An Anniversary, The 12 days of Christmas, An Engagement, and Lights on the Tree...Its begining to feel like Christmas to me!

12 Drummers Drumming
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
9 ladies dancing
8 maids a milking,

7 drummers drumming,

6 geese a layin',

5golden rings...

4 calling birds,

3 french hens,

2 turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Let me begin by saying congratulations to my parents! Their 22nd anniversary was Friday! Celebrated with lunch at Cracker Barrel =D Happy (belated) Anniversary!!!

Every year our church does a Christmas program. Most churches do, but ours has a very interesting tradition. Its the church-wide motions of the 12 days of Christmas. One group gets up and acts out the Drummers Druming, one group acts out Pipers Piping, one group acts out Lords a Leaping.....so on and so on. My group this year did "AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!" I just wanted some record to say that I think we were the loudest. =) Haha! It was alot of fun
I'm pretty sure this year's Christmas program will go down in history as being something special for sure! The worship leader for the Bartlett Campus propsed to his girlfriend at the very end! It was so super sweet! I am very very excited for them!

I came home, and my mom and brother were starting to put the lights on our tree. I haven't really felt like Christmas will be here before I know it, and seeing the tree being put up just reminded of how close we were to Christmas and how close we were to the end of the year. =)  

"...Jack Frost is nipping at your nose...." Literally.

Dear Memphis Weather,
It's just not a normal type of year without you doing something insanely weird. I wake up one morning and there's snow on the ground. Less than two weeks later, it's 70 degrees outside! Literally, 12 days before Christmas I was wearing flip-flops. Just when i was getting use to the wonderful warm weather I wake up the next day and its 30 degrees again! As I type this I'm wearing long sleeves, long pants, and wrapped in two separate blankets. BRR! Personally, I'm not a big fan of cold weather. So Memphis Weather, if you don't mind warming up just a smudge or hurrying Spring up a little that would be GREAT!
Sincerely,
Melissa

There's too much drama at school. Here's what I have to say about THAT!

Save your drama for your llama's mama in her bright pink pajamas because it's not something I can deal with.

Practice Portraits

New obsession? Posssssssibly! =) I'm absolutely in love with it, that's for sure!!!!

Change Happens

Things change.
Those two words are universally recognized. Maybe in different languages, but everyone can comprehend that things change. The trees drop their leaves in the fall, and more grow in the spring. People get older and die, but babies are born every day. The weather can be cold, the weather can be hot. Flowers bloom, grass grows. Things change.
Life will hand us heartache and loss, grief and sorrow, anger, and hurt that just never seems to go away. How is it easy to accept that? It's not easy in the middle of a storm to stand up, smile, and say that everything will be okay.
Life also hands us laughter and smiles, joy and happiness, energy and excitement. How easy is it then to jump up and tell the world how happy you are to be here?
Change happens. Sometimes we expect it, sometimes we don't. It can be a wonderful thing, or it can be something hard. I guess the only way to accept it is to just hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Because one day you could wake up and realize your whole life has been spent worrying over things you can't control.

My fingers are very dangerous....

No. Not in the "road rage" way. ;-) This is one of those late night posts in which I talk alot. I'm warning you now that it's long. But I also think it's one of the better things I've written. It's 1 am. I probably repeated myself once or twice. I probably rambled. But maybe...just maybe...I made a point.
                                                     
Do you have any idea how easy it is to say "Did you see what she did?!?"
How easy it is to keep a record of 54 different things that have happened between you and someone else?
How easy it is to use that record, pull it out, and point out a person's every flaw?
How easy it is to stay angry at someone for something that is insanely ridiculous?

Unfortunately, it's very very easy.                                         

We hold grudges,
We place blame.
We find faults.                                                                          
We gossip and we talk.

BUT
Do we take the time to walk a mile in that person's shoes?
Do we take the time to think about how hard that person is working at his/her job?
Do we take the time to stop and ask them how they're really doing?
OR
Do we assume we know everything about that person?
Do we rush to conclusions and tell others they must not care anymore because of one or two mistakes?
Do we pretend they're living these perfect lives, and assume that their circumstances are?

It's fairly safe to say we do the "OR".
Our fingers can be the most dangerous part of the body.

Yes, we absolutely need them. Life would be extremely different without them. We use them to touch, feel, pick-up, carry, write, type, hold, drop, the list goes on and on! We also use them to point, and that's where it gets dangerous.

When you point your finger at another person, and start assuming you know things, stuff gets messed up. You begin to keep a record of how often you're able to point your finger, You begin to share with others how often you point your finger. It seems harmless at first. Then, you point more and more, until finally you don't even realize why your pointing anymore.

With our fingers we can build, fix, and make things better. But we can also destroy. Our friendships, our relationships, all of our time and energy that goes into those relationships. It can all be destroyed by pointing fingers.

Tonight I have to do something kind of hard. I know that I have done far more than my fair share of pointing fingers. I know that these grudges, and judgmental stares are causing problems in my life. I know this is becoming a serious problem, and I know I have to let go. I am a control-freak. I like being in control. I do not like handing my control over. And it's something very very difficult for me.

I know though, that I have to give it all away to God. I know I have to hand him my grudges, problems, and insecurities. I have to ask him for help. I have to ask him for guidance. I have to ask him for forgiveness. I have to turn the finger around to face myself and humble myself. Point out my own flaws. Point out that I am imperfect. Point out that no matter how hard I try, I can't accomplish anything without God's help.
                                                

I'm feeling Christmas-y

Let's recite the "Code of the elves," Shall we? Number one. "Treat every day like Christmas."
Number two. "There's room for everyone on the Nice list." And Number three.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." Now let's review the four major food groups of the elves. 1. Candy 2. Candy Canes 3. Candy Corn 4. And Syrup.
Did you HEAR that? I'm singing! I'm in a store and I'm singing! I'm in a store and I'm singing! I like to smile. Smiling is my favorite. I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.....Does Somebody need a hug?

-Elf

Hoooo is excited about this weather?

Yup. Super beyond cheesy title. =) BUT I found something amazing on this blog website when I wanted to change by background. OWLS!!!!!!!! I love love love owls! Not necessarily the animal itself...those are cool and all, but I love the cutesy little cartoon ones that are really in right now. I think they're adorable.

It's beautiful outside! Cold, but the trees are soo pretty! =)

Just thought I'd take a moment to tell everyone how much I LOVE this weather!!!!!!!!!

Matthew 28:19

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"                 -Matthew 28:19

Wednesday is my second favorite day of the week. (My first being Sunday if anyone was wondering.) It's not Thursday (My least favorite) and it isn't Monday (my other least favorite.) Wednesday is the middle of the week. It's there to reassure you that Friday is almost here. It's there to provide a day when there is rarely homework, and it's also the day we have our youth thing "Reverb".

I've probably been going to various Reverbs since they started...3 years ago? That sounds right...anyway they've always been on Wednesday nights, and they've always been something that I absolutely love! We play insanely goofy games, hang out, watch videos, and there's always a really good lesson. Tonight's lesson really got to me.

The youth just returned from a mission trip.I didn't go on this one, but I'm planning on going on the next one! So, Grant (My youth pastor) did a lesson about missions. I've always thought about it I guess, and whenever we do lessons about needs in the people around us I usually get pretty emotional. Haha! I don't know why it hits me so hard, but it does! Tonight was no different. There was a video (remake of true story) about a guy who lived in a tribe in the middle of nowhere that had never heard the story of Jesus Christ. It goes on and talks about how he came to know Christ and how his village people were all Christians now because of these missionaries that came to talk and live with them. At the end, he says

"There are hundreds of tribes out there that are just like us. They have never heard of who Jesus Christ is. Who will tell them?"

That to me, just really made me think. I don't know if God wants me to go to the middle of the jungle and tell people about Jesus. Haha He might, but right now I don't know. I think it'll probably be awhile before I have to think about that too hard. Maybe not, but for now I'm open to the idea. :-) Grant was saying in our lesson, you don't have to travel halfway across the world to share the gospel. You can share the gospel with ANYBODY.

You could share it with your next door neighbor, a kid from school, or an old lady at Wal-Mart. It doesn't matter. If you're sharing the Word, then in a sense you ARE being a missionary...just in your own community. It's one thing to know ABOUT who Jesus is. It's another to KNOW Him on a personal level as your Savior. I guess, if we share that then we're doing what God called us to do.

Makes you think doesn't it? Makes me think..........

90/10 syndrome

I have 90/10 syndrome. Nobody panic, I think it'll be okay. The first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have one right?
Here's the deal. A TON of amazing things happened during Fall Break. I cleaned my room for the first time since like...January. (No lie. It was just sad how much crap was in my room.) We had an AWESOME girls night, I DROVE all the way to Union University and didn't kill anyone (!) and spent Saturday/most of today with my dear friend Sarah. I need to write something about how amazing that experiance was! I would tell you right now but I would get wayyyyyy off subject! There's just too much to say! For now, just know that I LOVED it!
Today my mom came and picked me up from the dorm, we came home and worked on Jericho Junction stuff, and I litterally wasn't home for more than 10 minutes before heading out the door for SPACE NIGHT!!! It was so much fun! I think the kids had a blast! Haha I did! We had a moon bounce, hunted for moon rocks, set up the international space station, had Mission Control Center, and the leaders of the group had to wear Jetpacks. (Cereal boxes wrapped in aluminum foil, decorated with duct tape, and a diet coke bottle attached.)

So long story short, my week was pretty amazing. I actually had a day where I stayed home and I didn't do anything. You know the "Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars? Totally just was humming that song all day watching TV. (Not the inappro parts of the song. Don't be wierd...HA!) I don't think we've had a "free day" where no one was doing anything since before June. Definitely needed that!

But here's where my terrible syndrome comes in- one 'not-so-great-thing' happened. ONE. One thing went poorly (I'm not saying what, who, how, when, so just know now before I say anything else that it doesn't matter.) and I let it completely take over my awesome mood.  COMPLETELY take over.

If my day were an AT&T bar It would've been about 98% green. I should be super happy with the 98% thing right? But I'm not. Instead, all I can do is focus on the 2% of that made me mad, upset, or frustrated. I guess you can call it "Glass half empty" syndrome too can't you?

You shouldn't let one small thing ruin your mood. If you do, you miss out on the cool stuff. You bring others down too when you think about it...if all you can do is focus on that ONE bad thing then what are you gonna talk about?

Ponies. Haha just kidding

Nope. The ONE bad thing. So here you are gossiping, whining, complaining, or tattling about something thats bothering you when you could be talking about how excited you are or be talking about these AWESOME things you've been doing.

In a magazine article I was reading, the official title for this goofy way to "Improve Life" was 90/10 syndrome. Haha Don't let the small things ruin your day, or anyone else's!

<3 A little piece of me.

The story of my awesome day

Awesome day!!!!! =D

Woke up at 10:00 and headed to dentist to get a cavity filled. NOT EXCITED!!!!! SOOOO Not excited.
I get there and she starts messin with the wrong tooth (one that DIDN'T hurt) and she's says "We can fix that in like 2 minutes flat." I was super confused when I was explaining that that tooth was definitely not bothering me. So the one that hurts like crap is because of a wisdom tooth. MEANING- NO SHOT FOR ME!!!!!! She ended up filling the teeny tiny cavity and tellin me to take some advil for when my tooth started to bother me....litterally took 5 minutes. 5 MINUTES!!!!!!!!!! This is probably wayy too much information and I bet you don't care about my "dental stories" but you have no clue how excited I am they didn't have to numb me!!!!!!!!!!! I hate shots. Biggest tangible fear in life. Hate them hate them hate them.

Head to the WONDERFUL Mrs. Dionne's house for the afternoon. Hung out, went shopping for stuff for our "party" that we had later on, and had a grilled cheese sandwich...YUM

Got chinese food (My favorite right now!!!!!!) took it to church, watched "Life As We Know It", made cards for the people at Galloway, and had an AWESOME time with the girls!!!!

Came home, packed up, and tomorrow morning I'm heading to Union to spend the night with my friend Sarah. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO unbelievably excited!!!!!!!!!!!! =D Can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and while at Dionne's I watched a HUGE spider get sucked up with a vaccum cleaner. It was pretty cool....

And THAT my firends is a story of an amazing day, and a little piece of me.

A little update and a couple of prayer requests

Tonight was camping night at Jericho Junction! It was SOOO much fun! The kids got to the church and ate hot dogs, cheeto puffs, and drank pink lemonade! Then they divided into teams and we went on a scavanger hunt. After that they went on a "hike" around the church and came inside for a camping themed Jericho Junction! We had mountain backdrops, a fake fire, bug sounds, "fishing", a tent, sleeping bags, s'mores (!) and so much more!!!! It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

So, next weekend. OH goodness. PLEASE be praying for me! HAHAHA! I'm in Child and Lifespan Development for my 6th period class this year. It's a pretty cool class. Not my favorite, but it's fun. So the only reason EVERYONE signs up for the class is to take home the baby simulator home. Well, I was excited about it at first! Then we had the demo.

:-(

Uh.Oh. This thing cries, screams, "pees", "poops", has to be rocked and fed, AND it wakes you up in the middle of the night. THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!!!!! Oh my gosh. I would suck as a mom. At least at this age, that's for sure. LOL

UGH!!!!! I do not want this thing. I have to name it. Haha I don't know how in the world parents do that. I mean, this thing isn't even real and I'm having a hard time naming it! I don't even want to think about what it would be like to have a real kid. Good grief! Hahahaha! So anyway, I have to keep it ALL weekend. =/ Maybe it'll be fun? Ha! We'll see...

So I know this super sweet lady who I have become very close with over the past few weeks. Let's just call Mrs. T in case she doesn't want her name on the internet or something. She's AWESOME!!!!!!!! She is super crafty, likes to quilt, loves alot of the same stuff as I do, and I LOVE her to death!!!!!! =D
She has Stage Five Ovarian Cancer. But boy, I don't think you'd know it by talking to her. She is the most upbeat, positive person I have ever met!!!! She's sooooo sweet! Now I have to get to the heavy part: She has 6-9 months to live.

6-9 months.

It scares me SO much. Just within the past few weeks, she's become a HUGE part of my life and I don't know what I'll do without her. It's very sad, and its very scary to think about. However, I believe God can do miracles and if its in His plan to heal her then He will! I pray for her and her family every day! Her husband, Mr. C, is super nice! And she has two sons. One who is my age, and one who is my brother's age. Please please keep them in your prayers too! <3 thank you!!!!

Well, I guess that's about it! Today was an awesome day! I hope you have a great week!

A Little Piece of Me <3

IT'S ALL ABOUT FALL

This is my favorite time of the year!
Leaves change color, the weather is perfect, and the skies are clear! The whole world seems happy and is absolutely beautiful. =) Maybe that sounds silly to you, but its just the reason why fall is my FAVORITE!

     Random outings and events provide interesting photo ops!

   pretty bird in my yard during FALL!                The PERFECT pumpkin, in a tribute to FALL! (I LOVE penguins)

    A few of my girls from the 5.6 grade FALL trip last year!!!

   Does this even need a caption?

 FALL!!!!

Its beautiful, its fun, its FALL and it's my FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Will Never Forget...

There was a day that I don't remember well.
One of sorrow, and of pain.
When people lost loved ones, and our heroes sacrificed everything.
A day when people passed away.

There was a day that I don't remember well
One that caused our world to be shaken.
When we went to war, and fought for our rights.
A day we went to bed in tears that night.

There was a day I don't remember well
One I've heard stories about for years
When our country banded together and trembled from the fear.
A day we will never forget.


9/11 happened 10 years ago when I was 6 years old. I can honestly say I don't remember much about it. I remember my dad telling me that two really big buildings burned down, and I vaguely remember seeing a video of it. I really don't know if that's true though. It could have been a TV special from when I was a little older.
I've always known that 9/11 was a very sad day for our country. I don't think I've ever really stopped to think about it or maybe it was never fully comprehended until now. It makes me very thankful for my country, and the freedoms I have that I take for granted every day.
It's just something to think about...

Way beyond blessed

God is amazing. I wish I could write the events of the past weeks out, but it would take a VERY long time.

I sat here for an hour typing and re-typing. Deleting and then deleting more trying to find the right words. And I just can't. Originally I tried telling you the WHOLE story. Then I tried summarizing. I tried tweaking and editing and editing and tweaking. I just can't. =) Just know that God is working in my life in huge ways, and I am so incredibly thankful. I am way beyond blessed!!!!!

Peanuts, gummy bears, deathly emails, and a few others. We all need something cheesy to make us smile sometimes!!!

^{Two peanuts were walking down the street. One was asalted.}

Why does a seagull fly over the sea?
A. Because if it flew over the bay it would be a bagel

Q. Why is their a gate around cemeteries?
A. Because people are dying to get in.

Q.Why was the little strawberry crying?

A.Because his parents were in a jam

Q. Whats a bear called without teeth.
A gummy bear.These are all super lame but I think thats okay. It's just something to make you smile!

An Illinois man  left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel he decided to send his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here.

What’s another word for Thesaurus?

3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can’t

A man died and went to The Judgment, they told him , “Before you meet with God,  I should tell you — we’ve looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn’t do anything particularly good or bad. We’re not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?”The newly arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, “Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the  ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!” “Wow that’s impressive, “When did this happen?”

“About three minutes ago,” came the reply.

DO something and PROVE that what you're saying is true!

It's not enough just to say "I Love You"
It's not enough just to say "I care about what's going on in your life"
It's not enough to say "I'm praying for you"
It's not enough to think about helping someone.
It's not enough to say I want to change the world.
And it's not enough to only stay someone's friend through the good times.

You have to show someone you care
You have to show someone you love them
You have to actually sit down, and pray for someone.
You have to get out there and make someone's day a little brighter.
You have to work hard, pray harder, and do something that actually helps someone.
And you have to stick close to your friends and family through the good times and bad.

Do you have the faintest idea what it feels like to be at the bottom of a deep deep hole and there is absolutely no way out? I've been pretty low, but I don't think I can say I've hit the deepest rock bottom.
Can you at least imagine it though? It would be awful.
I have a friend who's mom has stage 5 ovarion cancer. It is so incredibly sad. I can't describe how much it tears me up knowing that his family is dealing with something like that every day.=(

Well, yesterday I decided to take them a pie. Just a basic chocolate pudding with some cool whip pie. At a spur of the moment, mom got the idea of cutting some flowers from our yard. We grabbed a card form the closet and just happened to have one that said "Sending you a little ray of sunshine" and we ran the three things by the house. I think that it made them all smile, and I truly think it brightened their day.

The point? Just saying "I'm here for you" doesn't really mean anything if you just say that. You have to do little things to make people KNOW you care. Whether it be listening when someone needs to talk, calling someone randomly to see how their day has been, helping clean the dishes, cough cough cleaning you're room without being told...that might be a little difficult cough cough, making them a pie randomly and telling someone you really are thinking about them, or meeting up and just hanging out when someone's had a bad day.

Make it a goal to reach out and DO something for someone today. I can't tell you how amazing it feels


And please please please keep my friend's family in your prayers!!!

I am not perfect and I'm going to fail...

If you are in Christ, you are not struggling to be free.
In Christ, you are free to struggle.

Yes. I've mentioned this in previous blog posts. Probably more than one. It's just something I really struggle with. Whenever I deal with it, writing helps to get my thoughts out. Since writing sometimes takes to much time, I blog. Haha sometimes I think that when I blog I'm just talking to myself but calling it blogging so people won't think I'm crazy. Any of my fellow bloggers feel the same? ;-)

I have an awful habit. I beat myself over things. (De'ja'vu! I've said those same words in previous posts!) Small things, big things, mediocre things, minuscule things, gigantic things, no big deal things, teeny tiny things, massive "omg" things, anything that I do wrong things...get where I'm going?

I hate the idea of letting people down. I hate the idea of someone being disappointed in something that I have done. I get fairly upset when I know I've done something wrong. I get extremely upset when I let someone down. It's something I think I've always struggled with. Something worse though?   If I feel that crushed when I let others down, how do you think I feel when I think I've let God down?

Every day we make decisions. What to eat for breakfast, what to wear, what to do that day, whether or not to talk to this person or that person, to stay home or go out for lunch, what to eat for lunch, what movie to watch if we have spare time, whether or not we'll do our homework now or frantically do it in 1st period the next day, what to read, what to study, and hundreds more.

Recently I've made some bad decisions. Ones that took me far from my walk with the Lord. When I realized that the decisions I had been making were compromising just that, I did something pretty dumb. Actually, I did something really dumb. I continued to make bad decisions. I thought "Hey! I can fix my problems on my own and THEN go back to God and how things were."

Yeah because that always works out so well...not.

The small compromises turned into bad decisions, those decisions grew into habits, those habits suddenly developed into little "niceness eating monsters" that I realized were making me unhappy. "Fixing things" by myself  was working out great! Don't you think?

*Let me just insert here that I didn't do anything that would like...land me in jail or anything. lol I just realized how dramatic this sounded.*

So there I was...yet again, struggling to deal with my own problems. KNOWING God is right there saying

"Hi. Remember me? I'm right here. Right next to you. I'm watching you try to deal with everything, and I'd love to help you! I would REALLY absolutely love to help you, but you need to ask for my help. You need to ask for my help. You really need to ask for my help! My hand is right here, take it. I can help you! You know I can help you. Just ASK."

After trying, and massively failing of course, to deal with my own problems I cracked. I broke down and I cried. I actually threw magazines, I got angry, I even broke a coat hanger into 7 or 8 pieces. I was so frustrated with myself! All along I knew what I needed to do, and my stubborn pig headed-ness refused to accept God's helping hand. I INSISTED on fixing things myself and THEN going back to Him.  Where did that get me? Stressed out, angry, confused, upset, and no better off than I was.

I asked God for wisdom and peace. For His presence to be shown to me. I didn't ask for forgiveness. Why? I can't really give you a reason....I just didn't. Maybe because deep down, I was still holding on. Holding on to myself, to my problems, to everything. I wanted to feel better, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wanted to work to get to that feeling...if that makes sense.

Weeks and weeks and weeks before ANY of this happened I discovered you could get sermons off of our church website. I downloaded ALOT of them! That's important information for the following.

I was going to bed one night, but not really tired. I decided to listen to my iPod. Well this crazy thing happened. It was on shuffle and a sermon called "Hypocrisy" came up. I listened to it. One thing stood out to me. I was half asleep as it was 1:00 in the morning at this point. I can't really tell you anything about the sermon I listened to, except for remembering how much I liked this:

"No one else is responsible for your life. You are. You can blame consequences that you've lived with on what people have done to you, but your actions are on you. How you stand before God is on you."

I can't explain it, but something clicked. When I heard that, something made me realize that I really needed to let go. I needed to ask for forgiveness, and once I did that oh my goodness! I felt soo much beter. I didn't feel guilty about all the bad decisions I've made, or the things I tried to do on my own.

I guess the point is, even though I've said this who knows how many times, is that I can't hanle life on my own.

What was that Melissa? What did you just say?

I can not handle life by myself. I can't.

I know I say that, and I continuously say "Hey! I'm not going to do that anymore!" But here's the thing...as much as I try, I'm not perfect. I try to please everyone, and make everyone proud of me. But, I can't always do that. I'm GOING to fail. I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.

One more time: I am not perfect and I'm going to fail.

If anyone is reading this will you do me a favor? Can you hold me accountable to those words? I know that's a fairly large favor, but all you have to do is just tell me once in a while "Hey! Strawberries and Chocoalte cake!"

WHAT?
No seriously. You can say something goofy like that. We can call it code for "Is there anything your beating yourself up about and need to let go?"

Ridiculous?

Maybe......but if its something that works?

Then Let's do it! Lol
My brother and I fight. ALOT! My mom got fed up with it one day and said that we needed a code word to say when someone got annoying. Or instead of screaming we just say the code word and walk away...What is it? Well...we have 3. "Shmoze" (Like how Buzz Lightyear pronounces s'mores in Toy Story 2) "Piglet" and we hold up our pinky and say in a grumpy, I'm super mad at you voice "I'm gonna love you"
That last one won't make any sense...don't worry about it =) It's too hard to explain. LOL

I can't do things on my own. We all need a little help =)

If there's anything I can do for YOU, tell me <3

Love you!!!

Songs of encouragment...

Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, your majesty
To be still and know that you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
Word of God speak...

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean. a vapor in the wind
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when i'm falling
And you told me who I am
I am yours...

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do...

So here I am with all I have
And I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
I surrender
Yeah, I’m giving it all back to You
All back to You
This is my surrender
Take it all

Sometime we need something to make our day seem a little brighter. "Word of God Speak" by Mercy Me
"Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless and "I surrender" by Steven Curtis Chapman are all grea songs that I love. Hope this brings a smile to your day!

Just a few memories of my first piano teacher Mrs. Debbie...

A few years ago, I took piano lessons from Debbie Smith. She was a SUPER sweet lady that went to our church and worked with my mom. She had to quit teaching piano because she got really sick. She had a very rare form of cancer. She passed away recently, and her funeral was tonight. The past few days, I've really been thinking of all he fun times I had with Mrs. Debbie

When I took piano from Mrs. Debbie, I remember once writing down that I practiced for a/b 30 minutes longer than I really did. She signed off for it, and I got a sticker. The next wk I felt bad so I put down I didn't practice at all. She asks me why I didn't practice and I said "b/c I didn't really practice last week. I just said that I did." And she gave me a Hershey Kiss for being honest in addition to the candy I got from the lesson like we'd get every week ♥

I pulled out my old piano books today and was playing my recital piece from so many years ago. It was a piece of cake to play now, but I remember having to practice it over and over and over again to get it right. I laugh about that now because it was only like two lines. MAYBE 15 notes total. =D When I got on stage to preform, I tripped over the piano bench! Leave it to me, Ms. Graceful.

Now I can play a handful of things by ear, read music fairly well, and play mostly anything (IF I practice...which I still don't love to do hahaha) I find it funny that I always had trouble playing with my left hand and that I never learned how to play chords. I still have those same two problems to this day!

Mrs. Debbie and I would spend the first 10 minutes of every lesson just talking about school and stuff. We'd always say "okay, one last thing and then we really have to do practice" but then add two more 'stories' to the conversation. =) Sometimes, I think we'd talk more than we'd practice but I think it's safe to say we both loved it! We would laugh and talk about her grandkids (ALOT! I loved stories about her grandkids!!!), my friends at school, homework, what she was cooking for dinner, anything and everything!

Haha one time I came over for a lesson and her oldest grandaughter,Gracie, was spending the day at "Debbie's House" I think that's what her grandkids called her ♥ She taught Mother's Day Out and since all the little kids called her "Debbie" thats what  Gracie ended up calling her. WAY cute! Anyway, Gracie was 2 or 3 at the time probably and while I was practicing she came in the room while Mrs. Debbie and I were practicing. She crawled under the table and started goofing off with the pedals while I was playing and scared Mrs. Debbie and I ALOT! Then all three of us started  laughing and Mrs. Debbie and I started making jokes about it. =) She could make me smile and laugh ALOT!!! I could have had "the worst day ever"  but after piano lessons with Mrs. Debbie I'd leave about a million times happier!

If I ever got to lessons early, or someone before me went over, I'd go to her living room and watch Spongebob! To this day, it's STILL one of my favorite shows =D Anyway, it came on about the time I had lessons most weeks.

Once, I got this really cool bracelet from her "treasure chest" It was pink and gold beads with a little Bible key chain. It broke a long time ago, but I remember how excited I was to get it! Haha I remember how excited I was every time I got to get something from her treasure chest, because it was super rare! I HATED practicing!!! I don't really remember how it was set up, but you got to get a treausre chest item based off of how many minutes you practiced per month.

Someone said that Mrs. debbie always noticed whenever it was 11:11 =D I didn't know her well enough to know that myself, but since people have been sharing all the memories I've noticed it too!!! I know it sounds crazy, haha but now every time I see it I think of sweet Mrs. Debbie =D


It seems like I didn't know her for very long, but Mrs. Debbie was an amazing person!!! She will be missed but I know that she's shining in heaven ♥

Being Judgemental Part Two: Keep an open mind

Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things
Keep an open mind about new things

Melissa, KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT TRYING NEW THINGS!!!!!

I can honestly say that I've hated to break routine, change anything, or try anything new since I was little. I took a Type A/Type B personality test for a class last semester and it said I was definitely Type A. A few of the things "Type A" people deal with is not liking to try new things and being impatient. Haha yup! That's me! =D

Anyway, that being said I (once again) realized how close minded I am about trying new things! Unless its something that sounds like something I know I'd enjoy, do/pick out on my own, or something routine I go into the situation with a bad attitude.

An example from last week yet again: We went to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on the 5.6 trip. I had a headache that day anyway because my blood sugar was kind of high. =/ So I wasn't looking forward to going at all. I also was assuming all week that it would be extremely boring and cheesy. I didn't think he kids would like it that much either considering it was a musical.

Cheesy it was, but it was hilarious! I was laughing and having SO much fun the whole time! It was AWESOME!!!!! I loved it and I think all the kids did too! We were all laughing and talking about it that evening and even at breakfast the next morning.

The point is that I REALLY shouldn't be so judgemental, about people or about new things. =) I just have to remind myself of that.... =D



A Little Piece of Me <3

Being Judgemental Part One: You never know what someone else is going thorugh

Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.

They say if you repeat stuff, it'll make it permanently engraved into your brain forever. So, just to make sure I understand this...

Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.
Judging is bad.

Well, you've probably guessed by now what I'm fixing to talk about. Yup, that's absolutely right: PONIES!!!

Just kidding. =)

Seriously though, I'm awful about judging people. 

I didn't really realize it until this past week, but I judge people ALOT. It's definitely something I struggle with.

An example from the past week:
I went on the 5.6 grade trip Monday through Friday. It was AWESOME!!! Oh my goodness, I could tell you a million and one stories and jokes all relating to the trip. But, that would get off subject...
Anyway, at one point my girls had 2 hair dryers, the microwave, and a straightening iron running. (That's what I get for leaving the room for 15 minutes...) Needless to say the power to our room went out. So, I walk down to the lobby and this lady was sitting at the desk.

"Hi, I'm in room 12097 and our power is out."

And in an AWFUL "oh my gosh teenagers are so dumb" tone she says "Did you hit the reset button?"

confused I replied "On the hair dryer?"

"Well yeah"

"Ummm the lights won't turn on. The power for the whole room is out"

"Did you flip the switch from off to on?"

"The light switch? Yes..."

The next part of the conversation I kind of regret because I was being a smarty pants, but I won't lie. It felt REALLY good to say in the moment. Looking back, I wasn't setting a very good example...

"I'm from Memphis, haha I definitely know what a power outage is considering all the storms we've had recently."

Yeah I know....not my finest moment. I was being kind of a butt. *cough cough she kind of was too cough cough*

So she looks at me with this "Oh my gosh I hate my job, you're an idiot look" and says "Well I guess I better send maintenance up then. I'm sure it's just a outage short."

So naturally, I go back to the room complaining to almost all the adults that went on the trip about how rude this lady was saying things like "She's such a little snooty snot face!" (I was annoyed...)

Later that week one of my girls ran off (I promise we really didn't have that many problems! LOL these are just the examples) and I told her "Ok, you can hold my hand all the way back to the hotel room"

We're halfway back and she says "Ms. Melissa, this isn't embarressing. I kind of like holding your hand."
So I see a family of four (2 kids and their parents) and because they looked like people in a good mood I say "Excuse me, this little girl ran away from our group so she gets to hold my hand all the way back to our room" and the dad laughs and says something like "That's awesome! Kids, if you run off I'm going to do the same thing."

So we're walking and I continue to do this. Loudly talking obnoxiously saying things like "You just thought this wasn't embaressing. Now you're holding my hand because you ran off AND all these people are looking at us because I'm being loud. Is this embaressing now?!?" It was HILARIOUS all these people were looking at our group and laughing.

So we go down a hallway that just has one older lady walking down the hallway. You know how sometimes people just look grumpy? They're frowning and look like they smelled something sour? Giving you disaproving looks even though you aren't really doing anything wrong? Well, this lady fits that description perfectly. I was planning on laying low and not saying anything to her, just walk by and fly under her radar.

What does my little hand-holding friend do? Talks unesacarily loud like I've been doing to embaress her and says "Hi! I got in trouble and now Ms. Melissa gets to hold my hand! Isn't that great! She thinks it's embaressing, but now I'm embaressing her!"
It was quite funny, so my five other girls and I start busting out laughing. Until the lady gives us an icy cold glare and says to me "Control your children." In a grumpy, mean, wicked witch of the west voice.

Talk about your mood being ruined. We were just goofing off, and my "little friend" was being cute and funny, when the grumpy lady says something grumpy like that.

Now, of course I had a few things to say about her attitude as well... when we were safely back to her room where only a few people could hear me.

My point is, in both cases I got mad about a few grumpy women. I was insulting them behind their backs, and setting a really bad example if any of the kids had heard me...thankfully I don't THINK any of them did.

Both women could have just been having really bad days, or had something else going on in their lives. I won't ever know of course, but it makes me feel bad that I would jump at the chance of being able to talk about them and complain about how they were treating me or my group.

I guess my point is that you never know what someone is going through. I've said that before, but I'm going to keep saying it until I get it through my stubborn head and stop assuming the worst about people.

A Little Piece of Me!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sometimes life doesn't always go as we planned. Sometimes things turn out to be better than expected, and sometimes things are much worse then we thought they'd be. However the turn out, there's always a plan.
I recently had to do something that was extremely difficult. I was terrified of what the outcome was. What got me through it was knowing that God was with me through it all, and that He always would be.
Thankfully, the situation worked out for the best. =) I'm very happy with what the outcome was, even though it wasn't what I expected.

We serve one amazing God... <3

-A Little Piece of Me!

I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ...

When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

I'm forgiven

                                                  -Sanctus Real

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful

                                                                                                     -MercyMe

I think one thing that scares me the most (Well, it's on up there anyway) is the fear of failure. The fear of feeling like I have to handle things myself or else by asking for help I fail the other person. The fear of trying things that are new, because if I don't do it right then I may fail myself or just plain and simple embarrass myself. I don't like the idea of letting others down. I don't like the idea of not doing something correctly. I don't like the feeling of failing. Period.

There's something I have to remember. That even though I may feel like a complete and total failure, and I feel like I've failed everyone around me, I'm still a treasure in the arms of Christ.

I just have to remind myself of that from time to time....

-A Little Piece of Me!

In a few short words..

In Destin Florida, 2009, I made a commitment to Christ.
In Destin Florida, 2011, my little brother and my "big brother" were baptized in the ocean.
When I'm with my friends, no matter when or where, youth trips are memories I will treasure in my heart forever. <3

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear your voice and this is my
Awakening

I am sitting in my pajamas in my condo with the Brady family and my family. The youth trip officially ended yesterday, but Michael, Landon and I stayed here with the families. I'm thinking and remembering all the goofy memories and all the amazing ones we've had on this trip. There are far too many inside jokes and WAY to many "had to be there" moments to even count, but we had alot of fun! One thing that I find particularly funny was the PB&J comment...lol

Molly, Kim, and I ran into each other in Walmart while we were in FL.
Molly:Melissa, where do we peanut butter and jelly?
Me: You get the Peanut Butter, I'll get the Jelly
We get back to condo and Molly starts to make a sandwich
Molly pulls out peanut butter and the *apricot jelly*
Molly: Melissa! What the heck is this?!?
Me: Jelly...?
Apricot jelly is apparently a foreign concept.

That's probably isn't nearly as funny to you as it is to me but it cracks me up!!!!

My "two" brothers got baptized!!! (My blood relative brother, and my best friend) That was one of the most amazing things EVER!!!! I have never been that excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D

Now it's late but I'll hopefully be able to post more later. <3

A Little Piece of Me!

A piece of this and that (super short)

VBS is this week!!!! Super excited about it! Last night was our first night there, and it went great! =D Pictures to come soon!
Leaving for Destin on Saturday!!!
Working on KidzKamp stuff tomorrow with Kamryn!

A tiny piece of inspiration

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Random stuff I feel you should know

Summer. One simple word means so much! No school, no grades, little drama, no homework, no classes, no crazy teachers, nothin! Just the beach, kidzkamp, 5th and 6th grade trip, babystting, hanging out with friends, sleepovers. youth stuff, and general "chillaxing" Thank goodness.
Today hasnt been all that great. =( I totally bombed three of my exams and I am massively freaked out by that!!! Biology, Geometry, and Spanish. SPANISH!!!!! I have made As in that class ALL year and I made a D on the exam. A 74 D! I can not believe it. At All..... =(
I still have all As and Bs on my report card and stuff but I massively devastated by my grades this 9 weeks.

Tate has tonight and tomorrow left. I am SO proud of him for getting into Govenor's school!!!! =D It's definitely sad that he's leaving but it's super exciting that he got into this school for the summer!!!!!! After Govenor School is over he'll move to Virginia. I don't think anyone is happy about the situation, but I know we'll be okay. Lol <3
New favorite song? More Time by NeedToBreathe <3 <3 <3

They are all little pieces of me...

The Bucket List =D

Here's my Bucket List of movies I'm going to see before Summer ends. (Summer is capitalized because it is SUPER important!!!) Anyway, I'll cross off each movie as I see it. I've seen quite a few of these once or maybe twice in theaters, but if they're on the list I want to see them again.Some haven't been released yet, but I still want to see them! =)

1) P.S. I Love You I just have to say that was one of the best movies ever.
2) When In Rome
3) Leap Year
4) Becoming Jane
5) Rio
6) Jumping The Broom
7) Water for Elephants
8) Love Happens
9) Eat Pray Love
10) Beastly
11) Country Strong
12) Remember Me
13) The Twilight Saga parts 1-3 (back to back to back)
14) Steel Magnolias
15) Titanic
16) Fried Green Tomatoes
17) Grace Card
18) Mr. Popper's Penguins
19) The old Winnie the Pooh movie on VHS
20) The new Winnie the Pooh movie coming soon to theaters!!!
21) The Smurfs
22) One Day
23) Spy Kids 4 (hahahahahahahaha)
24) Abduction
25) Footloose (New or Old)
26) In Time
27) Puss in Boots
28) Happy Feet 2
29) Removed from the Bucket List of movies
30) Happy Gilmore? (Only b/c I've heard it was good)
31) Where the Wild Things Are
32) Castaway
33) Forrest Gump
34) Big
35) Inception
36) Da Vinci Code
37) Grease 2
38) Never Say Never (yeah, that Justin Bieber movie...just to say I've seen it)
39) The Social Network
40) The Bucket List
41) Letters to Juliet
42) 13 going on 30
43) Iron Man 1 and 2
44) A Walk To Remember
45) The Prince And Me
46) Ice Castles
47) X-Men Beginnings (saw on 16th birthday!!!)


(If they are underlined they haven't been released yet)

I'm also going to reorganize my room, go through all my clothes and get rid of the ones that a I never wear, make a scrapbook for all my youth group pictures and kidz ministry pictures, go to Shelby Farms and bike at least one of the trails, go to Jerry's snow cones at least once, and hopefully earn some money with the babysitting job I got for every Monday and the sub position I'm hoping to have occasionally with Mother's Day Out at Bartlett.


(updated 1/1/13)

If you can't say something nice, then don't say it at all!!!!!

Gossiping. We all do it. Most of us (I know I'm guilty of it!) do it without even realizing it. We even had a Focus group meeting not too long ago about what gossiping is, why we do it, etc. Here's a lesson I learned the hard way: You never know what someones going through.
The other day, a girl at school was being beyond rude and mean. In that situation it was very easy to talk about her with a friend who was complaining about how she acted to a bunch of our friends. I came home and had a message in my inbox. The friend I was talking to earlier? She messaged and told me that the really rude girl's grandmother died the day before and my friend had just found out. How awful is that?
You never know what someone is going through. I messaged the "rude girl" immidately just saying that I was sorry for her loss and that if she needed anything to let her know.
To me, this was pretty much God's way of telling me that I need to keep my mouth shut when people start talking bad about people. I definitely think it's WAY easier said than done, but it's one of my new personal goals. Try to stop gossiping!!!!
A little piece of me learning something I should've already known

"God's love is immovable..."

http://lifeofmoore.blogspot.com/

Read the post entitled "Steadfast" Did you read it? Are you POSITIVE you read it? Ok, I'm trusting that you read it...no seriously. You need to read that before you read anything else.
Today I had 10 minutes to kill before I went to my next class. I got onto my blog dashboard and was looking for something to read. I clicked on Matt's blog and here's what stuck out to me the most:

...God's love is immovable, it can't be budged. And for a sinner like me, that is an incredibly comforting thought. The second definition of steadfast is equally epic. Because God's love is steadfast, it is not subject to change. Think about that for just a minute. When I run away from God, his love is not subject to change, when I do what I know I should not do and seek to satisfy the flesh and the old sinful nature His love for me (and you!) never changes...(emphasis added)

I litterally had tears on my eyes, threatening to spill over and run down my face. I was getting an interesting look from the girl next to me! =) I definitely think that God used something as simple as a blog post to make a HUGE  impact on my life.

=) Thanks Matt! Lol

A 13 year old student's English paper he made an A+ on

Since the Pledge of Allegiance 

And 

The Lord's Prayer 

Are not allowed in most 

Public schools anymore 

Because the word 'God' is mentioned..... 

A kid in Arizona wrote the attached 

NEW School prayer: 

 

"New Pledge of Allegiance"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now I sit me down in school 

Where praying is against the rule 

For this great nation under God 

Finds mention of Him very odd. 
 

If scripture now the class recites, 

It violates the Bill of Rights. 

And anytime my head I bow 

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green, 

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.. 

The law is specific, the law is precise. 

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. 
 

For praying in a public hall 

Might offend someone with no faith at all.. 

In silence alone we must meditate, 

God's name is prohibited by the state. 
 

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, 

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks... 

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. 

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, 

And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. 

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, 

We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.. 
 

We can get our condoms and birth controls, 
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.. 

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, 
No word of God must reach this crowd. 
 

It's scary here I must confess, 

When chaos reigns the school's a mess. 

So, Lord, this silent plea I make: 

Should I be shot; My soul please take! 

Amen 

Justin Beiber Fan?

 I'm not a big Justin Beiber fan, but this changes my mindset a little bit....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tJW9MDs2M (Why isn't that a hit song? It's pretty good!)

http://www.projectinspired.com/justin-bieber-an-artist-that-you-should-really-get-to-know/

Just saying...

It's been crazy lately! I have been super busy, and so have the rest of the Jennings. Sometimes it's SUPER easy to forget to just sit back and breathe, and to remember everything God is doing in my life. I hope you have a wonderful week!!! The rest of this post is just a bunch of random stuff...

"But to God be the glory and I mean that whole-heartedly. In our trials, in our pain, God is glorified most high, and if it takes pain and loss and destruction and other high costs for us to raise our hands and fall to our knees and finally realize the detrimental need for a Heavenly Father, then shame on us for not realizing sooner. Shame on us for waiting for loss, for only saying our prayers when it seems to be dark. Shame on me for questioning "why?" when the answer to why is quite clearly me." ~Jessica Nabakowski http://jessicanab.blogspot.com/

I found myself a hiding place
I found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Amighty's love
In the safety of the Saviour's arms
Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place
~Hiding Place by New Life Worship

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

          ~Hope Now by Addison Road

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Bridge:
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

~Here in Your Presence by New Life Worship

I'm wayyy too excited about the trip to Destin this year! Lol I made a collage of beach pictures from the internet on Picasa wrote "I'll be there soon!" in a cool font, and made it my background on my computer. Ha! I really can not WAIT to go to the beach to the same exact hotel and location of where I became a christian 2 summers ago...

I added a fish pond on the side of my blog. =D Just saying
*Update...I removed the fish pond*

Adventure is in your own backyard! Random pictures I've taken...

A few random things...

I SAW TENTH AVENUE NORTH LAST NIGHT FOR THE THIRD TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!!! LOVED it!!!!!!!! =D <3 Saw Third Day too...

I made straight As again last nine weeks!!! I've made one B all year!!! Can you believe it? Haha nice to know all the stress is paying off...lol! I haven't had straight As since...2nd grade?

We did the "Aspects of Housing" chapter in Family and Consumer Science over the last few weeks, and I discovered I actually like stuff like that!?! We did some interior design activities that were really fun!

Trevor Morgan has a song that is called "Jesus rides a subway" and I love it!!!! He's awesome!!!

Martina McBride has a song called "Teenage Daughters" I think is really cute. My mom likes it alot

Had an AWFUL day yesterday. Wrote about it for my journal entry in creative writing and here's what i discovered: If you write down all the things that make the day seem so horrible (waking up late, losing phone, dropping lunch, having to eat by yourself in the cafeteria B/C you dropped your lunch and they wouldn't let you leave the cafe with food, losing pictures for your yearbook spread, etc) if you write them down and honestly take a step back and re-read them it can make you laugh. Like no lie, I felt better after I laughed at myself.

Like an Avalanche is one of my new favorite songs

I can play the intro to "What About Now" by Chris Daughtry on the piano. Pretty excited!!! I haven't practiced in forEVER... =(

I'm getting my haircut tomorrow

Grandma came home yesterday!!!!!!!! <3 SO excited for her! She's doing better, but still going to Physical Therepy for her arm. (Still no use of it, but they say the muscles are getting better)

There are 5 weeks left of school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer is only a hop and a skip away

I am SOOO ready for summer!!! I think there is 7 weeks of school left...Thank goodness!
I can't wait to go back to Destin with my youth group!!!!! I'm more excited about that than anything! =) I went two years ago, and it seriously changed everyhing. I started taking being a Christian seriously, and my whole world was impacted! Crazy to think it's been two years...

It was such an awesome trip!!!!

 I can't wait to go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TCBY Bible Study: Jealousy

Jealousy
= Reaction to a perceived threat to a valued relationship. Emotions: anger, sadness, pain, envy, grief, humiliation, fear. Thoughts dwelling on resentment, blame, worry about image, self-pity and comparison with the rival

This week at our small group we talked about Jealousy. We've been sending in different topic ideas to Angela and Jessica, and whatever we send in, the group gets to talk about at one of our Monday night TCBY Bible studies!!!! =) Angela posted her notes from the lesson onto our FaceBook page, so here they are!!! I bolded the stuff the stood out most to me =)
(Btw, White Chocolate Mousse FroYo is my FAVORITE!!!)
 Jealousy stems off of these feeling mostly: Insecurities, Fear, Covetness, and Deception.

·         • Stems from insecurity (YES)• Root of jealousy:

o Personal insecurity. How do we base our security on? Opinion, affirmation, acceptance from others. When we feel rejected or unloved we become dangerously insecure leading us to see the strengths of other people as threats to our own well being. We battle insecurity by researching God’s unfailing love and acceptance.

• But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me (Psalm 13:5-6).• Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9).
• Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8).• For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own (1 Samuel 12:22).
• Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me (Psalm 27:10).
• But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).

o Fear. **There is nothing we can hang on to that is worth what we are giving up. **( I bolded that and made it bigger! LOL Read it a few times and you'll get how cool it is) We can have a peace through Christ when we let him have free reign in our lives. To overcome fear, we must first confess it to God and allow him to work in you.
• There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18).• For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15).
• It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).• To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).

o Covetousness. The desire to have something that isn’t yours. Leads you to aggressive jealousy that is often spoken against in the Bible. It happens when you are not satisfied with the blessings God has bestowed upon you.
• Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load (Galatians 6:4-5).
• This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:17-18).
• Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:4). I LOVE THIS VERSE!!!!!• Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? (Matthew 6:25)• You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16).

o Deception. **You may perceive a threat that in reality does not exist** Key phrase there! You may perceive a threat that really doesn’t exist. It’s distorted due to lies you believe about others and yourself. Scriptures to help battle the lies:
• You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).• Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws (Psalm 119:43).
• I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, "Seek me in vain." I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right (Isaiah 45:19).
• The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18).• But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John16:13).The key to biblically overcoming jealousy is to discern the roots of your jealousy and battle them with the truth of God’s Word. I like that =)

I know I've posted it many times, but I really am SUPER SUPER grateful for my church and my church family <3