Its an early morning ladies and gents! How early may you ask? Breakfast is at 7. Not the kind of breakfast where you meander in with your pajamas on, no you need to be prepared for work by 7. This might have been a little easier to deal with if I would have slept better the night before but unfortunately I was a little too worried about other things to get a good nights rest. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal, bagels, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. All of us kids did our best to keep our eyes open but the adults told us we looked like we were still sleeping.
Following breakfast a lady named Pinky came to talk to us. She was in charge of an organization to help people financially and she also owned a grocery store in a little town near us. She came to assign us to the projects we would be working on for the rest of the week.
After she left, we got right to work. We split into two groups, one group would be painting inside a church and the other group would be cleaning up outside. I volunteered to be outside. I love being outdoors so it really was a no brainer for me, until I stepped outside and was told that it was 95 degrees out, and apparently we were at a higher elevation too so that made it seem way hotter. Lovely.
I did many different jobs outside. First, I started painting the back of a shed that was "tagged" as they call it or graffitied. It felt good to paint over it and make the shed look brand new. It was also kind of creepy because, the shed was not very far from where we had been sleeping, which meant there had been people there at night while we were sleeping and we didn't even notice. It was a very comforting feeling...not. After that I helped fix a fence, we took an old board off and put a new one on, I even got to use the screw driver! Then I held a ladder for our leader while he painted a building way up by the roof.
After that my friend and I went to paint over the graffiti on the back of the church. There was a little girl that had been hanging around the yard named Cherish, adorable name right? Anyways she had been following me around secretly for awhile so I approached her and asked her if she'd like to come help us paint. Cherish was only 5 years old, but I learned she'd been through a lot. It only took one little question for that sweet little girl to open up and tell her story, all I had to her was how many family members do with? Now that I think about it she never did answer the question, but she told me about her two aunts that used to live with her. She told me that her two aunts had been fighting (my mind can only imagine what..drugs? alcohol? money?) They weren't just arguing either, they had been physically fighting, throwing punches and pushing each other, and it ended up with one aunt smashing her car into the other's. Then Cherish said in a matter of fact tone, "The police came and handcuffed them and took them to jail, I miss them."
My heart was breaking for this girl, I couldn't come up with words to comfort her and it made me sad that such a young girl would experience this. I asked her how she had heard about this, silently praying that she wasn't there when this was going on, but she said "I was there". There I stood, getting yet another one of the many reality checks I would have on this trip. This was the first young person I had connected with on this trip and her childhood spirit was already broken. She was acting like much more of an adult that her aunts had been. It made me realize how lucky I was to have such an easy, carefree childhood. I had only known Cherish for a little while but I was attached. She promised me she would come back and play at kids time, but she never did. Each day I would scan all the kids faces to see her but she was never there. I still worry about her and pray for her, I hope she is okay.
Following this the adults told me I didn't look very good and I must have been in the heat too long they sent me inside to get some water and would only let me return to work if I went in the church to paint because there was a huge fan. We had a quick lunch of sandwiches and then went back to work for about an hour, then we were finally done. After getting cleaned up (very minimally) we headed downstairs for devos. It was nice to have some down time with the group for a little bit the theme for our devos that week was "God Gets It" I thought it was a really cool theme that shows that God can relate and understand any part of our life. On that day we were particularly focusing on praise, praising our Father. We have so many things to be thankful for, things we take for granite that we shouldn't. That was one thing I learned on this trip. Seeing people who barely had anything made me feel guilty about the way I had been living my life. I wasn't thankful for the little things like safety, cleanliness, food, and having the opportunity to work.
After devotions, we had about 45 minutes of free time before kids time. Us ladies were quite exhausted and decided to use our free time to take a nap, I think all of us had fallen asleep before our heads had even touched the pillows! Anyways, that nap flew by way too fast in my opinion and it seemed like in five minutes we were woken back up to loud noises in the basement; children. I had been looking forward to this part of the day. I love children and like to play and get to know them. But once again, I wasn't prepared for what I was about to see (this seemed to happen to me a lot on this trip). Most the kids were dirty, and I mean really dirty. Some actually looked like they had been rolling around in the mud, I kid you not. Their clothes were worn out and many were not even wearing shoes. Most of all the kids looked neglected, I wondered if some had ever received any love at home at all. This is the impression I got when I first looked at the kids, before I had even gotten to know them. Kids time was only an hour, but it flew by. I read books to them, colored, played games, and even got in on a kickball game. We also gave the little girls flower clips for their hair. I can not even explain to you the look on their faces when the clips were put in their hair. They felt like they were princesses, it was wonderful. Their smiles lit up the whole room. Most of them didn't say thank you, but we weren't offended by that. We realized that it wasn't their fault since they probably were not taught manners at home.
Following kids time, we got into our vehicles and drove out into literally the middle of nowhere. But in the middle of nowhere was Betty's Kitchen, a restaurant. It's literally what it sounds like, we were in her dining room eating and our food was made in her kitchen. It wasn't a big house either, it was two trailer homes but together. The view was amazing we were at the top of a huge hill and it was beautiful there. Here I had my very first Indian Taco, it was made out of fried bread, and I really enjoyed it. Betty was also able to talk to us about some interesting history. Her elders had been very important people in the Indian history and it was cool to learn about it.
We then enjoyed a scenic view on the way home. Once we got back, we had a speaker named Uncle Will. Seriously people, I can honestly say he is thee COOLEST MAN I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE. I probably should have dedicated a whole blog to him. I know I only met him that one night, but I will still always refer to him as my uncle. Uncle Will is a teacher and a musician. He is a very respected man in the community, he has won a Nammy which is a Native American equivalent to a Grammy. He was all for the young people. He believes in the young people with such a passion that I've never seen before. He stands up for youth and woman's rights. He also brought his wife with. He referred to her as his other half, when he said this to us all of us girls let out a big "awwwhhh", he didn't say anything to us about it, but he probably thought we were crazy because I found out later in the week that that is what most respectable men in their culture refer to their wives as. What's is even cooler is what he called us. He said is not going to call us a kid, because that is a baby goat, and children is not a word in the Lakota language, so what do they call their youth? Ready for this?...drum roll please....Sacred beings! :) Seriously I'm going to hold that against my parents forever, and its super cool because that is now what our youth pastor and other leaders refer to us as. Uncle Will had so many wonderful stories and lessons to share with us, I could have listened to him all night, even though I was so tired. I wore a smile on my face for pretty much the whole time he was talking, because I'd never had an adult talk to us like that before.
At one point he looked at a sacred being in our group and said, "you my man, can be President of this country when you're older, I know it. Please though, when you become President get rid of Columbus Day. I'd much rather see us have an Obama Day, he is someone who is important in our country's history, but can you tell me why Christopher Columbus deserves a day? What did he do? He came to our country and claimed that he founded it when my people were already here, and raped our young girls. Now, can you tell me why this kind of man deserves a national holiday?" This is something that really stuck with me, there was so much truth to what he was saying.
He also sang a song for us called Hard Life. Look it up on youtube its great!
He had a great message about how the youth is our future, so we need to have faith and believe in the youth. He is a great man who is looking for a way to improve others life. One of my favorite quotes from him was "You start the fire and I'll bring the oil!"
"I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you, let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire." 2 Timothy 1:6
After Uncle Will left we had circle time. This is where everyone sat in a circle and a passed the talking stick around, you were only allowed to talk while you were holding the stick. After that we all headed right to bed for some much needed sleep.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Day 1.
Hey guys! Last Sunday my youth group and I departed for an experience of a lifetime. At 6 a.m. we left for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Any idea where that is? I didn't until this mission trip. It is a solid nine hour drive through South Dakota, almost in Nebraska.
I thought I was going to sleep at least halfway there since we were leaving so early in the morning, but I was wrong. My first mistake was probably sitting next to one of my bestest friends in the whole world. We laugh a lot and have a lot of pointless fake arguments which usually lead to more of our annoying laughter. I'm sure the rest of the van just wanted to tell us to shut up. We also showed off some of our lovely singing and dance moves. Along the way we stopped at multiple gas stations to fill up on gas and caffeine, and also at a place called Al's Oasis. Here I happily indulged in four plates of salad bar. Yummmy!
Anyways, about 6 hours into the drive I started getting bored, so I opened the packet of information that was handed to us that morning before we left. I thought it was going to be some history of the Lakota but what I read made my jaw drop.
"Unemployment on the reservation hovers between 80% and 85%, and 49% of the population live below the federal poverty level. Many of the families have no electricity, telephone, running water, or sewage systems; and many use wood stoves to heat their homes, depleting limited wood resources."
That's when I realized that I was about to experience something I couldn't even picture in my head. For the rest of the trip while staring out the window at our beautiful scenery, I tried to prepare myself for what was about to come. It just didn't seem realistic to me that people could be suffering like this so close to home, in our country, the land of the free. Especially just one state over from us.
Driving into Pine Ridge was unexplainable. There was people walking on the side of the road. Houses looked extremely small and rundown. The yards were full of garbage. I was in shock.
We pulled up to where we were staying. It is pretty much a big house ran by a pastor. Nobody came out to greet us, and there was people we didn't know sitting on the tables outside staring, looking sad. We were told to stay in the van while our leaders went to see if anyone was inside. Looking around I saw graffiti everywhere, even on the church! The building we were staying in had windows, but they were covered with a fence like material.
First we were shown our rooms, the girls would be staying upstairs while the boys would be downstairs. Then we were all told to meet downstairs to discuss rules and meet our camp counselers. Their names were Zac and Jodi. The pastor told us that we were staying in downtown Pine Ridge, there was 28 local gangs who graffiti and break windows, alchol and drug use is very highly used there, we weren't allowed to give anyone a glass of water because they will spray hairspray into it to drink the alcohol, we weren't allowed to leave after dark, if we left during the day we must go in groups of more than two, and many people would come to the door to try to sell their artwork. When I heard some of these things I wanted to run. I was so scared!! She also told us about the kids, she told us that they would give us a piece of their heart and in return they would take a piece of ours. Little did I know how true this was...
Following the meeting we had supper (LASAGNA!) and then prepared to go a nursing home where we were going to have worship with some of the elderly. There was only a few who attended the service, but it was our first interaction with the Indians so I was very nervous. A lady walked in toward me and seemed very upset. She didn't make eye contact with me or say anything but stood right in front of me. (We were informed that it is not part of their culture to make eye contact or start conversations with us) For a while I just sat there in shock, I wasn't sure what this lady wanted from me or what she wanted me to do. I then realized I was sitting in her chair, she was a regular and some strange girl had come and taken her spot. I felt horrible and got up as fast as I could. After finding a new spot to sit the hymnals were passed out...they were moldy. We sang some Lakota hymns, the language was not as hard to read as I was expecting you use a sylable for each vowel.
After the service pie and watermelon was served and we were encouraged by our leaders to sit down and get to know the elderly there. My friend and I ended up at a table with the sweetest lady named Dorothy. She did not have a hard time talking to us at all. In just that half an hour or so spent with her I felt like she could be a second grandma. She told us about all the loved ones in her life she had lost to sickness (this is common in the reservation) She told us that even though she was old she still worked, drove her own car that her granddaughter had left for her when she passed away, and that she didn't even live in the nursing home, but just enjoyed coming there for worship. "I'm an independent woman" she said with the cutest smile! She had a great sence of humor, which one again sent me and my friend into hysterics. When our counselers told us it was time to go, we didn't want to part with her, but she reasured us that we would see her again on wednesday.
That night we all hung out in the basement enjoying eachothers company. We played a game of shopping cart which was hularious. Thanks to our chaperone Gary, I don't think I can ever look at friend chicken the same again:) Then it was off to the showers and into our rooms. I was reading the bible to the girls when our counseler Jodi came into to turn the lights off, when we protested because we were still reading she responded that we had a full day of work tomorrow and we needed to get our sleep. It was hard to sleep that night all I could think about was the gang members that could be right outside our window. I prayed to God for comfort and safety.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
I thought I was going to sleep at least halfway there since we were leaving so early in the morning, but I was wrong. My first mistake was probably sitting next to one of my bestest friends in the whole world. We laugh a lot and have a lot of pointless fake arguments which usually lead to more of our annoying laughter. I'm sure the rest of the van just wanted to tell us to shut up. We also showed off some of our lovely singing and dance moves. Along the way we stopped at multiple gas stations to fill up on gas and caffeine, and also at a place called Al's Oasis. Here I happily indulged in four plates of salad bar. Yummmy!
Anyways, about 6 hours into the drive I started getting bored, so I opened the packet of information that was handed to us that morning before we left. I thought it was going to be some history of the Lakota but what I read made my jaw drop.
"Unemployment on the reservation hovers between 80% and 85%, and 49% of the population live below the federal poverty level. Many of the families have no electricity, telephone, running water, or sewage systems; and many use wood stoves to heat their homes, depleting limited wood resources."
That's when I realized that I was about to experience something I couldn't even picture in my head. For the rest of the trip while staring out the window at our beautiful scenery, I tried to prepare myself for what was about to come. It just didn't seem realistic to me that people could be suffering like this so close to home, in our country, the land of the free. Especially just one state over from us.
Driving into Pine Ridge was unexplainable. There was people walking on the side of the road. Houses looked extremely small and rundown. The yards were full of garbage. I was in shock.
We pulled up to where we were staying. It is pretty much a big house ran by a pastor. Nobody came out to greet us, and there was people we didn't know sitting on the tables outside staring, looking sad. We were told to stay in the van while our leaders went to see if anyone was inside. Looking around I saw graffiti everywhere, even on the church! The building we were staying in had windows, but they were covered with a fence like material.
First we were shown our rooms, the girls would be staying upstairs while the boys would be downstairs. Then we were all told to meet downstairs to discuss rules and meet our camp counselers. Their names were Zac and Jodi. The pastor told us that we were staying in downtown Pine Ridge, there was 28 local gangs who graffiti and break windows, alchol and drug use is very highly used there, we weren't allowed to give anyone a glass of water because they will spray hairspray into it to drink the alcohol, we weren't allowed to leave after dark, if we left during the day we must go in groups of more than two, and many people would come to the door to try to sell their artwork. When I heard some of these things I wanted to run. I was so scared!! She also told us about the kids, she told us that they would give us a piece of their heart and in return they would take a piece of ours. Little did I know how true this was...
Following the meeting we had supper (LASAGNA!) and then prepared to go a nursing home where we were going to have worship with some of the elderly. There was only a few who attended the service, but it was our first interaction with the Indians so I was very nervous. A lady walked in toward me and seemed very upset. She didn't make eye contact with me or say anything but stood right in front of me. (We were informed that it is not part of their culture to make eye contact or start conversations with us) For a while I just sat there in shock, I wasn't sure what this lady wanted from me or what she wanted me to do. I then realized I was sitting in her chair, she was a regular and some strange girl had come and taken her spot. I felt horrible and got up as fast as I could. After finding a new spot to sit the hymnals were passed out...they were moldy. We sang some Lakota hymns, the language was not as hard to read as I was expecting you use a sylable for each vowel.
After the service pie and watermelon was served and we were encouraged by our leaders to sit down and get to know the elderly there. My friend and I ended up at a table with the sweetest lady named Dorothy. She did not have a hard time talking to us at all. In just that half an hour or so spent with her I felt like she could be a second grandma. She told us about all the loved ones in her life she had lost to sickness (this is common in the reservation) She told us that even though she was old she still worked, drove her own car that her granddaughter had left for her when she passed away, and that she didn't even live in the nursing home, but just enjoyed coming there for worship. "I'm an independent woman" she said with the cutest smile! She had a great sence of humor, which one again sent me and my friend into hysterics. When our counselers told us it was time to go, we didn't want to part with her, but she reasured us that we would see her again on wednesday.
That night we all hung out in the basement enjoying eachothers company. We played a game of shopping cart which was hularious. Thanks to our chaperone Gary, I don't think I can ever look at friend chicken the same again:) Then it was off to the showers and into our rooms. I was reading the bible to the girls when our counseler Jodi came into to turn the lights off, when we protested because we were still reading she responded that we had a full day of work tomorrow and we needed to get our sleep. It was hard to sleep that night all I could think about was the gang members that could be right outside our window. I prayed to God for comfort and safety.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Friday, May 25, 2012
So long status quo
Hey guys! I wanted to share a song that really got me through a hard time in my life when I was feeling insecure about not fitting in. This song made me feel better about the choices I was making. It reassured me it's okay to go off on your own path, and that you're never alone cuz Jesus will be there beside you every step of the way. If you're having a hard time deciding what to do, let God take the reigns, go on and fall into the arms of Jesus:)God gives us the courage to be brave. Maybe you're on the edge right now, not sure if you're ready to take that leap of faith, but do it! It's totally worth it and no way is our Lord going to let you fall.
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Enjoy Brave by Nichole Nordeman
The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now, it's where I've been
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, your love, that cuts the strings
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say your name
Just your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me, that changes everything
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Enjoy Brave by Nichole Nordeman
The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now, it's where I've been
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, your love, that cuts the strings
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say your name
Just your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me, that changes everything
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
Friday, May 11, 2012
So you had a lotta crooks try to steal your heart...
Here he comes! You're prince charming, riding on horse, looking more gorgeous than ever, he swoops you off you feet, you stare into his enchanting eyes and....BOOM!!!! He drops you on your booty! ...well this sucks.
Ladies, why does this happen to us? Why do we fall head over heels for the wrong person over and over again. Why can't we see the hurt that is bound to come out of these unhealthy relationships?
Last night one of my best friends called me, sobbing her eyes out because she got hurt by a person of the male species. I had told her from the start he wasn't good for her, but she couldn't see it. Love had blinded her, and now she was hurt. I couldn't find the words to comfort her. I tried, but the damage was already done, he had broken her. :(
So I was thinking, what could have been done to prevent this? Honestly, I don't know if this could have been prevented. Some life lessons just have to be learned by experiences, by making mistakes and learning from them.
But it doesn't mean we can't do our best to make the right decisions. The bible is definitely a great source of information...
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it."
This verse truly is amazing. We need to take care of our hearts, we need to not let guys take advantage of it. Okay sounds great, but how do we do that?!
My advice is to put Christ into your relationship. With a Christbased relationship everything is going to be easier. You both will have the same values so there will be no need for compromise. He won't try to force you to do anything you want to. It's a challenge, but try to focus on the interior instead of the exterior. Don't expect him to be flawless, but fall in love with his flaws. Don't rush anything, take your time. Be your own individual and don't change for anyone, if he isn't enchanted by who you truly are then it's his loss. Guard your heart at all costs <3
And to my best friend who I know is reading this, God has a plan for you, and trust me it is truly amazing. You deserve so much more than what you suffered through and I love you to the moon and back. Chin up beautiful :)
Ladies, why does this happen to us? Why do we fall head over heels for the wrong person over and over again. Why can't we see the hurt that is bound to come out of these unhealthy relationships?
Last night one of my best friends called me, sobbing her eyes out because she got hurt by a person of the male species. I had told her from the start he wasn't good for her, but she couldn't see it. Love had blinded her, and now she was hurt. I couldn't find the words to comfort her. I tried, but the damage was already done, he had broken her. :(
So I was thinking, what could have been done to prevent this? Honestly, I don't know if this could have been prevented. Some life lessons just have to be learned by experiences, by making mistakes and learning from them.
But it doesn't mean we can't do our best to make the right decisions. The bible is definitely a great source of information...
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it."
This verse truly is amazing. We need to take care of our hearts, we need to not let guys take advantage of it. Okay sounds great, but how do we do that?!
My advice is to put Christ into your relationship. With a Christbased relationship everything is going to be easier. You both will have the same values so there will be no need for compromise. He won't try to force you to do anything you want to. It's a challenge, but try to focus on the interior instead of the exterior. Don't expect him to be flawless, but fall in love with his flaws. Don't rush anything, take your time. Be your own individual and don't change for anyone, if he isn't enchanted by who you truly are then it's his loss. Guard your heart at all costs <3
And to my best friend who I know is reading this, God has a plan for you, and trust me it is truly amazing. You deserve so much more than what you suffered through and I love you to the moon and back. Chin up beautiful :)
I Hope You Dance
Powerful lyrics, I want to live my life as a dance, you learn as you go :) take advantage of the opportunities you get and have faith!!
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your 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 hope 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
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' 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
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)
I hope 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
Dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your 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 hope 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
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' 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
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)
I hope 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
Dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)
My Untitled poetry
She wants to be who she wants to be, not what others want her to be.
Perfection is unreachable, so why must she try?
No room for error? No room for mistakes?
This just leads to a girl in her room who wants to cry.
So chin up beautiful, things will get better.
God is right here, he'll love you forever.
Perfection is unreachable, so why must she try?
No room for error? No room for mistakes?
This just leads to a girl in her room who wants to cry.
So chin up beautiful, things will get better.
God is right here, he'll love you forever.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
You're gonna shine.
My dad is a wonderful man. This morning before he left the house he said "Bails, today you're going to shine." what great advice! He was referring to golf, I've been having a really rough season this year, and it sucks cuz a bunch of people have all these high expectations for me, including myself. I have a reputation I'm trying to live up to and try as I may it just isn't working.
Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Dont wait in line
Y vamos por Todo
People are raising
Their Expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
Yes that is Shakira, and her lyrics are perfect! So today is my day, I believe it. And God is going to be right there next to me through it all! I'm going to let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow :)
"Don't shine so others can see you, but shine so that through you others can see Him"
Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Dont wait in line
Y vamos por Todo
People are raising
Their Expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
Yes that is Shakira, and her lyrics are perfect! So today is my day, I believe it. And God is going to be right there next to me through it all! I'm going to let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow :)
"Don't shine so others can see you, but shine so that through you others can see Him"
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Best Big Brother
I'm blogging out of excitement today, why? Because one of my most favorite people in the world is coming home today! May big brother Zachery! He's seriously the best. He went away to college this year and was hardly able to come home, I've missed him soo much! And now he is home for the summer!!! That is 3 and a half months, I am pumped, to say the least. He's one of my best friends.Soo... here's some quotes:)
"The bond of a brother and sister is stronger than any one could know with you in my life and with me by your side there's one thing that i know we will never have to fight one single battle alone."
"Brother and sister, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends. Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life."
"I've been blessed to have A brother like you, You're my pal, my buddy And my best friend too. And it means a lot Having a brother like you."
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."
"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."
"Someday when you're far away and the miles keep us apart. I'm going to whisper. I love my sister, you will discover. I love my brother and we will know it in out hearts." (TRUE!)
"The bond of a brother and sister is stronger than any one could know with you in my life and with me by your side there's one thing that i know we will never have to fight one single battle alone."
"Brother and sister, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends. Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life."
"I've been blessed to have A brother like you, You're my pal, my buddy And my best friend too. And it means a lot Having a brother like you."
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."
"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."
"Someday when you're far away and the miles keep us apart. I'm going to whisper. I love my sister, you will discover. I love my brother and we will know it in out hearts." (TRUE!)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Don't Let Yourself Ruin the Experience
Everybody knows what's this Friday right...? PROM!! Super exciting I know. But I have to admit, preparing for it sucks, the dress, the hair,the tan, the makeup, the garter, the tux, the car, the decorations, the jewelry, the pictures, the weather, the food, who you're with, the nails, we all want it to be perfect right? Stressful!
Ladies here is a reality check:NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Something is bound to go wrong, at least for me. I was discussing all these little details with a good friend of mine when she said something that made me take a step back and rethink everything she said "This year I really don't care about all that! I'm just going to have fun and enjoy this awesome experience!"
This is such a great state of mind to go into Prom. Enjoy the people you are surrounded with, even if you're not happy about who you're sitting by for the dinner, taking this opportunity to branch out and rekindle or start new friendships. Be crazy, be yourself, have fun! For one night don't worry about anything except enjoying yourself. Don't be self conscious and relax. Make the best of these moments, cuz you're only young once. I'm not saying do something stupid that'll get you in trouble, but don't ruin the night for yourself. Prom is unforgetable, make the best out of it :)
&&dont worry be happy!
Ladies here is a reality check:NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Something is bound to go wrong, at least for me. I was discussing all these little details with a good friend of mine when she said something that made me take a step back and rethink everything she said "This year I really don't care about all that! I'm just going to have fun and enjoy this awesome experience!"
This is such a great state of mind to go into Prom. Enjoy the people you are surrounded with, even if you're not happy about who you're sitting by for the dinner, taking this opportunity to branch out and rekindle or start new friendships. Be crazy, be yourself, have fun! For one night don't worry about anything except enjoying yourself. Don't be self conscious and relax. Make the best of these moments, cuz you're only young once. I'm not saying do something stupid that'll get you in trouble, but don't ruin the night for yourself. Prom is unforgetable, make the best out of it :)
&&dont worry be happy!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Lyrics of Encouragement
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say
So I've been feeling super stressed lately with my future plans and the song the words I would say by the sidewalk prophet makes me feel so much better! Even though I have my doubts, it reminds me that every thing is going to be okay!
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say
So I've been feeling super stressed lately with my future plans and the song the words I would say by the sidewalk prophet makes me feel so much better! Even though I have my doubts, it reminds me that every thing is going to be okay!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Maybe?
Hey guys! So it's been awhile, I know! There has been some really awesome things in my life going on (RACHEL'S CHALLENGE AND YOUTH RETREAT!!) and I've tried to blog about them. But I just can't. They are experiences that I can't seem to put into words. I don't do them justice. So I realized maybe I'm not supposed to share these events. Maybe I can't put them into words. Maybe these experiences happened to me for a reason. Maybe I'm not ready to share. Maybe these things impacted me and touched my heart so much that I still do not understand them. Maybe I still have to comprehend these things before I can write about them. Maybe some day when I am ready and able I will blog these things. Maybe...just maybe...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Silence is Deafening
This Sunday I attended a lock-in called We Stop Hate. It was focused on bullying and it really got me thinking about some things...
We all know them. The person in the corner. The person in the hallway. The person that never says anything. The person who has no friends. The person with no point of view. The person who is invisible.
NO. NO, NO NO. That is all wrong. That person in the corner does not want to be in the corner, but is probably scared of the rest of the people taking up the room. That person who never says anything, probably has a million things to say, but no one is taking the time to care or listen. That person with no friends, has Jesus as a friend, a true friend, and maybe that special friend is the only thing keeping this person from taking their own life at night. The person with no point of view, trust me they do. And it's probably a greater view than anyone else because they see things that others are too narrow minded to see. And the person who is invisible. They're not. They are shining, they are beautiful. They deserve to be seen. ...and maybe we are all of these people. We all have felt like this at some point in our life.
“Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.
My troubles have grown larger; free me from my problems.” -Psalm 25:16-17
It is our job to seek out these people. To notice these people, to acknowledge these people, to speak to these people, and most importantly, listen to these people. They need to be heard. Too many shootings and suicides occur. And the majority of these tragic events happen with teens. This is because some individuals are ignored. No one should live a life that they want to end. No life is worth ending.
So reach out to these individuals. Make them feel as important as they are. Be caring. Show kindness. Share God's love. Make a difference. Change a life <3
We all know them. The person in the corner. The person in the hallway. The person that never says anything. The person who has no friends. The person with no point of view. The person who is invisible.
NO. NO, NO NO. That is all wrong. That person in the corner does not want to be in the corner, but is probably scared of the rest of the people taking up the room. That person who never says anything, probably has a million things to say, but no one is taking the time to care or listen. That person with no friends, has Jesus as a friend, a true friend, and maybe that special friend is the only thing keeping this person from taking their own life at night. The person with no point of view, trust me they do. And it's probably a greater view than anyone else because they see things that others are too narrow minded to see. And the person who is invisible. They're not. They are shining, they are beautiful. They deserve to be seen. ...and maybe we are all of these people. We all have felt like this at some point in our life.
“Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.
My troubles have grown larger; free me from my problems.” -Psalm 25:16-17
It is our job to seek out these people. To notice these people, to acknowledge these people, to speak to these people, and most importantly, listen to these people. They need to be heard. Too many shootings and suicides occur. And the majority of these tragic events happen with teens. This is because some individuals are ignored. No one should live a life that they want to end. No life is worth ending.
So reach out to these individuals. Make them feel as important as they are. Be caring. Show kindness. Share God's love. Make a difference. Change a life <3
We. Stop. Hate.
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. "-Ephesians 4:31-32
Friday, February 24, 2012
One day too late.
Just another song that goes with my blog titled when the sand runs out.
Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late
Tick tock hear my life pass by
I can't erase and I can't rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do
Wish I'd spent more time with you
Here's my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
And in the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see
You'll get the very best of me
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
Your time is running out
You're never gonna get it back
So make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last
(Today) Today I'm gonna try a little harder (Today)
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (Today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late
One day too late
One day too late
Share
Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late
Tick tock hear my life pass by
I can't erase and I can't rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do
Wish I'd spent more time with you
Here's my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
And in the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see
You'll get the very best of me
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
Your time is running out
You're never gonna get it back
So make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last
(Today) Today I'm gonna try a little harder (Today)
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
(Today) Today I'm gonna love my enemies (Today)
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late
One day too late
One day too late
Share
Quotes I adore
Never forget the essence of your sparkle
Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him.
When one door closes another opens. But often we look so long so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.
Sometimes you have to stand alone to prove that you can stand.
It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.
You see imperfection...I see the uniqueness in your heart and the saneness in your mind. Be true to yourself... not fake for perfection
We learn from every mistake we make. Let's not judge people who make mistakes because we make them too
If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Ability is what you are capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Average is Your Enemy.
The only man a girl can trust is her daddy.
I think exercise tests us in so many ways, our skills, our hearts, our ability to bounce back after setbacks. This is the inner beauty of sports and competition, and it can serve us all well as athletes.
I don't know where I'm going, but I know who I'm following.
Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him.
When one door closes another opens. But often we look so long so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.
Sometimes you have to stand alone to prove that you can stand.
It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.
You see imperfection...I see the uniqueness in your heart and the saneness in your mind. Be true to yourself... not fake for perfection
We learn from every mistake we make. Let's not judge people who make mistakes because we make them too
If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Ability is what you are capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Average is Your Enemy.
The only man a girl can trust is her daddy.
I think exercise tests us in so many ways, our skills, our hearts, our ability to bounce back after setbacks. This is the inner beauty of sports and competition, and it can serve us all well as athletes.
I don't know where I'm going, but I know who I'm following.
Ahhhhh.
Wow. I just wrote a really cool lent blog and it's gone! Debating whether I'm going to make it again? No way will I get it to sound the same :(
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Bad Hair & Black Gunk
I can definitely relate to this!
It was not the best morning I've ever had.
It started with me frantically shoving apart the clothes hanging in my closet, looking for something to wear to church. Nothing!
I yelled downstairs, "Mom, where's my red dress? You know, the new one!"
"In your closet, dear."
"No, it's not! I looked a million times! Is it at the dry cleaners?"
"Oh, yes. I forgot. Wear something else."
I flew back into my room and continued my search. Out of desperation, I tried on the dress with the lace trim Aunt Myrtle gave me for my birthday. I took a look in the mirror. I looked like a 4-year-old dressed by her mother. "Forget this,"
I said to myself. I got out of that awful dress and tossed it on the floor.
HONK! Dad was leaning on the car horn, getting impatient. I threw on a pair of khakis and a sweater and dashed downstairs. As I hurried out to the car, I took one last glimpse of myself in the hall mirror. Something's wrong. I have no eyelashes. I'd forgotten my make-up. I grabbed my mascara and a small mirror and headed for the car.
As I jumped into the car, my 12-year-old brother demanded, "What took you so long?"
"Don't ask!" I snapped.
Dad pulled onto the street and I started putting on my mascara. Suddenly, we hit a bump, which caused my mascara wand to go into my eye, which then began to water, sending streams of black gunk down my cheek. "Great," I said under my breath.
I tried to clean off the ugly smudges, first with my hand, then with a tissue, but that only made them worse.
My brother laughed, "Nice face!"
We pulled into the church parking lot. I got out of the car and rushed into the church with my hands covering my face.
I headed straight for the bathroom, praying I wouldn't walk into anyone.
It took me a few minutes to get the streaks of mascara off my face. But once my face was clean, I couldn't help but notice that I was having an exceptionally bad hair day. "That's perfect," I muttered sarcastically. My attempts to fix it only made matters worse, so I gave up and hurried out the door.
Naturally, I bumped right into—and I mean literally bumped into!--Adam Smith, the guy I'd had a major crush on since I was 10.
"I'm so sorry," said Adam.
"Uh … no, no. It's my fault!"
I answered. Great, Jamie, I thought. You're making such a good impression.
As we stood there, I couldn't help but think of "Beauty and the Beast," only this time the "Beauty" was the guy. I was sure Adam could see my hands trembling as I struggled for something clever to say. After what seemed an eternity, I told him I needed to find a seat and walked away.
Considering the morning I'd had, I was in no mood for company. So I grabbed a spot in the back row, away from my family. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adam. Go away! I thought, but he sat down next to me anyway. OK, as long as I don't have to say anything, I think I'll be alright. So, of course, he said, "Did you have a good week?"
"Um, yeah," I answered. Thankfully, the service started and I didn't have to elaborate. By the time the pastor got to the sermon, my mind had begun to wander. I was thinking about my horrible morning and worrying about what Adam was thinking. For a moment, my mind tuned back in to the pastor. He was reading from Matthew 6.
"And why do you worry about clothes?" he read. "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
It was like he was talking right to me. Getting a little defensive, I thought, Everyone I know stresses over clothes! What's wrong with that?
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Yeah, right, Pastor. That's a lot easier said than done. You haven't had a morning like mine.
At the end of the service I hurriedly said goodbye to Adam and headed to the car. The ride home crept by as my family drilled me with questions. "No," I answered, "he's not my new boyfriend."
When we got home, I went to my room. Aunt Myrtle's dress lay in a heap, along with about half of my wardrobe. What a mess! Between trying to find the perfect outfit, getting the mascara off my face and running into Adam, it was amazing I'd lived to tell about it.
But as I started picking up my clothes, I remembered the words the pastor read: "Don't worry." And I couldn't help but wonder if I'd worried too much about what I wore, what my eyelashes looked like, or even what Adam might have thought of me. After all, my morning wasn't even close to perfect, but I got through it. And all my worrying didn't make things go any smoother. In fact, my panic to look the right way and say the right things actually made things worse.
Maybe next time things aren't going quite the way I want them to go, I'll remember those lilies of the field.
It was not the best morning I've ever had.
It started with me frantically shoving apart the clothes hanging in my closet, looking for something to wear to church. Nothing!
I yelled downstairs, "Mom, where's my red dress? You know, the new one!"
"In your closet, dear."
"No, it's not! I looked a million times! Is it at the dry cleaners?"
"Oh, yes. I forgot. Wear something else."
I flew back into my room and continued my search. Out of desperation, I tried on the dress with the lace trim Aunt Myrtle gave me for my birthday. I took a look in the mirror. I looked like a 4-year-old dressed by her mother. "Forget this,"
I said to myself. I got out of that awful dress and tossed it on the floor.
HONK! Dad was leaning on the car horn, getting impatient. I threw on a pair of khakis and a sweater and dashed downstairs. As I hurried out to the car, I took one last glimpse of myself in the hall mirror. Something's wrong. I have no eyelashes. I'd forgotten my make-up. I grabbed my mascara and a small mirror and headed for the car.
As I jumped into the car, my 12-year-old brother demanded, "What took you so long?"
"Don't ask!" I snapped.
Dad pulled onto the street and I started putting on my mascara. Suddenly, we hit a bump, which caused my mascara wand to go into my eye, which then began to water, sending streams of black gunk down my cheek. "Great," I said under my breath.
I tried to clean off the ugly smudges, first with my hand, then with a tissue, but that only made them worse.
My brother laughed, "Nice face!"
We pulled into the church parking lot. I got out of the car and rushed into the church with my hands covering my face.
I headed straight for the bathroom, praying I wouldn't walk into anyone.
It took me a few minutes to get the streaks of mascara off my face. But once my face was clean, I couldn't help but notice that I was having an exceptionally bad hair day. "That's perfect," I muttered sarcastically. My attempts to fix it only made matters worse, so I gave up and hurried out the door.
Naturally, I bumped right into—and I mean literally bumped into!--Adam Smith, the guy I'd had a major crush on since I was 10.
"I'm so sorry," said Adam.
"Uh … no, no. It's my fault!"
I answered. Great, Jamie, I thought. You're making such a good impression.
As we stood there, I couldn't help but think of "Beauty and the Beast," only this time the "Beauty" was the guy. I was sure Adam could see my hands trembling as I struggled for something clever to say. After what seemed an eternity, I told him I needed to find a seat and walked away.
Considering the morning I'd had, I was in no mood for company. So I grabbed a spot in the back row, away from my family. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adam. Go away! I thought, but he sat down next to me anyway. OK, as long as I don't have to say anything, I think I'll be alright. So, of course, he said, "Did you have a good week?"
"Um, yeah," I answered. Thankfully, the service started and I didn't have to elaborate. By the time the pastor got to the sermon, my mind had begun to wander. I was thinking about my horrible morning and worrying about what Adam was thinking. For a moment, my mind tuned back in to the pastor. He was reading from Matthew 6.
"And why do you worry about clothes?" he read. "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
It was like he was talking right to me. Getting a little defensive, I thought, Everyone I know stresses over clothes! What's wrong with that?
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Yeah, right, Pastor. That's a lot easier said than done. You haven't had a morning like mine.
At the end of the service I hurriedly said goodbye to Adam and headed to the car. The ride home crept by as my family drilled me with questions. "No," I answered, "he's not my new boyfriend."
When we got home, I went to my room. Aunt Myrtle's dress lay in a heap, along with about half of my wardrobe. What a mess! Between trying to find the perfect outfit, getting the mascara off my face and running into Adam, it was amazing I'd lived to tell about it.
But as I started picking up my clothes, I remembered the words the pastor read: "Don't worry." And I couldn't help but wonder if I'd worried too much about what I wore, what my eyelashes looked like, or even what Adam might have thought of me. After all, my morning wasn't even close to perfect, but I got through it. And all my worrying didn't make things go any smoother. In fact, my panic to look the right way and say the right things actually made things worse.
Maybe next time things aren't going quite the way I want them to go, I'll remember those lilies of the field.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
You find out who your friends are.
This summer I was riding home with a very good friend of mine. We were doing what we normally do, turning up the music way too loud so we couldn't hear ourselves sing. Just the way we like it. The song Find Out Who Your Friends Are by Tracy Lawrence came on and BAM! Waterworks. Totally unexpected.
I didn't know how explain to her what was going on. I still can't put this into words although, I've been trying for the past two months. All I know is that we have true friends, and then we have some that aren't. I'm still trying to figure out who is who...
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie
{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are
Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then
This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off
{Chorus}
When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?
{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
(yeah, yeah)
You find out who your friends are
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)
Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah.
I didn't know how explain to her what was going on. I still can't put this into words although, I've been trying for the past two months. All I know is that we have true friends, and then we have some that aren't. I'm still trying to figure out who is who...
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie
{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are
Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then
This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off
{Chorus}
When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?
{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
(yeah, yeah)
You find out who your friends are
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)
Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah.
Hi mom.
I'd like to send a shout out to my mother Bonnie Hauser! (otherwise known as Bon Bon). I had no idea she actually reads my blog! Well she proved me wrong when she emailed one of my blogs to the people I was talking about. I was really embarrassed, but then she said if you put it on the Internet anyone can see it. Soo...I'm going to retaliate with that embarassing picture I put of her on facebook. She can't get mad at me, because I can find it on google :)
I think another reason my mom reads my blog is because she is worried I am publicly bashing her online. Yes my mother and I disagree. We both love to be right, which always leads to arguments. And of course we have our differences, I love to shop, she hates to shop. She likes to be silent during the news, I always seem to talk at the wrong time. The list goes on and on...
But I truly do love my mom. She is one of my bestfriends. I can talk to her about everything with her and she gives great advice. The list of things we have in common is way greater than our differences. We have identical noses. We both love coffee with our creamer. We both enjoy running and excercising. We love singing to the radio in the car. We waste too much time in the morning talking instead of getting ready.
She's made me who I am today and I couldn't ask for a better role model.
LOVE YOU MOM <3
I think another reason my mom reads my blog is because she is worried I am publicly bashing her online. Yes my mother and I disagree. We both love to be right, which always leads to arguments. And of course we have our differences, I love to shop, she hates to shop. She likes to be silent during the news, I always seem to talk at the wrong time. The list goes on and on...
But I truly do love my mom. She is one of my bestfriends. I can talk to her about everything with her and she gives great advice. The list of things we have in common is way greater than our differences. We have identical noses. We both love coffee with our creamer. We both enjoy running and excercising. We love singing to the radio in the car. We waste too much time in the morning talking instead of getting ready.
She's made me who I am today and I couldn't ask for a better role model.
LOVE YOU MOM <3
Saturday, February 4, 2012
When the sand runs out...
So before you read my blog, I would first like you to listen to a song. I know it's a lot to ask but, I think it will put you in the right mood and mindset. So bear with me please. The song is called When The Sand Runs Out by Rascal Flatts. So halt! Quit reading!
.....Now that you've listened to the song you may continue to read :)
Imagine tommorow you die. You drown in your bathtub, tragic I know. But how would you feel about your life? Would you be proud about what you left behind? Would God let you in at heaven's gates? Was what you did with life worthwhile? These were the thoughts that were running through my mind while I listened to this song.
I think that sometimes us Christians aren't very good at looking at the big picture. We get so caught up in what's going on in our own world that we forget what we're living for. We should be living our lives to be glorifying God! If this is not what we're doing then we need to change. And we can't wait to change! If we sit thinking we'll change later its not going to happen. We never know when our last moments are going to be on this earth, and who we are impacting in our lives.
In the Bible in states that Jesus is going to come to earth again to judge us. We don't know when this is so we need to be ready. I know I want to be worthy enough to enter his kindom when it is my time.
When you think about it, after we die nothing we own is going to matter. It's NOT going to matter what kind of clothes we wore, what kind of car we had, what kind of phone we had, what kind of house we lived in, or how much money we have. What IS going to matter is our actions. If we truly love God. If we've not just called ourselves Christians, but have really been Christians. We can't just talk the talk. We have to actually walk the walk.
So don't worry about the materialistic things in your life. Focus on who you are as an individual and continue to progress in your walk of faith. Focus on what's ahead and make your life worth something. I know I want to be running when the sand runs out :)
.....Now that you've listened to the song you may continue to read :)
Imagine tommorow you die. You drown in your bathtub, tragic I know. But how would you feel about your life? Would you be proud about what you left behind? Would God let you in at heaven's gates? Was what you did with life worthwhile? These were the thoughts that were running through my mind while I listened to this song.
I think that sometimes us Christians aren't very good at looking at the big picture. We get so caught up in what's going on in our own world that we forget what we're living for. We should be living our lives to be glorifying God! If this is not what we're doing then we need to change. And we can't wait to change! If we sit thinking we'll change later its not going to happen. We never know when our last moments are going to be on this earth, and who we are impacting in our lives.
In the Bible in states that Jesus is going to come to earth again to judge us. We don't know when this is so we need to be ready. I know I want to be worthy enough to enter his kindom when it is my time.
When you think about it, after we die nothing we own is going to matter. It's NOT going to matter what kind of clothes we wore, what kind of car we had, what kind of phone we had, what kind of house we lived in, or how much money we have. What IS going to matter is our actions. If we truly love God. If we've not just called ourselves Christians, but have really been Christians. We can't just talk the talk. We have to actually walk the walk.
So don't worry about the materialistic things in your life. Focus on who you are as an individual and continue to progress in your walk of faith. Focus on what's ahead and make your life worth something. I know I want to be running when the sand runs out :)
Friday, February 3, 2012
jokes that no one but me thinks are funny.
*Did you hear about the man who lost his left side? -he's doing alright.
*What do you call a cow with no legs? -ground beef.
*What do you call a cow with only two legs? -lean beef
*Did you hear about the sidewalk? -it's all around town
*What did batman say to robin before he got in the car? -robin get in the car
*What did the dog say to the tree? -bark
*What did the digital watch say to his mom? -look ma no hands
*What do you call a sleeping cow? -a bulldozer
*When is a car, not a car? - when it turns into a driveway
*What do you call a guy who never farts in public? -a private tutor
*What's black white black white black white black white black white black white? -a penguin rolling down the stairs
*What do a grape and a car have in common? -they both have wheels, except the grape
*Why is E.T. so poor? -he has a huge phonebill
*What does one casket say to another casket?-is that you coffin
Two muffins are in an oven. One says man it's hot in here. The other says omg a talking muffin!
*What do you call a cow with no legs? -ground beef.
*What do you call a cow with only two legs? -lean beef
*Did you hear about the sidewalk? -it's all around town
*What did batman say to robin before he got in the car? -robin get in the car
*What did the dog say to the tree? -bark
*What did the digital watch say to his mom? -look ma no hands
*What do you call a sleeping cow? -a bulldozer
*When is a car, not a car? - when it turns into a driveway
*What do you call a guy who never farts in public? -a private tutor
*What's black white black white black white black white black white black white? -a penguin rolling down the stairs
*What do a grape and a car have in common? -they both have wheels, except the grape
*Why is E.T. so poor? -he has a huge phonebill
*What does one casket say to another casket?-is that you coffin
Two muffins are in an oven. One says man it's hot in here. The other says omg a talking muffin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)