SUNDAY, HALLELUJAH. It's not so far... dooo doo dooo

Today I woke up, went to church, Josh Witt (our youth pastor candidate) was voted in at 99.8% positive SO I'M SUPER HAPPY! I came home, went to put in an application at a Country Club pool, realized that people spend WAY too much money to play golf (like it's seriously ridiculous), and I've been feverishly checking my email every 5 seconds to see if any jobs I've applied for have contacted me with a yes or a no (but preferably a yes).

However, I am quite content in my situation. I'm finding odd jobs to do, and whether I like it or not, God's plan will prevail over mine, even if that means not getting a "summer job" this year. God'll provide like He always does, I'm just praying that I'll see His provisions (and that mom will too so she'll get off my back).

Well. Today in big church, as I like to call it, Rev talked about "Homeland away from Home" or something like that. That was the title of the sermon. Or something pretty close to that. Anyway. Yes.

He talked a little bit about the building that we hold services in, do our activities in, what's colloquially known as "the church". He talked about investing in the church. He gave us an acronym for what it meant to have a "FULL" house. Faith. Understanding. Loyalty. Love.

Of course all things come down to love, though. But yeah.

I really caught on to the Loyalty section the most. I feel like loyalty isn't something that people recognize in other people a lot these days. I don't know why, but it goes unnoticed a lot of the time. But, like Rev said, it's still really important. I liked that Rev said that it's so much more important not to be loyal and faithful to the building, but to the One who gave us the means to build it, to worship in it, to love people in it, to serve the community in it.

Churches today (and I mean they have forever) can turn very political very quickly. It's just the nature of the church, especially one with a bajillion committees (silly Baptists). I, as well as many others, want this way in the church not to be anymore. I hate it, actually. "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." LOVE. Not money. Not 'church'. Not politics. 


This is something we all need to learn, including myself, but coming home from school I've seen it even more than I do when I'm away. It's time for a change. A revival in the name of God!

Odd Jobs and Check Lists

I WAS ACTUALLY PRODUCTIVE TODAY!

Which is basically a miracle considering a.) my normal self, and b.) I got up at noon.

Nonetheless, today I had 3 items on my to-do list: paint a bookshelf, put my old trophies into boxes, and bring a mattress upstairs from the basement and make the bed in the guest room.

I DID THEM ALL! It was super great.

Let's see. I also watched Tangled and took a shower. Tangled is seriously one of THE cutest movies ever made! I'm slightly obsessed. But it's whatever.

ON TO MORE IMPORTANT THINGS. God is awesome. But really. I s'pose I should elaborate on how I rediscovered this only today/last night. I've been very intrigued with how He made Paul. Paul is obviously a very remarkable character in the Bible. My mom says she doesn't like him. She didn't say why. But whatever.

Yeah, so Paul. I was reading 1 Corinthians 6 & 7 last night for kicks and giggles, and it talked a lot about sexual sin and the like, but what I really enjoyed about chapter 6 was the very last verse: "For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." I had been thinking about exercising and hygiene and things like that (don't ask me why; I'm just weird) and then coming across this reminded me that not only do my mind and spirit need to be healthy in order to glorify God, but so does my body. There is a line, though. It isn't about obsessing over the way you look, it's about staying healthy and fit so you can do whatever God calls you to do whenever He calls you to it. He made our bodies this way for a reason, so it only makes sense that we take really good care of them. If we focus on God and doing everything we can to obey Him, then our bodies will come along with that.

Then I kept reading into chapter 7 just for fun because the reading hadn't made me sleepy yet (which it usually does, because I'm not too big on reading). I would recommend reading this if you are married, or are getting married. I appreciate the fact that Paul recognizes that this is totally his opinion and not a commandment of God, but I would personally take this as a fair guideline to follow in marriage.

What was interesting though was that Paul talks about being single, and how he thinks it's better than getting married. The only thing is, that if being single causes us to sin and lust and long for another person, we should just get married - "But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It is better to marry than to burn with lust." 


This is just food for thought. I haven't fully grasped it yet, nor do I understand it in its entirety.

I did kind of think Paul sounded a little conceited when he wrote this passage, though. I don't know, maybe he's right, but I think marriage is a beautiful thing that God designs for us to enjoy in Him. Paul thrived being single, but it isn't for everyone. Clearly, God calls each of us to different things, which Paul does address in this passage.

Really I'm just enjoying learning more about Paul's letters and what he has to say! I need someone to talk back and forth with it though. I'll work on that.

I'm starting to work on making a new bracelet. I'm really excited for church tomorrow!

Glitter are the Herpes of Crafts

My my, what a day!

This afternoon I went to the bank with my grandma, and she took me to Burger King afterwards! I got coffee, which was good because I had a headache and felt poopy, so coffee was the perfect remedy. (:

I also got a babysitting job for today! It was kind of funny how it happened, actually, because my "sister's" mom messaged me yesterday and asked if I would watch her other daughter and a few of her friends because one of their mother's would not allow her being left along without adult supervision. They are 13/14 years old which is the funny part, since by their age I was already babysitting other kids.

ANYWAY. Two of these girls are also very good friends of mine, and the girl who needed 'supervision' didn't even come. BUT I got paid for it, $10/hr. They had to make these plate awards for their soccer team, so there was paint a glitter EVERYWHERE, including our hair, but we ate hot pockets and pizza and drank blue kool-aid and had a dandy time. We also went and jumped on the neighbor's trampoline and they gave us chocolate. I always have a fun time with these girls. They are truly a blessing to me, and I have been so encouraged by investing in their lives over the years; I also look forward to watching them as they continue to love and serve the Lord in all that they do through high school and onward!

Okay so yeah on my way home, I decided to turn off the radio and talk to God.

Well, I also decided to listen to God. I do too much talking a lot of the time when I'm spending time with God. I think because I don't do it as much as I should, I feel like there's a lot I need to "get off my chest" so I don't take the time to stop and listen like I should. But I tried to. Granted, still wasn't sufficient, but I got a lot out of what God revealed to me during my car ride home.

I prayed that I get a summer job, or make some kind of money, or find a way to obey God and His plan for my life if it doesn't involve money; basically I want God to reveal to me what exactly I should be doing with my summer. Then I realized that all I need to do is to glorify God with all of my actions, in everything I do this summer, and I will be satisfied.

I realized that the Lord provides even when He isn't answering all my questions with 'Yes'.
I've been asking for a job and for lots of other things, but I've been lacking in being faithful to God. Today, I gave it up to God. But the thing is, is that I have to do that daily, continually, constantly, every time I forget, and every time I think about it. But today when I did that, I felt a peace about my finances. Tonight I made $60, and I feel as though that was God's way of showing me that I have to put my trust in Him daily for Him to renew His mercies and always take care of me and provide for me rather than focusing on having a plan.

What my brain landed on was that since God renews His mercies every day, I should renew my joy every day! I love joy. I really do. And even though it doesn't correlate with emotion, it makes me so happy!!! :D :D :D

God is awesome. I absolutely LOVE getting to be reminded of that DAILY!

I hope everyone can be encouraged by the constant outpouring of love we receive from God as His children! Have joy in the Lord, my friends! There is joy in the Lord, love in His Spirit, and hope in the knowledge of Him! <3

This is a Good Thing

Yeah so I missed posting last night, so once again I'm going to make up for it by putting 2 days in one. YAY! However, this is good because I have not been focusing on the internet or my computer today. *

Anyway.

Wednesday: I woke up, babysat my cousin (who screamed half the time; it was the only time I've liked my cat more than babies), hung out with Alexa - we cleaned out her room to find stuff to sell for our charity yard sale! Which we are quite excited about. YAY! :D We also went to the park, and on the way some guy tried to hit on me, which was kind of funny. And at the park these three little children came up to us to talk and that was fun. We drank coffee, too. Oh but then I went to church to go to the business meeting because we (the "youth") wanted to talk about how awesome we think our new youth pastor candidate is. We vote him in on Sunday. I could not be more thrilled! I don't really remember what I did when I got home, though.  I tried to watch the Aristocats but fell asleep and woke up again at 2 a.m. to get back in my bed. That happens too often.

Today, I woke up at 8:45 and went running with Alexa (well, running/walking). Then we went back to her house and drank coffee (duh) and talked for an hour and a half about life and Jesus and friends and summer. It was so great and so refreshing. I learned a lot about grace while talking to her. It's interesting, because when we as Christians describe ourselves to people, or just in general, we always mention Jesus. But that shouldn't be the way it is. It's us, and Jesus encompasses us and everything we do. When we see our life as being all through Him, we put on a lens of grace and so everything we do and see is biblical and for Christ because we see people the way He sees them, and we're not as quick to judge or assume we're better than someone. It's helpful in forgiving too.

I was also encouraged a lot to read this summer, and to focus on things that matter. *The reason I've been off the computer all day is because I did the dishes, did laundry, cleaned a bathroom, mowed the lawn, organized more things for the yard sale, I'm working on cleaning my room. I have a lot of junk. Alas, I have not read yet today, but maybe I will here soon. I kinda want to go to bed early, but we'll see how that goes.

I could go for some ice cream.

Oh yeah, I've been playing a lot of hymns today. It's helpful for sight-reading, and for drawing closer to God! Music is a beautiful medium.

Heh, Oops

I realized that I hadn't posted for either Monday or Tuesday. But in my defense, Monday I spent the night at a friend's, and Tuesday I had to watch Glee so then I forgot.

However. Monday was a great day. I hung out with old friends, applied for a job, spent a few hours at Mill Mountain coffee just chatting and catching up. It was great. Then we went to a friend's house where we cooked dinner, colored our hair (temporarily, of course) made bracelets, and watched a movie. A good time was had by all!

Then Tuesday I had coffee with another friend (Starbucks this time) who will be leaving for Africa at the end of this month for an internship for two months. She's excited, and everyone else is for her! She's one of those people I just love talking to because I feel like we have had very similar life experiences. Not in some ways, but in others it's nice to have someone to relate to on that level, especially someone who lives in the same hometown(ish).

Well afterward I came home, washed the color out of my hair, and watched Glee and Dance Moms, Miami. I have no life. It's fine.

Then I read Mark chapter 10 (I think?) about riches and whatnot, and that was really cool because I had been searching for the verse that says something along the lines of "sell all you have and give to the poor" and I found it. Good times.

That's all for now, and I'll post again later tonight once I finish my Wednesday. My apologies for being so behind. I need to get my life together. Haha. And also spend more time with Jesus. That should happen. Yes.

Later!

Mother's Day

Well. We went to church and it was great. Our new youth pastor candidate gave the sermon and then did a Q & A during Sunday School! I think everyone likes him, and I'm really excited! Well after that my mom, my grandma, and I went to Applebee's for lunch and it was scrumptious! I got shrimp fettecuini alfredo (which is probably not how you spell that).

I went to Grease's last production in the afternoon and that was spectacular, as always! My best friends are graduating seniors and just performed their last show at the William Byrd Playhouse! It was bittersweet for everyone, but they are gonna do awesome things in college.

We went to Rancho Viejo afterwards, and it made me realize that I don't like speaking to people who don't understand me. It was funny, though. A good time was had by all.

God is good. So so good.

Saturday Shenanigans

Okay today was kinda weird. In some good ways, and some bad ways. It was a good day overall, though.

This morning I got up and ran a 5k to raise money for a local ministry in Vinton, came back from that and went to a picnic for our new youth pastor candidate and his family which was super fun - catching up with old friends, getting to meet the new people, and getting a pretty nice looking tan! Good times.

Then I got to watch my little brother play lacrosse for the first time at the WBHS Stadium! Woohoo! Plus they won 12-5, so that was good too. However, my father showed up at the game which I was not too thrilled about. I'm still working on forgiveness. It's weird. And not so much working. Ah well.

After the game, though, was when I decided to take a detour on the way home. I had a friend who passed away in February, and his body is buried at the cemetery on my route from school to home. So today, for the first time since he was buried, I went to the gravesite. And I sat there. And I talked to him. And I talked to God. And I apologized for not sharing the love of Jesus with this friend. And I apologized to God for not doing what I was supposed to while he was still alive.

I prayed for God to somehow save his soul. I told God that I knew that salvation depended on faith in Jesus and repentance and love, but I asked of Jesus to somehow just make it so that my friend got one more chance to choose Jesus - to choose life and eternity. I know that Jesus has to intercede for us when we get to Heaven, so I thought maybe if my friend realizes that he'll try to get right with Jesus so he can live forever. I also prayed that he was just in Heaven, and that I was making wrong assumptions about the condition of his heart. God does work in crazy ways, so maybe this was one of them. I certainly can't understand all that God does.

I tried to let this motivate me to share the love of Jesus with his closest friends; friends that we both knew in high school, and I guess I still know. It was sad. It still is sad. I had never had to do something like this before. But it was kind of nice, just to sit up on that hill by myself, admiring God's beautiful creation and praying to Him more earnestly than I have in a long time. I told God that I knew my heart wasn't right with Him. I need to change that. But I asked if there was anything I could possibly do to make it so that I see Troy again one day, when I die from this earth.

My allergies are getting pretty severe.

Ephesians 4:32