New Friends!

So I have just meet some new friends, they are from Uruguay.  They came to vist Aunt Claren and Uncle Lyle.  Pamela and Nazarena are their names.  They speak pretty amazing English! Well Yesterday (12-28) me and Kaylyn went to clean the youth house, one of our many jobs, and we were leaving when Uncle Lyle came by and told us to go see the girls, we did and ended up staying for a while.  Well today we had a bon-fire with the youth group at Aunt Claren and Uncle Lyle's and tonight we are staying with them!  I have not laughed this much in so long!!  I really need this!  I will report on how this all goes!  :-)

Christmas this Year

Well its Christmas day, yet it really dosen't feel like it this year.  I really do not know why bit this year feels diffrent.  Really difffrent.  It seems to be more of a change in me though.  Usually I would have had a list a mile long but this year I really did want anything....My brother is not here this year, he had to work.  It's just really weird this year.  Everything has changed, I want normal again.  But is normal change in real life?  *sigh* 

College Life: things I learned from college but not in class.

I have learned many things in college so far, and this being the end of the semester I thought I might would share.
1) College is NOT for everyone!  Despite what teachers and others say, you do not have to go to college to get a good job, I think I should say career.  Its work ethics that count.
2) Work ethic along with encouragement is needed.  You must be a self starter, finals have just recently taught me that!
3) You cannot do it alone!  You must have friends who have been there, are there, and have yet to go there.  All the perspectives are needed so you know where you are going, where you are, and where you have been.
4) Things get put into perspective, fast.  Once you enter college, you realize what is important.  Family, friends, and God.  Those who move off for college (not me) know what it is like to not have parents there, you begin to miss mom's nagging and daddy's hugs.  After you graduate and your normal friends aren't around, you learn who your real ones are.  You know the ones you don't 'have' to text/chat first.  Finally you see how much the world needs God!  I did not think I would see it that bad in a really small community college, but I do!
5) You find yourself a bit more.  Once you graduate high school you realize, contrary to former belief, you have no clue who you are, but once you are made to have you own opinion you realize it a bit more.
6) You realize how much responsibility sucks.  In high school we beg for independence, once your in college you get a big taste of it.  Getting to make yourself wake up at 6:00 am to go drive thirty-five min. and mom not making you...not fun.  Also those breaks in between classes where you just want to go home/dorm/apartment but know if you do you won't come back, that happens!
7) You realize how much friends mean to you.  My first few weeks, ran into months, I didn't really have friends.  I felt I was to good for them.  Completely wrong!  My first few weeks were spent at the playground next to school texting friends from high school and boyfriend. These people will not be around for ever, maybe not even long!  (see previous post about bf.)
8) You must make new friends!  You never realize what these friend can do for you. Most are willing to help you out with school work.  Its also nice to have someone to vent to about the teacher they also hate.
9) Teachers are crazier! I honestly believe some of these teachers are insane.  They will be evil in class but once out they are really cool--term used loosely--people.  Get to know them, they are willing to help you!
Finally
10) PRAY and ask people to pray for you!  I have never been the type to ask for prayer, but lately I have really needed it!  and I can honestly tell people are praying for me!  Thing seem easier!
I really hope this helps who ever reads!  :-)

Am I Crazy or just Headed There?

Title speaks a lot but I guess I'll explain a bit.  First finals are going on now (dramatic music plays). I had leadership, a useless class, and I did pretty good if I say so my self.  Next is English tomorrow (Thursday) and then math and biology Monday and Tuesday.  We know what our English test will be on all because the English department made my English teacher mad.  The biology test scares the mess out of me though.  We got a 75 question study guide for a 100 question test!  WOW! 
Next is pretty funny, or it makes me laugh.  The other night I was texting my ex, Brandon, nothing meant by it, just trying to talk to someone.  We had a nice conversation then I say "I think I'm about to go to bed, ttyl." he says alright goodnight.  I say stay warm.  Then (this is where it gets good) says can I ask you a question? I thought, Um, I've seen that question before.  No good ever comes out of that question.  I say sure, bad move.  He asks "Do you know anyone single?"  My jaw drops!  What kind of question is that?!  Why would you ask your ex-girlfriend that?!  I say, "Awkward question.  Yes I know a lot of single people.  None of them seem like your type though."  Which is the truth.  I know people mainly from Washington County  and he doesn't do well with long distant relationships....Well I do know one thing--if I was over Brandon then I am know! 
Thing are just pretty crazy in my life right now.  I hate the way I have been feeling lately.  I miss having people to talk to.  My life just hasn't been right lately. 
Oh well...This too shall pass!

Holidays

Well it's the holiday season.  It really dosen't feel like it.  Thanksgiving was a very good day and all, but I have been thinking (never a good sign).  Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving by over eating?  I know, I know, traditions.  I mean, most of us spend over a hundred dollars on a big meal for one day (I am not forgetting leftovers).  If half of America sent the money we spend on food for only that day to help feed others, we could possibly feed millons for a week.  I think I might do that one year....Also it is almost time for Christmas and then New Years, where has the year gone?!  It has gone by too fast. Which reminds me of a Francesca Battistelli song, "Don't Miss It."  The song states:  Don't try so hard to move past the moment, these days go by and there gone before you know it...This is life don't miss it.  Why do we try to rush things?  God is in control and every thing is going to happen in his time anyways!  I think we should remember that.  :-)  

Music and Its Ability to Move Emotions

Anyone else have a song that just relaxes them from the first verse?  I do!  "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" Selah's version is that for me.  How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure?  That He should give His only son to make a wretch his treasure.  Those words are simply amazing! 

What about a song that makes you hyper or happy?  I also have a few of those!  "Hold Me" by Jamie Grace and TobyMac and also Viva la Vida by Coldplay. 

What about a song that causes sadness?  I don't have many of those but probably "The Older I Get" by Skillet.  Most likely because I don't want to grow up...but I have to!  HAHA!

Music has a strange way of working in our lives.  Just by turning on the radio one's whole out look on the day can be changed. I guess thats why it is so important to watch what you listen to on the radio.  I know, I know, I have music other than Christian on my iPod and my car's station is not 88.5 or 94.5 (kinda because I can't reach them).  The point is, when stressed find your "How Deep the Father's Love."  When tired of life or just need a mood change, find your "Hold Me."  Music has done so much for me lately...What about you? 
 

And the Storm Hits

Referring to a post a few weeks past, The storm has came.  Shortly after I posted that post mentioning Brandon, he broke up with me, thats where it started.  It was pretty hard, first relationship, first kiss and all.  I'm ok with it all now.  I have learned a lot from that whole ordeal, Its getting better.  I am coming to the realization that God moves people for a reason.  I know the reason too.  I just cannot make my self say it yet...I'm getting there.  Next big thing is my wallet was stolen.  Well I left it at Ramey's and someone "took it" from there.  They have my debt, check book, Scentsy card, social security car, a little cash, my student ID etc.  They used over $160 I did not have on my debt card.  Not fun.  Luckily for me we know exactly who has it and they will have to pay me back in full plus overdraft fees.  I was asked if I wanted to press charges, the thing is I really don't.  The guy has two kids, and he has to work.  I pray that my act of mercy will lead to a change in his life, that would be great!  All of this is all leading to extra stress I do not need.  While I type all these things I come to realize how small all this is.  Things could be so much worst.  I guess this just goes to show my wimpy side.  I also have been refereed to a verse that I do believe is one of my new favorites:  I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelations 3:8.  God is opening so many doors for me, I do not know which to go through first!  All in all, I'm blessed!   

a Quote I found...so true.

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.

Could This Be?

So school has started and it is getting better as it goes.  The classes are not hard, except Biology, but all is working out fine.  ALthough I am ready to get out of Gilbert Town, I'm planning on going to Thomasville a few days next semester.  I am getting use to it and getting jobs as I go, I babysit Mondays and Fridays as of now.  All is going smooth.  I am content in my life.  I just recently started dating this guy.  His name is Brandon Martin, he is from Fulton Al. and is great, not at all a jerk like a great deal of guys these days.  I get to see him most weekends but a few I won't be able because he works...a lot.  As for my life, its all going well, could this be the calm before the storm? 

And the World Waits on No One

Crazy title, right?  Well you see what  it means.  Last week, I found out as a good friend of mine was going to visit his girlfriend, possibly to propose, found out she was cheating on him.  This broke my heart.  This Guy is possibly one of the best examples of a Man-of-God I know, for him to be so young.  I really didn't understand why this would happen to him of all people, he loved her and would never do anything at all to hurt her, and this happened.  Well looking at his statuses, you can read in the hurt in him, but there all positive!  This amazed me!  The more I look at this and and study his whole reactions to this I see more and more of God working through him to other people.  I have been taking much of his advice, with out him knowing, like "we'll never know if we never try" -one of his FB statues.  I believe this really applies to my life and where I am right now!  I guess what I'm trying to say through this is:  No matter whats going on we have must keep moving because the world waits on no one. 
That was Deep!

"Goodbyes are forever, so I'll say see you later."

Tonight we had a going away kinda party for some very close friends to me, Jenny and Seth Beech.  They are amazing people like older sibling to me.  (They're not leaving until August 12th). We go to see our old preacher, his wife, Grambo, and Mrs. Sue, also some very special people I haven't seen in a long time.  I really miss these people!  I can't cry for Jen and Seth leaving because I'm tired of crying at goodbyes, I have had so many lately.  BUT!  Theses byes are not forever, they will still come around some.  I'm already planning on going to see Jen and Seth at there new place, Seth still ahs family here and everything!
I guess this bye/see you later thing is not really for me! 

Student Life 2011: DEVOTED

SO I just got back from church camp Wednesday in Orange Beach.  I thought the destractions would be a big deal...but they were not!  I had a great time!  We stayed in the Summer House Condos in Orange Beach, they were really nice, and I roomed with Kaylyn, Caroline, Sydney, Abigail, Jenny, and Mindy.  Our Camp pastors were David Platt the first two nights then Tony Merida the other two night.  The Worship leader was Aaron Keys, he was great!  Before of after every song he had some Bible verse to go with it!  A lot happened while we were there, including a sugar low, first jellyfish sting, and hurt back, but most of all spirtual growth.  Devotion is being willing to give up everthing for one thing...not easy, its not ment to be. 
You shall love the LORD your God with all your Heart, all your Soul, and with all your Strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5

Whats new

Well Graduaion came and went. Disney World came and went, it was also amazing :-P. Now it is time  for VBS, one of my favoite parts of Summer!  After a whole week of decorating, we are finally done, well for the most part!  Now I'm just ready for Sunday to see it all pay off!

Changes...Part II

Ok so much has happened.  Today was Bro. Monte and Sis. Linda's and Mrs. Sue an Mr. Marty's last day at church.  Jenny and Seth also got married. Plus, I'm graduating in a few days.  Its alot to take in, in a weeks time.  I held it all together, until I hugged Mrs.Sue today, she is one of the strongest  women I know.  Then when I hugged Sis. Linda and Bro. Monte. Also when I saw Jenny walk down the aisle, she was absolutly BEAUTIFUL!  Rebecca and Caroline have also made me tear up a little bit.  
Bro. Monte said something that really made since today, they have got to move to show us that they can live what they preach: putting ALL faith in God, no matter what.  That has got to be one of the most profound statements I have ever heard.  
Everthing is moveing so fast...I can't wait to see what God has for me!  :-)  

Changes...

Title explains a lot! 
This 18th year of my life has brought so much change in my life.  I didn't relize it until now, it hit me like a brick, strange but true.  I guess I can start here....First, change in music music minister along with lost of trust, a lot of forgiveness, a time of bitterness, fear, and then a compleate change of heart in that situation (for the better :-)).  Next, dealing really good friends engagement, more like comming to terms with us all growing up.  Also, senior year.  This is a big one for me.  My relationship with so many people is going to change, I will find out who my friends really are and so much more.  Finally (or is it?), The pastor of my church resigned.  Right when I start to get to know them.  But its what God wants.  In the end it all is about what God whats?  I think so!  Change is good, or for me it is, it makes for better people.  Stronger.  Braver.  It gets us ready for whats to come in Life...I look for growing in God.

Thanks for Reading :-)

Time Yet Again...

It is time yet again for a new post!!  Sounds exciting doesn't it.  Nothing really new has happended lately, but I'll just tell ya whats been going on then.  Well becaue Grad exams are going on this week I don't have to go to school and next week it Mardi Gras and teacher inservice so I don't have to go back until next Thursday.  Which seems weird that when we do go back I'll have close to five weeks of school left....  I've been babysitting my favorite triplets some this week.  I love them!  I also love this sudden need for babysitters, my night job!  My day job is selling Scentsy.  My life has been pertty awesome as of now!  :-)

D-NOW 2011

This past weekend my church had a Diciple now weekend, it was AWESOME!! We started out at the church Friday night.  Meeting all the guests and friends, I was expecting it to be like any other year...nothing much.  Then we went to the sancutary for the first night of worship.  Travis said a prayer, the band started.  My kind of brother playes drums in the band. (By "kind of brother" I mean he is me older brother's friend who lived with us and spent two Christmases with us, I think that makes hima brother.)  The band was amazing!  All they wanted was te focus on God, not about them at all.  They sang a few new to me songs "Like a Lion" David Crower Band and "Your Great Name" Nataile Grant, I LOVE these songs.
Then my group (11th-12th grade girls) go to our host house and family.  They were the best family!  Mr. Shane and Mrs. Angie Thorton with Zack and Cara (Zack 4ht grade Cara kindergarten).  Mr. Shane is a Dept. Sheriff for our county and is hilrous!  We start our Bible study fo the night then go to bed at a record time of 12:30!  Considering there is only three of us and we get alone great that was easy.  We wake up the the smell of bacon sauge and overly peppered eggs (inside joke) made by the great parents of the weekend.  do another Bible study and first attempt to bet Mr. Shane's record on Zack's Rubix Cube game thing (you know the one where you touch the lit up buttons?)  Then we head to the church or lunch and rec. with messy games....  The best one was ultimate frisby with eggs.  Goal is to get the egg one the other team's person's head...I got egg in my hair!  My best friend chugged milk, but the yourth goup refused to dring butter milk!  After that we went back to host house for showers...Becca needed one (butter milk, egg, and milk is not a good combo for the noise).  We went back for another worship night... AWESOME!!  I LOVED it, got some business taken care of with God etc.  Then last Bible study and ice cream sundays and board and card game.  We went home, Becca bet Mr. Shane's record of 94 she got 125, so tired we went stright to bed but as usual when me, Kaylyn and Rebecca are spending the night together we had a famous "Late Night Talk" but again was going t sleep at 12:30!  Woke up to pancakes and bacon!  Packed up, took a group pic., and Cara was telling her mom "They can come back to night or sometime and spend the night, right?"  It was cute (we taught her Anti-Justin Biber songs we made up ;-) ).  We went to church in jeans and Dnow t-shirts.  for last service.  Again AWESOME!!  This year was the best year!!

My Group!  Leader Jessica Howell
Famous quotes-  Liberar a los monos...por favor.
People: Kelsey (me), Kaylyn (sis), and Rebecca Schell Rubix cube winner (lol)
Host family:  Mr. Shane, Mrs. Angie, Zackary (Zack), and Caroline (Cara)

Lazy Saturday.

Yep the title is true, it has been a lazy Saturday.  I love it too!  Lazy and productive.  I did a good bit of laundry, folded sock basket socks, organized my room a good bit more (my room is really small, so any oganization really helps), and ran to town for mamma.  The kind of  good/bad thing is I  have nothing to do tonight, so I think.  Something might come up later. 

Last night my youth group started back up hang out night at my youth pastor's house, it was fun, except buying $70s pizza...:-/.  But all was well in the end.

The Latest Post...

Well since my last post nothing much has happend, well nothing big.  Normal high school senior days, normal friends, normal family.  Just normal.  I want to shake it up, maybe take up a new hobby?  I thought about buying a puzzle a while back, but I would flip a table.  I want to try sewing, knitting, or scrapbooking.  Give me something to do besides TV and computer. 

I am also trying to decide if I want to sell wickless candle products (Sentsy) with my sister and best friend and bride to be.  We will be saving up for my first Disney World trip, friend her honeymoon (awwwwww!!!).
 

Psalms 62

Tonight I opened my Bible and started the reading, I opened Psalms 62.  Its pertty amazing!  So I looked up a comentary online and it was so good I decided to share it!  :-)  Heres what it said!

The Story of Psalm 62

David often became "strong in God". 1 Samuel 23:16 says, "Jonathan made David strong in God". 1 Samuel 30:6 says, "David made himself strong in the *LORD his God". What does this mean? It means that when David was weak or ill or afraid he asked God to give him help. Because he thought that God would do this, David felt strong again! In this psalm David makes himself ‘strong in God’ by thinking of God as his:

   ·    rock and strong rock

   ·    *fortress and *shelter

   ·    *safety and hope.

Maybe he did this when his son Absalom wanted to be king. David ran away and did not return until Absalom was dead. He says that it is silly to think that men and money can give you help. Also he says that it is stupid to try to do what God does not want.

What Psalm 62 means

Jeduthun was one of David’s singers and a music leader.

When he died, we think that they still called his group of singers "Jeduthun". They were part of his family.

Before we look at some of the verses, look at some interesting things in this psalm:

   ·    The word only comes 6 times in important places. The Hebrew word only gives us a lot of help in understanding the psalm. It is the first word in verses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9. This is not easy to do in English, so in verses 4 and 9 it comes later! The psalm says only God can give us help, men can only hurt us. These are the men that were David’s enemies.

   ·    There are many words that soldiers use: *fortress, *shelter, wall and *fence. In the psalm they are the walls and *fences round the soldiers to make them safe.

   ·    In verse 7 there is something that we often find in Hebrew poetry. Poetry is using words in a special way, so that they sound good. In the Hebrew psalm, God is the first and last word in the verse. This makes God special in the verse.

Verses 1, 2, 5 and 6: The word "*resting" here means more than not doing any work. It means not making any noise, and waiting for God to do something. In verse 2 "move me" means "stop me *resting on God". In other words, it means "stop me waiting for God to give me help". Now in verse 2 David says "move me much" but in verse 6 there is no "much". Nothing will move him at all! This often happens with Christians. They *trust God a little bit, and, when he sends help, they *trust him more! "Trust" means that you love, serve and obey God, and that he gives you hope that he will help you.

In verse 3 Bible students are not sure whether the breaking wall means David or his enemies. If it is David, the wall will not fall; if it is his enemies then they will soon fall over! Our translation makes David into the wall.

In verse 4 the "high place" may be the *fortress of verses 2 and 6. But it may be a "high place" in the government. As David was king, he had a very high place! At the end of the verse are words *like those that James said. James was Jesus’ brother. He wrote, "Out of the same mouth come good and bad words. My brothers, this should not happen" (James 3:10). In both Hebrew (the psalm) and Greek (James) "good words" are "*blessings" and "bad words" are "cursings".

In verse 8 David tells all the people ... and that includes us! … to tell God everything that is "in our hearts". This means everything that we think about. God is our *shelter as well, if we ask him for help.

Air does not weigh very much. In verse 9 David says that people do not weigh very much either! He means that they are not important. He is writing about the people that do not *trust in God. When we *trust God, we become the people that accept his kind love, verse 12. Some Bible students think that "all men" in this verse means those who were not rulers. "Everybody" means the rulers, or the government. But nobody is important until they accept God’s kind love. God wants everybody to accept his kind love!

Like I said AWESOME!!