Star Wars

I love it. Seriously. I love this video. A lot.



Corey Vidal is very cool. =D I know Matt posted this a while back, but it is so amazing, I had to re-post.

It is sooooooo true....

...but also happens to be slightly funny in this case =P

Pictures from Christmas......

These are some amazing socks that I got =P




A funny hat Sophie got that has a hole for a pony tail. haha!





My dad opening a gift.....



Olivia holding an outfit she got.

I would post a picture of my mom, but she says all of her pictures are 'bad', haha!

Lastly, an amazing fedora that I got:

Merry Christmas!

Hi my friends!

Each of you are amazing and special to me in many different ways. I'm blessed to have every single one of you and I thank God daily for you. As we all open gifts and spend time with family today, may we remember the true meaning of Christmas and realize that anything 'good' we have is a result of Him. I hope that your Christmas is awesome!

An amazing man....

What a testimony this he has.

http://www.4marks.com/videos/details.html?video_id=723


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php

God definitely has used him in amazing ways.

I'm back!!

Hey everybody! I'm sorry for neglecting to make many posts recently....much less any interesting ones.

Anyhow, I just got back from Michigan late last night. I had a good time, but I'm so happy to be home and I can not wait for church tomorrow night. But yeah, MI was cool too--pretty much literally. We had like maybe 2 feet of snow there and it got down into the single digits during the day. It makes NC feel like the Bahamas. Snow was nice to have for a few days, but I would not want to live around it all winter. It seems to be such a hassle. One day there was a blizzard and we could literally see maybe one 10-20 feet ahead.....makes for lots of fun driving.

Every year, just a few days before Christmas, my grandparents reserve a 'block' of rooms at a hotel for all of the family to go stay for a night. We all have draw names that we have to buy gifts for and it's lots of fun. It's always really crazy and loud though, haha....

I had tons of fun with my cousins. We went in the jacuzzi outside when it was snowing...now that is tons of fun. We also played lots of games and stayed up until like 3AM goofing around. It's too bad that I only get to see them once a year.

We stayed with my grandparents for the rest of the time we were there. They are amazing too. My grandpa(the one who had the heart attack) is such an amazing, sweet, funny Christan man. He is so joyful and happy through everything, even with all of the medical things he is going through. And he is one of the funniest persons I know. He is such an example to me and love him so much. My grandma is awesome too. She spoils us rotten, haha. She is such a hard worker and always is thinking of the little things. You will never starve at her house :) She took my sisters and me shopping and let us buy some stuff.....that was fun.

So, yeah, I had a good time, but I'm also really happy to be back and I really missed church on Sunday.

Let's see...what else do I have to say?

Oh, I was so music deprived while I was away. I was not allowed to bring my guitar with me. But luckily, my rockin' cool cousin came to my rescue and let me play his guitar.

Christmas is 2 days away and I still gotta get a gift for my dad and Sophie. So, that probably means that I will have to go shopping today. Fun times.....

I can't wait for the Christmas eve service tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be amazing.

I was up until 1:30 AM this morning reading about something that was incredibly interesting to me in the Bible. I almost don't want to say what it was because I want to talk about it with some of you guys when I see you next. But yeah, it is sooooooo interesting--to me at least. I'm still trying to figure it out.

When I was in MI, I was talking to one of my cousins and got into to several deep discussions with him. He really got me thinking on some things. Oh, that was so neat. I am reminded about how much I enjoy a deep discussion about the Bible....even if it is a little over my head, haha!

I feel like posting some lyrics, but this is getting a little long, so maybe I should stop.

Oh and I'm not going to post pictures of Brandon and BJ's party since several people did already and I don't want to bore you with the same pictures again :)

Happy Birthday Bethany Joy!

I have been out of town and just got back a few minutes ago. I will post on my trip and other things tomorrow, but I wanted to make a quick post about BJ.....and I only have a few minutes, so O better hurry, lol!

Bethany, you are such an amazing friend. Your friendship is so special to me and I can't wait to get to know you even better! One thing I love about you is that you are so 'down to earth' and 'real'. I know you love Jesus so much and that is very evident in your life. I hope your birthday was amazing! Love you!

last night was amazing. pictures coming soon.

Tagged

The Rules

1. Copy the questions and then answer them (post it on your blog).

2. Tag 4 people and let them know you have tagged them.

3. Let the person [who tagged you] know that you have done a post for the tag.


What are your nicknames?
Em......

What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?
uhhh, idk, maybe something on Animal Planet. B)

What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
I have no earthly idea.......

What is your favorite scent?
Maybe vanilla. it smells wonderful.


If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?
Oh...that's hard. I would have a really hard time spending it. I would much rather donate some and put the rest in savings. BUT, if I couldn't do that, let's see...... I would pay my way through my 8 years of college, buy a nice, but not an extremely extravagant car(maybe a blue Ford Mustang convertible), buy a really nice laptop, buy a couple of HD video cameras, film a professional quality movie, buy a nice house that is far from the city with lots of land....maybe a cabin in the mountains 8-) Oh, that's enough dreaming.....


What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to?
oh, I have had so many amazing memories. I loved Epcot..... But also, I have great memories from Washington, DC, Williamsburg, the Outer Banks......yeah, we travel a lot.

Do you trust easily?
I guess I trust as easily as the average person. But, I don't trust to freely.

Do you generally think before your act, or act before you think?
Sadly, I act before I think too often. However, I'm working on that and am improving. Thank you, all of my forgiving friends who have had to forgive me many times for that :)

Is there anything that had made you unhappy these days?
I will have to echo what Aly said. How people forget the true meaning of Christmas. But also, Barack Obama hasn't made me too happy, lol!

What is your favorite fruit?
I love basically all fruits, but pineapple is probably the most amazing of them all.

What websites do you visit daily?
yahoo, several blogs, several forums, youtube, google, my own sites......[someday facebook will be on this list, lol]

What is your favorite thing to wear?
Jeans and a hoodie. I'm all for comfort, lol!

Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
sorta....they are wonderful though....

What items couldn't you be without during the day?
well, as far as items, I guess books, the computer and food, lol! If I could say people: God, my family and my friends. They are the true things I can't live without :-)

What should you be doing right now?
catching up on a school paper and cleaning....

I tag:
Emily S.
Hannah G.
Bethany
Nathan

GIMP

GIMP is very handy. I'm having fun with it...... The past few days I've messed around with it for the first time. After I actually completely understand how to use it, I'm sure it will be even more enjoyable. Then it's time to tackle Blender....yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh, that'll be REAL fun.

Second Blog!

I created a second blog! Check it out: http://dare2digdeeper.blogspot.com/

I love to blare music while I'm doing school. First, some songs that are as 'rockish' as I can take, then something like....instrumental or like Celtic......Yeah, it pretty much makes school much more enjoyable.....particularly math. But the key thing is that it's really loud ;)

hmmmm, I'm going to try and make a playlist for my blog soon.

I am happy right now. Yeah, seriously....that's all I have to say.

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh!

That's what I'm talking about. Top in our division. Go Panthers!!!!!

fun times

yep....not much explanation for this........other than that glasses rock. period. oh, and I didn't bother fixing the red eye, haha.






yeahhhhhhhhhhh...that's all. A more sane post coming later.

Thank God....

that life is not fair! Seriously. Think about it.

Introducing.......

.....Macie!! Yes, I have yet another animal. I drove all the way to Shelby, NC a few days ago to get her. And, although I'm sure no one cares about this, here is a picture of her:

The only thing that's beautiful in me.....

....by: Rush of Fools

oh, how true this is.
_____________________________________

Just like the ocean waves
You crash on me
Just like a tidal wave
You ruin me
Just like a hurricane
You devastate everything that needs to change

You are the only thing that’s beautiful in me
Beautiful in me
You are the only thing that’s beautiful in me
Beautiful in me

Just like a mountain peak
You lift me up
Just like a desert stream
You fill my cup
And like a heart that beats
You are the blood that covers me
You cover me

You are the only thing that’s beautiful in me
Beautiful in me
You are the only thing that’s beautiful in me
Beautiful in me

And all I can say is thank you, thank you
And all I can say is thank you, Lord thank you
And all I can say is thank you, thank you

........

well.....I felt like posting, but now I have nothing to say. actually, I do, but I don't have anything to say that will make much sense to anyone. Or at least part of it won't make sense. Or who knows, maybe it will!?! I bet you're confused already?

I think eyes are amazing. I know that sounds weird, but they seriously are. And I don't mean in a weird way, I mean that they are very interesting when you think about it. God was so creative when He creating them.

I also think cameras are amazing, as well as computers. Like seriously, it boggles my mind how someone could invent that.

Key Lime pie is so glorious. I mean it really is. There is not many things that taste better than that.

I have been thinking about Morgan, Marissa and Bethany. They have been on my mind today. I'm so thankful for them. I hope that all 3 of them will be at care group on Sunday because it has been a while since the last time we were all there. They are amazing friends.

I love care group times. I love the discussions we get into. I love the support and accountability. I love it when I'm challenged. Or, I should say that I like it's results.....sometimes it can be hard to be challenged.

I have been challenged a lot recently. I have realized a lot of character qualities that are lacking in me. There is a lot I need to work on. I have been very aware of my sin, but also of God's grace.

I want to start a book/bible study for the teens in Crossway. I know I've talked to a few of you about this. I think we could have some amazing fellowship and that it would be very beneficial to all of us. Would anyone else be interested in this if I organized it? It may be something I look into starting January.

And I say all of this because it's on my mind. There you go. I look inside the mind of Emily.

I just want you to know.....

I feel like a lot of people have been struggling or going through hard stuff recently. I just want everyone of you to know that I'm praying for each and every one of you, individually today and this week.

Below are two songs that I love and I think are pretty fitting :-)


*****************************************
"For The Moments I Feel Faint"
Relient K

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What of the death I still dwell in?
I try to excel, but I feel no movement.
Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?

Never underestimate my Jesus.
You're telling me that there's no hope.
I'm telling you you're wrong.

Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong, He will be strong

I throw up my hands
"Oh, the impossibilities"
Frustrated and tired
Where do I go from here?
Now I'm searching for the confidence I've lost so willingly
Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fear

I think I can't, I think I can't
But I think you can, I think you can
I think I can't, I think I can't
But I think you can, I think you can
Gather my insufficiencies and
place them in your hands, place them in your hands, place them in your hands

********************************************
"When I Go Down"
Relient K

I'll tell you flat out
It hurts so much to think of this
So from my thoughts I will exclude
The very thing that
I hate more than everything is
The way I'm powerless
To dictate my own moods

I've thrown away
So many things that could've been much more
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works

When I go down
I go down hard
And I take everything I've learned
And teach myself some disregard
When I go down
It hurts to hit the bottom
And of the things that got me there
I think, if only I had fought them

If and when I can
Clear myself of this clouded mind
I'll watch myself settle down
Into a place where
Peace can search me out and find
That I'm so ready to be found

I've thrown away
The hope I had in friendships
I've thrown away
So many things that could have been much more
I've thrown away
The secret to find an end to this
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works

Any control I thought I had just slips right through my hands
While my ever-present conscience shakes its head and reprimands me
Reprimands me
Then and there
I confess
I'll blame all this on my selfishness
Yet you love me
And that consumes me
And I'll stand up again
And do so willingly

You give me hope, and hope it gives me life
You touch my heavy heart, and when you do you make it light
As I exhale I hear your voice
And I answer you, though I hardly make a noise
And from my lips the words I choose to say
Seem pathetic, but it's fallen man's praise
Because I love you
Oh God, I love you
And life is now worth living
If only because of you
And when they say that I'm dead and gone
It won't be further from the truth

When I go down
I lift my eyes to you
I won't look very far
Cause you'll be there
With open arms
To lift me up again
To lift me up again

B. Reith and I

Yeah, I just thought I'd post a random picture. He's got some interesting music....if you haven't heard of him, check his music out.

And I have nothing else to say....so adios!

Oh how I love it......

I just love my guitar. I can easily spend 2+ hours playing it each day. Yeah, even though I know like 8 or so notes and only about 6 songs so far, I can't get enough of it. Actually music in general.

I always wished that I was better at everything the music world(singing, piano, guitar....). I would like, not hardly practice just because I 'wasn't good' and I guess a little discouraged. I but then, one day recently, something occurred to me......you must practice to get 'really good', like I want to be.

So, yeah, even though I'm playing just my little, simple songs right now, I'm not gonna stop because one day, I'll be good enough to play publicly, lol! A picture of my lovely guitar:

Life

What is life?

How do we define it?
Is it earthly or eternal?
What is it's purpose?
What should we do with our life?
How should we live?
Is life worth living?
Is life valuable?
Should we defend it?
When does life start?
When does it end?
What sustains life?
What harms it?
What should matter?
What shouldn't?
Who rules over life?
Who created life?
What holds the answers to all of life's questions?
Guess.

Thankfulness

Ok, well, I'm going to do like everyone else and list what I'm thankful for. Ok...this may take a while *drum roll please*

-Jesus. And what He did for me. Everything good is a result of Him. Anything that anyone every finds good or lovable about me is all thanks to Him.
-My parents. They have been amazing examples to me and I am very grateful to have supportive, Christian parents.
-My sisters. We don't always appreciate each other like we should. But we have some amazing times together!
-All of my other family. They are so much fun!
-My amazing friends. Marissa, Morgan, Bethany C., Samantha, Lindsay, Bethany T., Melly, Chelsey, Anna, Emily, Christianne, Kacey P., Cara, Jessi, Hannah G., Hannah H., Aly, Tori, Sarah, Tara, Christa, Megan, Becca, Janell, Adam, Matt, Nathan, Wesley, Brandon, Josiah, Will and Ben. There are lot more of you.....but you know who you are!! All of you are amazing and I couldn't imagine life with out all of you guys! I have so many funny stories and memories with you!
-My mini friends. Juliette, Jake, A.J., Seth, Zoey, Levi, Caroline and all of the adorable kids I work with in CM. :-)
-My pastors and Crossway. I am soooo blessed my my church and all of my pastors. I have grown so much in the Lord because of you!
-My animals. Bentley, Gracie, Tabby, Hazel, Sissy, Dumplin, Munchkin, Millie, Tiggie, Teddie, Macie, Peekaboo, Bella, Pearl, Opal, Ruby and Jewel. I love them so much!!
-For being homeschooled. I'm so thankful that I have the privilege of being homeschooled. I really like it for so many reasons! *no offense to anyone who goes to normal school*


-The Bible
-Heaven
-prayer
-worship
-joy
-peace
-grace
-humbleness
-missionaries


-books
-Wikipedia
-music
-art
-my house
-my guitar
-my piano
-the computer
-my MP3 player
-my cell phone
-napster
-concerts
-email
-internet
-blogger
-youtube
-spell check
-cameras
-sharpies
-football
-the rebelution
-bacon
-chocolate
-pineapple
-food in general
-inside jokes

-nature
-rain
-sun
-clouds
-storms
-the mountains
-the beach
-hiking
-grass
-trees

-laughter
-smiles
-senses
-love
-color
-mystery
-freedom
-philosophical thoughts
-creativity
-theological discussions
-debate
-learning

-smart people
-Doctors
-inventions
-medicine
-veterinarians

yeah, I could keep going for quite a while. There is sooooooo much I am thankful for. Who knows, maybe I'll edit this if I think of more.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A few things....

First of all, please be praying for my dad. As some of you know, he has Melanoma. Luckily, it was caught very early and it has not spread. But, he still has to have surgery. He will be having it this Friday..... there is a chance he may have to get a skin graft. If so, he will be very uncomfortable for a while after surgery. So, just be praying that everything goes well, for minimum pain and that he won't have to get a skin graft.

Also, on a total different subject, yesterday I watched a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I don't like it, but it's tradition, haha! it is kinda a depressed movie......you know what? The guy who made it was depressed. I guess that goes to show that your work or art reflects your life.

Today I went to Barnes and Noble. I could seriously live there....

well, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! That's about all I have to say tonight....I will hopefully copy everyone else tomorrow and list what I am thankful for....we'll see....

I've been tagged!

Rules:1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
Across Five Aprils
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence, which is: "I got no use fer McClellan.
4. Post the next three sentences: I don't know what Ol' Abe means-tuckerin' to him like he was some little sawed-off king." Then Tom Marin from Rose Hill spoke up. "If you ask my opinion of McClellan, I'll tell you I don't think he wants to win.
5. Tag five people. Let's see. . .
let's see who hasn't been tagged...lol, all guys!

Adam
Wesley
Nathan
Ben

if you read this and haven't been tagged, then I tag you too!

Outside the Box.....

well, today I saw this picture and it reminded me of a funny, but kinda embarrassing story from when I was about ten. I thought I would tell you all!

One day I was invited to a so called 'costume birthday party'. So, I had the idea of going as a gift. So, I got a big box, decorated it and cut holes for my head and arms. I was soooo excited because I thought I had the coolest costume. Well, I show up at the party and I see that every single other girl is wearing a girly 'tea party' dress and all have their favorite doll with them...... I obviously didn't understand their idea of 'costume'........ I was sorta a tom-boy and it would have never occurred to me that dressing up as a 'American girl doll' was an option....

lol, so there is an embarrassing story for your enjoyment =P

Today...

Today I slept in. That was nice.

Then I cleaned--I alot.

My room was a total wreck....so I organized it.

Someone came to buy one of my hedgehogs.

They were cool....because they had English accents!

Then I spent a long time picking up nuts--yes, nuts.

My dad put up Christmas lights.

The sunset was awesome. But it set so quickly, that I couldn't get a picture.

My day was pretty uneventful....so idk why I'm posting.

In honor of Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is less than a week away, I want to ask all of my readers a few questions:

What are you thankful for?

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?

That is all. 3 simple questions..... Please answer them!

My answers will be posted soon!

Happy the Hedgehog

oh my....this is so funny....

to me at least...

The Southern Christmas Show....

Last night we went to the Southern Christmas show with the Bell's. This is the one time a year I choose to go shopping for multiple hours...I am not a shopper and long amounts of time shopping is like worse than being strapped to a giant banana and being chased by a rabid ape through the Amazon rainforest in the middle of the summer(oh, wait.....apes don't live in the Amazon, do they?).

ok, well it's not that bad, but yeah, you get the idea.....I don't like shopping. Anyhow, back to the story....in the spirit of Christmas and since my wonderful friend would be accompanying me, I decided to go.

I saw Bethany, right when we were walking in which was a very nice surprise ;) Then off we went walking through dozens of shops/booths looking at various Christmasy items like ornaments and little stuffed bears wearing scarfs and Santa hats. We walked through this area where they had a contest for miniature houses and stuff. That's pretty vauge, isn't it? lol, idk what to call it......but anyhow, they had a cool one of 'Ratatouille'. I thought I would post a picture:


After you walk through the first building, there is a big walk way to get the next building. This is one of the best parts of the entire show. This is where a lot of the food is sold. But, being that I don't like to spend money(another fact about emily)...I resisted spending $5 on a very attractive pretzel...... The cool thing about this second building is that it's kinda like an arts show....and since food is art(in my book), there's lots of food in this area as well. But, what makes this food even better is that there are samples that are free, which is my kind of deal. [see a theme going on here?] There were some interesting things as well.... I saw a guy that looked like someone I went to kindergarten with and there was a funny cheese man who said: "Yum-yum in your tum-tum....good and good for you" and he repeated this little 'advertisement' constantly, which became very funny to Samantha and me....sadly, we didn't get a picture of this entertaining man.

So, that's about all of the highlights of the second building.....the third building was.....well it was a building. Nothing to exciting in there--except for one thing: We really liked her and decided to take a picture with her while our moms were looking at the 1,000,000th ornament of the night:

Ok, there you go. That is all about our 4 hours and 28 seconds(just kidding, lol) at the Southern Christmas Show. You probably didn't want to know that much about it, but if you're reading this, then it's probably a little too late now.

oh, one more thing....it is NOT Christmas time until after Thanksgiving. Period.

I have *magical* powers

I have the amazing ability of making objects invisible. Yes, it's true folks. One second I'm walking and there's a wall and the next second, poof it's gone. But one important thing about invisible things, is that they are still there, just you don't see them.....I seem to forgot this fact. *coughcough*

So, I tend to walk into the invisible objects. And I have bruises to prove it.




















*this magical power is also known as clumsiness.*

an extremely unbrilliant, boring, unoriginal post

sadly, I think all of my blog posts could have this title. That would make my blog title really contradictory too......

Hopefully I can improve, lol, because if I don't I think I'm going to bore all of you out of your brains.

and this post was boring too.

*sigh*

Pray.

Today I just learned a cool fact.....the word 'pray' is used 365 times throughout the Bible. I thought that was neat.


Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

this weekend

was great...but busy. I got to go to church for the first time in 6 weeks.

I went to the panther's game and they won!

I went to an awesome concert with Morgan.

I went to care group, which i always enjoyable.....

yeah, I'm happy...

but sadly, school is tomorrow and I have a lot of work to do...

Happy Birthday Morgan!

You are an amazing friend and I hope you have an awesome birthday! You deserve it!!

ahhhhh

pure amazingness

right now

I really wish that I had a facebook......

*sigh*

weird+other thoughts

I made a post last night about my trip and it said that I posted it like 5 days ago. Anyhow, idk what that's all about, but be sure to scroll down, read that post and see all the pictures.

Also, I am not going to make a large post and say what everyone else has said about the recent news. I'm trusting in God and not worrying and I will pray--continually--for our country and it's leaders. God is bigger that Barack Obama. period.

Update on my grandpa. My grandpa is still in and out of the hospital, when he starts to do better, something else goes wrong. He is still really lethargic and can't walk at all. But-- HE'S ALIVE! He could be dead right now, in fact he's supposed to be dead right now. I don't think I ever said this but when he had his heart attack, he was DEAD for 47 minutes and was revived. Now that is amazing--God is truly an AWESOME God!

Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you." Idk why this verse stuck out to me the other day. I guess because it's a fresh reminder that God has a plan, knows what's best for me, and will take care of me. He won't give me more that I can handle.

Another random reflection.... My dog is weird. He'll wine by the door to be 'let out' but the minute I open the door and let him out he decides that maybe it's not a cool out there as he thought and wants to be let back in. I was thinking, isn't that how we are with God? We beg and wine for something we want and then when actually He grants our wishes, we decide that it isn't as good as we were expecting and we start to wine again, forgetting that this is just what we asked for.

Ninety Nine Balloons

My trip!

Ok, guys! Sorry for the delay in posting this! Life has just been insanely busy! I know I already told some of you about this, but I'll post anyways. Let's see.....

First we drove to Texas...yep like 16 hours in the car *ugh*. But it's worth it, as we got to see our grandparents whom we haven't seen in 3 1/2 years. We stayed there for 4 days. While we were there, we went to a Tiger rescue and the zoo. A cool thing about staying at my grandparent's house is that every single night, they feed wild raccoons on their porch. I got to hand feed some raccoons and even got to pet one! Yeah, only Emily gets excited about that....

A White Bangle tiger at the rescue

A goat at the petting zoo *just for Adam* =P

A strange flamingo

Me with a Parakeet at the zoo

Olivia's, Sophie's and my foot compared to an elephant's foot...

Some raccoons at my grandparent's house

Next we drove to Oklahoma to see my great grandmother, great aunt and aunt. They live right by the mountains. I *love* the mountains.....especially the Granite mountains where they live. We climbed up 2 mountains and is was an absolutely amazing view. The hikes were so much fun too--until you step on a cactus, lol! While we were in OK, we celebrated my great grandmother's 88th birthday. She is the sweetest person ever!

The view from the mountain

One of the mountains(much larger than it looks)

Another view
Olivia and I on the mountian

We left OK after 3 days and were on our way to IL to see another great aunt and uncle. We stayed the night there and then left the next morning at 5am to drive to Indiana.

We went to IN for my cousin's wedding. Sophie was a junior bride's maid, my parents were the 'master and mistress' of ceremonies. The first day there we were decorating and helping prepare for the wedding. We also went to a rehearsal dinner and afterwords went on a hay ride. Well, given the fact that we don't celebrate Halloween, it didn't occur to us that that night was Halloween night. While we were on the hay ride, some creepy music started playing and then weird gnome-like creatures come running at us with megaphones yelling in what sounded like a different language. It was creepy, but really funny as well!

I forgot to say that this little town that the wedding was in was mostly Amish. I mean if was full of Amish people. I am always so interested in them, so it was definitely cool staying there. We saw buggies all over the place or just Amish families walking down the street with their adorable kids.

So anyhow, the next day was the wedding. The wedding was very cool....not your traditional wedding in a lot of ways. Olivia and I were titled the very important job of collecting gifts and money from the guests and we ended up being the little gophers for people--but it was fine because we don't get to go to wedding everyday, lol!

We also got to hang out with our awesome cousins. They are so funny....and most of them are in their twenties so we always hear things like 'oh, you're growing up too fast' or 'last time I saw you, you were shorter than me' or 'don't tell me that you have a boyfriend yet', ROFL! I don't know how long it'll be until they treat me like 'one of them' and not just 'one of the littler cousins'. lol

Unfortunately, I was unable to get many pictures in IN because we were so busy....I didn't get any of the wedding or the Amish people.... But here are a few of the cousins......

Bethany

Sophie and the groom
Blake....one of the groom's brothers

ok, that's all! the end...

hmmmm, let's see.....

Hi everyone!

I'm sorry for not posting recently!! I was out of town for nearly 2 weeks and life has been busy since I got back.

ohhhh, what to post? It would seem that since I've been gone for what seems like ages, that surly I'd be full of ideas, but that's not the case.

I could sit here and talk about not knowing what to talk about.....

Some strange/odd/out of nowhere thoughts/facts:

I have horrible handwriting. If you ever get a birthday card in the mail or something like that and you think that the message is in Chinese or Vietnamese or something like that, well, chances are, it's from me. Is is Chinese?...Vietamese?...no, it's Emily's hand writing!

I don't really like green veggies. Yeah, I know, I know....but really, the only thing I even somewhat like is Broccoli and only if it's drenched in cheese.

I think that I'm not the least bit funny and when I try to be, it comes across really cheesy(then again, cheese isn't bad...).

I'm intrigued with goat's eye balls.....they are so cool looking!

I love adventure and trying new things(despite my cautiousness). The other day I tried a frog leg.....but you know what? It didn't really taste like chicken, like I had been told. lol, I was so excited about trying it.

ok, well, I have nothing else to say, so I'll probably stop talking now. oh, one more thing, I'll post pictures from our trip tomorrow!

I realized something recently. I always refer to a group of people as 'guys', even if the group is all girls. I don't like how 'girls' sounds, so I just say guys. And, I never say guys AND girls.

^just a random thought of the day

Also, miniature sausages are glorious.

wow...I have the 'Oscar Mayer wiener' song in my head.

Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener

That is what I truly want to be

'Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener

Everyone would be in love with me.

LOL!
yeahhhhhhhhhhh, go ahead and call me strange.

I'm alive!

Howdy folks!

I'm still alive! I just have had a million things going on and have not had spare time to post recently :) But I will attempt to make up for that in this post. If I don't you'll just have to forgive me.

Anyhow, I just got back from our camping trip yesterday and I still sorta stink of campfire. Actually, I love the smell of campfires....camping is amazing.

I missed church yesterday, due to our camping trip. Last night we had care group and it was amazing. I love having people around me that really care about me. I love the deep discussions that we get into. I love the accountability. It seems like life is hard right now. With my grandpa's heart attack, all the issues with Wachovia, my dad's recent news of skin cancer, the whole election and the economy, ect. I'm so happy to have some many amazing friends always praying for us. I've been trying to decide what lyrics to post, since I know so many great songs. But last night on the way home from care group 2 songs came to me that I just had to post; because they apply to me so well right now.

The first one is 'Times' by Tenth Avenue North:
_____________________________________________

I know I need You
I need to love You
I love to see You, but it's been so long
I long to feel You
I feel this need for You
And I need to hear You, is that so wrong?

Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.

Now You pull me near You
When we're close, I fear You
Still I'm afraid to tell You, all that I've done
Are You done forgiving?
Oh can You look past my pretending?
Lord, I'm so tired of defending, what I've become
What have I become?

Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.

I hear You say,
"My love is over. It's underneath.
It's inside. It's in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.
The times that you question, 'Is this for real?'
The times you're broken.
The times that you mend.
The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.
It's inside, it's in between.
These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.
The times you're hurting.
The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I'm there through your heartache.
I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.
I don't care where you fall, where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends."

Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.

__________________________________________

The second song is 'Everything' By Tim Hughes
__________________________________________

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping

God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything

____________________________________

We are leaving on Wednesday to go to TX, IN and OK to see family and go to a wedding. We'll be gone for 12 days. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not looking forward to missing church and the LONG drive!

A few other updates: my grandpa was released from the hospital a few days back, and then a day later had to be rushed back to the emergency room as he had a high fever. Right now, in addition to recovering from the pain of surgery and all, he also has an infection, pneumonia and 2 cracked ribs. So, please continue to pray for him and pray that God uses him in amazing ways. The firefighters that had revived him are shocked that he's alive today. In 22 year of doing what they do, they've only seen someone make it though twice. So it's a miracle that he's even alive today. We know that it's God, but I pray that can be used to possibly share the gospel with these doctors and the firefighters that worked with him.

The baby hedgehog is doing great and thriving. He is adorable and spoiled!

I hope to make another post before I leave on Wednesday and maybe once while I'm away...but we'll see.

Another very urgent prayer request!

We just got a phone call about an hour ago and heard that my grandpa(my mom's dad) just had a heart attack. Please be praying for him, the doctors caring for him and all of his family.

Hm.....

Ok, well, now that my poll is over, I am very surprised with it's results. I thought that the last thing anyone would want to read about is my life. Anyway, I guess I was wrong.

So let's see. Today I have a half day of school since it's a holiday. I don't think we're going to do anything special though. I'm still studying for the PSAT. And um that's about it today.

The baby hedgehog is doing great! Thanks everyone for praying!

Recently(like it seems everyone else has), I have been so thankful for all my amazing friends. There are WAY too many of you to name. There is always someone to talk to and it seems like one of you can always relate to me. I think that as my relationships grow deeper with lots of you, the even more thankful I am to have you. For a lot of you, I have not known you for more than a year, yet it seems like we have known each other forever. Someone is always here to encourage me or just to hang out with. As I get older, the more my friends are valuable to me.....soon we'll all be graduating(in fact a few of you have already graduated) and moving on, but it's nice to know that I have friends that are in the same boat as me. Anyhow, I know this little blurb does not sound really 'Emilyish', lol, but I just want each of you to know how much I appreciate your friendship!

Also, another random thought. Recently I have come across some amazing songs that lyrics have been just what I needed when I listen to them. I'm going to try to regularly post some lyrics and a bible verse that is helped or encouraged me in some way. So be expecting a post about that soon. < lol, that's unlike me too

Say a prayer

Well, this morning I woke up to a dead baby hedgehog. One of my females has killed 2 of her 3 babies and so I have removed the last one living from her cage. I'm trying to get my other mom who has 5 babies that are 2 weeks older than this orphaned one; to take in this baby as well. So far, she's taking care of the baby, but there's still a lot that could go wrong. I'm staying home from church today to help this baby. Say a prayer that everything continues to go smoothly and that I'll be able to save this little one's life. thanks guys!

Maintaining a healthy level of insanity

Highly recommended for those of us who want to maintain a healthy level of insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.. !
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
5. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get..
6. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.
7. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go".
8. Sing Along At The Opera.
9. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.
10. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won! I Won!"
11. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!"
12. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

It's Called .... THERAPY

A strange thought....

So, I was thinking, actually, this thought has come through my mine several times. What if I'm dreaming right now? Like, what if I'm not really the 15 year old animal-and-music-lover-Emily that I think I am? What if this life was all a dream? What if I was a total different person? Now that would be really weird. We all obviously know that isn't true, but sometimes, it's really strange to think about.

I'm thinking about stuff like this quite. Does anyone else? haha, just thought I'd post =P

Wake up.....

Feels like I’m going through the motions in the dark
In a world that leaves me with an uninspired heart

All I know is I’m so tired
Living life I barely feel
Give me hope, give me fire
Give me something real

Cause I don’t wanna keep sleepwalkin’ through
Endless days I’ve had enough of
Going nowhere, God I want to
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

It’s now or never come and pull me from this dream
Where everything is colorless and nothing’s what it seems

I believe only You
Can make me come alive
Help me be so consumed
Open up my eyes

Half asleep
I’m so bored
Counting sheep

Wake up! Wake up! by Everyday Sunday 

The Ball.....

If you're anything like me...this will drive you crazy: THE BALL

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

lol!

Clovers

Clovers are cool......I'm not sure why people think that ones with 4 leaves are lucky, while the ones 3 are not. Yesterday I found two 4 leave clovers and I'm not any luckier than I was the day before. I wonder if ones with 5 or 6 leaves are like extra lucky? Why are clovers considered weeds, if they're supposedly so lucky? Who has the right to define a clover as a weed.....how does it get that name? I think the 3 leaf clover is over looked too often.

lol, superstitions are weird.....but any how, I still like clovers. Don't you just love the idea of frolicking in a field blanketed with clovers!?!

I wonder if there are clovers in Ireland.....hmmmm....*quickly pulls up Wikipedia*

This post is getting a little weird......and maybe I should stop.....

A first...

Ok...for the first time, on my blog, I'm actually going to talk about my life, lol!

I've been really busy with school, like I'm sure most others are as well. In addition to that, I'm studying for the PSAT that I'm taking next week. Yesterday I had guitar lessons and my baby sitting job so, I was tied up all day and did even get the study for the PSAT. For some reason, I'm unusually relaxed about taking it, but I'm sure it'll be a different story the day of the test, lol!

Then I have my little baby hedgies...now two litters. They are so cute and fun, but they're growing up way too quickly.

I have wanted to get a job for the past several month and I still do, but I wonder how that would exactly fit in with guitar lessons, art class, Chemistry lab, babysitting and of course regular school. And in between that I want to find time to do more artsy stuff....I love the fine arts....and I'm trying to teach myself have to do some graphic arts/design stuff because it looks like fun B)

But I'm really liking life right now. I have some awesome friends and an awesome family. I love my church....School, while very time consuming, has actually been pretty enjoyable this year. Oh, and this weather is awesome :D The hedgies are fun....

EDIT: haha, I just realized how much I use the word 'awesome'....

Ok, enough talking about myself.....

here is a random picture for the day:

It's of Juliette Harris and I....hahaha!

Oh, and a thought provoking question for the day: Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons? lol, weird, but I'm serious!!

And a Bible verse for today:

Proverbs 3:1-8

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

I can't think of anything profound to say today...so I guess that's all folks(big goofy smile)!

Poll

Ok guys, please vote on my poll!!!!!!! I wanna know what you like to read best! If you select 'other', please specify!

Thanks!!

(lol, enough explanation points for you?!?!?!)

whoa

I just realized how much I seriously love disinfecting wipes! they are pretty much awesome.....


...and no, I'm not going crazy--well, at least not really...

Ever wonder?

I got this email today and though it had some interesting points.....some funny.....

EVER WONDER ...

Why do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke?

Why do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Why do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why the man who invests all your money is called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Ramblings....

My life is so confusing right now.

It seems is easy, yet incredibly hard.
Happy, but sad.
Like it's going by so slowly, but also so quickly.
Like I'm too young to grow up, yet I'm growing up and I'm still a kid.
Like school is all that I have time for, but I have so many other things to do.
I want to have a life beyond school, but school is really important.
I want to grow up, but I don't.
I'm starting to look at colleges and my future, but I don't seem ready.
I don't know why I want to grow up, when I don't.
It was so nice being 4 years old, with hardly a care in the world.....why would I want to leave that?
Yet I do.
But not yet.
But I have to.


I have so many things going through my head.
Yet, I don't need to worry.
Why? Because God is my boss. He is in control.

Life is full of decisions...
Some are really hard decisions,
while others are minor.
Decisions aren't always fun.
But they're necessary.

For some reason it's helpful to talk things out.
idk why, but it is.

There is so much more I could say, but I gotta go do school.....
school isn't always bad
I do enjoy it sometimes
actually a lot of the time.
But sometimes, I just get tired of it....
Oh well, that's life I guess, lol!

tada!

I thought that today I would post some pictures of my favorite wild animals. Aren't they awesome!?!






Oh yeah, one more thing: Happy Birthday Matt and Lou!!! :-)

wow

we live in a crazy world. our economy is so crazy right now. this is stuff has never been seen before. I hardly understand it..... and the politics are getting annoying. I can't believe that next voting season, I'm going to be voting....AHHHH! we need to pray for our country and for our leaders more than ever right now. so many people are struggling through all of this. But, through it all, God is in control.....He has a plan and can work through anything....He will not let us down. Even though we may not see that plan right now. I'm gonna keep praying.....Will anyone join me?

Little Cuties.....

Here are a few of the promised pictures of my baby hedgies. I love 'em!!