These words are so meaningful to me in my life right now. I chose it to be the slogan of my blog because I feel it is a true representation of me and my life's journey...

I am wandering. I have been wandering for some time, but it does not mean that I am lost. Years ago, I was in a very different place and felt that I was stuck. I am not sure how, but I was just stuck. I am not lost, by the grace of God and his plan for my life (which is quite a reason why I am in 'wander' mode) I will never have to feel lost, alone or desperate.

When I have the time sit, relax and think in peace and quiet, especially in a place far from home and without any distractions, It is so easy to contemplate and really think about how beautiful our lives can be if we only understand that amongst our life of wandering and waiting, God is waiting to bestow his beauty upon us to enrich our existence. We just need open to see this and accept it. I pray now for my eyes to be re-opened everyday to be ready and and willing to see the fun, beautiful and grattifying experiences God is so eager to share with me!

Finally, 

to be  'LOST'  /lôst/:

Adjective Unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts: "they got lost in the fog".

Synonyms missing - stray - gone I am not LOST. I am waiting... Psalms 40:1-2  “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. I wander in endless pursuit of a God filled, beautiful life.

Love, Blessings and encouragement to live a 

beautiful, rich life to your full potential through

 the Grace of God!

Chantelle

It's Summer time.....

So, I haven't posted a blog entry in a year! It has been a crazy year of working and going to school full time! I was too busy for inspiration.. Haha..

I have a few ideas already of what I am going to post about in the next little while, but I wanted to start with the beginning of my summer. I do not work in the summer, so I like to travel. I do not always get the opportunity, but currently I am in NFLD packing my grandparents up for the big move back with us to Alberta! And being here in the house with the them makes me understand why they are so bored. They are back on to beautiful beach but cannot make it down there because they are so creaky and in pain!

This is what they are back on to..

I mean, come on? It is unfortunate that someone can leave near such beauty and no be able to enjoy it!

I  myself have chosen to enjoy this beautiful feature of NFLD living by starting my Summer reading list. I haven't had much opportunity to sit and read in such while so my list of 'must-reads' have gotten quite large. I have more than what am going to list.. but it's a start...

I am starting with the Lord of the Rings; Fellowship of the Rings. I am half way through the first Harry Potter book, but I need to change it up. I often read a few different books in a period of time...depending on the book....

...And it as a beautiful day to start! Peace, quiet, rushing waves crashing on the shore..and a good book.  ..Perfection... I swear, I was born to live near the beach. 

Thank you sun, for finally making and appearance!

So as for summer, here's to eating a lot, sun bathing a lot, reading a lot, and resting. A LOT. 

Peace, Love and Sunshine!

Chantelle

Dreaming of California

This time last year I was in California. To say I miss it is massive understatement. I have not travelled to   very many places, but so far it was my favourite. Even more than being in the Caribbean. I think the reason for that is because I would never pack up and move to Caribbean,  but I would to California if I had the right reasons to do so.

I travelled to California with my friend Amy and had such a blast. I even enjoyed driving there!
It is such a different atmosphere there all together. Laid back. All I wanted to do was see everything, splash in the ocean and fall into the hot sand of the beautiful beaches.

I loved being able to go to Disneyland for the first time! I am a complete Disney Nerd. I was like a kid in a candy store! I laughed, I cried. I didn't want to leave!

I did many other things in California such as Universal Studios (So much fun....Jurassic park ride 5 times, and the Mummy...10!), Six Flags (the Green Lantern was terrifying!)....

...and touring Hollywood boulevard and Beverly Hills by bus!

We also made it to San Diego and Las Vegas!

Needless to say, I had the time of my life and I can't wait to go back! I will also remember that even when it is cloudy and cold at the beach, you wear sunblock anyway!!!!! (poor nieve Canadian girl...)

Thats it. Just wanted to write about what is on my mind. California.

Until next time

Tons of Love and Blessings,

Chantelle

Watch Your Mouth

My bible reading today was something that really resonated with me and spoke to me in a powerful way. I decided to share this with you so that maybe you can become encouraged by the words of Jesus about how we speak, just like I did.

Matthew 12:34-36

"You brood of Vipers. How can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of our heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the goods stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 
But I tell you, that men will have to give an account on the day of the judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned". 




Footnote: Jesus reminds us that what we say reveals what is in our hearts. What kind of words come for your mouth? That is an indication of what your heart is really like. 


You can't solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at it's source.

NIV~Life Application Study Bible~Zondervan

Love and Blessings,

Chantelle

Patience. The Frustrating Virtue

"Patience is the willingness to surrender your private agenda and proceed on God's timetable at the exact place he ordained you"

 ~Calvin Miller~

    Having patience is something that I have struggled with for all of my life. I know that it is a huge struggle for most people and it is very frustrating. I learnt early that God doesn't just give us patience when we ask or pray for it. He grants us the opportunities in life to develop it. I am sure we all wish it were easier than that!


It is very evident in my life that God has put things in my life to help me with the patience deal. I asked. I received:


1. It took me a very long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't even know when I finished high school what I wanted to do. It took me 4 years after I graduated to figure out that I was being led to go back to school. Great. I hated school. So guess what?I go back to school, to work in a school. ??? .


And now...I work with 35 kids. Age ranges: 6-12. A prime place to cultivate patience. Thanks. Don't get me wrong. I love my job more than anything!! It is one of the biggest blessings of my life! 


2. Another deal that is going on my life right now is a little personal, but whatever. My younger sister getting married before me. There are no rules against that, but it was very weird. Again, don't get me wrong, I am so happy for her and she is truly blessed, but it was hard. 


Which leads me to my point: 


To this day, I don't know what God wants from me in this area. It is at times the most difficult. 
I am not basing my life and worth on being single or married, but it is definitely a struggle in having patience and understanding of God's timetable. 


Anyway, 
This devotion that I am doing: Patience, By Calvin Miller...is definitely worth a read if you are in need of some great words to guide you in your day to day struggle in cultivating patience in your life. It is definitely helping me!

"To do anything great is a matter of waking each morning and learning to bless the timetable of God. Patience is that inner peace that comes from agreeing that God, who has all the time in the world, cannot be hurried. Working on God's good time and enjoying God while your labour are the keys to patience" ~Miller

Much and love and blessing,
C




Miller, Calvin. (2008). Patience:Cultivating Spirit-given character//a six-week study. Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville, TN.

A Very Long Journey

"Running gives freedom. When you run you can determine your own tempo. You can choose your own course and think whatever you want. Nobody tells you what to do". ~Nina Kuscik

...Except when my running app tells me when to stop and go.

Running (It's really jogging, but running sounds better) has been an extremely long journey for me. And yes, it is my completely my fault. The reason I started running was because I wanted to lose weight, which also has been an extremely long journey. It has been a continuous cycle of gyms, programs, videos, running becoming lazy, giving it up, and having to start over again.

Starting over again has to to be the hardest thing to do ever. 

I love the gym. Honest. When I get to go, there are very few people there. The same people. I get to know these familiar faces (not personally) and know when there is someone new or when there is someone missing. But I would would much rather be outside in the trails jogging.

I have this app on my Iphone run 10k. I chose this because it is awesome for beginners and tell you when to stop and go, and the time increased every week. I have been in week 6 fore quite some time. The trails are my favourite because there is less people to get in my way :). It is also so nice to hear the birds chirping loud enough to hear through my music.  There is also something about hearing your shoes pound that gravel.

So, here is my point. I started jogging again yesterday after a 3 week break. I almost died. I was if I had never jogged before in my life. Side stitches, out of breath, finding it hard to balance. Yes, it was a perfect combination. But you know what? I pushed. I totally didn't last as long as I usually so, but I didn't want to end up with shin splints and be out of commission for too long. But it felt good.

The best feeling is after a workout or a run. It is such a euphoric sense of accomplishment. Sweating, yes sweating, is the best! It shows how hard you work!

I have a long way to go, and that light at the end of the tunnel feels like it keeps pulling back, but I know it is there. I just need to keep going. If you want something bad enough, you will make it your passion. That is when it is worth it. 

If there is something in your life that you are struggling with in trying to conquer it or accomplish it, be encouraged! 

"The difference between impossible and possible lies in a person's determination". 

~Tommy Lasorda

Be blessed!

C

La explicación

Here we go. My first blog.


I never thought I would do anything like this before considering I have started and stopped journaling probably 50 million times. In spite of that, I was told recently my a college teacher that I had a nice writing voice. We'll see.


There were only a couple of reasons why I decided to start a blog and they are as follows:


1. I am not a very eloquent speaker. If you happen to know me personally or even if you know me very closely, you know that I, on numerous occasions, start talking and have to stop, take a breather, rewind and start over. On top of that, I have a hard time verbalizing my emotions or what I am thinking. Put simpler, it's in my head, but won't come out how I want it to.
I hoping that this blog will allow those who read to get to knowa me on better level because most of the time, in person, I am just awkward ;).


2. I feel this is a way that I can journal but others can see it, and maybe even be inspired, comforted, or is something to read out of boredom. Foremost, I hope I can be more inspired by little things in every day life.


3. Lastly, I started a blog because my friend of mine suggested it. Thank you. It also gives me something to occupy my time as I am on summer holidays :).




Because the title of the particular blog states, "The Explanation", I should also explain why I have names my blog "Chantelle in Wanderland". Weird right? 
Well, it took me a long time to decide on a name, and finally choose one that no one else had. That was annoying. 




According to Dictionary.com to wander  is to:

1.to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam,rove, or stray: to wander over the earth.

2. to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander:

3. (of the mind, thoughts, desires, etc.) to take one directionor another without conscious intent or control: His attention wandered as the speaker droned on.

I will ramble. I will make sense. I will write about how my mind wanders. Some posts will have a purpose, some won't. Some will have pictures, while others will not. I will be different all the time.

I hope you enjoy, if not, that is ok too.

Be Blessed,

C