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/