Three years. {TIME CAPSULE}

Ta da! That post was exactly one year ago! Man, it was so cool to look back at that. So much has changed in one year.

Hmm, my dream is not really becoming a photographer anymore. I always will be one but I don't believe it is my calling. I took two of my friends' senior pictures but I haven't done much else semi-amateur photog-wise. mostly because I have no room to store the photos I take. silly laptop.:'(


Home life is a lot better. My dad has a steady job and my mom is still working where she has for years. I am working almost 40 hours as a third grade teacher/counselor at my church's day camp. I have grown more tolerant and loving of my brother and we fight a lot less now. He has also improved in tolerating things out of his control as well. I am helping my parents by being more responsible and it feels good.

High school is over. I graduated and now going from senior to freshman. I will be attending my local community college for free for two years. About half of my friends are going out of town for school and I look foreword to sending them lots of letters and care packages and developing new friendships and growing up with my friends staying in town. 

.I am currently listening to my Happy Songs playlist on Grooveshark. The song is "Once Upon A Dream" from Sleeping Beauty.

The Day
.I woke up at 6:00 but didn't get out of bed until 7 because it was raining.
. I got caught up in watching some DVDs such as LOST season 3, but read the reading from Jesus Calling from Julie & Wes for July 10th
. I went to work and we watched Rio. I had my break during the movie and was offered some of our janitor David's birthday cake. I love our church family.:)
. A feather came out of a girl named Raigen's headband and we started blowing it up in the air and giggling like crazy trying to keep it up. I felt purely joyful in that moment. My baseball pitching strut made Gabe smile, which is rare.
. I left my lights on and my battery was dead. Mom picked me up and we dropped by the library, Walmart, and got a pizza. I got Ugly Betty Season 4.
.Dad taught me how to jump start the Jeep and we came home.
. Friday I have work off and plans to go with my friend Melissa and some other friends from youth to go to the lake for a day and I am very excited.

The Pictures


. I am the same height as my 17 year-old mark on my door frame.

Currently, I am just getting my associate of arts (Gen Eds) and I plan on exploring child care specialties and anything involving caring and loving on others as God has called me to. Still praying for God to reveal the details in His time and for patience in my heart and worry-filled mind. 

The Pictures will come when I have room or a new laptop to store them on. Keep the suggestions rolling! Thank you Anonymously Me, I won't get an HP.;)

Amazing Realizations I've Had Over The Past 46 Days.

1. God does answer prayers, especially in ways truly more wonderful than anything you could have hoped for.And the timing, always beautiful and perfect.

2. Working 40 hour weeks is hard. But that is the cost of being an adult & feeling independent and millions of people do it everyday.

3. I don't think my calling is with young children. Middle school maybe. Waiting on God for this one...

4. Sleeping for 14 hours is a great idea!

5. It is funny how you can spend a week outdoors and the first thing you want to do in the morning is go out on your bike.

6. Not everything that is lost or broken has to be lost or broken forever.

7. Sometimes you just want to kiss people on the cheek because they are so wonderful and precious to your heart. And if they are cool with it, it's okay to carry that out.

8. Watching the BBC version of the Great Gatsby might help you feel less/more lonely.

9. I haven't done yoga for 7 weeks and it is awful.

10. I want to be the Betty Suarez of my workplace.

11. British flag bikinis are kind of perfection.

12. Carry rain gear everywhere, even when you are positive it won't rain; it is a very good idea.

13. I will never forget you.

So, it has been crazy and a crazy long time since an update. Here's what it's been like,
Week 1: Choir Tour
Week 2: Vacation Bible School and work afterwards
Week 3: Work, work, work!
Week 4: Camp as middle school counselor
Week 5: Work for two days, then 3rd/4th grade counselor for rest of week
Week 6: Back to work, the 4th, and work!

I don't even have all the Choir Tour pictures and videos uploaded yet. My laptop get full so quickly! Though I haven't been on top organization (or blogging), I have been keeping a mean budget, saving for Harry Potter World, College, and for a new....drumrolllllll............ LAPTOP!!!!!

 I don't know what kind to get, but I'd prefer something that has more than 73 GB of hard drive space, and would be great to take to college with me. Oh, and below $500 would be sweet too.  Tell me all about your favorite laptop, weather it is yours for realz or just the best you've seen. Because I have no idea of what to get.

I just beautified my room majorly in the last two days, so I am ready to start doing yoga, enjoying TV shows fully, and writing graduation thank-yous and letters! I saw Drew before going to camp the second time. 5 weeks without seeing one of your best friends is rough. He looked half a foot taller and so different!

Here is 39 seconds of some of my favorite moments in the past few weeks, via my friends' Vines.
This occurs when we sing the national anthem.
HEYYY!
The Phases!!!(Phase 1: Laughter, 2: Crying, 3: Silence, 4: REWARD!!)I don't really get it either...
Billy the Goat
Smeagol (Warning, may or may not be frightening)
MACKINAC ISLAND!
SIMBAAA
We Christians know how to Party 1
We Christians know how to Party 2
Trying to teach Austin how to flip...
Want some Raspberry Lemonade? NOOO!!!!!
We are SUCH great singers.
1-10 strikes at Sonic.

Until I get more room on my computer/ get a new laptop, posting pictures is going to be really hard to do. Did you like hearing about Choir Tour in posts about each day like last time? 

I have lots more to tell,but, this is already a long post. It is your turn! What are your amazing revelations in the past 46 days? I haven't caught up on commenting on all your blogs, but I'm working on it, slowly but surely. I. WILL. NOT. FAIL. YOU. 

 How have you been? Please catch me up on your life, I want to know! I hope the summer is treating you well and that you had a safe Fourth of July! 

I love you guys and once again I'm sorry for the long absence. Google reader no longer works!:( Follow on Bloglovin' or Feedly. Feedly is what I am using now. Adios! Have a great rest of your weekend!:)

Prom, Graduation, and a Mission. Oh, and An Excess of John Bender

"God will call you to obey Him and do whatever He asks of you.However, you do not need to be doing something to feel fulfilled . you are fulfilled completely  in a relationship with God. When you are filled with Him, what else do you need?"

-Henrey Blackaby and Claude King 

Hey guys! I know, it has been a very long time. With graduating  comes adulthood approaching. Wow... I have graduated from high school..so weird.

Noisemakers were used and some of my family came. My grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins from both sides of the family came. My parents decided to throw me a graduation party, even though I didn't want one. It was pretty sweet, I didn't realize this many people cared, people from church, out of town, and extended family.

I drove to graduation with Katie, and right as we got in the car, the song "Come on Eileen" came on. That song has been stalking me at Prom, at Youth, and now, on the way to graduate.

Oh yeah, prom happened. It was a bit fairy tale  My car mysteriously broke down, so my dad came and took me to prom, which was pretty sweet. I got to hang out with not only my fantastic prom group, but my brother Drew and his amazing girlfriend, and even Parker, Heather, and Hailey. 

Everyone looked pretty, and I even ran into my old best friend from middle school. It was a pretty fun night, and it only got better. 

My dad fixed the car, so my friend dropped me off and I drove Finn to the movie theater where I saw The Breakfast Club; now, from my tweets and Tumblr and Pinterest, I clearly did not get obsessed...

Anywaysss...we had a Graduation Sunday service last Sunday. I gave my testimony in one of our services, which was really scary, but ah well. It's my church family.:) I also received a memorial scholarship, which is such a blessing!

I got the job at my church's day camp! I will be working with school age kids and toddlers on Friday during my first week, yay!:)

Last day of high school. There were recycling men working across the street, so I powered through the already awkwardness I am and posed, so I could always remember what I wore on my last day of high school.;)

 I leave for the last mission trip with my youth group, EVER this Friday morning. I am excited and have bought a lot of things I will need, but I wish it wouldn't happen because it will be the end of something I love, very, very much.

I apologize, it has been busy writing thank you cards for the party, gearing up for Choir Tour and getting into a new routine. I hope you are all doing well and having a great start to the summer!!:)

Bon voyage, and I cannot wait to tell you about my mission trip and to read about your adventures as well!;)

p.s. This song is my prayer for everyone on our bus, and every soul we encounter. We are singing this powerful song.

Online Thank-You Card

Hello! This is a very long, overdue thank you to some amigos in the blogging world. I've gotten quite a bit of mail lately and seeing as how far away everyone is, I would like to share my thanks in blog form. ;)

I got this package a little late, it was awesome getting wished a Merry Christmas in February, it made me chuckle!:)

This gem accompanied the above card. I won a Darling Companion giveaway! A Girl Named Leney created this pouch that I still haven't settled on a purpose yet. It's soo cute!!! DC is a great place for encouragement and learning more about God's grace and it has great contributors that always know just what to write to encourage me and many others.:)

This book is fantastic! I haven't finished it yet but it is so relevantly written! One of my favorite authors Kirsten Miller wrote this and said she had extras she was willing to send out to readers, and I e-mail her on the spot. She even signed it!  Bank St. Irregular is full of interesting things about New York City and strange happenings she learned from eccentric articles.

These cds are by the lovely Chantilly, who is a beautiful songstress from Brooklyn! Her music is the style of my Regina Spektor Pandora; chill, witty, and the perfect soundtrack for the days of my life.;) I won this by entering Little Cheif Honneybee's giveaway. I also got a sweet journal she made, which the picture is not working.:(
You can get one of the songs from her new EP here!

Thank you guys!!!:)

So much is happening all in these last two weeks of high school.
Today: Volunteering with the youth group
Tomorrow: Visiting the college worship night with fellow seniors.
Thursday: Memories Assembly & Attending last choir concert
Friday:Prom!!!!

This week has been NUTS!
Oh and this morning I scheduled my classes at the community college. I am taking 15 hours this semester. Help meeeee.

I graduate a week from Thursday. It is so weird. I just went to where I will spend the next two years for the first time last week. It is a cool little campus with lots of nooks and hiding spots to read and study. It is starting to hit me that this year is ending. It is sad but also happy.

I got the job at my church as a daycamp teacher and I am excited!!! I am also excited for Choir Tour! I love the songs and the theme and the fact that we are going to Michigan, which is where I went on my first Choir Tour. We are going full circle, which is really beautiful.:)

My parents bought a Mustang, which means that Finny the Jeep is all mine!!!

February in Photos

Rock & Worship Roadshow with Katie!

MERICA

Last show, here we go...

Seniors 2013

Senior Girls

Senior Boys, Matt is so fabulous, haha...

I have this tradition with Hailey of hugging people and taking pictures. This is Melissa, our leading lady.:)

Jackie!!!!:)

Megan!!!!:)

Jordan!!!:)

Third Wheeling at its finest...

Hailey, of course!

Mitch!!!Our prince!:D

Julie, my youth pastor:)

Snow and swings go together.

Hot chocolate, every day.

Here just a few of many catch up photos to come! Senior year has been attacking me these last few weeks! I apologize for the absence on here and in the comments on your blogs!!! College registration approaches and I am freaking out.  Then there's prom, graduation, a trip with Art Club, AHHH! So scary/exciting! I hope you are well and I hope to write more and to read a lot more about how you've been!:)

We are one with Him again.

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

My picture on Good Friday from my 365 photo project. 

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

That has been the anthem I sing this past weekend. I spent the majority of my weekend at my church, keeping vigil by a fire with my youth group. I cannot wait to make room on my computer for more pictures so you can see how fantastic it was. This year we had not only fire shifts, but prayer room shifts, which was soooo good. It was a beautiful room to just talk to God and read His Word.

I am amazed by God's timing because I am almost finished Jesus Christ, The One and Only just in line with the crucifixion on Good Friday and His Rising today. I've been using that book as a devotional and I have learned so much.:)

I am quite sleep deprived and actually woke up from a four hour nap a bit ago, so I'm going to prepare for school tomorrow, nerrrr...

I hope you had a great Easter and experienced God's presence in a miraculous way.:) 

Spring Break In Review

Hey guys, did you know that Google Reader is closing this summer. I KNOW. My creys, my creys....so follow on bloglovin maybe?
Follow my blog with Bloglovin here!

So, my spring break was kind-of eventful. Working with the kiddos was way more exhausting than I thought. Very fulfilling though, I love them.:) I was with school age (K-4th) and worked with Pre-K for two days.

One of the preschoolers looked just like the red headed boy from Spy Kids, Junie right? Except way adorable and in 4 year old form. I also had one of the kids I babysit in my class, which was cute cuz' he was a bit shy.:)

My birthday fell smack-dab in the middle of spring break and when I headed to work in the Jeep, I saw this...

Thanks Hailey, and good job getting past the obnoxious car alarm.;)

Hailey did it, I found out when I asked her at Sunday school and she said "I don't know what you're talking about..." with a smile creeping on her face. She also posted this video on my wall, which has been something I want every year for the rest of my life.;)

Then I walked into work and my awesome boss Jenna  gave me a hug when I walked in.:) After I clocked in, I walked in my classroom where one of my best friends was teaching our class for the morning. They all jumped out and yelled happy birthday, showering me with cards and hugs. I got so close to tears. They made it the best birthday ever.:')

These are now proudly displayed on my windowsill.

 Sydney even made me a card and it was so sweet and just reassured my heart that God put us together.I am so blessed to have these amazing friends. I used to think I'd never keep any of my friends for life,let alone through high school, but my confidence in having these friends all the way to eternity is growing each day.

One boy made me a lego card with a cake. I died.

I went home around 5:30, ate roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and rolls and corn with my family. They gave me a diary with a sock in it, which I have been writing in every night since. The sock is still being used as a bookmark.;D The cake also looks just like Mr.Harry Potter's from the Sorcerer's Stone that Hagrid made him. I am so thankful my Mom and Dad care so much about the little details that I love that made this a special birthday.

Rebecca is an 18-year-old free house elf now!(I'm not a house elf by any means, thankfully.)

ASDFGHJKL

The next day I was abducted by Katie, Erin and Bethany right after getting home from a 10 hour day. They surprised me with a little party on Katie's patio with home-made pizza, "butterbeer"(rootbeer with butter beer labels) and cupcakes. We played chubby bunny, roasted marshmallows  played Super Mario, and had a mini fashion show with some clothes Katie received but didn't fit. They know me so well and totally caught me off guard!

On Friday I left work early to pack for a youth event held about 3ish hours away. I got on a bus with 12 of my youth group/favorite people and had a blast getting to know more people. It was a lot easier to hang out with 12 people than 50+.Singing, dancing, hugging, and laughing occurred  Mitch met us there because he was college visiting. The Holy Spirit really spoke to my heart in the slightest way, which made all the difference.  I have plenty of mentors like Paul had Barnabus. Many of my favorite bloggers mentor me, weather they know it or not!:) I have friends like Silas, equals and even one of the same sex which the speaker didn't recondite because feelings would inevitably develop, but that hasn't happened with me and Drew. We are bros and I love our friendship so much.:)

Our view from the top. It was so cool seeing everyone worship from here.

But I need and desire to be a mentor to others, like Paul was to Timothy. I want to be more outgoing and encouraging to people younger in their faith, and I am praying for god to make it clear who might need someone like me to help them grow closer to God. I am more committed to be bold and I find myself stopping words before they escape because I see how they are not kind. Like it says in James 3, "the tongue is a restless evil."

Cell phone lights.:)

We got back home around 12:30 at night. I slept for a few hours and woke up when we were home. Then I was super silly and slap happy. That was fun. Lauren was too and kept saying "It's tired!":D I was looking for my sleeping bag and Jordan asked "Is this it?" and I said "No that's my mat, there's a Matt *points to Matt the friend*, I WANT A SLEEPING BAG!"

Here's an image of that skipping I mentioned earlier.=) Matt, Mitch, Natalie, and yours truly.

Here's a bad picture from one of the concerts, but I like it because it seems homey and vintage and..... yeah.=)

Sleep deprivation, good stuff.;)
So that's what my spring break was! I hope yours was swell and if you don't have it yet, keep carrying on until you do! You can do it!!!!!:D

I love yo' face, so does God, and I will see you when I see you!:)