Charleston.

So many preppy people.

 As if my trip couldn't get any better, I met this man. He makes the best lemonades ever! 

Walking into to this place will help you understand infinity. It goes on for ever with adorable little shops! 

waiting on the trolly. Which will also feel like forever. 

We did a decent amount of creeping and trespassing.

Amazing seafood.

Our view from dinner.

After dinner we took a walk behind the restaurant.

I love taking walks by myself. And no kidding, this was one of the most relaxing and beautiful parts of my day.

Charleston is one of those places that I'm pretty sure is perfect. If you ever have the chance to go, take it. 

I'm back!

So much has happened happened since I've left! Like three birthdays, lots of trips, and lots of school. Even though the both of you reading this probably don't care. And I'm going to be terrible at this like I was years ago, but I don't really care. :) I'm still addicted to Pinterest, and I totally didn't realize that my polyvor designs were being posted every time I published one! I feel like an old woman with all of this new blogger stuff I have no idea what I'm doing anymore.

Overview of what I'm wanting to post in the near future:

1.) I've taken this crazy new urge to cook breakfast, I used to hate breakfast, now I love it. From Sauteed pears over delicious gluten free waffles to gluten free maple bacon scones. It's ridiculous.

2.) I know these very fun and crazy ladies and we decided last year that we'll only be young for so long, and that we should make the most fun that we can. So we've been traveling over school breaks. First trip was Florida for the beach and St. Augustine, the Second trip we went to Greenville and Charleston. Our cameras are going to explode from all of the pictures.

3.) I'm a wannabe fashionista. I will post collages and pins. Bare with me.

4.) It's freaking Christmas time! Expect nothing but jolliness from me.

5.) I will probably never post about any of these things. Haha

Vintage.

Never too late.

 I am finally learning to play the guitar. And frankly people, I'm a little hyped about it. 

Feel free to leave some comments with tips and song suggestions that you enjoy! 

Living out loud.

As Christians we are called to live out loud. God calls us all to different things, whether it be missions, being a pastor or just an average  job and glorifying Him through it. We're called to be lights, we're called to love, we're called not to complain, we're called to work hard, we're called to have faith. We all have a calling. The lost souls in Africa are just as lost as the souls in your inner city. We're all called to me missionaries. However, we will fail, over and over again. But I know that in my life God uses my failures to create the need for something bigger than myself and that's Him. We must have faith. Winston Churchill wrote: "What we are required to do now is stand erect and look the world in the face and do our duty without fear or fervor." He will take care of us. We do what we have been called to and He is our strength to do it. God is using so many suffering Christians in other countries and we can't even pass out a tract without leaving our comfort zone. We can't fear the world and their thoughts of us. "You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield." - Psalm 15:11 As I mentioned before, we're called to love. We aren't called to love only if the person has a good attitude. We're called to love every single mother and every lost teenager. It doesn't matter who they are. I pray that God would break our hearts for what breaks His. And teach us the importance of life and teach us how not to waste what time He's given us. 

We are called to be accurate. That means with purpose, not wasting time and diligently caring for those around us and their hearts.

-Madison




www.teens4orphans.blogspot.com

Oh spring.

 So on friday we went hiking/rock climbing with some friends to this observatory on Look Rock. It was a blast!

Silly faces with Eden!

We also had a picnic and no picnic is complete with out of these little dandies. :)

Mathias. :)

Photo courtesy of Alyssa for the picture below.

It was a fabulous day.

The gluten story.

Hello lovelies. I decided to post about this because it's something a lot of people are dealing with right now. You can say it's because having a gluten problem is popular or you just don't want to admit you have an allergy to it.

When I first started having issues with gluten I thought my life was ending. Not literally. Carbs and starches were my life. However when something is making you nauseous 24/7 you quickly discover that your ability to overcome the temptation for a chocolate donut becomes very simple. I lost 23 pounds in two months from not eating due to nausea. 

Note: Once you start having major trouble with gluten (And it effects everyone very differently) It takes at least 6 weeks to cleanse your body of it. 

How to survive on a gluten free diet if your a carboholic: Don't think about it. The brand Udi has amazing  gluten free bread. The brand Pamela has incredible gluten free cake mixes, pancake mixes etc.  

I would caution you completely trusting everything that says "gluten free". If you are hyper sensitive mosts foods are all manufactured in the same facilities as other products containing gluten.

How have I made it? By living off of Chicken, broccoli and fruit. The short and sweet of it is. If God didn't make it chances are it's not good for you. That's a hard thing to live by though. Which is why God has blessed us with brands like Udi and Pamela.

You may want to consider typing "gluten free" in on your Pinterest home page. One word: Amazing. 

If your looking for quick and easy delicious snacks, here ya go: 

http://www.tiffanyteske.com/2010/04/delicious-gluten-free-chocolate-energy.html

Ingredients:
3/4 cups smooth organic peanut butter
3/4 cups liquid honey
1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Cocoa Camino which is organic and fair trade)
1 1/2 cups organic quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)
1 1/4 cups rice crispies (I use brown rice cereal)
1 cups dried cranberries
1 cup sliced almonds

Directions:
- In a med/large saucepan, combine peanut butter, honey & cocoa and cook over low heat until smooth.
- Remove from heat & stir into the saucepan the oatmeal, cereal, cranberries & almonds. You can use your hands.
- Into a well-buttered 8x8 pan, firmly press the mixture, cover & chill in fridge an hour or two.

I would suggest specifically gluten free oats. While oats are gluten free most are manufactured with other gluten products.

I hope some of this was helpful.

Peace out homies.

<3