One Thing

At FUGE this summer, we did an exercise where we had to choose one intangible thing that we absolutely couldn't live without. I really struggled with this, because there are a few things in life that I decided would be difficult to let go. I was down to support, hope, and love. Sure, there's plenty of tangible things that we all think we can't live without- cell phones, computers, television, clothes, best friends, family, whatever it may be. The intangible things, I think, are taken for granted for than the tangible ones. How many times do we actually think about how much we love our best friends? Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you had no hope? What if you were never supported in anything you do? I couldn't live, honestly. Not without those three things.

These are some things I take for granted:

Friends.




Teachers.



Gorgeous weather.



Something I took for granted: R.I.P. Squeakers. I love you babygirl <3




I wish I'd met Jenna a lot sooner so she could teach me this. :)

I Hope You Dance

So lately, I've learned a lot about myself. Like, a lot, a lot. I've learned what it's like to win, to give up, to lose, to have, and to be patient, because God knows I need help with that one. I need help with everything, and God has been there through it all, along with some other amazing people. There's a song that I used to listen to when I was younger. It's called "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. The lyrics mean a lot to me, so I'm just gonna post them here.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
Get that fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hop you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance.

Oh hey, it's me.

The above picture is of me and the little girl from Vacation Bible School who was, almost literally, attached to my hip. Her name is Teagan. :)

Well this looks interesting.

10 Favorite Words/Phrases
1. Well, that went well.
2. Insane.
3. I lovee youu.
4. Way to go. (Sarcastic)
5. Just sayin'.
6. Hellooo.
7. I know, right?!
8. Amen.
9. Like, seriously.
10. Legit.

9 Things I Never Get Tired Of
1. HUGS. Any of them, any kind, all the time. They don't always fix everything, but they always make it better.
2. Dancing. I'm so incredibly upset that I'm not dancing until November.
3. Writing. Whether it's songs, poems, stories, or just random pieces, I love writing with a passion.
4. Music. My clarinet is my baby. I'm getting an alto saxophone and a new guitar. All my instruments have names. My marching clarinet is Luna. My wood clarinet will be Esperanza. My saxophone will be Cecile. My guitar will be Eve. My keyboard is Lawanda.
5. Classic Disney movies. The princesses are great, but Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin have to be my favorite movies.
6. Painting. Although I rarely get the option, I love to.
7. Drawing. I'm quite the abstract artist. I can't draw realistic for CRAP.
8. Purple. Anything in that color. Shoes, walls, clothes, ANYTHING.
9. Flowers. I kinda really love them. Seeing them, receiving them, smelling them, photogtaphing them.

8 Things I Never Leave the House Without
1. My cell phone, even though it's broken.
2. My iPod.
3. My purse (yes, it's purple!).
4. My necklace with my freshman and sophomore rings on it.
5. My hair straight or up. Never curly, ever.
6. My camera (which is also purple).
7. Hair ties.
8. My fake braid, for Teagan. <3

7 Favorite Quotes
1. "Scars are beautiful." -Jenna Sanders
2. "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Winnie the Pooh
3. "You don't have to act small to make other people feel good about themselves." -Anonymous.
4. "One day, you're gonna shine again; you may be knocked down, but not out forever." -TobyMac
5. "If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be you shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But if you need a friend, I'll just be me." -Me
6. "What you do does not determine who you are; who you are determines what you do." Ryan Warren
7. "You are the master of your unspoken words, a servant to your spoken words, and a slave to your written words." -Centrifuge Speaker 2009

6 Most Influential People
1. Jenna Sanders
2. Morgan DeWilde
3. Megan Penzkofer
4. Mes parents
5. My youth group <3
6. Other friends, I guess.

5 Life Mottos
1. When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how you did it.
2. You only live once, but when you live like I do, once is enough.
3. If there aren't mistakes in life, you learn nothing, go no where, and there are no goals.
4. Love moderately, for long love doth so, too quickly arrives as tardy too slow. -Shakespeare<3
5. Reach for the moon. If you miss, you'll land among the stars.

4 Lessons I Learned This Year
1. God is real, and He cares about me very, very much.
2. I have the most amazing friends in the entire world.
3. I have a calling to missions. Not quite sure what this entails, but it's there.
4. Meeting new people and actually talking to them is the best thing in the world. <3

3 Things I Would NEVER Do
1. Go bungee jumping, skydiving, cliffdiving, or anything of the sort.
2. Eat anything that isn't edible.
3. Give up on anyone.

2 Secrets
1. I actually really enjoy Shakespeare.
2. I'm really shy, unless you talk to me. So come start a conversation! I'll be happy to talk(:

1 Biggest Dream
1. I want to go on a mission trip, somewhere, anywhere. I just have to wait for God to show me where.

VBS

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long; I've been super busy lately.

This week is going to be insane, but I'm absolutely ready. Every night, I'm teaching Vacation Bible School at my church. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, I have mini band camp. I also have to pack for band camp on top of everything.

Saddle Ridge Ranch is this year's VBS theme. I'm teaching music to Pre-K through 4th grade kids, and I'm having an awesome time. Even though I have a brace on my knee, I still jump around and get the kids excited. They really enjoy the crazy (and extremely silly) songs that we sing. Ever since I worked with the kids at Brush Arbor, I've had a huge soft spot for them. I'm really glad that I'm getting the opportunity to share with them about God through the music. It's going to be amazing seeing how many kids accept Christ this week. Please be praying that the kids learn more about God and can take it home to their families.

Witnessing

Today, I witnessed to a good friend. We'd drifted apart and haven't really talked until today since just after school let out. I told him about how I had been praying for him even when we hadn't been talking. He seemed moved by this, and mentioned his faith. This opened a huge door for me to talk to him. He told be about how his family doesn't go to church, and the only Bible he has is one of those children's Bibles. I was astounded at this, since I've known him for a while. I shared with him some of my favorite verses from the Bible. His favorites were from Luke 6, about loving your enemies. I shared with him the whole passage, and he seemed quite enthusiastic about it. Secretly, I was thrilled with this. I wanted to get up and start screaming in joy, but being on crutches right now, that probably isn't the smarted move. Instead, I praised God for this opportunity. I am beyond happy right now. He even told me he hasn't prayed in months, but he was going to start praying again, because I told him about how much better my life is now that I trust God with everything. He's really thinking about this a lot, and I don't want to push anything on him. I'm praying on my own for God to help me witness to him.

If anyone has any advice for me, please let me know!

"We'll sing until the whole world hears."

A Stained Glass Masquerade

"Would it set me free if I dared to let you see the truth behind the person that you imagined me to be? Would your arms be open or would you walk away? Would the love of Jesus be enough to make you stay?"

^^The above song lyrics are from Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns. That song came up on my iPod last night, and for one of the first times in my life I really listened to the lyrics. The whole song is about how the singer feels like he is the only guy in the world who goes to church with burdens, and hides behind his "painted grin." The song kind of described my life, even up to the quoted part. And to answer the question: Yes, it did. It set me free to finally tell someone EVERYTHING. And believe me, that took a couple of late night conversations to get it all out. Her arms were open, and she stayed and listened.

Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other's burdens, and in this fulfill the law of Christ."

Amazing People

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you."

"It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part: So much of me is made of what I've learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend."

These people have changed my life for the better:


My best friend, Morgan DeWilde. She taught me what it's like to be a real friend who sticks with you through anything, no matter what.


My other best friend, Courtney Brinker. She taught me how to be a Godly friend, let loose, and be crazy. She's basically the one to blame for my personality. Oh, and she's dealt with me for almost 9 years now.


My Fuge Leader, Jenna Sanders. She taught me more than I can list here about faith, life, and hope.


My dance teacher, Ashley Gajos. She taught me how to use music and dancing to release yourself and a lot of other life lessons.


My other dance teacher, Kris Gajos. She taught me about life, respect, and, of course, dance.

Those are just a few people who I love and respect outside of my family.