Category: Gratitude

5 Mental Health Tips for the Holidays

Q'Zion6 Comments

Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. It’s officially December, and we all know what that means; the Christmas season is finally here! And while the spirit of Christmas is in the air as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people find themselves more susceptible to stress and even depression during this time of year.

Let’s face it; everyone wants to feel great inside and out throughout the year, but even more so during the Christmas season. And we can all do that; all it needs is a little bit of work and preparation, and we’re all good to go! Today, I will be sharing my top 5 tips for maintaining mental wellness during the holidays. Let’s get started!

Maintain an ‘optimist-realist’ mindset.

The Christmas season is such a beautiful time of year; especially when it is Jesus’s birth that we are celebrating. And I believe that in our hearts, we all want every holiday season to be better than the last. And is it a good thing to maintain that holiday spirt? Absolutely! But we must also be sure to be realistic about our limits and those of the ones that we love as we work to throw huge family gatherings at the end of the year. This year my not be exactly like the last. People and families change. And financial situations and traditions might, as well. But as long as we keep both the optimism and the realism during this time of year, our holiday season will likely be the best one yet.

Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.

I know, I know. You’ve probably read this only a thousand times, and would like to do nothing more than to skip to the next heading. But a huge part of the reason why many people feel stressed or depressed around this time of year is because they aren’t putting the work in to keep their body and minds healthy. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day (even something as simple as yoga, walking, or hiking) as well as incorporating the necessary vitamins and minerals into your diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein can cause a boost in your energy and sanity.

Besides, most of us will enjoy a nice break from our diets on Christmas Day, anyway. Just remember, when we do have a craving for something sweet or savory, what matters most is that we eat everything in moderation. ;))

Plan ahead.

What gets most people into a stressed crunch before Christmas and New Year’s Day arrive is they wait until the last minute to buy gifts, prepare Christmas dinners, and put up festive decorations around their home. But in reality, that can only hype up the stress when Christmas is only one or two weeks away. Do yourself and your family a favor by planning a grocery list, putting up most of your decorations for the year, and buying gifts while sales are still here. If you do, it is sure to help your peace of mind, and your wallet.

Volunteer.

One of the best parts of Christmas is that it gives us all another opportunity to look out for one another–meaning ourselves, our families, and those in our communities. God loves a cheerful giver, and if you have the means to give, a great thing to do would be to donate your time and/or money towards an organization that you support. Most of us are blessed by God to be able to afford a fairytale Christmas (or as close to it as we can get.) But everyone doesn’t have that luxury. And it’s important in both God’s will and the spirit of Christmas that we give back to the people and communities that have given to us.

Create a personal budget.

Budgets. Are they most people’s favorite word? Probably not. But are they a weight off of our shoulders during the Christmas season? You bet! This tip kind of goes hand in hand with #1, just because creating a budget requires us to tap into that ‘optimist-realist’ mindset that we discussed.

Sometimes, as much as we want something (for ourselves and/or those we love) it’s important to be realistic with ourselves in how much we can give. So, whether your budget is 50 or 500 dollars, this holiday season, remember that the true meaning of Christmas has no monetary value. Or in other words, a million gifts cannot replace the love that we share during this time of year.

While we cannot control everything that life brings, we can maintain faith in God’s plan for us and do all the preparations that we can for Christmas Day. And I hope that with these tips, your Christmas season will be the utmost merry and bright! Please comment down below some of your productive tips for maintaining mental wellness during this time of year. I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll see you next time! Peace in! ♡

Daily Habits for Mental Wellness as a Christian – PT. 1

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hey, hey, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen.

There are so many aspects to being healthy . . . not just how much exercise you get or how healthy you eat. Are those things important? Absolutely! But a healthy body is not the only factor of a healthy spirit. That’s where mental wellness comes in. While this is a major topic on my blog, I realized that I’ve never directed a post about positive mental habits for fellow Christians. But that changes today.

As followers of Christ, there are so many ways to please God. And one thing that I know God wants is for us to be healthy–mentally, physically, and spiritually. And implementing healthy, productive habits into our daily lives to boost our mood and gain a sense of self worth is perfect for maintaining mental wellness and deepening our relationship with our Heavenly Father, in the process. Today, I will be listing a few ways that we can do so, with a scripture representing each point. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Practice Gratitude in all Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For me, showing gratitude as a Christian is not simply just being thankful. It’s showing appreciation–through our actions, thoughts, and words–that God has loved us enough to bless us with salvation (eternal life) and all the other people and blessings that put the icing on the cake. While anyone can practice gratitude, it’s even more critical that we practice this lifestyle as followers of Christ.

By acknowledging the things that we are blessed to have, even in the moments where everything isn’t going our way or we don’t feel our best, we can build on our relationship with God as we give Him glory for all that He’s blessed us with. And the best part is, when we show God that we are thankful, He can (and will) bless us with even more than what we have now. What an amazing Father we serve!

Communicate with God through Prayer

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

– 1 John 5:14-15

Praying should be a no-brainer for all followers of Christ. Some people say that they are happier when they spend time with their family and friends. And while our loved ones are all wonderful gifts from God, it’s important that we take time everyday to communicate with the Lord, as well, with the power of prayer.

One of the most common questions that I see about prayer is simply “How do you pray?” Well, the simplest answer to that is have a conversation with God. That could be in the form of thanking Him (another great way to express our gratitude), asking Him for what we need, asking for forgiveness, and even using memorized scriptures to strengthen our conversations. Praying doesn’t have to be difficult, in fact. Even “Thank you, Lord” is a prayer.

Instead of thinking of praying as a daunting task (particularly for new Christians) think of it like this: God has given us the gift of being able to speak to Him whenever we’d like. We can get to know more about Him and better our spiritual and mental wellness while doing so. And when we decide to take that opportunity, we are taking a huge step towards becoming the best people that we can be; both as people and most importantly, God’s children.

Get Your Exercise

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Although they are most often separated as two different topics, our physical and mental health are more connected than some may realize. For example, if you eat an apple everyday, you will most likely have lower hormone fluctuations (meaning less mood swings) and a boosted mood. While on the other hand, too much stress can suppress one’s immune system and make them more susceptible to diseases.

Our bodies are yet another blessing from the Lord. And the functions of our bodies that seem as simple as walking and breathing are miracles. And because our bodies are such gifts, we’ve got to do what we can to keep them healthy. Exercise (preferably 30-60 minutes a day) is the perfect way to release happy hormones (therefore making you feel more relaxed and accomplished) while keeping our physical health in check. But, even if you get bored during your next jog, you can always play some of your favorite gospel tunes to add worship to your workout!

Understand Who You are In Christ

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

– John 14:27

Having a sense of confidence is something that anyone can struggle with, including God’s children. But the thing is, when we take a look into God’s Word, we notice that throughout the entire book, He is constantly telling us who we are to Him: the apple of His eye, forgiven, loved, saved, strong, made with a purpose, wonderfully made, and worthy to have a happy, eternal life.

While self confidence is something that can take time to build, we can’t help but be grateful when we receive all that God has called us to be. So whenever you need a little bit (or a lot) of encouragement, take time to study who God says you are. Because at the end of the day, that matters WAY more than what anyone else thinks/says about you.

Mental health is critical in our day to day lives, and we should all take time to make sure that we are taking time out of each day to maintain a happy, healthy, and godly state of mind. Hopefully, these simple yet life-changing habits will help you do just that. Please tell me some of your healthy habits (as a Christian) that you do to maintain mental wellness. Also, were any of these tips eye-openers for you?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

Just Me . . . Having the Best Birthday Ever!!!

Q'Zion5 Comments

As I mentioned in my last post, a special day was right around the corner that I wanted to share with you guys. And that special day was (drumroll, please) my birthday! I know that I say this every year, but me and Goodmommy had such a blast, and I still can’t hush up about how hyped I am.

Even though birthdays come back every year, they’re a really big deal. It’s not just a day about you, but also a celebration of the beautiful and wonderful gift of life that God has blessed us with. Life has it’s ups and downs for everyone, but the fact that we are still breathing is a blessing within itself. In reality, every day is worth celebrating.

Sending time with Goodmommy is always a blast, and I want to share how we spent our special day with all of you, as well! Okay, enough of the chatter, now! My 2022 birthday post is a go!

Our first stop was probably one of my favorites out of the whole day; and it was only just beginning! We decided to stop at Claire’s to do something that we’ve been talking about for years–getting my second ear piercing! And considering that Claire’s has been known for piercing ears for decades—or 40 years, to be exact—we thought it would be a great place to get the job done.

I actually got my first ear piercing when I was a few months old, so I obviously don’t remember anything from that experience–though Goodmommy’s retelling of my baby-self’s reaction always makes me giggle. As a result, I never knew how it felt to get your ear’s pierced before my birthday, so I was naturally a little nervous. But considering that I handle shots so well, I knew that this was going to be a walk in the park.

Despite our original plan to get the silver cross, we decided to get a stainless-steel star after the reccomendation to get a smaller earring. And I immediately fell in love with the results–it’s small, sweet, and simple. I can’t thank Goodmommy enough for getting me my second piercing! In fact, I loved it so much that I may even get another one, in a few years.

My reaction to the first piercing; it burned for about a minute, but I only felt a little pinch, as expected.
The finished product! I couldn’t be more obsessed! 🙂
Me cleaning my ears for the first time. I was a little confused about the steps at first, but once you get the hang of it it’s pretty simple.

Before we left our house, Goodmommy shared with me that she was contemplating taking me to a surprise destination for my birthday celebration, and I was over the moon to find out that it was Barnes and Nobles–my favorite bookstore.

If you’re a frequent visitor of my blog, you already know how I feel about books. And what I really appreciate about Barnes & Nobles is they’re variety–not only with the genres of their books, but with the types of items that they sell, too! As soon as I saw on a sign that the Young Readers’ section was upstairs, we took a ride on the escalator and searched around the entire second floor.

After a few minutes of searching, I finally found the section in question, and I couldn’t have been more excited by the shelves of novels that stood before me. I really love how this section in particular had literature that varied from pictures books to upper-middle grade, which makes it appropriate for a large range of ages.

We ended up purchasing three awesome novels–one of which was a graphic novel–for about ten bucks each. Another one of them was on my TBR (or to be read) list for this year, so I was super grateful for the opportunity to finally read it! Oh, and don’t worry, y’all; I’ll be posting all the book reviews for each one soon. ;))

So, I’m a firm believer that birthday’s don’t have to break the bank. But a simple piece of cake is always nice. And that’s why our next stop was no other than The Cheesecake Factory. Now, in case I’ve never mentioned this on my blog, cheesecake is one of my absolute favorite desserts, and we hadn’t had a slice for like, two years. So as anyone would assume, I was greatly anticipating eating a slice.

Me and Goodmommy are on a health journey, so it was a little shocking–to say the least–to see the amount of calories in a slice of each cheesecake. Seriously though, one slice is like half of the calories for the day! And although all of the options looked absolutely delicious, we both decided to stick with the classics–a slice of Cheesecake Factory’s original cheesecake.

After we saw the fact that it was a full house inside the restaurant, we decided to eat our delicious treats in the car. But I didn’t mind, at all; we had a close up view of the entire food court section of the mall!

To all of the cheesecake fans who don’t think they’d like the plain original, I’ve got to press the fact that The Cheesecake Factory knows what they’re doing. The piece of cheesecake had the perfect amount of sweetness, and the soft texture of the cream cheese melted in your mouth with the perfect serving of sour cream to eat with every bite. What can I say? If you’re looking for a tasteful—and delicious—dessert with fewer calories, the Classic is probably the way to go, in my opinion.

While that sweet surprise was absolutely delicious, we wanted to work off some of those calories. So we ended up making our last stop at Celebration Station, which is this amusement park full of rides (go-karts, water karts, roller coasters, etc.) and an arcade.

After entering the building, we decided to buy a couple hundred coins and explore the arcade. It was actually my first time ever visiting this place, so when I looked it up and saw the booming reviews, I was really anticipating exploring. And trust me, it didn’t disappoint!

What I find so captivating about arcades are all the bright lights. As someone who’s naturally attracted to colors, I got excited by seeing the games. There were so many games to play. And I have to admit that most of them are super addicting!

Me playing a creative game that tests your reflexes. I had a lot of fun with it!
This is a piano game where I had to press as many correct keys as possible in 40 (ish) seconds. I loved it!
Here’s just a cute pic that Goodmommy took when we first arrived.

One of the first games that I played was a massive claw machine that was full of large bags of 5,000 tickets. I tried it about three times, and I got a good grip on all three tries. But as always, the grabber didn’t seem like it was strong enough. Boy, I would’ve really loved those tickets; just imagine the prices I could’ve won.

After about a half hour of exploring, we decided to check out the additional games located upstairs, and Goodmommy’s eyes lit up when she spotted two huge pool tables. She’s told me several times how she used to play pool years ago, but I never had the opportunity to play pool with her. That is, until my birthday.

At first, I was struggling with getting a good grip on the pool stick, but eventually I got the swing of it, and I was able to hit the balls. Practice makes improvement!

But honestly, seeing how happy it made Goodmommy to play a game of pool with me is what really made it all worthwhile. Just look at her!

Finally, here’s a quick selfie of me to get a closer look at my outfit. Goodmommy did such an awesome job on my hair, didn’t she? She really made me feel special on my special day, and I am forever grateful to her for that.

I have to admit that this birthday was genuinely the best that I’ve ever had. Sure, I say that every time my b-day arrives, but my 2022 celebration is going to be hard to beat. I thank God for letting me and my Goodmommy having such a blast! I hope we get to make many, many more blessed birthday memories together, for many, many, many, many, many more years to come!

What are some of your favorite that you’ve done on your birthday? I would love to read your responses down below in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, y’all! God bless you all, and I will see you all next time!

Thank you, Lord, for another happy and blessed birthday! In Jesus’ name, Amen. ♡

Monthly Wrap-Up | August 2022

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Good morning, afternoon, day, or evening everybody! This is Princess Q’Zion, and welcome back to my blog! Well, September is almost here. And that means that August of 2022 is about to come to an end. It almost feels like this month went by a little too fast. But, it was a great month–thank God–so I can’t really complain.

Here is a wrap-up of how I spent this August. Let’s get started!

Life Updates

So, I’ve officially gotten through my first month of high school . . . and now that I’ve got back into the lingo of doing my school work every day, I can officially say that I don’t think it’s that different from junior high. For me, entering high school was kind of like turning 13; I felt a little bit more mature and like I was starting a new chapter. But there have not been any drastic changes in my life. And to be honest, I’m super happy about that, because I love my live as it is.

Towards the end of this month, me and Goodmommy have began walking outside three days a week to increase our stamina. We originally started due to a fitness assessment for my HOPE course–but we loved it so much that we decided to walk outdoors regularly. And even though we practically just started our fitness journey, I’m already feeling healthier and happier, every day. Oh, and speaking of my family, it’s been a while since I’ve gave an update on Peace–my betta fish–to you guys. Honestly, I think Peace gets more and more energetic every day. Here’s a picture of him.

This was one of the only clear pictures that I could get of Peace today because every time I come up to the tank, he wiggles so fast that it’s so hard to catch him being still lol. But can we talk about how Peace’s colors have gotten even more vibrant compared to a month ago? Let’s face it: Peace simply cannot take a bad photo.

Books That I Read

A majority of the reading that I did this month outside of school was actually around the first week of August. Because in reality, being a freshman is practically the same thing as having a part-time job. Anyway, I’m just happy that I was able to finish a few books, this month, since it’s something that I’ve been working on, recently. Plus, considering that my birthday and Christmas are both right around the corner, I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be getting some new books very soon. 😉

  • Frozen II: Forest of Shadows by Kamila Benko – After a year-and-a-half’s pause halfway through this 416-page novel, I finally finished it. I have to admit though that once I resumed, I literally could not put this one down!
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney – In my opinion, Rodrick Rules is the best out of all of the DoaWK movies, and I think the book was really good, too!
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney – This book was the inspiration of the Dog Days film. And I’ve got to say, it’s probably one of the funniest additions to the series (although none of them compare to the original, in my opinion.)
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney – Greg–the protagonist of the series–was mainly just rambling throughout the course of this book. Nothing super exciting happened, since it was literally Greg just jotting down his random thoughts. But overall, it still included some funny moments and made me smile, so I’ll count it as a win.

Movies That I Watched

Pureflix–which is basically the Christian version of Netflix–had been a little disappointing for the past couple months. Like, it was really hard to find something that was actually good to watch. Me and Goodmommy were even thinking about trading it for a new streaming service–even though we really didn’t want to.

But thank God, Pureflix finally had a good comeback this month! So to make a long story short, we binged the new additions throughout the entire month, and we found some really good Christian films! Here is a list of all the movies that I watched this August, and a few of my takeaways from each one.

  • The World We Make – I think we actually saw this film at the end of July, but I still really wanted to include it because I absolutely loved it! Interracial couples are kind of marginalized in the entertainment industry. But I’m glad to see that they’ve gotten more representation within the past few years. This movie really touched on the subjects of racism, racial prejudice, grieving, and what true love really is in a really tasteful way. I definitely recommend it for everyone!
  • Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters – A relationship between a father and his daughter is probably one of the most precious of them all. I thought that this movie did a really great job of portraying the ups and downs of that relationship. This one is a strong recommendation of mine for other teenagers–especially teenage girls, because the two oldest daughters in the movie are both facing things that many girls will likely find relatable.
  • Miracles From Heaven – This tear jerker of a movie–which just so happens to be a true story–is a must-watch for the entire family. Even though me and Goodmommy watched it about two times before re-watching it this month, we still both ended up crying, once again. No matter how many times you watch it, it’s going to affect you, and that’s what I love about this film! PLEASE don’t sleep on this movie–it is truly a ✨ masterpiece. ✨
  • Why We Breathe – All I have to say about this movie is- eh. Although I appreciated how the movie included a well-represented black character and the tastefully-addressed issue of domestic violence, I didn’t really like the main character’s personality. Sure, almost every protagonist makes some mistakes, throughout the course of a plot, but I feel like the main character in this film made several mistakes without redeeming herself. In conclusion, the film was a good idea, but the execution was far from stellar.
  • Play the Flute – Although I thought the start of this one was kind of slow, it became a favorite of mine about halfway through. The plot of teenagers who doubt the concepts of Christianity changing their ways and developing their relationships with God was a really satisfying watch. The themes of peer pressure, making our lives count for God, and what it means to “play the flute” (Matthew 11:17) gave me a better understanding about both the Bible and life itself. If you’re a Christian teen, Play the Flute is definitely a must-watch.

My Favorite Posts of the Month

Well, I published a total of 18 post on my blog, this August. Pretty good! These are some of my personal favorites, for this month.

Aaaaannnnddd, that’s all for the wrap-up of August 2022. Honestly, creating a recap of my entire month was unexpectedly satisfying. I would really appreciate if you all would let me know what you thought about it. You never know: monthly wrap-ups just might become a new tradition, on The Joys and Trials and a Christian Teen.

What was the best part(s) of this August for you? Also, is there anything that you have planned in the last few months of the year that you are looking forward to? Feel free to share your responses in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in, and I’ll catch you later! ♡

7 Things to Give Away to Those in Need

Q'ZionLeave a comment

What’s up, peeps! I hope your day or night has been fantabulous! ♡

Do you have some things in your house that are just sitting around? As time goes by, chances are we will all stop using things here and there. It’s just a part of growing up. But just because we don’t use certain things anymore, doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone else out there who really needs it. Instead of just throwing what we don’t want in the garbage, finding ways to give it to someone who could put them to good use is always a better option.

I just found out that it’s National Give Something Away Day, and since God loves a cheerful giver, I thought I’d take the theme of today and run with it.

If there’s any time to finally give away some of the things that are good quality but have done nothing but sit on a shelf, it’s today. Whether you are looking to bless a family member, a charity or nonprofit, a neighbor, a friend, or any one else that God has placed on your heart, here are 7 ideas for what you can give away to anyone in need. Let’s get started!

1. Clothing and Socks

For those of us that God has blessed to have closets full of clothes, including myself, clothing and socks are everyday objects that we use to keep us both warm and stylish. But the sad truth is, there are many people out there who don’t have access to these necessities. And since the cool seasons of fall and winter are right around the corner, the demand among the needy for warm clothing will soon be on the rise. So, if you have some clothes that you have outgrown, don’t want anymore, or have never worn, there is always someone else out there who could really use them to get back on their feet.

2. Food

As human beings, we can only go so long without food. That’s why volunteering in food drives or nursing homes to serve food, or simply giving away some eatables to a local charity is such an amazing way to help those in your community. For many of us, eating a nutritious meal is another everyday blessing that we are fortunate to have on a regular basis. The least that we can do to show our gratitude for that blessing is by giving towards others who don’t have that privilege.

3. Books

If you’re a bookworm like myself, you might have a few books from your childhood that you never seemed to give away. Reading is a way that many people learn, grow, and relax after a long day. Without books, the world simply wouldn’t be the same. Therefore, many of the old books that we no longer use could be a wonderful gift to a child or person to whom you want to spread the spirit of reading.

4. Money and Gift Cards

One of the most classic ways to give to people in need is through financial donations. And while they might seem cliche to some, they can be really helpful for many families around the world. A gift card or cash to go toward a popular gas station, a local restaurant, or anywhere that the person who you bless chooses could be the key to getting someone in need to a more comfortable space in their life.

5. Toys

One of the most memorable aspects of our early childhood is the toys and stuffed animals that we loved the most. And while some of them may hold a sentimental value, we tend to grow out of others over time. Every child deserves to have fun toys to play with, so giving away some of our older toys to a nonprofit, a church, or a charity meant specifically for kids is a great way to keep our memories with our beloved toys alive.

6. An Automobile

Yes, you read it correctly: an automobile. While some people cannot afford to give away a vehicle that they use as their main method of transportation, a person with multiple vehicles–and one that they don’t use anymore–might be able to use that opportunity to bless someone else. Many single mothers and fathers balance parenting, working and even going to school on a regular basis. Therefore, an automobile of their own would definitely be a large help compared to having to make it to the bus stop, every morning. Sure, an automobile is a big donation, but if you can afford to give one away, why not show a little kindness by giving it to someone in need?

7. Blankets (they’re awesome)

Come on, now. Who doesn’t love a warm blanket on a cold winter night? Winter clothing and blankets are some of the most requested items in homeless shelters. And for good reason–everybody wants to be cozy and warm while its chilly outside. Therefore, any well-kept winter clothing and blankets that we don’t need anymore is another example of a fantastic donation to a local shelter in your city.

Helping people by giving is truly a blessing from God. Not only does it help someone who is in need, but it’s a good feeling when you know that you did something to make a difference in someone else’s life. I hope that this list gave you a few options for what you can do to brighten someone’s day.

LET’S CHAT~Do you have any other ideas for things you can give to people in need? Feel free to share your thoughts down below.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! See you next time! ♡

A simple summer break is enough for me

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion and welcome or welcome back to my corner of the internet! ♡

Considering that in less than a month now, school will be starting for me, I’ve been thinking about doing a review of my summer break. And while I was originally going to do it on one of the last days of summer, I recently found out that it’s National Simplicity Day.

Now, it may seem like this National Day has absolutely nothing to do with summer break. But the thing is, my summer has been pretty simple. Despite the fact that we haven’t done anything extravagant, so far, me and Goodmommy have still had an amazing time simply being in the moment, resting, and spending some quality time, together.

The truth is, you don’t have to do a bunch of things to have a great summer break. So, today, I will be sharing some of the everyday things that me and Goodmommy have done to make the most of my summer break, with many of the photos that I’ve taken to keep our summer memories alive.

Let’s get started!

I went to Barnes and Nobles for the first time in years. It was so exciting and overwhelming to see all those books in one building. I can’t wait to go again!

I bought 3 new books–and thoroughly enjoyed them all! It had been a while since I got some new books to add to my large bookshelf, so I was super thankful to be able to get into the swing of things when it comes to reading.

I’ve had two strawberry milkshakes–and used them to practice my photography skills. To be honest, I think I’ve developed a bit of an obsession lol.

I’ve had a lot of fun hanging out with my betta fish baby, Peace. Isn’t he adorbs, y’all?

I enjoyed some delectable desserts at Panera Bread, and found the best cinnamon roll that I’ve ever tasted. Great, now I want another one, lol.

I’ve had several fun trips to Michaels–my favorite arts and crafts store.

I rediscovered my love for Rainbowloom, and I’ve made a lot of bracelets and figures to grow my collection. Sometimes it’s crazy to think about how much I’ve made in one month.

I’ve had a LOT of tasty food, considering that Goodmommy is such an excellent chef.

I’ve gotten closer to my Heavenly Father God through constant prayer, gospel music meditation, and the reading of His Word. He has truly blessed me mightily.

And of course, through it all I’ve spent a lot of quality time with my Goodmommy! I feel as though us being home so much has brought us even closer together, and I am thankful to God for a mother-figure like her.

As you can see, although the first half of my summer break was fairly simple, each of the things that I have done with the ones I love has been such a blessing. Sometimes, simply enjoying each of the everyday aspects of life can make your summer that much sweeter. And while we have several fun activities planned for the second half of my time off—including a visit to MOSI and possibly completing obstacle courses at a local park–I am grateful for all the fun that I’ve had so far.

Yep, a simple summer break is just enough for me. ♡

LET’S CHAT~How did you/have you been spending your summer break?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody? See you next time!

The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 | national day of joy ♡

Q'ZionLeave a comment

If you could describe the best feeling in the world, what would it be? Come to think of it, there are a few that come to my mind. Love, gratitude, hope, peace. But what about the word “joy”? The dictionary itself defines the word as “a feeling of great pleasure or happiness.”

And while some might say that joy is a synonym to the word happy, it’s more of an abundance of glee that feels like a burst of energy throughout your body; in other words, pure bliss. Today happens to be the National Day of Joy, and a special Hug Holiday, which ironically go together perfectly. I mean, if there’s anything that bring us joy, it’s a warm hug.

In order to celebrate this day catered to joy, I decided to answer some fun yet thought-provoking questions in my original creation: The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 Feel free to answer each of these questions on your blog, as long as you state my name as the original creator (Q’Zion) and provide a link to the homepage of my blog within that post. And, without further ado, let’s get started!

What brings you the most joy–that does not include materialistic items?

Firstly Father God, who all my joy comes from. Then my family and friends. My pet fish. Seeing others be kind to one another. Doing what I love to do: including writing, art, listening to music, singing, reading, looming, etc. I think I feel happiest when I am doing what I love with the people that I love. While participating in my hobbies is always fun, whether I do it individually or with others, I always love to share my work with the people whom I care about the most.

Which color do you associate with the word “joy” the most?

I know this might be a little standard, but yellow is the first color that comes to my mind after reading this question. Bubblegum pink is a pretty close second, though. I think both of those colors are bright, energetic, bright and happy–looking. Brighter colors in the warmer spectrum tend to make me the happiest. On the other hand, colors like purple, blue and green give me a serene vibe. It’s funny how different colors and shades can make us feel different emotions, isn’t it?

How do you think you’ve grown as an individual within the past year?

The past year–or two–of my life have had a huge affect on the person that I am today. For one, I think that I’ve got a lot wiser, both due to things that God and my Goodmommy has shared with me as well as personal experiences. Now I am much more confident in who I am and how I look, and as a result I am a lot less shy then I was years ago. I have come to discover that I am wonderfully and perfectly made. In other words, I am exactly who God wants me to be. And I think that as long as I keep that motto in my heart, I will continue to grow.

What are you most grateful for?

The list is so long that it would never end, as there are always things to be thankful for when you look at the big picture of your life and what it could be. Right now, I’m most thankful for love and peace in my home. Being able to laugh, smile, and just enjoy life. I know that’s a pretty simple answer, but the things that make us happy don’t have to be complicated. In fact, most times it’s the everyday miracles that bring us the most joy.

How do you find joy through the trials of life?

When life gets tough and you’re in a tight spot, it can be tough for some to find things to be joyful about. However, I always like to remember that even though things might not be going my way, I’m still alive and breathing. Therefore, my journey is not over. Life itself is one of the greatest blessings of all. If we weren’t alive, how would we be able experience joy in the first place?

Wow! Those questions were the exact daily dose of happiness that I needed. The entire purpose for this post was to give us a chance to reflect on what makes us feel joy, and what we are grateful for even throughout the trials that we face. Remember, nothing and nobody can take your joy without your permission!

LET’S CHAT~What brings you the most joy? And furthermore, what is your favorite way to spread joy to others? Feel free to share your responses in the comments. I would love to hear from you all!

Have a joyful day, everybody! See you next time! 🌻

Living is a Blessing – Words of Wisdom #18

Q'ZionLeave a comment 
Ecclesiastes 6:9 -- New Living Translation (NLT)
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

You know, a lot of people say to be thankful for the “simple things.” Like the fact that we have food to eat, that our bodies are functioning properly, and that we woke up this morning. Those events that occur everyday that some people take for granted. And while we should be thankful for every blessing in our lives, I think we should find another word to describe these everyday events; because the thing is, each of them are anything but simple.

Think about it; our house could have set on fire last night, turning all of our food into ashes, but it didn’t. We could have had a heart attack at any moment, but we didn’t. We could have died in our sleep last night or any night before it, but we didn’t.

When we really sit down and think about how quickly blessings can be taken away from us, it’s easier to understand just how miraculous every second of life truly is. And it’s all thanks to our Heavenly Father who keeps us safe in the palm of his hands.

So, you may be wondering what the purpose is behind this message. I have several responses to answer just that.

  • The things that do (and don’t) occur everyday are not simple; instead, they are miracles.
  • It’s easy to take everyday aspects of life for granted until they are stripped away.
  • Enjoy each of life’s miracles, because no second on this Earth is promised.

In short, just about everything around us (and NOT around us) is a blessing in one way or another. God has been good to us in an uncountable amount of ways. And if we take the time to look, they aren’t hard to find. Even though it has it’s joys and trials, life in itself is a miracle. That’s why I thank God every morning for letting me see a new day.

After all, we never know which one will be our last.

Have a blessed day everybody! See y’all later! ♡

We reached 100 FOLLOWERS! Thank you!

Q'Zion2 Comments

309 days ago, on August 1, 2021 I posted for the first time on this blog. Ever since then I have learned so much about marketing, my writing skills have improved, I’ve met so many other amazing teenage and Christian bloggers, I’ve gotten wiser and I’ve gained a total of 100 of you guys (my loyal and amazing followers; 98 WordPress and 2 emails!!!

🎉 WE DID IT, Y’ALL! 🎉

Oh, but did you think that was all? Nope! As an extra bonus, today was the day where we reached 1,000 likes on The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen!

I want to give thanks to God for giving me the perseverance of to post almost every day and bringing me you guys, my Goodmommy for constant love and support, and all of you for going out of your way to follow my blog—especially those of you who frequently like and/or comment on my posts. I appreciate you all, and I thank you for joining me on my journey. ♡

In celebration of this huge milestone, I would like to do an 100 followers special. After brainstorming and considering all of your suggestions, I decided that this time I would like to do an assumptions about me post. But there’s one thing that I need to do that . . . your assumptions.

To join me in this amazing achievement that wouldn’t be possible without you all, I would really appreciate it if you would comment a few things that you assume about me based on my appearance, personality, writing style, hobbies, or other things that you know about me already. Feel free to get creative with your questions! The only type of questions that I won’t permit is those seeking personal information such as age, DOB (date of birth), etc. Otherwise, have fun and ask away!

After I have received a good amount of responses, I will answer your questions for the special. I’m super excited to read and answer your assumptions about me! And thanks again for all your love and support. I’m truly thankful for every single one of you.

Have a happy day, God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Bye guys! 🎉

Happy Memorial Day 💙🇺🇸💙

Q'ZionLeave a comment

On the last Monday of May every year, which is May 30th in 2022, people all across America are celebrating Memorial Day, when we honor the lives of American soldiers in the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marines for all the sacrifices they make every day, beginning in the moment they made the decision to serve our country.

Although my family doesn’t throw a huge party for this holiday—despite the fact that several family members of mine have served us–I firmly believe that Memorial Day is a holiday that deserves to be acknowledged; it gives us a chance to thank the people who leave their families for long periods of time to protect the people of the United States.

I’m quite sure that is a hard thing to do, especially being all the way across the world from home. Especially all while risking your life in wars, and sometimes loosing close friends in them. The nobility of every soldier deserves to be recognized.

Many families in America celebrate Memorial Day in a wide variety of ways. While some visit their loved ones at cemeteries, others join in at a local parade or have a family barbecue in celebration. I’m really curious, do you celebrate Memorial Day. If you observe the holiday, what do you do in order to celebrate?

I’m quite sure not all of you live in America, but it would be super cool if those of you who do have a family member who is or was an American soldier and celebrate Memorial Day would share how you observe the special day in the chat.

Once again, thank you to all American soldiers for your dedication and constant service to the people of our country. I pray that you have a peaceful, loving, happy, blessed day with those who you love, both today and many days to come. May God bless you all. ♡

Have a beautiful and blessed day everybody! See you next time! 💞🇺🇸💞