Christmas

My wonderful readers I hope you all had a great Christmas! My Christmas started around 3:00pm on Christmas eve with our wonderful traditions. About 5 years ago or more my parents decided to stop traveling for Christmas. This was a wonderful thing for me as we started forming family traditions and making memories that will last a lifetime. One of my favorites is my mom reading us an advent book every year. This year we read Bartholomew, a book about a little boy in Bible times. This book really makes you think about what it would be like to live in Bible times. We also went to a wonderful christmas eve service at church. Then came home for our traditional chinese and appetizers. Yum Yum! Of course the meal with finished with lots of cookies and pie. Then we did a white elephant gift exchange the eight of us and my grandparents. I came out with chocolate cookies. :) Then we received our family gift- Settlers of Catan expansion pack and wii sports resort. We spent the rest of the night playing that. Then I watched Hogan and texted one of my good friends till around 12:30an then I went to bed. Woke up around 7:00 am to wait for my sister to get up so we could wake my parents up. Then we rushed in to wake them up. 15 min later we were down stairs opening stockings. Then we finished Bartholomew and read the Christmas story. Next we opened secret sibling gifts and then gifts from parents. The boys and I were excited to find the lots of camping gear under the tree. I was also excited to find a new sweater, two watches, a card and a chocolate snowman (which was amazing because I love snowmen) and some other small things. Then we ate cinnamon rolls, egg casserole, and poppyseed bread for breakfast. Then because of a combination of things I completely crashed till 2:30 when my mom woke me up to say we had to go to my grandparents house, where we ate more food and opened more presents (camping gear, a movie, and some little things) Then we went home and crashed again. That was my christmas! Hope you all had wonderful christmas's as well!
   
 Starbucks

Top 5

1. Amazing family and friends
2. Wonderful Christmas
3. Voyage of the dawn Treader
4. A break
5. Finishing science fair

Poverty Stricken

Almost two years ago Brandon Heaths hit song "Give me your eyes" became popular. When this song first came out I thought it had a neat beat and good lyrics so I listened to it all the time.

Looked down from a broken sky

Traced out by the city lights

My world from a mile high

Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tar

Hold on for the sudden stop

Breathe in the familiar shock

Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere

Why have i never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Step out on a busy street

See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me

To hide what?s underneath

There?s a man just to her right

Black suit and a bright red tie

Too ashamed to tell his wife

He's out of work he's buying time

All those people going somewhere

Why have i never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

I've been there a million times

A couple of million eyes just moving past me by

I swear i never thought that i was wrong

Well i want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all alone

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so i can see

Everything that i keep missing

That i keep missing

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so i can see

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

I wore it out... thought it was kinda old and didn't listen to it much. A few weeks ago I really listened to the lyrics though and made them the cry of my heart... and it changed I started noticing the hurting people- A woman holding a crying child as the man in her life is arrested, a man with out arms in down town streets, a young woman with a toddler and infant on the street corner while its snowing with only a light jacket. Why do I get to be in a good family with warm accommodations and good food?? How come I am not living in Africa or Haiti? What can I do to help these people what can I do to change these peoples lives? These are the questions in my head... these are the answers I am praying for. I feel like I never get to do what I want etc. because of money but it could be a lot worse and that is what I am learning. Dear hurting world, I wish I could give you everything but I can't so instead I wish you a very Merry Christmas and God's love. I am always praying for you! 

The Tale of Despereaux

 We watched this movie tonight and it was really good. Not just because of the story line but the values were the best I have seen in a long time. Its not just a story of love, chivalry, hope, and courage but also a story of forgiveness and mercy. A tail of how we can go against what society excepts and how what we are on the outside doesn't matter! A story of over coming class, finding honor, and fighting for what we believe in.... truly a movie worth seeing!

Top

1. Doctors/ Physical therapist appointments
2. Friends
3. My job/ work
4. Venturing crew and lot's of fun
5. God's amazing work... even when it comes in the unexpected ways
6. Christmas lights
7. Christmas season

These stories always move me!

Ephrem

Busy

Snow pictures coming soon! Break has been amazing! Work, lock-in, friends court of honor, doctor appointments, movie, lots of holiday business! Next week I should be able to post more. I have a couple posts brewing in my head! :)

Top 10

So I didn't do top 5 last week so this from the last two weeks-
1. Seeing the school play
2. Cast Party with friends
3. Visit with an old friend
4. My amazing new picture frames
5. End of school
6. Picnic at school 
7. Gift exchange at school
8. Christmas parties
9. Free 3d movie
10. Christmas time

Allodoxaphobia

Allodoxaphobia-fear of: opinions
A few days ago this showed up on my random facts app. I found this interesting that there is a name for this because so many of us live our lives completely in fear of opinions and of what other think. I think its interesting that we would rather live for others then live life like who God has called us to be.
"Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" 

Wow!

Incredible  Take a few minutes to watch this amazing movie! What will you do this christmas to be a voice for those who have none? What will you do to be a friend to the friendless? A father to the fatherless?

This week Ramblings

I have had a bit of a rough week this week, but it has also been good. My sprained ankle is feeling much better, but I am having some other health issues and I have been sick this week. I have been extremely tired when I get home from school in the mornings, but I can't sleep at night. Also, I am getting very frustrated with my school and a lot of issues that come with going to a small school. I am so glad tomorrow is the end of this school week and that I only have one week left before break. I am having a really rough time in algebra and my teacher is really trying to help me. Thankfully, she moved our test back till after break. I am also so glad we moved on in literature, we have been reading a play and I was having a hard time understanding and I didn't do well on my test. I am doing better again thanks to having a new book that isn't a play and actually coming to class again (i was sick for a few days last month) I just am hoping my grade wasn't to hurt by that. I can't believe science fair is in less then two months! So much to do for that! Over thanksgiving break I got a ton done and finished up a bunch of tasks and even read for fun some. Since then I have been a mess and haven't really known what to do. I think I should be able to survive the next week and hopefully set some new goals, reorganize my life, and pick up some hobbies and get disciplined again. I need to figure out what is going on with my knees before I can run again which is starting to bother me, because normally I run when I am upset and I haven't been able to lately. On the bright side, It snowed this past weekend and it a wonderful thing. The snow is so pretty! Pictures coming soon!

Thats all for now, this really is just a bunch of randomness. I will post my top 5 tomorrow.    

New Look!

I am very excited about my new winter theme and signature thanks to Kendra and her sister Anna! Thanks so much girls!

All we ever need

A heavy heart I bring
For I am tired Lord
Awaken my lost love for You
Take this heart of stone
And warm this bitter cold
Awaken my lost love for You

Let your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy
You are holy

Remind us who we are
When we have wandered far
Awaken our lost love You
And like the morning star
You chase away the dark
There is no shadow here with You
With You, Lord

Let Your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy

Just a glimpse of You is all we ever needed
Just a touch from You is all we ever needed
Just a glimpse of You is all we ever needed
It's all that we are needing now

Let Your children fall down and worship
Fall down and know You
For You are holy
Let Your children rise up before You
Rise and adore You
For You are holy

Top 5

1. Black Friday deals on stuff I needed
2. International group
3. Christmas movies/ hot tea/ blankets
4. Snow :)

5. New Camera

Percy Jackson

Last night we watched Percy Jackson and the olympians. I thought it was a great movie, but more than the plot, the symbolism behind it was so cool! SPOILER WARNING!!: The movie had one scene where the main character sees the girl he ends up liking while she is fighting.... and she starts by welcoming him back home, making him feel good etc. then she grabs his sword from him and reminds him to never let his guard down. This is the same thing the enemy does to us.... makes us feel good then takes us down. In another scene they have to not look Medusa in the eye or they will die and again life is like this, except opposite in our case we must look sin right in the eye in order to stop it. Another time they become so engaged in the happenings of the hotel (their world) thy don't care that they waste part of their life and risk the worlds safety to enjoy themselves. We are SO much like this its not even funny.... we not only put ourselves at risk but the whole world, we would rather spend our time doing what we want then sharing christ. We consume our lives with business and leave no time for people (future post coming soon).  In my favorite scene one of the main characters had to be left in the underworld.... and the others had to go to Zeus in order to rescue him. I am so glad we don't need to send people to get God to rescue us and I am also glad we can go to God on behalf of our friends.

Top 5 (7)

1. Weekend with friends
2. Kettle Corn
3. Friends at the Mall
4. Cheesecake
5. Thanksgiving with family
6. Thanksgiving service
7. New Church

Top 5

1. Talking with friends till past Midnight!
2. Perfect lighting for taking pictures
3. New History Program
4. Amazing fall colors last week
5. Good Report Card Grades

Fall Photos

I was sitting outside today and I realized that the lighting outside was incredible.  I also happened to realize I had all my homework done and chores. So I grabbed my camera and spent the next half an hour shooting. Something I love doing, but something I dont have enough time for..... It was so fun! I love it when God shows us those little things!   

The blogger returns (Duhn duhn duhn *scary music*)

So this is that crazy blogger person that Nutmeg sometimes lets post of her blog for some reason. I don't have much to say. Except that Nutmeg is a super awesome person. They should put her in the super awesome person hall-of-fame. I mean, would you let a person like me type on your blog? It takes someone super awesome to do that. So once upon a time there was a sharpie, it was a very cool sharpie. But it could talk. No matter how much someone tries to convince you it could talk, it didn't. Because we all know sharpies don't talk. But because my story would be boring if the sharpie couldn't talk, so we are going to say that the sharpie can talk. Now this sharpie talked all the time and didn't know when to stop talking (kinda like me right now). So the spin-ie (spinny? Spinn-e? spinnie? Spinning?) chair told the sharpie to be quiet, but the sharpie wouldn't be quiet. So the chair picked up the sharpie and threw it across the room. (Now readers, please don't do this at home. Sharpies do have feelings no matter who tries to convince you otherwise.) The poor sharpie was so ashamed it jump into a backpack. Now you may think this is a very depressing ending to a perfectly (or not so perfectly-yes this is bad grammar) story but its really not. The chair was happy because it could get some sleep because the chair didn't talk its head off and the sharpie met a nice dry-erase marker and they became best of buds. And Nutmeg is happy because finally, I am ending this SUPER long blog that had no point to it.

Top 5

Last week I am thankful for

1. My new Ipod touch
2. Dropping Apush
3. Cheesecake
4. Twins being home a year
5. Toy story 3



This week I am thankful for-
1. Birthday parties with friends
2. Quelf
3. $120 to sent to FHG(the orphanage the twins came from)
4. Nice Algebra 2 teachers
5. Being done with driving

Part 2 (Late)

Sorry it took so long to post this! 

To Mrs. G(a sunday school teacher)-

 Thanks for first introducing me to the world outside my own. For going to Africa and asking me to pray for you, for bringing me back stories, pictures, and a wooden giraffe. Thanks so much for teaching us all to think about the bigger picture for reading up missionary stories. Thanks for opening up my heart to the possibility of missions.

To AL(my younger sister)-
  Thanks for having a sensitive heart. Thanks for loving nature and outdoors. Thanks for being like me and letting me see what I have done right.... and what I have done wrong. What I need to change and what I need to correct. Thanks for loving  your friends (even if they move across the ocean) and thanks for trying to keep in touch with them. Thanks for not letting them just slip away but showing me I need to pursue relationships with others. Thanks for all the times I get messages in my inbox from your friends :) 

To CA(an old friend from church)-

 Thanks for showing me its ok to hurt. Thanks for helping me learn to forgive. Thanks for showing me its ok to be open with friends. And even through all the pain... thanks for showing me how to let go. Thanks for being my friend no matter how short a time it was and thanks for showing me that their was someone out their waiting to be my friend. Thanks for being used to show me it was time to move on and let go. And most of all thanks for showing me how to guard my heart and not jump right in to situations. 

To N(my oldest, younger brother)-
    Thanks for all the times of you, me, mom, and dad. Thanks for teaching me how to deal with annoying people :) (and you really weren't THAT bad) Thanks for setting goals and sticking with them. Thanks for being disciplined and hard working. Thanks for working with me, I am so thankful for you now that we get along. I hope you know how special you are! 

To MD(a friend from school)-
  Thanks for showing me to guard my heart above all else. Thanks for showing me not to believe in lies and not to judge people without knowing them. Thanks for showing me not everyone is who they say they are and to always be on guard. I will always be praying for you! 

To Mom-
Thanks for always keeping us in mind first. Thanks for going through things before me and helping me make it through them. Thanks for encouraging me and for showing me how to deal with my emotions. Thanks for always trying to help and do what is best for me. Most of all thanks for always being faithful to dad and giving me an example in marriage in the future. I am truly blessed to have you as a mom.

To Great Grandma-
 Thanks for being a spiritual influence. Thanks for taking the time to play games when I was little, thanks for letting me help in the kitchen, thanks for taking time to invest in me. Thanks for telling me stories from when you grew up and from when you were younger. Thanks for telling me about when Great Grandpa died this spring... I know that was hard for you but I needed to hear it. 

To AB(Best friend growing up)-
 Thanks for  being a homeschooler like me :) Thanks for the overnights, American Girl doll skits, and amazing crafts. Yes, you were always the best at doing cool crafts and stamping. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me and thanks for showing me best friends do exist. Thanks for even coming over and talking at the pool this summer. Thanks for freaking Zach out on face book that one night! 

Thanks to these people

As hard as it is to imagine, I will be 16 in just two days. So to celebrate I wanted to write a paragraph to the 16 most influential people in my life. This post contains the first eight. Tomorrow I will post the others, then on my birthday hopefully I will post something else to celebrate. 

Anyway, A lot of this has never been shared... its the feelings of my heart. I have thought long and hard about this and prayed hard about this. I honestly think these people have made the greatest mark on my life. So they deserve this paragraph times 10. I love you all, thanks so much for investing in me!  

WARNING:  This post is likely to contain inside jokes :) 


To JES (my best friend)- Thanks for being the most amazing, truly biblical friend. For being a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, a body to laugh with, and always having an ear open to talk to! Thanks for being the person that shares secrets, talks about the tough stuff, and confronts me about problems. Thanks for always being there, for staying up till 2 talking about toy story, for being stalkers in the middle of the night, for letting me drag you to venturing, and through shawnee. Thanks for always making me smile and laugh. Let the Goats live on forever! 

To J (my brother)- The "Awesomest guy ever" as you said to daniel tonight. :) You are a great treasure. You make me laugh and you always have a smile to share. Thanks for always goofing of and playing! Thanks for being a light  and thanks for caring about hurting people. Thanks for always thinking of the other person (except when you make me the slave) Just wanted to let you know "Remember J: I won today!"

To Mrs. H(my first grade co-op teacher)- The greatest homeroom 1st grade teacher. Thanks for inspiring me, thanks for teaching me, and thanks for the memories. Thanks for being willing to work with kids and setting an example for me! You are truly me hero... I hope someday I can be like you.. in the way you were excited about it all, included your faith in school, played fun games, and invested in our lives. I wish I could have stayed in first grade forever! Yes, I will be forever scarred by the books about the Stupids and the heads up seven up games.

To L (my sister)- Thanks for having such a ginormous smile! Thanks for showing me I need to open my heart and a little pain is worth it. Thanks for showing me the faith of a child and thanks for always comforting me. I love you sissy!!! And I really love sharing a room with you! Can you believe that Elizabeth is 3 years old??? That makes you 38 my dear sissy love you! 

To DC (a friend from school and the first boy for me to not be afraid off)- The shyest guy in school.... well not anymore :) Thanks for having the courage to say "Happy Birthday" a year ago. Thanks all our talks till way past when I should have been in bed. Thanks for listening and helping me belive in myself. Thanks for showing my that boys aren't really ALL that bad. Thanks for encouraging me to follow my heart and dance..... even though your stuck in karate. You mean a lot to me.. and even though I never talk to you nor never see you I still think about all you did for me last year (including showing me all those bands) . Thanks!  To you (because it so fits you!!!) - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?pid=287300&id=100000031742274&fbid=118540238157034 

To A (my brother)- Thanks for always caring. Your quiet and watchful yet crazy and wild. Your little heart couldn't get much bigger. Thanks for always being willing to help out. Thanks for always always caring about the truth before what others think! Thanks for cheering me up. And you know what? I am pretty sure your not allergic to me.

To MD (a friend from church in 5th-8th grade)- Thanks for being there when there was no one else. Thanks for sitting next to me that first day of class at church in 5th grade. Thanks for being there since then. Thanks for all the laughs from the campfire at your house with your bro to summer camp. Without you switching churches and schools at the same time would have been horrible. Thanks for all the Baby sitting opportunities and amazing room ideas! I am still so sorry about EP and I ruining your party in 6th grade. I love you girlie and pray for you all the time! Toenail polish, Beads and sweets..... Ah the memories! 

To Dad (my father who is in school getting his Phd)- Thanks for setting an example. Thanks for doing what God has called you to even when its hard. Thanks for teaching us diligence and perseverance. Thanks for always having time for us and keeping your priorities straight. I know I complain, but I couldn't ask for anything more! Thanks for all the memories from tossing us in our baby blankets to the father daughter dance to our long talks! Thanks for investing in us! 

Walking Like Jesus

So I need to get started with my day but since this just happened I thought I would share it quickly. L and I were up in our room and I asked her to make her bed. Now like her older sister, she hates taking the time to do things well and not waste time. So she "made her bed" by throwing everything on her bed and started to leave. I then turned and said "L, is your bed made like it would be if Jesus was coming over?" She wondered why I asked this and I showed her the verse in the Bible that says "whatever you do, do for the Lord not men" She then proceeded to very nicely make her side of the bed and A's side to. This made me think.... You know we all ought to take a lesson from the child-like faith and do everything we do as if Jesus were going to be looking at it... I think, at least for me, I would do a whole lot better on everything I did.

1 Year is a Very Long time

Well a year ago tonight was a very exciting night. It was the first night two very special boys spent the night in their forever home! I can't believe its been a year since J and A came home. In this last year we have learned a lot about perspective, a lot about love, a lot about trials, and a lot about laughing and having fun. I love having so many siblings. We are large enough to share inside jokes and play games, but small enough to share scriptures and life. The boys fit right in at our house. I hope they know how much we love them!!! Congratulations boys! We love you!

Top 5

This week I am thankful for:

1. God's Fingerprints
2. A new design on my blog :) (That took me forever to get)
3. Doing well in Chemistry
4. Understanding Teachers, Friends, and Parents
5. Amazing evening with the family

Thank You For

 This week I am super thankful for......


 1.NyQuil

2. Warm Blankets

3. The Girls at 3x design blog

4. Christian music

5. Fall Colors and pumpkins

Fall Fun

Its that time of year again!

Live, Love, Laugh

Live, Love, Laugh! 

I absolutely love my accidental photo! Live, Love, Laugh!

The first two pictures are from two weeks ago and this last one is from today! Amazing the difference! I LOVE fall.... it is defiantly one of my favorite seasons! Fall just gives me a sense of peace that comes from nothing else. I love seeing beauty in nature. My Crew went horseback riding this weekend and at one point we came out over a ridge... and you could see for miles over the woods. Absolutely incredible!

Another fun give away!

I am really loving this whole blogging world! 
http://morganofmiddle.blogspot.com/2010/09/two-celebrations.html

Glasses

About a month ago I got my glasses cleaned and fixed. Its amazing the difference in what I could see. I think we often go through life like that. We think we are seeing clearly but then when we ask Jesus to wash us we are cleaned and we can now see clearly. Its hard to believe how many of us go through life not seeing clearly because we are looking through dirty glasses. 

Tonight

I some how finished my home work before seven tonight. So I had a really nice night catching up with my mom on life.... It was really fun! And I got to drive tonight.

Long Days

Long days

This weekend has been an interesting one. Homework, meeting with friends, soccer games, and church. I loved the services at church this weekend. I am so glad to finally be back in a church family. This evening my dad and I went out and got slushes at speedway... MMM!  Then we came back and worked on homework, got ready for this week, did some grading, and then I got to watch "My Girl 2" both of which are good movies. Next week I am going horse back riding and the next week is the PSAT and Stratford... I cant wait till mid- october... although the next couple weeks should be really fun.  

This Week

It's been so long since I have blogged. So much has happened. St. Louis was absolutely incredible last weekend. I will blog more about that later. Some how I made it through this weekend. Life is really busy.
I hope to get back to blogging soon. :)