So nice to be home!

So I am home on break!! And it is so. So. So. So. Nice. Not that I didn't mind school or anything, I love school, but I just really needed a break. And sleep. I didn't feel that well when I got back, I was very sore and just needed sleep. I have slept so much the past couple of days and I am so glad. We got our Christmas tree and decorated it yesterday. I am so glad its Christmas! It feels so much more like Christmas here at home. There is Christmas music playing, cookies, and games with my family. I really needed this break. Finals were rough, but I think I did well on all of them.

I hope everyone is having a good break!! :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year :)

I love Christmas!!! Everything about Christmas is wonderful. But Christ's birth is the best. He came to earth to have an intimate relationship with His people and save them from their sins. Jesus means "the Lord is salvation" :) And He really is! The presents, tree, food and people are wonderful around this time, but remember the real reason for this beautiful time of year. I know you hear it a lot folks, but it's really true. The reason WHY we celebrate is because we are SAVED from our sins by a God who loves us even more than we could ever possibly imagine! He blesses us daily.

Endings are always sad....

So tomorrow is the last day of class (PRAISE THE LORD!) and next Tuesday I will be heading home! Its bittersweet....I love/need/want a break very badly, but I am going to miss all my friends here while I am gone. This semester has been a blast, way too many memories to count or record. Thanks to everyone who made it a great and special semester. My leadership team was awesome- Prayer leaders, you rock! :)

So as most of you have heard, my sister is getting married!!! To a pretty awesome guy who picks on me all the time. Congrats you two!! I love you both :) If you want to know the date and info of the wedding, talk to my sister and she will fill you in :)

God is full of many blessings and surprises.

This is going to be a great weekend! Lots of studying but with lots of fun adventures inbetween. I hope everyone stays sane and remember to Christ loves you above all else.

Home for the Holidays (Okay....not quite yet)

Hey everyone! So I am back home on Thanksgiving break. Well, actually I have been home since Friday, but I went and worked at my camp till Sunday and then my parents had friends of theirs from New Hampshire come and stay with us till this afternoon. Pretty much it's been a lazy day, doing nothing but watching TV shows and movies with the family. Thursday is Turkey Day! I can't wait to stuff my face. And then after that.....its time to celebrate Christmas!!! Yay!! 


Today we did play 2 epic games of Cranium though. Let's just say that Dad and I were beast, but Lauren and Lee still won both games. Sigh. And I can't believe my dad couldn't guess my sculpture of an ash tray. Come on dad. hahahaha

Selfishness

I think the biggest thing that destroys us as humans is the concept of being selfish. The other day I was thinking about that me even thinking that someone is selfish is kind of selfish because I am being jealous of that person getting attention.


 Phil 2:3 says: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

More significant than ourselves. Is that humanly possible? I think we can all admit to at one time or another doing something for someone else...but not for them, but for ourselves. We get the attention for doing something helpful, nice, etc.


John 15:13 " Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. "

I think getting to this point is something that we are all going to continue to strive for until the day we go home to Christ. 

Everything that is currently on my desk...

Hey guys! So I know, you probably DON'T want to know whats all on my desk. I mean, it's very pointless to tell you, but I am going to do it anyways. Why? Because I can. And It was on the list of things to blog about :)

Okay first are the things that are always on my desk:

1. My awesomely cool orange and flower clock that my grandma got me for Christmas a couple years ago.
2. A small cute teeny tiny notepad that Katie got me :)
3. A glass blue and green coaster that Katie also got me. 
4. My white lamp
5. My letter "D"....its beaded and purple and pretty nifty. Guess who got it for me? yep. Katie :D
6. My snowman mug that Lacy got me that is filled with pens.
7. My name care from the Leadership Banquet.
8. My rock that says "The Lord is my rock" Psalm 18:2 from my SLD's last year.
9. The bottle of mustard seeds from the leadership banquet also.
10. My computer
11. My leather craft I made at camp with all the counselors names on it.

Things that are currently sitting on my desk that don't really belong here hahaha
1. A letter I am writing
2. My mp3 player
3. My foundation
4. A bracelet
5. A necklace
6. A note from Susan hoping I have a good week :)
7. My keys
8. My card I got from scaremare last night.

Death, where is thy sting?

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."Psalms 116:15 

 

"The righteous perish,
and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.

Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death."
Isaiah 57:1-2

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."Romans 8:18

 

Weekends

I love weekends. I don't think anything gets much better than weekends. For example. Right now its 2 o clock in the morning and I am not bothered at all by this. Why? Because I can sleep in tomorrow. Why? Because its the weekend. I don't have to drag myself out of bed to go to class or convocation. I know it would be better to go to bed earlier and get MORE sleep, but I spent the evening watching Criminal Minds and talking with the roomie. I also love weekends because everything always seems to be open. If someone asks to hang out or do anything you are usually free to do it. You don't have to squeeze it into your busy schedule ("sure! I am free for fifteen minutes between 2:30 and 2:45, want to grab coffee then?")

Weekends are truly a gift from above. I try and get my homework done BEFORE the weekend so I can just relax and hang out. That doesn't always happen, but I try.

Well, I guess I should probably go get SOME sleep. Goodnight world!

Something from my childhood I still wish I had...

Okay, so I didn't personally own one of these, but my sister did. And I want one really really bad still. An easy bake oven. The food always tasted so good and it was just amazing! I seriously would like one to put in my dorm room. O how epic that would be. :D

 

The Lord's Comfort

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation; 
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;  pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:5-8

"... we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons....”  2 Corinthians 1:8-11

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26

 God's been teaching me a lot lately. One of the main things is that I shouldn't be afraid to come to Him for comfort. I touched on this in my leadership prayer group tonight. God WANTS us to come to Him when we are sad and hurting. I felt I was weak for being sad about my friends deaths. I felt like I needed to be strong for others and that it was stupid for me to be dwelling on their deaths and that I needed to move on. I have moved on and I am not fixated on their deaths in an unhealthy way, but I just still feel really, deeply sad about it. But for some reason I felt like I shouldn't be. But God has been showing me that its REALLY okay to be feeling sad, and that trials and tests come. He wants us to come to Him when we are burdened, it brings Him glory. He has given me a peace, He has given me a deep comfort that only He can give. I know I will see my friends again. I know where I am going when I die and I know its going to be amazing. But God has showed me that its okay to be sad for my friends while I am still here on earth. Its going to be hard to live the rest of my life without their friendship, but I know that when I get to heaven I will get to see them again. But that isn't the best part. The best part is that I will get an EVEN BETTER relationship with my Savior when I get to Heaven. I will actually get to see Him face to face. And I can't wait. 

7. My favorite holiday

Okay, I think this one is a no brainer. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I mean, who DOESN'T like Christmas (except for Scrooge and the Grinch of course). Here is a list of why I love Christmas:

1. For the most important reason: It is the day picked to celebrate the birth of our Savior. He came to earth as a humble human being and lived a perfect life. He died for our sins and if we ask Him to forgive us and acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior we can have a personal relationship with Him. Why shouldn't we celebrate this?!?!

(the rest are in no specific order)

2. The christmas tree. None of that fake tree crap,  it needs to be a REAL tree that smells amazing. You go with your family and either chop it down or buy it from a shop. Then you bring it home and decorate it. That is the best part! Lights and LOTS of ornaments. Its pretty much amazing. And then when you come out Christmas morning with all the presents underneath-beautiful!

3. Christmas music. LOVE. On all the time, and its especially amazing when you sing aloud to them all the time.

4. Christmas movies. I love watching them with my family, especially my mom.

5. Snow. I LOVE SNOW. Well.....only for a little bit. I hate when it ruins plans or you can't drive. But I think its so pretty :)

6. Christmas parties: GOOD FOOD. Great friends. 

7. Presents! hahaha Okay not really, but who doesn't like getting new things?

8. Just the whole Christmas season. Its always the best. Who couldn't like it? Actually I know quite a few people who don't like Christmas, but I think something may just be mentally wrong with them :D (kidding kidding)

Fall Break!!

PRAISE THE LORD ITS FALL BREAK!! Not that I don't love my school, its just that I am totally ready to sit here and NOT do school for a while. O yes. Well I hope everyone has a good night, I will post another one of my "things to blog about" tomorrow! Love you all ♥

6. My Heroes

These are people who I consider true heroes :)

1. My grandma and grandpa and my "mam" (mom)They are amazing people, inside and out :D

2. My dad...the funniest person I know and the bestest dad in the whole wide world :)

3. Seth Hodge
This guy was one awesome friend who loved the Lord with all his heart. He went home to be with his Savior this past march, and I miss him so much! Thanks for living such a Godly life and for inspiring me to live each day to the fullest.

4. Brian Carderelli 
Brian was an awesome friend and a great role model to look up to. He lived each day for the Lord and was killed because of it. He makes us all proud, I miss you Brian! Can't wait to see you again :)

5. Twitter or Facebook?

O man, this is a tricky one! As you guys probably know, I think I can say that I am addicted to both. I love the way it helps us connect to everyone, especially when I am at school and my family is back at home. Twitter is an easy way to update things so that everyone back home can see what I am up to while we are both busy. But some of my family members and a lot of my friends do not have twitter, so I would have to say that i like facebook better :) Especially because of all the pictures and things you can post.

But seeing the person face to face is so much better than facebook, twitter, texting and phone calls. :)

4. My Favorite Actor

Post number 4!!
My favorite actor. I think most of you all who know me pretty close, know that my favorite actor is Matt Damon. Not only do I like him for his rugged good looks :D, but he is a pretty nifty dude and a great actor. Here are some facts about him that maybe you didn't know!!

1. He has an older brother named Kyle who is a sculptor 
2. He went to Harvard, but dropped out 12 credits short of graduating to pursue his acting career 
3. He started a bowling league in Berlin while filming the Bourne Supremacy
4. He is best friends with Ben Affleck
5. He turned down the role of Harvey Dent in batman 

Okayyyy so I am not sure or not if you guys cared to read that or not, but I love him!!

I am home for the weekend from school! I am going to my dad's work Oktoberfest party tomorrow, so that should be great! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)

3. My favorite picture of myself as a kid.

Okay, I don't know why this is my favorite. But it is. I mean....LOOK at how cute I was. I am sporting a diaper and discovering my bellybutton. I mean, come on? Does anything get any cuter than this???

2. A List of 8 dog breeds I would like to have.

Okay, number 2 on the list is a list of eight dog breeds I would like to have. I am going to a website where they list breeds and basically just picking out the dogs that look the coolest. Enjoy!!

1. An Affen Terrier 

Look at guy. I mean. Who wouldn't want him? 

2. A Corgi. O my freakin gosh, how CUTE are these?!?! My mom loves these dogs and so do I! I WANT HIM!!

3. A Collie. Who doesn't love Lassie? I would probably be unoriginal and name him that too.

 4. Cocker Spaniel. Its like a living, walking, breathing blanket.

    

5. A Saint Bernard. I picked this one because Lauren loves them :)

 

6. A pug.  Just look at the picture. Need I say more?

 

7. A Saluki. First off, cool name, Second off, cool look. Hahahaha....

 

8. Siberian Husky. Mostly for how awesome they look! I mean, look at the eyes! Actually I am picking all these dogs just on looks alone hahaa but these dogs by far have the coolest looking eyes.

 

Well I hope you guys enjoyed this one :) See you around!!

1. Something weird your dog [cat] does.

Okay so the first thing on this list to blog about is something weird that your dog does. Well, I don't have a dog. So I would tell you about my cat.

Okay, this is my cat. His name is Licorice. His eyes are closed in this picture, but I think this picture really describes him. First off: He is overweight. He never stops eating. Seriously, he chows down every time we feed him and then he always wants more. When our other cat is eating, Licorice will stick his head and the other cat (Peaches) bowl and start eating her food. I have seen it. So when you pick him up, imagine picking up a bowling ball. And he's fluffy. His fur would be all nice and soft if he didn't roll in dirt and who knows what. Sometimes we will brush him or after it rains he will be all soft. But then he will come back later with leaves stuck all over him and dirt all over his face. And occasionally he smells like roadkill. He is also afraid of everything. This he has gotten better at, hes not as afraid now, but if you sneeze or anything be prepared for him to go flying out of the room. His paws are the size of donuts. Basically, he is a mini cow. But we love him. He's so old! We have had him forever. When we found him he was a stray, and that is when I was 8. So we are expecting him to fall over any day now (hahah okay, not really.) And sometimes when he breathes he makes this strange sound that sounds like a moose dying.

So that is my cat. :) He's juts naturally weird.

Things to blog about! Going to do a new one each day...

So I found this website that gives you ideas of things to blog about. So I thought I would do a different one each day (or every other day, or whenever I can hahaha) to keep you guys entertained. There's like 70 of them, so I will start tomorrow. I hope you all have a wonderful night!! :)

Its late

I think its almost 2 in the morning. I am not tired at all. Been a pretty productive day and I am proud of myself :) I am LOVING the fall weather. Its pretty awesome.

Not quite sure what to blog about. I guess I should probably come up with a theme to make these a little more interesting, huh? I will keep you guys posted.

I hope everyone is having a great fall so far. Miss all of you who are at home! 

Football!!

So tonight we get to experience some epicness. Tonight is our first home football game in the new stadium! Mega pumped. Not just because of the new stadium, but because my whole family  + some friends are coming up to watch it with us. Ah-may-zing. Its going to be a great night! Everyone's going to be wearing red (of course) and we are going to have bestowed upon us something amazing- a red towel. WOOT! I am bringing mine from the last game, but I hope to get another :D Everyone should come! Students get in for free and regular tickets are $10. And if you come sit with me I will paint an LU on your face (I like to promote the whole school spirit thing).


This school year is going pretty awesome. Its been really busy, but really good. :)

Back at LU!

Hey guys!! I am back from an amazing summer at GBC! It took forever for me to post, so I just gave up on it! I was home for about 4 days and then on Thursday I went to the beach with my family. Then the very next day I headed back to LU. Things are going great here! I moved in with my awesome SLD partner Lorel and we spent the next few days training and preparing for the girls to come on our hall. The prayer leaders arrived Sunday so that was awesome. Monday was spent in meetings and bonding with the prayer leaders and our brother dorm. We went snow tubing and then went back and played games for like...ever hahaha. It was awesome. Yesterday the freshmen started to arrive so we all have to stay on the hall :) Today is when all the rest and the majority of the freshmen arrive. We had to be ready by 7:30 but right now its almost 10:30 and not one freshmen has arrived yet :) Its been relaxing, but I am exhausted. We just got finished watching Leap Year and now I am not sure what we are going to do. I have become a massive fb addict....like I wasn't before but now I am more. hahaha. I hope everyone had a great summer and I will keep you guys updated on my adventures at LU often. :)

CAMP!

So its been almost two full weeks of camp, and its been pretty awesome!! Pre camp was so great! We spent lots of time doing training exercises, team building activities, learning our bible studies, writing devotions, and NOT making fun of each other. :D Mr. Bill gave us all a bucket of our favorite treats (mine were twinkies!) and everytime we said something negative to another person we had to give them one of our treats :) You got certain points for any treats of your own that you had left and a certain amount of treats for treats of others that you got. Lauren and Calvin ended up winning and the prize was a duffle bag which Calvin gave to Lauren.

Mr. Bill took us all out for a team building exercise out in Lexington. We had two teams and did a picture scavenger hunt, it was awesome but VERY VERY hot :D

It was a great week and the team got extremely close. Michelle fit right in the rest of us.

Week 1 campers arrived this past sunday along with my parents were were JC cordinators and my brother who is a JC. My JC is Ellie :D Pretty stinkin awesome! My cabin this week is really really great. I am going to be really sad when they leave on Saturday. We have had a lot of fun. Tonight is our outing, please pray that it goes well! I hope everyone is having a great summer so far, I miss you!

:) Dani

Packing!

packing for camp! i got the clothes all washed and packed yesterday but now its time for everything else. i hope i dont forget anything :) one year i forgot my toothbrush :D my family is out watching a movie right now but i really wanted to get the packing done so i wont have to worry about it tomorrow. today i went hiking with my beautiful mom! we went to ric raf (sp?) falls....it was awesome and very beautiful. its about a 45 min walk to the falls and then a 45 minute walk back. there is a swimming hole with fish, and today for the first time EVER i actually skipped a rock (yes, i am VERY proud of this fact) we saw two frogs and a butterfly :) it doesn't take much to amuse me. when i got back from hiking i helped my dad with his puzzle while he watched JAG and then i went to wal mart with Lee and Lauren to get the last of the things i needed for camp. after that we went and got icecream, Lee's treat. i got a strawberry milkshake :) yum. i can't wait for sunday to get here!!

 

Leaving Sunday!

Well everyone I leave for camp this Sunday and I SUPER excited. I am working with a great staff and I hope that God uses us for his will and purpose this summer. Its going to be tough, tiring and stressful but at the same time fun and rewarding. If you could all just remember us in your prayers this summer that would be amazing. As I said a number of times I will be trying to post as much as a can this summer. I am going to record things daily in a book I have, especially funny things that happen, and post them here so everyone's family and friends can see so much sure you tell them its here. I hope you guys have an awesome summer as well and I will see you around. I will have limited phone service so feel free to write letters!! :D

Its the best place...

went to GBC to work today, got things all together for leather crafts :) i made a pretty stinkin awesome new sign with all the prices and whatnot on it. i also made some example pieces so the kids could get some new ideas. i really can't wait to go to camp, we leave on sunday. i can't wait to see what He has planned. its going to be hard and i am not looking forward to some of it but i am praying that He can direct me and that i can have a good attitude towards all the campers there and make each day count.

i am going to miss getting letters from seth this summer :(


LOVE this song. click to hear :)

For Good

(Elphaba):
I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda):
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

Its a lullaby, its a beautiful life and it sings me to sleep most every night.... :) #fb

Katie Katie Katie

I spent this past weekend up in Maryland for my cousin Evan's graduation party. It was awesome, there were tons of food and even a moonbounce! We got back last night and now my sister and I are about to have a road trip to my biffle's Katie's house for a night. Its going to be epic :D

Starbucks

Job for the fall!

Hey everyone, if you could just keep me in your prayers I really need a job for the fall...I qualified for work study and have applied at quite a few job. I heard from 3 that I wasn't selected for an interview or hire because the position had been filled but the other 7 or 8 of my applications are still in progress. Everyday I go and check so see if there are any new openings and then I check to see if I have been selected for an interview. This process goes on all summer but its going to be hard to do while I am at camp. I have faith that God will provide in the fall I just would like to know before I leave for camp if that's possible :) I just hope that if I am selected for an interview it can take place BEFORE camp starts because that way I would actually be able to talk to them.

Thanks everyone! :)

Jim and Pam Wedding (Forever)

|. late nights

hey everyone, right now i am just up watching the office. its pretty stinkin awesome. if anyone wants to watch any episode of the office for free, go here! its awesome:



www.theofficefree.com

Summer Days…

 

Been quite a productive day haha…. Got up this morning with my family and went to Starbucks with my grandpa. Carmel Fraps? Why I think so…

After that we ran to the bank and then dropped the guys off at our house. Then Mom, Lauren and I did some serious damage shopping at Kohls, Ross and Wally world. It was awesome. I then came home and picked up my room because Miss Katie is spending the night here tonight. We are meeting her and some other friends for ice cream before hand. :)

 

Only two more weeks until camp! (or something like that…) I am so pumped!! I am back to being a SC again for those of you who don’t know. Its going to be an awesome summer, I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Held

I always heard this song at work but just the chorus...today it popped up on Pandora and I LOVE the words, very good for a time when you are in pain:

Held- Natalie Grant


Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
[Bridge]
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior
[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
We'd be held

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This is what it means to be held.....

Graduation/Camp

Congrats to the class of 2010!

Last night we went to the PEACH homeschool graduation and saw 19 homeschoolers graduate :) A large majority of the graduates were my friends and it was pretty awesome watching them receive their diplomas from their parents. They all have plans for the fall and I hope I will be able to keep in contact with them. I know God has great plans for their lives. I can't believe its been 3 years since I graduated from high school.

After the graduation Lauren, Lee, Travis, Aaron and myself went out to sheetz for something to eat. And then I came back home and crashed and slept till 11:45 this morning. I was exhausted! Today I haven't been doing much of anything, but I know that once I get to camp I will be running non stop!

As most of you know I work at a summer camp during the summer. The last two years I was a Senior Counselor and I was planning on doing it again this summer. Last week the camp director asked me to instead help run the camp program. I will be doing cabin clean up, surprise hour (which is our all camp game time), the mail, some laundry, and lots of other jobs :) It's going to be different but I really think this is what God wanted me to do during this summer. Its a different type of ministry. I will still get to see everyone and all the campers this summer. Like I said before, I will try and update this as much as possible during the summer so everyone can see whats going on and hear some of the "adventures" the counselors are having during the day.

Only 3 more weeks till I leave!!

Road Trip!

So today my sister Lauren, her boyfriend Lee and my brother Travis and I took a 2 and a 1/2 hour road trip to Maryland to see my cousins. Today was their prom and my sister did my cousin Jenna's hair and I did her makeup and nails :) It was so much fun. We had a lot of food and music on the way up there and a lot of food and music on the way back. While we were there it was very relaxing and nice. Jenna looked SO BEAUTIFUL and Evan looked so handsome! I am so jealous, I really want to go to a formal :(

Jenna and Evie I hope you both had a great night, and thanks Jen for asking us to come up! I love you guys :)

Night everyone!

Back for the Summer!

So I took a break from my blog during exams, because I barely had time to even remember how to spell my own name. But I finished them and now I am back at home for the summer, as most of you already know :) It's SO NICE just to sit around and do NOTHING all day and not have to feel bad about it. I had my birthday at school which was pretty nice, it was really strange though not sharing it with Lauren. I finished my last final last Wednesday, loaded up my car and then headed home. Mom's play was this past weekend on Friday and Saturday and the teens did a FANTASTIC job of performing. It's mom's last year of directing so she was really sad when it all ended. Last night we had the cast party at our house which alot of fun. I made them a slideshow of pictures and video clips from their performance and I think they enjoyed that. We then ate lots of food and played a long game of Lips (karaoke for the xbox) and at the end of the night I think everyone had a great time. :) My sister and I ran to the dollar tree today and got decorations with some of our birthday money for our cabins. I am pretty stoked, I am going to try and post some pics of the stuff I got up here later on today. I am doing a beach/Hawaiian theme. The dollar store had TONS of stuff to choose from. I am so stoked, I can't wait to go to camp! I am leaving June 13th and I am going to be posting on this during the summer. I am going to use it as my one means of communication with the world so be sure to check up on here often to see what I am going to be up too :)

Concerts and Test

I went and saw The Fray last night in concert! It was awesome! They came to my school :) My family came in from out of town and a group of my friends went. We had so much fun, but now its back into school mode. I had a quiz today and a test. I think I did well on my quiz but not so well on that dumb test. Tomorrow I have another test (which I should be studying for right now, but I'm not.) and on Thursday I have a presentation to give with my group for one of my psych classes. Pray for me!

Psalms

I have been reading a Psalm ever day with my quiet time, sometimes two. They fit with every emotion that we all go through. There are some to read when you are happy and praising God, some to read when you are sad, some to read when you are afraid, some to read when you are angry, and some to read just to get a glimpse of His glory.

Here are a few of my favorites that I have read over the past couple of days:

Psalm 119:35
"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight"



Psalm 13
" How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light ot my eyes, or I will sleep  in death; my enemy will say, 'I have overcome him,' and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. "

Psalm 38:15
"I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O lord my God." 


Psalm 40:1-3
" I waited patiently for the Lord; he turend to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he se tmy feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."

Seth’s Birthday

 

Today was Seth’s birthday. We all celebrated it by wearing mismatched socks :) It was pretty awesome. I miss him alot, but I know he is happy so that makes me happy. Even though sometimes when I think about what happened I get a sick feeling in my stomach, but I think its going away.  I didn’t get upset about it until the day was over and I was sitting up in my room and it just hit me. :( so I had a little cry fest until my awesome biffle Katie brought me a whole bunch of food since I have been cramming for a test that I have tomorrow. I have been extremely busy, too busy to even really get on facebook or write in my blog, which really sucks. Today I got up and had my SLD contract signing. It was suppose to take 15 minutes but instead it took about 30 and I was ten minutes late getting to class. After that I had 4 classes and then my psych group meeting. I think its going pretty well! I feel like we all know what we are doing and its going to turn out pretty good. Then tonight I went to the movies to see Dear John with Anna and Katelyn. It was so much fun, but we got soaking wet because of the rain.

Its CFAW WEEKEND!! Lots of friends are here and I am going to pick up my brother and his girlfriend tomorrow so they can be here for the weekend also. :)

I have spent the last couple hours cramming for a test. Not so cool. At all. I really do not feel confident and I am really disappointed in myself for not studying harder :( I am really trying to have better study habits. Its really discouraging me, but I am trying to stay positive.

Tomorrow morning I am getting up bright and early for more Prayer Leader inverviews, then I have convo  and then my test. I then plan on coming back here and crashing for a bit so I can just regain some of the lost hours of sleep. Then its off to pick up my brother, and then I guess I will just hang with my friends and do homework for the rest of the night. O, this is the life :)

Psalm 23

I know alot of us have read this chapter before, but I thought I would just share it again with everyone :)

Psalm 23

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.
 ⁴ Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful spring so far :) I had a wonderful Easter with my family, my cousin Jenna and my Aunt Kathy came and surprised me which was really nice.
I am SO LOVING this weather. O my gosh, LOVE IT.

Relaxing today.... I keep sleeping in really late. Its so nice! Been watching criminal minds and tonight i am going to watch did you hear about the morgans :)

So much to do...

Why do teachers schedule test RIGHT after spring break? That means we have to study during break FOR the test. Annoys the crap out of me! Its not really a break if you have to study during it.

I also have a 7 page paper to write. O, gee, thanks.


I didn't do much today, right now I am watching Cold Case with the family.

Tomorrow I am going to go and try and see some friends and start doing some school work. I went to bed at 2am last night and woke up at 2pm this after noon. It was amazing hahaha, I have no energy today though so that mega sucks.

We all miss you...its weird not getting texts from you. I know where you are. But its going to be a bit before I will get to see you. But I know you will be there when I get there :) Thanks for being an awesome friend Seth, we miss you!! I never stop praying for your family. I haven't been doing my quiet time since you passed, which really sucks. I know I need to, and I know its what you would want and what He wants. I am not mad at Him at all for what happens. Who could blame a loving God like him? I hate it when people do. He took nails in his hands for us. Died for us. And we turn and blame him for everything. Anyways, I am not mad at Him. I just am afraid. I feel like I should be strong enough to carry this burden on my own, that I am weak if I go to Him. But I shouldn't. We NEED Him. We can't live physically, emotionally or spiritually without Him.
Seth, you would be so proud of your family. They love you so much and they know they will see you again. They are so strong.
I'll see you soon kid.

I chased Mikey Leo with a butcher knife.

 

Today I slept in till 12:10 pm. It was extremely nice. No convo or class and I got to sleep in my bed. :D

 

After I ate some co co puffs I ran to target and ntelos with dad. I had to get a new toothbrush since I left mine at school. lame, huh?

After we got back I WHOOPED my dad in some fusion frenzy. Then tonight Mikey Leo came over and we all ate pizza and watched 2012. Then after wards I scared him with the knives in the kitchen. hahaha, it was hilarious until Lauren started to cry when I pretended to go after the cat (shes on her medication)

 

I also watched an episode of NCIS and the Office.

 

Overall its been an eventful day.

 

Miss you Seth!!

The Valley

 

Spring break…..

Watching Criminal Minds and remembering Seth:

 

Valley Song Lyrics
You have led me to the sadness
I have carried this pain
On a back bruised, nearly broken
I'm crying out to you
Chorus
I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of joy
When death like a Gypsy
Comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face
But I fear you aren't listening
Because there are no words
Just the stillness and the hunger
For a faith that assures
Chorus x2
Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia
While we wait for rescue
With our eyes tightly shut
Face to the ground using our hands
To cover the fatal cut
And though the pain is an ocean
Tossing us around, around, around
You have calmed greater waters
Higher mountains have come down
Chorus
Yeah
Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia
Chorus (4 Xs)
Oh, Lord sing of Your mercy,
Mercy
Your mercy

 

 

We all miss you bud. I will see you soon, I promise :)

Live Life

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't written in a while. I found out on Saturday that a friend of mine was killed in a car accident. Its been a rough week. I love my friends and the prayers....but mostly all i want to say tonight is just to pray for his family. I know I will see him again in Heaven :) So that makes everything easier.

I am heading to bed now. Not much more to say. I love you all so much, thanks for everything, you guys rock :)

Things I like and dislike :)

I need to get some sleep I guess, but I thought I would write a little bit before I did.

Here are some things I dislike

1. Immature college students. People. Grow up. You are in college (mostly freshmen, no offense anyone!). Leave drama in highschool. Thank goodness I am not apart of any of it, it just makes me laugh. As soon as they return as sophmores though it seems to go away. hmmm :D
2. My alarm clock. The most annoying sound in the whole stinkin world. Its the worst feeling when it goes off and you realize you have to get up or you will get reps(school) or in trouble (camp) or miss something important (life)
3. Pop quizzes. We had one today. No comment.
4. People who text message me and then want to have a pointless conversation over texts.
5. People who COMPLAIN about everything (hahaha I am one of them)
6. Waiting for the bus in the rain or snow. And every time they pull up its NOT the one you need to get on.
7. People who DO NOT let you get over in their lane when you are driving when its so clear you need to get over in that lane so you can pull into wal mart.
8. Looking at your clock and realizing you have to get up in 2 hours.

Things I like:
1. Hearing an alarm go off and then realizing its your roommates who has a 7:40 class and your first class starts at 9:15 :D
2. Hugs :)
3. Fuzzy socks
4. Stuffed animals :)
5. Warm weather
6. Getting to class and there is a note on the door saying its canceled.
7. Pizza from the hanger
8. My laptop


The list could go on and on. :)

I got called to jury duty again next week. Its a two day trial if I get picked. pleeeeease do not let me get picked!!

What To Do?

Another day at LU....always busy, but I love the time in between activities where I can take a nap like I did today. :) In a little bit I am going over to go through this walk through that the school set up to raise awareness for Eating Disorders. It also counts a psych credit, so not to shabby... After that I think I will go get some supper then tonight I have a psych project to work on. I am not sure if I am going to campus church tonight or not, depends on what time I get my project done.

I am going home this weekend! That will be nice :)

Finally beautiful weather

O my word FINALLY we have some nice weather here. We have the windows here open, its so nice out! 

Thursday I went home and surprised my sister and mom :) It was so nice, I wish I could have stayed longer. I love being at home. I came back Saturday, and its CFAW weekend here so all the highschoolers were here. I knew alot of them who came and stayed on our hall. Ellie, Camille, Caroline, Autumn and Hope were here and I had so much fun with them. Yesterday night Autumn, Hope and I headed up to the Snowflex and were later joined by Ellie, Camille, and Rob and later Michael and Katie.  Today Ellie, Camille and I went to church and then after went out to eat. 

Right now I am studying Biology, I have a test wednesday and I have a feeling its going to be pretty hard.  I don't have too much due this week which is good. I am not sure what I am going to be doing, but at this point I don't really care :)

This lady sang this song in Church this morning, and someone sang it in convo a week or so ago. I loved the words:

I stand accused: there’s a list a mile long of all my sins,

of everything that I’ve done wrong.

 I’m so ashamed; there’s nowhere left for me to hide. 

This is the day I must answer for my life. 

My fate is in the Judge’s hands, but then He turns to me and says, 

“I know you, I love you.  I gave my life to save you.

Love paid the price for mercy.  My verdict: not guilty.” 

How can it be?  I can’t begin to comprehend

what kind of grace would take the place for all my sin.

 I stand in awe now that I have been set free. 

And the tears well up as I look at that cross, ‘cause it should have been me.

My fate was in the nail-scarred hands.  He stretched the out for me and said,

“I know you, I love you.  I gave my life to save you.

Love paid the price for mercy.  My verdict: not guilty.” 

I’m falling on my knees to thank You.

With everything I am, I praise You;

So grateful for the words I heard You say:

“I know you, I love you.  I gave my life! 

I know you, I love you.  I gave my life to save you.

Love paid the price for mercy.  My verdict: not guilty.

Love paid the price for mercy.  My verdict: not guilty.  Not guilty.”

To bed

Heading to bed.

God is amazing and faithful. He pulls us through when everything breaks and shatters like glass.

O yes

 

When my alarm went off this morning the first thing that went through my head was that no force in heaven or hell could get my body out of that bed. I didn’t get to sleep till 3 last night. But after I laid there for about 5 minutes I then debated whether or not I wanted to jump off my bunkbed or climb down the ladder. Climbing down is a pain because I have to step on my desk and then jump. Jumping is fun, because you think when you land its going to hurt but it never does. But Bre was sleeping on the bed underneath and I didn’t want to wake her. So instead I kinda climbed and half jumped off my bunk. Which resulted in me landing and hurting my leg. I suck hahaha. I went to convo and then took a bus back to my dorm (its way to cold to walk) I have spend the rest of my time doing NOTHING and it feels wonderful. I have some homework I could do but I will do it tomorrow :) Its so nice just to get some time alone and some time to think. For those of you who are at home I will probably be coming home not this weekend or the next (CFAW) but the weekend after that. I can’t wait to see everyone! I miss you guys so much.  Right now I am indulging in some pepperoni lunchables and some grapefruit juice. I know, its so appetizing isn’t it? Tonight our hall is dressing up and going out to eat and coming back to watch a movie. I am not sure if I am going out to eat because I do not really have the money but I know I will definitely watch the movie afterwards. :D

Food

 

Food :D I love it. I think a little too much. Its pretty much all I think about. Its my one true love. Okay not really. I know, I am loosing my mind. Actually I think I already have. :D

Yes yes

So I wrote a post yesterday while I was sitting doing a survey for one of my classes but I dont feel like digging it out of my backpack so I will write it tomorrow. Today was busy. Classes and group projects. I got to miss my first class because of a two hour delay this morning :D ooooosnap :) Tomorrow there is one to but any class that was in the morning was pushed to after convo and so all the other classes were pushed to. so after convo i am going to come back sleep :D i am so happy. My class doesn't start till 1:45 so that will be nice.

I am so tired of the cold and snow, I am really ready for spring. I feel miserable in the cold and I always have to bundle up and put my jacket on and off and I get all staticy....uggg.....wow I never stop complaining do I?

Peace

I love how everytime after I talk to God I just get a peaceful feeling. I know our faith shouldn't be based on feelings, but I just know that I have a peace and that NO MATTER what happens  in my life, I am a child of God and everything will be taken care of. Things like a psych test on the line of eternity do not matter. Illnesses, people dying, lies, dreams, everything....it will be taken care of and God will not let us down. I just have this peace that no matter what happens that everything will end up good. Even if I die I know that I will wake to be in His arms. God has a plan for me and in the end I know the ending is beautiful.

My day was pretty good today. I came back to school but had to leave poor Sebby at home because the roads were kinda bad. I came back and had a meeting on our hall with all the leaders. Then I spent the majority of my night at the snowflex watching the superbowl with a group of my friends. It was very nice and overall relaxing. I came back and showered and now I am just hanging out and taking it easy. I am really trying to keep a relaxed, happy attitude while I am here. I am trying not to get stressed about my school or anything because it really causes me to get depressed and my hair even starts to fall out if I get really stressed. I am asking the Lord to give me his undying strength to get me through this semester. I love it here though. Being surrounded by such loving friends and people who honestly care about you. There is always someone here who lifts you up when you need it. I am so thankful for my SLD Jillian who is my accountability, who challenges me and just gives me the best advice and comfort., I am so glad the Lord brought her into my life. I am also very thankful for my other SLD Amanda and my two RA's Hilary and Amy. The Lord has a special relationship with every one of them and I pray that I can be a leader like all of them are in the future.

Well its time for bed. Goodnight all :)

Breathtaking

I just looked out the window and the snow looks so beautiful at night....this couldn't just come from nothing...there has to be a Creator. I mean, I know there is. But others don't....but seeing this...is proof enough for me.

The eventful snowday

Its so nice not being able to have to get up and go to class on the weekends. :) I slept in till 11:30 today and then got up and got dressed and all that jazz. I sang Lips with my family for a while and ate some of the cake I made for my mom yesterday. After that my mom and sister and I got all bundled up and went out in the snow. I look like a huge purple grape. I had regular socks on and my moms fuzzy white and green socks. On top of that I put on my black and white rain boots because the snow was so deep. I had on a pair of jeans and my awesomely cool christmas tree pajama bottoms. Then I put on my moms GBC sweatshirt and her large purple jacket. I had one of those headband ear warmer thingys and my hood up. I look ridiculous. When we were out there I tried and save Sebby (my car) but she is so covered with snow its really sad and the attempt was pathetic. My sister went inside for a moment and when she came out my mom and I attacked her with snowballs, which then resulted in a snowball fight in which Lauren and I teamed up against my poor helpless mom and creamed her with snowballs :D We then went for a walk around our neighborhood, which was nice. We all have been hanging out for the rest of the day, I have been doing my math homework for a while and just finished. Everyone else has been watching tv, playing xbox, on the computer, or hanging out with Lee (hahah okay, just my sister). I have to go back to school tomorrow which I am not happy about AT ALL. I love school its just going to be a royal pain to drive there. I have to be back by 3 tomorrow for a meeting so I will probably leave at 1ish. :( I hope the roads are okay.....I do NOT want to go to classes Monday. We get hit up here with snow and ice so much worse then we do down in the burg. Not far :D

Math

Doing my math homework and not wanting to go back to school tomorrow...who wants to drive in this???? ummm NOT ME :D

Being lazy somemore

I feel so lazy. Its so nice though. I have been on facebook all day and I made my mom  a cake, so I feel like this day is someone eventful. Right now we are skyping Marcel who left us to go back to Germany :( Its so sad! We miss him so much. The snow is still falling. Its beautiful out.

Snow Day!

Wow so the weeks at school have been insane. Never ever time to just relax and breathe! We have had alot of snow, and this weekend we were told we could get TONS! So yesterday as soon as I found out my classes were canceled today I packed up my bags and drove home. Its been snowing since this morning, its so pretty out! Its so nice just to get away from everything. I love school, but its been extremely stressful.

I got to serve on Jury Duty this past week! It was actually very interesting and I got to miss school for a day, so that is always nice. I can't believe I got picked, I didn't think they would pick me once I got there. Ask me about it sometime and I will tell you about the case.

The snow is so pretty to look at but a pain in the butt to drive in. Hopefully the roads will be clear when I drive back on Sunday or Monday.

O my word i wish i had some nice cold medicine to knock me out. That would be beautiful.

I hate trying to sleep when u are not feeling well. Its impossible. And tryin to breath is like a freakin circus.

Hey everyone, i have been not feeling good for a day or so, haven't felt much for blogging but i am alive and i miss my friends from back home so much!

Loving this weather

Its SUCH a beautiful day out! Almost 60 degrees in the middle of January! The weather here is so bipolar tho....yesterday it was pouring down rain and absolutely miserable. Its suppose to be clear all week and then snow this weekend. hahaha I sound like a weather lady. Anyways, right now I am about to leave to go get my laundry out of the dryer. Then I am going to take a walk and then go to my girls basketball game tonight. I hope everyone is having a great week, and I am PRAYING that this week is better than last week.

Back in the Burg

Hey everyone! I am back at school and its really nice to be back! I already miss my family though, but its nice to see all my friends. Classes started today, but I only have one class on MWF so its nice. We didn’t have convo this morning so I got to sleep in. I missed my roomies so much, so its nice to see them again. Right now I am just hanging around till my friends get out of class and then I am going to a church service tonight so that should be nice. I also have to go get my books but I am waiting for Kourt. I have a full day of classes tomorrow and then I am going to get my hair cut! I am thrilled :) I really want it short so I don’t have to worry about it and something easy for spring. It is SUCH  a pretty day out today! I think its in the 60’s, or atleast it feels like it. In the middle of January. I love it! Yesterday was rainy and awful but atleast I got to wear my new rain boots. Love!