singing sheep

so it seems like every time i update i say something about missing camp or sumter. that's because i do all the time. I usually just don't say anything about it to people in person because i know it will drive them crazy. Since i can say whatever i want to on here i suppose i take advantage of that and go crazy about how much i miss both of those places. so obviously, i am really missing those wonderful people i know from there a whole lot!
I'm so ridiculously jealous of Andrew White. I cannot believe he got to spend his entire weekend with not only Andy Hack, but also Ashley Porter and Rachel Walton! I'm so ready to see those girls!

But this weekend certainly was a lot of fun! We had our first Bible Bowl competition this weekend. The dancing donkeys (david, leah, and grace) did really well for a group of all beginniners, winning four out of nine rounds. The singing sheep (shari and i) won seven out of nine. we also got most Christ-like team, which was pretty exhilarating! i spent the whole weekend with shari and after we got home from Concord david, shari, mrs. ruth, and i all watched moulin rouge. well, really they watched it, but i slept through most of it because Shari and i went to be really late and we had to get up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready to leave for our competition by 6:30!
but today was really nice. especially getting a chance to hang out with samuel, david, and shari playing star wars monopoly while watching star wars episode II. i don't know how we exactly got on the star wars kick. but it was fun getting to spend some time with the three of them.

but i do wish that i had gotten to spend some more time with anna grace since she was home this weekend.

missing

i miss sumter. . a lot.
I want to talk to Lindsay. I want to hear her EXCITEMENT.

broken

i would say that the Lord was a beast today, but that doesn't seem like a very appropriate word to describe his majesty with. But he was ASTOUNDING!

I cried at church tonight. I found myself completely broken for the world and it's love for sin. I just sat down on the floor and cried.

"Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you." Exodus 23:32-33

SC vs. NC. . vs. TX.? ;-)

it was good to see all of them today; lindsay, ben, andrew, hailey, alyssa, erin, elizabeth, megan, chas, uncle carol, aunt kelsey, aunt cheryl, mamama, dadadee, mr. robert, mrs. micheal. It was grand. How i miss camp and sumter.
Then ben and johnathan started arguing about north and south carolina and how much better one is over the other.
I HATE that i have a competition tomorrow.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Philipians 1:3-6

dancing

so basically we're beast and the band got first in AA at Irmo. I love Irmo, it's probably all of the juniors' favorite competition (it might have something to do with the fact that that is where our first competition ever was). But anyway, it was a magnificent day and it was so exhilarating to get first there.

Right before the awards ceremony there was a little girl probably younger than five dancing near the goal post. I'm guessing she was imagining herself as a girl in color guard dancing and doing flips even though her attempts ended with her landing on her head. But she still got up and continued to dance in front of all the people sitting in the stands awaiting the results.
It was beautiful. This picture of how we are called to be: completely willing to make fools of ourselves to the world's standards. Of course, this act of silliness is accepted when we are children, but as we grow into adults, our peers begin to judge and see right only as what is in magazines and on television. As children of God we are called to be like the little girl. Simply to step out and just perform and act for Him. No matter how horridly we may fall or fail, we have to get back up and keep dancing. As long as we seek to please our God we will never be abandoned. We must look toward the Lord to guide us and for a constant reminder that we are to glorify him through dancing for him in our daily lives.

"Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." Pslam 149:3-4

wrecks and their rediculous increase in numbers. .

Taylor Fisher got in a wreck today, but it's quite a blessing that he is perfectly fine. . other than being angry with the guy that ran into him. So he'll probably be getting a new car. There seem to be an overwhelming amount of wrecks nowadays. .

Tomorrow=Irmo (my favorite competition!) yessssss!
Pray for safe travel for everyone!

firstfruits

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good any perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." James 1:16-18

pray. .

Pray for Aunt Sara.

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" Psalm 31:24

i love mr. robert's belly

so i checked mapquest.com today to see just how far Newberry, South Carolina is from Ambassador Camp. 3 HOURS AND 32 MINUTES! I would be completely willing to ride that far if only i didn't start at four thirty in the afternoon once i had performed at my first band competition of the year.

this weekend was pretty fabulous. I got to see a good many camp people, although it will not begin to make up for the lack of Hobo next weekend.

"Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praise" Proverbs 31:30

band today. .

our first full run through of the season=a hill i'm so glad we're over!

I'm pretty exhilarated! :-D

holes

i was reading a friend of Ashley Porter's blog the other day and it got me thinking. .

you know, since we have been youngesters in Sunday School we have been taught that we have a God shaped hole in our hearts that only he can fill. So many times we try to fill that space up with relationships or material things, but it never ever works out because He is the only thing that can fill that emptiness in our lives.
Well, how amazing is it to think that God has a Stephanie shaped hole is His heart that only I can fill? Someone can try to fill up my space, but the Lord yearns for a relationship with ME!

"My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:2

thrift store shopping, rawtown coffee, ear piercing, fiesta, and silliness

so today was good. even though i stayed in Cheraw all day, somehow, Anna Grace, Chloe, Shari, Saumel, Kate, David, Jed, Taylor, Rebeka, Banks, and I found things to do all day. It was pretty amazing. And assures me that I really do have fun friends in Cheraw.

passion.

i want this world filled with passion for the Lord. I want to make that my prayer. I want to see Christians grow in Him and feel completly comfortable with other believers. I want walls to break down; be open, completely.

innocence

i miss everything about camp. i really miss the innocence of it. That's one reason I think I want to work with children; their innocence.

I think I will call someone I love. .

the football game (this post has very little to do with the actual game).

i didn't want to go to the away game today. i was hoping it would get rained out or it would be to muddy to play from the rain. Well, we ended up having it. . and guess who i got to see!
ALYSSA AND ERIN!
it was fabulous. I needed to see and talk to those two and oh how marvelous it was! goodness, i wish our time together had been longer!

home.

i have a lot of things I miss.

I had a dream last night and Hilary was in it. . that's probably why I missed her and camp so much today, especially my girls. I'm ready to go home.

thanks for the chill music, andrew.

Caroline asking Andrew about his return to camp this summer: "when are you coming home?"

HURRAY!

so i was talking to a friend tonight on AIM. I met him at SummerSalt a few years ago and we've kept in touch through email, IMs, etc. Lately, I've been praying for him because I felt that he had lost that fire of the Lord that I had seen before. Our talks didn't include how God had been working in his life.

"well im gettin my life straight with god slowly but i am and everyday i get more and more over dani"

Praise the good Lord above! I was so glad to hear from Justin today! Especially news that blessed me so much! I'm so glad that he desires a relationship with the Lord!

first

I don't know about the rest of you girls, but i sure do love when guys take initiative in a friendship. those are the sort of friends that i tresure.
To the guys in my life who have done this lately, great job! ;-D thanks

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Romans 5:1-5

my two favorite cheraw boys

my throat hurts from laughing so much with andrew and kevin. oh how I am going to miss those boys! those college kids.

pictures

so i was looking at rebecca's xanga and my camera (which reminds me of her) and i thought that i should update with some random pictures that i've taken with my camera since i got for my birthday and all. .

Kate and me. She has been my third roomie at band camp. I've never had the same one. Oh how we both missed Chloe like CRAZY! Band just isn't quite the same. And the two of us acting REDICULOUS during sectionals. . . and people wonder why we don't have those runs down. actually the two of us have most of them.
My favorite twin acting goofy while wearing. . somebody's sunglasses. .? I'm not sure if they're big enough to be dana's.

Shari and Amiee. I basically love them both. Shari just moved to here from Michigan and she is super smart. The Lord has blessed me with a new Christian friend that I am so excited to get to know! Oh, and she's never eaten at Bojangles!

See that little red dot? Well, that's a gummie bear stuck about twenty feet up on a wall at Francis Marion University. They were going to see if it would stick to the ceiling, but the wall worked.

Some of the seniors rocking it out during our pizza night. Tons of laughs!

Band camp was pretty fun. . but it was different from any other year. I can't really pinpoint why, but it was. Maybe it was simply because I was a junior. .

camp for a month

well, i think i've almost grasped andrew white's obsession with ambassador camp. it's "amazing" (camp i mean, not his obsession). I miss it and everyone there like CRAZY. my goodness, I want to be back. I mean, I did live there for a month.

I MISS AC!

Bored?

Well, I'm home from Ambassador Camp for the night (and I now understand Andrew's obsession). I don't even like that I will not be staying in my bunk tonight. Anyway, I've got a boredom solution for you. If case anyone gets bored you can write me a letter and send it to:

Stephanie Moore
c/o Ambassador Camp
P.O. Box 200
Lake Waccamaw NC, 28450

And if you don't won't to send it on your own then a few of you guys get together and send me one. Of course, I don't expect too much from this, but it would be nice. Send me a letter because getting a letter at Ambassador Camp is like getting extra dessert!

deserving

everyone should have a sumter parallel.

you know. .

sometimes cliches are right. even if you don't wanna admit it.

i love that to God I am absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to be that way to a Godly man. but until then I'll pray for him.

Life has been crazy, but i can see a line between the world and what God wants for me. Of course, I know what is right, but I want to study it more than I have lately.

the wreck

That's right. Andrew, Anna Grace, and I were in a wreck last night and I can't praise the Lord enough that all three of us are alive. We've all got some sort of damage done to us, and unfortunately Andrew's new car is messed up. I don't remember anything about the actual accident. I don't know what it was like having a truck run into the car. The only thing I do remember is waking up right before they took me inside the ambulance and realizing it was night time. Although, I wasn't really waking up, I was hysterical according to Andrew. I just didn't remember what was going on. I have a broken ankle, stiches on my left arm, and badly bruised hip. Andrew as a broken wrist and staples on the back of his head. Anna Grace had a minor concussion and I imagine she is pretty sore just like the rest of us. Either way, I am so glad that all of us made it though the wreck. You usually hear about friends of your friends getting in wrecks, but you hardly ever imagine that it could be you. Remember to buckle up!

hp

I couldn't resist. The theory was way too interesting.


Keys

breaking out of school and skin

I have nothing insightful to say other than. . .

I only have one more blasted day of school left!

That's pretty much it other than the fact that I'm breaking out again and I'm going to the dermatologist Friday.

~fill me

So is this what life will be like? That's pretty uneventful. It probably won't really be this way.

I just sort of realized that I do like random phone calls. I used to not like them that much, but they make me smile. ;-D To think that people call to talk to me, just to me. They can't ask for anyone else or just leave me to talk to anyone else because the only person around is me. They make me feel good.

I should have gone running today, instead I took a nap. Now I feel gross. . . and like I wasted all afternoon.

And since I'm not doing much I think I shall go outside. Have a quiet time. Just get my Sara Bailey chance to breathe. . in the evening.

thank you!

I feel like I've been in a polo all weekend. I wore a lavender one yesterday to solo and ensemble. Today I wore a minty turquoise one all day. Speaking of solo and ensemble, that went pretty well. A superior and an excellent.
Next week is going to be quite busy. Something different every night. Monday I've got the INTERACT meeting; tuesday, band practice right after school and Bradley's chorus concert or the FCA rally later that night; Wednesday, church and signing practice; Thursday I've got a band concert; and on Friday I might be going with Andrew, Collin, and Kevin to see Austin Crane in Hartsville.
I'm ready for school to get out! Of course, who isn't? Well actually, I'm not looking forward to school getting out because the class of 2006 will be graduating and that will be. . . i'm not sure what word is appropriate here because sad doesn't convey the emotion i am feeling for all of those seniors.

Don't go against what you know is right and what you know is God's will. Forcing something isn't a good thing. You miss out on so much peace, and oh how wonderful peace is! Go read Romans 5:1-5, maybe you'll get what I'm saying if you don't already.

words

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
-Matthew 12:36-37

Ambassador Camp.. and Prom!

yes! so I FINALLY got the chance to go and a pretty good time. And am quite excited about this summer. Pictures might be available at a later date.

Oh yes, so prom was absolutely lovely and I really had a GREAT time. I actually danced this year, and I think that if Andrew and I had stayed a bit longer I would have danced a good bit more. But Andrew seemed rather tired, and there would be no point without someone to dance with..well, actually there would I guess, just to have fun, but anyway. Here are a few pictures, but there are none of us actually at prom.

This is probably one of "my" favorite tasks of prom..just kidding, I really am no good at pinning the this thing. . ."Mom!"

Most everyone that was out at Blair's grandparents house, minus a few: from back left to right bottom: Braden, Andrew, Bryce, Duralle, Ronnie, Richie, Davidson, Landon, Kris, Justin, Blair, Elizabeth, Regina, Andria, Cory, Megan, me, Madeline, and Angel!

greatness..

My God is not done with me yet.

He can mold me.

It's good to have my father home!!!

Elizabeth's birthday party..

" I broke glass."

And Daddy is home!!!

Yesterday was a good and funny day!

spring break..in a few words

well, i got my first set of stitches over spring break. Ask me about it next time you see me if you want to hear the story.


Oh, and I found my prom dress. It's a fantastic shade of green. Well, actually there are many many shades of green (and a little blue).


I also finished the fifth Harry Potter book and have now moved on to the sixth.

I think I will go read that now and then get ready for bed.


This morning I read in Isaiah that "...tongues of fire lick up straw..." it gave me an interesting mental picture.



"And they were calling to one another:
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory"
-Isaiah 6:3


I'm pretty sure i subconsciously stole Lindsay's sometimes formant of her xanga for my posts..

Let it all out

"and today i'll trust you with a confidence of a man who's never known defeat,
but tomorrow upon hearing what I did, i will stare at you in disbelief..
Oh inconsistant me
Crying out for consistancy...
remember the end will justify, the pain it took to get us there."

-Relient K





"Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence.."
Ecclesiastes 8:3



Pray for my daddy. He's in Mexico..and there's no set date for his return.

Acquire the Fire!

Acquire the Fire was so fun. It was an awesome experience, and I don't know why my church doesn't go! Anyway, that's not my point. Not only was ATF itself fun, but so was meeting all the people that went with us! I finally met Ben Miller from Ambassador Camp and I must say, he is a rather hilarious guy! And I love the face..I can't even explain that one. Oh yeah, so unfortunatly for Andrew, Collin, Kevin, and I Kevin got sick and didn't even get to go to ATF! It was pretty crazy, but his ticket sure didn't go to waste! Ben the Army Man got to use it! He was pretty cool too. I really respected all he does and people like him. (Andrew (who's a little cut off, Ben, Collin, and Ben). The group was just fantastic. I can't say enough about all the people I met (or the ones I already knew like Rebekah and Lindsay)! And the Preddy's (the people who we stayed with) were absolutely wonderful! They were so nice!
The skit was really awesome, and worship was great. There were times that I wished Lisa Gungor was a man though. She was a cool worship leader, all the same. God is so amazing. I praise Him now for his creations.

Rebekah!

Lindsay!
I had a wonderful time!

My Bones Family Horcrux Theory

Supposing that all knowledge of Helga Hufflepuff's cup being one of Voldemort's seven horcruxes is completely correct, we must ask ourselves, where is it? I, Ginny Weasley, believe it is somewhere hidden among the Bones' family treasures.
Susan Bones, Harry Potter's fellow sixth year, is put into Hufflepuff immediately after the Sorting Hat's placement on her head. We find more information about her family as the series progress. Mr. and Mrs. Bones, Susan's grandparents are killed during the first war against You-Know-Who. Before their death they gave birth to three children; Edgar, Amelia, and Susan's father. Edgar was an original member of the Order of the Phoenix. Edgar is said to be "a great wizard," according to Mad-Eye Moody. During the war Edgar was killed with his wife and children (note the plural form). Amelia Bones was Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but is never said to have been in either Order (I am not sure if this is in anyway significant). Amelia also was over Harry's hearing. Tonks continually reminded Harry that because Amelia was hones and fair he would be sure to get off. Is Tonks' point more than describing Amelia's character? The key trait of Hufflepuff is fairness. Why is this revealed to us? Later in the books it is announced that Amelia has been killed. Strangely enough, Fudge, who is denying Lord Voldemort's return claims that Voldemore himself murdered Amelia. When counted, there have been no less that seven deaths in the Bones family, tracing back to Lord Voldemort and/or his followers. Why has J.K. Rowling included so much about this family (other than to make this theory wrong)? Why hasn't Susan's immediate family been attacked? Are they next?
-Ginny Weasley

Read..

James 4:1-12

It gave me some interesting thoughts today.

this weekend

I left for Sumter Friday right after school. Of course it was a wonderful time. I hung out with Megan and Elizabeth Friday night. I realized just how much Elizabeth really is like Andrew. Amazing.

Today Andrew, Lindsay, Alyssa, Latete, Rebekah Richardson, Ronnie, Brett and I all went out to Swan Lake, one of my favorite places in Sumter. It's so pretty, and I love the Love Tree. Lindsay took a lot of pictures and there might be some tomorrow, but no promises at the moment. It was just a beautiful day.

The homeschoolers had their prom Friday night and Alyssa and Erin looked beautiful!

Lindsay and I got some chatting time in this morning. It was nice. Wow, that seems like such a long time ago and tomorrow starts early. It's time for bed.

our one year anniversary (nicole and me, that is!)

""there are many many crazy things
that will keep me loving you
and with your permission, may i list a few?

the way you wear your hat
the way you sip your tea
the memory of all that
oh not they can't take that away from me
the way your smile just beams
the way you sing off key
the way you haunt my dreams
oh no they can't take that away from me...
i will always hold the memory of
they way you hold your knife
the way we danced until three
the way you changed my LIFE..."

LOL frank sinatra! happy anniversery!!! Love you" -Latete (Nicole)

So I basically love Nicole. And I'm so blessed that I know her! I cannot believe I've known her for a year.
I called her, actually Andrew did, Erin, and Alyssa to let them know we've known each other for a year and how great it is to know them!

:-D

I cannot attempt to put into words the worship of tonight. God is so amazing. I was listening to Thomas tonight at SNL and my thoughts just started to trail off. Some where, in the mists of all of them, I thought about how awesome it would be if Collin, Kevin, Andrew, and I got together tonight and just talked about out spiritual lives right now and how we can pray about each other before Acquire the Fire. I really wanted this to work out. I called Kevin as soon as I could and he sounded really up to the talk. Collin did when I talked to him right after church. Andrew wasn't so sure, but amazingly enough it was one of the greatest things God ever put on my heart to do. We talked about what we needed to do right now and things we'd done in our pasts. We talked about a ton of things and it was just lovely. It was a great opportunity to talk with the three boys (and really individuals) I've spent the most time with over the past year or so. Of the long time we've been such good friends, (though we have had downtimes) we've never had anything like that. I want to do it so much more! I want this sort of fellowship.

The four of us really must be the oddest people at the high school, but I love it. How many people can talk about their relationship with Christ in one of their front yards and just enjoy themselves? I love those boys!

I love you LORD!

jealous

I am so jealous that Andrew can play the piano...and I can't.

kevin and andrew make me smile

Tonight was fun. Andrew and Kevin came over for dinner and we just hung out (on my family's new furniture) afterwards. It was nice, and even though we didn't talk for a long time or talk very deeply, I felt so close to them. Closer that I've felt to both of them, at the same time, in a long time. I can NOT wait until Acquire the Fire!

"So I prayed, Oh dear LORD, Feel me up, make me whole.." -Relient K

Go read Colossians 3:2-10 and renew yourself.

It's SPRING!

Yep, in my book it is offically spring, even though it's not even really the season. Today seemed to mark it. Boys at school had on shorts and it made me smile to myself. It's time to see flowers, to feel clean, and I go outside without a jacket. There were birds singing this afternoon when Andrew and I went walking. Oh the weather was so nice! And there were so many people at the park other than Andrew and me. Landon, Hannah Marsh, and Beka were there too. While Andrew and I were walking we decided it run. Yes, I know, Andrew and I aren't really the sort of running people, but we did run. And it really made me feel good even though it wasn't very long (I really out of shape!). The whole day was rather refreshing.

Please continue to not only pray for Mrs. Reta Smith, but also for her family, especially her husband and little Garrett. I don't know how they're going through this.

I hope Andrew and I get to go to Sumter this weekend..

music

"You are more beautiful than anyone one EVER! Everyday you're the same you never change. NO NEVER!" ~David Crowder Band

I want to be the girl that sang this song and showed that love I have for Him with everyone. I want to be like Him and never change from that girl that He shines through! I have to be that girl again first.

"How could you be so good to me?!" ~David Crowder Band

"Over coming these obstacles is over coming my fears. Never under estimate my Jesus. You're telling me that there's no hope, I'm telling you, you're wrong!..." Relient K

"I AM FREE! I am free to run! I am free to dance! I am free to live for you! I am free!" Acquire the Fire CD

You know, I really am free to live for Him, to worship His greatness and not be told by the government not to, I should exercise this like I know it. Right now it seems to be a useless freedom. "How great is our God?"

I want to be the loud mouth who was loud because she was bursting with love from her Jesus! I NEED TO BE

BOLD!

yucky

The past few days have been abnormally stressful. I've just had a hard time figuring out some things (not that they are all figured out now). I've had really awful feelings and I would seriously rather be physically sick (not with a disease, just physically feeling awful) than feel the way I do. I'm on the edge a lot, but I do a pretty good job putting on a mask so no one really realizes anything is wrong.

I don't think I am the only person that's having emotional problems right now.

Often I've found myself wishing I had the assurance I have with God in all my relationships. Not that people are letting me down necessarily, I just don't feel confident in them. I know God will always be there for me and I have absolute assurance he will never leave me. I mean, come on, he's already died for every sin I have and will ever do, why would he abandon me now? Christ is so amazing!

I've had a hard time with so much lately. Pray for me.

I love Mrs. Lyall White! <3

New Layout

Suprised you, huh? Yep, a new layout and when I say new layout I mean it's not a blogger template that I've been forced to used over the past two or so years I've had this blog. It's fun and new, and hopefully, it will be changed a lot more often.

Well, this has been a pretty uneventful weekend. I was sick on Friday and now Andrew is sick. He's had a bit of a fever though, I never had anything that bad, just a cough and feeling crummy. Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow and since we have a day off we can squeeze in something to do to count this weekend as something.

I did get a good opportunity to see Him and His amazing self more clearly.

<3

me..?

I have very little to say,



but I do need to talk with a few.



I'm emotionally tired...yet



at the same time, I couldn't be more awake.

"...Convince me, because I really need your help. Oh convince me, because I can't see this for myself..."

Phone Calls..

Have you ever called someone's house at night and as soon as the phone rings you realize there are other people in their house who were probably asleep and you might have woken them up? Well, I'm so glad God's not like that. I can call on Him any time I want to! He'll be right there for me and I don't have to worry about something silly. God doesn't judge me and isn't a family member that might be angered when His help is needed or when I just need someone to talk to. He is wonderful.

My Captain!

Oh how I kidney Anna Grace! It was so awesome talking to her tonight! Could she be my "Ashley Porter?"

Yay for "Romantic Comedy Soundtrack 90s" Music!

"...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." -Isaiah 43:1

a bubble bath

I took a bubble bath tonight. It was good and now I smell like Sweet Pea. I was sitting there listening to David Crowder Band and started playing with the bubbles. It reminded me of being a child and how I now need to have child-like faith with Jesus, to lean completly on Him for everything. I need to be like a child and absorb everything He gives me in life and understand that it is straight from God. He is so amazing.

today, etc.

Well, today was probably the best day I've had all week. It was definatly interesting. Andrew, Kevin (yeah, the same Kevin that Andrew hasn't spoke to in four months), and I went out to Fiesta. It was a little akward, but I think maybe it was good. I don't think that Kevin and Andrew are going to be best friends again, but hopefully they can get past the weird, I don't have any idea what to say to you stage. When I talked to Kevin on the phone to ask him if he wanted to go he said he missed me. I missed the Kevin that I knew the week before anything awful happened.
Anyway, Anna Grace, Captain Crunch, will be coming to Cheraw this weekend and I'm excited about hanging out with her and Chloe (she needs a cereal name!). I think the plan might be to go to the basketball game, spend the night at Chloe's and then go to Hartsville and Chloe will be driving. But I'm not sure if that's going to go through, the going to Hartsville part, just because Chloe hasn't had her license that long. I really want everything to work out though!
Well, I need a whole lot more Jesus time. I know that if I miss Him, then of course He misses me.
Rachel, thanks for the comment! You are a beautiful daughter of God!

This weekend, etc.

This weekend was pretty fantastic, to say the least. This post would probably be more effective if I had written it Saturday night though. Anyway, Friday night Andrew, Fenisha, Majik, Dorterra, and I went to the basketball game in Andrew Jackson (AJ!). That was pretty cool just considering I hadn't really done anything with Fenisha, Dorterra, and Majik outside of school.
Saturday was probably the best. Andrew, Fenisha, Duralle, Dorterra and I celebrated Fenisha's birthday with a trip to Rockingham and Laurinburg. After the long ride from Fenisha's house to Laurinburg to go skating we find out that it closes at 3 p.m. (which was in about thirty minutes) and doesn't open back up until 7 p.m. because of a private party or something like that. So we finally decided to go to Fatz Cafe (Fenisha's probably favorite place of all time to eat) in Rockingham for what ends up being an extremely late lunch (or early dinner, you decide). We're off and when we get there we probably ended up going through about 5 or so baskets of the amazing rolls and we all have a taste of Duralle's sexy salad (don't ask! Nothing perverted by the way, it was a salad!). We ate until we were all about to EXPLODE and then remember that it's Fenisha's birthday and she can get a free cake. And of course she couldn't finish it off herself (well, maybe she should, we just didn't give her the chance) so we all ate a bit of it. Well, finally we left and we start back to Laurinburg to go skating, but we ended up getting their earlier than expected so we end up going to SUPER WALMART! I finally got another chance to by another tube of amazing "Complete moisture" chapstick with Dimethicone. I really love chapstick. That was a fun trip to Walmart. Well, finally we got to go skating, and believe it or not I never fell! Actually, I think Andrew was the only one of us who did and it was only once!! That's pretty astounding. After a while I got pretty tired of skating though, so Andrew, Dorterra, and I stopped at watched a bunch of people dancing which was pretty funny. Finally around 10 or so we headed home. The whole day was just great (even if it sounds ridiculously boring right now!)
Well, I'm pretty cotton pickin' excited about this weekend because I'm really missing Anna Grace! We need to make plans, darling!

That reminds me of one of my old, immature posts, but I don't think that's really an awful thing..

I always try to think of these things after I type

It's rather hard to type with a band-aid wrapped around the tip of your left index finger. Ts are especially hard.
I need some girl time. And with girls I don't often get to hang out with. Anna Grace, I need you here. I long for your beautiful spirit. So often I don't think I'm open enough with you, but I know that you wouldn't judge me if I talked to you. I love you! We should get together with Chloe and just take a day off like we did when we went to the Renaissance Festival. I'm wearing the necklace you bought me in that picture! --->
I have learned so much about how I should act lately, but I don't act upon it. It makes me feel gross. I need to focus my time with Him so much more. Oh how we loves me!

"The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him." Genesis 12:7

"Adapt--willingly. Just because I know I can does not mean I WILL!!"~Me
I wrote this today thinking about those things I learned about myself from that leadership thing. Yeah, sure I act willing, but it's one of those masks I have.

I posted this awful picture of me and two beautiful girls of God's creation (Alma and Anna) because I've been thinking about going on a mission trip lately. Probably because Andrew's had his Global Expeditions magazine out the other day. If I did go I would probably go to Guatemala, Costa Rica, or Peru. Most likely in that order. I don't know if that is what God has in store for me this summer though. I have gotten soooooo slack!!
I'm stressed out and don't realize it..I guess that a huge contradiction seeing as I just stated it, but I think I just really admitted it. Pray for me! Leave comments so I will know how you need me to pray for you!!!
That was a very open post. :-D

What a colorful weekend!

So, this weather is going crazy! One day it's super hot and the next it's freezing! You can never figure out what to wear!
Anyway, so I had a wonderful time in Sumter. Thanks for taking me again, Andrew! I love all of his family. Anyway, Friday night I spent the night at Erin's house and got to meet Tiffany! Yay! That was a lot of fun, but unfortunately I was really super tired and we didn't spend a lot of time talking. Saturday I picked corn with Erin, Alyssa (she spent the night with Erin too), Tiffany, Andrew, Jonathan, Elizabeth (Erin's little sister), and Erin's dad, Joel. It was Tiffany and mine's first time doing that, but it was cool. We threw corn at each other, etc., etc...
Later that day we all took showers and Lindsay cut Alyssa's black (now with cherry red) hair and it's to her shoulders. :-D Lindsay and Alyssa both put cherry red in their hair. Andrew thought I wouldn't do something like that. I guess you could say I proved him wrong when I went to Walmart and let Lindsay put "copper blast" on my hair. She did an amazing job!!! It's awesome! Here are some pictures that I "stole" from Lindsay's xanga...

Erin, Alyssa, and me before the trip to Walmart and the "copper blast". Oh yeah, Alyssa flipped my hair out like that too. I love those girls! I love the girl taking that picture too ;-)!
Andrew, Jonathan, and me waiting for the blast to take effect! They tried to get a little bit of their hair orange too. I think their hair is too dark, though. You can only see the tiniest bit on the tips of a bit of Andrew's hair.
And finally, the new hair color after a fabulous styling job by Andrew and Alyssa! You can't see it super well, but it sure is a good bit darker! Oh yeah, it's supposed to come out after 8-10 shampoos, but my mom thinks it will stay in longer.
This weekend was a lot of fun, but I've got the rest of today and ALL tomorrow to have even more fun. Oh yeah, Alyssa, Erin, Andrew, and I took "Seventh Heaven" pictures...if they turn out well, there will be more to come!

AC

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me you know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in---behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" Psalm 139:1-7

I pretty much really would totally LOVE to go to Ambassador Camp this summer. I am just about sickly jealous of Andrew and all his beautiful camp friends.
I absouletly love listening to Austin Crane and his band.

overthinking

I look and think into things WAAAAAAYYYYYY too much!!!

comments

I wonder where my picture of Andrew, Lindsay, Alyssa, Megan, Elizabeth, Erin, Jonathan, and me at that band competition is...I really want it.
Yeah. I'm pretty much not in the writing mood right now..more like in the comment giving mood. I wish you were too...could you leave me one? ;-) Have a marvelous day!

I owe so much..

"Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me. "
~Psalm 54:4

tired

It's been a while since my last post, but I haven't been home to do it. Late Christmas day I left for Sumter, now that trip seems like such a long time ago. It was a lot of fun seeing everybody again. We played Capture the Flag with a bunch of people from Sumter that I really didn't know. Then I came back to Cheraw the 27th and got to sleep in my own bed and take a shower in the one here at home. The next day I got up at 7:00am to pack and get ready to go to the Extreme Leadership confrence with Collin, Shelly, Katlyn, Rachel, Beka, and Mr. T. That was not only a lot of fun, but I learned a lot about myself.
One thing I do know about myself is that currently I am very tired from all this going and coming and I am going to go chill for a little while.
Pray for me as I pray about going to a mission trip this summer.

1 year

CptPlanetFoEva: cant believe we have been together for a year

I can't either. Thank you, Daddy!

Rain

Good songs have rain or water in them.

The Ocean-Mae

When the Rain Comes-Third Day

Healing Rain-Micheal W. Smith

Ocean Floor-Audio A
Okay, that's not really that many, but those are some really good songs and I guess because I listen to songs like that on repeat it seems like more. I like Rain.

"..I need you here tonight just like the ocean needs the waves.." -Mae

bullets mostly

"wouldn't it be cool if we spelled font like..phont?" -me

Things for me, personally, have been good lately, but Andrew's been really stressed with this whole thing about his parents not supporting him in going to the college he wants to go to! Much praying needs to be done and long talks with God.

Random Things of Today (and the pass few days really)

I talked to Trea Ingles for the first time today. He's pretty cool.

Collin and I could be fraternal twins.

"Our minds are the wall of the universe!"

The FCA party was pretty fun, even though we didn't do much. Andrew, Dana, Hannah, Landon, Robert, and I stood around Collin and his guitar listening to him make up songs to the same cords over and over again.

While we were at the FCA party Collin brought out his music for praise band and started playing some stuff and Andrew and I sang. Of course, the singing wasn't very good, but it was a rather enjoyable experience.

I saw the Chronicles of Narnia; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It was a pretty good movie, but I sure wish I had read the books.

I'd really like to read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I wonder what the C and S stand for in C.S. Lewis..

I really like playing bass clarinet.

I really do NOT like economics!!

Andrew eats lunch with the sophomore girls now that he's senior privileges have been taken away (for no reason).

I had a dream last night. At first I couldn't remember what it was about, but later I thought about it and I remember Kevin being there and just telling me that he wants "you guys to pray" for him. I'm not really sure about what, but I think we were discussing his relationship with God. So I encorage you to keep Kevin in your prayers.

I guess I could have gone to Sumter this weekend, but with Tona and Pat's 50th Anniversry and almost no other friends of the girls have been invited, I don't think it would be a good idea for Andrew to bring me along.

That's about it for now. I've got blasted economics homework and Lyall mess to finish.

run and hide

"...I can't stop the rain, but I will hold you 'til it goes away..." -third day

fall magic..

is a gift from God. It's a peace at heart and makes me smile. It calms my soul and is an absolutely beautiful thing.

discovering myself

I've discovered that I really enjoy writing. Mostly my writing tends to be about me and my relationships with people. I guess since I began this blog a little over a year ago I have adapted to writing out my feelings instead of voicing them all the time. Probably part of the reason I am a lot quieter than I was about a year ago. When I have something to say I long to write, but that sometimes loses the person touch of things I guess. But when things start to cloud my mind and I'm just overwhelmed with thoughts I turn to my journal or a saved draft in my blog (if I feel like typing instead of writing) . Writing is nice, but I've almost lost any passion to for reading.
I love traditional relationships! Relationships in which the boy is forward and then as it grows he is still the one to take lead. The girl does not have the boy by a string pulling him to the way she wants, but rather him guiding her into not only a beautiful relationship with him, but one bringing them both closer to their Creator. These take not only our time, but also God's perfect timing. We all have to wait on Him.

but I need Him so much more.

women of God

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised"
~Proverbs 31:30

las primas de jaime

I miss Lindsay, Erin, Alyssa, Elizabeth, Megan, and Chasity already.

i don't particularly like coming up with these things..

Well, maybe it's time for a real post on what's going on in my life. Tomorrow Andrew and I will have been dating for eleven months. Which is a SUPER long time, but I give God all the credit for any of it ever working out. It's been quite a blessing.
Economics is HARD and really confusing the mess out of me. I've got to go see Coach Alford early tomorrow morning to see how I'm doing in there.
Other than that, school is alright. I finally got to get out my bass clarinet today in band, which was really nice even though I need to practice. All we do in Spanish now is watch movies and take a quizzes on sports vocabulary. Geometry is alright, but my grade in there could be a whole lot better. I'm scared of next semester. Pruitt, Evans, Trusky, and Sweeney all in one lovely semester. I really need to read that book for Mr. Trusky now that I'm thinking about it...
I need to figure out my major. I know I'm only a sophomore and I will probably change twenty times from anything I ever set, but I need to at least start thinking about colleges. I know how long it will take me to decide where I want to go, and that is why I need to go on and start thinking about it.
I sleep ALL the time now! Seriously, other than school my life consist of going to church, hanging out with Andrew, sleeping, and trying to answer calls when people call me on my cell phone while I'm sleeping. Try it some time, I will sound really weird...I think.
I think I should stop now. I'm just trying to make up things to write now.

hm..

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Daddy

I hear and feel Him calling me.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

church

Tonight was good. Church was astounding. Hallie, Katie Hatcher, Rachel, Georgia, Kate Stanton, Shelly, Little Debbie, Beka and I got the beautiful chance of being in the same small group. I was amazing. We had a wonderful time, and I got to spend time with some of the most amazingly strong girls I've ever met. Kate Stanton is amazing. She's gone through so much. Tonight was exactly what I needed. I love you, Daddy!!

Psalm 144:8

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.

i hope you like dancing in the rain

Today was a whole lot of fun. Chloe, Anna Grace, China, Mrs. Pat, and I all went to the Renassance Festival and it was hilarious. I don't have a whole lot more to say really other than...

"I hope you like dancing in the rain
I'll spin you around and pull you back to me
I sure am glad you wore that dress
It reminds me of the night that we first met
Don't you love the evenings in July
When I'm staring at you with my blue eyes
We could be fine
We could be fine, fine, fine..." ~The band from Florence

JOY!!

My away message right now:
"I am bursting with JOY!!! Guess who I get to see at the Casting Crowns concert tonight!!!! HAILEY HODGE AND MEGAN JONES!! I'm so excited about seeing them! :-D"

That's right! I'm really super thrilled about seeing both of them! I could never get enough of their smiling faces!!
And Anna Grace and Chloe are supposed to be spending the night with me Friday and then we're planning to go to the Renaissance Festival! This weekend is going to be fun! And it hasn't even started yet!

;-)

Andrew White is one cool kid..even though he's not a kid at all. Okay, he's one cool boyfriend.

When the Rain Comes

when the rain comes it seems that everyone has gone away
when the night falls you wonder if you shouldn't find some place
to run and hide
escape the pain
but hiding such a lonely thing to do

i can't stop the rain
from falling down on you again
i can't stop the rain
but i will hold you 'til it goes away

when the rain comes you blame it on the things that you have done
when the storm falls you know that rain must fall on everyone
so rest a while
it will be alright
no one loves you like i do

i can't stop the rain
from falling down on you again
i can't stop the rain
but i will hold you

i can't stop the rain
from falling down on you again
i can't stop the rain
but i will hold you 'til to goes away

when the rain comes..
i will hold you

-third day

hmm

Let me know what you think. If a girl cheats on her boyfriend with a guy who is to blame?

Only the girl?
Only the guy?
Or both?

It's been a long past few days. State seems like almost a week ago. Speaking of state, we got 4th! Which is good, but I honestly think that we deserve much better. But we finally broke the 6th streak and we beat the Cheraw Marching Band's record for all time highest at state. It's pretty cool, but I so wish we could have gotten better.
Andrew and Kevin are at it again, but it's not like one of them is leaving out the other. It's Christian morals and the Holy Spirit being a conscience. I hate this! Andrew is disappointed.
Andrew and I have hung out a lot lately. Him, Chloe, and I too..that's a sort of weird group, but it's been a lot of fun. Chloe always makes me laugh.
Anyway, that was pretty random and I'm tired. My brother got Star Wars Episode III today. I might go watch it for a little while.

today

Well, I haven't posted about a normal day in a while so I decided it would be alright. This morning in Spanish I got my pictures back. They're pretty good, but I look like a little kid. Well, not really a little kid, just a bit younger than I am. Anyway, so I don't remember much else from school, but this afternoon marching practice was so blasted COLD!!! It was fun though. Mr. Pruitt gave us a break because the saxophones were slacking off and he was tired of it. Although, personally I think it was because he didn't have his coat on and wanted to get inside and get it. There were those few of us unintelligent folks who decided not to take a break inside, but rather stand out on the field and huddle together. I honestly don't know why but, Dorterra, Andrew, Vannessa, Kate, Chloe, and I stood around huddled together trying to get warmer. Then after practice Collin had a hair appointment with my mom seeing as he lost the bet about if we got better than 3rd place at Lower State he would cut his hair. And Collin's hair is pretty long so...well, we had everyone surround the front of the room and watch as my mom, Mrs. Lois, and Mr. Pruitt cut his hair. I felt so bad while they were doing it. Collin looked like he was about to cry! Anyway, turns out he sorta likes it, so that's good. Then we had an INTERACT meeting and that was a lot of fun. Mr. Webb gave us a magic show and it was pretty awesome except for the smart people figuring out how he did some of his tricks. It was our whole Halloween thing and most everyone dressed up except for Brittany Hooks, Ebony, Rob, Rebeka, a few other people, and me. Either way the whole parade with everyone dressed up was pretty fun. Bryce and Davidson, Samuel and his Poo (Nancy), Chloe, and Meagan all won $10 a piece. Bryce and Davidson were the Williams sisters (the tennis girls), Samuel and Nancy were Aladdin and Jasmine, Chloe was "white trash", and Meagan was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Andrew stuffed his left pocket with candy so he could eat it in AP Calculus tomorrow. It might be gone by tomorrow if Jonathan finds out about it. Well, that was random seeing as I hardly ever post about my days, but it was pretty good.

WE WENT TO LOWA STATE...

HOW 'BOUT THAT TRIBE? HOW AWESOME IS SECOND PLACE!? NOT AS GOOD AS FIRST, BUT WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! WOOT! I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL STATE NEXT WEEK! :-)

tiny

I keep thinking about how small I am and it gives me confidence where God has me. Out of all the schools to go to, all the circumstances there are, and all the people to know, God has given me these just for me! And I love it! It's insanely wonderful and it makes me very warm inside. I love the people I know, and I am comfortable with the person I am. This is a magnificent feeling!

"KEVIN GIBSON.. WOAAA IS SOO HOTT ..." -Not me

Well, most everyone knows what my magificent surprise from Andrew was! NICOLE SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH ME!!! It was so fun. Many stories, and I would tell them, but I know that most of you Cheravians could care less. Anyway, so that was a ton of fun!
This is cracking me up!! A ton of kids (yes, I can actually call them kids because they are all younger than me) in the grade below me are obsessed with KEVIN! Not that I'm surprised at that fact, it's just weird that all of a sudden random comments on other people's xangas are about Kevin and how hot he is. Who really knows him like that? Andrew! And that's about it. Oh and another girl is talking about Majik all the time, this is funny. I mean, both of them are very nice guys, I just wish that these people would take the time to get to know the real Kevin.
I haven't had much to say lately on my blog. I don't plan to get rid of it any time soon, but I guess I've just been swung out of the circle of things. Anyway, I still love comments ;-).

Surprise!

You know that whole timeless question of "who doesn't like surprises?!"
Well, the answer is me. I don't like surprises, I dispise being sung Happy Birthday to, and dread opening presents. I am weird..I guess. The only time I like getting surprises is on Christmas morning because none of my stuff is wrapped so I get the liberty of allowing myself to pick over the things I don't want to focus on and sit the floor of my living room opening boxes and that sort of thing. I guess that's sort of bad, but Andrew, my mom, and I were talking about me not liking surprises...I don't.

Proverbs 16:9

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determinds his steps."

I sit and wonder what in the world He has in store for me. College seems so far off, but it has been on my mind so much lately. And what is beyond that?

People vs. God

"I, too, sometimes get all wrapped up in doing things for and with people, when God wants me to spend time with Him." ~Heather from Point of Grace
This is me, completly. I get so into spending time with people and talking to them that I often forget how much God wants me to spend time with Him. He did a wonderful job displaying that to me tonight. Normally on a Thursday night I would have gone out to eat or hung out with Andrew, but tonight I didn't. And I didn't have much homework so I got a wonderful opportunity for God to tug on my heart and let me realize how badly I needed a good talk with Him.
"For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." ~Ephesians 5:8-10
Ask him what pleases him what pleases Him. I need a bit more time with Him..I'm off.

the world in Cheraw

This world is becoming closer to home then ever. You hear about teenagers going around crazy---living with each other, sleeping with each other, and gay people walking around my town, but suddenly here in Cheraw we have those types of things going on. I guess they were actually always there, I was just in my own sheltered world protected by God and now I can understand and be astounded by the worldly people. Pray for people everywhere. I realize how far down the wrong road we've gone and there is so much I need to do. I need to be a good influence on these people and speak up for what I know is right. And I know how hard that is, but I cannot be quiet for my opinions any more.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of God."Galatians 1:10
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Pray for the teenagers of Cheraw...everywhere..

i'm feeling rather random!

:-) Today was interesting, there is so much to say, but so little I want to type out. There were a huge range of emotions flying everywhere, but all the while, it was good (for a Monday). Well, I just thought I should update since it's been a while.
It is always extremely cold in the bandroom...we're all going to get sick.
yay for October! It's a new month!

lemongrass sage

The bath and body works scent lemongrass sage makes me feel clean and reminds me of the calm music I don't know the words to. I love that feeling! I really need to get more of the hand sanitizer lotion that smells like that. I don't even know if they make that scent anymore.

I need to be so much closer to Him!

this weekend

This weekend was a lot of fun. Friday night, we had the away game in...um, oh yeah, Lamar. And that was cool, but the whole band got split up and oh how the clarinets missed the saxophones! It wasn't fair at all, and the brass is way too stuffy. No fun! Anyway, so the next day we (when i say we, I mean the rest of the band and I) had to get up early to get ready for our first competition in Laurnburg. At morning practice I was really unsure if I would be marching at all, but thankful I sat down during practice and got off of my toe, so I made it though the competition. Well, we sat around at the competition for a long long time watching the rest of the bands in 3A and 4A. They were pretty good, I didn't fall in love with any particular show, but it was an alright competition. Oh yeah, they had these Air Gram things that you could send out to the bands that they would announce before they performs. Meredith and I were going to go spend a buck on one to send to some random band and act like we had some inside joke with them. "Clarinets rule, saxs drool! Get those corndogs, 'cause you know they're betta than that cotton candy!!" It was pretty funny. Just sitting around with everyone in general a lot of fun. I spent a lot of time with Andrew and that was nice. I am so tired now though! So we ended up getting 2nd in marching, music, overall effect, and in 2A! It was cool. This weekend has worn me out! I don't know what I'm going to do with our double header next week with two competitions. Well, have a wonderful week!! Mine turned out okay, even though I thought it would be terrible on Monday! Remember that tomorrow is Monday and once you get that out of the way, it's not going to be Monday for a whole other week!

"nothing really matters"

It was all pointless. The time, the effort, just pointless. Or so it seems, maybe i've grown and learned from the whole friendship. Maybe it wasn't so after all, but...
I hope i have. This hurts me, i can't imagine how much it hurts Andrew.
My toe is messed up again. Probably no marching for me tomorrow.

Sunday afternoon

I hate the fact that I have the terrible habit of biting my nails. Sometimes I wish I had pretty nails and I let them grow for a week, see how pretty the white tips are and then I bite them off again.
I'm really tired this Sunday afternoon. I've gotten to where I always take a nap on Sunday afternoon, I used to never take them. I guess school is wearing me out. Well, at least it stops me from biting my nails for a little while.

Faith and Deeds

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him "Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." -James 2:14-18

I need to act so much more on my faith. Andrew and I were talking about people like this tonight. Oh how I want everything I do to surround God and His beautiful, righteous self.

Naturalization

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Look what I've learned in Coach Alford's class this year! I could have never made a 9 out of 10 before that.
Today was nice. Happy Birthday Shelly.
hahaha! I used spell check on this post and it tried to correct Alford with Alfredo. That's pretty funny. I hope Andrew, Kevin, and Collin will come to early service tomorrow. I think they would really enjoy it.

a hug from God

God has blessed me with some of the most wonderful friends in the world. Really, He has. Someone called and appolgized about how he has been acting toward me, even though lately, it hasn't been as big a deal. If you asked about a week ago, it would have been a different story. It was very nice, and through all the things that have been going on in the world the past few days, it was just like a hug from God to remind me that He's always there. "PRAISE HIM!" Thanks again, I'm glad that you could call me.
I'm honestly so happy right now, that I want to cry.

lost for words

and i've stumbled across a lost for words.

Just pray for that Stanton family. They're all going through so much. I love them.
I am in one of my crying moods. I will probably go listen to some music, pray, read, and cry in just a few minutes. So much is going through my head, but I don't know how to say it all...

and i've stumbled across a lost for words.

S.A.L.T. Retreat

Well, the S.A.L.T. Retreat was pretty fun. It always is. It was mostly just hanging out at the McBrides' cabin and David's house, but it was pretty cool. Our quiet time this morning was wonderful. It was out near the little lake thing and it was just breezy enough to keep us cool. It was such a beautiful blessing from Him. Oh yeah, this was really cool; Mr. T made our S.A.L.T. notebook covers just white so all of the A.D.D. kids could color in our names and the salt shakers. We're not actually A.D.D. (not that I have an issue with people with A.D.D.), but it just gave us something to do while we were talking about stuff.
We played that team building game where you stand in a circle and grab the hands of people who aren't beside you and make a huge knot. Then we had to try to get out of it. Oh my, I've seen more of Collin's butt then I have ever wanted to see in my lifetime. But it was really fun, even though we didn't get out of the knot after an hour of working at it.
Chilling at David's house this afternoon was really fun. We played Mafia about a hundred times and I almost won BS. Mafia is pretty fun, Richard is pretty much obessed with it. Speaking of Richard, unlike me last year there are a whole lot of new people on S.A.L.T. this year. Aly, Hallie (that gets pretty confusing), Collin, Richard, Kayla, and Lynsee are all new. But Aly, Hallie, Collin, and Richard were the only new people that went on the retreat.
So anyway, the past two days were over all really fun, and I pray that everything that this group does this year will glorify God's astounding name.
Oh yeah, my girls on the signing thing are performing tomorrow morning! We're going to be signing How Great is Our God. I really need to go practice, so I'm out for now.

i can't think of one for this post

you know you're a band dork if...
you go to the bandroom just to hang out way after school or band practice hours to talk about music and make up political cartoons about the band.

This week has been nice (and thankfully short).
I've fallen behind in so many things and oh how I need to rely on God so much more. But I can only rely on Him if I really know Him, and right now I haven't had that in order. There's so much I need to do. The S.A.L.T. retreat is tomorrow until Saturday, pray that I will grow with other leaders through this.
I highly recommend the new Audio Adrenaline CD, Until my Heart Caves In. That's good stuff for your spirit.

a year

A year is a long time. That's how long I've had this blog today. That's right a year of my life has been recorded into this small space of the internet. I think, because I'm so bored, I'll go back and read some of it.
I sure wish gas prices weren't so high. They cause far too many arguments.

Football Game

Well, we had the first home football game last night. Here are a few pictures of some of the folks in the band.
This one's of Dorterra, Alex, and Asiah just standing around waiting to play the next song.
<---There's Kevin just standing around while everyone else is playing beccause he got his wisdom teeth taken out Thursday and can't play.
--->There's Majik, our drum major, directing some stand song. I love Majik, he's so great! :-D Wow, time out. I just thought about how all of these past three pictures have been of seniors. Wow, I'm going to miss these crazy characters next year! The class of 2006 is probably my favorite. It's going to be hard to let them leave us. Of course, they could all pull off a John Roberts and stay around for the next four years. No objection here.
Well, Kevin's not real smart. I wonder if his mouth hurt this morning from playing and just having his wisdom teeth cut out. That's him on the far left with the rest of his "Mr. Perfect" first trumpets, David and Collin. Trumpets...
Here's a pretty good picture of Alex and Erica playing their saxophones. They're two of the best we've got. Erica is sooooo slack. She didn't even come up with a Phrase of the Week. That's three weeks in a row and now It's supposedly my turn to come up with one. Yeah, right.
--->In this picture Chloe is trying to show me her cousin, Alex, that had to come to Cheraw from Louisiana because of Katrina. It took me forever to finally spot him. Kate is just being too cool to pay us any attention. And finally there's a bunch of us standing around waiting for Mr. Pruitt to let us know when to play the Warpath to let in the football players. What would the football team do without us? Oh yeah, we won 40-21 (I think) last night! All of these pictures were taken by my dad.

Well, there's not much to do today. And I'm one of few words. I'm tired, but not tired enough to go to sleep. I might go wash the cars...maybe not.