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!