New Favorite Song

I love how country songs relate so much to life. This song has been on repeat all day, even though it is Christmas! ;)

Hospitality

Some people have the wonderful gift of hospitality. Then there are those of us who do not have that gift. However does that mean those that are not gifted in this department need to forget about it, leave it to waste, lock it up and sink it to the bottom of the ocean? No, the Bible commands us to be hospitable. In 1 Peter 4:8-10 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Now that we know God wants us to show hospitality. How do we go about doing that? Well here are some different ideas on how to become a great hostess. A few ideas for having guest would be to have some level of privacy, Bathrobe, slipper socks, Extra quilt, blanket, pillows, Nightlights, flashlights, Sample toiletries, paper cups, and Reading material. Some of these are not very necessary but it is always a good idea to have these on hand, just in case. Now having family as guest adds a new twist to it, you got to please your relatives. To add to the list previously mentioned would be to plan every meal-prepare ahead of time, don’t do it all, have a plan, and plan for down time. You want to spend time with your guest. So make sure you plan ahead and clean. Your guest don’t want to think you live in a pig pen or live in it themselves when they are visiting. Most importantly encourage them in the Lord and show them His love through your life. Happy Hostessing.

Reading Takes You On An Adventure

"If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads."
-Robert Pattinson

I am not a big fan of Robert Pattinson by any means. But I found this quote on Pinterest and thought it was cute.

The Importance of Godly-Role Models in Camp Counselors

Many kids these days, predominantly in the Christian realm, spend their summers going to camp. I know I did, I was at one or two every summer. It was the highlight of the year for me! I remember when I was in junior camp at Rapidan Baptist Camp in Rochelle, Virginia and getting on the bus with all my friends bouncing around with energy about what the week is going to bring. All the way there Mr. Curtis, our ever faithful bus driver, hears laughter, a little snoring, and the main thing “Are we there yet?” I was also thinking along the lines of what your counselor looks like. Is she tall, skinny, with brown hair, and green eyes? Or does she have blue eyes with blonde hair? What her personality is like always went through my mind. Then we would finally pull into the drive with the big sign on it with the camp name splashed across and hear a big cheer that probably could be heard for miles. We were off the bus before Mr. Curtis even put it in park. Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe our excitement. Then we would finally meet the person in charge of us for the rest of the week. In this paper we will look at what it takes to be an impact on camper’s life as a counselor. This could make the experience for the camper great or make it terrible. The counselors have that big of an impact.

More goes in to counseling then you would think. At least for me it did. When I was that little girl bouncing off the bus walls, I didn’t think much went into being one. How wrong I was about that. Many different elements go into training summer staff. General Orientation would be the best place to start. Take them around the camp, teaching them about the basic operating procedures, and a general welcoming spirit always makes the counselors feel better. To increase the chance of success, talk with your staff members about the purpose of the camp, the general outcome you want to achieve, how to achieve these goals, and how the counselors can help. Also just go through regular stuff to make sure you are all on the same page, such as authority, responsibility, communication, job description, policies, and procedures. If there is an emergency would your counselors know what to do? Training your staff in CPR and First Aid is a wise idea for safety, legal, and accreditation standards. Training them to work together in team-building activities will help counselors be able to facilitate their cabin group on different undertakings. Before the campers arrive it is also a good idea to schedule a time for group worship, personal devotions, and prayer. Goals are always important to set for the summer and even share with each other. These days child abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting are a common thing. It is a good idea to train your staff on how to go about preventing it, recognizing it, or reporting it. Don’t forget to also train your counselors on how to relate to kids, working with the campers, and planning and leading activities.

The camper’s spiritual life is the most important thing. Yet how can we, as effective staff members, best influence them? Share God’s joy with them. Open yourself up to them. Show them you’re not some big old person that just wants to run their lives for the duration of camp. There is nothing more real than basically being real with someone. Many kids these days come from a background of hurt, the last thing they want to do is open up to a stranger. Yet, you have the hope they need in this hurting world. Lead them to the Creator of the Universe. They matter so much to God; show the campers His love for them through you. You have the chance to make a huge impact!

I’ve gone to many different camps, from Christian camps to sports camps to even Culinary Arts camp. Of all the counselors I have had the one that demonstrated the qualities from the above paragraph and so much more is Gabriele Cole (Pictured with me @ the top of the page). She was my Team Leader (our fancy word for counselor) at STEP (Skills Training for Emergency Preparation) Gabby, as we affectionately called her, led eight girls for four weeks through the thick, thin, and hot Texas heat. We went through those four weeks with only two girls not getting sick or hurt. She had so much patience with us, was extremely open, and real. God radiated through her! I had never seen joy like she had before. She showed us we mattered not only to her but to the King she served so joyfully! The devotions she gave were inspiring, like relying on God for your strength and not yourself. You hear that all the time in the typical “Christian circle” but she presented it in a whole new light. She was the image of a servant, from bringing food to her sick girls to piggy-back riding me down the long flight of stairs because I hurt my ankle. I will always remember her coming into our room right before lights out to pray with us and give us a good night hug. She was exhausted by the end of week three. Did she ever complain? No, she invested everything she had into us for those four weeks. This past summer we were both back at STEP working. Gabby was in a higher position and had more girls under her to minister too. She did a wonderful job. Those girls, like me, loved her. She became more than a Team Leader, Gabby became your friend. I know she is obviously not perfect. However, she went above and beyond what was asked of her. For me I believe she qualifies as a Godly-role model in a counselor.

Sadly, not all counselors demonstrate the godly qualities Gabby did. Some counselors have less than desirable things they do. For example getting mad if the kids got them wet when playing a water game. It is part of the fun, particularly on a hot muggy day! Kids are not going to come back if it is not fun. So if you’re a “party-pooper” the kids are going to have a bad experience and are not going to want to come back. How can camps go about making sure they hire enthusiastic godly counselors? First, make sure you, as a director, really examine the written application. Get in contact with the applicants references. If they are hesitant about the young person, that should be an automatic red flag. Second, check out their beliefs and where they stand on issues. If it doesn’t match up with your camps, then you might want to think twice about hiring them. Thirdly, it is pretty easy to make stuff sound good on paper. Observe them work for a few weeks. It will tell you a lot about their character, their relationship with God and their beliefs. However, prayer is more important than all of these. Lift in prayer each prospective staff member to God.

Investing in campers lives is extremely important but before we can do that we have to invest in our counselors lives. In Philippians 2:1-4 Paul says “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies. Fulfill ye my joy that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” ,Most camps are looking for humble, teachable, like minded college students (Train Them Up 34, East) In “A Firm Foundation” by Dave Wager, he says “Camps used to be places where we guided young adults and helped them develop into leaders. Today it seems we want these young people to come to us already developed. In, reality college-age staff members have limited knowledge and usually lack seminary degrees.” The ones in charge of the camp need to also disciple their counselors too. Just because they are going to be a counselor at a Christian camp doesn’t mean they know it all. That’s where the director needs to watch and mentor them.

It is also important that the leaders in the camp make sure they are serving for the right purposes. A leader that is focused on self is going to fail epically. Leaders are in a serving position to the kids that come through the camp. Jesus Christ was the greatest leader of all. In Philippians 2:7-8 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Bob Tissot in “Adventures in Leadership” explains this verse and how Jesus’ leadership style was. “First, Jesus made Himself nothing. Second, He became a servant. Third, He then humbled Himself. Forth, became obedient. Fifth, He obeyed at the point of death, even the death on the cross.” Bob Tissot called it a pattern for leadership. A good counselor is humble, has a servant’s heart, and is obedient to those above him/her. It requires a lot of patience, discipline, faith, trust, perseverance, and wisdom.

This is just a short glimpse into a godly counselor. We covered a godly-role model in a counselor, an example of a godly counselor, how to train the counselors, investing in the counselor’s life, and looking at Jesus as the ultimate Counselor and Leader. There is a lot that goes into a counselor. Being a one all summer long is not easy, let alone one that exemplifies Christ. It stretches and grows you alot. It’s a hard yet very rewarding job, one that you will remember for the rest of your life. Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Working at a Camp or Conference Center

Most people spend their summers on a beach somewhere, at a job earning the big bucks, or on their precious couch. The last thing some are thinking of doing would be working at a summer camp or conference center. What could be fun about making sure a bunch of kids take a shower and get where they need to be on time? The worker’s camp experience is more than that. It grows you in many different ways.

“Five Good Reasons to Work a Summer at a Christian Camp or Conference Center” by the Focus Series put out by Christian Camps and Conference Association gives us some reason why this task is hard, yet rewarding. First, working at a camp or conference gets you in touch with people. I liked how the article said “As a staffer, you become a partner with those you serve and a servant to those you lead.” That is very true, one of the biggest blessings in life is to serve others. You develop strong relationships with the staff you work with too. Reason number two, Peaceful setting, I don’t agree with this one as much. Because you are so caught up with all the activities you don’t notice the peaceful setting. Thirdly, it will provide you with an adventure. It would be an adventure of a lifetime. Fourth reason prompts spiritual growth. However, this should be one of your primary reasons because it stretches you like none other. One way it stretches you spiritually because you have to maintain your own relationship with God in order to help others. Lastly, reason number five, it will prepare you for the rest of your life. This is true because you learn how to work with people and children from all different backgrounds. Also because it stretched you spiritually your relationship with God is stronger. When you look back you will always remember the summer you worked at a camp or conference center.

Where Have I Been The Past Months...

Greetings from the gorgeous mountains of West Virginia! The brightly colored leaves were so beautiful during the fall! I can not wait until it snows! I now go to school at Appalachian Bible College! God has been stretching me a lot this semester through the preaching, classes, and devotions. My professors are wonderful and it is obvious they have a love for what they do and a desire for us to grow in our relationship to Christ. This semester I am taking Bible Study Methods, English Comp 1, Foundation of Camping, Practical Christian Service, Freshman Seminar, Apologetics, Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, Basic Skills, and Camping P.E.

They have skills classes for Camping majors that are one credit hour. However that’s where the fun is. This semester my skills classes are Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, and Basic Skills. Some skills classes they offer are Whitewater Rafting, Caving, Wilderness First Aid, Horsemanship, Rock Climbing, Backpacking and many more. My Favorite class would be Camping P.E and Ecology class. My homework for Ecology consists of finding a spot in the woods and going there every week for an hour to observe nature. It is a great time to do my devotions too.

One lesson I have learned this semester was from Ecology class. Trees get scars from lots of different things. The huge gashes do loads of damage. Yet, most trees still live, the scars heal, and the tree to fulfill the job God has given it. Happily, God does the same thing with his children. We may do something that leaves a huge scar on our life, but God lovingly heals it and use it to his advantage. We can reach and touch lives we may not have been able to before.

At ABC we are required to take part in a Practical Christian Service while we are students here. Appalachian believes that one of the best ways to train for ministry is to apply it. Some help their church in Awanas, teaching Sunday school, youth groups, and in the children’s department. We also have different ministry teams you can get involved in, such as: the evangelism team, nursing home team, Children’s Evangelism Fellowship team, Drama team, and Puppet team. I would like to get involved in either the nursing home team or the children’s program at Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, where I attend.

Some things I would appreciate your prayers on are that I would grasp what is being taught, do well on my homework, and that God will show me what ministry I should get involved with.

No Excuses, No Explinations: Tony Dungy

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” What if you were judged by the color of your skin? What if it seemed like you were just receiving blow after blow? For Tony Dungy this made life harder. Yet, he didn’t let it faze him. He knew God made him special even if he did not have natural God-given abilities. He knew he had to work harder and play even harder to become uncommon. This is the story of his journey; where Tony Dungy learned what life was all about. Not about football, no matter how great the game is, life is about God and His glory.

Dungy grew up in a Christian home in Jackson, Michigan. His mom, CleoMae Dungy, taught English and Public Speaking at Jackson High School. Wilbur Dungy was a professor of physiology at Jackson Community College. Tony’s dad taught him not to let external issues be a problem and always to control your attitude towards your circumstance. His parents also taught him about God at a very early age. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the young age of five. However, it wasn’t until years later when Tony learned what it meant to make Christ number one in his life.

In 1978, while playing for the Pittsburg Steelers, Dungy contracted Mononucleosis. He was naturally shy and never had a serious girlfriend. So this came as a bit of a surprise to him. After three weeks, his white blood cell count was still too high and he was getting really frustrated and even difficult to be around. Late one night, Dungy was talking to another player for the Steelers, Donnie Shell. Tony was very upset about being out for so long and not being able to play. Donnie explain that even though Tony claimed to be a Christian, he started showing what was really first place in his life when his football career started going sour. He then started understanding what it really meant to be a Christian. For the very first time he looked at football as a gift from God instead of something that makes him. Tony’s purpose in life is to glorify God.
He faced a lot more than having Mono in 1978, that was just his starting point of harder things to come. The next thing that happened was losing his job as head coach for the Buccaneers in 2002 just a couple days after the death of his beloved mother and losing his father in 2004. Yet, the hardest blow of all those was at 1:45 in the morning on December 22, when the Dungy’s received a phone call that there son, Jamie, had taken his life. They have no explanations to why he choose this, but they know Jamie is in Heaven with his heavenly Father. At their son’s funeral service, the family had “I Will Bless The Lord At All Times” played. Tony wanted people to remember that even in the sad and difficult times God can offer joy in the midst of a gloomy occasion.

Three principles I have learned from the life of Tony Dungy is actually some points he found in of the book of Nehemiah. 1) Nehemiah’s opportunity came in God’s time, not his own. 2) Nehemiah diligently prepared his mind and his heart so he would be ready when God’s time arrived. 3) Nehemiah needed to be prepared to take on the problems, doubt, and adversity that would come his way both from the outside and from within (Dungy, 87). If God is not the center of my life, then I will fail at everything because I would be relying on my strength thinking I can do it by myself. I need to trust God with His timing and not my own. If I don’t prepare myself for the task my Savior assigns me then I would not be serving Him to my absolute best. I, Rebecca Bishop, pray that I can look at life the way Tony Dungy does. That even in the midst of a trial that I will seek God, put Him first in my life, and when I get to Heaven I will have no excuses for my time on earth.

Amazing Quote

"I may not see the entire painting right now, but I know the Artist is putting the paint exactly where He wants it on my canvas." - Kyle Cline

Your Word For Victory

Hebrews 4:12a says "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword..". Here is a list a verses from accountability to worry/anxiety and everything in between. I hope you find it as helpful as I have.

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  Accountability- Ecclesiastes 4:5-12, Galatians 6:1


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  Addictions- Proverbs 5:22-25, Romans 6:16, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23


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  Anger-Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:17,16:32,19:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9,Matthew 5:22,James 1:19-20


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  Assurance- John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:12-13, Titus 3:5, 1 John 5:13


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  Authority- Romans 15:1-2, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 2:18-25


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  Bitterness- Acts 8:18-24(23), Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:14-15


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  Complaining- Proverbs 19:3, Philippians 2:14


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  Confession- Psalm 32:5, 41:4, 51:10-13, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:9


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  Dedication/Daily Surrender- Matthew 6:24, 33, Romans 6:13, 12:1-2, Philippians 3:8-10, Colossians 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:21


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  Dependence- Psalm 127:1, Jeremiah 10:23, John 3:27, 15:1-11, 2 Corinthians 3:5


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  Depression- Genesis 4: 6-7, Psalm 32:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Philippians 4:8


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  Daily Devotions- Psalm 19:14, 55:17, 63:1, 119:147, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:10


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  Divorce- Malachi 2:16, Matthew 5:31-32, 19:9, Mark 10:2-12, Romans 7:1-3


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  Drinking and Drugs- Proverbs 20:1, 23:31-32, Habakkuk 2:15, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:18


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  Fatherless- Psalm 10:14, 27:10, 68:5, Proverbs 23:10-11


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  Fear- Matthew 10:30-31, Ephesians 3:12, 2 Timothy 1:7


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  Fear of Man- Psalm 27:1, 56:3-4, 11, Proverbs 29:25


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  Finances- Matthew 6:30-33, Philippians 4:11-13, 19


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  Forgiveness- Psalm 103:12, Jeremiah 31:34, 1 John 1:9


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  Forgiving Others- Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-25, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13


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  Friends/Peer Pressure- Proverbs 1:10,13:23, 14:9, 22:24-25,14:1-2,27:17, 29:24


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  Gossip/Tongue- Proverbs 16:28,17:9, 21:23, James 3:2-12


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  Guy/Girl Relationships- Matthew 5:27-30, Romans 13:14, 16:19, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 13:4


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  Homosexuality- Lev. 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:24-32 (26-27), 1 Corinthians 6:9-11


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  Laziness/Work- Proverbs 18:9, 26:13-16, Colossians 3:23-24


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  Lying- Proverbs 6:16-19, 12:22, 19: 5,9, Acts 5:1-11, Ephesians 4:25, Revelation 21:8, 22:15


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  Media (TV, Gaming, Web)- Psalm 101:3-7, Proverbs 4:24-27, 10:27, Galatians 5:19- 21, 2 Peter 2:7-8


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  Music- Psalm 40:3, Proverbs 19:27, Ephesians 5:19, Philippians 1:10, 4:8, Colossians 3:16, 1 John 2:15-17


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  Parents- Proverbs 15:5, 20, 20:17,36, Ephesians 6:1-3, Hebrews 13:17


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  Prayer- Proverbs 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8, 21:22, Luke 11:5-13, James 5:16, 1 John 5:14-15


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  Pride- Psalm 10:2,4, 59-12, Proverbs 11:2, 13-10, 16:18, 29:23, 1 John 2:16


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  Profanity/Swearing/Speech- Exodus 20:7, Proverbs 4:24, Matthew 12:34-37, Ephesians 4:29, 5:3-4


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  Rebellion- 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Proverbs 1:24-26, 29-33


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  Salvation- John 3:14-18, 14:6, Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:13


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  Self-Control- Proverbs 25:28, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-7


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  Selfishness- Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 13:5, Philippians 2:21


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  Soul-Winning- Mark 16:15, John 4:35, Romans 10:13-15


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  Stealing- Exodus 20:15, Ephesians 4:28


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  Temptation- 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 John 4:4


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  Thoughts/Pornography- Job 31:1, Proverbs 4:23, 16:3, 23:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8


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  Trials- Psalm 119:67-76, James 1:2-3, 1 Peter 1:6-7


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  Words- Psalm 19:14


When to Answer: Proverbs 14:17, 18:13


How to Answer: Proverbs 15:1, 16:32, James 1:5


How Much to Answer: Proverbs 10:19, 15:28, 29:11


Good Results: Proverbs 12:25, 15:23


Bad Results: Proverbs 16:28


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  Worldliness- Titus 2:11-12, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17


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  Worry/Anxiety- Psalm 42:5, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7

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An Abortion Story

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.

The crime is the same!

"Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."

Jesus sacrificed Himself for the good of sinners! That's perfect love!

And In This Crazy Life And Through These Crazy Times..

(D.J., me, and Stacey. Drinking from a trophy, 100 one dollar bills, a bunch of change, and how could you forget the enormous amount of junk food to sell. Yep life with these two is never dull!)

WOW, I can't believe its April!! March has been absolutely crazy for me! On March 4, 2011, I asked God to open a door for me to minister to someone in some way. Then on March 6, I was talking to a lady I knew who ran a elder care with her husband out of their home. She said they were hiring for more help. I talked with my parents and prayed about it, went in for the interview on Monday and was hired on the spot. It consist of alot of cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the three ladies. My mom calls me the domestic Martha Stewart! I feel like I'm helping my bosses out more by cleaning alot of there personal living space, which seems to be shoved towards the back of their to-do list. There are many funny stories from my job but so far my favorite was when my boss was interviewing me and he said "Oh, your homeschooled? We homeschooled our kids too." Then later he asked how many siblings I had so I said "I have a brother who is a year older then me." He just kinda looked at me and was like "and..." then I told him that was it just me and my brother. He said "Oh, I was expecting ten more names to be listed!" On March 12, I took my SAT, longest morning of my life. I didn't do great (mostly because I was a nervous wreck), so I'm hopefully taking the ACT this Saturday the 9th. We had revival this past week with Dr Ron Comfort, who started Ambassador Baptist College. He was very good and we saw at least over 10 people saved. Tuesday I found out that my application for Leadership at STEP (Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness) so I worked on that till 2:30 Wednesday morning. When I got back on later on I found that the computer never saved the file (even though I know for a FACT I hit the Ctrl + S button) anywho I ended up faxing it in later that day. I still haven't heard back but I think its God testing my patience. The application consisted of two pages worth of questions and I figured I would share some of them with yall and my answers =)

9. Give details of your salvation experience.

I was born into a Christian home and had always heard that Jesus died for my sins. I thought I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was four. However, when I was fourteen, I started thinking a lot about it and realized it never became real for me. I had all the knowledge in my head but never in my heart. I believe I really accepted Christ as my Savior on June 29, 2007. Since then, God has done so many wonderful things in my life! One of the biggest things He has done for me was to deliver me from past hurts. In this, I am really thankful to God for His unfailing love for me, the healing he has brought, and everything He has blessed me with. I love serving and glorifying Him in all I do.

10. Explain why you desire to apply for service with the STEP Staff. Include the goals and vision the Lord has set for your life, and how God has been preparing you for leadership.

When I went through STEP it impacted my life so much that I would love for the Lord to use me as a tool and serve the next set of girls coming through. Nonetheless, I know I could never lead on my own, but with God as my helper, I will have His strength in me to be a servant. Even though I am homeschooled, I participate in my church’s Christian school. Because I am a senior this year I have stepped up to the roll of leadership on my volleyball and basketball teams. I remember when I was in 7th grade there was this senior, Justine, that I really looked up to and my mom said to “remember how she treated you and made you feel important. Because someday you’re going to be that age and have 7th graders looking up to you too.” Well she was right, they really do watch you, how you act, what you say, and when you talk to them, it brightens up their day just like Justine did with me.

11. Expound on what the following terms mean to you and to what level of surrender the Lord has brought you with each one:

One God – I believe in the trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in one. He created the universe, died for our sins that we may have life with Him, and He comforts and teaches us.

Day of Rest - God wants us to work hard and knew we would need a day of rest and rejuvenation. I think every day we should worship Him and glorify Him, but Sundays should be a time to set aside especially for Him.

Godly Relationships with Opposite Gender - I believe it is very important to have a God-centered friendship with guys to encourage, pray, and uplift them in the Lord. Also, I want to stay very guarded in my thoughts towards them.

Godly Music – Godly music should be anything that brings glory and honor to God, and does not go against what the Bible says. God has not brought me to a place where I only listen to Christian music. I listen to some country and other genres. There is some music I will not listen to because I don’t like it.

Honoring Parents - I believe God put my parents above me to guide and direct me. It’s my responsibility to respect and obey their decisions.

Clear Conscience – I need to have nothing between God and me so we can have the closet relationship. I also want to be reconciled with people that I have wronged.

Moral Purity - I desire to glorify God and please Him as His child to have pure thoughts and actions out of my love for Him.

It was very good for me to think more about what I believe. Because I have been raised in a Christian home and gone to church my whole life, I never really thought about what I believe on these areas. I greatly encourage you to think about the answers you would put down for number 11. If you don't mind I would love to hear your answers =)

(Blue team from STEP 2010!! Amazing group of girls, I miss them alot! What is STEP?? Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) is a four-week outdoor adventure program for young women ages 15 and older. This challenging program is designed to build confidence on individual and team levels, in preparation to respond to life’s emergencies, while learning to put their trust in the Lord. STEP will help enrich each young woman in spiritual and personal disciplines, physical fitness and emergency skills that will prepare them to fulfill the calling God has for their life. I encourage every young women to go to this program. It is MORE then worth it!! http://www.alertacademy.com/step/)

P.S. This month I will be traveling to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina to compete in the AACS (American Association of Christian Schools). I will be competing along side my band in Single A Orchestra/Band and Large Instrument Ensemble. We have been going for about 8 years now and have placed every year!! Then the following week I will be traveling with my fellow senior buddies to the Big Apple!! Busy Busy!! =)

Homecoming 2011: A Night We Soon Shall Not Forget

Homecoming is a night the Seniors will not soon forget. I am homeschooled but participate with my church's christian school. My class consist of only three of us, but I wouldn't trade these two for a huge class. Stacey, D.J. and I have the same vision, be an example to the younger students, encourage them, and glorify God in all we do. Our principle, Robert Brinkley, honors the seniors on our special night. The girls get escorted out by our dad and D.J. escorted his dad out (his mom was unable to attend because she broke her leg in one of the big snow storms we had). Mr. Brinkley talked about our accomplishments. After the ceremony D.J. played in the basketball game while Stacey and I cheered from our beautiful stage, Phantom of the Opera style!

I love my dress for many reasons. A, it is gorgeous and it is yellow (my favorite color!) B, It was $60 at JCPenney's!!

(From left to right) Mrs. Hoell, Mr Hoell, Stacey, my mom, me, my dad, D.J., and Mr. Davis.
(L to R) Mr. Brinkley, Stacey, D.J. and me
My dad, mom, and I (My brother is not here right now, he is at college in Wisconsin)
My hair. I played basketball before changing and my clarinet teacher, Mrs. Whitlock, did my hair after. As you can tell it came out very nicely.

My dad escorting me out

(L to R) Mr. Hoell, Stacey, Mrs. Hoell, Mr. Davis, D.J., my dad, me, and my mom

Mr. Brinkley giving D.J. his gift. (It was a alarm clock)

Stacey and her parents

My dad had a cold during this but did it for me anyways. =)

Blurry, but I like this picture.

My mom started crying. She told me later she played "My Little Girl" by Tim Mcgraw that day and was crying then too.

Senior class of 2011. I love you guys! =)

My "big sister" and I. We have had great bible studies, talks, and shopping outings together. I'm so thankful for her! =)

Chloe Belle, Victoria, Christiana, and me. I love these girls! They told me I looked like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. How cute =)

My best friend Rebekah and me. She did my make-up and took all these pictures. I love her to death.

Oh by the way Elizabeth, Rebekah, Christiana, and Victoria are sisters. I love big families!

Coach and me!!! I love this man (We matched, how awesome is that!!! Totally not planned) I think I'm going to have to do another post about how much this man has impacted my life. Yep, Sounds like a plan to me!

Healing, Joy, My Protector and Dear Beloved

When I think of what God has done in my life for the past month, I am in complete amazement. He seems to be stripping everything away so I would rely on Him more. I want to be His. I want his love to shine through me to others. That is my desire. I had a twelve year old girl ask me the other day "Why are you so happy? Do you have a boyfriend now?". My answer to both of those questions is, No. It is God who has been making me happy. There is a song that goes "The Joy of the Lord is my strength...." I think that is so very true. If we really seek Him he brings such joy to every part of our being. As you have read in a previous post I have been reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge and alot of this book seems to be directly written to me. I don't even know how to explain it, but God has been using this book to break me down. This time my Beloved is building me up to be more like Him. Ofcourse Satan has seriously tried to attack me. My Protector will not let that happen though He has suffered and fought to much for me. He is wrapping my wounds in His love and I can hear Him say "Give it up my child, come to me, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) You are beautiful to me and it will outshine all the fakeness this world is trying to offer. Only if you let ME work." Ok let me just say "Is that not the most exciting, romantic, beautiful thing EVER!?" Hold your horses it gets better!! In a part of Captivating they write this paraphrase of sorts from Isaiah 61:1-3. "God has sent me on a mission. I have some great news for you. God has sent me to restore and release something. And that something is YOU. I'm here to give you back your heart and set you free. I am furious at the Enemy who did this to you, and I will fight against Him. Let me comfort you, for, dear one I will bestow beauty upon you. Where you have known only devastation. Joy, in the places of your deep sorrow. And I will robe your heart in thankful praise in exchange for your resignation and despair." Ok seriously can it get any better then this?? I think not. The God of the universe is giving me such joy and romancing me in every way possible. I pray you will let the Healer heal any wounds you may have in your life. And open your self up to being romanced and protected by the One who brings such joy!

The Forgotten Man - Jon McNaughton

You HAVE to watch this!! I've always wondered what the Presidents of the past would say to Obama...

You Make My Heart Happy

(My amazing friend Abby took this picture of Ben my other dear friend's husband. If you have a Facebook check out Abby's photography http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Abigail-Polley-Photography/181264455220276 and like it.. You know you want too!)

Lately I have been reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It is becoming one of my favorite books very fast =). In chapter seven there was a paragraph that I completely fell in LOVE with. It says "Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion." I have never thought about this before, but it is sooooo true. They go on to say "He knows what takes your breath away, knows what makes your heart beat faster." Can you believe it the God of the universe wants to romance you??? HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?!?! This makes my heart happy. I'm going to approach each day with "Jesus, how can I fall in love with you more today? How will you romance me today? Whatever it is I can't wait. For it is you who makes my heart happy!"

Nightmare Turned Praise

I had the scariest nightmare Saturday night/Sunday morning. Stephen (my awesome brother) and I were kidnapped and he was being tortured (for some unknown reason.. dreams never give u a reason). Anyways, I wanted to just get out of there but he wouldn't let me, he wanted us to stick together through this. Then I woke up in a hot heated sweat and realized how blessed I am that God protects my family even when Stephen is all the way up in the Arctic tundra aka Wisconsin. Thank you Lord for protecting my family no matter where they are! =)

Leslie Ludy - Three Questions

If everything was stripped away. Would God be enough?

Just One of Those Things =)

You know when you discover a new artist and you can stop listening to her/him?? Well it has happened to me and her name is Kari Jobe.. Check her out=)

A Blessing In Disguise

If ever there was a friend, it is you.
If ever there was a dear, it is you.
If ever there was a Sister in Christ, it is you.
If ever there was a blood sister, it is you.
I love you!

Kim and I actually didn't start out being friends.. actually we didn't like each other at all. God however had quite different plans and now today we are the best of friends. She has been there for me, uplifted my in Christ, and always points me back to our Savior. Thanks Kim for being such a wonderful dear friend and thank you Lord for making us become friends even if we didn't like it at first ;)

Check out her blog http://kenkrauseco.blogspot.com/

"Shall We Dance?" Civil War Ball 2011

Lizzie, Me, Kim, Mrs Schilling, Taylor, and Kristen

Our group of people we invited ^
Dancing the night away

Mr Krause and I dancing ^
I'm in love with my dress =)

I can't remember the name of this dance but it was alot of fun

Daniel needing help =)

Jeremiah saying something important ;)

Jeremiah and I

Jeremiah, Daniel, Seth, Me, Lizzie, and Kate

Kim and Me. It was so wonderful to stay at her family's house while I was down in North Carolina. They are sooo sweet. Lizzie and me

Kim, Me, and Taylor

Yes, we went to Walmart in our dresses and tuxes.. Yes, we got funny looks.. Yes, it was Awesome!!

Eli and Taylor

Some people's kids ;)