Sunday, December 28, 2014

Comic

I am feeling pretty tired today, so here is a comic. It is one of my favorites. I mean, technically Christmas is over, but it is never too late for one of these...

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!!!!

I hope everyone had a very, merry Christmas! 
Mine was pretty stinking amazing and filled with miracles. The biggest one was that my siblings were all feeling better this morning! They were all sick with the flu with raging fevers, but they woke up this morning with smiles on their faces, and the youngest one running up and down the hall.
We kids had an incredible surprise this morning too. Walking out to the School Room, we looked at the Christmas tree. Presents, many presents, cluttered the floor beneath the Christmas tree. Every single child's jaw dropped as we looked at all of them. We couldn't wait till after breakfast as we kids checked the room to make sure the presents were still there. I promise you. We didn't expect a single present, but each one got at least four! I am so blessed by God, by his amazing gift this morning. Good health, and blessings sent from Him! When we asked Mom where the gifts came from, she said, "Jesus." She wouldn't tell us where they really came from, but now I don't really care. I am overwhelmed by the kindness of my loving God and the generosity of others.
One other thing God has blessed us with this Christmas, is the gift of Himself. He gave Himself to us, so that we can one day live in Heaven with Him! I can't wait! As I think back on this day, I remember miracles. If there was one label I'd give this Christmas, I would say Miracle! Good health, joy, little bundles of blessings, generosity, and most of all Himself!

This truly has been a Christmas of Miracles!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Finals Day One!

Seriously getting nervous this morning. Mom gave me the opportunity to sleep in today, but I still got up early. It kind of makes me nervous because these are finals! They count as 20% of my grade! EEP!!! However, with the Lord's help, He'll see me through this and it will be all over.
My Mom is still sick with a sinus infection. Dad had to get down on his hands and knees and drain the sinks last night. Poor Dad! There was grease in their, and all kinds of food. Yuck!
I really don't have much to say this morning. I know that God doesn't want me to be afraid. Please pray that I find His Peace this morning because I am still freaking out.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Good Morning!

Hello guys!
I feel much better this morning. Tired, but better. I hope you guys had a good Monday yesterday. I am like Garfield. Mondays are the worst. But, one more day till Hump-Day! And one more day till finals for me. :/ Kind of nervous about that. I know God will help me to do my best, even if my best is a B.
I got my final grades back yesterday. I got a 98 in Spanish, a 95 in American Literature, and a 95 in Chemistry. I am trying to push for an A average this year. Last year, I had one B, and in 9th Grade, I had one B as well. Both Bs were in Math class. Me no likey math.
Isn't this weather weird? It will go down in the 20s one week and then it's back in the upper 70s the next! Georgia has up and down weather that's for sure. I am hoping there will be snow this year. With weather like this we may have snow one day and the next, we can go swimming. Weird!
Pushing with my book "Daniel." I am hoping to finish editing it and writing it by this next summer. Which is both exciting and it makes me nervous. The company I wanted to publish it with unexpectedly closed, so I am going to ask for advice from a friend at my church. She has written a whole trilogy and is publishing the first book herself. Apparently you can do it for free! I already have my picture styled and picked out. I want to format it a little more, though. Below is the cover I am thinking about using.
Yesterday was the Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies live premiere in London. I watched a little of it, and it was stinkin awesome! I wish I could have been there, but I am thankful that I was able to see it.
My Nana gave me a devotional for me to read. I read it yesterday, and it really brought me down to earth. The message it spoke is "You aren't going to get anywhere being good for your spouse, children, siblings, parents, or friends. You need to do it for Jesus knowing without Him you could never be good." Wow. You know, when I rinse the dishes, take care of my sisters, clean toilets, whatever, I see it as doing it for my parents. I don't see it as doing it for God. That is something that I struggle with. Another thing I struggle with is planning for the next day. I don't know what is going to happen 15 min. from now. I have a basic idea that I will take my finals tomorrow, but all that can change in a heartbeat. God has the Plan. I need to rely on Him instead of making my own plan. Basically, don't put stuff off for tomorrow.
James 4:13-17 "Come now, you who say,“Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For tyou are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."


Monday, December 1, 2014

"Well this sucks!"

So, I am sick. My head feels like it got hit by a dumptruck. Or an airplane. Or both. Yeah, I probably have a sinus infection. FUN!!! On Finals week too!
So, please pray for me because I am trying to study and all I want is my bed and hot tea. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Well, that's embarassing! My grandfather was plenty happy that Georgia Tech beat the Dawgs. I was just sitting there like, "Well bumpersnickles!"
Yes, I have my own invented words. :)
I had a lot of fun spending time with my grandparents, but it is kind of sad to see how much pain my Grandpa is in. So, please pray for the doctors to help him and him to not be in as much pain.
As some of you head into finals this week or in the upcoming weeks, know that I will be praying for you! I hope you persevere and overcome this last hurdle before Christmas break! Almost there! You can do it!!!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Travelling

Hey guys!
Well today I am about to embark on a four hour journey to my grandparents house. This time we will be going south. Hopefully there will be no carsickness! I am excited to see them and to be able to drive. Technically I should have had my license but now, but I am a couple hours short. More like 20 hours short. Hehe, Yeah. It's bad.
Who's ready to see the Dawgs cream the Jackets? Hope I don't offend any GT fans right now, but they're going down!! Go Dawgs!
And also I want to wish a happy 16th birthday to my cousin Zachary! I hope it is a great one Zack!
See you tomorrow!!!! :)

Friday, November 28, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every Thanksgiving the majority of Americans sit down in the morning and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then there is a furious scramble as the huge Thanksgiving dinner is made ready. A couple hours are then spent filling up. Some families will go on to watch or play football, while others get the Christmas stuff out and ready. Then others will go on to watch Christmas Tree Lightings. Then there is bedtime as tomorrow is another day of work.
But what is the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I must admit that this morning we watched the Chicago McDonalds Thanksgiving Parade while eating breakfast. Then we spent some time getting dinner ready and we watched "Free Birds." I hope people don't really believe that the pilgrims and Native Americans were that mean and stupid.
But what is Thanksgiving really about? I mean, today's culture is making it a day where you get the day off to eat and it is seen as the beginning of the Holiday Season. But where did it come from? I am not going to spend all night giving you the details about The Pilgrims and the Mayflower because most everyone knows the story.
The thing is Thanksgiving literally means to give thanks. What are you thankful for? The Pilgrims had many things to be thankful for: religious freedom, food, being alive, and more. Our country is so blessed. We have so much to be thankful for. In other countries, people don't have the freedom of speech. If I lived in another country I might have to completely shut down this blog. I wouldn't be able to share the Gospel with others without being in danger for my life.
This Thanksgiving, jot down just a few things you are thanful for. If you have a family, go around the table and see what each person is thankful for.
I am thankful for religious liberty
I am thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that he died and rose again so that I can live with Him one day.
I am thankful for my Mom. She gives me a living example of what a Proverbs 31 woman looks like.
I am thankful for my Dad. He works so hard each day just to provide for us.
I am thankful for my siblings. Each one brings such sweet joy to my life. Even when I yell at them, they forgive me.
I am thankful for my grandparents. I am glad that all of them are still alive and for the most part healthy. They teach me about God's Love by sharing it themselves.
I am thankful for my uncles. Each one has always made me laugh and has shared the Gospel with me through their obvious faith in Christ.
I am thankful for my Aunts. They all are Godly examples as they care for their families and help me learn how to do things.
I am thankful for my cousins. I am especially thankful for my cousins Mik, Andrew, and Zack. They are older or close to my age and our such Godly encouragement through themselves, their Facebook posts, and more. I am thankful for all the younger ones who make me laugh so much. I am thankful for little Hannah and Elizabeth, my only girl cousins. They are such sweet little girls and I love them so much.
I am thankful for my church. Even though I feel like I stick out, they try to welcome me in. They share the Gospel so vividly that I come home with new hope.
I am thankful for my youth group. I have had many youht leaders and all of them have been so encouraging and helped me understand stuff I never had before.
I am thankful for my friends. All of them encourage me with their Testimonies. They lift me up and bring me down to earth with truths I never had thought of before.
I am thankful for my readers. Each one has encouraged me through the fact that you have come back even when I left.
Thank you.
Psalm 69:30 "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving."

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

I'm Back!!!!

Well, after a long time, or at least it seemed a long time, I am back. The Return of the Hobbit. Just kidding guys. I wish I could know how you guys have been since I left. I mean, there is a comment button and a follow button but we are far too cool to click those, right?
So, since I left, I finished the first half of my Junior year!!! I am super excited! Once I pass these finals next week, I will be ready to have a nice long break until January. I mean, I still have school with Mom, but History, Math, and Church History will be so much easier without my online school to top it off.
I have been thinking of applying for a job. I want to work close to the home, but there isn't much super close to home. However, there is a new Kroger open. I have some friends who work there so I am seeing if they can help me apply. So, hopefully I will have a new part-time job!
A lot of you know that I play soccer. Well, long story short, I got slide tackled and now I have a weird lump on my leg. It hurts like crazy. Last night I was like, Can't you just cut it off? But that was a stupid idea...I have an appointment December 8, and then we will see about getting rid of that thing. I don't talk about it much when I am out and about because it is kind of embarassing. I played an entire soccer season after the tackle. Stupid idea. Oh well.
Well, I hope you guys all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I will post a thankful list tomorrow! Have fun! Be safe!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Last blog post

Hey guys, this is my last blog post for a while. It might be a while until I get back on. Thank you guys for reading my posts and I hope to get back with you soon.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Day 3 of Vacation

Today we finally made it to Tennessee!
After a long, long trip with various stops, we finally made it. Our cousins were here so we had a few minutes of fellowship with them. The result was strange. There was a lot of sarcasm that sifted around the table, which resulted in my Mom's spitting in my food due to laughter, but it was nice all being together. After a delicious dinner together, they had to leave, but it was very nice seeing them.
Last night was super fun. The Vortex Tunnel was really fun, as was the Corn Maze. Noah bought some cotton candy and shared some with me, which was nice of him because he knows that I LOVE cotton candy. It is one of my favorite things.
After the events at the farm, I went to Barberitos (another of my favorite things) with my friends, a group of awesome girls. Noah rode with one of the guys and I hope he had a good time with them. Then it got even more fun. The girls invited me to go see The Mazerunner. Mom and Dad let me go! Noah met up with us and later the boys showed up so he wasn't the only boy there for the entire night. Speaking on The Mazerunner, it was quite frightening. I almost ran out a couple times. It was slightly disturbing too. There was quite a bit of language in it too. But the commercials was what offended me most. The commercials used immodesty and hints to sex to get people to buy Coke, or Target, or whatever. I seriously wanted to throw up. There was also a commercial for Family Guy.  I was disturbed, grossed out, and seriously offended by that. I mean there was gay stuff, crude jokes, and worse.  I hated it! But, the movie was good and I had fun with my friends.
Here is a picture similar to one of the ones I took today. God is amazing! The foliage is just gorgeous here. The tiniest detail on every single leaf! It was amazing.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Day 2 of Vacation

Ok, I lied obviously. I said I was going to write something each day, but I was super busy yesterday. Well, anyway, we didn't leave for T.N. yesterday. We are going to leave tomorrow. The reason? Well, it is supposed to rain Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and we want to go to Gatlinburg. Another and more prominent reason is that Mom woke up to the glorious troubles of a stomach bug. She is much better, but she still doesn't feel great. So yesterday we watched Night at the Musuem with the little girls. The girls loved it and Evie thought the T-rex was hilarious. Then Noah and I put the girls to bed and us older 3 watched After Earth. I love M. Night Shayamalan! He is really good at twisting plots and terrifying the viewers. Noah said that we should show the girls that movie. But I was like, no way! That will terrify them!
So today Noah and I are going with our Youth Group to a corn maze! I am super excited but I am a little disappointed that I will have to part with some of my baby-sitting money. I will have less for Gatlinburg, but I don't plan on buying much,
Well, I have to go, but I thought I would keep you posted on what's going on!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Friday, October 10, 2014

Today, I don't really feel like writing anything. Sorry guys! Well, anyway I am super pumped about the next week. I will be writing every day one thing about my VACATION!!!! WAHOO!!!! Anyway, I am going to Johnson City, Tennessee, (song going in your mind yet?). My family will go to Gatlinburg and it will hopefully be super fun. I will send vacation ideas or daily stories. Cause our family has a lot of stories!
Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with no-stress!
And here are a couple of my favorite comics to amuse you.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Declaration from Independence (I wrote this for school)

Declaration of Independence
When in the course of everyday student life it is found that a stress-free night is far better than homework, it becomes necessary to pursue a life free from stress. It becomes necessary to sever all ties to homework, whether they are in the classroom, or at home.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all students and teachers are created equal and they both have the right to a break after the eight hours confined into the horrible building labeled a schoolhouse. To secure these rights we must destroy all relations regarding the hideous labor they call homework.
Homework has made it difficult for all students and teachers and it is necessary for the good of all to do away with it completely. It has robbed teachers of precious sleep as they spend hours after school grading the never-ending pile of homework. It has robbed students of any enjoyment after school. The students and teachers deserve more than this! They deserve freedom after the eight hours they must spend at school.
We have petitioned our teachers with piteous cries of “My dog ate my homework,” but enough is enough. We must stand for our rights and declare liberty once and for all.
We have warned our teachers and principals that they are ruining our lives. We have not failed to do so with our complaining cries as the school bell rings. We are forced to sit in a confining room in a confining desk all day and they expect us to just sit around when we get home and do homework? No! We will fight for our rights. We will stand up to the papers that cover our desks with due dates just around the corner. Enough is enough. We are through.
We therefore, the humble children of our Father God, stand before Him and humbly bow before Him and request His help in our endeavors. We therefore, the students of all the world, assembled together, state that we are now free from the laborious ties of homework. We sever all ties and assemble together as a group forever bound for the freedom for homework.

We pledge to each other our futures as we don’t have full protection from the failing grades that our teachers may send us. So, together we are one and will face it down together. No F will ever be able to tear us students apart. We are one forever. 

*Hope you like it!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Tears and then a Laugh

Washing the dishes today I had an accident. My favorite limited-edition, 1976, Centennial American Mickey Mouse Glass broke. In my hands. Of course, I cried. For a while. Mom was able to fix it, but I won't be able to drink out of it again. Then the girls started looking with wide-eyes at my hand. In my freaking out about a glass I had cut my hand and popped a blood vessel. So the girls were looking at a very bloody hand. They had never seen so much blood before. (Well now I've ruined that!) Well, Mom fixed up my hand which still didn't hurt. Looking back at the girls' faces I can't help but laugh. They were so surprised to see that much "red stuff" on my hand.
Crying really helped me. I didn't cry just because of the glass, but I cried because of the stress, hormones, frustration, all of it. And then I wiped my tears away and returned to my school. I hope I don't surprise the girls anymore though!

Monday, October 6, 2014

Morning

The sun is rising,
The birds are singing,
The flowers are blooming,
The leaves are falling,
And I am in bed because I am not a morning person.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Bless the Lord, O my Soul

"Bless the Lord o my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name."
No comment is needed here. Every day I struggle with making my face reflect God's grace to me. I might be happy on the inside, but joy needs to be evident on the outside as well.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Falling Down

Some days are just days filled with struggle. You get up, and then everything goes wrong. Of course in your mind, you are doing nothing wrong. The thing is, you need to just stop and pray. God will show you your sin. For me, that was disrespecting my parents. Sometimes, especially after being around my friends, I treat my parents as if they were my buddies. Well, like my Mom said, "I'm not your buddy." Your parents aren't your peers. They are older and far wiser and deserve respect. Your parents will be there for you, and they love you so very much, but disrespect tears down harmony and friendship.
For those of you who have divorcing parents, divorced parents, or just parents that are never around, pray for your parents. Pray for God to make you a light to them if they are not saved. The best thing to build trust and harmony is to treat them as your elders. Even if they sin or make huge mistakes, you need to give them that. And trust me, I am talking to myself here. I am FAARRRRRRRR from perfect. But with Christ's hope in my life, I know that I am perfect in God's eyes because all He sees is Jesus. Let that be encouragement to you.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Fall

Man am I ready for Fall! There is just one problem. It's hot! Fall is definitely my favorite season. I love the smell of leaves burning, pumpkin and spices in the kitchen, I love the taste of anything pumpkin! I love all the colors: red, orange, yellow, brown. The cool air is always so refreshing after a long summer. I also love wearing boots. Weird, aren't I?
Well, I hope you all are having a good day either experiencing Fall or peering down the corner for glimpses of color.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Prayer for Iran

Hey guys!
Please pray for Pastor Saeed. He was in prison for preaching the Gospel for I think ten years. He has gone missing. He vanished while in prison. Please pray for his family and friends as they are very concerned. Please pray for him, if he should still be alive, that he would be encouraged by God's Love for him and that God would protect him.
I am not kidding. I heard this conversation at soccer. Two boys trying to impress each other.
Boy 1: I am taking Spanish. What are you taking?
Boy 2: British!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Depression and Anxiety

Things have been going a little weird for me lately. I am trying to be optimistic like some of my friends have told me to be, but I just feel downright depressed. I know many of you struggle with the same things, so here is a post on depression. Hopefully by the end of this post I will feel better and you will too.
Psalms 42:11 says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation, and my God." 

This is a really good verse. Why am I so depressed? I have so many things to be thankful for!
It is not a sin to be depressed. Depression can result in sinful actions, but being sad is not a sin. Jesus loves you though, he doesn't want to see you so sad. 
One of the other things that often associates with depression is anxiety. So many kids, teenagers, and adults struggle with anxiety. Whether they are worrying over how they are going to finish an assignment, cope with splitting parents, or how you are going to put food on the table, we all struggle with it. I have struggled with anxiety the past couple of weeks. I don't know how or when I am going to graduate or how I am going to afford college. But remember this, if you are like me. The Lord will be with you always. He will not leave you or forsake you! Even if you feel like He is not there, He is there! His Presence is shadowing you with a never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love. One last thing,
Matthew 6: 25-34 show what Jesus says about this.
Do Not Be Anxious “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

This is a really good verse. Why am I so depressed? I have so many things to be thankful for!
It is not a sin to be depressed. Depression can result in sinful actions, but being sad is not a sin. Jesus loves you though, he doesn't want to see you so sad. 
One of the other things that often associates with depression is anxiety. So many kids, teenagers, and adults struggle with anxiety. Whether they are worrying over how they are going to finish an assignment, cope with splitting parents, or how you are going to put food on the table, we all struggle with it. I have struggled with anxiety the past couple of weeks. I don't know how or when I am going to graduate or how I am going to afford college. But remember this, if you are like me. The Lord will be with you always. He will not leave you or forsake you! Even if you feel like He is not there, He is there! His Presence is shadowing you with a never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love. One last thing,
Matthew 6: 25-34 show what Jesus says about this.
Do Not Be Anxious “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
This is a really good verse. Why am I so depressed? I have so many things to be thankful for!
It is not a sin to be depressed. Depression can result in sinful actions, but being sad is not a sin. Jesus loves you though, he doesn't want to see you so sad. 
One of the other things that often associates with depression is anxiety. So many kids, teenagers, and adults struggle with anxiety. Whether they are worrying over how they are going to finish an assignment, cope with splitting parents, or how you are going to put food on the table, we all struggle with it. I have struggled with anxiety the past couple of weeks. I don't know how or when I am going to graduate or how I am going to afford college. But remember this, if you are like me. The Lord will be with you always. He will not leave you or forsake you! Even if you feel like He is not there, He is there! His Presence is shadowing you with a never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love. One last thing,
Matthew 6: 25-34 show what Jesus says about this.
Do Not Be Anxious “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Monday, September 22, 2014

Laugh

Eowyn asked me today, "What are all those red spots on your face?"
Hmmmm...
How do you explain acne to a 5-year-old?

Apology

Hey guys!
So sorry it has been soooo long since I posted anything. I am going through a tough time right now, and when it is over, I will come back.
Thank you for continuing to support me by reading my posts.
Love,
G

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

My Own Little World

I really love this song by Matthew West. The music video tells an amazing story about a guy who learns some amazing things from a widow. But the story goes beyond that. It tells how the man locks himself into his own little world with "population me." This is so true. I find myself locking up because I am shy or just being in my own la la land. This guy learns to open his life up and let in others. The music video is shown above. I really recommend seeing it.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Squealing Tires

Last night my Dad scared me really bad. On a empty road late at night he went from 45 mph to 0 mph in just a few seconds. I had been praying and he scared me so bad. I thought, "That's it!" My eyes opened expecting to see headlights of a car about to hit us, but instead I saw an empty road. My Dad had said, "Brake Check!" but I didn't hear him.
Needless to say this shook me up really bad. Though I know with certainty that if it had been a head on collision I would have been ready to meet God, I don't know about my readers. Our life is so short. You don't always die of old age or accidents. One of my Mom's friends had a son. That son was a Christian college student. One day his Dad found him in his bed dead. It wasn't suicide and he wasn't killed. God just sent him home to be with him.
Another example of this is in Genesis 5:24, "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."
I don't want to sound dark and brooding, but you never know when you may be called home. You need to make sure you are ready.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Monday, September 15

Today started off just awful. I woke up several times in the night and everyone seemed a little off-edge. Even during devotions people were bugging each other. I kept arguing with my brothers and all I wanted was to go back to bed. We didn't get much school done in the morning, needless to say. Mom worked our problems out and showed us our sin. We apologized to each other and really meant it.
I want to note something here. Apologizing is important. If we don't apologize, we are building a wall between ourselves and loved ones. We ruin relationships. Just think, what would Jesus do? Jesus had siblings! He had friends! But he didn't sit around and argue with them and sulk in a corner! He worked differences out with them.
Even if your day is just a horrible, no good, very bad day, you need to see that your attitude is affecting others. We need to pray for patience and try to see what others see.
So, may all of you have a great rest of the day and remember that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Being Shy

At church today, Pastor Dave gave a very convicting sermon. He talked about how God wanted us to minister to others and see the needs of others. He said being shy is no excuse. Well, I am really shy in person. The last thing I wanted to do was to walk over to people and say "hi" and carry on conversations! But with God's help, nothing is impossible and I know I can do it. You can too!

On a sidenote, I saw an old friend at youth group today. It was bittersweet seeing him there. I hadn't really realized how much I had missed everyone at my old church until I saw one of the members at my new youth group. I hope I see him and the rest of them again soon.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Sunset

Right now, there is a beautiful sunset outside. It's pinks, blues, and purples ripple together on a canvas of gold. Our Artist, created a beautiful thing when he created sunsets and sunrises. They represent the end of a day or the beginning of a new one. One of my sisters said the other day, "God sure made a beautiful sunset today!" I didn't dare correct her because I am really not sure myself how sunsets are formed. It is a cool picture though, to think that God made that sunset. God made those trees. He made the ocean. He made me and you! God made so many things the list would stretch on into infinity. And he made them all. From the smallest atom to the biggest planet, God made it all. Isn't that just awesome?

Friday, September 12, 2014

Christy Miller

One of my favorite series is the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn. Her books encourage me and even though I may never face some of the challenges that Christy faced, I am better prepared for helping others with similar troubles. The books cover her story from Freshman year in high school to graduating from college and getting married to: I am not going to tell you. The books share the Gospel in an easy to understand way and it helps girls to grow in their faith as Christy does. Christy isn't the perfect heroine that you might find in other books. She struggles too. She matures though and you see her become a believer.
These books inspire me because I have always wanted to share the Gospel with other teenage girls. Though my excuse might be that everyone I know is a Christian, there are some girls on my soccer team who might need the love that Katie gave Christy. I need to share the Gospel to them too. My hope is that you too will be encouraged by these books as you realize that these are problems you face and you see how Christy overcome then and know how to overcome them yourself.
But don't get me wrong here. These books could never replace the Bible. Robin Jones Gunn wrote these books to help girls to go back to the Bible and realize that it is still cool. Though this covers problems not talked about in the Bible, she does a very good job at referencing Bible verses that have a connection to it.
All in all, I think that these books are a must-read for every girl on this planet.
This is the first three books in the series. You can find it at most libraries.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Remembering September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001 started off as any other day. People went to work, school, or resumed their daily routines. For my family, we had breakfast and Mom turned on the news to hear the daily news. My brother and I sat in front of the TV and played with blocks and listened to our mother's beautiful piano playing. Looking at the TV, we saw something weird on the TV. Calling Mom over, she sat with us for a while before running out of the room and getting the phone to call Dad. There was a tower on fire on the television set! Sitting with my brother we watched the second plane crash into the second tower. We didn't find out about the Pentagon and the other planes until we grew older. But back on that fateful day at 9:03 A.M., it was clear to all Americans that we were under attack by terrorists. Though I was too little to understand what was going on, my parents have educated me in the recent years about what happened that day. So many people lost loved ones that day. Whether they were in the towers, at the Pentagon, on the planes, or first responders, they were all heroes. They gave their lives for America. Now Osama bin Laden has been killed but there are other terrorists out there. We need to educate the future generations of what happened that day and never forget. We need to do everything in our power to keep it from being repeated. But this also needs to be said. Several of our Americans have been kidnapped and murdered by ISIS. We need to stop sitting back and waiting for someone to do something. America needs to act. These are Americans just like us who have families and friends that are struggling right now. We need to pray for them and all of the people who lost loved ones thirteen years ago. I will never forget!
Never Forget

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Beginning

People wonder about those crazy home-schooled freaks that live down the road. Well, this is a glimpse into the life of a Christian girl with different talents that lives in that world. Sure, it has it's peaceful moments, but we sure are busy, busy, busy! With different events everyday people wonder, is it worth it? Yes, it is. I have grown up grounded with the Bible and have become accustomed to difficult problems. And life just got a whole lot harder. With less than 2 years till I graduate from high-school, I will be taking 3 Math credits. Come take a journey with me into the hectic but awesome world of home-schooling!