My First Book Review...

So I've never done this before...mainly because the books I read just hit me in such a way it's impossible to capture my true feelings about it. However I am so in love with this one that I kinda want to try. I actually used a sentence of it in my last post as my quote. It's called A Voice in the Wind it's the first of a trilogy that follows sic people in their journey through the trials of the failing Roman Empire. One is a young Christian, Hadassah, who was caught in the fall of Jerusalem and is now a slave for a Roman family, the only survivor of her own. She struggles with being open about her faith and fear of the death she's faced and faces nearly every day. Her masters are a family of four the older son, Marcus, fighting his father about everything from politics to how to run the family business. The younger daughter, Julia, is given Hadassah by her mother and makes a series of bad decisions that lead down a road of destruction. Their parents, Pheobe and Decimius, watch as their children become obsessed with pleasure and money and morals are forgotten. Atretes is a German warrior who is now a gladiator. Every one of them is affected differently by the strange Christan they just can't quite figure out. Her stead-fast faith is implanted in their minds and silently convicts them.

The story has wars, fighting, and a bit of romance, and a struggle in a young girl trying to do what she knows is God's will.

If you go through my book I have so many things underlined that jumped out at me. So many of the prayers of Hadassah are a reflection of my own. Her fears the same...she reminds me so much of myself...it almost hurts. God has used this book to show me that no matter what it always pays off to serve not only him, but for him. School no longer seems scary...I know that if I call on his name his peace will be more comforting than the fear antagonizing.

I don't recommend that you read the first one without having the second one ready and waiting for you to pick up. I do recommend that you read it and let it sink in. I have just finished it for the second time in a year...and don't have the second one yet AHHH!! I'm going to the library for it so I can enjoy that one again as well. It is a trilogy, but the third one isn't as pressing as the second. Well how'd I do? I should probably stay away from book reviews huh?

Quote: "Our hope endures the worst of conditions. It's more than our optimism." - Natalie Grant (Our Endures from Relentless)

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

So I thought of making a list of all the many things I am thankful for this year...but decided against it for two reasons 1) it will be longer than the 22 things about me 2) I will be crying through most of it and would like my tears to be used elsewhere.

So I'm just going to talk about some stuff to get you guys caught up on my life. To start it's worth mentioning that in 3 weeks I will be finished with my first semester of my senior year. I'm kinda excited...but really I'm only excited about getting out of Government and Accounting and moving on to Economics and being my Euro teacher's aide. Also my chem teacher came and visited yesterday (along with many other former teachers as well) That was fun...she was texting me during Creative Writing and then sat with me in the office while I was an aide for fourth period...fortunatly having four others they didn't need my help and they were more than willing to pick up the slack I left (that's what you get for being kind) When we get back from the break NGSTRONG is going to start something new. We are going to start doing daily prayer. Basically we will meet from 7 - 7:15 every morning and just pray together. It will get those not in a habit of prayer in that habit and keep us all focused before the day begins. I got super excited about it when God laid it on my heart on Sunday. I can't wait to see what God does with it!

Yeah that's about it...I think. Things are going well...a little shakey...but I will save you those many details. Before I go I would like to take a few lines to give thanks to God for all the amaing things he's done in my life and people he's placed in my life that have made such a difference.

God thank you for: life, love, a family that loves me, teachers that challenge me, friends that care for me, the ability to learn and comprehend, a home I can keep warm in (even when my dad has the heat turned down, grandparents that have done more for my family that I ever imagined, two working vehicles that get us to school and work, music, a voice that can make pretty music so people to yell at me every time I break out in song, and finally a God that loves me and provides for me even in the darkest hours when things seem impossible!! I love you Jesus...you are amazing and the reason I live on this earth...without you I have no purpose!!! And for you guys who read this...I don't know who all does...but this is fun to write so I hope you guys enjoy it!

Quote: "Give me courage. Give me your word. Burn it into my mind, carve it into my heart, show me the way to reach them!" - Francine Rivers (A Voice in the Wind...amazing book and series, you guys should read it!)

22 Things You Might Not Know About Me...

So one of my friends did this and I enjoyed reading it and thought that it might be interesting to sit and think of all my quirks that make me who I am. So to being who God created me here are my 22 things...

1. I still sleep with a stuffed animal.

2. I do everything I can to make people proud of me (it's really a fault of mine)

3. I am a nerd and currently have a 3.68 GPA and am still in Top 10% of my class being ranked 39th.

4. My dog is my most treasured possession.

5. I not only look forward to being a teacher; I dream of it. Believe it or not despite seeing almost every side of teaching I still have the desire to do it. I want to change the life of even just one child the way so many of my teachers have mine.

6. I rarely fight with anyone. I can't stand fighting and will usually just back down...unless I know 100% that I am right.

7. Chemistry and History (American and European...not World) are my favorite subjects.

8. I put on deodorant before I go to bed every night.

9. I hate wearing the rubber bands in my braces...not sure why though they don't really hurt.

10. My friends mean the world to me and I would do anything for them.

11. Music is my way of expressing myself; my sister often gets mad because I won't stop.

12. I do many things the same way every time...change clothes, take off and put on shoes, brush my teeth, etc.

13. I don't like change and often feel out of place if even some small details change in the course of my day. If it's a big change I will become very withdrawn and quiet.

14. I played basketball for 8 years and often wonder what God did through me or for me by allowing me to have asthma after an insane 7th grade year (I was really good and could have played through college at the rate I was going.)

15. My heart breaks for my unsaved friends. Yet I sit quietly most of the time and wonder what I could say, but I never act.

16. I'm finding this is a little harder than I first thought.

17. NGSTRONG and European History are my favorite places to be at school.

18. I am a perfectionist and will often go through stores and fix things so they all match if I am bored.

19. I like to teach myself to do things rather than have someone teach me. Like riding my bike, skating, swimming...did it mostly on my own just had someone show me the basics.

20. I often wonder what my extended families reaction would be if I started dating someone of a different race...maybe an alien would make them disown me.

21. I plan out things to talk about at NGSTRONG in the shower or car or anyplace I can talk out loud without being heard.

22. I am who God made me and even though I may still struggle with insecurity and a low self-esteem at times I'm learning to accept me. Although usually when I'm feeling really down he uses one of my teachers to help me realize that I am who he made me...which is beautiful, smart, creative, loving, strong, a leader, his child...someone worth his love and protection...and that is all I'll ever need the rest is just blessings he's so lovingly given me (and I'm glad he did!)

No Man Can Save Us...

So I'll admit after school today I was hot-headed angry!! I have been called racist so many times I felt sick! However now that I'm in God's presence and giving it all to him...I'm calming my anger and getting excited!

First I have to say this...no man will ever save this country or you! Only God can save us. Only God can heal us. Only God can protect us. Does this mean I think we should abolish government and just go with God...not fully. Without government only chaos would occur...government keeps us stable, but not secure! There is a difference.

My day didn't go so well. 2 of my officers were fighting before school started and then I had Government class 1st which is where the comments started. For those of you that know me you know I am one of the least racist people you will meet. God has blessed me with a level head that I can think with and know that racism just isn't worth it!

I just pray that the people are ready for disappointment when our new President-elect fails to rescue them from debt and their own fears and need.

I just pray that the Christians use the chance God has given us to stand up loud and clear with our testimony.

I just pray that the nation will soon understand that no man can save them. Not Obama, not McCain, not Biden, not Palin...only Jesus Christ who loved them enough to die so that he would have the chance to know them even though he knew many would reject him.

I just pray that I will give it to God and trust him with my life, my school, and my country that I love so much.

Before the election I had said to my mom that if Obama won I would move to Canada. I don't want to remember America any different then now except that we call on God and serve him...I want to remember it that way...but I won't have that chance unless we stand. So now I see that running to Canada or Austrailia (which would be my final destination but Ca. is closer!) is only taking the easy way out of a great, long, hard, pain-filled, journey to spread my testimony, my love for God, and the truth that lies in him. So America will still be my home...America will be my battle-field just in the little part of it I can be in!!

I love you guys! I love America! And because he is a creation of God, I love President-elect Obama and Vice President- elect Joe Biden!

Quote: "It's time for us as Christians to stnad up and stop relying on the government to save us!" - Sarah Anne Barlow

Sorry...been busy!!

So if you can't tell October was a rough month for my blog...only had 3 entries!! I've been super busy trying to keep up with school and NGSTRONG and stuff like that! Things are going well however I'm slipping...I know I am. I'll explain more about that later.

In my European History class we just finished up talking about the Reformation. That was very interesting and I learned a lot!! Plus last week we took our test and I got an...81!!! That is only my second B one of her test (and that is after two (this is my second) classes with her!!) I was super excited about it! This gurantees me a B for the grading period which will also make more history since it will only be my second B for a grading period and my first time to get get two Bs in a row!! My senior year is all about history!!

NGSTRONG is going well, but I honestly feel like I'm running out of ideas and constantly feel unprepared. This is where I'm slipping. I know that my relationship with God is in growing stages again (which is never easy) but it is even harder when I'm so busy and have a hard time setting aside time to read my Bible and grow like I need to. It's hard and I have excuses, which is good cuz it used to be that was all I was full of. I just need those of you who are praying for me to keep it coming, and if you haven't been then please do. I need it. I can't get through this on my own and my VP and another good friend of mine are really helping to keep me accountable.

You also may notice the embeded music to the right of this blog. These are not just new classical songs (notice they are Mozart) that I'm suddenly into. We are actully doing a Mozart Movement of four pieces from his Requiem for our Christmas concert in choir. I'm very excited and so are the rest of the memebers. They are challenging, not so much note wise, but musically they have to be perfect or we will make Mozart look foolish!! They are beautiful and those of you that I know personally, email me and I will get you the date and time so you can come watch us.

I just finished up my first college application today. I also got my paper for a transcript and have to turn that in next week.

So all in all life is going well. I need to keep on track and allow God to grow me as necessary because really I just want to be closer to him. I hope you guys are all doing well.

Quote: "When you know who you are, you don't want darkness anymore." - Elijah Tindale