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.