The Most Beautiful Tree at School!

Blogs must decrease Facebook must increase

It is interesting how many people don't check their blogs anymore. It makes me wonder if anyone ever reads my blog. There's nothing much to read so I don't blame you if you didn't. If you didn't come then you would have to worry about my controversial picture below.
Yesterday I got hitched to Mr. Left Post. I have pictures!!! I heard someone from the 1770s call Dr. Pepper the nectar of the gods. Quite amusing. Next on my agenda, check my email and swim!

I payed my respects to

I payed my respects to Martha Washington. I yelled huzzah, hissed, and condemned a man to death. A someone called my shirt snazzy.

18 days till graduation and

18 days till graduation and I'm on my one and only Senior Trip! I just ate to much cookie dough! I got to hear Patrick Henry talk.

Encouragement

My Pastor emailed this to me and others:

OTHERS MAY: YOU CANNOT-by G. D. Watson (1845-1924).

---

If God has called you to be really like Jesus, He will draw you into a life
of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience,
that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by
other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do
things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may
push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans,
but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such
failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of
their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such
thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification
that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy
left to them, but God may well keep you poor, because He wants
you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence
upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by
day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden
in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for
His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let
others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him
and get the credit for it, but He will have you work and toil on without
knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more
precious He may let others get credit for the work which you have done,
and thus make YOUR REWARD FAR GREATER WHEN JESUS COMES.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and
will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time,
which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind
that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He
pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which
puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell
yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and
bestow upon you many blessings.

College Life

I have yet to graduate so I really know little about college life. All I know are stories and experiences I hear from friends. This weekend a friend invited me to visit with her at college over the holiday weekend. College is a world of its own. Many people go crazy when they go to college. I guess how you react to all the ungody influences depends on your personality type and the people you choose as your closest friend. There is a strong group of Christians on the campus that really just want to reach out to the other students, build relationships, share with them the hope of Christ, and disciple them. It is truly amazing. Although they all have to face and learn aweful things in their classes, they are accountable to each other. They do Bible studies together, minister together, do fun things together, learn together, and grow together. They don't look at college life as freedom from their families but a time of accountablilty to God. The college campus to them is their mission field.

This Morning...

I saw the sunrise and the moonset.

Dolphine-like Creature

Happy Christmas Eve

Here's a picture of our Christmas tree and the Gulf in the background. We are having a great time. Yesterday we swam at the pool and in the Gulf. I also saw two dolphin-like creaturs.

We Made It! Hello 73 degrees and sunshine!

8 lanes of Interstate! INSANE!

rt!

I have abreviated road trip to rt. I think I aleady have a post titled road trip. I am currently headed to the Sunshine State with Dad & Berger Boy and Senior Duckea. D. for short. He is my Canadian travel partner for these next ten days. We will be visiting a family memaer and trying to enjoy 80 degree weather on Christmas day with no tree save the palms and no decorations save the Gulf out the window. This will also be my first Christmas not spent with Mom. She stayed back so she could take care of a family member healing from hip replacement surgery. She had to work also.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of thanks, family, and friends. Let's count our many blessings today and everyday!

Here are a few things I'm thankful for: Jesus Christ's sacrifice for me, Mom, Dad, BergerBoy, the love of God, grace greater than sin, brothers and sisters in the Lord, autumn colors, hoodies, turkey, my beautiful home, redemption.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

WE HAVE A CAUSE CAR WASH!!!

: the title of our car wash. Yes, those interested in going to Summit this year had a car wash today 9am-3pm. We made about thirty dollars per person! We tried to leave at three, but another car came by and the driver really wanted their car washed. I figured it was just God's provision of more money. We had too much fun. I would purposely hold the sign upside down and people would think I did it on accident. They would point, tell me it was upside down, see the look of confusion on my face, and laugh. I love it when people laugh!

Rotten Mood

Today I haven't been in the best of moods. My emotions and the flesh have had the upper hand. Usually every Thursday night some of my brothers and sisters in Christ get together to visit people. I really didn't feel like going, but I went anyway. I was so blessed! I have a word for those who have opportunities to serve and don't feel like it. Just do it! The Lord will use your ministering to other not only to bless them, but He uses your service to bless your own soul! It is more blessed to give than to receive! It is a joy being one of God's children. If you don't know what I'm talking about (most of you will!) , leave a comment and I would be glad to explain.

Oh yeah! The volleyball scores: 8-25, 9-25, 10-25. I haven't be beaten that bad in a long time in anything. It really hurt. My team has been miraculously revived. We had practice today. I think we have all the bugs worked out for our next game, this Tuesday.(Yikes!)

I sent that message prematurely.

I sent that message prematurely. Yes, I know I can't spell, but I don't carry a dictionary with me. Maybe I should. Eventually, I will fix it.

Well, tonight I had my

Well, tonight I had my first volleyball game. We managed to get slaughtered with no hope of resuscitation.

Manual Madness

I have been re-learning how to drive my mom's stick shift. Need I say more?

CAR WASH

Yesterday I helped out at a car wash/bake sale. I got washed and baked for free![My shorts have enough detergent in them to last a lifetime, and I have the best farmer's tan (but it's not a tan) anyone has ever seen.] Good thing it's going to be turning cooler soon. I'll have a wonderful excuse to wear long sleeve shirts!

An Update

Through a series of open doors, I have become a home schooler. I started this past Wednesday. It has been great so far. I'm really excited! Deep in my heart there was a desire to home school, but it was squished because I though it was impossible. I should have known with God all things are possible! It was amazing to see in a visual way that God does care about my desires. He is so good. No human mouth could possibly utter praise worthy his name. I will praise him in my weakness for in this his strength is made perfect. I want to use this time to glorify him, and become the young woman he would have me to be. With this privilege comes great responsibility. I want to use my time wisely and learn lots of awesome things!

I don't want anyone to think it was easy. This is probably the biggest and hardest change of my life. I'm sure there will be many more to come. I'm so thankful to my parents. I am thankful for all those who have invested in my life over the past three years at school. I would not be who I am today without your influence and lovingkindness.I am most thankful to and for my God who will see me through it all. Nothing can separate me from the love of God! What a promise!!!

Directer of Steps

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

The Last First Day

My last first day of high school was great. I am blessed to go to a school which seeks to glorify God in assisting parents to train their children both mentally and spiritually. They do it in a way which gives all families an opportunity for their children to receive a Christian education. I have thrived in this atmosphere for three years. I have learned to know and seek God under godly mentors and teachers who have invested their very lives in my own. I am so thankful, thankful to my God, my family, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and my mentors and teachers. God is so good! Glory to His name alone!

Last Day Before School Starts!

My last day of Summer Break has been laid back. Sewed up my skirt after letting out the side and bottom hem. Yes, I'm getting fat, but taller too. I guess they weigh (ha, ha) each other out. Maybe not. Anyway, I tried to call the veterinarian clinic and got the wrong number. The guy wanted to know who I was calling. I told him, but he didn't understand until a few seconds later because I guess I have never learned to say veterinarian correctly. I say vetanarian. That's what I get for growing up here. Although it is quite humorous and makes for a great story.

Below are pictures of my dog. He got groomed today. It is all his fault I got the wrong number.

Lightning- Before

Lightning- After

Back to School Tomorrow

My last day of Summer Break has been laid back. Sewed up my skirt after letting out the side and bottom hem. Yes, I'm getting fat, but taller too. I guess they weigh (ha, ha) each other out. Maybe not. Anyway, I tried to call the veterinarian clinic and got the wrong number. The guy wanted to know who I was calling. I told him, but he didn't understand until a few seconds later because I guess I have never learned to say veterinarian correctly. I say vetanarian. That's what I get for growing up here. Although it is quite humorous and makes for a great story.

Lavame!!!

I haven't posted a picture in a long time. This one has a great story behind it! I happened during the most awesome mission trip ever. Well, I've only been on one, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

School starts in three days:( I guess most people in my position(a Senior!) would be excited, but I'm having a hard time getting excited. As Mr.Y says,"You should be excited about serving the Lord everyday." This leads to being excited about your whole day in general. Everything I do I should do for the Lord. This leads me to see God's meaning in even the "smallest" things like crossing my T's and dotting my I's. His meaning is His glory. I want Him to be glorified so I should be excited!

Ok, Ok!

I give up on this whole counting how many days of Summer vacation I've had. What's been going on since I posted last? My family went on our annual vacation. We pin balled to three different cities over the course of nine days. It was lots of fun. I got to spend some real quality time with my family, swim, play a little volleyball, a little softball, totally kill myself trying to do a flip off a diving board four times, see fish and otters and lots of other creative acts of God, and walk a lot! I was ready for a vacation after we got back, but no! Church camp started the next day so I got to do laundry and pack all the items that weren't already packed. I had missed the meetings for the older campers so I didn't find out I was a counselor for sure until they said," Everyone in Tess's cabin...".

Camp went well. I didn't think anyone got saved until I came back from Faith and someone that had visited one of the campers said he prayed to receive the Lord as His Savior. Well, I pray that he was sincere. There was a lot of messages that were helpful to me. B talked about "The Race". There are three positions here. 1) You have never started. 2) Your on it, but you are being slowed or stopped by an/ obstacle(s). 3) Your running the race full speed ahead. I also have somewhat of an accountability partner now. I think this was the greatest blessing to me.

Camp was at a different location this year. There are a few ups and downs though. The Ups: bathrooms in the cabins, beautiful scenery, campfire, hayless hay ride, pontoon boat ride, flat land to play games. The Downs: more people in the cabins(having to keep up and connect with 10 people), no volleyball tournament, less pool time, no crafts, no milk(except with cereal one morning) or juice at breakfast, snacks cost extra, paying almost 2x as much as last year. I can't think of anything else right now.

Since then, I've been hanging out at home waiting for school to start): I also started babysitting last week. It has been fun. I'm still young enough to remember my babysitters. I can remember the fun things and the not so fun things. I've tried to come up with things that would be fun. One day we played balloon volleyball. Another time we played with the water hose and had a water balloon fight.

My future has been a popular subject lately. If I'm supposed to go to college, now would be a good time to figure where. I want to be a missionary, but if I ever have to come home I need to have a way to support myself. I just don't know would best fit my personality, abilities, interests, and so on. I don't want to make the wrong decision. That doesn't seem like a valid fear. If there is anyone out there reading this, please pray that seek the Lord with all my heart. Once I have my relationship with Him, nothing will I fear. Perfect love casts out all fear. His love is perfect. My love? Definitely not perfect.

Day 27-31

Day 28 was Independence Day! It was kind of boring until my family went to play frisbee golf. The course was really nice(out in the woods)! I think I probably came in second or third. This is only a guess, so don't get too excited. Burgerboy dropped out, so I technically beat him. Oh yeah! Then we got ice cream. It was the bomb, birthday cake ice cream with about 1/2 a snicker in a 1/3 dipped sprinkle waffle cone. I visited my grandma, ate some of her wonderful food, got a gallon of milk at Kroger, went home, and went back to town to see some awesome fireworks.
I've worked a lot this summer. I'm mostly saving for a car and maybe a mission conference later this year(or a mission trip in 2008!). Nothing is really standing out for all these other days. Today I got to play in the rain. It was an invigorating experience. You see the rain, you hear it fall to the ground, and you feel it hit you. If you really wanted, you could smell and taste it, but I didn't. I guess I did smell it, but not on purpose.

Day 22-26

It is kind of hard to think I've been out of school for twenty-six week days. It has flown by like every other break. I still have a lot of fun things ahead of me like Independence Day, my family's summer trip, and church camp. Days 22 and 23 were working days. The last hours of 23 were spent trying to get ready for a trip my youth pastor was taking all the young people on the next day. Day 24: We left about ten a.m. Thursday morning. We arrived at maybe one p.m. We took a five mile trail (2.5 miles each way) later and got done about 7 p.m. It was beautiful and I especially enjoyed spending time with my brothers and sisters in Christ and trying to be a light to those who were not. At the end of the trail there was a waterfall. I had fun rock hopping, aside from the part went my foot slipped and my shoe got wet. Hiking 2.5 miles with wet shoes is not the most pleasant feeling in the world. It took us it seems about an hour to get to our cabin. We had a pizza dinner, and then the guys departed to their cabin up the road. We had a total of 24 people on the trip fourteen of which were gals. Day 25: I got up early, spent time with the Lord, and helped cook breakfast. We had a good time of singing and sharing before we headed out to the river on which we were going to raft. We had two self- guided rafts and two experienced guides for the other two rafts. I was on a real guide's raft. His name was Red. He bright red hair. I got to help share the Gospel with him later in the trip. That was the most exciting part of the trip! We all came back to the cabins alive. Then we left again to eat supper. We all split up and went to one of three places. I went to IHOP. The night had only begun! We went to ride go carts. When we finally got back the some of the girls stayed up until the wee hours of the weekend. Most of this day was spent getting home. The last hour was spent in some fun conversations. I caught up on my hours of lost sleep when I got home. Sunday was my youth pastor's last services with us. The Lord has led him and his family to a church closer to his home. It was sad to see them go, but I know the Lord has something special for them. Today ( Day 26) Mom and I wanted to hike at the local state park, but the front gate was closed and the only way in was through a flooded trail, so we went to another park and walked. I helped Mom iron, I read some, and just had an overall good day.

Day 13-21

I have had a nice break from blogging. I can't remember what I did everyday, but I will give the highlights. Day 15 we had Friday night gym. This is when all the youth get together and play volleyball, basketball, or just hang out. We had about eight people on each volleyball team. I had a great time. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful friends, who are not only friends but brothers and sisters. Saturday my youth leader and Sunday School teacher, Gene, had a picnic for all the church. I got to play whiffle ball with some kiddies and fellowship with friends. This past week I worked in Vacation Bible School every night. I didn't help in any specific class but was there to do whatever. Friday I was the storyteller. I told about Peter and John being released from prison by an angel of the Lord. It was a fun story. I felt totally unprepared. The Lord really helped me get through it. Saturday(weekend 4) there was a Red Bull flying competition called Flugtag, which is German for flying day. Dad, my brother and I got to go. It was crazy, but tons of fun. For more information about Flugtag check out this site! Today I worked and rested.

Day 12

I got up and spent time with the Lord, went to work, came home, and blogged until 3:56pm.
Luke 15:2, 5

Day 11

Monday I did my jogging/walking program. They stepped it up this time. Well, maybe not. I had 90 seconds of jogging and 2 minutes of walking for 20 minutes. Last week it was 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking. It wasn't that rough. Later I went to help the pastor's wife clean house. She has a very beautiful home. It was lunch time when I got back. After that I was drowsy, and took a nap. I got up and began to help Mom clean windows on the deck. I felt this weird sensation on my foot. I saw lots of little things crawling up my foot. I yelled and ran to the hose. All while my Mom yelled too and asked what was wrong. I told her that the little mites( or whatever they were) were crawling up my leg. The rest of the day I had the feeling of things crawling on me. I saw three shooting "stars" and a few bats.

Luke 14:27, 33

Weekend*2

Saturday I woke up and made banana bread. It came out of the oven five minutes before I had to be at church to visit the camp we are holding our church camp ministry. It was an hour or so trip down. I had a great time. The fifteen passenger van had 14 passengers at one point. All full of great friends, the pastor, and the camp director. I had a good time talking with Queen of Arts and England. The camp was just as beautiful as before. The only difference was there were more leaves this time. You couldn't see where the horses were. Since I was there, they also put in a few more swings. I am excited about camp. New experiences, new memories, new scenery!
Sunday I went to Sunday School. My teacher is going to attend another church closer to his home soon, so this was one of his last classes with us. The pastor was out of town so a member of the church preached. He taught that Satan is a liar, deceiver, and a murderer. He tells us things that seem to be truth, but they are only half truths. A half truth is a whole lie. Spent the evening reading and reflecting until it was time to pick up my brother's cell phone which was supposed to be ready at four. I picked it up at 4:50. They didn't have his key lock number, so I got it for them, and then they took another 15 minutes because what they thought the problem was wasn't the problem. They came to the conclusion that they didn't know what the problem was and that he would have to get a new one. I was then about 10 minutes late for choir practice. After church the youth get together for a thing called afterglow. We played volleyball, ate, had a time of devotions, and played more volleyball. Thus concludes Weekend*Two!


Luke 13:9,34

Day 10

I worked today. It rained for the first time in a few weeks. Praise the Lord! My friend spent the night. We passed a volleyball around, played some cards, baked a amazing chocolate cake, and then ate it with French vanilla ice cream.

Luke 1:31,32
2:10,11
3:16,22
4:18,43

Day 9

I worked, caught up with Queen Mum and HRH, and laughed lots!

Mark 13:31,33
14:36,62
15:2,37
16:15-16

Days 8

Wednesday I did my walking/jogging program. It went better than Monday. I visited my grandma.

Mark 9:19, 23
10:21, 45
11:22, 24
12:24, 27

Day 7

Today was great! I got to hang out with my mom. We drove around a bunch of back roads. Mark 5:34, 36! 6:48-50! 7:8,37! 8:29,35! 9:23,31

Day 6

I started this program that is supposed to help me build up endurance to run 3 miles. I felt like I was going to die. Now, I'm really sore. I felt like giving up, but I'm going to stick to it. I finished organizing some of the things in my room. My room really agitates me because it is so messy. Since I've finished going through the stuff that seemed to be collecting on and in my furniture , I have felt really good about it. I started cleaning for a widow lady that attends my church Tuesday afternoon. I had a good time talking to her. One of the first things she asked me about was what I might do after I get done with high school. It seems to me that everyone asks me what I am going to do after I graduate this next year. I don't really like it. I guess it bothers me that I don't know the answer.


Mark 1:15,17
2:17,28
3:22,23
4:39,40

What 2 Do With the Weekend?*1

I am off of school on the weekend so I don't think I'll count it as actual days. Saturday I went to my church for a work day. I think I painted my body and the floor more than the walls. Well, that was a exaggeration, but I did aim for the walls. I enjoyed it mostly because my whole family was together working.( Did I mention they had donuts?!?) After that I had to go home and get cleaned up to go to Princess of Mirkwood's graduation. I had never seen that many people packed into that size space for any graduation to which I have been, which is only six. I got to celebrate with the Princess, her family, and couple of her friends afterward. That was lots of fun. On the way home through acts of Providence I learned about a piano recital and once I got there I found out several of my friends were performing. I enjoyed all the music. The Lord knew I needed a peaceful place and beautiful music after a long day.


Sunday my brother left with a friend on his way to South Carolina. I went to Sunday School and church. I forgot it was my turn for nursery and had to go downstairs in the middle of the sermon. I got home, ate lunch, enjoyed the wonderful windy weather on my Dad's hummock, and watched the clouds go by. I went to choir practice. My friend and I were both wearing the same shirt so when the director was checking something he called her Tess. Later during the evening service a little girl who was visiting my church asked if we were twins. Funny, I know.


Matthew 24:14,35
25:34-35
26:41,63-64
27:46,50
28:19-20

Day 5

Today the claim adjuster came to look at my car. He said there was no damage to my car. Since the car I supposedly hit was black, the guy said there would be black on my car. Why couldn't I have figured that out in the first place! I guess I was so upset that I had convinced myself that I scraped the other vehicle without using common sense. I bet this is what people mean when they talk about women acting on their emotions rather than the facts. I watched Bergerboy throw a knife when the grill almost burned him! I made some yummy brownies. Mom bought me a pretzel. I washed the van inside and out. I'm experimenting with embroidery.

What I learned today:

• Always cut long fingernails before washing a van.
• When in doubt(emotional unstable), seek advice, talk, and don't assume.
• Don't encourage the pouring of ice water on others. It never seems to end right.
  
• If you let a car dry in the late evening(or the shade), it will not have water residue (spots).
  

Day 4

Today I got up and had my time in God's Word then I went back to sleep. I got up, cleaned some dishes, and made a dentist appointment for 2:15.

Matthew 20:15-16
21:22,44
22:37,39
23:4,11

The Bad News-

When I pulled into the parking spot at the dentist I got too close to the car on my right. I think I scraped it. The thing is my van doesn't look like anything happened to it. I went ahead and filed a claim with the insurance company. My dilemma: If it wasn't me, I lied to the insurance company, but either way the rest of my life I would be wondering if it was really me! What's a girl to do?

The Good News-

I have no cavities! & Jesus died for sinners!

Yes, even those who scrape others' vehicles.

Day 3

Today! I helped Mom and bergerboy do chores. I learned how to change the belt on our vacuum, and now I am blogging. Bergerboy showed me some awesome pictures from Hurricane Katrina. I'll share one with you! It is kind of scary looking. I want to cook something. What will it be? I'll find something. Later I'll be going to prayer meeting.

Matthew 16:24-26

Day 2

Our friends who we camped with stayed over Monday night. Tuesday morning I had my morning devotion. I'm going to read the New Testament over my break. I made raisin bran muffins and bergerboy made omelets. Everyone was full from the omelets, so we snacked on my muffins throughout the day. I did some of the morning chores, but by the end of the day the house was a wreck. I played the board game life with them. I think that has got to be one of my favorite games! Their dad came to take them home. I helped my mom cook supper and after supper I went to bed.

Summer Break: Day 1

Mt first full day of summer break was this past Monday. It was awesome. The best I can remember. The night before I camped on my friends' property. I awoke to the sound of birds chirping, the sight of the sun shining on the top of the tent, and the joy of another day. I had sonic for breakfast (yum!). The next few hours were spent in water balloon fights, water gun fights, volleyball games, and bad mitten games. I came home later and played some more volleyball at my neighbors house. I went to town and visited my grandmother and aunt. By the end of the day I was ready for bed, my shoulders, face, and feet were sunburned, and I was thankful for a wonderful day!


This summer I am going to try to give the highlights of everyday. I'm starting a little behind!Enjoy!

God is Great!

Job 36:26 Behold, God is great...

This past Sunday I decided to go on a walk. It was a great time just talking to the Lord and thinking. There were several times when I just stopped to look at something [like a dead flattened creature(I think was a frog or lizard) or to see what kind of bird was making a strange noise]. It was a beautiful day with hardly a cloud in the sky, but there was a bit of a breeze. I didn't walk too far after I turned back toward home. I started to think about the future, which is sometimes a dangerous thing to think about, but I told the Lord I was trusting in Him for whatever He brings along. After that thought I looked up and saw an amazing thing! I don't know how to describe it except by calling it a dust devil or a mini tornado. I have seen them on television. I don't remember ever seeing one in real life though. It was picking up leaves and tossing them up in the air. Then it went over the little creek that runs alongside my road and made a miniature water spout. It came pack over dry land. About that time I felt a drip of water on my cheek. Remember it was a beautiful blue skied day, no rain clouds! It came across the road and then back on to the road. By this time I had walked up to it and was in it! It was awesome!!! Again it went off of the road picking up leaves from the ground and throwing them way up in the air. It was a blustery day, but not blustery enough to throw leaves that high in the air. The dirt devil, mini tornado, leaf devil, or whatever you want to call it was special because God's timing was perfect. He wanted me to see it and made it happen.God is great!

She is eggstraordinary!

Who is this?

The Genius of America

I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors...in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret if her genius and power. America is great because America is good; and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.


Alexis de Toqueville,
Noted French writer of the 1830s

What is Love?

God is love. 1 John 4:8

Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, he that loveth not knoweth not God. 1 John 4:7,8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long, and is kind;love envies not; love vaults not itself(is not rash), is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity(sin), but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Following In His Steps

I was thinking last night and several things that I knew about God and my life came together. Christ died for my sins while I was yet a sinner,an enemy of God in Satan's kingdom.The Bible says greater love have no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jesus layed down His life for His enemy, me. He tells me to love my enemies. There are many that others think don't deserve God's love. None of us do. They still need a chance to hear of God's amazing love even if they are enemies. Enemies need love too.

I'm Here (Sort of)...

Well, here I go again waiting two months to blog. I guess that's just my life, always a little ( ha, ha) behind. How are all my friends out there? I hope everyone is well and joyful. What a glorious time of year it is! Getting out of school, spending well needed time with family, friends, and most of all Him to whom I owe my all. All that I am and ever will be is due to the babe born in a manger so many years ago. Often He is reduced by the world to being only a babe and nothing more, but as my mind creates the image of that lowly stable, I look upon Him and see so much more. This babe was the Word. He was in the beginning, He was with God, He was God, all things were made by Him, and without him was not anything made that was made- John 1:1-3. In the manger lay the Light, the true Light, the Word made flesh, Him who dwelt in this world, and was tempted in all points like as we are, but without sin -John 1:14, Hebrews 4:15. This baby was born to a virgin, concieved of the Holy Ghost, and the only beggoten of the Father -Matthew 1:23,20, Luke 1:26-31; 2:11, Isaiah 7:4, John 1:14. This child was the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world -John 1:29. He was born in Bethlehem, the city of David -Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:1-7. His name would be called Emmanuel (God with us)- Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23. Everyone would call Him Jesus (meaning Savior). He would save His people from their sins dispite the fact that they recieved Him not. Those who did recieve Him He gave the power (privilage) to become the sons and daughters of God -Matthew 1:21, John 1:11-13. This God-Child would be great, and called the Son of the Highest, the Son of God -Luke 1:32,35. Savior and Christ the Lord was His name even as a babe, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of God's people Israel -Luke 2:11,32. He was full of grace and truth -John 1:14


When He was born, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed into a manger. Yes, this is how God made His great entry into this world. Not what we would think of as a triumpant entry, but Jesus knew that He did not come to over throw the Roman government. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. I was lost. Jesus left the perfection of heaven to come as the Lamb of God, the perfect sinless sacrifice, to die for my sins and for everyone's sins. All I did was recieve Jesus. I admitted that I was a sinner, and I had no righteousness -Romans 3:23. The wages of my sins are an eternity in hell. Nothing we can do by ourselves will get us to heaven, but there was a gift given the very first Christmas that can solve our sin problem.This gift was Jesus Christ. God loved us so much He died for us! Through Him (not ourselves, remember?) we can have eternal life - Romans 6:23; 5:8. I confessed I could do nothing of my own to get rid of my sin and that His death was sufficient to pay for my sin. One of the most exciting parts of Jesus' life is that when He died, He did not stay dead. Because He was God, death had no power over Him and it could not hold Him in His grave. He is now at the right hand of God the Father, the highest place of honor in the universe. The Bible tells us if we will confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, amd believe that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved from your lost state -Romans 10:9. After doing this you will have begun the most amazing adventure, journey, growth experience, and love story your life has ever known, so grab a Bible, start reading it everyday and pray to your God because He hears and answers your prayers! Tell Him your every joy and sorrow just as you would speak to a best friend, your father (or a father figure in your life), and someone who loves you. God is all three and even more to His children.

If you do not surrender your life to God to let Him do as He pleases with it, and if you do not confess Jesus Christ as Lord and more specifically as your Lord, your knee will bow and your tounge will confess He is Lord -Philippians 2:5-11.

I pray this made sense, and if it didn't please ask questions.

A Two Month Break

Well, not on purpose anyway. Let's see here. What has been going on in my life these last two months? I visited some friends. I got my hair cut. I have been doing school( a continuing, and almost never ceasing part of my life, yes, I must also praise the Lord for school ). My Mom and Dad celebrated their 21st anniversary. I turned seventeen. I was a guide along with Lukolas on a cemetery tour, historical, not horror. I visited Pensacola Christian College. I'm going on my first (foreign) mission trip!
I guess I will expound on a couple things. First, I had a really good birthday. I tried to skip school because it was my birthday, but my principal wouldn't let me:(ha, ha). I had a pancake breakfast cooked by my mom which was yummy but it made me late for school. This was the first time I had been late for school in a long time. Oh well, it makes for a good memory! When I got home some neighbor friends came over to watch Burgerboy do an experiment. That was lots of fun. We ate cake and ice cream. I made a observation while blowing out my seventeen candles. It is really hard to blow out seventeen candles in only one breath. I got a sewing machine, a sewing table, and some CDs. After this my family and I went to church because a missionary had come to speak and cook an Indian meal. That was lots of fun too. Last week I visited PCC during my school's annual college trip. I was in a room filled with fun girls. It was a blessing because two of the girls were mission majors and the other was a nursing major. These are the two things that I am interested in as of now as far as careers go. It was also an answer to prayer. Everyone there was really friendly and the campus was beautiful. I had a great time while I was there. Now I'm looking forward to my next adventure, a mission trip to Mexico. I'm excited because this will be my first time being involved in foreign mission work. I'm praying that the Lord would open more doors, like the upcoming mission trip, for me to experience work on foreign fields . That's all for now! God bless!

School !?!

Yep, around that time again! I am actually kind of looking forward to it( a surprise, I know). I should have gotten a job for last week and this week because I didn't have much to do. Well, I take that statement back. I have got a lot of reading done these past few days. I am reading a really good book about how mission work got started in Dutch New Guinea. It was so awesome how the Lord saved all those natives! I love these kind of books!

Sorry my blogging has been so sporadic, my internet hardly ever works! It is so frustrating, but Romans 8:28 so it's all good.

God bless!

Life ll

I praise the Lord that he brought me out of that miry pit I was in. One of my greatest comforts was my dear brothers and sisters in Christ encouraging me to fight the good fight of faith. I am so blessed by the body of believers where the Lord has placed me. I have met people who go to church and say that people in their church are prideful and look down on you. I don't feel that at my church, all praise and glory to God. Others have a hard time finding a church in which the preacher preaches the Word of God not just what he thinks about a certain subject. I can say that my pastor preaches God's Word. My other comfort was God's Word itself. His Word has so many promises! If we would just read, memorize, and meditate on the Scriptures, we would find ourselves with a greater faith and less of a temptation to doubt God when things seem to be going down hill. Here are some specific Scriptures that helped me. Psalm 1; Psalm 37; Romans 8:28; Job 1:21b; 1 Peter 2:2 Two other things to do would be to pray( of course ) and when you are discouraged about something write the benefits of whatever has discouraged you -Psalm 68:19.


Church camp report: In my personal opinion it was the best year of church camp I have ever experienced, yet. I was a counselor for the first time in my seven years of camp. I had been looking forward to that week of camp for years, and the Lord did not disappoint my expectation. My cabin was named the Furloughed Fisherwomen after Matthew 4:19, 20 and it was full of seven darling girls. They were so joyful and full of life the whole time. There was hardly a minute that I didn't hear a laugh or giggle from them. We had lots of prayers going up to the Lord the whole summer before and during camp. I did not know how the Lord was going to work that week, but all I can say now is that the Lord showed Himself strong Thursday night. One of my girls was unsure of her salvation after the camp directors message that night. I led her in a prayer and she professed Christ as her Savior, and another one of my girls professed Christ as her Savior also. That was my first time sharing and leading someone to the Cross. my heart and soul were leaping within me the whole time. The whole camp was just AMAZING!!!

God bless!!!

Life

Doesn't it always seem that things are going great and then all of the sudden something happens that makes you feel like you want to scream" WHAT!?!?! ". I know that life is not always going to be easy, but when these things happen why am I so apt do be disappointed? When something happens that takes my breath away, why do I always see the negative side of things first instead of see that God is going to work everything out for His glory and my own good? I seem to take drastic measures or more often say drastic things that I regret saying afterward. Apparently I have a personal problem when I get into these situations. Then the Lord covers me back with His calming hand. God shows me that I was wrong for worrying and that He is in control. After this I feel much better. Praise the Lord!

ROAD TRIP

Dont you just love them!?!

A GREAT CONFERENCE & MY MESSY ROOM!

I was so blessed that the Lord opened the door to allow me to go this youth conference. At first I was really anxious since I did not think I would know anyone, but the Lord answered prayers and I knew 4 people. Most of the young people were saved so it made for great fellowship. Right now I am on vacation. We went rafting yesterday. I encourage anyone who has never been to go. It really gets your heart going especially when you know the person -or persons- who have fallen out of the raft. Please excuse all the verizon stuff I am not home to delete it even if I was my internet is not working. I am home(now 7-10-06), my internet is working, and I have erased it!

3rd Week of Summer Vacation

This week my church did a backyard Bible club at my Grandmother's house. I had never done anything like this before. I mean, I have helped out at Vacation Bible Club before but never had to teach a Bible story I just did crafts. The first day I had to teach the story of Adam, Eve, Cain, and Able. I was extremely anxious. The story went really well along with everything else in the club. We were hoping to have more kids come though. Five kids came the first day and by Friday there were eight.
I also dog-sat, fish-sat, and babysat this week. Who doesn't love odd jobs? The dog(Stinker) wasn't too bad, although he did have his bad days. The fish, well, what can you say about a fish? It didn't make a peep(to bad I can't say the same about the dog). One of the girls from school was my partner in the babysitting job. We were the nursery workers for a wedding. It was a lot of fun because the door of the nursery room gave me a great view into all of the behind the scene work of a wedding. The wedding started at one and I was at the church by eleven. Before the wedding had even started I saw the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and ringbearer(who was most outgoing eight year old I have ever remembered meeting). I didn't even know the people getting married, but seeing everyone run around made me excited for them!

I love summer break!

God bless!

Praist the Lord! The waiting is over!

Yes, summer break is finally here. I have enjoyed it so far. The next few weeks are going to start getting more and more busy. I have a dog-sitting job starting Friday. It will definitely be a new experience. The dog's name is Stinker so at least for my family's sake lets hope he doesn't misbehave to his full potintial. His family is going on a seven day cruise. Lucky! My summer has been full of doing chores, resting, reading, and little school work( I know I will regret this later). My family went swimming at the city pool Monday and found out if you come in around four the admission, which is normally three dollars, is free! I haven't swam there in a long time considering we had our own little pool. My dog ripped it though and now it is producing next years frog plague instead of summer fun in the sun. Dad got a hammock Sunday as his belated birthday gift. I have been enjoying it more than him these past few days. My next big plan is my youth group/church's makeup canoe trip. It will be a blessing if we wouldn't get flooded out this time. I wonder if I will remember how to canoe considering its been about eight years since my last canoe trip. I hope everybody's summer is going as great as mine!

Three Days Left!...(Who's counting anyway?)...

...well, if you want to get technical, it's about 10 1/2 hours. PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm Soooooo ready!

2 Weeks of School to Go...

I'm trying to finish up well. I have my last Old Testament test Monday morning! I'll be working on Geometry over the summer and I can't wait to be out of it, along with chemistry which I am learning very quickly to dislike.


If it were illegal to not post on my blog, I would have been in jail long ago.

But God...

. . . picks up the pieces in His infinite mercy, grace, & love for me. In His strength i can stand without falling apart.

ME

You see this gummy bear? This is how im feeling, a little discombobulated. I'm so ready for summer. I'll be busy, but not with school praise God!

Great Sorrow

Today my principal came up to the high school students and asked if any of us would want to compete in an oratory competition, which basis would be about topics including abortion. I was not sure if I wanted to do it at first but then I thought,"Hey, this couldn't be too bad, could it?" So, once I got my homework done I decided to begin my research on abortion and began with this article that speaks about partial birth abortion. The most I really ever know about abortion is that it included killing "unborn" babies. This article goes into detail about what partial birth abortion actually is, and it is one of the most perverse things I have ever heard being done to a living human being. I can't believe doctors actually perform these. People are really doing this to babies which are truly God's own. I know that Satan is the prince of this world but do people not have a conscience? Well, they might, but it sure doesn't seem to affect them. I do know the problem, their sinners, just like me. They need Jesus to change. I can tell this is going to be an assignment that will definitely bring me closer to God, and help me feel the pain He feels every day. This makes me sad and made all at the same time. Praise God that President Bush signed the Partial-Birth-Abortion Ban.

The Conclusion

WOW! What a great student convention! It didn't seem as big as it was last year. The final count, I assume this includes all sponsors, was 296. Examples would include: only two one act plays entries, five entries in male piano solo, five small ensembles and a volleyball team that we beat at least four times this year placing fourth place in the volleyball tournament. I got to meet so many new people. It pretty strange when you could just be walking about leisurely and someone would say ," Hi Tess!", and I didn't even know who they were. I usually had an idea to what school they attended though. I got to see some good friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. I enjoyed that. Overall there was a great atmosphere and lots of fun, full of anticipation, much walking back and forth, and finally good fellowship. There was never a moment that you couldn't be doing something. Yep, hardly ever a dull moment.
Personally, the most exciting parts for me were Atalie getting a command performance and the awards ceremony. Atalie did a wonderful job on her dramatic monologue so well that they asked her Thursday night if she would perform it in front of the whole convention. Everyone was so proud of her. She also got first in her expressive reading and table tennis. There was not one person from my school who didn't go home with at least one medal. All of my school had worked so hard on all of their events so the awards ceremony was the payoff for all of our hard work. There is so much to write but I don't feel like writing all of it so I'll leave you with my results

poetry recitation - 2nd
science project, engineering - 3rd
Bible bowl - 7th?
radio program - 3rd
tennis - 3rd
dramatic dialogue - 6th
sewing, sportswear - 1st (by .33 of a point)
mixed quartet - 6th
pace bowl - 7th?
Bible memory - 4th

Convention

Monday
9:30am-3:00pm Registration [Bldg 1]
9:00am - 5:00pm Exhibits Turn-In [D 340]
11:30am-l:30pm Lunch [Cafeteria]
1:3:00pm - 2:30pm Bible Memory [D 305]
2:30pm - 4:00pm Spelling [[D 305]]
4:00pm - 5:30pm Small Ensemble [Theatre]
4:00pm - S:30pm Large Ensemble [Theatre]
6:30pm EYENING RALLY [Theatre] (Dress Attire)
7:00pm SPONSORS' MEETING [D305] (MANDATORY)

Tuesday
8:00am - 5:00pm -VOLLEYBALL [Bldg 2]
-BASKETBALL [Bldg 2]
-Tennis M/F [Field 4]
8:00am - 12:30pm Archery
8:00am - 12:30pm Physical Fitness
8:00am - 12:30pm Soccer Kick
8:30am - 12:30pm PACE Bowl
9:00am - 12:30pm Piano Solo M/F
9:00am - 12:30pm Piano Duet
l:30pm - 4:00pm Archery
12:30pm - 5:00pm Physical Fitness
12:30pm - 5:00pm PACE Bowl
l l:30pm - 4:00pm Soccer Kick
12:30pm - 5:00pm PACE Bowl
l l:30pm - 5:00pm Piano Solo M/F
l:30pm - 5:00pm Piano Duet
7:30pm EVENING RALLY. (Dress Attire)

Wednesday
8:00am - 10:00am Track (Running) [Field 3]
-Long Jump [Field 3]
-High Jump [Field 3]
-Shot Put [Field 4]
-Discus
8:00am- 12:30pm Chess & Checkers [D 310]
-Physical Fitness [D 309]
-Tennis M/F [Field 4]
-Bible Bowl [D308]
-Table Tennis M/F [D400]
8:00am - 12:30pm Female Solo, Trio, Duet [D 341]
-Female Quartet [D341]
-Male Solo, Trio, Duet [D341]
-Male Quartet [D 341]
-Mixed Duet, Trio [D341]
-Mixed Quartet [D341]
-Misc. Solo [D 226]
-Brass Solo [D 226]
-Woodwind Solo [D226]
-String Plucked Solo [D 226]
-String Bowed Solo [D 226]
-Instrumental Duet, Trio [D 226]
-Instrumental Quartet [D 226]
10:00am - 12:30pm PACE Bowl [D 305]
-Soccer Kick [Field 3]
-Archery [Field 4]
12:30pm- 5:00 pm PACE Bowl [D305]
l:30pm-2:00pm Small Inst Ensemble [Theatre]
-Large Inst. Ensemble [Theatre]
-Hand bell Choir [Theatre]
l:30pm - 5:00pm Chess & Checkers [D310]
-Physical Fitness [D309]
-Tennis M/F [Field 4]
-Bible Bowl [D308]
-Table Tennis M/F [D400]
-Soccer Kick [Fields]
-Archery [Field 4]
-Female Solo, Trio, Duet [D 341]
-Female Quartet [D341]
-Male Solo, Trio, Duet [D 341]
-Male Quartet [D341]
-Mixed Duet, Trio [D341]
-Mixed Quartet [D341]
-Preaching (ALL) [P226]
-Poetry Recitation M/F [ D 226]
2:30pm - 5:00pm One Act Play [Theatre]
7:30 EVENING RALLY

THURSDAY
8:00am - 10:00am Track (Running) [Field 3]
-Long Jump [Field 3]
-High Jump [Field 3]
-Shot Put [Field 4]
-Discus [Field 4]
8:00am - 12:30pm Chess & Checkers [D 310]
-PACE Bowl [D305]
-Physical Fitness [D309]
-Tennis M/F [Field 4]
-Bible Bowl [D308]
-Puppets [P 349]
-Expressive Reading M/F [D 349]
-Illustrated Story [P 349]
-Dramatic Monologue [P 349]
-Clown Act [D349]
10:00am - 12:30pm Dramatic Dialogue [P 341]
-Famous Speech [P 341]
-Ventriloquism [P 341]
-Oratory [P 341]
11:30am - l:30pm Lunch I Cafeteria]
l:30ptn - 5:00pm Chess & Checkers [D310]
-PACE Bowl [D305]
-Physical Fitness P 309]
-Tennis M/F [Field 4]
-Bible Bowl [D308]
-Puppets [P 349]
-Expressive Reading M/F [D349]
-Illustrated Story [P 349]
-Dramatic Monologue [P 349]
-Clown Act [D349]
l:00pm - 2:00pm Dramatic Dialogue [P 341]
-Famous Speech [P 341]
-Ventriloquism [P 341]
-Oratory [P 341]
2:00pm - 3:00pm Interpretation/Deaf [P 341]
7:30pm EVENING.RALLY [Theatre] (Dress Attire)

Friday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Awards ceremony
(Dress Attire) 12:00 pm - Dismissal


Hope this helps! Don't pay any attention to the number to the side. They are supposed to be room numbers, but they didn't scan correctly.

6:30 tonight Convention performance night!

My Blog...

...is a little boring, or at least to me. How about some jokes!

What do George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus have in common?
They were all born on a holiday.

What do you serve a math teacher for dessert?
Pi.

Why did the teacher marry the janitor?
He swept her off her feet.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Diploma.
Diploma who?
Diploma's coming to fix de sink.

What's a bird's favorite motto?
"If at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again."

What does a cow carry to work?
His beef case.

How do turtles get to the second floor?
They take the shell-evator.

Why didn't the letter get to delivered to the frog?
It had the wrong zip toad.

John was walking his dog near the lake when a duck walked by and shouted,"Hi!"
John was so startled he said,"Wow! I didn't know ducks could talk!"
"Neither did I!" exclaimed the dog.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
The owl says.
The owl says who?
Exactly.

I know these are exremely corny, but I needed a laugh! These came from "This Book Is A Joke" by Holly Kowitt. And a special thanks to Bergerboy who borrowed it from his school's library!

Scripture...

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 2:5-6

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD: and that which he hath given will he pepay him again. Proverbs 19: 17

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; Matthew 6:33a

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

CURLING

Have you heard of curling? Did you watch any of it on the Olympics? And would you guess in a million years that I desided to spend my Saturday curling? Well, actually I'm manning the information table, but I will be soon!

Strange Occurances

Have you ever been writing something or thinking something and the exact word that is on your mind is said by someone else? This has happened to me a few times before but the strangest was yesterday. It is a little different than the above example. So, I was flipping through a hymnal playing some of the songs. Just as I began to play one song the very same song came on the radio station I was listening to! It was extremely interesting.


Has anything like this ever happened to you?


God bless!

Happy Valentine's Day! Guess what

Happy Valentine's Day! Guess what I got! I got flowers, candy, & the flu. GOD BLESS, Pray 4 me please!

Another Snow Day?!?

I'm out of school today! Again the Lord shows Himself to me. I wasn't feeling well this morning, but instead of taking a sick day I got a snow day. PTL!

LOOK AT IT NOW!

Time To Post...

Oh!...It is so beautiful here at my house. I truly wish you could see it. (I think I can make that happen) I thought since I might be snowed in for the rest of the evening I'd pay a visit to my blog. It has been snowing about thirty minutes here. I have a good half inch or so thus far. I had an away volleyball game that I would have been warming up for just about now ,but It was canceled. The place we were traveling to is about three hours away and they were going to have more snow than us. "So what has been going on with Tessiegirl," you ask. I have been doing better than I deserve. The Lord has continued to bless me countless ways. He has been revealing Himself through experiences, brothers and sisters in Christ, and His Word. God has been showing me that He is not all He should be in my life especially in trusting Him. It is astounding how many verses in Psalms that talk about how David and the other Psalmists spoke of the trust that they had in God, His blessing, and the reverence of His almighty power.

Psalm 7:1 "O LORD my God, in the do I put my trust..."

Psalm 37:5 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Psalm 115:13 "He will bless them that fear the LORD, both great and small."

School is going well... aside from the fact that I failed my first test in a very long time (my first Geomerty)...fancy that. We are getting ready for competitions in March. Unfortunately, we don't have enough people for any team sports, watch out next year though! I'm trying out for the first time poetry recitation, radio broadcasting, pace bowl, and me and my friend have a science project. I'm ready for church camp, too. We're also praying that God would lead us to the person that He would want as a guest speaker for that week( if that be His will). That's about all I can think of right now. Stay warm...God bless!

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."




P.S > My father says "Hi" to all you bloggers out there! <

Snow & no school yes!

HOLA!

HOLA!

Winter?

Ok, the weather in Tennessee has been just weird, but weird is normal here. Yesterday morning I woke to rain, lightning, thunder, and temperature of about 60 degrees. Throughout the day it got colder and colder, by 8:oopm it was snowing. When I got up this morning the ground was white with snow. It is just enough so that Burgerboy and his friends are going sledding. I might go join them!




God bless, be safe, stay in God's Word, and go play in the snow(that is if you have any)!

Happy New Year!

I pray that everyone would have a blessed New Year, a year of new beginnings. I just got back from a Missions Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN put on by a group called BCWE ,unofficially, (Baptist Committed to World Evangelism). It a official group who's slogan is 'Our Generation' or reaching the world in our generation. These are people who are committed to doing just that. Businessmen, preachers, missionaries, churches doing all that they can to save the world in this generation. It was so exciting being around people who were so filled with the Spirit and so ready to change the world. Their lives had purpose and they knew what that purpose was. I know now ,too. I am called of God to go into the world (Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 16:17-18). Just to clear up any confusion, I have not been called to preach but to go into the world as a missionary (unless the Lord intervenes otherwise then I would follow Him). I know that the Lord truly has worked in my life these past couple of days! And again, Merry New Year!

Merry Christmas!

''Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto youis born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. '' Luke 2:10,11

May Christ truly be the center of everything this Christmas.

Narnia

It's been so long I can't even remember how to work this thing. I published my title without any words, go me! I saw The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe today with some of my family. I am no movie critic unlike some who I visit this blog, but I enjoyed the movie. I had read the first three of four books but it has been several years. I wasn't saved when I read the books so when I saw the movie it really reminded me of what Christ did on the Cross for me. God sure did bless C.S. Lewis with an awesome imagination. It was amazing to think that people who wouldn't normally expose themselves to anything overly religious would come to see this movie. I don't think Disney knew what they were doing when they made this movie.

God bless!

Greetings from a far away country (Florida)...

...forgive me if I have offended those from Florida...but you know they would say the same about Tennessee...on with the post...I think this has been one of my most memerable trips , and it isn't even over, yet. It is only the beginning. I'm still a little weary from the drive. We left at 7pm and got a hotel room around 3am. I certainly wasn't bored,well, at least not today. My brother and I have started this goofy tradition that when ever we go on road trips we bring what I will call Billy-Bob teeth along with us. We have the most fun when we are in trafic jams and all the cars are traveling at a crawl. We were only about thirty minutes from our final destination when we got stuck in the trafic, which brought great joy to me and Bergerboy ( just to let you know we were not joyed at the fact that there was an accident, but as far as I know no one was injured.) Anyway, I will go ahead and seek forgivness for giving all you Tennesseans out there a bad name. The teeth don't seem to ease the aweful reputation we have as being country. Two of the funniest things that happened was a trucker who said just that," Don't you know your giving Tennesseans a bad name." He was just kidding though. The other was a couple of guys from California decided they would take a picture of two crazy hill-billy's from Tennessee. Great memories!

God's blessings to all,
and Happy Thanksgiving
that is if I don't post again tomorrow!

May I Quote a Quote

It is short but sweet.

"Our Heavenly Father never takes anything from His children unless He means to give them something better." ~George Mueller

God bless,
ETM

Beauty

Praise the Lord for what awesome beauty He showes me everyday! Yesterday as I was driving home, the sunset was so beautiful. I wanted to watch it , but I had to keep my eyes on the road. There were clouds all around but as the sun set its rays got underneath the cloud. It put a red-orange glow on everything that it touched. What magnified the beauty was the colors of the trees, which(some) were also red, orange, and every color inbetween. The clouds that were once gray were now orange, blue, and a majestic purple. I thought of how unworthy I was to see such glory created by such a glorious God.

"When I consider thy heaven, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitist him?"

Psalm 8:3-4

PTL!

My First College Trip...

I visited Crown College with a few other high school students. Considering it was my first college to visit, it was amazing. Just being around all those college kids on fire for the Lord got me excited. Their standards are extremely high, but anything that will raise my standards I'm for. The degrees at this college only involve Christian service. The college is currently in its fifteenth year. It started with about 60 students and now has over 900 students. The pastor/president of the church/college is also on fire for the Lord. It is wonderful to see how faithful he is in trusting the Lord with everything. I can't wait to visit another college, which might be PCC in the spring. I pray that the Lord would guide me to do his will. Blessings to all! Thanks for all the happy birthday wishes ,too.

An Amazing Day

I had an amazing birthday. You would of heard more about it ,but the post just disappered. God bless!

Sunset

I took this picture while I was in Flordia for my Grandmother's wedding. Who knows how many pictures I took of this particular sunset. You can see more of them if you go to my site at flikr.com. Enjoy!

1 John 4

Labor Day...

...didn't include much any physical labor but my brain was in for it. It is not a very great idea to save all your homework on your last day off. I had a lot of fun, but I'll be dreading it by tomorrow. Friday I went to Australia( sort of, ask and I will explain ) . My Saturday was wasted aside from the the time period from 5pm-9pm which was sooo much fun. I am fearing something though, well it is in God's hands now. Sunday, Bergerboy's b-day, was awesome as Sundays usually are. Today I did homework ( still not done) and then some friends came over with thier atv which we rode for probably four hours. Talk about fun! I also got to ride bergerboy's bergermobile. I almost had a wreck on that thing. I think it scared B Boy more than it scared myself. My Mom wanted to ride with me on the atv so I only went up to the third gear. She was afraid. Now fifth gear is when it gets scary especially in my yard, and yet it is so much fun to go that fast. My friends let there kids drive the four-wheeler for the first time. It reminded me of the first time I ever drove my mom's little white toyota. I had never drove a stick shift(manual) before. It wasn't pretty. I hope everyone else had a great holiday! God Bless!

MY Turn?

I guess it is about time to put up a post! Well, now that school has started I won't be able to post as much(excuses ,excuses, I know) but maybe I'll post more than a month at a time. And all that you've read about church camp has been true. It was the best year yet in my five (or six, I can't remember) years of church camp. God blessed once again in allowing me to attend my church's Christian school for a second year. I was able to get a lot of work done last year so I can only imagine how much work I'll get done this year, seeing that I'm not sitting inbetween . . . . anyway. We're going to have a great(and if not great a large) volleyball team we have 13 girls ages eleven through sixteen. I'm not sure if there all playing though. Happy blogging to all! God bless!

John 15:10-17

~ _T_