A long overdue update of my exciting life

Hey guys! I'm finally writing you something that might be worth reading. Well all of it won't be worth reading, but who cares? I just finished putting together a Roman Apple Coffe Cake. It's now in the oven with 12 minutes on the clock.

Christmas was very nice. I had a really bad cold though. We had a morning church service at our church, and I had a really hard time paying attention, because all I wanted to do was cough or blow my nose. I got a lot of really nice presents. People keep asking me if I got everying that I wanted on my list, but I don't make a list anymore, haven't for a long time. The highlight of Christmas was that it snowed. It was beautiful too; then it all melted the next day.

Thank you Marcus for giving me some advice on what to get males for Christmas. I got Shamar Third Day's latest CD and he loves it.

It's so hard to believe that 2005 is practically over. This year has had its ups and downs, but I'm where I am right now because of the grace of God. I've made some new friends and have grown closer to some of my Aletheia Springs friend's this year which is so awesome. I'm quite excited to find out what the Lord has in store for me this coming year. He's been teaching me to be satisfied with where I am in life right now; taking one step at a time and living for Him and growing closer to Him through it all.

Emily! I'm sorry to say that that voice you listend to does not belong to me. Have you ever heard of the group Seleh? Well they are so amazing. I was able to hear their testamony and listen to them live a few years ago at Moody Bible Institute, which is in Chicago. I would highly recommend them to you. By the way, do you all like audio posting, or would you rather have me write the song lyrics out?

Well I probably won't update until the new year. So HAPPY NEW YEAR! I LOVE YOU GUYS AND BE SAFE.

~Your friend from the midwest,
youthful one

Changes

I'll update tomorrow (maybe).

Have a Very Merry Christmas

I'm at work right now, and we're as dead as a door nail. I have a cold, which doesn't make things better. The counter's looking quite comfortable for me to lay my head down on.

So on wednesday night I received a message on my phone from some really hiper girls. I almost deleated it, because all I could hear at first was a bunch of screaming and people shouting, "we love you." But last night I found out that it was Alison, Claire, Emily, and Molly. You got to love everyone from Aletheia Springs.

Well I probably need to go.

Are you a nerd?

The website for this test is, nerdtest.com/ft_nq.php

This is the 100th time that I've posted something

These past few days have been really wonderful.
I ate snow ice cream for the first time in my life; it was really good too. Then two friends of mine, that work at the Marriot, were able to get two rooms for a bunch of us from the college, for an all-nighter. I don't know how they did it, but some of them played monapoly for nine hours. Then after that we went out for breakfast. I some how dropped my plate on my lap. Thank goodness I was almost done eating. I was really blessed by the fact that we had devotions in the restaurant and prayed and no one complained to us.

The Lord humbled me last night. I was at work, and my old supervisor yelled at me because I gave a girl fifty cents to use the pay phone. Oh well. It was my money and I should be able to help someone out if I'm able.

Right now I'm sitting in the school's library about to do some computer math.
So last night I stayed up until 2 in the morning with the college girls I'm staying with. They were studying for their final this morning, so I thought that I would show them some support and stay up with them. Oh the joys of college life. You'll never guess what my dinner consisted of. Frozen bluberry yogurt, chocolate chip cookies, and potato chips. And for my morning meal I ate frozen yogurt and chocolate milk. You never know how good of a cook your mother is, (or how goo of one you are) until you go away for some time.

I just gave my order last night for the senior pictures I want. They turned out pretty decently. Well I need to run. Hopefully I'll be contacting you all before the month is over.

My Final Is Over.............for the semester

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I have just completed my grammar final. I will hopefully never again have to take grammar on a college level for the rest of my life. I'm thinking that I'm probably going to get a B+ from the class. We'll see what happens. Thank you Lord for holding my hand throught this.

Well it's going to be bad news for some of the people from Aletheia Springs. I don't think Im going to be able to follow through with sending everyone a Christmas card like I normally do. I don't think they'll care too much.

Today is my dad's birthday. He's the big 48! Mom's going to take him to the southern part of Indiana for a couple days while I stay here with some friends.

I want to share with you all some stuff the Lord has been teaching me. I've been studying 1 Corinthians chapter 7. It's a chapter about marriange. Well after reading the chapter in a couple of different versions, the Lord has been showing me not to make it my top priority to get married. If I do get married, that's fine, but if I don't, that's even better. Then I was thinking about some of the godly women from the OT and how the Lord brought the women to the man. The Lord some how allowed their paths to cross. I just thought that that was pretty awesome. I'll talk to you guys soon. I love you all.

Hey guys! How have you all been?

Claire! I had no idea you where with blogger.

So my life has been a little busier than normal. I went to IL this past week and it was so cold. To make it worse, our heat in the car wasn't exactly working. Then saturday I worked all day and went to a Christmas dinner for people from work. It was much better than last year. Last year the chicken was pink, and the potatoes were black, and I went home hungry. It could have been worse though so I shouldn't be complaining.
Today, I taught a sunday school class for the first time.

I made a new friend at school the other day. He reminds me of my dad which is kinda scarry, I've never met anyone that quite reminds me of my dad.

And wednesday is my dad's birthday and I haven't gotten him anything yet. Maybe I'll just combine his birthday and Christmas gift.

Sorry that my thoughts are kinda random. Maybe they'll be more organized next time.

Em! just in case you haven't read your comments on your blogger, I would love to read your thoughts on courtship.

Goodnight all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCUS!

Thank you all so very much for praying for me yesterday! The Lord heard your prayers. I slept well the night before, and I was not as nervous. Aletheia Springs songs kept rolling through my head while taking the test (lol). I think I did a little better than the last time. Mom wants me to take it again in January so I can attain the best possible score.

So after I got home yesterday, I cleaned the house until about midnight, because the singles group came over this afternoon for their Christmas get-t0gether Then I found out that dad had to be at church for a meeting by 7:30 a.m. this morning. So after the little party, mom, dad, and I had to clean up everything. It's been a long day and I wish tomorrow was not monday. I'll survive by God's grace. He's always faithful. I'm praying for you all! TTYL!

I would rather be at home........sleeping :)

But instead, I'm at school. Did you know that statistics show that people who get less sleep live longer? Pretty crazy isn't it?

So the house is back to "normal." Shamar and Clint left on Sunday and the house is now quiet; except for the normal sounds like my fish banging against the fist tank or trying to eat rocks, my mom's pen grading papers, my dad typing on the computer, or me thinking out loud.

Shamar's going to be moving back next month, only he's moving in with a friend. The Lord provided him with a job on the eastside of town, so that's exciting.

I'm taking the S.A.T. on saturday. So Please, PLEASE, PlEaSe, pray for me. I think that test and ones like it make you loose brain cells.

Two and a half more weeks of school. Praise you Lord!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING BECAUSE EVERYDAY IS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving day went really well. Mom has the flue, so I helped her make all of the side dishes. I would have made the turkey if she wanted me to, but cleaning turkey's and chicken's are worse then disecting animals if you ask me. I also put up Christmas decorations inside the house. I'll have to figure out what to do for the outside now.

Today I slept in until a very late hour that I will not share with the rest of the world.

I bought mom's Christmas present, which is really amazing for me, because I useually don't buy any gifts until the week before Christmas.

And now I'm about to head to work.

Happy friday Em, Tab, and Marc! Sorry you weren't able to go to VA with Jen and Lindsey.
I feel your pain. :)

What to get females for Christmas

Most females love scented candles. Especially the ones made by Yankee Candle Co.
One thing you could do is see if your mom or sister collects anything; like teddy bears, angels, elephents, light houses, picture frames, ect.... and then you could add to her/their collection. Women also like jewelery, but you need to have a pretty good sense of what she likes and doesn't like so you don't get anything she won't wear (I know from experience). Body wash/spray/lotion also make really nice gifts.

I hope this helps you out Marcus. :)
By the way, the guy is one and twenty.

I don't know if I really like my new background

My great, great aunt is visiting us from SC this week. She's 80 something years old and she's not on any medication, she only wears reading glasses, and she doesn't need a cain to get around. Guess what her secret is? Eating garlic for pratically every meal.

Christmas is around the corner and I don't have a clue as to what to get everyone. Buying presents for my brothers and dad is really hard for me. There's only so many dress socks, ties, cologne, and chocolate you can give them. Last year I gave dad a coffe cup plate warmer for his desk at work. It's this little round dish that you can keep your coffe warm without heating it up in the microwave. And I gave Shamar some flannel sheets since he lives in a really cold state; but I have no clue what to get them this year.

You know what bothers me some? Today when people think of Christmas, they think of food, presents, santa clause, raindeer, frosty the snow man, angels, and the north star. All that may be fine and dandy, but we're loosing the focus of the true meaning of Christmas. When someone thinks of Christmas, they automatically think of santa and not the birth of Jesus.

So you all wanted an update of that guy that I was supossed to be giving a piano lesson to. There's not much to say, accept that I'm keeping my eyes wide open and praying that he doesn't notice me too much.

Two of some of my favorite people called me yesterday. Sligth drum role please...... and the winners are, Tabitha B and Rissy W! It's always nice to hear a nice friendly voice on the other side of the line. :)

SO, I didn't end up teaching a piano lesson last night. I was eating dinner when the guy was ready for me to give him the lesson, so he just went home. And now mom thinks that this guy might like me and she's freaking out about that. I don't think it's the case though. Of course I'm never good at determining that sort of thing when it comes to someone liking me.

For Christmas, the young people at church are doing a musical and the teens are singing some of the songs. But we're not singing Christmas music which seems quite odd to me......

Well that's the update of my exciting life. More news next time. (maybe.)

Emily,
Thank you so much for your comment!
I conmpletely agree with you about children must always respect their parents. Reading your comment made me think about Aletheia and how Doc was telling us not to believe everything we read or hear just because an admired Christian teacher says so; but we're to think for ourselves based on God's word. This also made me think of one of the verses we memorized. It basically says that Christians are to examine everything carefully.

Well, I got my senior pictures taken yesterday afternoon and the weather was beautiful! All of the pictures were taken outside at Butler University. Hopefully, I'll have enough to send to everyone. Mom always tells me, "send to realatives first, then friends," so we'll see.

I'm supossed to teach my very first piano lesson tonight. Someone that my dad diciples told me that he wanted me to teach him a few songs. Of course I smiled and nodded like I normally do, thinking that it would never happen, like it never does happen with other people. Then sunday after church he told me that he's coming over tonight and he wants me to give him a lesson. In head my head I'm thinking, "ya gotta be kidding me." So this should be interesting. I've never taught anyone in my life.

I need to do some more school before spanish class, but until next time.

P.S. It's supossed to snow on wednesday! (I really need to buy some gloves. I always loose apair a year.)

5 more weeks and the semester will be over!

So it kinda stinks that I have to work Thanksgiving weekend. We were invited to three people's houses for the holiday (all living in different states/cities), but we can't go mainly because I have to work. But I'm really thankful that the Lord provided me with this job that I have. It's not as stessful as the other one either. Shamar might be coming home though so it will be nice to see him. Whenever we go places together people think that we're such a cute couple.

I'm reading this book called, A Young Women After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I just finished reading a chapter on obedience to God and your parents. This chapter says that you have to obey and honor your parents for the rest of your life, or the rest of their life. When reading the verse that says, "children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right," I've often noticed that there's never an age limit to that verse. Basically, if you're alive you're someone's child, so the verse includes everyone.
I'm just having a hard time digesting this because the world as well as the church makes it seem like when you're 21, you are your own person and you don't have to listen to your parents anymore. Personally, I thought that Christian parents would give you advice/guidence and it's up to you wheather or not you'll take that adivice or not.
But Elizabeth George pointed out the fact that when Jesus was about to go to the cross, He was like pleading with God to let the cup pass from Him; but then He would say to God, "not my will, but yours be done." Then there's that verse about Jesus being obedient even to the death of the cross. Then there's another verse in Hebrews talking about how Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father in heaven.

My thing is, what happens to the person who gets married and their parents boss them around all the time. Do they listen to them, or do they ignore them and do what they think is best
according to God's word?

Just something for us all to think about. Let me know your opinion.

Football game

Saturday I attended my very first football game. Mom, dad, and I surprised SHWB and went up to WI to watch him and his team play the last game for the season. It's kinda nice being the sister of one of the most popular guys on campus. Whenever you tell someone your name and who you're related to, they tell you how wonderful your brother is. Especially if it's some crazy girl that has a huge crush on him brother.

When you tell someone that you're a child of God, there's not that much excitement from the non-believer's standpoint anyway.

Anyway, seeing my brother was really nice. And autumn in WI is so beautiful! I don't think I would mind living there again.

I talked to Jen D. this weekend as well! She's a wonderful girl and I love her so much.
Well I need to get ready for my spanish class, but I just wanted to give you an update of my weekend.

P.S. Thanks Marcus for still reading my blog. I heard that you recently preached preached by the way. :)

All I Can Say Is "Thank You"

Father in heaven,
You never cease to amaze me.
Waking up I see the beautiful sunrise that You have created;
the orange and red colors gracing the eastern sky
with its presence.

Sometimes there are cloudy days
making everything look gray and dreary.
Even in those cloudy days, the sun is still there;
it's just hidden from man's eye.

It reminds me of the path of life and the cloudy days of life
when everything seems to go wrong and everyone seems against me
but You're still there Lord, right by my side.
I just don't see You, because I'm not focusing on You.
You never walk away from me;
it's me that walks away from You.

Then there's the sunsets that grace the western sky
with purples, pinks, oranges, and reds.
It makes me just want to stop and think a while of how awesome You are.
Then at night, there's the moon and the stars,
reminding me that You, the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still in control.

I don't know what to do but give myself to You;
and all I can say is "thank You."

By JGB

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You

By Michael Ledner

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

I'm so sleepy and I have a cold, which is probably why I'm sleepy.

Mom, dad, and I went horseback riding on monday down in Nashville, IN. It was so beautiful. Dad and I got to run are horses (is that correct grammar?). We had a blast. Our guide must have been 6 foot 5 inches or something. All I know is that he was huge.

Does it ever seem like people are crowding you in with stuff that they want you to do? There are two people that want me to reach out to two younger girls that I know. Of course I'm already reaching out to them, but they want me to reach out even more. For one girl, I don't know what more I can do. We pick her up for Bible Study, I invite her to activities that I attend, she spends the night some weekends, and I pray for her. Yet her counsaler tells me that I need to try and befriend her even more so. I can't hold her hand through life; that's probably one of the reasons why God gave her parents.
Then this other girl's mother wants me to reach out to her, because she (the girl) told her mother that she doesn't like coming to church anymore because she doesn't have any friends. I love being a friend, but I always said that it takes two people to form a realationship. A one sided realationship just isn't going to work.
The other thing that bother's me is that whenever people ask me what I want to do with my life after high school and I tell them that I want to be a nurse, then they ask, "why do you want to be a nurse, you should be a doctor. We need more African American women to be doctors, and besides, you'll make a lot more money if you're a doctor." I want to scream at them and tell them that the Lord hasn't called me to be a doctor!

I'm probably not being Christ like in complaining, so I apologize.

This weekend was really nice. It started off with me forgetting that yesterday was the fifth saturday of the month and that I don't work on fifth saturdays. So I showed up for work for nothing. I felt a little crazy, but I was humbled. :)

Since I didn't have to work, I decided to mow the lawn since it was so nice out. Then latter on, dad and I went on a bike ride for about an hour or so; so I'm pretty sore.

Then today I worked in the nursey at church. There were 16 little kids running around and 4 helpers. And of course I got stomped on with sharp little heels.

Then tonight our doorbell must have been rung 50 or more times with people celebrating holloween a day early. Crazy, crazy, crazy.
Well that's what's been going on in my life this week.

Winter

It seems like this winter is going to be a little rough. I think the first snow hit Colorado, and now it's snowing in some places on the east coast. I think I need to go buy some really warm sweaters. I thought I would be okay, but I'm now having second thoughts.

Marcus, Emily, and Tabitha,
thank you so much for your encouraging words and for bringing a smile to my face. It means a lot.
I've been thinking about Aletheia Springs coming up this summer. You're probably going to be a little upset, but unless the Lord opens up some doors for me, I won't be coming to Senior High week. Every year since I was in the 8th grade, Doc would ask me to pray about coming down for a week and lending a hand. I would always tell him that I would pray about it, but in the back of my head I would be thinking, "of course the Lord would want me to attend Aletheia as a sessionight," since I can only go down to VA for a week.
Well this year, the Lord has really put it on my heart to go down and help instead of attend my own week. So Marcus and Tabitha, whenever I go down to SC for the holidays, I will make sure that I call you up. And Emily, if you work at Aletheia this summer, hopefully we'll work the same week. And if you guys are anywhere close to IN, please call me. Close, meaning OH, KY, or ILL.

You probably think I'm a weirdo for thinking this far ahead; but things (or people) that are important to me, I can't stop thinking about it (or them).

This has turned inot a long post, but I just wanted to let you know this little piece of information. Well, I need to go study some math. Hopefully it will make me sleepy. Bye now!

Moday seems like it was so long ago. The only thing I remember is that I had my first spanish class on monday night. Oh! I did start practing Christmas music this week. One of the songs that I'm playing is O Holy Night. It's my favorite Christmas carol, but I really don't like this version's rhythm. My teacher's telling me to stick with it though. I just remebered. Someone did ask me if I was a nerd. The most common question I get asked is if I'm between the ages if 20 and 25, not if I'm a nerd.

I should be getting my senior pictures done in a few weeks. I hope the fall colors will still be vibrant.

I was invited to a formal dance downtown coming up in a few weeks by a couple at work and two other single girls from work. I refused because I'll be out of town, but even if I wasn't, I would have still refused. I keep getting invited to go swing dancing on friday nights as well. I have a feeling that someone's trying to hook me up with someone or I could be looking too much into it, and people are just being very nice to me.

This weekend my home church had their Teen Conference. Have you ever been in a situation where you've been agonizing over a certain situation and just constantly praying that the Lord would give you the power to overcome it? Well the speaker was right on time and I thank the Lord for that.

Here's a verse I would like to share with you all:

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray, for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDEROUS CROSS

When I survey the wonderous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me the most-
I sacrifice them to His blood

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul,
My life,
My all.

By Isaac Watts

I'm sleepy!!!

Nothing too exciting has been happening in my side of the Midwest. Today, someone at work asked me if I had a boyfriend now because I've "been looking pretty cleaned up lately." I just thought I've been looking like I normally do. Maybe he see's Jesus in me. That would be wonderful.

I started my Spanish class on monday night. My teacher talked in spanish for about the first 15 min of class. I was so lost. I'm praying that I'll do well. Speaking of praying, please pray for Ms. Judy and that she'll have a good and fast recovery. She had surgery on her foot not too long ago. Please continue to pray for Ariel from the mall. We picked up my ring over the weekend and ran into him. Ariel said that a few days ago, a masianic (I think I spelled that wrong) Jew came and gave him a Bible and invited him to church. So continue to pray for his salvation. I think the Lord's trying to get his attention.

Until next time!

Psalm 57:1-2
Be merciful to me, O God,
be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings
I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have
passed by. I will cry out to God
Most High, to God who performs
all things for me.

Today was wonderful! I was sitting in sunday school upstairs at church and I saw this couple walking towards the entrance. As they got closer I realized that it was my old friend Rissy and her boyfriend! It had been way too long since I last saw her.
Then someone who went away to school out of state came and home for a visit. It was good to see him as well.

Please pray for me that I will be more bold in sharing my faith with those that I work with. Until next time!

GOOD NEWS!

Psalm 121:1-2, 4
I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

I had my grammar midterm today. I have no idea what grade achieved for it, but my teacher said that I have the second best grade in the class. God is so good!

While I was at Bible Study tonight, my friend Leah (from CBC) accidentally hit me in my nose with my umbrella. You know that little button on the handle? Well, she pressed it and it flew into my nose and my nose started bleeding. Like Shamar used to tell me "pain is good, it makes you stronger." Have a great rest of the week! Thanks for praying for me.

*GASP* I'm posting twice in one day!

Work was a little stressful tonight. I worked with someone who has been a strong associate of the family for the past eight years. And she continued to go on and on about how horrible one of my friends is. Jesus was the only one who kept my tongue under control. Some people just confuse me completely.

This is my prayer.

All My Praise

I will follow You through green pastures
And sing hallelujah to Your Name
I will follow You through dark disaster
And sing hallelujah through the pain

And even in the shadow of death
I will praise You
And even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God
You are worth of all my praise

You are seated on Your throne in heaven
And You see all of us down here
And You have promised You will not abandon
So I shall not fear

And even in the shadow of death
I will praise You
And even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise

You made every star
And You taught it how to shine
You knew my name before there was time
And all this was just part of Your glorious design
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

By Audrey Hatcher

Tumbles: Dedicated 2 Marcus W., Emily P., Tabitha B. & whoever else takes time 2 read this

I really should be studying for my midterm in Grammar class tomorrow, but I rather be doing something else, like updating my blog with information of my life that's not the most exciting in the world. My mom quizzed me last night for my midterm and I don't think I'll do too bad. Only Jesus will get me through. I don't know what I would do without Him.

So far, my day is going well. My supervisor took me to lunch as a late b-day present. While I was there, I saw an old friend that I haven't seen since May.

Emily! I read Psalm 27 this morning without even knowing that you had mentioned it on your xanga on sunday. Verse 14 really ministers to my heart.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage and He shall streangthen

thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

By the way, I think I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Thank you all so much for praying for me and loving me. I thank the Lord for you all.

I need to get on my work!

Praise the Lord! He kept me through this long day and I'm so glad that it's about over. I was able to talk with Emily on my lunch brake. It's always great to hear a nice friendly voice on the other end. Speaking of talking with nice friendly people, I talked with Tyler and Chris on monday. They told me that Erin and Paul are going to have a baby! I'm so excited for them. I don't have much else to say so I'm going to share this song with you.

He Looked Beyond My Fault

Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise
For it was grace that brought my liberty
I do not know why He came to love me so
HE looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Praise you Lord for loving me so much, that you gave your one and only Son to die for me.

This weekend is going to be crazy. My parents 27th wedding anniversary is tomorrow, we have guest that are coming in tomorrow night, I work eight hours on saturday and I'm in a program at church saturday night. WOWZERZ! And right now I have a huge pimple on my right cheek and it hurts when I touch it. Thank the Lord I'm not getting my senior pictures taken right now.

Here's a verse that I hope want to share with you all.

Psalm 103:11-12
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy is to those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed His transgressions from us.

Please keep in prayer a guy named Ariel. My parents and I went to the mall to get my promise ring sized and we stopped at this one place that sells products from the dead sea. Like salts and lotions, which my mom likes. Anyway, the guy who sold it to us is from Israel and we let him know that we pray for Israel and so on and so forth. I just wanted to ask that you all pray for Ariel. Thank you so much! Until next time.

My 17th birthday

I thank the Lord for such a wonderful beautiful birthday.
Many thanks for all the cards, gifts, and phone calls to Tabitha B., Syntyche, Grandma Julia, Grandma Bailey, Aunt Barbra, Uncle, Herman, Shamar, Jared, Tabitha (from CBC), Leah (from CBC), LaKisha, Christina, Ms. Jewel, Ms. Hannah, and mom and dad. You all are wonderful and I love you from the bottom of my heart.

Today was one of the prettiest and most relaxing and enjoyable days that I've had in years. CBC (Crossroads Bible College) studenst volenteered at a golf course today, because the people who were playing, helped sponser the school for scholorships. I was paired up with Tabitha and we "spotted" balls for the players. While we were spotting them, we were able to sit on the grass inbetween two holes and talk, laugh, and get to know each other better. The weather was so perfect. It was about 70 degrees with a nice breeze blowing. I couldn't ask for a better day to celabrate my b-day. Then my mom and dad made me dinner amd Ms. Jewel came over to celebrate with us. We had chicken and shrimp parmesan with peas and garlic bread.

So thanks again and if I haven't contacted you I will do so soon. With love,

~Youthful One

Grammer, Grammer, and More Grammer.

I am getting really frustrated with my grammer class right now. My teacher flew through the lesson today and she was getting a little antsy whenever someone was trying to get some clarification. Maybe she's having a bad week. I'm going to have to go home and do a lot of studying because midterms are coming up soon.

Guess what? I DON'T HAVE TO WORK ON SATURDAY! I won't know what to do with myself. I'll probably study, do chores, read, and play in the garden if it's not raining. Of course I'm sure you wanted to know that lovely piece of information. I must go now. Pray forme, I'm praying for you.

~Youthful One

WELCOME TO BLOGGER TABITHA!

Thank you Tabitha for signing up with blogger just so you could comment on my blog. You're wonderful! Marcus, your story was hilarious. Just to let you all know, I haven't abandoned reading your xanga's, I just have to get some filter isues straightend out with my computer.

I am proud to announce that on Saturday May 20, 2006 I will be graduating from high school. I am so happy. On friday, I saw an old friend from biology class. You look at people and see how they've changed personally and outwardly through just a few years, and it's like, "wow I'm talking to a young man now (or lady)." Then I think, "I guess that means that I'm changing too." It's kinda scarry. I don't exactly know what the Lord has planned for my future, but I know He has it all in control and I am truly excited. I'm also glad that He has given me such wonderful true friends, even if half them live in eight to twelve hours away. Have a great week you guys. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenver I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He cares for me;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He cares for me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

I'm back and I'm sleepy. Last year I would get my rest on the weekends, but now I'm working weekends. I'm getting a little better at going to bed at a half way decent hour though. Let me think... Oh! Shamar is now a college football player. I have never been to a football game in my life. That is a "real" one. I'm hoping that he'll send me a picture of what he looks like in a uniform (or whatever you call it) so I could show him off to everyone.

I talked on the phone with Claire on saturday and I was telling her how I sometimes wished that I could just jump to the next stage in life. I have to take one step at a time though, and the Lord's been helping me with patience/waiting. I sure do need a lot of it. Well you guys, I can't think of what else has been going on in my life right now. Please keep the Hodges family in your prayers. You all are in mine.


Feel free to contact me and let me know how you're doing. Emily, if you're reading this, do you have a new phone number since you've moved? If so, could you e-mail it to me? If you don't have my e-mail address, Marcus, Alison, or Lindsey should have it. Thanks girl!

I just came inside from digging in the flower garden and there were spiders everywhere! The most exciting thing that happend today, is that I chased a cat down the sidewalk. The poor cat doesn't have a home anymore because his owners left him when they moved. For some strange reason, he loves our house. Well I'm going to get off the computer. We're supossed to have a storm and the lights are starting to flicker. Until next time!

So I'm back! I know you're just dying to know what's been going on in my world.
Today is definitely not a day for school. It's a day for watching a good movie, reading a book, playing soccer with the neighborhood kids, taking a nature walk in the woods, or going to Panera Bread or Starbucks. How I miss those days when school and work didn't consume all of my time. Here's a funny misunderstanding that mom and I had last week. I had just gotten home from work and I said:

Me: Hey mom! I got The Mary Tyler Moore Show tonight
Mom: You got married tonight!?

Thank goodness it was a misunderstanding, otherwise I probably wouldn't be sitting here right now.

Here's a song that I wanted to post for you all.

Timeless
Time, it's changing me
It's hard to see who I am
Touched, I'm touched by
many things
So many things I don't
understand

But seasons pass and I discover
Above all this there's another
Helping me to hold on to what
is timeless

So the autumn can color me gold
And the winter can dress me
in snow
But it's You I see,
the timeless part of me
In the springtime I'm young
once again
In the summer I dance on
the wind
But it's You I see,
the timeless part of me

Change, whether it's good or bad
You know I'm glad You're in
control

Oh Lord, if I don't understand
I know your hand will shield my soul

Seasons pass and I discover
Above all this there's another
Helping me to hold on to what is timeless

By Levi Kreis

Have a great weekend everyone! You're in my prayers and thoughts.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14-15
IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND. NOW MY EYES WILL BE OPEN AND MY EARS ATTENTIVE TO PRAYER MADE IN THIS PLACE.

Please keep in prayer everyone who was hit by the hurricane. Lord Jesus America needs help.

Not too much has been going on since I last posted. I finished Quest for Love by Elizabeth Elliot over the weekend. I would highly recomend that book to anyone who's "single."

I'm getting used to my reading glasses. I don't like playing the piano or using the computer with them on though. They make my hands look really big. Too big. :) I just made oatmeal raisin bread and it taste pretty good. Even mom likes it. I think I can get star for this. On a more serious note, here's a passage of scripture I would like to share with you.

Psalm 91:9-16


Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, becase he has known my name. He shall call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Thank you Tyler for sharing this Psalm with me. God is so awesome. Words can't even describe how great He is.

Today went pretty well. Better than yesterday that is. One lady that I worked with this afternoon asked me if I was going dancing tonight. It reminded me of this past Valentines day when I was eating out with some friends and one of the lady's that worked there asked me if I was excited about Valentines day. I told her "no". There was no point in me telling you this. :) Anyway here's a song that I wanted to share with you all. It's one of my favorite hymns.

Be Still My Soul

Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side
Bear patiently
The cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God
To order and provide
In every change
He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through stormy ways
Leads to a joyful end

Be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
Still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.

By Jean Sibelius and Katharina Von Schlegel

Wow! My computer did not want me to get on. This is like my fourth time trying. So today was good, but at the same time not so good. I can't stand it when I have disagreements with friends. Especially when it's about someone I've be-friended (or however you spell it). I've really been trying not to complain. And I really don't consider this as a complaint, more like a frustration so please don't take this the wrong way. It's just, we're commanded to love our brothers, neighbors, and to do good to our enemies. When we're given the opertunity to actually act it out, a lot of us don't respond. Through the past years, I wasn't exactly everyone's favorite person to be around (I'm still not) and I wasn't treated that way either. My parents would show me through the Bible how I needed to love those girls regardless and not to be quick to pass judgement. Now I've taken what God has shown me through my parents and try be obedient. I think my patience is getting tested. Either that or my friends are getting weeded out again. Does this post even make sense? I feel like I'm "blathering" as wonderful Doc says. :) Keep me in your prayers. You're in mine.

P.S. I think I should dedicate this blog to Emily and Marcus. You two have been the most consistant commenters. Thank you so much!

First Day of Class

So today was the first day of Grammer class. My teacher totally rocks! Her name is Dr. Ranney. I know that this will be a tough semester by I'm really excited about it. As usual I'm the youngest one in there, but I'm not the only female this time. I met some of my mom students today and she has mostly a younger crew this semester. One guy is practically gray all over and he's in his early twenties. That gives me some comfort. I must go now. Until next time!

These past two weeks have been amazing. For any of you people out there who really know me, you know that I'm not the average teenage girl who spends all of her time on the phone. I'm here to inform you that between last weekend until today, six people have called me, mostly just to see how I was doing. Isn't that sweet? Changing subjcts. I must be going through another growth spert or something. First, I jammed my toe into the cabinet while doing the dishes, busted it open and it started bleeding. Second, I opened the pantry and didn't know that my head was in the way (I had my head turned), and hit the door on my head. Third, I hit my knee on my bathroom sink. But I am proud to say that I did not fall down the stairs at church today. I wore my tall heals and the last time I wore them, I stumbled down the stairs. Thank the Lord for banisters, otherwise it would have been over. So that's whats been going on with me. Tuesday is my last day working in the Children's Department, wednesday I start my college class, thursday I get my reading glasses, and friday I start my new job at patrons services. So whats been going on with you?

I meant to say bite, not bight. Sorry.

The moon is really beautiful tonight. It makes me wish that I could take a little night strole to air my head out. Too bad I didn't have a really big mean dog. I'll just have to admire God's beautiful creation from my window. It reminds me of something I read a while back. Christians ought to be like the moon and reflect the Son (Jesus Christ). Sleep well everyone and don't let those bugs bight you.

"There's a difference between a good idea and a God idea. When it's a God idea, He will empower you and give you the passion and whatever else you need to fulfill that."

-Nancy Alcorn

Work today, was something else. I worked at Patrons Services (the front desk) and people must have been coming out of the walls. To make it worse we were one person short, so only two people were working (me included in that number). The Lord was good to me though! I didn't screw up the cash register tonight! I was so happy.

Posting twice in one day. Amazing!
So I just picked up my Aletheia Springs pictures and they're really nice! I'm so excited! :)

You know what, I'm having really mixed feelings about this coming school year. I'm excited, but at the same time, I'm dreading it. I always have had a fear of failing. I read something today that said "fear God and nothing else." So those of you out there that are my friends, please keep me in your prayers. You're in mine. :)

Message to Marcus: tell Tabs that I would really like to have a xanga, but my mom thinks that it's too commercialized. Sorry. Thanks for the encouragement on me being a senior Marcus. lol.

Message to Em: I hope your cold's doing better.

I'm going to look like the oldest senior out there this year. Not only do I have gray hair, but I'm also getting reading glasses. What I don't understand is that the doctor says I have 20 20 vision. I hope she's just not trying to get some fast money. I recently found out that both of my eyes don't focus together for long periods of time. So I'm probably going to have to have to go through eye thearapy. Fun stuff.

Thank you Emily for posting the ASCEC pictuers! Oh how I miss all of you.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

I think waiting on God is one of my hardest stuggles in life. I'm reading a book called Quest for Love by Elizabeth Elliot and there's this one story in there about this man, who at the age of 21 had the desire to be married. He became a Christian a few years latter and stopped the whole dating process. He sought his pastor's advice and the pastor told him to wait on the Lord for a wife. One day, at the age of 32, this man started praying to the Lord, pouring out his heart to Him and telling Him that he really wanted a wife. So suddenly, a name popped into his head, who happend to be a young lady from his church. And she became his wife a year latter. But get this. She was 21 when they got married. So when her husband had the desire to be married when he was 21, she was in 4th grade. You see why it's so important to wait on God?

All this to say that, the Lord has blessed me again. Yesterday, my supervisor told me that it's okay for me to only work on fridays and saturdays. And today, the boss of the whole library offered me more hours at patrons services and a raise! God is so good to His Children!

My dad and I made it home last night. I walked into my room and my alarm clock said 9:40, my clock next to my bed said 10:15, and my wrist watch said 11:20. I don't know why I just told you that, but oh well! Aletheia Springs this year was so wonderful. The Lord convicted me of some stuff in my life that needs changing. I look at my life compared to the life of Christ and I have such a long way to go. I know that I'll never be perfect, but I can strive to be like Him. I need to constantly ask the Lord to make me into the young women that He wants me to be. If any friends from Aletheia reads this, know that I thank God for you, I love you, and am praying for you. Only the Lord knows how much you mean to me.

Aletheia starts TOMORROW!

I'm all packed for tomorrow! Amazing. Around this time last year, I wasn't even half way done. I'm going to have to go to bed early which I'm not excited about. I can never fall asleep the night before an exciting event. If anyone reads this between now and tomorrow morning, please keep me and my dad in your prayers, because we'll be on the road when most of you out there will be in bed. Until next time!

Aletheia starts in 2 days!

Romans 5:19-21

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. Morever the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus our Lord.

Alethia starts in 3 days!

For those of you out there who don't have ancne problems, be ever so thankful. Mom wants me to start getting facial treatments. And the lady's going to "extract" my pimples with this painful looking instrument. I'm not looking forward to this. I saw a shirt today that said "Parents for sale. Buy one get one free" I tryed not to laugh but I couldn't help myself.

Aletheia starts in 4 days!

My computer is acting slow, I'm sleepy, and am a little annoyed right now. I don't like being like this and I'm not like this often, so why am I acting like this? I dislike it (I'm trying not to say "hate" all the time) when my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. Tommorrow is my free day! I'm so excited. :)

Aletheia starts in 6 days!

Today is a day that must go down in the history of Julita Gabrielle Bailey.
I'm wearing a skirt to work. Never in my life have I done that. It's been so hot in my part of the world, that I figured working in a skirt would be a lot cooler than working in long hot pants. I've also gotten some compliments, so I might do this more often.

Aletheia starts in seven days!

Ephesians 3:14-20

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may streagthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Aletheia starts in nine days!

I went to bed at 11 last night. I don't even remeber the last time that I went to bed that early. So my grandma's gone now. I think she had a nice stay with us and it sure was good to see her again. I had more stuff to say, but I don't feel like writing it all down right now. So until next time!

P.S. Classes start up in a month. :(

Aletheia starts in 15 days!

So I'm sorta in the mood for posting songs. If you've never heard this one before, you have to listen to it.

Jesus King Of Angels

Jesus King of Angels, Heaven's light
Shine Your face upon this house tonight.
Let no evil come into my dreams,
Light of heaven keep me in Your peace.

Remind me how You made dark spirits flee,
And spoke Your power to the raging sea,
And spoke Your mercy to a sinful man-
Remind me, Jesus, for this is what I am.

The universe is vast beyond the stars
But You are mindful when a sparrow falls
And mindful of the anxious thoughts
That find me, surround me, and bind me

With all my heart I love You
Sovereign Lord,
Tomorrow, let me love You even more,
And rise to speak
the goodness of Your name
Until I close my eyese in sleep again.

The universe is vast beyond the stars
But You are mindful when a sparrow falls
And mindful of the anzious thoughts
That find me, surround me, and bind me

Jesus, King of angels, heaven's light
Hold my hand,
and keep me through this night.

(By Fernando Ortega)

Aletheia Starts In 17 Days!

The Nails In Your Hands

The Nails in Your hands,
The nails in Your feet,
They tell me how
Much You love me.
The thorns on Your brow,
They tell me how
You bore so much
Pain to love me.

Till the heavens pass away,
All your scars...still remain;
And forever they will say
How much You love me.
So I really want to say...
Forever my love,
Forever my heart,
Forever my life
Is Yours Lord.
Forever my love,
Forever my heart,
Forever my life is Yours.

(From Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

Aletheia starts in 20 days!

I made homemade chocolate chip cookies for the first time saturday night (through early sunday morning). I did have a helper and the cookies came out pretty good. My grandma is coming here tomorrow! I don't even remember the last time that I saw her. Three years maybe? Here's a huge Thank You to Emily who commented on my last post! :)

God is so good!

I just saw my repot card from CU and I got a B+ in Christian Life and Thought and a B in Racquet Ball! The Lord is so good. I'm overjoyed!

Psalm 111:10 To Him belongs eternal praise.

I'm now back at home trying to fall back into the regular rutine of everything. I don't think I did too bad in my worldview class. The Lord granted me the grace to get a 95 on my final paper! I was so excited. The highlight for this week is that S came home today, I'm going to try and finish unpacking and I'm diseceting a pig on wednesday. Need to run but until next time!

Last Night

This is the last night I'll be spending at Cedarville University. These three weeks have flown by so fast. The saddest part of leaving, is telling someone goodbye, knowing that you'll probably never see them again in this life. Got to go now. Good night!

P.S. Happy July!

Finals!

I have finals today. I pray that I do well. Tomorrow is King's Island and then we go home saturday morning. I'm sad about leaving some of these people behind. It gives me some comfort to know that I'll probably be going to school with them for about three years of my life. I met a guy name Jared here. He's nothing like my brother, but he's very nice. I need to finish getting ready for today, but have a wonderful weekend.

?

Do you ever wonder why some people just aren't sensative and try to find a joke in everything? This is the first night that it pained me so much that I actually cried. I can't imagine what God's doing. I need to pray for them. I'm glad that I have an awesome God that understands my heart.

You'll never guess what! I had a xanga for about five minutes because I was showing someone how to get one here at school. I just deleted it though. I don't want to go against the wishes of my mom. I went canoeing this afternoon for the very first time. It was so much fun. :) I need to go shower now, but have a wonderful week!

I can't believe that it's past 8:00 p.m. already. I'm trying to do my reading assingnment but I can't keep focused so I'm taking a break. I'm going to try and go to bed early tonight. Sleep is calling out to me. Actually it's not as bad a sit sounds. Cedarville University shuts down really early. The bookstore closes at 5, the cafeteria closes at 6, and I think the library closes at 5. They do have the hive open a little latter than everything else during the regular school year though. Just in case you're wondering, the hive is a place where you have junk food and coffe and listen/watch things like the jazz band perform. It's a romantic place if you have someone to romance to or it's a neat place to hang out and talk with friends. I must go and finish my homework, but until next time!

P.S. I now have a roomate and she's super nice.

Well I have arrived at Cedarville University. Right now I don't have a roomate. They're trying to get me one, but I might have to be a loner for the next few weeks. My parents have left, and I miss them already. I'm really looking forward to my classes but I'm not sure how racket ball's going to go with my foot being injured and all. Have a great week you guys. Love you lots!

Emergency room visit

Three more days until CU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll never guess what I did. Yesterday I was working in the yard barefoot and stepped on a nail. I thought I had stepped on a rock, but then I tryed taking it off my foot and it wouldn't budge. I gently tryed pulling the nail out, but it wasn't moving so mom called 911. Five firemen and two paramedics came to the house. I got to ride in the ambulence and they treated me like a princess. So after about two hours of waiting in the E.R. they gave me at least six shots in my foot to numb it, an IV, and some other shot in my arm. Thank the Lord they were able to get that nail out. I'm now hopping around. I've learned another leason this week. Don't walk around outside barefoot.

FIVE DAYS UNTIL CU!!!!!!!!!!!

God is so amazing and awesome. Before the school year ended (even though I'm still doing school), I kept asking God that He would provide another job for me for this summer. Well that didn't work out, because I'm under the age of 18. So the Lord provided me with a few extra hours at the library. In the Meantime, I asked a man and his wife from church if they needed any help at the mission that they work at. They needed a lot of help. But I'm going to be gone for four weeks this summer. So it didn't seem like that was going to work either. It looked like God had shut the doors, so I stopped praying. Wrong thing to do! Today at Bible study, the lady that works there walked up to me and asked if I could work on wednesdays starting next month, helping out with the pre-schoolers. It just so happens that when this program starts, I will be home from CU. Also, I don't work at the library on wednesdays and she's fine with the fact that I'll be away at Aletheia for a week. MY GOD AND MY FATHER IS SO GOOD!

SIX MORE DAYS UNTIL CU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some one told me that I was pretty while I was at the good 'ol library working. That made my day! Here's a free tip for you: never mess with your mom's jewelery because it might break. That's what happend to me on this fine afternoon. I unclasped it and a pearl fell on the floor. Now I must pay to get it fixed. I'm getting my hair done tomorrow! I'm really excited about that, because it needs getting done. I finished the Brio devotional Want more?_ Love. I would highly recomend that book to any girl. God blessed me tremendously through it. I must go get ready for be. I have a lond day tomorrow.

Until Your Love Broke Through
~By Keith Green and Randy Stonehill

Like a dreamer that was trying to build
A highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumblin' down
And I never knew just why
Until today when You
pulled away the clouds
That hung like curtains on my eyes.
I was blind all these wasted years when
I thought I was so wise
But then You took me by surprise.

Like waking up from the longest dream
How real it seemed
Until Your love broke through
And I was lost in a fantasy
That blinded me
Until Your love broke through.

All my lfe I've been searching
For that crazy missing part
With one touch You just rolled away
The stone that held my heart,
Now I see that the answer was a simple
As my need to let love in
And I am so sure that I could never doubt
Your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind.

Like waking up from the longest dream
How real it seemed
Until your love broke through
And I was lost in a fantasy
That blinded me
Until Your love broke through.

I took the S.A.T. yesterday! Now I don't have to worry about taking it again until the fall. My parents went to a marriage retreat this past weekend and I stayed with my "aunt" and two other girls. One of the girls was around my age and her little sister is about two years old. So we went to church with my "aunt"this morning and a whole bunch of people kept asking me "is this your little girl"? Just when I think my age appearance is getting better, someone comes and pops my bubble. Summer school starts in a week from tomorrow! I'm really excited. Then when I come home Aletheia will be starting in less than a month.

The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. (Psalm 32:10)

Happy June! Can you believe that the year is almost half way over? I now have a cell phone. One of the songs from The Sound of Music is what my ring sounds like. So, if you would like my number, let me know. I just received a recipe exchange from one of my friends. I'm supossed to pass it along to six of my friends. So I thought that it would be neat if I sent it to those who live out of state. SO if you live in IN, CA, PA, VA, NC, or SC, you may be one of the privileged few to receive this exchange. Twelve more days until Cedarville!

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

My birthday is four months from today. I can't believe how time seems to drag by and other times it goes by like a flash. S.A.T. is on saturday. Mom accidently signed me up to take it at the high school where I least wanted to go. Maybe I'll be able to find a kind familiar face amongst the crowd. :) S.H.W.B. and one of his friends came home this weekend. It was good to see them. It livens things up around here. Two weeks and I'll be off to Cedarville and in two months I'll be off to Aletheia. I'm so looking foward to this summer. Good night!

Have you ever been in the process of making cinnamon rolls and ran out of cinnamon? That's what happend to me last night. So I used the remainder of the cinnamon, some alspice, and nutmeg. They don't taste bad, but they probably wouldn't have won a prize or anything. Thank you uncle H. for commenting on my post a few posts ago. I love you lots!

Isaiah 40:28-31

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings as eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

A Cradle Prayer
By Rebecca St. James


Jesus I love You my Lord my life
Where would I be without You
Here in the quiet, the still the night
I am in awe of You

Trials may come and friends they may go
What really matters is You, my Lord


Beautiful Savior my God, my friend
I am in awe of You

Trials may come and friends they may go
What really matters is You, my Lord

Jesus I love You my Lord my life
Where would I be without You
Here in the quiet, the still the night
I am in awe of You

Why would You, Creater and King,
Come as a baby for all, for me

Beautiful Savior my God, my friend
I am in awe of You
I am in awe of You

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand... (Psalm 139:17-18a)

God is so amazing and awesome! First, I got excepted to Cedarville University for their summer studies program. I thought that that was good. Listen to this. A few hours later my mom called the school to see about their sch0lorships. The Lord has provided me with a scholorship that will cover more than half of the tuition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do I worry about tommorow and God already has it taken care of? So I will be leaving for Cedarville on the 13th of next month and coming home on the 1st of July. I should have a cell phone by then, so if anyone wants to contact me, leave a comment or send me an e-mail. Or you can call me at home, which only two people have been brave enough to do. :) Have a great night!

THEY ARE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(1 Kings 19:11-13) Then He said "go and stand out on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire, a delicate whispering voice.

S.H.W.B. and two of his friends came home this weekend. It was so good to see them. There was actually activity going on at my house. :) And on top of that, they let me hang out with them! I think it's neat to see how God created men and women so uniquely diffirent, but in a lot of ways the same. So that was my highlight for the weekend. One more week of school and I will officially be a SENIOR!!!!! I'm very excited.

My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. Bind then on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, "you are my sister," and call understanding your nearest kin. (Proverbs 7:1-4)

I scared my mailman today. I was waiting for mom to finish up a letter so I could run out to the mailbox. Well by the time I got outside, the mailman was already next door. So I ran over there and caught him reading an advertisement thing. So I said hello, but he was so intrigued with whatever he was reading that he didn't hear me come from behind. And so he jumped. Poor mailman. Guess what? Today is the first day in all my sixteen years of living, that my grits turned out pretty decent. They're usually not done or all clumpy. But today, they were perfect. My new bedspread arrived a few days ago. I like it very much! Now I'm thinking about getting new curtains. That probably won't happen for a few months though. A huge THANKS to M.I.W. who commented on my last blog.

SURPRISE, DEMOLISHED

Charm is deceitful beauty is passing, but the women who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

So S.H.W.B. and his friend weren't able to come home this morning. His car started acting up, so they had to churn back around and go "home." He and now three other guy's are going to try and come here this coming weekend. This will be lots of fun. I always liked hanging around with my brothers and their friends. I start my new job on tuesday! I now have four extra hours to work a week (thank you Lord!). And on top of that I get to work with women who are probably sixty and older. They're a hoot. Except they're not always pleasent to the patrons.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will never guess what! S.H.W.B. and a friend are suppossed to be coming home around 3:00 a.m. I'm so exctied. Mom doesn't know about it though, so this should be really something. So I'm trying to stay up as long as possible without looking too suspicious. The only possible way mom will find out is if she can't get any sleep and decides to come down and read my blog. I'm praying that everything will go smoothly and well. Happy mother's day to all you mother's out there! I'll tell you how this surprise goes soon. Laters!

Lord of Eternity
By Fernando Ortega and John Andrew Schreiner


Blessed is the man
Who walks in your favor
Who loves all your words
And hides them like treasure.
In the darkest place
Of his desperate heart,
They are a light
A strong, sure light.

Sometimes I call out
your name,
But I cannot find you.
I look for your face,
But you are not there.
By my sorrows, Lord,
Lift me to you,
Lift me up to your side.

Lord of eternity,
Father of mercy,
Look on my fainting soul.
Keeper of all the stars,
Friend of the poorest heart
Touch me
and make me whole.

Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

You'll never guess what! About three minutes ago, I found a CD I had been looking for, for the past four years. I had decided to listen to classical hymns, and I openend the cover and something else was sitting in there, my long lost CD! So the month of May has arrived. It doesn't seem real. So many things are happening this month, birthdays, graduation, mother's day, and weddings. This weekend went really well. I had a piano competition yesterday and I was one of the finalist. That was so God working through me. I'm still in shock. So I left the competition early and went on a road ralley with my youthgroup and one of our sister churches youthgroup's. It started at 1:00 and I didn't get home till 11:00. My team got 5th place though and what's really exciting is that a team that has been getting 1st place for the past two years, came in second to last. God has been showing Himself in some amazing ways. Isn't wonderful when you've been praying about something and God answers? You could be praying for days, months, or even years, He is still in control. Need to run!

Psalm 121 "I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."



I have a prayer request. A guy who goes to Shamar's school (Lebar) who lives in VA, crashed his plane into Lake Michigan. They think he's dead, but no one but God know's for certain. He happens to be a friend of Shamar's. So please keep the Lebar family in your prayers as well as friends of the family.

I have finally gotten my birthday party pictures developed. Yeah for me. You wouldn't think that someone would take so long to get pictures developed from a happy occasion like that. That's me for you. Oh! Marcus has updated his blog. I need to go to bed. But I'll try and post something on sunday, because I'm going to be having a very interesting weekend.

"For he who sows to the flesh, will of the flesh will reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit, will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:8)

When I was at work yesterday, all of a sudden I heard pounding on the roof. Being the curious person that I am, I went to go see what was going on. Well hail was falling out of the sky. It was the size of golf balls! I was a little nervous at first, but it eventually stopped. Then today you'll never guessed what happend. It started snowing. One guy said he's glad that he's glad of it, ' cause it just means that God's still in control. How do you like my new front? :)

Choose you this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Oh wow! I'm writing twice in one day. For any of you that actually read this, check out Emily and Tyler's blog. Emily has a really awesome quote about your heart being knitted to the Lord's and Tyler has actually updated his blog (hope you don't mind me posting this Tyler [smile]). So Shamar might be coming to Aletheia this summer! I'm really excited about that. We may have to take my car though. I know that God will work it all out. So God has blessed me in another area of my life. I have job security for next summer. I will be a nanny for two little boys that I used to babysit before they moved to IL. God is so good! I have nothing else to say, so until next time! Yes I do! It's suppossed to snow on and or after sunday! And in WI, it's going to be 30 degrees. What can I say?!!

School's driving me up the wall. I just want it to be over. Pray for me!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

I'm starting to enjoy spring again. I'm still having my allergies but it's no where near as bad as before. I have ten more books of the Bible to read, and I would have read through the whole thing! I'm really excited. So this morning I was in 1 Peter 1:1-9 and I just thought I would share my thoughts on it. We use the term love so freely these days that when you hear someone say "God loves you", I don't think we get the whole message. We kinda say "I know", and think of what Christ did on the cross. Not that His death and resurection wasn't screaming out to the world "I love you." But what about after that? For those who come to Christ, the Lord's given us an inheritance that's incoruptable, imperishable, and undifiled that doesn't fade away at all. And He's keeping it for us in heaven. We should rejoice about this with inexspressible joy and full of glory to the Lord. Times may get tough, and we may want to grieve over some hard issues in our lives. But in the end, our faith will be more precious than gold. It will be and is genuine. I should never forget about how deep and how wide and beyond measure, God's love is towards me.

(Jeremiah 29: 13) " And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."


I'm about to watch a Billy Graham Special! Well I'm currently watching it, but he hasn't come up yet. Right now Mercy Me is singing. Four more weeks and school will be over! How exciting is that? So yesterday I got the Aletheia Springs brochure. The topic sounds really good. It sorta bothers me that they don't have the names of any of the speakers this year. I'll have to keep that in my prayers. Need to go!

There's a slow train pulling through the desert
The colored cars pass quietly from sight
Between the highway and the long horizon
Precious dreams wind away with the light

My brother's and my sister's faces linger
The hours of our childhood, grave and gold
Driving through these solitary places
Memories of their gentle kinship
touch my soul

The hawk wheels away as we pass here
The clouds billow up and fly on
Down the road some hard turns
are going to shake us
Ride with us
Through the breaking of the dawn

I worry for my loving mother
The dimming years,
the trials she has known
Her heart so kind and so weary
Keep her safe one more night
'til I get home

How I long to be right there beside her
And bring everything back to before
We'll arive with the first light of morning
Keep her safe, let me hold her once more

The sage and Joshua tree remind me
Of the miles to go,
the journey that we're on
In the still sweet air of the desert
We will ride
through the breaking of the dawn

By Fernando Ortega and Elaine Rubenstein

"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death". ( Proverbs 14:27)

I have no idea of what's going on with my blog. It (or me) some how published one entry twice. Oh well. Not too much is going on in my world. But I will tell you about little guy at the library. So there's this little guy who follows me around the library while I shelve books. I've had little kids follow me around and talk non-stop before, so it's not that big of a deal. That is until little guy told me that he was falling in love with me. And on top of all that, his mother thinks it's "cute". How would you feel if a six year old (who's in love with you) was constanly on your heals and then one day tells you that he wants to kiss you. Then he tells all his friends that he wants to kiss you as well. And what does the mother do? Oh isn't he cute? So I thought to myself, "this is going too far". So I told my supervisor about it. And now whenever little guy comes around, My supervisor tells him to leave me alone, because I need to work. And if she's not around, I try and avoid little guy at all cost. I haven't gotten to the next step yet, but when I do, I'll make sure and tell you. So there's my drama for the month. By the way, I would like to know how many people actually read this thing. So please leave a comment, even if I don't know you. :)

"For I am pursuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. " (Romans 8:38-39)


Well if and when I get married, I don't think I'll want to get married in the spring anymore. All I've been doing is sneezing from the pollen in the air. My poor nose, it's going to be so so sore. I've tryed writting in my blog twice this past week, and the computer won't let me. So I hope it will work this time. Two jobs for the summer isn't going to work for me. According to the law, I have to be 18 or older to work two jobs, even if it'a just in the summer. So I'm starting to run out of options. I'll either work in a diffirent department at the library, work at a camp, or baby-sit. I've been praying about it, so hopefully I'll see what the Lord will have me to do. And for all I know, He may provide someting else. Got to go!

I will show you my faith by what I do (James 2:18)


I'm going to try this one more time. I tryed updating my blog at school and once I hit publish post, something popped up that said "this page cannot be displaid." My parents and I have started going to this new church for my dad's internship. Well yesterday at Bible study, this one lady came up and invited me to a singles dinner that they're having at her house after church on sunday. I told her "you know I'm only 16" and she asked me if I was single and I told her yes, so she told me to come and join them. I'll have to pray and think about this. I know they don't invite teenagers to their outings, so I guess I should feel honored. I need to run.

I will show you my faith by what I do (James 2:18)


I'm going to try this one more time. I tryed updating my blog at school and once I hit publish post, something popped up that said "this page cannot be displaid." My parents and I have started going to this new church for my dad's internship. Well yesterday at Bible study, this one lady came up and invited me to a singles dinner that they're having at her house after church on sunday. I told her "you know I'm only 16" and she asked me if I was single and I told her yes, so she told me to come and join them. I'll have to pray and think about this. I know they don't invite teenagers to their outings, so I guess I should feel honored. I need to run.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)


Oh my goodness! This weekend was amazing. The Lord blessed me and another girl by giving us tickets to the Girls of Grace Championship Edition. We were actually able to meet Point of Grace. And I got their autographs! Can you imagine that out of 5,000 girls, only six of us (that's includidng me) were able to meet them. Then we got floor seats. Rebecca St. James, Out of Eden, and some ladies from the WNBA were there. It was truely refreshing. Then on top of all that, I talked to two wonderful people that I haven't talked to or seen since August (you know who you are). By the way I wanted to thank Christopher, Tyler, and Jen for commenting on my last entry. That's the most I've ever gotten. :) Need to go.

You'll never guess what I'm doing. Sitting in class waiting for my teacher to figure something out. I always wanted to be on the computer while in class. So here I am. I beter go before I get in trouble. :)

I'm back with a new name and everything! Well Olive Garden won't hire me, because I'm too young. Today was my last day with my piano teacher. :( It was very sad indeed. I need to run. Laters.

P.S. tomorrow's my half birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!