have a million ideas of how to make this enjoyable for kids. Parent will also thank you for including their children. For party favors have coloring books themed after the wedding. In the kids corner have a movie playing like cindrella to go along with the wedding theme. Here is some ideas of what to include for the kiddos. 

.

#Selfie (Photo Booth)

Photo Booths are a must for every party whether hand made or done by professionals this is always a fun activity. What I love most about the photo booth background above is that It had a ton of fun facts about the couple. Pictures also make a wonderful souvenir.

 

And last but certainly not least,

Wedding Day Bible

I can not think of a better way to start out a new marriage than with a new bible for both of y'all. 

Get a Wedding day Bible and on the sign in table have guests  circle their favorite verses or verses that they use in their relationship/marriage. This bring you are your husband so much closer with your lovely guest. 

Thank Y'all so much for reading my blog. It truly means the world. If you read the entire post thank you for bearing with me. 

I leave you with this today

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine 

and shadows will fall behind you.” 

― Walt Whitman

Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/alyssaajarae

Polyvore:http://alyssajarae.polyvore.com/

Pintrest:http://pinterest.com/alyssajarae/
Tumblr:http://alyssajarae.tumblr.com/

Instagram:alyssajarae