One of those days...

I think we've all had "one of those days" at some point or another. I know I sure have. Actually, in the past 2 weeks I have had many of those days. Nothing seems to go right, you have a seemingly impossible amount to do, you are getting upset over the littlest things that usually don't bother you.

We went back to school 2 week ago and boy has it been stressful! This year, we have had SO much homework. In addition I've tried a number of things that I've never done before. I began my first AP class. I tried out for musical theatre. I got permit. I did cross country conditioning and considered trying out for the team. All in the first 2 weeks of school! 

On the first day of school I come home from boring class after class of syllabuses.  I absolutely loved my teachers, classes, and the people in my classes. What is so bad about that do you ask? Exactly. There wasn't anything terrible but I wanted my way to the dot. I didn't like that I was overwhelmed by 3rd period. I didn't like that I didn't get to sit with my best friends in majority of my classes. I didn't like that when I got home I was trying to fill in for my mom since she was still at work. I especially didn't like that I broke down crying (cause I guess that's what emotional teenage girls do) because I would much rather be the all-together one in my family than the one that needed the comforting. Some of those things like trying to be my mom when I just needed to be me I could help. But God reminded me that day that He has it all under control. He has a reason that I wasn't sitting by friends all the time. He doesn't want me to be overwhelmed or to try to be everything for everybody. He just wants me to trust Him. In showing me this, He brought up a Bible verse that I had seen a number of times but that I really noticed that night. 

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Being the worrisome person that I am, I certainly didn't learn my lesson the first time. I will still have more stumbles than I can count, but I am reminded that all I need to do is trust God, even with the details.

     

Under-Stand

I recently signed up for email devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries and today's devotion, called "Under-Stand", really spoke to me. Here it is:

"... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV)

"I just feel mean so much of the time," my friend whispers through the leak of tears. Downward, the salty droplets slip and so does her heart, her resolve, and her assurance of being a good mom.

"I understand," I whisper back.

And sometimes that's all that needs to be said.

I don't remind her of gentleness verses. I don't try to fix anything. I don't offer solutions or articles or statistical data.

I simply under-stand.

Under ... to dip low and find that same place that lies beneath my outside veneer.

We all have an under.

And I admit to her, "I've felt mean so many times too. I've set out to have a super day with my kids only to be red-faced and aggravated minutes later. Buckling under the weight of my imperfections, I've wondered if I'll ever get it right. It sometimes feels like all the other moms are doing it better. But that's not true. All moms struggle."

Stand ... to come alongside in a position of strength, closeness, and unwavering support.

We all need those friends we know will stand with us.

And I reassure, "Somehow, God shows us what to do and fills in the gaps if we ask Him. The fact that you're crying shows a heart tender enough for God's molding and shaping to occur. Don't listen to the world's answers. And don't fall into the trap of trying to be like other moms. Just saturate yourself in God's Truth and trust the gut instincts He gives you."

Thankfully we don't have to be perfect. God has made a way to free us from the mistakes we make so we can keep going forward without the chains of regret. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us, "... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

I love that picture of Christ washing us through the Word. Some versions of Ephesians 5:25-26 actually call this washing sanctifying.

The Greek meaning of this sanctifying is hagiazo. When we unwrap the package of this word, we find three simple treasures. Hagiazo means:
1. To cleanse externally.
2. To free from the guilt of sin.
3. To purify internally by the renewing of the soul.

Externally, I wash my tears away with the truth of Lamentations 3:22-23 that God's mercies make all things new. Past minutes are gone. But this minute brings with it a fresh start.

Relationally, Colossians 1:14 frees me from the guilt. God's Word reminds that I can live in the freedom of repentance and forgiveness.

Internally, I see my depravity but refuse to wallow in it. I recall the words of Micah 6:8 as a call to action. Another place to receive the Truth as a cleansing agent from fear, doubt, hopelessness.

Yes, I understand. My need to be sanctified is great. Just like your need is. We're all in that place. We all sometimes feel mean.

Unable.
Incapable.
Insecure.
Broken down.

So, let the Word of Christ wash afresh over you, in you, and all about you. And let the whispers of a friend assure you, I under-stand.

Dear Lord, I praise You today for being such an understanding, loving God. Thank You for carrying me through every storm that I face, and for placing special people in my life to encourage me along the way. Help me to be that voice of encouragement for someone else today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Another year under our belt!

A little over a week ago we finished yet another school year! I finished 9th grade, my first year of high school!! We learned a lot, worked hard, did our best (most of the time) and finally finished.  Even though it has been a challenging year, it has been a great one!

Here are some pictures looking over the school year:

Here is our "first" day of school picture. Well, we forgot to take one our very first day so we took one a few days later. (and yes, this is a rough picture but what more can you expect on a bad hair day at 7 in the morning with a brother who loves crazy faces!)

 This is a picture from after our Christmas dance recital.

 These pictures are from our Christmas Chorus concert.

 Here is a picture from one of my younger brothers, Luis's, chorus concert!

Getting awards for dance after our last number

 Getting ready to sing "Jar of Hearts"

 Getting awards for Chorus. Two other students and I got awards for good character!

Taking a final bow after the Showcase

                                   

These last few pictures are from our spring chorus concert/dance recital. Our last song was "You can't stop the beat" from Hairspray. Jazz band, Chorus, and Dance all performed. It was a ton of fun!

After our PE final we were bored and were snapchating people. 

Here is a picture of two of my friends and I after our English final. We were bored, again, and took over 200 crazy photos!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...

Colossians 3:23

OOTD

Hey guys! I've never done one of these before but I decided I would give it a try ;) Here is an outfit that I just got that I thought just might be blog worthy!

The shirt is from Target and the shorts are from Old Navy.

Only God

Have you ever realized that you need God? I'm not talking about just knowing that you always need Him, but really depending on Him and realizing that you can't get by without Him. I have realized that lately, especially when it comes to worrying. I have to remember that God has got it all in His hands. Please know that I am still a working progress and am working on it but remember, God has got every aspect of you and your life in His wonderful hands as well!

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Catchin' Up

Whew! We've up to A LOT lately so I've got lots of pictures and lots to talk about. I'll start with track-out. A couple of weeks ago my family and I visited Williamsburg, Virginia and then visited my grandma and great-grandma in New Jersey.

Here we are at the hotel pool!

at a tavern in Williamsburg

talking to Patrick Henry and learning a lot!

I wonder what they did now?!?

Oh Luis!

My sweet Oma Oma and I!

 The next week we celebrated Easter with our grandparents!

Easter egg time!

On a hunt for the eggs. . .

for those of you who watch Duck Dynasty ;)

 Here a couple pictures that I took of spring . . . my absolute favorite!!

And last but not least . . . this past weekend my mom and went to see Beth Moore, a motivational Christian speaker, with some other ladies from our church and 8,000 other women! It was absolutely amazing! It was all about secrets. The theme was "Secrets Manifest". She talked about the difference between good secrets, bad secrets, secrets in the Bible and the difference between being authentic, transparent, and intimate. "You don't have to be intimate with your entire social network" was one of her big points when talking about that. It was so cool seeing God move.

Jesus, midnight milkshakes, and more Jesus . . . I mean, what could be better?

 Well, that's all I have for now!

Pinterest Projects and Attempts

 I have always wanted to make cookie bowls. Basically, you take cookie dough and a muffin pan and then you turn the pan upside down. Now, spread the cookie dough on it. Make sure you use A LOT of spray!!! Then you bake it for however long. After it cools for a little you take the cookies off of the pan. Now you have a bowl that you can eat and put ice cream in! Well, that's how it is supposed to turn out . . . I didn't put enough spray, didn't use very good cookie dough, and put too much dough on the pan. As you can see, mine broke when I tried taking them off. We put them on the bottom of ice cream bowls and made yummy ice cream sundaes anyways!

The next day I had a few friends over and we decided to bake something. We looked on Pinterest and one of my friends found a sunflower cake made out of chocolate icing, peeps, and chocolate chips. We made the cake and then spread the icing on. Then, we placed the bunny peeps (the only ones we could find) a long the outside edges. After that, we sprinkled chocolate chips in the inside. Last but not least, we ate it! This project thankfully turned out REALLY GOOD!

Disciple Now 2013

Hey guys! So we just finished Disciple Now! The theme was Exchange. Exchanging our old life, our sinful ways, for a new life in Christ! It was an amazing reminder of the greatness of our God and our complete surrender to Him!
And... we  also got to Skype Abby, my sisterchick in Africa! All of the girls in our group absolutely loved getting to talk to her! Thank-you so much Abby!

Here the lyrics to a song that we sang that is one of my new favorites:

Christ alone, Cornerstone

Weak made strong, in the Savior's love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all.

Here is a picture of all the youth dancing during the worship services:

It was a great weekend and we are sad it is over, but now, our job is to carry what we learned and the changes that were made into our day-to-day life!

Hey guys!

We are tracked out!! Yay! Spring break is my absolute favorite! This week though, I have drivers ed . . . It's interesting, boring, exciting, and a little frightening all at the same time. Well, in the end it will be worth it. And, this weekend, we have Disciple Now, an in town youth retreat at my church, it is absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see what God has in store! yay! At DNow we are going to have worship services, a food scavenger hunt for our church's food pantry, and we are going to Skype one of the most amazing people ever, Abby! Can't wait! I'll talk more about it afterwards, but in the mean time, have a great week!

"Go making disciples of all nations..." including your own!

"Go, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Often times when we think about telling others about the wonderful news of our sweet Savior, we think about mission trips and oversees. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this bad. It is amazing! I'm going on a mission trip this summer, one of my very best friends and her family are missionaries overseas, and I want to be a missionary! The problem is though, we don't usually associate our schools, our sports teams, our friends, etc. with the mission field. But this is the greatest and hardest mission field of our lives!

I definitely struggle with this. I get restless and wish I could be doing something greater. I want to go on another mission trip. I want to go overseas. I feel more comfortable sharing Jesus with somebody I don't know. But the greatest thing that I can do is right now, and that is reaching out to the people all around me. I have to remember that the mission field that God has given me right now is my high school, my dance studio, my neighborhood, my church, and even my own home. And it is a big mission field. Everyone has their very own mission field. This means that I am a missionary and so are you!

So don't forget, God tells us to make disciples of all nations... even your own!

Lately we've been...

running 5k's in the snow . . . freezing!

making snowmen

going to National Dance Honors Society inductions

hanging out with family

getting gifts from Africa . . . the best kind! Thanks Abby!

and celebrating birthdays!!

My Cousin's Blog

Hey guys! My cousin started a blog where she puts devotions, Bible verses, and talks about her walk with Christ! It is really neat and encouraging! You should all check it out! Click here: dailydevotionstojesus.blogspot.com . I hope this will be an encouragement and a good reminder to you! Enjoy!

New Years!

Happy 2013 (even though Im kinda late...)! I am excited for this coming year for lots and lots of reasons:

I AM GOING TO COSTA RICA ON MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIP IN AUGUST!!!!!

I can't believe it!! And, my dad is going with me! I am SO excited!

I also get to take driver's ed and get my permit!

I can't wait to see all that God has in store for 2013!

I hope that you guys all have a fabulous and blessed year!!

Pinterest Project #3

A few weeks ago, well, more like a couple months a go, I did my 3rd Pinterest Project. Except, this one was a major one! I made a world map on a canvas.

First, you need a map. The one I got was from Barnes & Noble. Then you need:

Materials which include Modge Podge, brushes, a yard stick, an Xacto knife, and ribbon (which isn't in the picture and is optional). You also need a 3 canvases:

You need two different size canvases and the sizes will be according to the size of the map.
When choosing the canvas, you will have to decide between two different ways that you can put the map on the canvas. You can either wrap the map around the edges of the canvas (if you do this, you won't need ribbon) or you can have the map just on top.

Measure the canvas and mark the parts of the map hat you are going to remove.

Then, you cut the map according to canvas sizes using the Xacto knife. You will cut the map into 3 different pieces. Also, if the map is larger than the canvas, you can trim any extra parts off.

Next, you modge podge the canvas.

Then, you modge podge over the map and let it dry :)

When it is dry, if you want, you can glue ribbon around the edges. I glued pink ribbon on mine!

Ta da!!! 

The finished product!

On my board, I have pink pins for places that I have been and. . .

blue pins for the places that I want to go!