A Senior Farewell

Tonight was our Senior Farewell at school. It was a really neat and a fun time as the students led the entire night...singing, dancing, speaking, etc. It was really cool to finally be together reflecting on the past four years and beyond. One of my friends put together this slideshow of all the senior photo's, their names, and an extra picture, whether it was a baby picture, or some other older photo. It was really cool. I couldn't help but reflect on all those years, from elementary, middle, to now. It was tonight that I realized just how much I feel like I "missed out on" especially during the middle school and early high school years. I can't help to think that it was because my circumstances would not allow it, but part of me was sad. Then I realized that I had nothing to be sad about; I was wrong to think that I was missing out, because I wasn't. My story has been forming in bigger and better ways than any picture could ever tell. A lot of people at school don't know my whole story, although I really wish they did. Coming up on the end of this year is hard, exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, upsetting, motivating, challenging, but most of all it's worth it. It's worth reflecting on and it's worth celebrating. After all...the Kingdom of God is a party, and this part of my life is something God would want me to celebrate.

So I will! Thanks for all your support and love over the years! Look where I've made it to!!

Me and my friend Jen!

Praise My Adonai

I am realizing more and more, with every passing day...that this ride is worth it. My God is worth it, no matter the pain.



You call across the mountains and the seas
I answer from the deepest part of me
From age to age you reign in Majesty
And today You're making miracles in me
Oh my Adonai

I'm IT!

I've been tagged in this questionnaire game by Mrs. Amy!
Here it goes:

What were you doing 5 years ago?

1. Making my crazy transition into high school

2. Saying goodbye to Tori and the whole Evan Family

3. Trying to help my older brother and dad get along

4. Probably fighting with my sister over silly things

5. Meeting Lance and the whole Burch family for the first time

What are 5 things on your to-do list today (not in any particular order)?

1. Drive 6 hours back home from NY

2. Write 2 letters to friends and a paper for school

3. Read my bible and journal

4. Take a shower and get ready for church

5. Catch up on some lost sleep

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

1. American cheese and club crackers

2. Goldfish
3. Homemade brownies

4. Deviled eggs! (I don't know if this counts, but I absolutely love them!)

5. Kettle Corn

What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?

1. Pay off my college tuition

2. Give millions to LifePoint Church :)

3. Sponsor like ten kids (if not more) from Compassion
4. Go visit Australia and Europe
5. Buy a house...somewhere.

What are 5 of your bad habits?

1. Staying up too late

2. Spending more time doing other things, rather than with God

3. Losing my hair ties

4. Forgetting my sun glasses when it's sunny outside

5. Forgetting my flute the days I have Wind Ensemble

What are 5 jobs you have had?

1. babysitting

2. babysitting

3. babysitting

4. babysitting

5. and babysitting

What are 5 places you have lived?

1. Frederick, MD

2. Canada (for a very short time)

3. Eldersburg, MD

4. my room

5. the woods

What 5 people do you want to tag?

1. Katie
2. Jessica
3. Rachel
...everyone else has been tagged, I think.

Passing Along A Laugh

I've been showing everyone this video because it is so funny to me. You may have to watch it twice to get the full affect. Watch the little panda the first time, and then observe the mother's reaction the second time. It's hilarious! I love it. Please enjoy...

Don't Forget that I Won't Forget...

Tonight was my last band concert ever for my high school years. Tonight, like every year at the spring concert, the seniors get recognized for all the things they've been a part of for the past four years, related to band. I was kind of looking forward to this, being that I am a senior. My teacher started with the flutes, and I watched as she went down the line. She started at the top...Jen...Megan...and then she would call me. I prepared myself to stand, until I didn't hear my name. She had already moved onto the clarinets! It was at that moment I realized that she had forgotten me! lol! She eventually came back around and called my name realizing that she had skipped right on over me. It wasn't that big of a deal, I just laughed. It didn't really matter all that much to me...it was a silly mistake!

But when I was packing up my flute after everything was over, the whole thing played out in my head again, and I laughed underneath my breath. It was then that I heard a little voice in the back of my head and it whispered these five sweet little words: "I will never forget you."

It was in that moment that I realized God had sent me a little hope for the day to reassure me for tomorrow. Although I wasn't feeling bad or upset at all for being "forgotten", I was still sent a sweet reminder of how much I am loved, and no matter what, I am forever written on the palm of His hand, therefore He will never forget me. I think He's always telling us that, you know? ..."Don't forget that I won't forget you..."

I just thought that was really neat.

Remembering Today...

Eight years later and I can't seem to put my finger on it--
It's a feeling that wonders what things would have been like,
Yet is still satisfied in how things have turned out.
My heart looks around and sees the pain others are facing
And can't really seem to feel its own.
My heart is joyful for the things seen,
and for those that still remain unseen.
For the things given,
and the things lost.
Even in this moment I'm not quite sure where I stand now...
where my heart and mind have been over the years.
But I'm starting to realize the ways my story
is being used...
that it all wasn't gone unnoticed.
It's amazing how each story fits into the plan,
how a heart identifies with another.
I know that I'm not the only one who hurts today...
or the only one celebrating, all in one.
It's worth the celebration
for my God is worthy of it all.
Somewhere I find myself completely changed...
a new person.
I find joy in the midst of tragedy.
Hope when all is lost.
Love when I see rejection.
Beauty when my surroundings are unpleasant.
Life when there's death.
Surrender when life has come to be about my plans.
Humility when pride is the only thing portrayed.
Victory when my circumstances seem overwhelmingly defeating.

These things have come to be bigger and better than the temporary world,
the one that will eventually fade away.
These things will last for eternity
And that's what matters most.
The hurt, the sin, regret, fear, defeat, death...
it soon won't matter.
It will fade away with the rest of the world.
And so I stand here today and am reminded
that this day doesn't just mark a tragic day,
but a beautiful day in God's eyes for His child came running home.
And with that, today is a beautiful day in my eyes as well,
no doubt in my mind.