I am me, and you are you

I feel that as teenagers, we spend the majority of our time creating ourselves, our identity, our image and how we want others to view us. There is the jock, the actor, the artist, the rebel, the smart one, the 'good christian', the vegetarian, the bully, the popular kid, the musician... some of us may try several or all to develop our image. And you know what I have found out over the years of trying new things?? You can't put a label on who you are. There isn't a formula to being you. I, for instance am not any 'one' of those things. There is no one word that can sum up who you are. We are all different, so why waste out time trying to label and identify who/what you are... I am me, and you are you.
Let's made a deal not to label ourselves... let's let our identity be found Christ.

Olive Forge Herb Garden- Haddock, Ga

Hello There, Mr.Caterpillar!

This plant smelled like lemons! I forget the name...

Me, Emily, and Sydnie! I had so much fun! Love you guys :)

Field Trip... OK! We went to an herb garden in Haddock, Ga. It was really neat. We learned a lot about herbs and their uses. I am so amazed at how many plants the Lord has given to us to heal and help our health. Like for instance... bug replant(works like the stuff we buy), anti-itch(lavender...bought some and works like a charm!). God has given us all the resources we need, and there is much more we probably haven't discovered yet! He really had us in mind when He created the earth. It's because of things like this (which we are surrounded by) that there is no reason not to Believe in Jesus Christ.

Loving Life!

Finally, the weather is in the beginning stages of cooling off. It is still hot, but it's a little cooler... you have to start somewhere... Yesterday we had a ton of fun with some friends out at the Cabin. (can you believe I forgot my camera??! Me either!) Today I am hanging out with a friend. I have a packed week this week... packed with fun that is. Everyday, something fun, new and out of the ordinary! I love life :)
I look forward to the youth slip'n slide on Monday, a field trip on Tuesday, my last art class on Wednesday... along with church afterward, Tennis on Thursday, and Piano lessons on Friday... I'll have to let you know how that goes, so far... I am not a prodigy child ;)
I also have some pictures to edit for a friend... I'm working on it Mary Helen...I promise I'll get them done for you. :)
Have a great week!!

Dance Like No One Is Watching

Another gorgeous Siesta Key Sunset. It never get's old, because no sunset is alike. God is such a great artist :)

Sr.High Youth (uptown)-FPC

One of my favorite parts of the week is going to youth group. FPC youth group has helped me grow so much through the last 3 years. My eyes have really been opened to see God clearly. I can't describe in words the spiritual impact of being involved in the church youth program has made on me. For starters the staff in great. They all really make a effort (and succeed) at getting to know every student individually and on a personal level. They do a superb job at making you feel right at home :) Also fellowship plays a big part in my spiritual life. We meet in small groups once a week for accountability and prayer. I must say that the relationships built through my 'd-group' has impacted me in so many ways.

Now, here comes the change. Once you enter high school you start going to youth group on Sunday nights rather than on Wednesday. I am really looking forward to spending the next four years in Sr.High building relationships and growing, and growing, and growing. It will be neat to be in a 'd-group' with some older girls that can really help me expand my knowledge and love for the Lord.

Cold Tangerines

"Look what I found, Mom!"

Oh, the Big Olaf: only the best ice-cream shop ever. None can even compete.

Assume the position!

So, as you could guess, the beach was heaven! Siesta Key was very kind to us, except for maybe a little sunburn, but its expected.

*Sunset pictures... soon :)

A Sister to Love

The beautiful, wonderful, creative, adventurous, loving, sister of mine has packed up and moved out. After 15 memorable years of living with her, she is off, out into the real world of college, and away from home. Through the times of being her 'baby doll', making movies, riding bikes, sneaking a peak at Christmas presents, singing really loud in the car, and vacationing, we were together weather we liked it or not. I played the part of a 'little sister' all too well, as she played the part of a big sister even better. She taught me how to swing by myself, how to tie-die without being a perfectionist, how to dance like no one is watching, how to live like there is no tomorrow, to stop caring what people think, to eat the best part first, and so much more.
I thank God that He put us in the same family, and that I got to spend my life with her, and enjoy every moment. I thank God that He gave me a sister that is madly in love with Him. I thank God that I have a sister to love, and to love me.
I love you Mack!!

A Crummy Plate

I remember when I was a little girl and all I thought about was what it would be like to be a teenager. I wanted to, talk on the phone, have an exciting life, hang out with friends on a regular basis, you know... the things you dreamed about too. Now, I am the age I have always wanted to be and life just isn't as exciting as I had anticipated.
Honestly, life is everything I had dreamed it would be. I have just been too preoccupied waiting for the time my life would get started to realize that it already had. I have wasted my time waiting for what I had dreamed of for years to take place, when in reality I was living my dream the whole time. It's like when you go to a birthday party and you are just so excited to eat the cake, that you don't even realize that the candles have already been blown out, and you have already been handed a piece of cake. You are so busy thinking about what flavor it will be that you don't even take the time to look at the beautifully decorated cake and to thank your friend's mom until the cake is nearly gone.
I'm going to stop and enjoy all the fun games at the party before the cake is passed out. I don't want to miss it. I want to remember eating the cake, and enjoy every bite, because if I don't stop and enjoy it I will be left standing there with a plate full of crumbs, wondering when I'll get to eat the cake.

Do Not Fear- Letting Go

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name you are Mine
For I am the Lord YOUR God
I am the Holy One of Israel, YOUR Savior
I am the Lord. -Isaiah 43

I fear. I fear the unknown. I fear what I don't understand. I fear when I can't see what is coming next, like a swimmer out in the ocean who can't see over the huge waves constantly forcing them under. I fear, all the time. We all do, even about the smallest things, and it is exhausting. You feel like you can never rest, relax and enjoy life because you are under the cumbersome burden of fear. But you know what is so freeing? We don't have to fear. The Lord tells us repeatedly DO NOT FEAR. He has it taken care of. He knows what is coming next. He has the days numbered. He knows the hairs on our head. What have we to fear? The Creator of the earth is with us, always, and He is never leaving. He is on our side. He is cheering for us, rooting for our team. He is our number one fan. Why are we so afraid? Why can't we just let go of the fear? Why can't we just give God our fear and receive His never ending river of peace?

I want to let go. Let go of everything. Let go of the fact that I don't know what will happen tomorrow. Let go of what I don't understand. Let go of the unknown. And maybe, just maybe once I break down the dam of fear blocking the river of my heart, I can receive God's peace. And I can rest. I won't have to run around like a hamster on a wheel trying to figure things out, but getting no where. I can rest, and let God, My Savior, carry me through this life.

I Wanna Soak Up The Sun!!

I love long days at the beach that feel so adventurous even if you are just laying down, reading a good book. It's something out of the ordinary, and it gives you a new sense of thrill. I love eating sandwiches that taste like salt water, sunscreen, and no matter how hard you try to keep it from getting sandy, the feel of the sand grinding between your teeth with each bite that you take. There is something different about coming to the beach in the middle of August. Instead of waking up, looking out the window and seeing thousands of eager city folks looking to get some sun, you see people enjoying themselves without the rush of summer traffic flow. You see abandoned shovels and buckets, washed up sunglasses, and young children swimming in the shallow waves for the first time. There is no need for the time of day. You have no where to be, you can enjoy every moment, and you can soak up every one of the sun's rays without having to share. It brings a new sense of wonder and peace into a persons mind, and I think I can get used to it pretty quickly.

Home, Sweet Home

Homeschooling is in full swing, and i am loving it. Since there is just one of me, I get my school work done in half the time. I usually finnish right before lunch, so that leaves the rest of the afternoon to do... that's right, whatever my heart desires! It is so nice. I love the stress free feel of life that I am experiencing, and look forward to experiencing it the rest of this year. I am really enjoying a lot of the things I am learning. I did a science experiment on friday, I had my first math test today... yes, i still take tests, i take an art class once a week, I really like my world history curriculum, and I LOVE the creative writing in english... oh and the spanish (Rosetta Stone) it AWESOME!

Since my sister is leaving for college next week, we decide to head down to the beach one last time before she evacuates our household. We packed up all my school work, and we will stay on schedule, but we just wanted to change the atmosphere of classes to soak up the sun and catch some waves... because we can.

I do miss seeing my friends everyday, but I love seeing them all once a week at youth group, and having long phone conversations on weekends, and i might make a couple surprise visits up at the day school for lunch. Plus there is football games, and other sports events to go to. I am really excited to see what God will teach me through this new experience and see how much I will grow through this year of fully depending on Him.

Since I am living in the flexability of homeschooling, me, my sister and my mom are on our way to the beach for the week! :)
-ISAIAH 43:4-