FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

School at last! I'm usually pretty excited to start a new school year, even though summer is delightful and I never entirely want it to end. I started my SENIOR YEAR (How exciting!) yesterday and so far it's going very well. It's been a bit of a challenge to give up sleeping in, having a lot of leisure time, and not having to think to hard unless I chose to, but it's all excellent for my character and I enjoy it, too.

So here is a little look at a day in the life of me right now:
It's 6:55. A catchy ringtone alarm on my cell phone startles me awake, and I sneak downstairs in an attempt to not wake up my brother. After grabbing a snack and a glass of water, and donning some work-out clothing, I excercise for half an hour, then of course shower and gorge on whatever looks good try to have a healthy breakfast (since it is better breakfast month!). If I didn't dawdle around, I should have about an hour to spend with the Lord, reading my Daily Bible, a passage from Philippians, and a few pages of Stepping Heavenward, and some prayer time. At 9:00 I either spend the morning doing chores or working on preserving vegetables with my mom, or else start school and do chores in the afternoon.

At any rate, I do some of those chores and some school, somewhere amidst the day. Since it is my last year, I don't have many real classes left, so I have the privilege of reading a systematic theology book (it is so huge - I don't know if I'll ever finish it!) and studying to obtain my certification as a biblical counselor with NANC. (Soon I'll have to start writing essays... ohh that's the scary part.) Also, I am still learning Spanish and piano, which are lots of fun. In a couple of weeks I will be starting my history class and physics. But over all, I don't have too much school to do and I have time for homemaking, journaling, drawing, phone calls, friends, and other misc. blessings.

I am just SO excited about this school year!

Just another week...

Another week has gone by. It has been a rocky one, but I've met a few meadows on the way, too. Some of the rockiness has been school; there seems to be so much of it! Thankfully it is Friday again. Although, on Wednesday night I was able to go to a Bible study with a bunch of young adults. That was phenomenal. Most of the people who came were either in college or married, so I was the youngest person there. I didn't feel out of place, though, and I was very blessed by being able to be with other Christians who love God. I really hope I'll be able to go back next week, because I really need more fellowship with other believers to help keep me afloat in the raging river of life right now.

Tonight and tomorrow I'm going to an IABC counseling seminar. It used to be a NANC seminar, but they switched to a different organization. I've been to them at least 4 times before. I am super excited to go again because every time I come away so encouraged. I'm going to go to the advanced tracks, which are about addictions. I'm looking forward to gaining biblical help for myself and friends of mine. it's going to be great!

Okay, so, I know last time I posted several cute animal pictures, and I don't want to go overboard on the whole cute animal thing, but I have to post just this one cuz it's so stinking cute. Hehe :)

Okay, that's all! Have a great weekend my friends!

It's a wonderful life!

Hey friends! :)

Well, the NANC conference was AWESOME!! I learned so much, and it encouraged me! It reminded me that I can give all my worries to God, and never worry. It reminded me that God LOVES to forgive us - if we ask. And, it reminded it me that there is a glorious hope for this dying world - so let's share it with them!

You'll think this is just crazy, but... we went to Kentucky again! Haha. Dad decided it would be nice for Emily (the girl that Erik is courting) to be able to see Erik's house, town, etc. Also, he knew that Mom and I would love to go down again and see Erik and all of our friends. :) We traveled down on Friday, stayed through Saturday and Sunday, and traveled home on Monday. It was such a fun trip!! Emily and I (we are very good friends!) had fun together, and I had a wonderful time in general.

And then, I had to get back to school. I've been busy as ever with it all! Today Emily and I got together and discussed Chemistry... it was very helpful! Earlier this afternoon, I went to piano and voice lessons. I love it! I'm so blessed to be able to take lessons :)

Tomorrow night I am going to a (gasp!) dance! You don't need to worry, though - it's all 19th-Century dances: Reels, Square dances, etc. Nothing inappropriate. ;) It is going to be *SO* much fun!

So that is an update on my life... and now I must go, because it's 6:30 PM and I still have to do history! Blessing, all!

Blessings :)

So, I just thought I would post and tell you what is on my mind today. :)

~ I am REALLY excited because I am going to a NANC (National Association of Nouthetic Counseling) "Hope Seminar" tonight and tomorrow! It's a program that trains people to do Biblical counseling. I'm looking forward to what God has to teach me!

~I am SO glad that it's Friday because this has a been a very long school week.

~I am sad that my blue and green monkey socks wore through. :(

~My singing and piano playing are getting a lot better, and I'm really enjoying practicing! It takes up a lot of time, but I love doing it!

~I LOVE my family! Mom, Cody, and I were just talking and laughing in the kitchen a few minutes ago, and it was fun. :)

That is all! Blessings to all of you~