Books=Love

A good book reminds me of traveling. Each book is a different trip. After every journey you're changed. You're left with memories that you revisit (some more often than others) but each with its own lessons and emotions attached.

Some books/journeys are so dear that you can't help but keep it to yourself. You know that they are meant for you alone. They are a special bond between you and God. Something that no one else would understand because they didn't experience it with you.

Today I started reading the novel "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. Only on chapter 4 and already I am overwhelmed. I can't stop wondering if this book will echo what my year has been like, and whether it's ending will reflect what is to come for me.

Similarly, I am about to begin the book "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan. I have a feeling that both these books are to help in the preparation for my trip to South Asia. I have so much to learn before July and quite honestly I'm scared I won't be ready in time. But Lord knows. He's always known.

There are many people who remember times in their lives by the music they were listening to. For me, it's by the book I was reading. The best books are ones you can compare yourself to. The ones you relate to. The ones that make you sigh with relief that you are not alone.

And in short, what I'm trying to say is. Books = Great Love :)

Merry Christmas Raoul.

So it's Christmas Eve. I comfortably sit in my room while Mom furiously cleans today so that she can relax tomorrow with the family. I hate the American Christmas only because there's too much pressure for it to be that "it's a wonderful life" type of Christmas. Why can't we just sit in the living room with a nice cup of coffee and talk for hours with the extended family? Oh well. I do enjoy it when all is said and done but sometimes I think it's too much.

Christmas Eve is usually my favorite. Grandma and Papa come with us to the Candlelight service then come over to do presents with us so that it's not so crazy tomorrow. And after they leave the family settles down to watch White Christmas. Haha sister and I will go all year singing the "Sister" song from it to each other, and of course Micah always falls asleep. Bless his heart.

This year the holiday really snuck up on us all. I guess it's cause I've been so busy this year I haven't had time to realize it's Christmas.

Two weeks ago I went with the youth to buy food and Christmas for families that are having it rough this year. It was such a blessing. The Thompson's. We got to meet 5 of the 7 kids. I'm still talking to one of the girls who is about my age.

Regardless of the holiday season or not it made me realize how much I miss just getting to know people. And loving them.

Senior Year....school goes by too fast.

This year is almost over and I'm scared to death of becoming a senior next fall. I don't want to go to college. But that's another story.

Two words kids at Tyner High hate to hear about but love to talk about....senior project. It's kind of a joke. It's been plastered with so many requirements and regulations that it's not really a project. It becomes your entire curriculum as a senior just about. So I've decided to incorporate my trip to Asia next summer into my project. I'm making a 5-10 minute documentary highlighting the differences between the western and Indian cultures. I love documentaries and have already made one "I Are a Genius".



Along with the project we have to write a research paper. I'm gonna try and describe the effects of western culture on the country but we'll see how it turns out. I hate research. But I love writing. That's my problem. I don't have any self-discipline. So I never want to learn something....I just want to automatically know it. Sigh. I really need to change that.

Senior year.....AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm so ready to go to college and start a new phase of life but I'm so scared. I finally got into the hang of it here. Story of my life. God always does this. I get comfy and settled and He tells me to move on. It's not a bad thing. But it's hard sometimes. I guess He did the same thing with Paul though didn't he. I guess that's a cool way to look at it. Even if it does give me an ego-boost a little.

I want to do something big. I know I'm capable of it. I don't want to make a little difference. I want to be apart of something HUGE. Maybe that's why I'm looking into journalism. It's a big platform.... if you get into the right outlet. I'm rambling again. I tend to do that. Readers beware....haha a lot of good it's done you now.


And just for fun....for those of you who have lasted reading my ridiculous post thus far....here's to you:

Feels like you're a piece of Side-walk Chalk

What do you do when your friends' worlds are crashing down around them while you're still standing? How do you comfort a friend who's just cut themself when you have no idea what they're going through? How do you encourage someone while they're parent is saying things you never imagined a parent could say?I'm sheltered. I have no idea what to say to my friends! I end up repeating myself: "i'm sorry."I know sorry isn't goo enough. It doesn't help them any. Why did I have to get it so good? I'm the type of person who wouldn't have suffered too terribly if I struggled. Why does it seem like everyone around me is in pain and I feel fine. I want to be able to do something for them and I can't. Remember when you drew with chalk and would get one shape drawn and already the chalk was down to a stub? You could feel it turning to dust in your fingers as it ground against the cement. Life sucks like that sometimes. And the best you can do is make sure the picture that's being drawn is worth it. That it leaves a stain even after a rain tries to wash it away.

Jet-Setter

I love to travel. And right now it's what I'm consumed with. I'm in the process of paying for and preparing myself for a trip to South Asia for missions work. I've never been out of the United States before but it's what I long for. I want to go anywhere and everywhere. I love cultures and people. I could care less about the sights and landscapes.

This trip is the beginning of craziness. I feel like it's my affirmation from God that I AM going to get to travel. I used to always believe I'd be stuck in the South forever. Not that that's a bad thing but it's not where my heart is.

It's scary. I mean, it's not exactly the safest place to travel and I wouldn't say I'm the type of person who is a "go-getter". I like being dependent on other people. I don't know what to expect and that ALWAYS scares me. I'm excited though. How many people can say they got to go to Asia when they were 17! I am truly blessed beyond belief.

Brief Overview

Blogs. I've been told they are for the vain and shallow people who just want to talk about themselves. However, that is the last thing I want this to become. This blog is to track a beautiful and life-changing journey I am about to embark upon. Some people wait for life to happen and forget they have to take the first step. Withing the past month I have taken the first few steps and am sure that I can't (nor do I want to) go back. This is my journey.