Well, That Was Awesome.

Being a christian, I strongly believe that miracles do happen.

The first miracle performed by Jesus in the Bible is in John 2:1-11, where Jesus turns six, twenty to thirty gallon, stone pots filled with water into wine, because they ran out of wine at a wedding reception. I'm not even a wine drinker, but that sure is quite the miracle.

I recently just had an experience that I truly believe was a miracle from God, an answer to prayers, and a sign that Jesus totally has our back through everything.

About a month and a half ago, two friends and I decided to do some spring cleaning. It was a project that had been on our minds for awhile but was always pushed to the side, simply because we thought we couldn't handle it. We knew it would take a lot of patience, physical and mental strength, determination and, of course, a LOT of time and unpaid hours. Hours we could easily be working and making money, watching a movie or working on our summer glow under the brilliant sun, that had finally decided to appear. Time to do anything we wanted, but clean.

Sizzling Fajita's...mm good.

One afternoon, while talking over a zesty fajita lunch at Lone Star, we came to the conclusion that we had to put our doubts and complaints aside, take it head-on, and start this challenge we had been dreading for a long time.

With this new found excitement about the project, we began to talk logistics. When we would start, how many hours a week we would work, what days of the week, how to go about this in an orderly fashion and, most importantly, the milestones in which we would reward ourselves with a "special drink" from Starbucks!

A week later standing at the doorway, lunch boxes in hand and determination in our hearts, we were ready to begin the process that would close the previous chapter of life and open the door to a brand new exciting one. And the first day was a success. With a few roof-top rest breaks here and there, and good old country tunes, we finished the day strong with lots of energy, and a sushi dinner. It only got better from there.

We continued to stay energized and motivated, and made great progress throughout the next two weeks. We definitely had our moments where we thought there was just too much and wanted to give up, but somehow we kept going back day after day, getting more and more accomplished.

After a long morning of cleaning and dropping a few items off at the Goodwill, we stopped for some lunch.

"I can't believe how much progress, we've made guys. Honestly, we're doing awesome!"

"I know! We should be professionals, seriously, we're working so great together and getting it done so much faster than we thought!"

"Yeah, so true. This is clearly God helping us, no doubt. There's no way any normal person would have the determination to keep it up. God is too good!"

"Yeah, God is giving us so much strength to do this! He knows how much this means to us!"

We then said a quick prayer for lunch thanking God for all the strength, and being with us every step of the way. Lunch conversation was good, but didn't stay as hopeful as the previous conversation.

"The only issue with working this much is I'm missing a lot of hours at work, and I'm already stressing about not having enough money for LA."

"Yeah that's true. It's a lot of hours we're missing at work, which really sucks. We all need money, we just gotta finish this!"

The motivation and strength to keep going was a huge miracle on its own, but this is where the big one comes in:

After lunch we headed on back over to start the afternoon cleaning. At the start of the whole process we set aside a Tupperware container that we would throw loose change into, that was found on the ground or under furniture. The change had been piling up by now and we actually had quite a bit.

Working through a box of paper work and still listening to our country music, we find a twenty dollar bill wedged in between a few receipts.

"Oh wow guys look, a 20$ bill! Sick! I'll go put it in our change box."

About five minutes later, still working through paperwork boxes..

"Whoa, no way. Guys I just found two $20 bills! 40 dollars guys!!"

About 10 minutes later, going through some old birthday cards..

"Oh my gosh, you guys. I can't believe this. I just found $170 in this old birthday card. Three $50 dollar bills and a $20. OH MY GOSH!!"

By this point we can't keep it together. We start squealing, holding hands and jumping around like preteens meeting One Direction in real person, which I would still do as well. Little did we know.

Going through some files about 5 minutes later..

"Are these real?? Em come here right now and tell me, are these real??"

Out of an empty file folder we pull out two One Hundred Dollar Bills. That wasn't even the last of it. Not only in the span of half an hour did we find almost Five Hundred Dollars, but through out the rest of the day and cleaning process we had found more and more.

I have no doubt in my mind that God knows exactly what we were, and are, going through. He knows we were doing this voluntarily, not expecting a reward. Taking on this challenge was something we knew would be hard but wanted to do and needed to get done. God is always blessing us, even in ways we don't even notice or expect! God heard our prayers, and I believe, saw what we were going through and showered us with unexpected blessings!

Dream Centre Leadership School, here I come!

A month and a half later, we have completed the project! It was such a great learning experience, and definitely opened my eyes to see the love of God in a whole new way. We haven't tallied up how much loose change and money we've found throughout the entire process just yet, but I know it will definitely be enough to make a dent in my Dream Centre tuition.

God is TOO good.

With that, we deserved a special drink. Frappuccinos for everyone!

Thanks for tuning in,

EmGM

How can I help you?

The video may be lengthy, but I highly suggest you take a brief fourteen minutes out of your day to hear what Alternative-Rock icon, Amanda Palmer has to say. Some find her eccentric, obnoxious for inevitably striping down to the nude at almost every show, some might not like her music, but all of that aside, I think she is brilliant.

Back in high school, grade twelve chemistry, I was never one to ask questions. Nor was I one who knew the answers. I would sit in class, eyes glued to the board, hands frantically scrambling down every word dictated to me, hoping all this information would one day just magically click. When I was stuck, I'd ask a friend. When I was really stuck and utterly lost in a pool of numbers and formulas, I'd go after class to ask the teacher personally, but I'd never raise my hand during class to ask a question. Nervous, intimidated, vulnerable: three common emotions.

No matter what the circumstance is, when it comes to asking, people tend to feel so vulnerable. The fear of sounding or saying something "stupid," or being unfair and selfish. Asking to borrow some lined paper because you forget to refill your binder before every class, asking for a ride home although it is out of the way, or asking for some support because you don't think you can make ends meet financially. There is always a sense of vulnerability when it comes to asking.

But why is that?

As some of you may know, I'll be leaving in September to embark on an amazing journey to Los Angeles, California. I'll be attending the Dream Centre Leadership School, studying God's word, memorizing bible passages, and learning to be a leader in the church. The part I'm most excited about is the outward ministry that we'll be doing. Feeding the homeless, providing rooms for low income families, support for those going through substance abuse and more.

When I got the acceptance package in the mail, it came with a sheet of paper explaining to me how to fundraise and write a proper support letter to send out to friends and family asking for financial support. Reading this I instantly felt very uncomfortable. "It's not fair for me to be asking for people's money when they have so much to pay for themselves, and I'm not giving them anything in return." 

After watching the video above, it really got me thinking. Focus less on just asking first for what I need, but offering what I have in exchange for support.

Way back when, in the early 1500, Jacques Cartier set sail from France and, months later, ended up near the St. Lawrence River. Here he met some First Nations people who habited there, and in exchange for knives and other hunting tools, Cartier gained a fur coat to keep warm in the winter months. It was the only way of living back then, you would use your talents and goods to serve others, and they would help you in return.

When we willingly offer what we can to others, we connect with them on a personal level. We complete a task, helping each other out whatever way we can, getting to know their needs, desires, and goals. By doing this, they will also be willing to offer help to you in return.

Recently I have been a little nervous and stressed about financially supporting myself in LA. I still don't feel comfortable asking directly for money from people, but I do feel comfortable offering what I have in return for some support, whatever it may be.

I can drive, do errands, grocery shop, be a DD for a night out, babysit, help study for exams, do yard work, paint a wall, clean the house, be a motivating work out buddy, bake and cook (gluten and dairy free as well), and am so willing to learn new skills.

By offering my services and helping out anyway I can, as Amanda Palmer says, "I'm going to fall...and trust the crowd to catch me." So Im asking, in return for any sort of support, or maybe just a friend, can I help someone out in anyway?

Thanks for tuning in,

EmGM

Favorite Movies and Words, an Explanation and an Introduction

Serendipity:
noun
-an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident


Not being able to sleep one lonely, winter night, about thirteen years ago or so, I come stumbling down the stairs and curl up next to my dad, and we watched Serendipity. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Watching John Cusack romantically connecting the freckles on Kate Beckinsale arm, making the Cassiopeia constellation and skating around a fountain in New York City. Probably one of my first, most vivid memories, and still, to this day, one of my favorite movies.

It's also my favorite word. "Finding something good without looking for it."

How awesome do you feel when the leaves start to fall, autumn is just about kissing winter, and you throw on your winter coat, stick your hands in the pockets to keep warm and pull out a $20 bill and a tube of Blistex lip balm, jackpot. Or when you get on the bus expecting the usual long, tiresome bus ride to work and end up sitting beside a really interesting women in her seventies reminiscing on her past life, and sharing her wisdom to the "young folk." Or maybe its just simply coming home from a long day, and finding a single piece of chocolate in the cupboard. Sweet Serendipity. 

Beachy keen.

My name's Emily Granzotto-Martin, and I'm twenty years old. The start of a new decade, new adventures and new discoveries. I'm a daughter, sister, traveler, considering nurse, wannabe carpenter, decent chef, shower singer and Jesus freak.

After graduating high school I took some time off, two years to be exact, worked three different jobs, travelled around Europe, Mexico, America and Canada, experimented with different diets, made some helpful discoveries and created some crafts here and there.

I love to travel. Seeing postcard pictures in real time, learning historical facts about the exact piece of cobblestone under your feet, and trying exotic new foods, is a day at its finest. I love palm trees, and my dream vacation spot is anywhere in Asia.

Working however, I don't love. But who does, really? I've worked in a cafe, restaurant, shoe store and grocery store. And let me tell you, I now have a wonderful fine-the-customer-is-awlays-right-even-when-they-really-aren't-and-I-would-rather-be-poking-my-eyes-out-than-standing-here smile. Nailed it.

I also love DIY anything, and HGTV, when I get access to cable. What do I do to relax, you ask? Well, you could either find me painting my room, for the third time this year, or maybe slicing up a palette found behind that Sports store in the plaza to make a cool bed frame, compliments to pinterest, or sitting on the front porch struggling to figure out how this stupid jigsaw works.

Cooking is also something I find interesting. I've done the vegetarian, the vegan, and the no sugar diet, but am currently ,and permanently, on the gluten and lactose intolerant diet. After years of pain, action was finally taken. Almond meal is a life saver, as well as corn. And surprisingly, life without grilled cheese sandwiches isn't as terrible as most people may think.

I sing constantly around the house, with a fake microphone, and always pretend I'm in a broadway musical. I love it, but for the most part, it stays behind closed doors. Maybe someday.

Last but not least I'm a Jesus Freak. I love my church family, and am pumped for what God has in store for my life!


So, with milk and honey, you may ask. Why? I don't really know, to be honest. Maybe it's the way you eat your cereal, or what you put in your coffee. Maybe its the promised land you're still waiting for, or a reminder of blessings and answered prayers. For me, it's a reminder to stay focused and keep believing.

Starting a blog seems to be the new "in thing" these days, and I am completely guilty of jumping on the bandwagon. The purpose for the blog is to share thoughts, stories, ideas and creations. No specifics, just plain and simple, life shenanigans. 

Thanks for tuning in,

EmGM