Wrapups

So here I am, on an airplane. That’s right, in less then one hour I’ll be back in North Carolina. (on an afternote, i actually left the NC airport and drove straight to VA) Then driving straight up to Virginia. It’s nice to be going home, that’s for sure. But I’m DEFINITELY going to miss all the great times I had in Minnesota. “Yeah, you betcha.” It’s weird. I haven’t blogged in a few days only because I’ve been swarmed with family. My cousins (one family I think 6 children?) came to visit and even before that I was constantly busy. Any free time I took advantage of, but I never had enough time to just sit down without anyone really hounding me and just write. Which is what I love, writing. But I’m back now, anyways!

Right now I’m on the airplane to NC on my laptop on Microsoft word. Later I’m going to copy paste this whole thing on to Blogger, add some color, and post it. But I actually like being on this plane because I’m so isolated and I can just think. I have my headphones in, listening to my music, and just writing. My current song is Who Am I by Casting Crowns, really- you should listen to it. It’s just an amazing song. Here’s a clip:

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I’m calling

Lord you catch me when I’m falling, and You’ve told me who I am

I am Yours.

I think that’s just a great song to think about. Like, just sit down and think- why am I here? I’m definitely not here to be breathing. I’m His. I’m here for Him. Casting Crowns, if you haven’t heard of them, is a great Christian band to check out, I especially like Who Am I, Does Anybody Hear Her, and If We Are The Body. But let’s go away from me advertising Christian music groups; I was talking to my friend James from my mission trip on facebook. I was on my way to the airport today and I got a text message saying that he posted something on my wall. He told me to listen to a song called A More Beautiful You by Johnny Diaz. It’s this amazing song though that really just hits the target straight on about teenage and young adult girls. Flashback to Mission Trip 2010, Kingstree, SC- it’s one of the last nights. It’s close to curfew. Two of the red shirt staff girls come in to sing goodnight or tell a story. But instead of going classroom to classroom, they gather an audience around the bathroom. The turnout is huge, a large majority of the girls were sitting there listening to those two girls sing and play guitar to A More Beautiful You. A lot were crying because the song just hits home so much.

So it really brought me back to mission trip, which is probably in the top 10 best times in my life, once I started listening to it again after James told me to check it out on YouTube. I refrained from crying or singing along (or both) because I was in a public airport listening to it on YouTube from my phone. Music means a lot to me. It expresses so much. I can express my love for God through music, or just about any other thing I need to express. When I’m sad I sing, no joke. I’ll go alone some place and sing my feelings out. That’s not saying I think that I’m that good, but I still like it. And so my little playlist I’m listening to on iTunes right now is just making me think. And think. And think.

I’m in the middle of rambling on and on to you, and I’m sorry, it’s just hard not too when you have a large amount of time on a plane without Internet or much else to do. I had a book that I had to read for the upcoming school year, Fahrenheit 451, that I just finished reading and I’ll be talking about probably soon. I used up most of my stuff during the 1-hour delay that turned into 2 hours after they literally lost (couldn’t find anywhere) a flight attendant. So I guess I’ll just wrap up with a part from another Casting Crowns song.

If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching?

Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His words teaching?

And if we are the Body why aren’t His feet going?

Why is His love not showing them there is a way? Jesus is the way.

The Reason

Sorry for my lack of posting recently. I’ve just been caught up with family here in Minnesota. Great state, to “ya’ll” who live here. ;) Anyways, I had a few things I decided I wanted to talk about so I guess I’ll just start and we’ll see where this all goes.

Well to start off with, I’m writing this Sunday night at 11:25 MN time. It’s just our power is out (scheduled for this to happen, though) for 4 hours. I can’t post it right now then, my phone says it’s too long (yeah I already tried texting it in) and I cant stay up that late. So this is being posted sometime on Monday, but written on Sunday. Try to wrap THAT around your head! But last night I was on facebook debating if I should blog or not while talking to James and something hit me- pure fashion. If you remember, I’ve mentioned it in at least 2 earlier posts. Props to you if you remembered, but I don’t think I’ve ever explained what pure fashion actually is. Just mentioned it.

Any mission trippers that are reading this might know Lauren or Claire from NC. They and I were in this organization together that involves fashion (yes) but its dressing appropriate and modest but still trendy, and then confidently. So pretty much dressing to impress the Lord. And of course we would have hair and makeup day and a huge fashion show (actually two) but I wont get into that part. I guess I just wanted to let you guys know that there are things like this. There are ways you can get involved with your faith if you don’t want to sing or lead a council. I guess that’s basically it for the pure fashion thing, but (since I’m limited on space) I’ll kinda try and wrap this up.

I was thinking today about something my sister told me earlier this year. We were studying things in science during the school year, and a lot was on how the world came to be. What really bothered me is my teacher would just say pretty much this is what happened. This and this only, and the textbook says it and scientists say it so this is what happened. Leading me to believe that he didn’t think God had any part in it. I was complaining to my sister (who is in her 20s) and she said that any thing and everything comes back to God. They say a supernova created all the planets. Okay, but where did the supernova come from? God. This just helps me feel a little better all the time knowing no matter what, God was the reason, is the reason, and will be the reason. He’s the reason we’re here and we’re living. We’re living for him, right? So lets do it. I guess I rambled which I tried not to do, but whatever. J

I’m in the middle of a power outage. It was planned. 10:30 exactly everything was zapped off. So I’m forced to type this on my phone. If this posts I’m extremely lucky. And so just (until next time) remember these key points

1. you can always be involved in your faith. Even if you don’t go through something like pure fashion.

2. God is the reason, the way, love, and just amazing.

Cry

Yes, I am still in Minnesota but this blog doesn't even talk about it- SORRY JAMES! Maybe if you remember a few blogs back i mentioned something I'm in called Pure Fashion. I don't really want to elaborate on it, but it's a great program- so ask me about it sometime. Anyways, we had a weekend retreat, towards the beginning of the season (around the school year), and all the cabins were in the middle of the woods, so the short walk to the meeting place meant stepping on some crunchy leaves. But then again, that's really fun- so no one cared! As i was saying, a lot of girls ended up walking around in the forest just thinking to themselves, sometimes talking out loud, to get closer to God. I don't know if you've ever heard this, but when it's all silent and your just thinking to yourself and you're in that moment where you're not even really thinking, it's just these thoughts are processing- That's you're conversation with Him. He works through you, it works even better when you talk out loud (i've tried).

I didn't get to stay both nights, i refused to miss out on my youth group meeting at my church with my two other friends (Claire and Lauren) and so the first night there was my only night. Luckily, that was the deeper stuff and everything i missed Sunday was more of the glamour stuff (once again, ask me about the organization if you're wondering what I'm talking about). Well Saturday morning i was walking around in the forest and i started talking to myself and i just realized i wasn't even thinking about what to say anymore, i just started Him off and i just kept on talking from there. I cried, a lot. Actually, it was the most in touch with God i had EVER been. Ever.

Then there was mission trip this year. We had this thing on Thursday called "Cry night". It's basically where through a series of events of realization, you realize all that you've been doing wrong when you could've been helping Him for His plans for you, great and many. I cried then too, just because i got so into my conversation with Him, it was just inside my head. So nobody could hear me whatsoever, but i heard Him - loud and clear. And then i looked around and saw all my friends who were sitting just bawling. Gasping for air, looking up like they were missing something. I felt like i needed to go help them. So i went around, even to people i didnt know, and would just place my hand on their back, or just sit next to them for a little. I didnt talk unless they talked to me- and if i did i just told them how to talk to God like i did. I figured what they needed was some silence and God.

Then i had this friend who was still crying after most everyone had finished. I wasnt close with her before mission trip, but now we're really close. And I went and sat with her. I talked to her a little, and i told her eventually- just talk to Jesus. To get through this you just need Him. And she said something that i'd heard earlier that week- "Right now i need Jesus in flesh."

That night i had just talked with that friend for quite some time. We seperated ourselves from everyone else. And i dont think i even talked to her, she was talking to God out loud, and occasionally she would look over and i'd just tell her she was doing great. I was so proud (sorry if that sounds a bit mom-ish.) And I realized more than ever that sometimes you need silence because in silence we can think straight to conversations with God, and we can talk out loud to Him. Sometimes we need Jesus with flesh. She called me a saint that night. I laughed and denied it because all I was doing was trying to do what He wants me to do. Serve Him. Oh, and sometimes we just need to cry. I've learned that over the past few months. Things would happen to me and i would just break away from everything and just cry. Or sing my feelings out. Or talk to God. And it would all just pour out, but it would work.

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We're crying for them come back home
We're crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

-Tears of the Saints

-Leeland

Hastings

If you remember, I'm in Minnesota for a little while. I didn't post last night (which is a shocker for me) but I really was just kinda out of the groove. I love being here though, in MN. I know a lot of people here, and it really just reminds me of old times. And for the first time in a month, i played Bunny Bunny and Ninja (which- even though James disagrees- i am the champ at) and it really just brought me back to a month ago in a little place called Kingstree, South Carolina. I'm a southern belle. I'll admit it, i have some "twang" to my voice at times and i say ya'll ocassionally. So Kingstree was pretty much like home for me, except there were people from everywhere. We had Rochester, Minnesota- where im only about 25 minutes from right now- of which i made some great friends, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina (woot woot!) and natives from South Carolina (sorry if i missed a group).

While there we all grew close to eachother, God especially, and we got to express ourselves in new ways- from singing & acting and performing, to sports and just talking to people and helping them. A big hit was a little game called ninja. If you know what i'm talking about your mind is probably racing right now thinking of the last time you played ninja. For me it was a few hours ago, which is just gtreat! And being this close to people who were there in one of the highlights of my summer, and just a highlight of my life in general, is just so exciting. To know that if i could find spare time to hitch a ride i could get back in touch with that. And for some reason playing ninja makes me feel like i'm back over there.

The reason why I'd say i miss mission trip so much is so much happened there. When we got there, we saw the MN vans pull in and we all looked at eachother and just thought "i thought our FOUR HOUR drive was long", and we would go from the horrible heat into cool, cool rooms. We would get in touch with everybody in the free times where you go and socialize outside (or sleep inside) and grow more comfortable with everyone in the evening programs. Then those moments came along where you just clicked with your faith. You just thought- hey. This is why I am HERE. This is why I came here, for Him. And then it just made you think- ESPECIALLY cry night, but i wont get into that now, maybe another day.

Anyways- I've been obsessing about mission trip- i still talk to at least one person from mission trip (AT LEAST) every day for a long period of time. I still wear my mission trip 2010 ring everyday, unless it's a circumstance where i would lose it. The whole point of it is i dont want to lose what I had there. The first day back from mission trip i kept thinking "now i would be on the roof opening shingles" or "now i'd be dancing to Get Down, or other things like that. I just wanted to be back there, it was over too quick. Now I realize that it doesnt have to be over, just because I'm not in that schedule that puts me straight into a path to growing closer with my faith.... that doesn't mean I cant still do stuff like that. It doesnt mean that i cant still help those in need, or that i cant reach out and make new friends who all want to serve Him, or that i cant play ninja with loved ones- which i've been doing a lot since i got to MN, thanks guys!! I'm learning now I can, should, and will do all of these things still.

Im in the middle of Hastings, my last night actually in Hastings before returning it a bit more up north. I'm with cousins that I never see, yet we bond so much that it's crazy, and I love it here so much; family is a big part of us. And i'll close this post (not only because everyone's asleep now but me, but also because it's kinda long) by quoting a very popular song that I love-

In your weakness He is stronger
In your darkness He shines through
When you're crying, He's your comfort
When you're all alone- He's carrying you!

-Audio Adrenaline (Get Down)

Put Put

SORRY for the extremely short post last night. I didnt have access to a computer so i was texting it and that got old and I fell asleep, but I'm on a computer now and I'll try and make this one the regular size!

As I've said, I'm on a trip in MN for a few weeks visiting family. Today bright and early we went put putting. It kinda made me think a little, i mean- everything can be related to something else. I related something as simple as miniature golf to our life and goals. Think of it like this: in miniature golf you have your obstacles, your hills, your goals and successes, and points where you mess up SO many times that the scorer says "okay we'll just count it as this, no? let's move on to the next hole". If you think about it, that's a lot like our lives.

Let's start with the first hit in the first hole. The tensions on, you have something to prove. You want to at least make par. You want to at least be average, that's the goal. Be perfect- or at least average. Now relate that to life, maybe you want to fit in. Or you want to be the best at something, just admit it, it happens to all of us. That's just the beginning though, theres so much more in our life than the first put.

Now we have obstacles- maybe we're putting and we accidently go right into a pretend sand dune, or we hit the ball so hard it goes all the way up the hill, hits a rock, and comes back down- or for that matter maybe we run into some rocks along the way, or even just miss the hole. To make things easier here, I'm going to compare something- see the hole, your goal, as God and what He plans for you. That's what your going for. That's why your there. That's why we're HERE today, for Him, right? Well sometimes we make a few mistakes and run into a rock or we get caught in the middle of something funky, but we still are going for Him- that's still our goal. We might be concentrated at getting out of our problem at the moment, but the whole big deal is making it in the hole. Getting to God.

Once we realize that, we'll get through it a lot easier. If you focus really hard on your goal you can concentrate enough to go right to Him, even if you have to try a few times to get up some hills on a way. We can all do it. We need to all do it, so next time you go play put put (or miniature golf, if you call it that)- really think about this. Think about how the whole reason your out there is to get to the goal, Him. Points are one thing, we like to know we won- like to win a prize makes you feel accomplished, but the big great feeling is making it. Knowing you went through all of those obstacles, and finally in the final hole- you made it in. You made it to Him.

I'm in the middle of a library miles and miles away from home in Minnesota right now doing everything I can to make sure I have a decent internet server to write this blog in because I really, really want you guys to here it. It's my cousins birthday (happy birthday Ellie, if you're reading this!) and that's why I'm currently up in this state- for my family, to be with them. But the whole reason I'm here in GENERAL, is for Him.
So let me know what you think on the subject- and yes, i only thought of this comparison just today.
While playing put put.

Water

As I've mentioned before, I'm in MN for a littie while visiting family and today i was working with my aunt with children. We went to the pool at a local country club (BRETT!!!) and she was trying to make sure everyone drank their water. The youngest one said, "i dont want water. I dont want water" and the immediate rresponse from my aunt was "maybe you dont want water but you need it. Everyone needs water to live!"

Yes, im talking about something more than just water. Im talking about Him. We all dont want Him. There are some times where we're just mad and we feel that He doesnt want or love us. But he does!!

Like i said- while im here i hope to spend time with my family and come closer to them them, as well as as coming closer to God.

Im in the middle of falling asleep right now, so (sorry for the really short post tonight) and goodnight :)

Children

Sorry for the lack of cool fonts, colors, and decorations (oh my!) but i'm currently "on location" in MN :)

On the flight here, however, i did my normal thing. Opened some skittles, read a little, and turned into my ipod. Time went by pretty fast. Eventually, though, my ears were popping so much I could barely here my music, so i turned it off and just listened to those around me. It was pretty quiet other than what sounded like 2 young boys behind me. They weren't talking about cooties or pokemon or anything, though. They were discussing where we were, what types of buildings we were passing, the machinery of the plane, and more stuff that i was surprised they knew. I heard some stuff i didnt even know. I turned around once we landed and said hi to one of them. They both looked 6- tops. I talked to them (nothing much) for maybe 2 minutes. The dad kept glancing over to make sure everything was okay, but the boys were sweet as can be. I said goodbye and turned back around.

Once they were getting of the plane i told them to have fun in Washington (where they were going), and one of the little boys turned around, smiled, and said bye. It got quiet and we all just kinda went back to our business and the other one whispered "thanks".

I dont know, something about this touched me. Like, children are so carefree and so they have time to focus on REAL THINGS. Not whats new with the latest crushes or celebrities. Also like these children focus on real things (along with normal little kid stuff), we as the children of God need to focus on real things- Him and His plans for us.

Cant we do just that?

Throughout whole life, no matter what age we are we are His children. And he is our Father. We need to remember that and do what we know He wants us to, for Him.

I'm in the middle of MN right now. I'm going to be working with children tomorrow, then seeing loved ones and family for another week and a half. So I'll be working on still beingg myself, but also a child, still, inside. Which wont be TOO hard. :)

Nike Rule

In seventh and eighth grade, I had a science teacher who had a few class rules. One of them was called the nike rule. The description was "just do it"- meaning whenever he asked you do help out in class, just do it. It's a good rule, especially to get people to be attentive and cooperate. That's pretty effective, I'd say. What if we acted like that outside of school classes though? If we just "did" without thinking. If we just went on with our lives without being the cautious people we normally are. If instead of planning out every single moment in our lives and debating for hours over a simple question... we just did it.

A lot of people have told me follow your gut. That didn't really hit me that your gut is right most of the time. I guess i've just come across circumstances where my gut told me to do something and I followed the opposite path and in the long run it turned out bad. I'd learned from those mistakes and most of the time now I'm glad to say that I do follow my gut. And that makes me feel pretty good because I know inside of me that God is working through me at all times, and my listening to my gut instinct, so to speak, I'm doing what I am almost positive he wants for me.

Like I was saying, though, if we lived in a world where we followed the nike rule all the time, would our world be better? I think it's safe to say that we need impulsive and stupid decisions but also slow and careful decisions made in our life time. Actually, some of us need to make them a lot. Because in making these decisions we learn and we have the opportunity to grow closer to God in the process of recovery.

okay its confession time. Everything above these words was written at about 1 am. Then I fell asleep with my computer on my lap and just woke up now, so I'm sorry!!

Well now i'm kinda out of the zone because i had everything in my head before I fell asleep, so I guess i'll wrap this one up until next time. I'm in the middle, right now, of figuring things out. I'm going through some stuff, not as serious as other people, but I still am. And I've been thinking for such a long time on which decision I should make, because I want to make sure it's the right one. But now I'm learning ( thanks to my friend Trina's blog) that no matter what step I take He'll be there for me. If I land somewhere in a dead end, He'll help me to get out of there; to find out how to grow closer to Him and His plans for me, because they're great.

Embrace

My mom and I decided a little while ago we were going to take advantage of our neighborhood and go to the gym everyday we possibly could. That's great, but it's a public place (instead of relying on the treadmill and weights we have at home) so it's not as comfortable as it is when your all alone.

I feel that alone really speaks for itself. We all have a comfort zone, it's true. And some of us have realized by now that we need to get out of our comfort zone. Even if it means going in a public gym, right? It was kinda a weird thing for me, though. I had already done all my physical therapy and excercises and i was ready to go and just listening to my ipod when my mom still had about 10 minutes left.

I immedately turned the song to Get Down, by Audio Adrenaline. This is a pretty popular Christian song, and it even has it's own dance. The second the song started i had the urge to dance (don't judge), just because it brough back memories from the mission trip. At first i stood up and really considered it, but then realizing how weird it would look to all the men and women running on treadmills or lifting weights to see some random girl dancing and jumping. So i just stood there. Then i kept thinking about how if i cant even dance to a song about praising Him, how can i show the world how much i love Him?

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. Proverbs 8: 17

Needless to say I danced. I'm learning now to embrace even the smallest of things so i can take baby steps into where i'm out of my comfort zone and i can just go out and feel free enough to spread my love for God to everyone else. That's gonna be my goal, just to embrace my faith.

I'm in the middle, right now, of figuring things out. I know who I am, and what I want to do with my life where I'm happy, but also ( and mainly ) live for Him. It's hard to keep doing that plan though when i keep getting sidetracked by friends and there problems, incoming drama going on in school or with friends from all over the place, and always trying to meet up to some expectations. But, as I've said before, I'm trying to embrace him, and that's my main priority now.

Sorry for the short post, but I'm extremely tired. I'll try and lengthen the next one :)

R E S P E C T

My cousin, Koryn, sent me a link on facebook yesterday. It was to a youtube video on a girl who normally talks about make up taking a break to do a video on respecting yourself. I thought it was a great video, I'd actually suggest it to all teenage girls, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9PNnZ_g-v0&playnext_from=TL&videos=bWFrUF028mc&feature=sub.

But it also made me think about respecting the you that God wanted you to be, the saint you. The you that God has amazing plans for. I'm in an organization called Pure Fashion. It's a Christian organization based on modeling in a modest but "cute" way that is, well, dressing to impress God. It's a great thing and I loved doing it, because it brought me closer to my faith and really changed who I was and put me in a better direction. The direction that God wants me to go in. It makes me so happy to know that I'm going in a path that will help me live my life for Him.

It's sometimes hard to respect ourselves and others in the world we live in today, though. It's horrible. We're all taught how we are supposed to look, act, dress, and what we should listen to and like in order to be part of a crowd that makes "everyone like you". But that doesn't mean your respect yourself just because people like an artificial you. Artificial. Think of that word, it makes you sound like a toy, made for perfection. Made to make people happy, right? We're not toys though, we're made in God's image. For what he wanted us to be. Which is definitely not perfect. We have flaws, we're supposed to though. And we need to respect ourselves with our flaws, and not throw ourselves around carelessly and recklessly for others or with others. We also need to respect those around us with their flaws, and move on to respecting Him and serving and loving Him. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

So sorry its so short, its 2:30 AM and I'm ridiculously tired, but I wanted to make this post. Sorry if i keep saying "Respect" too, its kinda the theme :)

Helping

Who knows the story of The Good Samaritan?

A man was beaten and robbed and left on the side of a road. Two religious men passed him and walked on by, without offering to help or anything. The enemy of the man came and helped him up, took him to an inn, and took care of him. Then he paid the inn-keeper to take care of the man after he left. That story is about being a good neighbor to everyone.

I dont know why but that really stuck with me after church today that just lingered with me. Being a good neighbor to everybody, even if they consider you their enemy. I guess this is one of my favorites because it really reminds me that it doesnt matter what the latest gossip is, or if you're mad at someone, you need to be there for them as a neighbor. Nobody deserves to be left around needing help, and we should always be ready to help.

I recently (meaning yesterday) downloaded Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath on itunes and let me say it's my favorite song of the day. It's got an amazing point, great beat, and it makes me think every time I listen to it. Here's the chorus:

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

I think the meaning of this song is just amazing. It's about noticing that you've been ignoring people, people that really need you. It's about trying to change that so you and everyone else become more like the good samaritan and help those in need. I guess that's kinda my theme of today, helping your neighbor? It really makes me feel like im back at a recent mission trip that i went to. Everyday there was a new theme that brought you closer to your faith, and i think this is a really good thing to look into and to ask yourself- who needs my help? even if i dont want to help them because i dont think they deserve it, need it, or that they'd appreciate it- who really needs my help?

I was put in the middle a situation kinda like this earlier this year. I learned my friend was harming themselves which upset me. I couldn't believe they would resort to doing that when there were so many other things they could do, like try and seek advice from friends. I was upset with that friend, but i knew they needed me. So instead of turning on them and giving them "the silent treatment" for doing that, i went and i talked to them every day and every second i could encouraging them on how they should really think of alternatives and there doing a lot better now, only because i was the only friend that instead of either ignoring them or just accepting it and moving on... tried to help.

Just Despicable

Today, I went to the movies with a friend. We saw the movie "Despicable Me". I guess you could say it was a good movie, but (of course) i came off with multiple views.

1. Grue sounds a LOT like shrek.

2. It is true that anyone can change.

3. We need to choose what's most important to us and know what we should sacrifice for others.

4. A positive outlook on things always helps any situation. And I mean any.

It kinda left a weird impression on me. Of course it was like Toy Story 3 where i thought, oh what a cute movie. Cute. The main character changes through out the movie from an evil guy who will make a little boy a balloon animal just to pop it in his face, to a guy who will give away the moon (literally) for a little girl who needs him. But it also left this feelings, much like a lot of other feelings i have, that lingers still.

Once again, i felt like i needed just to re-prioritize my outlooks and what comes first to me. Last year i really went through some changes. No, not the basic height stuff (but i did grow a lot), but i was discovering who i was. I joined an organization that focuses on dressings fashionably but modestly and that completely changed how I viewed everything, and brought me closer to my faith. But in the process i grew farther away from my closest friends at school who were traveling in the opposite direction. I went through it all and almost lost my friends multiple times, but figured out (and im still figuring out) that relationships and trends arent important. It's not my number 1 priority in life, and that the only relationship I need is with God, and that the only trend i need to follow is my faith, which is a trend that i will never let burn out in me.

Pretty deep for starting out on an animated movie, eh? I guess what i'm trying to say is this-

I'm still in the middle of growing up, maturing, and figuring out who I am. But I am realizing just by little things what is more important in my life to help me get through it in the direction that He has planned out for me.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Daniel 3:16-18

First Post

Well it's officially too late for me to be up on a blog writing words that people may never read, but I still feel like i should be doing this.

I was talking to my friend that I met on a work-camp for some time today and learned he made a blog and I read it. It was amazing, and it opened myself up in ways I couldn't imagine. This happened at the work-camp too, where I would open up to myself and just ask myself why I didn't always feel how I did at that moment.

And ever since these moments I've been trying to change how I act. What I do. Lately I've been dealing with some friends that are changing in different ways and I know for a fact that I should help a great deal of them, and then the question in my head just lingers- should I back out to save myself from falling into their path, or should I risk my own well being to help them however I can.

The answer is clear to me now, and I realize how much Jesus put down for me, I should be able to risk a little bit of embarrassment, or be able to not give in to peer pressure while helping someone. If this makes any sense, what I'm trying to get to is this-

ask yourself next time you come across a point where you're in the middle of a toughie if this cause needs you more than you need to feel secure 24/7.

okay once again- its my first post. its really late. and im a bit out of it, so im sorry if this doesnt completely click. i just wanted to say what was at my mind at the moment. i decided to call this blog the middle because im always in the middle of some sort of drama and we all deal with it in some way.