My sister has officially graduated! She has earned herself Bachelor's degree in psychology. My adopted big sister will also be graduating with her PHG this year and, God willing, she will be finally on her way to getting a job, a house, and a life of her own. Both have worked so hard to get to where they are so far in life and I honestly couldn't be more proud.  I can't say that I know God has big plans for them but both of them have so much world-changing potential that I'm honestly excited to see what the next few years will bring about for them. Times are hard and jobs are extremely scarce so I know that their struggle really has only hit a checkpoint. Jobs as specialized as their fields are very hard to come by and require a good deal of struggling to even gain consideration. Sometimes these road blocks are there to teach us some thing that we need for something bigger and better. Sometimes we aren't meant to reach the place we've hoped to go.  Either way, both these girls are well on their way to something very exciting. Snipe, DLF - you guys are amazing. I'm so proud of you both and you'll both forever be in my prayers.

As for myself, I'm stocking up on finances to prepare for just about anything. With my sister's graduation she'll be losing her loan money and soon need to start paying it back. This will put a strain on our finances as a household since her loans have been paying for our rent while I've shouldered the expenses of our cats, food, and the utilities as well as whatever expenses occur through the week. I've taken on as many hours as my boss will allow and every week I'm asking to be moved to full time. Nicky will be looking for more hours or a second job to help with expenses. We both hate it, but we may be taking up food stamps as well so we can start putting money aside. The reality is that our generation faces an economic situation unlike any we've seen for quite some time. By my age, my mom had a child, a husband, a house, and steady income through my father. I had hoped that by now I would have a home of my own and a full time job but neither is happening any time soon. It's just going to get harder from this point on. God's made sure that I have what I need when I need it so I'm strangely calm about this whole situation but  I'm still preparing for the worst- just in case.

It's not much of an update, sorry guys, I just wanted to get something up to show that I'm still alive here!

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one."

C.S. Lewis

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

C.S. Lewis

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."

C.S. Lewis

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."

C.S. Lewis

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

C.S. Lewis

"What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it."

C.S. Lewis

Some of these are pretty recent but there are a few that are slowly gathering dust. I'm leaving them up as a reminder to myself (and hopefully the other artists involved). 

At this point...these sit here as "Buyer Bewares": 

Two character full body lineart from - My end of the trade is complete as of September 14, 2009

Five Chibis from - Paid on December 29,2012 | 1/5 received |

 

Seriously! How beautiful is this?! I cannot thank enough for giving Thalion some life this year. He's one of my oldest, most dear characters and she's captured him perfectly. Thank you so much! ;A; He's stunning!

and myself decided it's about time we start up a group for ParaChiMar: The Legacy of Para. For those interested this group is pretty much just a good place to dump all of our LoP artwork, trades, commissions, and fanart into. I've also made a small stamp collection to celebrate. Check us out. :3

 

Mature Content

:thumb115716341: :thumb62323754: :thumb317353005: :thumb51113527: :thumb323121890: :thumb211834013: :thumb278660189: :thumb446574087: :thumb396139975:

:thumb159295614: a