Lots 'o stuff.

I've been meaning to post these past few days, but just haven't gotten around to it. So now I have lots of little things to cover in one post.

First: this is my #199th post!! wow. I can't really believe that.

Sophie turned 10 on May 29th. I can't really believe that either. I remember when I turned 10....and it doesn't see too long ago. That was such a 'cool' thing to me to be in the double digits, lol. But yeah, not like Sof is immature or anything, but it just doesn't seem like she could possibly be that old. She has grown up so much. And OHMI she was an adorable little girl. I've posted a few pictures below.

Ok...what else? Oh yeah. On Sof's birthday, we had the Bell's over for dinner. All of us kids did line dancing and a little bit of swing until like midnight. That was so fun and tiring! Boy did we have that music blaring, lol. Maybe I'll post some pictures from Sof's actual birthday soon. She had a fantastic cake. I wanna post a picture of that too. =)

The CrossWay homeschool graduation was yesterday. I did photography for it again this year and it was quite fun. It's weird to have so many friends graduated now. That'll be me in two years. A big part of me wishes I could be graduating next year. But God has perfect timing and is sovereign and that is all that matters, right? :-) Anyways, congrats to all of you graduates =D

Today, I had Children's Ministry again. I always enjoy it a lot. I love the kids. :-) After church, Chad had a graduation party on the church property. I had a good time hanging out with everyone and it was a lovely day.

Ah, and lastly. This is my last week of 'official' school. I'm going to have to do a little bit for part of the summer. but other than that, I'll be done. I do not want to waste this summer. I want it to be purposeful and God honoring. I'm praying about what I should do with my summer. Other than the obvious...working :-)

I'm thinking about changing my blog design....maybe yellow? lol

That's it for now =)

For memorial day I works for 9 hours. And, I seemed to forget that with the fact I'd be working outside for all those hours that I may have needed some sunscreen. So, as a result of that, I got burnt. Luckily, it doesn't really hurt or anything. But, I'm really surprised that I got burnt....I like never burn....especially when I am sitting in shade all day! It's amazing how fast 9 hours passes by when you're really enjoying what you're doing.

Oh yeah. I was just thinking about how great it is to see parent's involved in their kid's lives. Parents who actually spend quality time with there kids and invest in their lives are kind of getting rarer. It's sad.

^Random I know. But not really.

We made homemade ice cream last night. And OHMI. That stuff is sooooo good. I love it. haha

Today I'm going to really try and get my school done. I have only a week and a half left. And, I'm hoping I won't have that much to do over the summer. Tonight, we're starting a girl/mom study in stead of our caregroup's normal women's accountability and I'm looking forward to that. And, I get to go out to dinner with BJ, so it shall be fun =)

hmmmm. I don't have much else to say.

Joy =)

My mind is full.

It just really, really is. I have these ideas, these thoughts, these theories. But you know what really gets frustrating? My inability to express these thoughts as well as I'd like. I'm not exactly gifted in eloquency and some time's it's not even that. Sometimes I can just hardly know what I'm thinking and these thoughts that are *so* interesting in my head don't come out on paper or in words how I'd like them to. Does anyone else ever feel like that?

So anyways, it took me a little while to get around to posting this. But Thursday-Saturday afternoon I was at the homeschool conference with my mom and Morgan. I had an amazing time. There was a really great speaker named John Stonestreet. He is really into worldview and apologetics and debate. Yeah, I'm quite fond of that stuff ^_^ He had several sessions which Morgan and I went to. The three that stood out to me were one on Postmodernism and another on God's plan for your life and another on why your worldview really, really matters.

Anyhow, he has really, really got me thinking. I started to type up my thoughts, but then I decided that(like I said above), they aren't going to come out like I want them too. They aren't going to make hardly any sense if I type them out. Plus, I can hardly get my mind around it. So, I'm going to wait until I have a better picture in my head to post about it,lol.

So, back the to conference... One night they had a really big swing/line dance night for the teens. IT WAS SO AWESOME. Like seriously. It's one of my favorite things to do. AHHHHHH ! The teacher was great and had a really good set up for teaching. Morgan and I concluded that we want to take lessons. I really want to be awesome at it,lol ...and, that would be a fun PE credit =D The other night they had a teen game night. It was actually quite fun as well. We ended up playing Pictionary, pencils(spoons played with pencils, lol) and killer. We met one really nice family and then a bunch of kind of annoying girls. But yeah, it wasn't that bad, lol . The only thing I was disappointed about was that I met a lot of really cool people, but I didn't hardly get their name or get to know them. I wish the conference was more like a week long so that you'd have time to make some real friends out of it =/

Actually school wise, I'm really excited about my junior year of highschool. I'm doing like mostly all of my favorites this coming year including: Algebra 2, AP bio, LD debate, worldview and Spanish(hopefully at the CC). That's obviously not all of it, but it's what I'm looking forward too ^_^

So yeah, I'm rambling now. Sorry 'bout that. Conclusion: I had an awesome time at the conference with Morgan =D

busy!

Alright so this week has been busy and strange feeling so far.

Yesterday we got 3 dogs dropped off that we'll be petsitting for 11 days. That adds a lot of into the mix, lol. Liv and Sof also had their piano recital yesterday. They did a really good job, but it's funny because I get nervous for them, even though I'm only the sister watching. I guess it's because I've had to be in recitals before and I know how I really blew it one time and how nerve racking it was. But, yeah, they were awesome.

Tomorrow my mom and I are goin g to the homeschool confrence in Winston Salem. I'm super excited about it because I get to bring Morgan with me and we'll be gone until Saturday afternoon. I'm positive we'll have an awesome time =D I'll post on it when I get back!

I can't wait until we're done with school for the summer. Only 2 1/2 more weeks!

I better go do more school.....
Peace.

What's up with this weather? Just a few days ago I was swimming in the pool. Now I'm wearing long sleeves. lol.

hmmm. What to title this?

So on Saturday morning I woke up with this random rash on my face. I'm thinking it's poison oak, but what I really don't know is how I got it on my face of all places. I haven't even done anything out side in the past few days and much less anything that would include my face touching anything poisonous, lol. My best guess is that my dog got some of the oils in his fur and decided to share it with me. But anyways, it's a little bit annoying, the bit red rash on my face isn't as annoying as how much it itches. ugh. But, as I like to say...I'm alive, so that's happy =)

I'm terrible at decisions. I'm getting another breeding hedgehog from FL and I have to decide between two babies. I got to see pictures of each of them and they are both so cute. I guess I can't go wrong....but still. It's a decision and I'm over thinking it. lol, well, I *think* I have reached a conclusion, but that could change before I'm done with this post.

On Friday, as I said, I was at the church for like 10 1/2 hours. I had a pretty good time, although I was exhausted by the end of the day. The sale went well and I met lots of interesting people.

Saturday evening was the Bible study. I was so excited about it. And it was quite fantastic. God is so good to allow us to have such an awesome time studying His word, worshiping and fellowshiping(is that a word?)!

Lastly, tonight is care group and church was this morning. I just finished baking a coconut cake(one of my favorites!) for snacks tonight. I'm looking forward to eating it! =P

I'm getting ready to head out the door to go set up for the Crossway Used curriculum sale...we're going to be at the church from about 11:30am to 10pm...so it'll be a long day, but I'm looking forward to it!

Yeah, that's basically all I'm up to. Oh, then tomorrow I am going to be doing a bunch of painting in my room than we have my Bible study that night! I'm really excited about that =D

So yeah. that's it. I just thought I should make a post :)

I feel really bad about something....

As many of you have probably noticed, I often make special posts for people on their birthdays. I love doing that. I love doing the most I can to make someone feel special and loved on their birthdays. I really love birthdays. And I really love all my friends.

But, in my attempt to do this for most people I know, I realize that I have missed a lot of really awesome people's birthdays. This is because A) I didn't know their birthday[or found out about it after the fact], B) I forgot, C) I already did something special for that person and didn't want to freak them out by being too obsessive[I think I already have managed to do this], or D) a combination of the above, lol.

Anyways, assuming I actually know you, please forgive me if you didn't get a special post on your birthday. About 10 people come to mind right now who I didn't do a special post for.

Maybe this is a silly thing to feel bad about, but I still do feel bad about it either way. Hopefully I'll do better at remembering this next time around =)

Youth group, followers and profoundness!

I just realized that I have 21 followers. That's like shocking to me. Why would so many people-- several whom I don't even know-- be interested in reading my ramblings? But what I really wonder is who actually reads my blog on a regular basis. I wonder who reads it that I have no idea about. Not like it'll change anything, but...I'm curious. So, if you read my blog even semi-often and just never comment, please do so to satisfy my curiosity, haha.

Anyways. I felt like I should post. I really do want to say something profound, but I don't think that comes natural to me. And I can't think of anything to talk about.It amazes me how some of my friends manage to make such a unique, deep, profound point in nearly every post they make. Not saying there's anything wrong with talking about life...I really like to read about what's going on with everyone. But I'm just saying I also really admire those who have really neat thoughts on stuff and who always challenge me =) Oh yes.

On a different note...The message from youth group Saturday had a really big impact on me and has stuck with me all week.

Some points/quotes that stood out to me:

When we're diligent, we get to move forward.
God wants our all because that's what speaks most highly of Him!
We're never wiser than our current years...other than what God gives us.
Studying is not an option. It's the primary way we learn about the Lord. We will always need to study for the rest of out lives. It never ends.
Excelling is best. Being better than the standard is what God wants for every area of our lives.(He has such a great plan for my life!!)
All work is profitable.
Faithfulness produces blessings.
Our ultimate goal: God's Glory.
God doesn't tolerate laziness.
The church isn't the building, it's the people. We have got to be involved.
What in my life defines me right now? If we don't have a clear mission, we tend to wander.
True happiness: following God.

I guess if I had to summarize what I mainly took from it: I can't afford to be lazy. God strongly dislikes laziness(and so do I!). Being a faithful, hard, diligent worker is what God wants for me and is what will bless me.

Boy am I glad I take notes =)

So yep. That's it!

Happy Mothers Day!

To all you moms out there! You have the hardest , but greatest job in the world and the one that should be most respected. Hope you feel honored and loved today and everyday to come! You deserve it =D

I thought that I would post Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰ An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
¹²She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
¹⁴She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
¹⁵She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
¹⁶She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
²²She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
³⁰^AG)"> Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Humility

Well. I'm kinda not having any good ideas for posts. But, I wanted to post these lyrics. It's really bugs me that it's all in slang, but it would take me forever to fix.

I like this song because it's so true. Recently I've been very aware of my pride. Ugh. I want so much to be selfless in everything I do....to be humble and always thinking of others first. But no. I'm far from that. God looks to the humble to find His pleasure. I want to serve God. I want to please Him.

Anyways. This song like totally applies to me. Even though it's rap and even though it's written out like how Lecrae actually pronounces all the words, I still that these lyrics are amazing.

Get Low

Yeah, yeah, humility, humility
Get low boy
Get low girl
Humility, humility

I really shouldnt trust myself cuz without God I'm nothin but dust myself
So full of pride I disgust myself so I stay tryna crucify and crush myself
I ain't tryna say I hate myself but my sin nature got me tryin praise myself
So I get low, prostrate myself
And pray to God that I don't play myself, yeah
Folks actin like Nebuchanezzar
Like they feet don't stink like they got it together
God have to break em down put em back together
Cuz he looks to the humble to find his pleasure
Whether, we missin hub caps or roll on dubs
The Earth is the footstool of God above
Check Isaiah 66 and face it bruh
We only significant because he raised us up
To get low

/Chorus/
Get low, get low, get low, get low, get low get low get low
Dis aint one of dem nasty throws I'm talkin bout humble yaself befo the Lord
Uh, Get low, get low, get low, get low, get low get low get low
You ain't gotta touch the flo, but ya gotta give props to the God who rose
Get low

This easy don't let me get comfortable, so full of myself I'm comfortable
Folks wantin you the radio pumpin you start feelin yourself and now the Lord gotta humble you
Make sure u do a heart check mayn
You trying to rep Christ though you reppin your name
U in it for his glory or you in it for your game
Cuz the Lord know the truth and if u doin it in vain
You think you gon miss yo chance?
You trust in the Lord over circumstance
Cuz God will open the do', for those
Who don't chase, ain't hopin for gold
I pray this song soak in ya dome
So our God won't have to leave you broken to know
That he's searchin your heart and he's bound to know
If you goin for his name or you goin for yo's

/Chorus/

Check, Christ got low for days
He's the God in the flesh we supposed to praise
But he made himself low like the folks he made
And he died so our God had him rose in days, yeah
And that's the way you do that mayn
We submit to the God who can do all thangs
Call him el elyon yeah pursue that name
Not da money not the glory don't pursue that thang, what
In a matter worthy of yo cause
You a Christian, humility, you know that dawg
Yeah i know its kinda hard eva since the fall
Humility hasn't made much since at all
Everybody say it's all about you--but naw
Don't believe in the lies don't trust a dawg
Just trust in the God who can crush us all
But to those that He chose---yeah he loves us all
Get low

Manners for Millions

Today we discovered a very entertaining book called 'Manners for Millions'. It was written in the 1930's and oh boy was it funny. I wouldn't want to have to live by that 300 page book. I think this is going to be added to my list of favorite books ^_^

I might post quotes from it later =P

=D

I'm sooooo happy and hyper right now =D Long, fun filming day tomorrow so I better go to bed ;-)

Youth group rocked tonight....worship, the message and the time with friends =D What did everyone think of the message?

Joy!

Systematic Theology

I was up late because I couldn't put down the book 'Systematic Theology'. Ohmi, like seriously, it's incredibly interesting. I love, love, love theology stuff. I could have easily stayed up all night reading it, but my better judgment told me not to. haha, but now I'm tired and I gotta do school.

But yes, as crazy as it sounds I believe this is one of my favorite books that exist. =D

Thanks Wes....

...for reminding me of this verse. Even though I don't think you meant to :-) [I know I have posted this before, but I just have to post it again.]

Romans 7:13-8:1

¹³Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. ¹⁴For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²²For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

¹There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

This verse is like just how I feel/felt. I just love this verse.

I was right. God can make any day a lovely day. He has proven to be awesome and all I ever need yet again. Thank you Lord for breaking me and showing me my sin!

Sin and grace.

My sin bugs me so much and makes me so sad and frustrates me so much. I am so self centered and greedy. I'm terrible at dieing to my flesh. I'm so prideful and unkind.

So. I don't get like this too often, but right now, I'm really feeling my sin. I guess that's good.

The older I get, the more I realize how immature I am and how much I need older, wiser people in my life. How much I need wiser people directing me, giving me advice and how I am so not ready to be an adult. You'd think it'd be the other way around. But it's not. When I was younger, I really did believe I was mature 'for my age' when people told me that. Now I feel quite the opposite.

Looking back over the recent past, I have seen so many situations that I did not handle correctly. Afterwards I wonder how I always make these dumb mistakes?

Grace. I need it so badly. I'm so often reminded of God's grace. After even the worse day, He can make it lovely. I do think I'm doing better in looking to Him for joy. But I just fail so often.

How thankful I am for God's perfect grace. I'm so glad He always forgives, He always knows and He always is in control. I remind myself of this so, so often. Not to justify my sin, however.

I pray that someway, somehow, God will keep my dear friends in my life. That somehow, He will give them the strength to stand being around me and to find ways to forgive me and my sin.

God, Grace and Joy. I need these things always.

These are a few of my favorite things....

...I have that song in my head :)

Anyways:

Juliette Harris
A Night at the Museum
grilling meat

haha. I don't have too much to talk about. Oh, but work was good on Saturday. For the record, I worked for 12 1/2 hours and it was awesome. It was actually so much fun....I even got to walk a camel though a mall and freak people out. fun, fun, fun.

Church and care group are a few of my most favorite things as well. We got to watch the little Harris kids today, tomorrow it's Jake and Seth and Wednesday it's Manny and Isaiah. I love little children ^_^

I'm also hoping I get to go to BJ and Brandon's concert tomorrow and I'm really excited about that. Then there is youth group. I'm particularly excited about this youth group ;-)

Then a possible movie meeting on Saturday. Busy, busy =)

I want to talk to someone about the book of Romans. I read something so interesting the other day and it excites me so, lol.

I don't have much else to say....Peace!

ahhhh

I'm just overwhelmed by God's greatness and faithfulness right now :) He is so incredible!

I'm working 12 hours tomorrow...at the very least....could be more. I'm going to be outside pretty much all of that time and there is a 40% of rain. I'm really praying it doesn't rain...and that I don't get sunburnt. It'll be a lonnnnng day. =/

I wish it was about 10 on Sunday morning right now. Or 6pm on Sunday. I just want it to get here =)

Ohmi!

How did it suddenly get to be May? We're almost half way through the year. That's just crazy!! Only one more month of school =D