I love people!!

I've always known it, but today as I was spending time with God I really realized that he has given my the best Family/Friends/Youth group I could ever ask for! Some people in my life will be here as long as I live, some I'll never see again until I get to Heaven. But I just wanted to take the time to let everyone know that I love you and am thankful for you!

and many more that aren't pictured :)

My head knows, but my heart doesn't.

I've always known that God could take my life, or anyone else's life away in the blink of an eye. But that fact wasn't real to me at all until Yuna died. I remember being in AWANA with her and Hana as third graders. Always laughing, and having a good time. Once we got to middle school we weren't really close friends anymore because they were in the IB program and I wasn't. But I will never forget how they changed the lives of the people they were close friends with because they were so sweet. I'd like to dedicate this post to Yuna, and Hana who is recovering. My heart breaks when I think of Hana learning that her twin sister, her best friend, is dead. I myself haven't even processed it yet; and I don't think anyone else has either. I'd like to ask anyone who's reading this to please, PLEASE pray for Hana and her recovery, for the whole Choi family, for their friends who are having to learn to move on, and for Yuna, her mother, and brother, as they are finally home with their heavenly father.
As a closing note, I'm going to post the lyrics to the song "Dancing with the Angels" by Monk and Neagle. They are great and have helped me through the deaths of family members.

Memories surround me
but sadness has found me
I'd do anything for more time
Never before has someone meant more
and I can't get you out of my mind.
There is so much that I don't understand
but I know

You're dancing with the angels
walking in new life
You're dancing with the angels
heaven fills your eyes
Now that you're dancing with the angels

You had love for your family
love for all people
love for the father and son
your heart will be heard
through your unspoken words
through generations to come
there is so much that I don't understand
but I know

You're dancing with the angels
walking in new life
You're dancing with the angels
heaven fills your eyes
Now that you're dancing with the angels

We're only here for such a short time
so I'm gonna stand up
shout out
sing hallelujah
One day I'll see you again
And you'll be dancing with the angels

A friend loves at all times - Proverbs 17:17

Alena Lynn Logan-

We've been friends literaly since she was born- which would make it fourteen years now! We have so many memories like watching Zoom while eating Schwann Man ice cream on the Barney Bean bag chair, Stepping on Pay-Doh and then eating it, Making our Barbies go to College, Going to Colorado and Texas together, and much more. We have the kind of friendship where no matter how long we're apart things are right where we left off when we hang out next. Things are never awkward and honestly she's the closest thing I have to a sister. I enjoy every single moment I get to spend with her, and I see so many fruits of the spirit exemplified in her life. Even though we are 2 grades apart, she will always and forever be my best friend ! (:

Hannah Kaylene Yowell!

Us two sure know how to have a good time, but we also know when to be serious. Whenever I need someone to pray for me I know exactly who to ask! Hannah is one of those people who is always loving and caring, even if she is hurting herself. I love how her nostrils flair when she laughs, how we can talk about absolutely anything and it not be awkward, and how our relationship has gone from strictly having fun to a Godly Friendship. She's been there to pray with me, laugh with me, act absolutely insane with  me, and cry with me. Our friendship means the world to me and I will miss her so much when she goes off to college. But I just know that Hannah and I will be best friends for the rest of our lives. I love you Hannie!

Jenna Lynn McCollum!

I remember when I met you way back in Elementary school. You were the girl with the American Flag print swim suit and the obnoxious laugh. As I watched you dive into the pool at one of the Logan's pool parties I never would have guessed that you'd end up being one of my very closest friends. We know absolutely everything about each other, and we are practicaly neighbors so we get to hang out a lot. We always have a great time together, and I'm pleased to see that our friendship is becoming more and more Christ Like each and every day. I love ya Flava J!

Sarah Mishelle Huyett!!!

We bonded while playing with the Wizard of Oz set as young lasses. We both love 80's movies, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and have the same shopping tactics. We always have a good time wether we're just lounging around or actually out doing something. Sarah always has my back and I'll always have hers. She's one of those friends who you can tell anything to and she won't judge you. We're able to be acting completely insane with eachother one second, and be praying together the next second. I can't wait to see how our friend ship growns more and more through time. I love you Sar Bear!!

Andrea "Andi" Moyer!

I've known her for quite a long time but we just recently became best friends. We have lots of fun together and have the same view points on a lot of things. We both love Wichita State, and are growing in our relationships with God. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met, hands down! I can't wait to see how our friendship will grow more and more through time. I love you Andi!

I'm also thankful for all my other friends who aren't listed here. :) You guys mean a lot to me.

"High School is the best years of your life"

I would like to meet whoever quoted this, and ask them all about their High School experience because I know for a fact that my High School years haven't been pleasent! This school year, I've hurt more than I ever have in my entire life. I've gone through my first break up and seen the boy start to date someone new, and lost two people I considered to be among my very best friends. As a result of all that my grades dropped, and I would cry myself to sleep every night. My only place of comfort was my bible, and I am now to the point to where once I start reading it, I don't want to put it down. I'm even doing a read through the bible in 90 days plan,along with several bible studies. Even though the social aspect of this year has been hard, I've grown more in my faith than ever before. Lots of people say it's hard to love God when things are going wrong in your life- but I think that's the easiest time to praise him. Who better to comfort you than the one who made you, and knows whats going on better than anyone else? As a result of this, I am definitely looking forward to our upcoming church retreat, and Challenge conference! I will be with everyone I love (aside from my family who won't be there) and away from everyone/everything that causes me pain. It will also be super fun. But what Im looking forward to the most is growing even more in my relationship with God. I dread going to school every day, but I always remind myself that I shouldnt run away from the hardships Satan places in my life, but turn to God and walk through it as he holds my hand.

Despite all this mess Ive gone through this year, God has blessed me with my family and some certain amazing friends, as well as a LOVELY small group at church. and of course we cannot foget Gods word and prayer ;)

The end of a Decade....

Today is the last day in 2009. This decade was home to my Childhood. I have gone through and done so much... I graduated elementary, and middle school in. Moved to a new house and met all new people at my High school. I went on my very first Mission Trip to St.Louis, went on the most amazing experience ever- Challenge 2008. I had my first boyfriend, my first kiss, and also my first heart break. I learned to drive, I gained a MUCH deeper relationship with Christ. I jet skii-ed, tubed, and knee boarded for the first time. I learned to branch out and hang out with more than just my group of best friends, I learned to love them and get a long with them better than ever before. I became more confident in my self. I began appreciating Christmas for what it really means rather than the presents. I began reading the whole bible through rather than just letting it collect dust on my shelf. When I look back... I have grown up SO much in the past decade. And good or bad, I will never forget the things I experienced in these past ten years. I can't wait to see what the next decade brings!

Day of thanks...

I'm thankful that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. I'm thankful for my parents and the close relationships I have with both of them. I'm thankful for my little brothers who always make me smile. I'm thankful for my grandparents who share their wisdom with me. I'm thankful for my cousins and the time we get to spend together. I'm thankful for my Aunt's and Uncle's and everything they do for me. I'm thankful for my friends and their willingness to be there for me when I'm going through the worst of times. I'm thankful for laughter, it's the best medicine. I'm thankful for the Bible that God left for us to use as a guideline for life. I'm thankful for my small group at church and the way they understand me like no one else does. I'm thankful that my family has enough money to eat and pay the bills. I'm thankful that God has allowed me to live as long as I have so far. I'm thankful for all the possesions I have. I'm thankful for Bay Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm thankful for the trips I've been able to go on like Challenge and BUMP. I'm thankful for Haley and Abby, the cutest little girls I know. I'm thankful for Wichita State basketball, get 'em shox! :) I'm thankful for summer and the warm sunshine. I'm thankful for electronics, and all forms of communication. I'm thankful for food, Enough said! I'm thankful that I get to experience the greatest kind of love there is. I'm thankful for my Monday night Bible Study. I'm thankful for the strong youth group at my church that I get to be a part of. I'm thankful for Alena who's more like a sister than a friend to me because we are so close; and no matter how much time passes when we don't hang out we always find a way to start back where we left off. I'm thankful for the "Star Group" as we named ourselves back in Middle School, lol! I'm thankful for all the new friends I've made at Heights, and the old one's from Robinson. I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful for the Jubilee Youth and every single person in inner city- St. Louis. I'm thankful for all the beautiful things God created. I'm thankful for my freedom here in America. I'm thankful for my nice warm bed, and sleep. I'm thankful for Christmas and all the other holidays. I'm thankful for hugs,kisses, and all the people in my life that love me.

I definitely don't take enough time out of my life to thank God for everything he's done for me. This one was for you Big G- I love ya!!

I Kissed Dating Goodbye

Today I purchased a book called "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." I'm only 2 Chapters in but I can already tell that it's going to be a life changing book. The Author starts out by explaining his first serious relationship- and I was surprised to find that the way he described it was EXACTLY how mine had been. He went on to say how that relationship only led to hurt and losing a little bit of that purity that we all strive for. That relationship let him to "kiss dating goodbye" so to speak, atleast until he is ready to make the commitment and consider that person for marriage. The book is not saying that dating is bad or that you shouldn't do it, but rather suggesting better means of going about it and living your life for God as an alternative. Another interesting tidbit from the first two chapters is when the author describes a dream a friend of his had. In the dream she is walking down the aisle on her wedding day, to meet her groom. But when she gets there all of a sudden 7 other girls walk up next to him and hold his hand. These are the 7 other girls he has dated in the past and given part of his heart away too. The girl in the dream begins to cry and says to the boy, "I thought your whole heart was mine?" The boy replied- "It is, It is, I promise it is! Whats left of it is yours."
This dream really struck a cord with me. After reading that dream- I decided to kiss dating goodbye for a while as well. Because on my wedding day, I don't want anyone standing up there with me besides my husband- I want him to be able to have my whole heart (besides the part that only belongs to God).
Anyway, It's a really great book and I highly recommend it!