Living In God's Guidence

Close

2011-04-18T22:42:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,
As I re-evaluate my life there are things I need to change. This last month has been a radical month. I owe all of you an apology for walking the christian walk and following the "motions". I have been traveling this road for a few years and when I was at my lowest, where life couldn't be any worse I cried out to God and He was there. So as I focus on Christ and try to become like him, the chapters in my life are changing. One chapters closing, the chapter full of fear, shame, and pain, and I am opening a new one, full of freedom, life, and joy. Each day I am struggling to draw closer to God and who he want me to be but slowly with his grace I am doing so. With the end of this chapter I need to close my blog. I have clearly heard God tell me too. My blog is a source of pride for me and it is something I really struggle with, but the more I am listening to Christ the more I am learning to be humble. In the Bible, we are told to cut ourselves from what causes us to sin. So for no, I am closing my blog. I don't know what the future holds but I know life is changing and really needs too. I may pick my blog back up later this year, I may start a new one for my new life, or I may simply focus on God and stay off the blogging world for a while.

I have loved this journey in my life but its time to end. Thanks for being a small part of my life by following/reading my little corner of the world. Have a wonderful Easter Weekend as you remember the cross and all that has been done for you. I know this Easter will be unlike any other for me.

Always Remember: Jeremiah 29: 10-12 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

God's Chisel

2011-03-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

Last week one of my friends was telling me about the "Skit Guys" during a break in Bible class. They are basically two guys who act out Bible stories but make them really funny. They are SO good at what they do. So yesterday I looked them up on youtube because I had nothing better to do... (like homework, laundry, making dinner, or chores) and N and I spent almost an hour watching these hilarious skits. When I first looked them up my sister was standing there with me and I found this one. My sister wanted me to find a different one because she didn't find this one funny (turns out all the humor is a little above her head anyway), but I went back the the chisel one later last night. Such a powerful message! I am such a control freak... wish I could relax and let God just chisel. I wish it wasn't so painful to become who he wants me to be. This is definitely something I struggle with.... by his grace I am getting better though.

Slightly umm... busy?

2011-02-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

This week has been crazy. I cant wait till next Wednesday because my life should get way less stressful after that. I have been attending physical therapy for almost two months now thanks to my knees. The good news is that it seems to be helping. My left knee hasn't been giving me any trouble and my right is hurting less than it was. That is for an hour 2-3 times a week and is just time consuming, although my therapist is really good and makes it fun. I have also started a photography class which means I am at school for an extra 2.5 hours every week, but its SO worth it. I love everything i'm learning. My teacher has been teaching me how to shoot on manual and its amazing all the effects you can use. I'm having so much fun and one of my friends is also in the class. I started a life guarding course last weekend that pretty much took up my whole weekend and this weekend I have the same thing. Hopefully my Sunday I will be a certified life guard and will be able to work this summer. I have not been sleeping well either so I am extremely tired. Also my home work has been really intense this week and next week is midterms, meaning tests. On, top of all that I have had to work this week which is good because I need the money, but it just adds to my stress level. Science Fair is over now which is a wonderful feeling, but my teachers have been much more intense and are doing more projects/ writing assignments. I am starting to get mail from colleges which is kind of scary but its good to start learning about these things too. School is pretty stressful just because there is no communication and no rule enforcement. We are praying about what to do next year. Well I need to head to Algebra, but if I finish my logic paper I will post more tonight. I have several posts floating in my head, due to some interesting comments that have come up at school.

Back

2011-02-17T23:09:00.000-05:00

Well I'm back after my blog break it has been a wonderful few weeks. A weekend with my best friend, a weekend camping (always a blast), and a conference and laser tagging this week. I have been taking tons of pictures and totally loving it. I have several posts in my head... hopefully over the next few weeks they will get posted. Thanks for understanding

Blogger Break

2011-01-23T20:56:00.003-05:00

This weekend I spent a lot of time doing the things that were on that ever expanding "To do list" and it actually shrunk! So enlight of the fact that it is possible for me to get something done, becoming way to addicted to blogs and the busy weeks I have coming I am going to be taking a blog break for at least two weeks possibly a month. Thanks for understanding!

Why did God put faces in the front?

2011-01-07T23:27:00.001-05:00

"Faces are on the front so we can see where we are going not where we have been" -Monica (Touched by angles)

Hmm... this seems like something the human race needs to work on... not looking back but, walking forward. This is what my goal is in 2011. Have a blessed year!

2011

2011-01-07T23:24:00.002-05:00

I don't really believe in New Years resolutions but I like to set goals at the beginning of every year. So here are my 2011 goals.

1. Read each psalm twice.
   I often struggle with getting in the word so besides reading the Bible for homework I am going to work on reading the Bible specifically in psalms.

2. Memorize Jeremiah 29
   Some of my favorite verses are found in this scripture so I decided I should memorize this chapter.

3. Earn the venturing gold award
   This is the next step in earning Silver

4. Find a Job
   To earn money for a missions trip
5. Be a better friend
   I need to work on listening and being patient
6. Waste less time
   I am very bad at this
7. Become healthy and run another 5k
   Because of my knees I have not been able to run or dance or anything lately
8. Pursue photography
   I want to take at least one course and pick one piece to put into a contest
9. Spend less time on the computer/ electronics
   Again I waste a lot of time especially on facebook
10.Develop/ pursue my other hobbies
   I need to focus more on pursuing what I love

Best parts of 2010

2011-01-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

The top ten things from 2010-
1. Colorado
2. Stratford
3. St. Lious
4. Gatlinburg
5. Skiing
6. New Job
7. New Friends
8. 16th Birthday
9. Loads of new experiences
10. God's wonderful grace and seeing his care for me

Top 5

2011-01-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

This has been are really good week over all, but there has been some hard things too. Its been really good to see how God works too. Its so good to see God's mercy and love in every day life.

1. My amazing best friend
2. My cool new shoes
3. The best algebra teacher ever/ finally understanding concepts.
4. Doing well in school
5. New opportunities/ random acts of God

Christmas

2010-12-30T23:09:00.001-05:00

My wonderful readers I hope you all had a great Christmas! My Christmas started around 3:00pm on Christmas eve with our wonderful traditions. About 5 years ago or more my parents decided to stop traveling for Christmas. This was a wonderful thing for me as we started forming family traditions and making memories that will last a lifetime. One of my favorites is my mom reading us an advent book every year. This year we read Bartholomew, a book about a little boy in Bible times. This book really makes you think about what it would be like to live in Bible times. We also went to a wonderful christmas eve service at church. Then came home for our traditional chinese and appetizers. Yum Yum! Of course the meal with finished with lots of cookies and pie. Then we did a white elephant gift exchange the eight of us and my grandparents. I came out with chocolate cookies. :) Then we received our family gift- Settlers of Catan expansion pack and wii sports resort. We spent the rest of the night playing that. Then I watched Hogan and texted one of my good friends till around 12:30an then I went to bed. Woke up around 7:00 am to wait for my sister to get up so we could wake my parents up. Then we rushed in to wake them up. 15 min later we were down stairs opening stockings. Then we finished Bartholomew and read the Christmas story. Next we opened secret sibling gifts and then gifts from parents. The boys and I were excited to find the lots of camping gear under the tree. I was also excited to find a new sweater, two watches, a card and a chocolate snowman (which was amazing because I love snowmen) and some other small things. Then we ate cinnamon rolls, egg casserole, and poppyseed bread for breakfast. Then because of a combination of things I completely crashed till 2:30 when my mom woke me up to say we had to go to my grandparents house, where we ate more food and opened more presents (camping gear, a movie, and some little things) Then we went home and crashed again. That was my christmas! Hope you all had wonderful christmas's as well!

Starbucks

Top 5

2010-12-30T22:13:00.000-05:00

1. Amazing family and friends
2. Wonderful Christmas
3. Voyage of the dawn Treader
4. A break
5. Finishing science fair

Poverty Stricken

2010-12-23T23:18:00.000-05:00

Almost two years ago Brandon Heaths hit song "Give me your eyes" became popular. When this song first came out I thought it had a neat beat and good lyrics so I listened to it all the time.

Looked down from a broken sky

Traced out by the city lights

My world from a mile high

Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tar

Hold on for the sudden stop

Breathe in the familiar shock

Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere

Why have i never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Step out on a busy street

See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me

To hide what?s underneath

There?s a man just to her right

Black suit and a bright red tie

Too ashamed to tell his wife

He's out of work he's buying time

All those people going somewhere

Why have i never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

I've been there a million times

A couple of million eyes just moving past me by

I swear i never thought that i was wrong

Well i want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all alone

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

That i keep missing

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

I wore it out... thought it was kinda old and didn't listen to it much. A few weeks ago I really listened to the lyrics though and made them the cry of my heart... and it changed I started noticing the hurting people- A woman holding a crying child as the man in her life is arrested, a man with out arms in down town streets, a young woman with a toddler and infant on the street corner while its snowing with only a light jacket. Why do I get to be in a good family with warm accommodations and good food?? How come I am not living in Africa or Haiti? What can I do to help these people what can I do to change these peoples lives? These are the questions in my head... these are the answers I am praying for. I feel like I never get to do what I want etc. because of money but it could be a lot worse and that is what I am learning. Dear hurting world, I wish I could give you everything but I can't so instead I wish you a very Merry Christmas and God's love. I am always praying for you!

The Tale of Despereaux

2010-12-23T23:08:00.000-05:00

We watched this movie tonight and it was really good. Not just because of the story line but the values were the best I have seen in a long time. Its not just a story of love, chivalry, hope, and courage but also a story of forgiveness and mercy. A tail of how we can go against what society excepts and how what we are on the outside doesn't matter! A story of over coming class, finding honor, and fighting for what we believe in.... truly a movie worth seeing!

Top

2010-12-23T22:48:00.001-05:00

1. Doctors/ Physical therapist appointments
2. Friends
3. My job/ work
4. Venturing crew and lot's of fun
5. God's amazing work... even when it comes in the unexpected ways
6. Christmas lights
7. Christmas season

These stories always move me!

2010-12-23T22:45:00.003-05:00

Ephrem

Busy

2010-12-22T00:11:00.000-05:00

Snow pictures coming soon! Break has been amazing! Work, lock-in, friends court of honor, doctor appointments, movie, lots of holiday business! Next week I should be able to post more. I have a couple posts brewing in my head! :)

Top 10

2010-12-20T01:29:00.000-05:00

So I didn't do top 5 last week so this from the last two weeks-
1. Seeing the school play
2. Cast Party with friends
3. Visit with an old friend
4. My amazing new picture frames
5. End of school
6. Picnic at school
7. Gift exchange at school
8. Christmas parties
9. Free 3d movie
10. Christmas time

Allodoxaphobia

2010-12-15T23:04:00.000-05:00

Allodoxaphobia-fear of: opinions
A few days ago this showed up on my random facts app. I found this interesting that there is a name for this because so many of us live our lives completely in fear of opinions and of what other think. I think its interesting that we would rather live for others then live life like who God has called us to be.
"Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"

Wow!

2010-12-09T19:18:00.000-05:00

Incredible Take a few minutes to watch this amazing movie! What will you do this christmas to be a voice for those who have none? What will you do to be a friend to the friendless? A father to the fatherless?

This week Ramblings

2010-12-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

I have had a bit of a rough week this week, but it has also been good. My sprained ankle is feeling much better, but I am having some other health issues and I have been sick this week. I have been extremely tired when I get home from school in the mornings, but I can't sleep at night. Also, I am getting very frustrated with my school and a lot of issues that come with going to a small school. I am so glad tomorrow is the end of this school week and that I only have one week left before break. I am having a really rough time in algebra and my teacher is really trying to help me. Thankfully, she moved our test back till after break. I am also so glad we moved on in literature, we have been reading a play and I was having a hard time understanding and I didn't do well on my test. I am doing better again thanks to having a new book that isn't a play and actually coming to class again (i was sick for a few days last month) I just am hoping my grade wasn't to hurt by that. I can't believe science fair is in less then two months! So much to do for that! Over thanksgiving break I got a ton done and finished up a bunch of tasks and even read for fun some. Since then I have been a mess and haven't really known what to do. I think I should be able to survive the next week and hopefully set some new goals, reorganize my life, and pick up some hobbies and get disciplined again. I need to figure out what is going on with my knees before I can run again which is starting to bother me, because normally I run when I am upset and I haven't been able to lately. On the bright side, It snowed this past weekend and it a wonderful thing. The snow is so pretty! Pictures coming soon!

Thats all for now, this really is just a bunch of randomness. I will post my top 5 tomorrow.

New Look!

2010-12-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

I am very excited about my new winter theme and signature thanks to Kendra and her sister Anna! Thanks so much girls!

All we ever need

2010-12-02T21:23:00.001-05:00

A heavy heart I bring
For I am tired Lord
Awaken my lost love for You
Take this heart of stone
And warm this bitter cold
Awaken my lost love for You

Let your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy
You are holy

Remind us who we are
When we have wandered far
Awaken our lost love You
And like the morning star
You chase away the dark
There is no shadow here with You
With You, Lord

Let Your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy

Just a glimpse of You is all we ever needed
Just a touch from You is all we ever needed
Just a glimpse of You is all we ever needed
It's all that we are needing now

Let Your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy

Top 5

2010-12-02T21:22:00.000-05:00

1. Black Friday deals on stuff I needed
2. International group
3. Christmas movies/ hot tea/ blankets
4. Snow :)

5. New Camera

Percy Jackson

2010-12-02T21:06:00.001-05:00

Last night we watched Percy Jackson and the olympians. I thought it was a great movie, but more than the plot, the symbolism behind it was so cool! SPOILER WARNING!!: The movie had one scene where the main character sees the girl he ends up liking while she is fighting.... and she starts by welcoming him back home, making him feel good etc. then she grabs his sword from him and reminds him to never let his guard down. This is the same thing the enemy does to us.... makes us feel good then takes us down. In another scene they have to not look Medusa in the eye or they will die and again life is like this, except opposite in our case we must look sin right in the eye in order to stop it. Another time they become so engaged in the happenings of the hotel (their world) thy don't care that they waste part of their life and risk the worlds safety to enjoy themselves. We are SO much like this its not even funny.... we not only put ourselves at risk but the whole world, we would rather spend our time doing what we want then sharing christ. We consume our lives with business and leave no time for people (future post coming soon). In my favorite scene one of the main characters had to be left in the underworld.... and the others had to go to Zeus in order to rescue him. I am so glad we don't need to send people to get God to rescue us and I am also glad we can go to God on behalf of our friends.

Top 5 (7)

2010-11-30T22:12:00.000-05:00

1. Weekend with friends
2. Kettle Corn
3. Friends at the Mall
4. Cheesecake
5. Thanksgiving with family
6. Thanksgiving service
7. New Church

Top 5

2010-11-18T21:10:00.000-05:00

1. Talking with friends till past Midnight!
2. Perfect lighting for taking pictures
3. New History Program
4. Amazing fall colors last week
5. Good Report Card Grades

Fall Photos

2010-11-17T21:36:00.000-05:00

I was sitting outside today and I realized that the lighting outside was incredible. I also happened to realize I had all my homework done and chores. So I grabbed my camera and spent the next half an hour shooting. Something I love doing, but something I dont have enough time for..... It was so fun! I love it when God shows us those little things!

The blogger returns (Duhn duhn duhn scary music)

2010-11-16T22:34:00.000-05:00

So this is that crazy blogger person that Nutmeg sometimes lets post of her blog for some reason. I don't have much to say. Except that Nutmeg is a super awesome person. They should put her in the super awesome person hall-of-fame. I mean, would you let a person like me type on your blog? It takes someone super awesome to do that. So once upon a time there was a sharpie, it was a very cool sharpie. But it could talk. No matter how much someone tries to convince you it could talk, it didn't. Because we all know sharpies don't talk. But because my story would be boring if the sharpie couldn't talk, so we are going to say that the sharpie can talk. Now this sharpie talked all the time and didn't know when to stop talking (kinda like me right now). So the spin-ie (spinny? Spinn-e? spinnie? Spinning?) chair told the sharpie to be quiet, but the sharpie wouldn't be quiet. So the chair picked up the sharpie and threw it across the room. (Now readers, please don't do this at home. Sharpies do have feelings no matter who tries to convince you otherwise.) The poor sharpie was so ashamed it jump into a backpack. Now you may think this is a very depressing ending to a perfectly (or not so perfectly-yes this is bad grammar) story but its really not. The chair was happy because it could get some sleep because the chair didn't talk its head off and the sharpie met a nice dry-erase marker and they became best of buds. And Nutmeg is happy because finally, I am ending this SUPER long blog that had no point to it.

Top 5

2010-11-11T23:31:00.000-05:00

Last week I am thankful for

1. My new Ipod touch
2. Dropping Apush
3. Cheesecake
4. Twins being home a year
5. Toy story 3

This week I am thankful for-
1. Birthday parties with friends
2. Quelf
3. $120 to sent to FHG(the orphanage the twins came from)
4. Nice Algebra 2 teachers
5. Being done with driving

Part 2 (Late)

2010-11-11T23:29:00.001-05:00

Sorry it took so long to post this!

To Mrs. G(a sunday school teacher)-

Thanks for first introducing me to the world outside my own. For going to Africa and asking me to pray for you, for bringing me back stories, pictures, and a wooden giraffe. Thanks so much for teaching us all to think about the bigger picture for reading up missionary stories. Thanks for opening up my heart to the possibility of missions.

To AL(my younger sister)-
Thanks for having a sensitive heart. Thanks for loving nature and outdoors. Thanks for being like me and letting me see what I have done right.... and what I have done wrong. What I need to change and what I need to correct. Thanks for loving your friends (even if they move across the ocean) and thanks for trying to keep in touch with them. Thanks for not letting them just slip away but showing me I need to pursue relationships with others. Thanks for all the times I get messages in my inbox from your friends :)

To CA(an old friend from church)-

Thanks for showing me its ok to hurt. Thanks for helping me learn to forgive. Thanks for showing me its ok to be open with friends. And even through all the pain... thanks for showing me how to let go. Thanks for being my friend no matter how short a time it was and thanks for showing me that their was someone out their waiting to be my friend. Thanks for being used to show me it was time to move on and let go. And most of all thanks for showing me how to guard my heart and not jump right in to situations.

To N(my oldest, younger brother)-
Thanks for all the times of you, me, mom, and dad. Thanks for teaching me how to deal with annoying people :) (and you really weren't THAT bad) Thanks for setting goals and sticking with them. Thanks for being disciplined and hard working. Thanks for working with me, I am so thankful for you now that we get along. I hope you know how special you are!

To MD(a friend from school)-
Thanks for showing me to guard my heart above all else. Thanks for showing me not to believe in lies and not to judge people without knowing them. Thanks for showing me not everyone is who they say they are and to always be on guard. I will always be praying for you!

To Mom-
Thanks for always keeping us in mind first. Thanks for going through things before me and helping me make it through them. Thanks for encouraging me and for showing me how to deal with my emotions. Thanks for always trying to help and do what is best for me. Most of all thanks for always being faithful to dad and giving me an example in marriage in the future. I am truly blessed to have you as a mom.

To Great Grandma-
Thanks for being a spiritual influence. Thanks for taking the time to play games when I was little, thanks for letting me help in the kitchen, thanks for taking time to invest in me. Thanks for telling me stories from when you grew up and from when you were younger. Thanks for telling me about when Great Grandpa died this spring... I know that was hard for you but I needed to hear it.

To AB(Best friend growing up)-
Thanks for being a homeschooler like me :) Thanks for the overnights, American Girl doll skits, and amazing crafts. Yes, you were always the best at doing cool crafts and stamping. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me and thanks for showing me best friends do exist. Thanks for even coming over and talking at the pool this summer. Thanks for freaking Zach out on face book that one night!

Thanks to these people

2010-10-30T23:18:00.000-04:00

As hard as it is to imagine, I will be 16 in just two days. So to celebrate I wanted to write a paragraph to the 16 most influential people in my life. This post contains the first eight. Tomorrow I will post the others, then on my birthday hopefully I will post something else to celebrate.

Anyway, A lot of this has never been shared... its the feelings of my heart. I have thought long and hard about this and prayed hard about this. I honestly think these people have made the greatest mark on my life. So they deserve this paragraph times 10. I love you all, thanks so much for investing in me!

WARNING: This post is likely to contain inside jokes :)

To JES (my best friend)- Thanks for being the most amazing, truly biblical friend. For being a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, a body to laugh with, and always having an ear open to talk to! Thanks for being the person that shares secrets, talks about the tough stuff, and confronts me about problems. Thanks for always being there, for staying up till 2 talking about toy story, for being stalkers in the middle of the night, for letting me drag you to venturing, and through shawnee. Thanks for always making me smile and laugh. Let the Goats live on forever!

To J (my brother)- The "Awesomest guy ever" as you said to daniel tonight. :) You are a great treasure. You make me laugh and you always have a smile to share. Thanks for always goofing of and playing! Thanks for being a light and thanks for caring about hurting people. Thanks for always thinking of the other person (except when you make me the slave) Just wanted to let you know "Remember J: I won today!"

To Mrs. H(my first grade co-op teacher)- The greatest homeroom 1st grade teacher. Thanks for inspiring me, thanks for teaching me, and thanks for the memories. Thanks for being willing to work with kids and setting an example for me! You are truly me hero... I hope someday I can be like you.. in the way you were excited about it all, included your faith in school, played fun games, and invested in our lives. I wish I could have stayed in first grade forever! Yes, I will be forever scarred by the books about the Stupids and the heads up seven up games.

To L (my sister)- Thanks for having such a ginormous smile! Thanks for showing me I need to open my heart and a little pain is worth it. Thanks for showing me the faith of a child and thanks for always comforting me. I love you sissy!!! And I really love sharing a room with you! Can you believe that Elizabeth is 3 years old??? That makes you 38 my dear sissy love you!

To DC (a friend from school and the first boy for me to not be afraid off)- The shyest guy in school.... well not anymore :) Thanks for having the courage to say "Happy Birthday" a year ago. Thanks all our talks till way past when I should have been in bed. Thanks for listening and helping me belive in myself. Thanks for showing my that boys aren't really ALL that bad. Thanks for encouraging me to follow my heart and dance..... even though your stuck in karate. You mean a lot to me.. and even though I never talk to you nor never see you I still think about all you did for me last year (including showing me all those bands) . Thanks! To you (because it so fits you!!!) - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?pid=287300&id=100000031742274&fbid=118540238157034

To A (my brother)- Thanks for always caring. Your quiet and watchful yet crazy and wild. Your little heart couldn't get much bigger. Thanks for always being willing to help out. Thanks for always always caring about the truth before what others think! Thanks for cheering me up. And you know what? I am pretty sure your not allergic to me.

To MD (a friend from church in 5th-8th grade)- Thanks for being there when there was no one else. Thanks for sitting next to me that first day of class at church in 5th grade. Thanks for being there since then. Thanks for all the laughs from the campfire at your house with your bro to summer camp. Without you switching churches and schools at the same time would have been horrible. Thanks for all the Baby sitting opportunities and amazing room ideas! I am still so sorry about EP and I ruining your party in 6th grade. I love you girlie and pray for you all the time! Toenail polish, Beads and sweets..... Ah the memories!

To Dad (my father who is in school getting his Phd)- Thanks for setting an example. Thanks for doing what God has called you to even when its hard. Thanks for teaching us diligence and perseverance. Thanks for always having time for us and keeping your priorities straight. I know I complain, but I couldn't ask for anything more! Thanks for all the memories from tossing us in our baby blankets to the father daughter dance to our long talks! Thanks for investing in us!

Walking Like Jesus

2010-10-30T10:49:00.000-04:00

So I need to get started with my day but since this just happened I thought I would share it quickly. L and I were up in our room and I asked her to make her bed. Now like her older sister, she hates taking the time to do things well and not waste time. So she "made her bed" by throwing everything on her bed and started to leave. I then turned and said "L, is your bed made like it would be if Jesus was coming over?" She wondered why I asked this and I showed her the verse in the Bible that says "whatever you do, do for the Lord not men" She then proceeded to very nicely make her side of the bed and A's side to. This made me think.... You know we all ought to take a lesson from the child-like faith and do everything we do as if Jesus were going to be looking at it... I think, at least for me, I would do a whole lot better on everything I did.

1 Year is a Very Long time

2010-10-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

Well a year ago tonight was a very exciting night. It was the first night two very special boys spent the night in their forever home! I can't believe its been a year since J and A came home. In this last year we have learned a lot about perspective, a lot about love, a lot about trials, and a lot about laughing and having fun. I love having so many siblings. We are large enough to share inside jokes and play games, but small enough to share scriptures and life. The boys fit right in at our house. I hope they know how much we love them!!! Congratulations boys! We love you!

Top 5

2010-10-29T22:21:00.000-04:00

This week I am thankful for:

1. God's Fingerprints
2. A new design on my blog :) (That took me forever to get)
3. Doing well in Chemistry
4. Understanding Teachers, Friends, and Parents
5. Amazing evening with the family

Thank You For

2010-10-23T22:33:00.001-04:00

This week I am super thankful for......

1.NyQuil

2. Warm Blankets

3. The Girls at 3x design blog

4. Christian music

5. Fall Colors and pumpkins

Fall Fun

2010-10-12T22:06:00.000-04:00

Its that time of year again!

Live, Love, Laugh

Live, Love, Laugh!

I absolutely love my accidental photo! Live, Love, Laugh!

The first two pictures are from two weeks ago and this last one is from today! Amazing the difference! I LOVE fall.... it is defiantly one of my favorite seasons! Fall just gives me a sense of peace that comes from nothing else. I love seeing beauty in nature. My Crew went horseback riding this weekend and at one point we came out over a ridge... and you could see for miles over the woods. Absolutely incredible!

Another fun give away!

2010-10-06T17:23:00.003-04:00

I am really loving this whole blogging world!
http://morganofmiddle.blogspot.com/2010/09/two-celebrations.html

Glasses

2010-10-04T22:31:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I got my glasses cleaned and fixed. Its amazing the difference in what I could see. I think we often go through life like that. We think we are seeing clearly but then when we ask Jesus to wash us we are cleaned and we can now see clearly. Its hard to believe how many of us go through life not seeing clearly because we are looking through dirty glasses.

Tonight

2010-10-04T21:52:00.000-04:00

I some how finished my home work before seven tonight. So I had a really nice night catching up with my mom on life.... It was really fun! And I got to drive tonight.

Long Days

2010-10-03T23:47:00.000-04:00

Long days

This weekend has been an interesting one. Homework, meeting with friends, soccer games, and church. I loved the services at church this weekend. I am so glad to finally be back in a church family. This evening my dad and I went out and got slushes at speedway... MMM! Then we came back and worked on homework, got ready for this week, did some grading, and then I got to watch "My Girl 2" both of which are good movies. Next week I am going horse back riding and the next week is the PSAT and Stratford... I cant wait till mid- october... although the next couple weeks should be really fun.

This Week

2010-09-30T22:22:00.000-04:00

It's been so long since I have blogged. So much has happened. St. Louis was absolutely incredible last weekend. I will blog more about that later. Some how I made it through this weekend. Life is really busy.
I hope to get back to blogging soon. :)

Wow!

2010-09-23T21:34:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this week is almost over. It has been so busy! The above pictures are from my mom's blog... but I love them! This week I had school, JS spend the night, venturing, work, chores etc etc.
Tomorrow I leave for ST. Lious. It seems like ages ago we started preparing for this. I am very excited! I am a little nervous about who is going... it will be interesting though!

200th Post!

2010-09-21T22:51:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the blur.... but it had the state on it.

So I have spent a lot of time contemplating this. I wasn't sure what to do to celebrate my 200th blog post. So I have decided, in honor of this event... to show you a few of my favorite pictures of us in colorado!

Besides the fact I look like I am four, I love this picture... who knew their were reasons for makeup in the wilderness????

Also I am taking this opportunity to introduce my new blog Eloquent Photography. I decided that my photography was taking up so much of the posts on this blog that I wasn't using this blog like I had intended. So that is where most of my photography will be posted.

THANKS FOR READING!

Pizza Night!

2010-09-18T17:58:00.001-04:00

J's very own Pizza

J and I made pizza for dinner tonight. J was very excited about it :)

Marie Madeline Giveway!

2010-09-18T14:22:00.001-04:00

This website is really cool! They have so much neat stuff! http://www.mariemadelinestudio.com/
There is a give away going on here for $100 to their shop- http://pioneerbeauty.blogspot.com you will have to scroll down to the fourth or fifth post down!
:)

My Life

2010-09-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

Basketball

Cheese Cake :)

Birthday Party Planning

Science Fair :(

ANTS

School Books

This is pretty much the last week in pictures. I finished the Daniel Fast on tuesday and to celebrate how well I did my awesome mother made me cheesecake. It is my favorite desert. I lost a lot of weight during the fast and I would like to keep eating in a similar way. A few weeks ago I got creamed at basketball and later one of my friends told my I should teach myself something new, so I decided to teach myself how to shoot baskets. I have been shooting an average of 25 a day. I have noticed some improvement over the last few days. One night this week my mom and I planned my sweet sixteen. I am going to do am murder mystery party. Should be really fun, can't wait for a month. I started my science fair project today.... which was sad! I can't believe I had to start it already. Oh well, at least its my last year. While I was setting it up... the ants got to me. It was creepy! I don't like little creatures crawling on me. Today I had to clean potatoes also, which creeps me out. The last picture is of homework.... something I have done a lot of this week. Yesterday I went to school with dad and studied for a few hours. I got an awful lot done. It was wonderful. Then my dad and I went to a college fair. It was very informational. I really enjoyed it. Well I need to get to bed now... two soccer games in the morning. I had a few games this week as well. Good money :)

Sand Dunes

2010-09-13T21:59:00.003-04:00

I wanna go back! I love it so much!

Life

2010-09-13T21:47:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I went grocery shopping. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love to grocery shop. (I am strange like that! I love doing dishes, shopping etc.) I spent time with L playing dolls. Today I had school and it was free coffee day at UDF. I received my free books from Mrs. Cassel @ http://just4christiangirls.blogspot.com/ She still has books left if you want some! I reffed a soccer game today, finished homework in a decent amount of time and now I am watching "While You Were Sleeping" one of my favorite movies. Good days!

9 Years Ago Today...

2010-09-11T21:30:00.000-04:00

Was a Tuesday
A normal Tuesday
A Tuesday where Mom went to Bible Study

Meaning us kids were in the nursery playing and doing school

Just like every other Tuesday

Until-

All of the us were quickly rushed home. None of us truly understood what was happening. Our mothers came and picked us up early. They were all panicked. All of us went home. Dad was there shortly after us. We just sat in front of the TV the rest of the day. Being 6 and 3, N and I didn't really care..... I remember thinking is was scary the first couple times we watched. Then I just got bored and wondered why in the world they were showing the same thing on TV over and over again! I didn't understand the ramifications until the last few years.

At the five year Anniversary I was fascinated.... watched all the stories etc. I could get my hands on.

I can't believe that not even 10 years later we totally forget about it. I have to honestly say I did! That is so sad to me! We just take so much for granted!

I think today should be a good reminder to all of us to:

To take NOTHING for granted

To Pray for guidance from our leaders

Remember to pray for them

Especially our own lives

Pray for that country so many of us call home.

And NEVER take them for granted!

Take a moment to Thank these guys

Wow

2010-09-11T20:51:00.000-04:00

Jesus Saves!

I Just Love MY God!

Homework

2010-09-08T22:08:00.000-04:00

Normally, I stay up late trying to get homework done. That is because I waste so much time during the day.
Today, I am pleased to say I had all my homework done when I left school. Since I got home I have finished Chemistry for Monday, become aquatinted with my books, organized, completed grammar for tuesday, studied the books of the Bible and their spellings for a quiz tomorrow. I even managed to watch a veggie tale movie my friend gave me....( a story for another day but a funny one at that), run, and talk to my mom about some stuff I have been worried about. I am now headed to bed before 10:15!

I am alive

2010-09-07T22:33:00.001-04:00

I need to go to bed, just wanted to give a quick update....

1. School was very fun
2. School will be a lot of work
3. I have lot's of textbooks
4. Best reffing ever today! The kid I reffed with was awesome with the kids!
5. Venturing was very fun!

I will try and update more soon... tomorrow will probably be just another quick update... Hopefully Thursday I can post pictures etc.

<3 God's Grl

Families

2010-09-06T22:37:00.000-04:00

I am learning that families all function differently. I am so thankful for mine. I am so thankful that my parents make an effort to put all of us through a christian education. They let us choose what we want and value that. I am so so thankful for all five of my crazy siblings and two awesome parents! I love you all!

Chocolate :)

2010-09-06T22:25:00.000-04:00

Because of it being a holiday and having company I just ate normally, in small proportions. One thing we had was this chocolate mousse. It was amazing! Thanks mom!

Daniel Fast Day Eleven

2010-09-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

I just had an apple for breakfast.

For lunch we made rice and beans. My mom and I were doing Bible study so we had a "picnic" on her bed.

Everyone else had brots + this. I had this + carrots.

Tomorrow for breakfast I am going to make "cereal" like I made the other day. For lunch I am going to have rice and beans again. As far as dinner is concerned I have a soccer game to be at, at 5:30 and venturing in the evening so I have no idea what I will eat.... possibly just potatoes.

Back to School

2010-09-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

I never thought I would see the day where we would all six be headed to school. Six backpacks, 6 lunches made, and 6 children ready for school! Tomorrow is my first day of school, N will begin his third week, and everyone else is headed into their second week.

Colorado Skies

2010-09-06T21:40:00.002-04:00

Bridge

2010-09-06T21:20:00.000-04:00

Moved

2010-09-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

Something that is a fairly common occurrence for me is to see a homeless person on the side of the road on the way to school because of going to school in the city. I used to care about those people, but lately I find my self more and more frustrated with them. I have no idea why... but I do. Anyway, yesterday we were getting of the Interstate and their was a man on the side of the road with a sign and my little sister was touched. She immediately thought we should pray for him. I guess its true what Jesus said about all of us needing a heart like the little children.

Friends

2010-09-04T20:53:00.000-04:00

I have struggled a lot of my life with loneliness. I have spent a lot of the last few years really without friends. I know the feeling of being in a room full of people and feeling alone all to well. In the past I have had the kind of friends you have in Kindergarten when everyone is your best friend, but I have never had a friend who followed the biblical standards. OK, so I know those friends are few and far between and I defiantly have had people to hang out with, but then we switched churches between my 4th and 5th grade year and since then my "friends" have been few and far between. Going to school a year and a half ago was so good for me! I have a great group of friends and an amazing best friend. I really don't like the term "best friend" but that is what JS is. She always knows how to make me smile. From diabolical schemes to scaring all of my friends (the ones she know and the ones she doesn't). She is a great example for me in school, as she cares about her grades and studies hard. And although her grades come easier to her then me she still struggles through the material. She is the kind of person who is ok with being confronted and doesn't mind confronting others. She rejoices with the good in my life, is a shoulder to cry on, and ears to confide in. We relate to each other in most situations and bible study/accountability with her is so fun! She is encouraging and is just fun to be around. I am SO SO SO thankful for her! God is so good to put her in my life!

Fast Breaking

2010-09-03T18:39:00.000-04:00

Today for breakfast I had Banana fried in Lemon juice with craisins and pistachios.

I made avocado dip for lunch and munched on some popcorn this afternoon.

Tonight we are having a cook-out so mom, dad, and I are all breaking our fasts in moderation. So I will have one hotdog and a little bit of beans, eggs, and chocolate brownie. :) Tomorrow I will go back to fasting till dessert for dinner... then I will have a little. It is a holiday weekend and we have company so I will just make up for it later.

Daniel Fast Can and Cant's

2010-09-03T18:32:00.000-04:00

The daniel fast is taken from the fast daniel does in Daniel 10. Verse 2&3 say “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” The fast has been adapted from this form of diet. It can be taken at many different levels or degrees and in many different forms or ways. Each person must choose his own diet choices.

For me I chose to eat fruit, vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, popcorn with butter salt, humus, wheat bread, corn flour chips, 100% juice, decaffeinated tea, legumes, rice and whole wheat pasta.

For me I have chosen not to eat:

Sugar in any form besides natural.

Chocolate... Anything

Soda, Caffeine, and all other drinks with sugar.

White Flour in anything

Candy, Cookies, Cake etc.

Who knew everything sugar is in!

That is my summary of the do's and don'ts.

Dairy of all kinds... including butter.

To Find out more check out this site. http://www.christ-web.com/missions/farho/daniel-fast-questions

Daniel Fast

2010-09-02T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Daniel fast is something I have heard about every now and then. I had never really thought about it. Then one of my friends thought about doing it and I started wondering about it. Then while on vacation my dad mentioned doing it. I started praying about it. I decided it would be good for me to eat healthier, deal with the temptations, and most of all just prove to myself that with will-power I could push threw something hard. This fast has been a cleansing experience for me. It has proved to me I can do things I never thought I could do. Most of all it has helped me to believe in myself. Something I struggle a lot with.

<3 God'sGrl

More about what the fast is tomorrow!

Daniel fast day Ten

2010-09-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

Breakfast was fresh fruit.

Smoothie for lunch!

Vegetarian taco soup for dinner.

Life

2010-09-01T22:32:00.000-04:00

I have had a few questions about what the daniel fast is etc. I will plan on blogging about that tomorrow.

Anyway, I am very attached to my friends. I really haven't talked to any of them for a while. That makes me depend much more on God then my friends and me. And That is Hard!!! So yea that is where I am at... at home when all my sibs are in school .... just dying for school to start. I miss my friends and I need something to do in life. What is strange is that I have noticed that I have been really moody lately. I never have been really moody but for some reason.... (whether from my eating or from boredom or something) I have been this week. I am hoping getting back on a schedule will help.

Tomorrow I test for my yellow belt in karate..... I AM SCARED TO DEATH!

Daniel fast day Nine

2010-09-01T22:20:00.000-04:00

Today for breakfast I had mixed fruit.

Lunch was something different. All of these

Plus some Avocados and other fresh veggies.

Lunch!

Dinner was cooked veggies with spaghetti.

Picture Fun!

2010-08-31T22:33:00.000-04:00

Daniel Fast Day Eight

2010-08-31T21:21:00.000-04:00

For breakfast I just had some fruit and some juice.

For lunch/ snack I had some vegetable salad.

For dinner I ate some spaghetti with popcorn.

Daniel Fast Day Seven

2010-08-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

For breakfast I had a nectarine.

For Lunch I had a half a smoothie and a small thing of whole wheat spaghetti noodles.

For dinner I had salad with the other half of my smoothie.

Lamp Pictures

2010-08-29T23:13:00.000-04:00

I love these kind of lamps! Editing pictures is so fun~

Sunrise in Tennessee

2010-08-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

How great is our God!

Daniel Fast Day Six

2010-08-29T22:29:00.000-04:00

For breakfast, I had watermelon, cantaloupe, and blueberries.

For Lunch I had a baked potato and chives from Wendy's. Then I went to a soccer game.

I made "salsa" tonight out of veggies for dinner.

OK, ok so I LOVE my desserts. I am a huge fan....so I needed something to term "dessert" well I made a "banana split" :)

Daniel Fast Day Five

2010-08-29T22:07:00.000-04:00

For breakfast, I had a peach. I had a soccer game to ref so I had to get the out the door. I grabbed some nuts and blueberries on the way out to eat between the two games I had to ref.

For lunch I had a whole wheat spaghetti with kidney beans.

For Dinner my family had BLT's so I had a CLT. Cucumber, lettuce, and tomato. With some whole wheat chips we bought.

Daniel Fast Day Four

2010-08-27T21:31:00.000-04:00

Breakfast. Then I went to work.. and I was so hungry by the time I got home. I made popcorn as a snack.

Lunch- Potato with Chili on top

Snack! MMMM! Humus and bread.

Salad for dinner

I used tonight as a cheat night. I had popcorn and salad which are on my diet. But I also ate Pizza and Cake and a lot of frosting. Unfortunately I got a stomach ache and felt really really bad.

Cake! MMMM! Last time till this is over with though. I didn't feel good at all!

Daniel Fast Day Three

2010-08-26T22:38:00.000-04:00

For breakfast I had a fresh fruit smoothie. The only one I am going to get. But oh well it tasted good!

For Lunch I had vegetarian chili.

For dinner I had taco Salad- tomatoes, corn, and onions on lettuce. I also had refried beans as a side.

Daniel Fast Day Two

2010-08-26T22:08:00.000-04:00

For Breakfast I had a big bowl of fruit. It was good. Trust me!

For Lunch I ate what I could find. A veggie, humus and whole wheat sandwich. I didn't take pictures because JE came over and spent the night.

For a snack I had home-popped popcorn.

For dinner, we cooked whole wheat spaghetti and fried vegetables in oil to top the noodles.

Daniel Fast Day One

2010-08-26T22:01:00.000-04:00

Dinner to go for school! Because of SAT prep class!

For breakfast I had a banana and a Kiwi. It was late and lunch was coming soon.

Lunch was delicious! Smoothie :)

My Full Lunch

My Snack :)

Life

2010-08-25T23:01:00.001-04:00

Wow! What a busy few weeks! Sorry I have not blogged in a few days. We are home and I will start posting about Tennessee soon. In the meantime since we got home sunday night and I got to do a little bit of driving. Monday I tried out a local Young Life group. I had an amazing time. . The questions were all applicable to a us as high-schoolers. I find it funny, because youth group was something I Really wanted to work. As much as I said I had no expectations, I did. And when things didn't turned out like I wanted it hurt, a lot. So I went to Young Life with no expectations. And it was amazing! I felt so at home. I cannot wait to go back!

I started the Daniel Fast yesterday. I am doing it for 21 days and I think it will be really good for me. The cravings the last two days have been horrible. Especially today, because my sister made my favorite cookies. I didn't know what will power was until those were in front of me. Oh well.. I will make myself a big batch of them when I am done. :) Over all though I think this is really good for me. I will be using my blog as a log, I will start that tomorrow.

This past few days I have done a lot of the things I have wanted to do this summer.

Look for lots of pictures, stories, etc. this next week. I have lot's to share!

Sunsets

More to come!

What I am up to

2010-08-19T22:51:00.000-04:00

Some "Hiking"


Being prepared scouts :)

We are on family vacation this week. It has been fun and also hard. I will post more pictures etc. when we get home..and I have my own pictures.... my mom doesn't take that many.

Building 429

2010-08-13T22:35:00.000-04:00

I have many favorite bands and musicians. 
Over the last year one of my favorites has become Building 429.
 The band has a great heart and their songs speak miracles.
 Its amazing how all of them hot someone just as they are. I have been very impacted by their lyrics.
Many Times I have been met just as I am in there songs. This is my absolute favorite. It describes so many people.

My world is closing in On the inside But I’m not showing it When all I am is crying out I hold it in and fake a smile Still I’m broken I’m broken Only one can understand And only one can hold the hand Of the broken When no one else knows how I feel Your love for me is proven real When no one else cares where I’ve been You run to me with outstretched hands And You hold me in your arms Again I need no explanation of why me I just need confirmation Only You could understand the emptiness inside my head I am falling I am falling I’m falling down upon my knees To find the one who gives me peace I am flying Lord I am flying I have come to you in search of faith Cause I can’t see beyond this place Oh You are God and I am man So I’ll leave it in Your hands ~Building 429

the blogger part II

2010-08-13T01:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, the much awaited second post of the blogger. I know all of you like my last post since it received SO many comments that I knew I had no choice but to do a second one which God's Girl has graciously insisted I compose. So here is my amazing composition to you all. And remember! Peanut Butter rocks!

Pictures

2010-08-11T22:51:00.000-04:00

Can you tell I am having fun yet?

Pictures

2010-08-11T10:35:00.000-04:00

More picture fun! I am truly enjoying having time to play! :)

Photos

2010-08-09T22:41:00.000-04:00

I have always loved photography, but never spent to much time playing. Lately I have started watching a lot of photography blogs and it has inspired me to start playing. So tonight I took a bunch of pictures and this is one of my favorites (after editing it). It looks so much like stuff on other blogs and it is fairly unique.

Rocks, Pebbles, and Stones

2010-08-08T22:53:00.001-04:00

Sometimes life gives us little pebbles to stumble over other times life gives us huge rocks! I am learning that through everything God is in control and although sometimes I trip over the stones.. He is always there to pick me up again.

Backyard Beauty

2010-08-07T17:01:00.000-04:00

Summer Fun!

2010-08-07T16:15:00.001-04:00

Today and yesterday we have had fairly lazy, fun days... yesterday at the pool and today in the backyard with the slip-in-slide. Today I finally got around to pulling my camera out.

This is cool

2010-08-04T20:01:00.000-04:00

I found this siteThe Rebelution a few years ago after reading the book. I think its so cool what these boys aspire to do. But today I cam across something I found pretty incredible compared to what a lot of this world is like today. This is a survey about modesty. What is cool is that it has boys and girls opinions. It was really cool to me that there is something like this out there for both boys and girls. Check it out! The Rebelution Modesty

Thanks Mom!

2010-08-03T22:31:00.000-04:00

So between drivers Ed and sat prep class my mom drove me around for four hours today. I just wanted to tell her thank you. I appreciate her so much! I am so thankful for my moms care and protection. She is always there when I need something. God gave me such wonderful parents. I am so blessed.

How Great is Our God

2010-08-02T22:39:00.000-04:00

My absolute first and favorite part of the trip was just seeing how great our God is. I saw his hand all the way through this trip. He had been preparing me for this trip all year. For instance a year ago, as funny as it seems, there is no way I would sit next to or talk to any boys. I don't know why but for some reason I was so shy around boys, probably just because of being home-schooled and not really being around them much, but even last year, when I went to school I still fell in with a crowd that was made up of all girls (whom still mean a lot to me). Anyway I was pretty sheltered and didn't really know how to hang out with boys. Yet this year God brought me DC who although was shy at the beginning which is hard to believe now (sorry DC) but we have a great relationship now. We get along well now and he is one of my good friends... but it was a gradual thing. Well I love the kids in my venturing crew but I don't exactly fit in with them, but we had 3 boy scouts travel with us. DS and I connected on the first night in Colorado and stayed up talking every night. We talked all the time and just hung out. It was very fun to have someone to connect with and talk to about faith and stuff. I love how God prepared me all year for this and now two of my good friends are boys but thats ok with me! For me guys make great friends and are often easier to hang out with. I just think its cool how God worked it out.

Also while climbing the Mountain, most people ended up running out of water, so I shared what I had. I had less then 2 liters in my Clamelbak, but yet didn't run out of water the whole trip. When I got back to camp, I checked on my water level. It was completely empty, not a drop left! I love how God works!

2010-08-01T22:08:00.000-04:00

This

plus this

equals- Deliciousness!

Plain for those who don't want chocolate....

My Favorite! Chocolate chocolate!

Goes fast in our house

Equals a big mess...

A few days ago I had a desire for chocolate and J needed some dessert after soccer practice. So I set about making rice crispy treats. The plain were a little dry because I stopped while making them to go driving but for the most part they were wonderful.

Attack!

2010-07-31T22:22:00.000-04:00

A few nights ago I was cleaning my room and found a face painting pen left over from halloween... and my parents weren't home so we attacked each other!

A's after product

The after product.....

L's after product

A becomes Batman

N wouldn't get involved

J gets involved too!

My beautician, hard at work!

Favorite Parts

2010-07-30T22:25:00.000-04:00

My five favorite parts of the trip were-
  1. Laying on the sand dunes looking up at the stars.
  2. Doing bible study on sunday night with one of my friends.
  3. Planning crew events for the next year
  4. Sitting on top of the mountain and enjoying God's creation
  5. Laughing and enjoying friends

Sand Dunes

2010-07-28T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Greatest thing we could have done after the backpacking trip was relax. We headed for the sand dunes which was amazing. Most of the kids headed off to get lost in the sand dunes, but by this point my knee was really bothering me so I had to just stay with the adults. I still rolled down a few dunes and got sand in my hair. :) Then a few of my friends came down and we went all the way down to the little stream and knocked sand castles over with it as we re-directed the river. We went back to our camp site and worked on crew stuff for the rest of the afternoon. We also stopped into the gift shop and had story time...Ahh teenagers! That evening we went back out to the sand dunes. The sky was incredible! The stars were like I have never seen them. It is amazing that a God who made all that cares about me....but I am glad he does.

Backpacking Day 2 and Day 4

2010-07-26T23:04:00.000-04:00

So apparently I need to learn to count but If you ask any of my friends at school they would tell you I don't count well at all. Anyway the second day we backpacked 7 miles to the trail head andset up camp. We got there around 1:30 and then we worked on stuff for our bronze awards. Then the next day we climbed the mountain. Then the last day we backpacked out 6 miles. Wich was fun, talking while you walk..... especially to people you enjoy talking to makes it way more fun. :) Then we went to a small town and got ice-cream and groceries then drove to the sand dunes. When we stopped we stopped in the greatest little town. Just like a town I would love to someday live in.

My Jesus Loves Me

2010-07-26T13:06:00.003-04:00

Recently I have been feeling very lonely and been struggling to fit in. I went to youth group (something that I have really struggled with fitting in at so I have not been attending for the last year) basically because I was so lost. After youth (which hasn't changed) I sat on the front porch and cried for an hour because I was so lonely, but then I realized of everyone that is lonely Jesus was the loneliest. Something my mom said last night was that people who want to change the world like Lexi at http://choosingtowait.blogspot.com/ can't fit in with the world they are changing. So I am choosing to stand alone and change the world.

So then I went to bed not in a very good mood at all and couldn't sleep for hours. I rolled around for several hours and then finally gave up. I didn't want to bother my sister who sleeps in the same room as me so I pulled my Ipod out and watched a facts of life but I had seen them all on the way home from colorado so that didn't last long. I ended up just listing to Hillsong which was awesome. I am pretty sure some of those songs were not by Hillsong by they were just what I needed and I just started praying. I fell asleep last night in my saviors arms.

This morning I woke up tired because of being up but completely rested. I was going to go running but I was to tired and my knee was spazing out so I decided to go walking. Now one of the best ways for me to vent is to run I love getting it all out just by running and I was still stressed and worried about things in life. Hence, my walking trip turned into running because I just needed to run. I couldn't keep myself from running. So I ran as hard and as fast as far as I could till I basically fell over around the one mile marker. I took my Ipod with me for some reason as I never do, but as I got exhausted the words to the song were something about lift your head up and I did and saw the clouds. The sky was so blue and the clouds formed together in what looked like to me a heart. I just started crying/ walking home. I am so glad I know my God loves me and cares about me know matter what.

Satan: Bring on the loneliness and pain. You can't defeat me any longer. I belong to My "Mountain Moving, Awe-inspiring, Life Saving God"

2010-07-25T22:15:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to let you all know I will pick back up on Colorado tomorrow. I have had a rough day so if you wouldn't mind praying for me that would be really nice. Thanks!

Live Like We're Dying

2010-07-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

Good Song!
Live Like We're Dying Lyrics
By: Kris Allen
Sometimes we fall down and can't get back up
We're hiding behind skin that's too tough
How come we don't say "I love you" enough
'Till it's too late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
We could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you
What would you wish you would've done?

Yeah... we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86,400 seconds in a day too
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbye?
Should be so careful who we live out our lives
So when we long for absolution
There'll no one on the line

Yeah... we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying [x2]

We only got
86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

You never know a good thing 'til it's gone
You never see a crash 'til it's head on
All those people right when we're dead wrong
You never know a good thing 'til it's gone

Yeah... we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that's tickin'
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got
86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Mountain Pictures

2010-07-24T21:33:00.002-04:00

My Camera hated me for taking it up so high so I picked the best ones but I probably took 50-70 pictures :)

You had to be there to experince it but the whole thing was breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. So worth the climb (which wasn't that bad) and even worth the decent (which was way worse on my bum leg then climbing it) it was amazing. I love the mountains. :) Our God is SO big. I am glad he loves us that much!

Backpacking Day 2 part one

2010-07-23T21:54:00.005-04:00

I have to say this was my favorite day. We went up 4,000Ft in four miles. It was a hard climb just with our daypacks but we had fun. The view was really worth it and I can officially say it has snowed in July now. :) I will post pictures of the view tomorrow.

Living In God's Guidence

Close

God's Chisel

Slightly umm... busy?

Back

Blogger Break

Why did God put faces in the front?

2011

Best parts of 2010

Top 5

Christmas

Top 5

Poverty Stricken

The Tale of Despereaux

Top

These stories always move me!

Busy

Top 10

Allodoxaphobia

Wow!

This week Ramblings

New Look!

All we ever need

Top 5

Percy Jackson

Top 5 (7)

Top 5

Fall Photos

The blogger returns (Duhn duhn duhn *scary music*)

Top 5

Part 2 (Late)

Thanks to these people

Walking Like Jesus

1 Year is a Very Long time

Top 5

Thank You For

Fall Fun

Another fun give away!

Glasses

Tonight

Long Days

Long days

This Week

Wow!

200th Post!

Pizza Night!

Marie Madeline Giveway!

My Life

Sand Dunes

Life

9 Years Ago Today...

Wow

Homework

I am alive

Families

Chocolate :)

Daniel Fast Day Eleven

Back to School

Colorado Skies

Bridge

Moved

Friends

Fast Breaking

Daniel Fast Can and Cant's

Daniel Fast

Daniel fast day Ten

Life

Daniel fast day Nine

Picture Fun!

Daniel Fast Day Eight

Daniel Fast Day Seven

Lamp Pictures

Sunrise in Tennessee

Daniel Fast Day Six

Daniel Fast Day Five

Daniel Fast Day Four

Daniel Fast Day Three

Daniel Fast Day Two

Daniel Fast Day One

Life

The blogger returns (Duhn duhn duhn scary music)