Seasons: Flu & Baseball

It's rainy today in Southern California. And along with the rain...came the FLU. I thankfully haven't caught it (yet) but Daniel has been up all night tossing and turning, with chills, fever and throwing up. My poor husband. He doesn't get sick too often, but when he does it hits him hard. Hopefully he can rest up today and get back to his normal self in no time.

 It has been a very busy month for us so far. Daniel continues to work hard and prepare for the upcoming baseball season. We still can't believe it's almost that time again when we pack up our lives in our car and I squeeze as much of my clothing as possible into spacebags (those things are genius!).

We are so excited for what the Lord has in store for us this next baseball season and are thankful for the opportunity Daniel has to do what he loves another year. Usually around this time of year, before we head out, I start to get filled with alot of anxiety. The thoughts of where we'll end up, who will go where, etc start to flood my mind. I see the way I have allowed the enemy in this area of my life to fill my heart with fear and uncertainty. Which ultimately allows me to take my eyes off Jesus. I have decided that I am no longer going to allow the enemy to have victory over this area in my life. The Lord has shown me that His ways are HIGHER and BETTER then my own! And although we have no idea what the future holds for Daniel and his career in baseball, God knows and ONLY He is in control. I find such a peace knowing that He is in control.

Isaiah 41: 10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

We are defined by Christ, not by baseball. More then anything, we want to live in His will and be used for HIS GLORY;not our own. I am excited going into this next season being refreshed and reminded that it's not about us, but about Jesus! With all the uncertainties this career can bring, our stability is in the Lord! Hallelujah!

Three Year Anniversary

I still can't believe Daniel and I have been married 3 years already. I can remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. The memory and emotions of that beautiful February day easily flood my mind all over again as I reminisce on them.  I also can reflect on the last 3 years too and see how much we've grown as well. I can see how the Lord has used marriage to teach me so many things and has used it to allow me to grow in certain areas of my life and in my walk with Christ as well. Marriage is a beautiful thing and I am beyond blessed and thankful to be married to the man of my dreams! I have learned alot along the way though and I'm sure I have alot more learning to do. I was naive going into marriage not realizing and understanding that it takes 'work'. It takes 'choices'- "choosing" to love maybe when you don't always feel like it, "choosing" to forgive,  "choosing" to lay down your pride and apologize when you know you're in the wrong. And boy is it a blessing to see how rewarding marriage is when you make those right choices! I adore Daniel and I can truly say I am more in love with him today then the day I married him.
We were blessed to spend our anniversary in Palm Springs this year. Daniel's parents had an awesome timeshare that they let us use. It was fun to have a lil getaway and be on our own. We went on a beautiful hike the day of our anniversary and LOVED it! We want to go back soon and try out another trail that was offered. Here are come pics from that hike:

Daniel's Black Light Birthday Bash

Daniel turned 22 this month and this past Saturday we celebrated his birthday 'Black Light Style'. We thought it'd be fun to have a party and the idea of 'black light' sounded different, so we went for it. We had a blast! And it was so great to see and spend time with our friends and family! I attached some pics below. I apologize for the 'blurriness' in some, I couldn't figure out the right setting on my camera.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

Happy New Years Everyone!

I know everyone says this, but I really can't believe another year has come and gone. I remember as a kid, my days would feel like millenniums- sitting in elementary school staring at the clock wondering when the school day would end..to now, feeling like I wake up for breakfast and in a blink am brushing my teeth and heading to bed. What is it about getting older that makes time seem to fly by faster? I think as a child, you don't have a care or worry in the world besides maybe wondering whats for dinner. As a adult, we tend to get consumed with everyday life and worries which in turn causes us to take things forgranted.

I don't really like making 'New Years Resolutions' and I don't claim this to be one, but this year (day by day) I want to slow down and cherish the little things. Cherish the moments. Enjoy those around me more and soak in the memories. But more then that, I want to be able to slow down more and rest in the stillness of Jesus on a daily basis. I desire to delight in Him more. To know Him deeper. To not talk as much and listen more. Lately, I have been so guilty and convicted of being more consumed with meaningless things, rather then stopping and taking in the faithfulness and goodness of God.

2011 is here now. With it comes alot of unknowns of what is to come, but I praise God that He has gone before us and prepares the path He has for us.

Be reminded today, as I have, that you are loved and adored by the King of Kings, rest in His Mercy and Grace and be blessed.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Despite the 85 degree December weather we've recently been experiencing here in Southern Cali, the temp has finally dropped and it now is beginning to feel more like Christmas time! The lights pave the neighborhoods, the trees are up, and fall decor has been traded in for snowmen and nativity scenes.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. As much as I love summertime and the beach, I do also love to trade in my tanks and sandals for boots and scarves. I love all that this season brings: cuddling by fireplaces, hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, cruising different neighborhoods to look at lights... the list goes on. But I'd have to say my favorite part of it all is the family gatherings. This past weekend we celebrated Christmas early with my mom's side of the family. My Tutu (Hawaiian word for Grandma) and my aunt prepared a delicious meal and we had a big festivity with our family and friends. It was a great time. My little cousins (I have 4 first cousins on my mom's side) are growing up so fast, so I enjoy soaking them up when we can. My tutu and Uncle Sam sang Hawaiian songs along with different Christmas songs. I cherish these memories we make each gathering. We had a great time!

A couple nights before that we also went out with some of our friends to the Mission Inn here in Riverside. They have an incredible display of Christmas lights every year and is so much fun to see. Later that night, we saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader---AWESOME MOVIE! I loved it! I'm a big C.S. Lewis fan and I thought they did an amazing job with this movie. The effects were awesome and I loved it! So I definitely recommend it!

Side Note: I dyed my hair darker! While I was home sick last week, I got bored one night and decided to buy a box and try something new. That's usually not like me at all (I think the NyQuil may have been getting to me, ha ha) but I went for it and I think it's a nice change for now.

Here are some pics from this past month:

Cuddling with tissues

As I lay here sick in bed, almost mute in my speaking ability due to this cough/cold, I was feeling like I wanted to do something productive without compromising my desperate need to rest and get well. Then it occurred to me that I should write a blog! So here I am. I realize I have not blogged in almost 2 months...Not even sure if this thing could even be considered a blog anymore- it's more like a "random sporadic summarized update" compared to the daily thoughts that blogs are intended to be. I will admit it, I am NOT a blogger. Although I wish to be and hope this can one day turn into a place where I can daily (or at least weekly) capture my thoughts in words and share with you whats been happening with "The Carrolls". Until I can come to that place of commitment and dedication, this is all I can give.

With that said, the past 2 months have literally flown by for us! Alot has happened including family gatherings, Thanksgiving, a trip to San Fran and most recently a trip to Florida for our annual PAO conference!  PAO (Pro Athletes Outreach) is an incredible Christian ministry geared towards athletes that we have been so blessed to be apart of the past 4 years (this was my third conference, Daniels fourth). It is such a blessing and a ministry I hold dear to my heart. We were able to hear from incredible speakers, engage in awesome spirit filled worship, and catch up with our dear baseball friends that live in all different parts of the country. Every year, walking away from this conference, we fill refreshed and anxious for the upcoming baseball season. Not only excited about baseball, but for what God has in store thru baseball and outside of baseball. Hearing some of the speakers this past week, reminded me that 'baseball' does not define us (although sometimes we can feel like it can)- but we want to ultimately be defined by Christ! Not only in baseball, but in all we do.

 I praise God that His mercies are made new for me everyday, when I truly don't deserve it. None of us do. Ephesians 2:4-5 "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." I love this verse and am humbled by it. It says that God is 'RICH' in mercy- which means He has an abundance of mercy He is willing to pour out on us when we surrender to Him.

So as I wrap this up (I got top ramen calling my name) I encourage you to be reminded and reflect with me today on God's RICH mercy and His precious grace.

Big Twenty-Two

I celebrated my 22nd birthday this past Friday and had such a blessed day! Daniel and I left Thursday for a weekend getaway to San Diego. Friday morning we attended our cousin Michael's graduation from bootcamp from the Marines (so proud of you Mikey!). After that we got some lunch and then treated ourselves to spa pedicures. I convinced Daniel to have one with me and I think he's going to officially be addicted! Later that night, we got to get dressed up and went on a 3 hour dinner cruise and had such a blast!