From Church to Winners

So today was a fun day. Went to both services this morning and was touched by God like always. Pastor Ken spoke about how we are all loved by God. Then we sung "Jesus Loves Me" at the end and I admit I teared up. It was pure bliss.

After church a group of us (me, Madison, Mandy, Sarah, Marika, Steph, Russel, Matt and Jesse) all walked to Wendy's for lunch. Quite a few other people from church were there too, no surprise! Then we (minus Marika, Steph and Matt) went up to Petland and the dollar store and Winners, which was also fun. At winners i bought myself and Madison (against her will) new bags which are AMAZING! :P
So after today I realized how much fun it can be to just hang out with friends and not have a set plan. I love my friends!!

We make relationships everyday
Some last an hour
Others for a lifetime
I live for the tears
That make me smile
I live for the moments
That never end
I live for the dreams
That are coming true
With everything I am
And with everything I do
I live for my friends

Keep It Simple

"Jesus loves me, this I know"

Camp was amazing. Thats the best way to put it. Each night I was touched by what the speaker said and what God said. Especially the last night...I don't think I've cried that much in a long time. And it really showed me how amazing God is and how lucky I am to have such great friends. A special thank-you goes out to PC. You showed me so much this week and I am just blessed to know you and to have the chance to talk to you. When you prayed for me the last night, I felt such a reasurrance in my heart and soul. So thank you for always being there for me.

Everything else at camp was fun too. The first day was a little let down at first cause of the rain, and some complications with people, but other than that it was fine. My team, Tongues of Fire, was amazing. Its true we didn't win a lot, but we still had fun and got along. Memorizing bible verses, painting our scroll, building our boat, playing games like kickball, volleyball and water polo with a watermelon wrapped in duck tape..ahhh good times. And, if you didn't already know, I got kicked in the jaw during water polo, but its not really swollen or bruised anymore :D. Clash day, bad hair day and costume day were also tons of fun. So all in all, it was a great week. I made new friends and my relationships with old friends grew stronger. I can't wait for next year.

P.S. To all those people who said it would be fun, you were right. But I will NOT say its better than Nanoose! :P

Explanation

I can't explain this feeling inside
My heart is pounding
My stomach is flipping
My mind is racing
The sound of your voice
Can save my soul
The touch of your hand
Can stop my breath
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
And never let go
You're the million reasons why
There's love reflecting in my eyes
I just wanna stay in this moment
Forever and ever
With every word and every smile
You make me fall in love

Girls rule, boys drool

Today was the Shift event Girls hang/Guys hang. The guys went to the driving range and us girls stayed at the church and did our nails, ate cookie dough and watched Enchanted. It was good fun..I laughed a lot in the movie. Too much cookie dough though...my stomach didn't like me very much! :P But hanging out with these girls today showed me how amazing God's love is and really inspired me.

Your children cry out to you
Songs of praise from their lips
In awe we fall to our knees
How can someone so great
Love someone so small
You gave your life
So that we could live
For now and ever more
We open our hearts to you
From young to old
Souls are yearning for you
We run to you with open arms
Forever we are faithful

I am officially in love with Toyota Hybrids!

So I had my first actual driving lesson today. My dad has been teaching me, but my parents finally bought me lessons. The instructor, Sherri, is awesome. She's so nice and was so easy to drive with. Plus, the car was amazing. It rode so smooth...easy to turn, stop, go, park, everything. And I love the way its set up..the key is a little box thingy that you put in this slot and then press a power button! Its amazing. So yeah, she said that I'm a really good driver and I'll be ready to take my N test in a few weeks. I'm scheduled to go September 16. Wish me luck!!

Later Gators

high on this new drug called STOKED

I just have to say that after the cadre leaders meeting today, I am SOO friggen stoked for this year. Even more than I was before. Cadre's are going to be amazing and the kick-off is going to be spectacular. I'm not allowed to say whats going to happen, but I will say this. Its going to be the best night ever and you better be there!

1 week till camp!!!

Summit, Poems, Africa and Moms!

So today was the second and final day of the Leadership Summit. And was it ever AMAZING! We watched...4 videos i believe..and P. Craig talked as well. Evereything was so deep and touching and I got so much. I was on the verge of tears more than once and all this has made me so much more stoked for what Gods got for me. And I got to see Emily Beer again, which was friggen sweet! But it was sad to say goodbye to Darla and Romeo. They promised to visit again though.

Sheila pulled me and Russ aside after it was over and first thing I thought was "oh snap what did i do?!?!" I guess i made a face and she laughed and was like "you`re not in trouble". So we went and sat on the stairs to the stage. She started talking about how her and other leaders in our church, such as P. Scott, have been reading our blogs and poems. They said they were so inspired by what we wrote. That was sweet to hear just by itself..but it gets better! She then asked me and Russ to think and pray to God about writing a poem for Thanksgiving and then possibly getting together with photographers from our church to basically put pictures to words. I was so touched that they would ask us that..it really shows how even the younger leaders are recognized for their strengths. So I`ve already started thinking about that.

Another sweet thing that was thought up today was a possible Africa trip in spring of 2010, with just a few youth from our church. Me, Jay, Russ, Jesse and Matt were talking about it this afternoon. We want to raise $100,000 and then go to a small village in Africa that has nothing..and basically give them everything. Build them houses, a school, give them clothes, bring a doctor to get them medical help. Its in the works right now, but its gonna be awesome.

So I`m just gonna finish this post off by saying I have the best mom in the world. She has always been there for me and building me up into the young woman I am today. Without her...I don`t even want to think of where I`d be. I realize that I have not always given her the time and value she deserves. She is an amazing mother and I am so lucky to have her as mine. I love you Mommy, to the moon..and back! <3

Later Gators!

the day of fries (aka friday)

So today was pretty friggen awesome. At first it looked like things would be all messed up, but everything worked out. Went to Miracle Beach with my family and got to visit with Andrea for a bit too, which was great. Then while we were on a beach, we got to watch a beach wedding so that was pretty sweet. I've always wanted a beach wedding. Then we had a BBQ and had hotdogs for dinner.
I got to the summit just over half an hour late, but thats alright. I gotta sit with Sheila, which was sweet cause she's like another mom to me. The best part of the whole night was seeing Romeo and Darla for the first time in 10 years. IT WAS AWESOME!! Just before the second video started Romeo came over and was like "Sammy!" and gave me a hug. Then he went and told Darla and she ran over and hugged me. Then we had to wait until after the video to actually talk. They were both like "you were this big when i saw you last!" and "you're in grade 12?!?" haha it was great to see them again. And the videos were awesome, especially the second one. I laughed pretty hard and I got so much from it. So stoked to see what tomorrow brings!

Later Gators

Wootness

So yesterday I went on a hike through Paradise Meadows with Jason, Kelsey, Russel and Jesse. It was pretty sweet. It was really hot though and we had to take a break for a couple hikers :P. We got to a lake...Battleship i think. and we just sat there for about 20 minutes or so. I was just looking out over the water and the trees and I was amazed. God made that and its SO beautiful. I just let its beauty and tranquility overtake me and i forgot about all the cares of life. To put it simply, i was in awe. It was so nice, but it kinda started to smell like fish, so we left. Then we hiked back down and back to the van. Jesse has never seen a bear in real life, so we were trying to spot one and went a little "4x4ing" in the van...bad idea since we almost broke it :P but sadly we didn't see a bear. Sorry Jesse! Then we got back into town and went to Jason and Kelsey's for dinner and we watched a couple tv shows, like csi, something-point (i don't remember) and Wipe-Out. Then Kelsey drove me home and we had a nice talk, which is sweet cause we haven't gotten a lot of one-on-one time this summer. So yesterday was a pretty sweet day.

On another note, SUMMIT TONIGHT!!! WOOOOOO! :P So stoked to see whats gonna happen and I am looking forward to hearing what these leaders have to say. And I get to see Romeo and Darla again, which is friggen SWEET!

Later Gators

The Dream Of Now

When you wake to the dream of now
from night and its other dream
you carry day out of the dark
like a flame.

When spring comes north and flowers
unfold from earth and its even sleep
you lift summer on with your breath
lest it be losst ever so deep.

Your life you live by the light you find
and follow it on as well as you can
carrying through the darkness wherever you go
your one little fire that will start again

-William Stafford

I read this for the first time the other day and immediatly fell in love with it. I've always liked Stafford's work, but this really got me. I have a friend who is dealing with some stuff right now and she's been losing faith. I showed it this and talked to her for a long time. I kept thinking about it after and realized I too have struggled with letting my "little fire" go out. But I also realized how easy it is to get it started again. With God as the lighter and by not letting yourself slip away and let it fire extinguish, it can turn into a wild forest fire..hypothetically, of course!

Summer Knight

So I finally saw The Dark Knight yesterday. Missed the first half hour or so, but thats alright. It was AMAZING. Way better than I thought it was going to be. So now I'm thinking I should watch the first two batman movies!
Ok so my title is Summer Knight...cause it sounded better than Dark Summer. So you can probably tell what the rest of this post is gonna be about. SUMMER!! And how it's gone by so fast! It's August 11th. A month from now I'll be in school, getting back into the daily routine. And to top it all off, I'LL BE IN GRADE 12!!! It's scary. People keep telling me I'm not allowed to grow up.."i remember you when you were this big!"..."you are growing up so fast.." And I am. I almost wish I was back in elementary school, with no cares, having fun. Not that I'm not having fun now. Cause I am..I'm having so much fun. High School has been the best years of my life so far. I have learned so much, inside and outside of the classroom. Middle School wasn't my favourite three years. I was with the wrong group and all I really had were my good grades..and I even got teased because of that. But in high school, I'm average in most my classes..and I love it!! But back to summer...its come and now its almost gone. It has been the best summer I've had in a long time. Camp was amazing..more amazing than last year. God spoke to me so much. My birthday party...also amazing. And then just hanging out with family and friends pretty much everyday is such a privilege. So many memories are coming out of this summer and I can't wait for whats to come. I am so stoked on this year because of all thats going to happen. New relationships, new discoveries, new adventure. I'm loving what God is doing in my life right now. I am so stoked on leadership this year too cause we're going to be doing so much more and getting closer to each other and God. It's gonna be good. I can't friggen wait!

Later Gators!

Time to reflect

I've noticed lately how people are always thinking about the future and what they're going to do 50 years from now. They're always worrying about whats going to happen tomorrow. They rush through life without taking time to stop and look at their lives. I'm not saying don't prepare for the future, or that everything should be spontaneous. I'm just saying that things need to be handled with care, especially your own life. Let me ask you some questions. Have you ever let a good friendship die because you didn't take the time to say "hi"? Have you ever gone to bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Have you ever ask someone "how are you" and not waited to hear the reply? All you parents, have you ever told your child "we'll do it tomorrow" and in your haste, not seen their pain? Everyone, have you ever watched kids on the merry-go-round or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Have you ever watched a butterflies erratic flight, or listened to the rain hitting the ground? When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry throughout your day, life becomes like an unopened gift, just tossed to the side. Please, you'd better slow down, don't dance so fast. Time is short, the music won't last. Life isn't a race. Take things slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

Sometimes you gotta run away so you can see who will run after you. Sometimes you gotta talk quieter just to see who's listening. Sometimes you gotta step up in a fight just to see who's by your side. Sometimes you gotta make a wrong decision to see who's there to fix it. Sometimes you gotta let go of the one you love just to see if they love you enough to come back. Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside of you that is greater than any obstacle. You deserve to be with somebody who makes you happy. Somebody who doesn't complicate your life. Somebody who won't hurt you. If they're stupid enough to walk away, be smart enough to let them go. Be who you want to be, not what others want to see. Forgive people, not because you're weak, but because you're strong enough to know that people make mistakes. Take chances, because you never know how great something could turn out to be. Certain things are just worth waiting for.

So I was just sitting here writing this and listening to worship songs and it really got me thinking. I love Jesus. He has just been so awesome in my life lately. At times I've felt like there's no reason to smile or to even live. But then I see this glimpse of light and I feel God saying to me that there's more to come. Theres a story I read about a lady who was dying, and asked her pastor to bury her with a fork. She explained this by saying how after meals people always say to keep your fork, and that means theres something better coming. So by keeping her fork, she's getting ready to go on to something even more spectacular than life itself. So I say to all of you, KEEP YOUR FORK. :P But seriously, this past year has just been amazing. It's definitly had its downs (R.I.P. Olivia, Eric and Floyd) but it's had it's ups as well. I have grown so much in myself and in Jesus. God has been doing a ton of stuff in my heart and I am so stoked on whats to come this year. I know it's gonna be good.

Later gators

Mini's

Never say I love you if you don't really care
Never talk about feelings if they aren't really there
Never hold my hand if you're going to break my heart
Never say you're going to if you don't plan to start
Never look in my eyes if all you do is lie
Never say "Hello" if you really mean "Good-bye"
Never say forever because forever makes me cry
If you really mean forever then say you will try

I haven’t had the best life
There’s been lots to work through
My family’s been broken apart
And my hearts been torn in two
I’ve been called names
And I’ve been pushed away
But through all this hurt
I’m still gonna say
I’ll be okay

I'll pull you out when life pulls you under.
I'll be the sun when there's lightning and thunder.
If I could catch a rainbow I would do it just for you.
And share with you it's beauty on the days you're feeling blue.
If I could build a mountain you could call your very own.
A place to find serenity a place to be alone.
If I could take your troubles I would toss them in the sea.
But all these things I'm finding are impossible for me,I
cannot build a mountain or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be...what I know best, a friend that's always there.
Years may fly, tears may dry
But my friendship with you will never die

Just Say The Word

Time flies by when I’m praising you
I close my eyes and I am gone
Into your arms is where I go
And in your arms is where I want to stay

My love for you, Jesus
Is like a burning fire
Just say the word
And I’ll go anywhere

Your spirit fills me up
Your grace overflows
I know that you are God
Forever you will reign

You laid down your life
You died on the cross
How can I repay you?

Inspiration

I just want to thank you, Lord
Thank you for everything you’ve done
I want to know you, Lord
I want to live by your side
We sing our songs of praise to you
But I want to do even more

Everyday, Lord, I live to praise you
Every minute, Lord, I live to love you
Anytime I need to sing, Lord
You’re the one giving me words

You are my inspiration
You the love of my life
I open my ears to hear your words
I open my heart to let you in
Everyone who knows you, Lord
Knows that you are great.

I want you, Lord
I need you, Lord
I love you, Lord
You’re here right now
You’re setting us free

Solid Proof

When I first wrote this, I saw it as someone saying it to someone else cause they're "in love". But then I read it again and saw it completely different. I saw it as God singing to those who don't know Him. It was amazing.

1st verse
Every time you're near me
My body starts to melt.
Every time I think of you
My mind turns to mush.
Every time you talk to me
My words just don't make sense.
And every time I look at you
Things seem to turn out right.

Chorus
All of this is solid proof
Of how I feel about you.
The only down part is
You don't even notice.
I wish that you would look
And see who I really am.

2nd verse
Some people say you're right for me
And some people say you're not.
Some people think that I'm wasting my time
But I think you're worth it.
When will you open your eyes and see
That you're the only one for me.

Chorus

3rd verse
All day long I think of you
All day long I wait for you.
I shouldn't want you like this
I'm sure that in the end I'll lose.
But Hun, you know what?
I'm willing to fight for your love.
Because even though I'm invisible to you
You're the only one I see.

Chorus 2x

Cause That's What Love Is

Sometimes it can be easy
And sometimes it can be hard
But I know it’s worth it
Sometimes we see each other
And sometimes we don’t
But I know you’re worth it

As long as I’m here and you’re here
Nothing can go wrong
And even though
There’s things holding us apart
We’ll keep on going
Cause that’s what love is

All we have to doIs stick together
And not fall away
All we have to do
Is pray to God
And ask for His strength

As long as I’m here and you’re here
Nothing can go wrong
And even though
There’s things holding us apart
We’ll keep on going
Cause that’s what love is
And babe, you’ve got the best of my love

First Blog. woot!

Ok so this is my first blog post thingy. I've always wanted to have a blog, but was too lazy to make one. So hopefully I can keep this up. It will probably mostly be my writing, but I will get some real life stuff in here too.
Yeah so check it out and hope you like it.
Later!
<3