Friendships

Friendships in life are in no means an easy thing to sustain. They have their rough times, their good times, and everything in between. Now, I am definitely not perfect when it comes to my own friendships. I have so much to learn still on how to give up my own time for my friends, to listen, and to encourage. While at school it is so easy to become focused on a limited amount of tasks, while forgetting that there are still people around you. I shouldn't be 100% focused on my schoolwork, on classes, on my boyfriend {yes, this may be hard to believe}, or on my friendships. But, I should strive to find a happy medium. 

There are several things that I have noticed about friendships:

1. It takes two. Two hearts willing to put into the relationship. There cannot be one friend putting in all of their effort while the other just sits back and receives. Both must give in order for the friendship to thrive. 
Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

2. We should love our friends, as well as our enemies. God loves us with a love we cannot comprehend and though we could never return the same love He gives us, we should still try our best. Loving others not only is a step of obedience in Christ, but helps one grow and become more like Christ. One will also find their lives will be greatly enriched by loving others.

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

3. You must be willing to forgive. All people make mistakes, and though they may not be equal in our eyes, they are equal to the Lord. God has forgiven us, and we should reflect God by forgiving others. 

Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another."

4. It is important to pick good friends. We as humans, are like mirrors. We are constantly reflecting and conforming to what we place ourselves around. If we place ourselves around those who are involved with immoral conversation or actions, we are likely to become involved. if we place ourselves in an area where people are not growing, we are not likely to grow. But, if we place ourselves around those who are godly, and want to learn more about Him and grow in Him, we are likely to do the same. 

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners."

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” -C.S. Lewis

*Photo Cred: Bonnie King Photography*

"Wives, Submit Yourselves unto Your Own Husbands"

So, the following actually wasn't intended to be a blog post (is that okay to say on your blog?!), but I liked the thoughts and have always felt strongly about this topic. In a class that I am taking the women were assigned a paper on the topic of Ephesians 5:22 and the men were assigned a paper on Ephesians 5:25. Because it is a paper rather than a blog post I wasn't able to add personal touches like I'd prefer and it's very structured, but that's okay! :) I hope you enjoy!

Women's Role in Marriage

            Marriage is something that many are involved in, but there are many different outcomes from each marriage. What makes one marriage better than another one? Why do some marriages end shortly after they begin in divorce while others last happily for 60 years? For some the answer is easy to see while for others they do not have the slightest idea. Although I am not married I think I know what makes one of the greatest differences in a marriage. Women desire love from their husbands while men desire respect from their wives. But, often times both men and women are too focused on themselves to give their spouse what they crave.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). Submitting to the husband can bring great joy into a marriage. Submission allows a wife to give her husband the respect he desires. Many wives think that submission is optional in a marriage. Well, it is not optional.  “Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands” (1 Peter 3:1). “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord” (Colossians 3:18). As you can see, the Word of God makes many clear references to submitting to the husband. The verses do not say “if you feel like it, submit”, but they say “submit yourselves”. If women were to apply this to their marriage, I believe it would have a great affect.

God made women from Adams’ rib to be men’s’ companion (Malachi 2:14). While in the Garden of Eden, Adam looked around and saw no one there for him to help him. God put him to sleep and used his rib to form a woman who would become his help meet (Genesis 2:18-24). The term help meet is very important here. A help meet is exactly what it sounds like - a helper, not a leader or someone that is to make man’s life more difficult. Wives are to make their husband’s life easier by helping him along the way. Many wives will object because their husbands do not do as she suggests. “Once a wife has graciously and humbly expressed her heart on a matter, if her husband chooses to act contrary to her counsel, she must be willing to back off and trust God with the consequences of her husband’s decision” (DeMoss 147). A man will seek out his wife’s counsel, but he does make the ultimate decision as the head of his wife and family.

By this point many women can agree that though it may be difficult, they can submit to their husbands. However, there is more to the verse than “submit to your husband”. Ephesians 5:22 ends with “as unto the Lord.” This phrase means that we ought to submit to our husbands in the same way that we ought to submit to Christ. Because of this, we must respond out of joy. “The submission of a godly wife is more than a duty, it should be her heart’s delight” (Peace 131). Submitting out of joy may be difficult, especially when one thinks about how wives answer to the husband while the husband answers to no one. But that’s not the case. “The man is not excused. He is individually accountable to God. Because of the emphasis the Lord puts on marriage and the picturing of Christ by the husband, the burden of responsibility on his shoulders is a heavy one” (Jones 23-24). Wives need to help their husband carry this burden and help in whatever way possible. “If a man is to stand strong, whole, and undamaged, he must have his wife’s support" (Jones 56). A change of perspective may be needed here. It is not a burden to be the help meet of a man, but a privilege. A man has trusted his heart and his life to you. It is an honor to earn that respect and trust from a man.

A woman needs to be submissive to her husband. This allows her husband a greater opportunity to lead and become the man that God intends for him to be. The marriage will grow immensely when the wife is able to put her selfishness and pride away and care for her husband in the way that the Lord commands her. When a woman is submissive to her husband, she will discover a new kind of joy in that. Marriage will never be perfect in this sin-cursed world, but it can definitely be great when it is followed as closely to God’s intentions as possible.

*Photo Cred: Pinterest* 

More than Just a Day of Prayer

Today was a day at Bob Jones set aside for prayer. Prayer for missions, the government, unsaved friends and family, those who are sick, and more. I can safely say that the day of prayer is one of my favorite days on campus. It reminds me of how important it is to constantly talk to God. Prayer isn't meant just meant for meals, for hardships, and definitely not just for the day of prayer. Prayer is supposed to be something that we are constantly engaged in. I need that reminder more often than I am reminded. Throughout the past two weeks I have been really struggling with something. I am not entirely sure what it is yet, but I know something is there bothering me. I have been trying to cope through this by just simply confiding in my very patient boyfriend, but it's just all too much. I was able to share a couple of the things I am going through with some of the girls in my major this morning, and it just broke me to hear my requests being prayed about. Hearing about it from other people is making everything that is going on a reality, rather than what I have been hoping to just simply be a dream. Tonight in prayer group was family night, and it was my turn to share about my family. I had been thinking about what to say and do for the past couple of days, but with hopes that they would not ask for prayer requests. I had planned that if they did, I would talk about everything very briefly and then move on. Well, towards the end of the 15 minutes they asked if I had prayer requests. While I was trying to be brief, it was not as simple as I had hoped. I simplified, and even left many requests out, but ended up in tears by the end of my second sentence. The struggles that I had been facing while at home this summer are now a reality.

Usually when I post on my blog it is about something that is past. While I may wish that these trials were over, I know that these trails have not even yet hit their hardest points. I am not entirely sure what to end this post with, except asking for prayer and a small challenge. I have been thinking lately a lot about how my actions, thoughts, and even sometimes my emotions effect more people than just me. I need to be considerate of how I display those actions, thoughts, and emotions and make sure that I give praise and glory to God. Even through trails and difficulties.

It Is *Okay* to Ask for Help

Today has been a day to remember. I stayed at home most of the day and talked to a few people about some of the struggles I'm going through right now. I'm very, very thankful for these people.

For those who don't know, my family is going through a lot of different financial difficulties right now. I've mentioned in a previous post that we are trying to get a new car, but we are also going to be moving relatively soon for many reasons. This is something I am struggling with more than I ever imagined. I knew things were not where they needed to be, but this isn't what I had in mind. 

I've also had some rough spots in a few relationships within the past couple of months. This is something that we are all too familiar with, I'm sure. I have tried to handle this on my own in the past, but it is clear to me that nothing has been solved, only temporarily patched. 

I'm at a point in my life where it is easy to think I've gained control over life. I'm a college student, I'm working, driving, and paying bills. That must mean I've got this. . . right? 

Wrong.

If anything my "fixing things" has made some things worse. I really can't do this alone. Today really helped me realize that. 

God has placed some very godly influences into my life that I am so, so grateful for. These are the people that I need to go to for advice in the little and the big things. 

Now maybe, just maybe I'll remember this later in life. But of course, pride will always step in and try to make me think "I got this". That's when I know I don't and need help.

I'm hoping the lesson is clear. Everyone has a lot of struggles they are going through and we always try to fix them on our own. But, save yourself some time and some hurt and talk to God and to those who are walking closely with God. It will help much more than you think. 

[To my godly friend, thank you!] 

Societal Norms

"Well behaved woman seldom make history." - Laurel Ulrich

This quote has come up several times within this past week. What does this quote mean? To go "against" society? To live carelessly? 

That is often how people take this quote.

Laurel Ulrich was a lady who wrote a book with this quote in it. She wasn't expecting anything to come out of it but now it is a very well-known quote. 

While I was thinking about this quote I began to think about society. I definitely do not want to be considered a norm in society, and I wouldn't say I am a misbehaved woman. I think the misbehaved woman today are those that define society. 

I want to be a woman who behaves in a way that pleases my God. I want to be an encouraging friend, a sacrificial wife, and a loving mother. Those that live lives following God may not be well known and may not have changed the world, but they changed their family and their friends. I want to watch my little ones grow into godly adults and pursue godly lives. 

That is the history I want to make.

I want to challenge you with this thought - what are you leaving behind?
 Do those who walk away from you after even the shortest conversation walk away better? Are you encouraging them with your words, your smile, or your presence?

I have found that one of the greatest ways to make your perspective on life is to make others happy. Smile at someone as you walk past them, wave hello, or ask the employee behind the register how their day is going and care about their response. You can make their day.

Sorry for the very off topic post. My train of thought went a little off the rails tonight. 

As another side note, I am reading the book "Lies Women Believe". I am not very far into it, but would definitely recommend it to my Christian lady friends.

**This post is not personally directed at anyone in particular.**

Thankful, Even Through the Challenges

Life is difficult.

Each day I am faced with a new struggle that seems to have no possible answer.

When I came home from school for the summer I planned on doing everything. I wanted to get A's in my classes, repair damaged relationships, work at the Idaho Center, work on fixing my backyards landscaping, spend time with friends more than I have in the past, finish a quilt, redo two bathrooms, get into shape, and the list goes on. I knew I wouldn't be able to do everything, but I didn't expect to be this far into the summer and have done so little.

My biggest focus this summer has been my schooling which is taking about 45 hours a week. It's also difficult to do at home, so I've been spending lots of time in coffee shops around town. This keeps me away from many of the other things I wanted to do this summer.

The past few weeks have been some of the hardest times for me because of various things.
Money is short.
Cars are breaking down.
Friends are moving away.
Family members are getting major surgeries.
Relationships have too much pressure on them.
And things just aren't going the way we planned.

I've come to a conclusion. Life was easier when I was younger and simply just didn't understand.

I like the idea of going back to being young and having my daily life consist of burying my parents car keys under my deck.

I've had several points in this summer when I simply just sat down, cried, and prayed. The strangest peace comes over one when they are talking to God.

There is one thing that is helping me a lot through this summer. 

Friendships. 

My sister, Angela,  is here at home beside me helping me each day. She has completely amazed me with her love and support through this summer. I am so grateful to have a sister here beside me. She is the one I can disagree with the most but still get a hug from when I need to. She is completely irreplaceable. I love her greatly.

My sweet, loving, caring, and amazing best friend and boyfriend Caleb is also always, always here for me. Talking with him makes everything seem better and easier. Words can't express how happy I am that he is in my life. I think I'll keep him around for a while. ;)

Karina, the friend who never gives up on me, is one of the greatest girls I know. We became friends through one of the strangest ways, and I'm so glad that we did. We've had complications like any other friendship, but she will never give up on me and she has more faith in me than even I do.

The last friend is Rosie. Rosie listens when I need to talk, and gives great advice back. She is so incredibly genuine and has been one of the biggest helps to me this summer. She is an incredible girl.

These four people are the ones in my life I could never dream of life without them. I'm so thankful for their love.

The greatest lesson I am learning this summer is to treasure the relationships I have. This may be by spending more time communicating to that friend or maybe just thinking about how great they are. One of my greatest challenges is to try to stop impressing them. My friends love me without me pretending. But there's still something in me that wants to make sure that they won't leave me. I need to try to put my pride aside and care for them like they care for me each day. I need to return the love that they give to me each day. It's not about me, it's about others. 

My Eczema Story: What Worked For Me!

This is a huge letter of encouragement to the others out there who are suffering the pain, embarrassment, and the misery of eczema. I'm 19 years old, and I've had eczema since I was born.

 I've always been very self conscious about it, especially when someone points out my dry skin. Like many others I've been to doctor after doctor and have tried more lotions, creams, and oils than I can count. Growing up I had to crawl around my house to minimize the pain of walking on my dry and cracked feet. My mom and I had gone to doctor after doctor who "knew how to solve the problem." Many of the ointments and creams I used either got rid of the itching or gave my skin more moisture. While this was always a great relief, I needed both to go away if possible. 

When I was 14 years old I met a lady who sold Arbonne, a company much like Avon or Mary Kay, but that used all natural ingredients. I was using their baby oil and baby lotion. This helped my skin immensely for several years, but the cost was getting too high for me to afford. However, after talking to this lady she helped me in buying other off the shelf lotions or creams from any store. The two ingredients she advised me to stay away from are Mineral Oil (in any cheep, cheep lotion) and Petroleum (Vaseline). When shopping for lotions I have always avoided these two ingredients and my eczema get increasingly better once again. I have been using lotions such as Calgon, Bath and Body Works (I use their body wash too!), and other lotions. But it was still there, still painful, and still noticeable to anyone who looked.

When I went away from home for college I changed my diet. I started focusing on vegetables and whole wheat breads. To my surprise this helped my eczema! Recently I tried something most people have seen off of Pinterest: a detox bath. I tried one to have a relaxing bath and to see how I would feel afterwards. Just a couple of days ago I was looking at my feet while putting on lotion after a shower and noticed that my eczema is practically gone. The combination of healthy eating and the detox baths have gotten rid of my eczema! Now, I know that this may not work for everybody, but please try it!! 

Here are the ingredients for the detox bath:
1-2 Cups Epsom Salt
1-2 Cups Baking Soda
2-3 Tea Bags (any should work fine!)
Lots of hot/warm water. I always use very hot to relax my eczema. 

I really do hope that this helps you like it has helped me! My eczema feels better, and so does my body! If you have any tips or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comment section!

Also, for those who know what eczema looks like, this is one way it may look like.

If Home is Where the Heart is...Then I'm in Two Places.

I must start this blog by apologizing that I have not yet updated so many of you since I left home! I feel terrible about it. I figured this weekend would be a perfect time to catch you all up on the life here. This week was midterms week: the third to most terrifying week of the semester. The first most terrifying: Move in week. Second week: Finals week. And obviously this week as the third. At least that's the stereotype. I throughly enjoyed the first week since I knew the people I was flying across the country to meet. When I walked through the security gates at the airport that morning my family and I were all crying. However, once I got on the plane I started thinking about the people that were picking me up and the people that would become my life long best friends. -For those of you who don't know I met about 10 people through facebook and well all clicked together. It was part of God's perfect plan.- Anyway, as I met these people for the first time I knew we would be in each other lives for a while. Some of us became best friends before we even got here, and the others it took a little longer to understand, but things have worked out. ;) The move-in day was a bit of a pain with moving around so many times due to getting a "new room" (one of the guinea pig rooms, they weren't finished when we got here.) We moved into our official room around 9PM that night though. Things have settled down pretty much since then.

Friends: God has blessed me with amazing friends here! They're crazy and fun, but know when it's time to be serious. The difference between some of the people at home and the people here is the purpose and goal of the friendship. Ultimately we are to help each other in our walk with God. Also, I have a chance to be someone for them to talk to when they are having a bad day, got a bad grade, or met some boy. ;) And they are here for me. The girls are like sisters, and the guys are like brothers; we are family.

Roommates: My roommates are Karina Antonsen, Dawn Mellinger, and Deanna Case. We all get along fairly well, but the screaming could definitely come down a bit. ;) Dawn and I have screaming fights, but it's always in a loving way. I have yet to get truly frustrated with any of my roommates.

Work: I work anywhere from 9-15 hours a week. At first the job seemed treacherous, but now it's definitely a job I can handle. I love the people I work with, but I think I'd prefer a job like Hostessing. I definitely do like the chance to work with the people in the dining common and get to know and meet different people around campus through my job.

Grades and Classes: I came in with the mindset that I needed to study, but I didn't think it'd be this much. It never ends! So that didn't help me a lot at first, but I'm definitely getting the hang of things.

Rules: Lights out by midnight. Which means I am past curfew. ;) I will write more tomorrow! Love you all and miss you all from home! ♥

College packing..

So, today I began packing up my things for college. I realized I am beginning to get a list of things I am going to miss. Here it is.
1. My family (obviously.)
2. My church, I can't picture life without FBC!
3. My friends.
4. Adam Young. I despise the fact Owl City is not allowed at Bob Jones.
5. My bed. Oh I am going to miss my bed so bad!!!
6. The life of ease, haha. Not really, I just don't like the idea of paying the dreaded monthly school bill. Last bill was almost $800.

However, even though I am going to miss all of this I am going to gain so much more.
1. AMAZING friends.
2. Best environment ever.
3. Grow closer to God.
4. An education.
5. Absolutely amazing opportunities.
6. A job. :)
7. SO MUCH MORE!!!!!

I've very excited, and very blessed. :)

16 Days and Counting...

Okay, so first off I need to apologize for my lack of blogging *again*! I am sorry. Second of all, I leave for college in 16 days!!! AH!! I'm dying of excitement, sadness, nervousness, happiness, joy, loneliness, etc. So many emotions are mixing together right now about college. But, I need to introduce you all to 2 of my new very good friends, Rosie and Karina. :D Karina is my soon to be college roommate, and Rosie is my soon to be hopefully hallmate! :) So, these are the girls. :) More about them later. Heading to bed, goodnight all! :)

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with

I have two people whom I do absolutely insane things with. The first and main person is my bestest friend Andrea (or Chip) and the other is my sister (again!) :D

We have done SO many crazy things together it is insane. Chip and I used to get upset with each other all the time, but now we are really good friends. Angela and I are just self explanitory, we're just all together amazing :D I love these two to death and wouldn't trade them for the world! :D

Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

I have a lot of people that have helped me get through a lot. My sister Angela, my Mom, and two of my best friends Clayton and Ethan.
Here is Angela :D ..... :D

Here is Mr. Ethan! AKA My emotionless zombie friend :D

And here's my super mommy :) I came from her tummy, you know? ;)

Clayton will be here ↓ soon. :)

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

So, this picture isn't exactly the one that makes me laugh. But it is from the night that I had laughed the most in a long time. All of our friends were at a school dance, and so we decided we would do something too. So, Crystal and I called Leticia and we all went to West Park and took a bunch of pictures around 11PM. It was A LOT of fun. All of the pictures are crazy and insane and just weird. Ha :) I love these two girls to death! :D

Oh, the rest of the pictures are posted on my facebook, too!



Angela's 2 Month Late Birthday Party! :)

So the other day my neighbors (two ten years olds- Sydney and Gentrie) told me they wanted to throw a belated birthday party for my sister, Angela. So, we went to the store and bough decorations for the deck and came home and decorated the deck. I think it looked pretty spiffy. ;)

We then make amazing cheesecake in which I enjoyed very, very much... ;)

There is no better way to light the candles on the cheesecake than with a blow torch. Can you tell we are pyro's? :)

Leticia also decided to go and make it a dance party by adding some little dance moves into the night. She looks like a ninja!

OH! We also added some new party guests. This is my kitten Scrat. We have a close relationship.

And since I showed our crash guests, I have to show you the original party goers.

Oh, and from left to right we have the names: Christina (me), Leticia (Lety), Angela (Bug), Andrea (Chip), and bottom is Gentrie (Gen), and Sydney (Syd).

And here is just some bonus shots... :)

That night was a lot of fun. I would do it again in a heart beat. Well, goodnight everyone!

Day 6- A picture of someone you'd like to trade places with for a day

So I missed this on the actual day, but I need to do it anyway. I honestly have NO idea who I would like to trade places with. Actually, I just thought of one!!!! Elizabeth Bennet!!!! I would LOVE to be in her era, and be like her. She is absolutely amazing and gorgeous and just overall awesome, even if she is fictional. ;) Give it up for....Elizabeth Bennet! ;)

Day 7 - A Picture of Your Most Treasured Item

Okay, I feel mean. I was reading what day 7 was and I read it as "A picture of your most retarded item." Ha. How sad... :(

Okay, well I think this one is pretty hard too, but easy at the same time. It's very contradicting. I would probably most definitely (ha :)) say my most treasure item is my Bible, because the is my life's guidelines- as it should be for any Christian.

100 Day Challenge?! I think YES!!

To make myself REALLY stick to my blog, I have found the 100 day challenge! This is epic. Should I do it?
I think I should, what do you think?

Day 1- a picture of you with 15 facts
Day 02 -A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 -A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 -A picture of your night.
Day 05 -A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 06 -A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 -A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 -A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 -A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 -A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 -A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 -A picture of something you love.
Day 13 -A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 -A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 -A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 -A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 -A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 -A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 -A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 -A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 -A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 -A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 -A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 -A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 -A picture of your day.
Day 26 -A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 -A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 -A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 -A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 -A picture of someone you miss.
Day 31 -A picture of a tradition you have.
Day 32 -A picture of a crazy night.
Day 33 -A picture of the house you grew up in.
Day 34 -A picture of your currently most played CD.
Day 35 -A picture of your favorite place to eat.
Day 36 -A picture of your ‘other half'.
Day 37 -A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.
Day 38 -A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 39 -A picture of your favorite movie.
Day 40 -A picture of your favorite Disney character.
Day 41 -A picture of your pet.
Day 42 -A picture of your dream house.
Day 43 -A picture of something you can’t function without.
Day 44 -A picture of someone you’re told you look like.
Day 45 -A picture of your room.
Day 46 -A picture of where you wish you were right now.
Day 47 -A picture of your favorite place to shop.
Day 48 -A picture of your favorite actress/actor.
Day 49 -A picture of where you live.
Day 50 -A picture of your most frequented place.
Day 51 -A picture of your dream car.
Day 52 -A picture of your favorite sport.
Day 53 -A picture of someone you think is hot.
Day 54 -A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.
Day 55 -A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.
Day 56 -A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 57 -A picture of your favorite holiday
Day 58 -A picture of your favorite animal.
Day 59 -A picture of a random item that you own.
Day 60 -A picture of yourself.
Day 61 -School class picture
Day 62 -Last place you traveled to
Day 63 -Sports awards
Day 64 -Favorite childhood book
Day 65 -A picture of you and your best friend
Day 66 -A picture in your room
Day 67 -Something Green
Day 68 -A magazine you like
Day 69 -Something Red
Day 70 -Something you borrowed from someone else
Day 71 -A picture of your favorite piece of jewelry
Day 72 -A stuffed animal
Day 73 -Your lunch
Day 74 -Something you found under your bed
Day 75 -You and a friend
Day 76 -Something that annoys you
Day 77 -The last thing that you bought
Day 78 -Your sunglasses
Day 79 -A ticket from somewhere you've been
Day 80 -Your favorite childhood movie
Day 81 -Something you baked
Day 82 -The most embarrssing thing in your closet
Day 83 -The moon tonight
Day 84 -Your favorite pair of shorts
Day 85 -Something Pink
Day 86 -Something your mom bought you
Day 87 -Something you hold dear to your heart
Day 88 -Your bathroom
Day 89 -What's in your fridge?
Day 90 -Your current school photo
Day 91 -Something that made you smile today
Day 92 -Something wierd in your house
Day 93 -The view from your bedroom window
Day 94 -What your doing right now
Day 95 -Something yellow
Day 96 -A place you went today
Day 97 -Something heart shaped
Day 98 -Your favorite nail polish color
Day 99 -Something that makes you feel accomplished
Day 100 -The final picture of yourself

Day 5 - A Picture of Your Favorite Memory

My favorite memory?! Now this is a crime. I have had an amazing, very blessed life to pick one favorite memory. Seriously, far too many good memories. I was thinking about what I would pick as my favorite memory, and I thought of a whole list. So. Here we go.. :)

1. When I was younger my older sister, Angela, and I went outside and played in the dirt under our balcony. Not only did we play in the dirt, but we liked to bury things in the dirt. But, what did I bury? Ha :) Anything from my parents car keys to my brothers cars. We were quite the evil sisters/daughters. My parents didn't know about this until very very recently. I have always wanted to go back to that house to see what was still in the dirt at that house. Maybe someday.... :)

2. Grass nests. This is just our weird awesomeness. Angela and I went into the backyard (we spent a lot of time back there) and found a bunch of sticks, leaves, and pulled grass out of the ground to make bird nests. We were very confident we would get a bird to actually use our nests. :D

3. Two words-Berenstain Bears. They are the best. We had a very awesome computer game that I loved to play when I was younger. I absolutely loved it.

4. Next up, throwing my cat down the stairs. I threw her down the stairs, she would run up the stairs, I'd catch her, throw her, she ran up, etc. So funny :D I loved it. :) I was so mean to that cat. I still have her, and she is absolutely darling and loves me more than any others of my family members. :) Heeeheee :)

5. Vacations in general. But I would have to say my best vacation is our family trip to the Oregon and Washington coast. It was a three week trip with the whole family (Dad, Mom, William, Benjamin, Angela, and I). My favorite memory from that trip was when we went to the coast for the day and saw a bunch of little black bugs in the sand. My sister and I saw them and yelled "Buggy!!" When we got in the car after that Angela turned to me and told me we should start calling each other Bug, or Buggy. That was when I was 7 and Angela was 9. It has so many variations like Bug, Buggy, Buggle, Bugaboo, etc. that we still use daily. Even more than Angela and Christina.

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Well, really, this isn't a picture of my night but more of my day. I spent my entire day cleaning, except to go to the mall twice for something, but I live close to the mall so it was fairly fast. I was doing my spring cleaning, including going through some of my boxes and other various things. How fun... :P Ha :) Yay for cleaning! ;) Oh, and the lamp is one of those almost forgotten things I have laying around in my bedroom. My parents got it a long time ago from a church white elephant gift exchange at the Christmas party. They brought it home and gave it to Angela and I. I LOVE it! So much, that I refuse to get rid of it. I want to keep it for my children, sad right? I really love that lamp. Anywho, so I told Angela that I call keeping it and she told me that whoever has a kid first gets it, then she changed it to whoever has a girl first gets it. I say, that my child (whether it is a girl or a boy) would love to have a pink unicorn lamp! I WILL give my son a unicorn lamp! :)

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

So, I don't watch TV that much, but if I were to pick a favorite show it would be NCIS. It's tied with Criminal Minds and House though. I really don't watch them that much though. But I like NCIS. :)

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest to the longest

My sister Angela and I, we have been best friends for almost 17 years. We have been through EVERYTHING together. We have our fights, but we always work everything out. I would never trade her for anything in the world. She's the bestest Buggy EVER! ;)

Day 1 - A picture of yourself and ten facts

1. I am a senior at Nampa High School- and I'm 16! :)(Graduate at 17, though) 2. I attend the best church in the world- Fellowship Baptist Church. 3. I belong to a family made of 6-9 people. My Mom, Dad, Brother William, Brother Benjamin, Sister Angela, Adopted sister Andrea, Adopted sister Crystal, and lastly adopted sister Leticia. Best family ever :) 4. I am happy 96% of the time, and when I am not happy people don't know it. I hide my feelings very well. 5. I have way too many cats. I have NINE!!! It's insane. But they are all way cute. :) 6. I have very very high hopes and standards for myself. I'm a dreamer that makes dreams come true :) (But I don't tell many people my dreams...:P) 7. I am attending Bob Jones University in the fall. I leave August 26. :D I graduate May 2, 2015. :D 8. I have a LOT of best friends. But I have found it extremely hard for myself to get attached to new people because of the losses I have gone through in my past. :/ I am working on that though. 9. I collect Beanie Babies. I have over 2,000 of them. :/ That's alot... :) 10. I hate being confronted, but it usually works better than anything else when someone wants me to realize I am doing something wrong.

30 day challenge!

Hello my fellow bloggers! I am sorry, I have been MIA for the past few months. Oh my! So much has happened since then. I have been to Washington D.C. AND BOB JONES UNIVERSITY!!!! since then!!!! :D I love BJU!! SOOO MUCH!!!! :D However, that is not the point for this post. I have decided to do the 30 day challenge, on my blog. :) Yay for blogging! :) I have a *serious* issue with forgetting about my blog. Well noodles. ;)

Awesome News from the Capitol! ;) Kind of...

First of all, how's every ones New Year going? Mine is off to an amazing start! The other day I was doing my normal facebook-ing and one of my friends sent me an IM about an event I am attending. He told me how the girl who was supposed to sing the National Anthem could no longer attend and how they were looking for someone to sing it, and asked if I would be interested (which of course I would be!!). So, I told Clayton about it, and he had been asked also, but he declined. But I told him he and I should do it as a duet and so I told my friend he and I could do it. Sooo, Clayton and I get to sing the National Anthem at the Capitol in front of our legislators! :D I am very excited. :D Oh, also, I thought of a good new years resolution... :D But no one told me thiers. You all failed... :/

Ready for the New Year?!

Current Song: Prisoner of Hope by Allie Moss Current Mood: Happy/Excited/Sleepy. I am very excited for the New Year. Usually people say they are excited because they get to have a new fresh start, but just because the date changes doesn't mean thier life does. I understand what they mean, but for me it's just the excitement of the ball dropping and the new date. Oh, and those pesky-everyone-has-to-have-one New Year resolutions. I haven't decided on mine quite yet, but when I do I probably won't tell anyone. :P I'm very secretive. ;) My break has been insane, since we got a Wii for Christmas it has been taking up a lot of my time. It's one of those "I just got it so I have to use it 24/7 for the next month" kind of things. Yesterday I play 2-3 hours worth of Wall•e (best game ever) and today my parents really wanted to beat me at bowling. Ha :) So, I played 10 or more games with them, and won every one of them. I told them that winning that much was getting really boring, then I got third place. Ha :) Serves me right. Well, goodnight my freinds! :) ♥

Is Everyone Still There?

Current Artist: Charlene Kaye Current Mood: In deep thought. I posted, but I don't know if anyone saw it. Hmmmm, maybe if I don't say anything and keep posting I will be better at updating no one rather than updating actual people. Haha :) How was everyones Christmas this year? Mine was very well, I got a purity ring that I am very excited about. ;) It is Sterling Silver with a heart and two Black Hills Gold Leaf. I need to get it fitted and then we are going to get "purity" engraved around it. Also, we got a Wii which I was really excited for at first, but now it is kind of irritating since my brothers love to aruge. It seems like it will be another item that causes problems. Bleh. I also got a bunch of new Beanie Babies, I really need to recount those. :P Hahaha! Christmas Eve was amazing as well, I went to my Grandma's house and ate dinner, opened presents, and talked for hours. (It was the first year without my Grandpa, which was difficult for everyone.) My cousin and I seem to be picking on each other more than we used to, it is a lot of fun!! He tells me "Shut up Christina, you're adopted, no body loves you." which is quite sad. But now he tells me that he only picks on me because he loves me and the more you are picked on the more loved you are. I must be his favorite!! ;) We also picked on my grandmother because of her tree, she had the cutest, saddest tree ever! Kelly, David, Angela, and I called it the drunken tree. :O My grandmother loved it though. Pictures on facebook! One last thing, today I was asked a question that was something that if I answered wrong it would be bad for me, so I said what I thought what that person would want me to say (never do that, always follow your heart without caring about what others might think). So I said no, when I really thought yes, and it turned out they thought yes as well, and now I am really sad because I answered incorrectly. I tried to tell that person that I said no because I wanted to say what I thought they wanted me to say but it didn't help my case. I really hope they will understand though. It is one of those things you can out of your life and make it help your life rather than hurt it. It is an important lesson that I will always remember. Please pray things will work out okay, though. Well, goodnight my freinds. I hope all of your Christmas's were amazing. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Back? Pick yes or no.

Am I full of empty promises? I keep saying I will post over and over again. I am sorry I haven't kept up with my blog! Life has been so busy lately with finals, senior projects, and homework. It's all over for now though :) Saturday night was my first official "date", with the best guy ever. It was amazing! :) That same guy might be coming over for Christmas dinner and a movie on Christmas day since his family does everthing on Christmas Eve, too! And on New Years Eve I am going to his house. How very exciting. :) Well, I'm exhausted and I feel like making it short. Goodnight all! I hope you can see the moon tonight!

Senior Project

For those of you who do not know I am doing quilting as my senior project. I first started off by doing the senior project proposal which was then stolen!! three classes before I had to turn it in! (ANGER!!) I talked to my teacher and she gave me another week to redo it. By the time I was done with this, I was ready to be done with the project before it had hardly even started! Well, a week or two ago I was talking to the lady who runs the accounting in the cafeteria and she is a HUGE quilter! Yay!!! :) So she is helping me out TONS! Her sister is also a major quilter so they are both really excited to help me out. Then, last Thursday, I went to a quilting group at Mercy Medical Center and all of the ladies there adopted me as their own and am going to help me out too! :D THEN! on top of all that! I went to a group on Saturday and they do the actual quilting, but they send their quilts to Veterans. But with all of this help, my project is going to be a breeze! I'm super excited now! :D :D

Stop looking in the rearview mirror, it may cause a crash.

So I've been thinking a lot about this lately, why is time going by so fast? It seems like it was yesterday when I ran to the door to say goodbye to my brothers and sister when they left for school and then when they got home we went outside and just played all day, no worries. And now, I'm over half way done with high school! My brothers are both out of high school and have no career yet or thier own places, my sister is graduating in two months, and since I decided to skip a grade I have just a little over a year left! Sometimes I wonder if it was a good choice, skipping eighth grade, and then I look around me and see the amazing friends I have because of it. When I first went to ninth grade at Nampa High the first person to talk to me was Leticia Perez, she saw I didn't have a partner on a art project in History and invited me to join her group, so I went and did the project with her and the others that were in the group. After that project I never tried to talk to them again, which for me was a huge mistake! I made some friends that year, but I know that if I kept talking to Leticia my ninth grade year would have been amazing! The next year, Leticia was in three of my classes, including choir, and she was completely and totally clueless about anything music related, so Angela and I helped her out. Ever since then we have been the bestest freinds anyone will ever meet! A few days ago Angela, Leticia, a friend of ours, and I were sitting outside at lunch and then we began to talk about graduating and going off to college and we almost all cried, I am honestly very scared to graduate and go to college. I know it will be amazing, but I am most likely going to a college across the Nation! However, I am very very excited to see what is around the corner. I have learned to stop looking into the rearview mirror, it may cause a crash.

Idaho Special Olympics.

Well, I am now being order to post on my blog once again. (Yay!) :)FINALLY I have found another active blogger! So it has been a month since my last post, I have done tons since then! But hey, I don't think everyone cares about every little thing I do so I'll just tell ya'll about yesterday. So, in November I joined a group called Nampa Mayor's Teen Council, it is a group that mainly does community service and we also get to see "behind the scenes" of Nampa. I was going to join it a long while ago but never got around to it. Anywho, yesterday we went to McCall to help out with the Idaho Special Olympics. We had to be at the Civic Center at 5am to head up there, and then we were planning on getting back at around midnight. We (MTC) left at about 5;30ish at which the long drive began. I was expecting to just sleep the whole way there but I didn't get tired for a while but my freind let me use to iPod so I was all set. :) So we got up to Ponderosa Park(?) and got put to work. I, along with two other people, were the timers for Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be! Anywho, to make a really long story short, we got soaked, warmed up in the bus and headed to Brundage. Next we went up to Trinity Pines in Cascade and ate dinner then the dance began. I, however, played pool and messed around with my freinds upstairs. It was fun watching the athletes dance! On the way home we talked about Religion the whole way back, it was suprisingly fun! Usually when people talk about Religion they say things that you hear everyday but I heard some really interesting facts! Way to go Brandon! Haha :P BTW, we got back home and asleep at midnight! Well, I am thinking about changing what my blog is all about. Right now I am just posting what I did that day or what I have done recently. But now I think I'm going to put some things that I have wondered for a while. I will either stump you or sound really stupid! Either way, it doesn't really matter. So, we'll see!

Happy Single's Awareness Day!!

Loving the title. :) Well today was the first Valentine's Day in 8 years I haven't been sick! And I loved it! I started my day off going to church then practicing with my sister, we are singing in front of our church next Sunday! Yay! :D Then I came home and didn't do a whole lot, then our friend Clametery Pete took us to Moxi Jave (Yumminess!!) then we went to church then headed home. When we were almost home we decided to go call Chip so we decided to go pick her up. We stayed there for quite a while while talking to her grandma and her freind. When we finally left we headed to Lety's to see if she really was sleeping. We got over to her house Chip went to the door while Angela, Clayton and I just ducked in the truck, it was hilarious! We waited laughing our heads off, it was the most fun I've had since Friday. :D After about 20 minutes Chip finally came out the door and Lety wasn't with her. :( She had complications with coming over but she'll get here tomorow. So we left there and had till 9:30 to find something to do, so we started calling people and filling up time. It was super fun! :) Well Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!! ♥

Happy New Years!!!!!

Can you guys believe this is the last few minutes of 2009! That's crazy!! I'm excited for the new years! But sorry to make it short, who spends thier last minutes of the year posting on a blog? ;) Happy New Year!!

Already!?!?! :O

Can you guys believe it is already almost the end of 2009??? It's crazy!! I looked at the calendar today and it said it was December 30th, I couldn't believe it! I had to look again just to make sure it was right! You always hear adults say life goes by quickly, but I'm just starting to experience that feeling! Last I knew it was 2007! I may only be 15 but life sure is flying by quickly! I was talking to one of my new freinds today and they told me life is too short to frown, and they are very right! But it is VERY late! I'll post tomorow! Goodnight all! :)

The new puppy :)

So today we went and got our new dog around 5:30. He was completely ready to go to a home. A lady came out with him on a leash and I think he thought she was taking her on a walk. :) He was really excited for just having come out from surgery just a few hours earlier. Well we got in the car with him and he was running from person to person licking us to death! When he wasn't licking us he was whinning though. Not sure why exactly but he was super excited when he got out of the car and into the house. He loves attention, has a killer tail, and loves to lick people! The guy we talked to at the pound said he's mouth sensative (meaning he doesn't like his mouth touched and when it is touched he bites) but he hasnt' bitten any of us when we touch his mouth so I guess we'll find out if he really is or not after a while. Also, the amazingly awesome thing he does is he chases his tail :) It's amazing! And adorable! But we have a problem....he doesn't have a name! If anyone has any ideas that'd be awesome! His name was Sarge but we didn't really like that and the people at the pound encourage us to re-name them. It was going to be Jack Jack but we aren't too sure about it. Any names are welcome!!! :)

Just an idea.

So since I got this nifty laptop I was thinking about maybe posting everyday, and if not, every other. But who knows. Although I don't know if anyone reads it anyway, but in that case it could just turn into "Rambles by Christina" ;) Who knows! It's fun being able to get your thoughts written down; whether it's on paper, or even a blog. So today I started off my day by going to the dog pound in Caldwell. We're getting a new dog!! :) He's adorable :) He's a cream colored chihuahua/dashshund. That's him to the left. He's adorable! We pick him up tomorow at five. But since we are getting him we have to put Buddy down. He's the black short one. But he is very very old and is blind, and deaf. He's suffering reall bad now. :( But he's a cutie. We've had him for about 4 and a half years now. We'll miss him. Oh and by the way, Snoopy (the siamese(sp?) cat) passed away a while ago too. She drowned in our pool!! Well that's all for now! Bye bye! Goodnight to all :)

Merry (LATE) Christmas!!

Well Christmas is over already; although it seems as if it came very early this year. I was not prepared for the Christmas season to come as it was, but now it is already over. We finished decorating our tree on Christmas morning! Usually it's decorated a month before Christmas! Well on Christmas Eve we headed over to my grandparents house, which for us was a huge suprise. Although my grandparents live close to us, we don't get to go over with the whole family very often. My grandpa has now had 16 or 17 strokes. He is still pressing on ward though. Before he had had his 12th or 13th stroke he would go outside everyday and pick some roses for my grandma and bring them inside to her. But he was still very often confused and very frustrated because he is incapable of speaking. Now that he is home from the hospital his energy was increasing and we all could see great improvement in him. But now he seems worse than the days when he was in the hospital. Anyways just a little update there. Well we got there, of course late, we can't ruin our name ("The Late Leavells'') But it was for a good reason that time. Well we all gathered in the family room and started with singing a few Christmas songs, then Angela and I both played two Christmas songs on the violin. Then my Uncle Monte read a story he had written for the occassion, which was a very interesting story. He talked about his memories and how thier family was when they still lived in Cody, Wyoming. It was really good to hear. My grandma then read the Christmas story out of Luke. Next we opened presents, and found out that to my suprise, my grandparents had bought Angela and I a laptop to share. It's amazing! After presents we all gathered in the kitchen and ate our amazingly awesome Christmas Eve dinner. Sloppy Joes! Haha :) And all the credit for that goes to my Aunt Jeanne! After dinner we got together in the family room again and just talked and talked untill it got really late then we all headed home. We got home on Christmas Eve night and headed to bed. The next morning, Christmas morning, we, as in Angela, my dad and I, got up and finished cleaning the house so it would be perfect for my mom when she got home from work. Yes, she had to work, on CHRISTMAS!!!! It's crazy! (By the way, just a little tid bit here, our family would really appreatiate if you could all pray for my mom, her job is at great risk of being taken away from her. She has worked at the Idaho State School for the past 17 years and it would be very difficult for her to lose her job.) Well she got home at 3:30ish and headed to her room to finish wrapping the presents. We weren't able to open presents till around 5ish when my Uncle Robert came over. After presents, since we didn't have time to make the ham on Christmas, we made homemade pizza! (We're so traditional aren't we now? ;)) The following day we had our Christmas dinner though. Anyway, it's very very late, but that was my Christmas Eve and my Christmas! It was amazing :) But life is always amazing :)

Updated more excited life :)

I haven't posted in a while...Sorry!! Well I was bored and decided to post something and maybe catch my blog up a little. So the last post was in February so a lot a lot has happened since then. Nothing really important until the end of school which was an AMAZING last day of school! Right after school Angela, Leticia, Crystal and I headed to the Karcher Mall and were being absolutely crazy! Honestly I think we almost got kicked out at a few stores :/ But oh well. We went to a bunch of stores and tried on a bunch of dresses which was tons of fun! Then after the mall we headed to Lety's house for a while and got a bunch of pictures so we could have some pictures of us all while we were all traveling. Leticia was going to be gone for a month and a half in Chicago. Crystal was going to Mexico and Angela and I were going everywhere. :P When Crystal got back us three plus my parents and Benjamin headed to a camping area around Stanley and camped there for my mommy's best friends' husbands birthday weekend. It was Cody's too but no one counts him :P So we stayed there for a while and got some major sun burns and many cuts and scrapes from floating down the creek. There weren't any rivers around so that had to work, and besides it was right by our tents and we had lots of fun. We took Mari and Atoya with us and they both almost got hurt more than once. Woops! But they still had fun. So after that trip we came home for a little while then Crystal, Angela, Benjamin and I packed up for the best place on earth; Red Cliff!!!! :D We played a bunch of games on the way and made a "list" that I still have in my wallet ;) You'd have to be there to understand I guess. Well we didn't see any stupid cows on the way there but we still saw that same red truck we have seen for the past two years. And there's only 274 days till camp too!! :) I can't wait! If you haven't gone you need to, it's the most amazing place God put on this planet. (Haha I almost put plant ;)) So we got there and registered then got settled in, we (Brianne, Angela, Crystal and I) were all in Laura's cabin and I got one of the bottom bunks so by the time we left I had hit my head more than once. :) Any who, at camp I got to catch up with a bunch of friends I hadn't seen in far too long and got to become friends with more amazing people. One of my friends left on Friday night though and missed the fire :( but it was still fun. On Saturday we headed home and had a very depressing ride but after the 9 long hours we arrived back home. Sooooo we unpacked for that and washed clothes and then once again packed for yet another camping trip. This one was with the church so I was really excited for it :D We got there with (once again) Crystal, Angela, Benjamin, my parents, and I and set up. After the boring stuff was done we went our own ways and went to say hi to all our friends and the adventures began :) Well I'll skip a bunch and go to the hike.....so last year Grace D and I were talking and decided to hike to the top of the mountain. However, we didn't go :( So this year I suggested us teens all went up there even though she wasn't there. So we were hiking and when we got semi close to the top everyone except Benjamin, Crystal, and I got behind because we were waiting with Crystal for her to catch her breath. So we told them to just wait at the top for us but when we got there they were no longer there and they were just gone. So we looked over and there was a part that was higher so Benjamin and I went on and Crystal stayed behind. I got to another level of the mountain and Benjamin went up more and eventually I was out of reach of Benjamin and Crystal so I went down to Crystal because I had heard the group towards the bottom of the other side of the mountain. When I got to Crystal we just waited and eventually Benjamin got to us. So the group went around the mountain and we three went down the way we came. But things didn't go as planned...we ended up getting lost really bad and were lost for an hour to two hours. We eventually found a river, a swamp and a creek, all three of which we didn't know were even around the camp site. Well we crossed the swamp and the creek and just kept walking one direction and eventually found a path. By the way, we had found one way earlier but we thought it was on the other side of the mountain so we just went down the way we thought the camp was but it was on the right side instead of the left so really we should have just followed the path.) Anyway, we found that path and stuck with it this time. It led to the lake that was right by our camp site....oh well. We got that all sorted out then went swimming. I swam across the lake once and jumped off the dock several times to try to get the fish bait at the bottom :P I got one of the ones that one of the kids dropped so they got it back. Hmmm so we got home from that and then just laid back for a while. Leticia got back and we went and did some stuff with her and then soon enough she left again for a 10 day camping trip!!!! :O So she left and then two days or so after My parents, Angela, and I packed up again for yet ANOTHER trip! We headed towards Portland, OR this time to meet my Aunt there. We went many places while we were there. The first day we headed to downtown and just went shopping/sight seeing (ish). One thing I noticed is their Public Library has the word Public spelt wrong on the outside, they have it Publiv instead of a "c". It was great. Later that day we went inside and it is HUGE!!!!! I was very very amused with the size of it! I would live there if I could :P So very late that night at 11 ish we headed to my Aunts temporary house and visited with them for a while. My Aunt, my Mom and I went on a walk till 1am ish. It was weird seeing so many people riding bikes and walking around that late! If that city wasn’t' so big I would definitely move there! I'm a night owl for sure. So we explored more the next day; we went to a rose garden, a mansion, and a few other places. We ended up staying a day later than planned but when we finally headed home yet again we stopped at a water fall. It's one of the ones that we have gone by several times but never went to the top so my mom and I went to the top this time, which was a lot of fun! It took a long time though but it was amazing up there! So we got home and took a break again then Lety got home and we got together with her once again. Then nothing really happened from then to the first day of my Junior year. I was thinking today about how two years ago on the first day of school I was sitting in my car crying because I didn't want to go to Nampa High because I was so scared of whether I would make friends or things just wouldn't work out. My freshman year I hardly talked to ANYONE! And the few people I did talk to I wasn't myself with and I just didn't feel comfortable with them. Sophomore year came; I was still at NHS and I was meeting more people through Chamber Choir and I was becoming more outgoing. I met a ton of amazing people my sophomore year and have become amazing friends with a lot of them. Including Leticia and Crystal. However my only regret is not becoming friends with Lety when I first met her on the first day of school of my freshman year in History. I had no friends in that class and we had started talking but we just kinda stopped. :( It was sad. So now it's my Junior year and all my friends from last year are still the same and most of them are amazing as ever :) So up to recently...we just had our first choir concert and it went alot better than I thought it would! I had a violin solo which I tried to play really quite but you could still hear it very well :( haha :) Homecoming week was last week as well which was very...eventful? Not sure whether that's the right word but I'll use that. The first day was some day that I cannot remember right now. :( Tuesday was Hero VS Villain day. Wednesday was Armed Forces day. Thursday was Fake an Injury day. And Friday was Spirit day of course. However I couldn't go the game on Friday night due to me being at the second most amazing place ever with the most amazing people ever! The Galkin Evangelistic Ministries Team was at our church this past week and we got to spend a lot of time with them. On Sunday we had a chocolate night which tasted delicious ;) Monday was Sunday School night and the teens had a pre-service at 6:15 where we played games and had a short message taught by Jared whom is part of the team. On Tuesday we were not able to go due to our choir concert though :( That night was Blue and Orange night (representing BSU if you didn't understand that) every night had its own theme and each night we got to listen to a few songs they sang. They all have amazing voices and have amazing personalities! It was great to get to know them once again. On Thursday we went canvassing with the teens and were all put into groups. My group was Grace S, Laura (from the team) and I. We went to one street and got to invite many people to the Sacred Irish Concert that was happening Friday night, but on this particular street we got the opportunity to go through the Gospel with a young girl in her late teens and early twenties. We aren't sure whether she made the decision to get saved that day but we are praying for her. Next we were just inviting to the Concert and we came to this house, which happened to be the second one we were doing and the first one I was talking at and this man came to the door in a bath robe and almost immediately asked us what we were doing Bible Banging. I had no Idea what to say so Laura took over, we were there for 15 minutes or more and it was an experience I won't forget anytime soon. He was testing us very hard. On Friday (the last night the team was with us) we had the concert which was AMAZING! And then a short service afterwards. I am going to miss the Galkin team once again. They are amazing people! We had Will, Christy, Laura, Reba, Elise, Stephen, Jared, Josh, and Will and Christy's kids all this time. Four of them I had met before so I had already known them and were comfortable talking with them already. Anywho it's late and this has taken me forever so I think I shall head to bed now. Goodnight!! :)

Boringish life of me....

So i'm being ordered to post again, (whats the point when no one reads it?!?!?) If you read it comment!!! Then i'd know people actually care!! (that means you too emotionless zombie!!! ;) ) So life has been less busy I guess, kinda hard to tell. Oh i went to jazz festival and I'm not sure how we did but I think we did okay. It took forever though!!! So I am curently falling asleep so i better go! bye bye!

MCCALL!!!!!

So those of you who were wondering and those of you who weren't, I'm going to McCall and Cascade on the 19th so in TEN DAYS!!!! And my scheme is working out perfectly so far! Angela, my Mom, Dad, Brother, and I are all going to be there. But we are taking someone else with! Yay for Kelley!!! We were talking and since she lives in Cascade I thought of a brilliant plan. We would go get her in the morning before we went up to McCall (our hotel is in Cascade, The Ashley Inn, it's like a castle!) But as it turns out my Dad talked to her parents and she can come!!! Her mom is taking her to the hotel and we're taking her with. Too bad Abigail can't come too! It would be sooo much fun with all four of us!!! We will miss you Abigail! Well, I'm babysitting four girls so maybe they should start doing something other then playing the computer, not sure what to do yet. Later Gators!!!

This is beautiful!

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?' The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, ' It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:

'Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always l ove you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking a bout me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, yo u know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He alway s is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all go ne.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.