Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Average Teenagers: They Are, in a Way, Not Good
So on Wednesday when I went to take the PSAT, Matthew was asking me to remember and take note of all the kids who were texting, skateboarding, hanging out with their boyfriend/girlfriend, sitting on a bench with someone of the opposite gender, skating on their heelies, chewing bubblegum, or involved in similiar "unseemly" behavior. (Although I'm still not quite sure why chewing bubblegum is unseemly. Anyway) Finally, Mom said, "Matthew, I'm sure she'll let you know about any average teenagers she sees." But apparently that didn't satisfy him-- he wanted to walk in with us. And today, he wrote something on his blog about average teenagers. Actually, his friend Reid wrote it, but he gave Matthew permission to put it on his blog. You see about a year or so ago, Matthew was on quite the kick about what he as deemed "AVERAGE" teenagers. He wrote to parents, "If you think that you may have an average teenager don't let him hang around other teenagers who may influence him to become average." So now Matthew's friend, Reid, started his own book too. On average teenagers. He says, "Average teenager are in a way, not good." Yep. It's that profound. I love what they're written! So if you want to know what two getting-close-to-teenager boys think of average teenagers, go to: http://everyone-is-upsidedown.blogspot.com/2010/10/chapter-1-average-teenagers-who.html
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Last Four Years...
I remember when it started. I remember it was just over four years ago, and I was sitting on the big rock across the street from what was our home in Marysville. I remember looking at what was potentially going to be our new house. I remember thinking that finally, we had found the place that we were going to live. Finally, we had found our home.
We left Renton, Washington when I was about eight years old. I had lived there almost my entire life, except for one year that we lived in New York. I didn't want to leave, but I don't remember hating the idea so much because I thought that we would come back. We left for Georgia, but after six months there, my dad was transferred to California. So we moved there. After a while in an apartment in Ranchos Palos Verdes, we moved to our new house in Valencia. And we all loved it there. After we found our church, Placerita Baptist, I remember thinking that I hadn't felt so at home since we had left Washington, which by that time had been more than year ago. However, my dad still talked about going back to Washington some day so we could grow up knowing our grandparents well, and so he wouldn't have such a long commute. Besides those things, both my parents grew up in Washington and we already had so many good friends there. So a move would serve three fold.
Needless to say, after two and a half years living in California, when I found out that we were moving again, I was upset. I'm pretty sure I cried. I don't remember the day that we came back to Washington, but I remember the days following. We were constantly looking for a house, a church, and probably tons of other stuff too. Finally, we found our home, and as I was saying a minute ago, I was sure we would never move again. I was sure that was home. Shortly after we found our home, or maybe it was not so shortly, I don't remember, we found our church, Coram Deo Fellowship. I cannot even begin to tell you how many incredible people I met at that church. Coram Deo was probably the greatest church family that I have ever been in, and I've probably met more incredible people there than at just about any other church (and believe me, I've been to my fair share of churches.) God just used that church to bless me and my family so much!
I was so sad six months ago when I had to leave Washington for Japan, however, I looked forward to what I thought would be six months later, when we would move back to Washington. But I don't think any other sadness of moving even compares to the sadness that I felt about three months ago when I found out that we are not moving back to Washington, but to South Carolina instead. I guess it's because I just don't want to leave all the wonderful things that God has taught me these past four years behind. Maybe it's because I don't want to forget any of the memories, or lose friendships with people who I met in Washington. But looking back, I see how incredibly blessed these past four years have been. And even if I do have to leave everything in Washington behind, I wouldn't trade this time for anything. I've spent some incredible time with my best friend, Haley, who has been the greatest and even puts up with all my excessive moving :), I have spent some great time with my grandparents, met other amazing people, been challenged in different ways, and most importantly, I have grown closer to my amazing God then I think I would have anywhere else. He truly did have the perfect timing and the perfect plan.
Also, a special shout out to everyone at Coram Deo Fellowship and to the Frye family and everyone at Lynnwood Apologetics group, as those things have been two great blessings during this time. I think God has taught me more these four years than just about any other time of my life.
It's funny to me now that I thought when I was sitting on that rock, that I had finally found my home. Because no matter how 'comfortable' the world is, it will NEVER be my home. I have a home waiting, but it's in Heaven. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:13-16, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
And so now, as I sit in my bedroom in Japan and look out the window into the city, I realize that I'm only about a month away from closing this chapter of my life, too, and only about two and a half months away from moving to South Carolina. And as I think about all this, I can't help but be excited to see what God has planned for these next four years.
We left Renton, Washington when I was about eight years old. I had lived there almost my entire life, except for one year that we lived in New York. I didn't want to leave, but I don't remember hating the idea so much because I thought that we would come back. We left for Georgia, but after six months there, my dad was transferred to California. So we moved there. After a while in an apartment in Ranchos Palos Verdes, we moved to our new house in Valencia. And we all loved it there. After we found our church, Placerita Baptist, I remember thinking that I hadn't felt so at home since we had left Washington, which by that time had been more than year ago. However, my dad still talked about going back to Washington some day so we could grow up knowing our grandparents well, and so he wouldn't have such a long commute. Besides those things, both my parents grew up in Washington and we already had so many good friends there. So a move would serve three fold.
Needless to say, after two and a half years living in California, when I found out that we were moving again, I was upset. I'm pretty sure I cried. I don't remember the day that we came back to Washington, but I remember the days following. We were constantly looking for a house, a church, and probably tons of other stuff too. Finally, we found our home, and as I was saying a minute ago, I was sure we would never move again. I was sure that was home. Shortly after we found our home, or maybe it was not so shortly, I don't remember, we found our church, Coram Deo Fellowship. I cannot even begin to tell you how many incredible people I met at that church. Coram Deo was probably the greatest church family that I have ever been in, and I've probably met more incredible people there than at just about any other church (and believe me, I've been to my fair share of churches.) God just used that church to bless me and my family so much!
I was so sad six months ago when I had to leave Washington for Japan, however, I looked forward to what I thought would be six months later, when we would move back to Washington. But I don't think any other sadness of moving even compares to the sadness that I felt about three months ago when I found out that we are not moving back to Washington, but to South Carolina instead. I guess it's because I just don't want to leave all the wonderful things that God has taught me these past four years behind. Maybe it's because I don't want to forget any of the memories, or lose friendships with people who I met in Washington. But looking back, I see how incredibly blessed these past four years have been. And even if I do have to leave everything in Washington behind, I wouldn't trade this time for anything. I've spent some incredible time with my best friend, Haley, who has been the greatest and even puts up with all my excessive moving :), I have spent some great time with my grandparents, met other amazing people, been challenged in different ways, and most importantly, I have grown closer to my amazing God then I think I would have anywhere else. He truly did have the perfect timing and the perfect plan.
Also, a special shout out to everyone at Coram Deo Fellowship and to the Frye family and everyone at Lynnwood Apologetics group, as those things have been two great blessings during this time. I think God has taught me more these four years than just about any other time of my life.
It's funny to me now that I thought when I was sitting on that rock, that I had finally found my home. Because no matter how 'comfortable' the world is, it will NEVER be my home. I have a home waiting, but it's in Heaven. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:13-16, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
And so now, as I sit in my bedroom in Japan and look out the window into the city, I realize that I'm only about a month away from closing this chapter of my life, too, and only about two and a half months away from moving to South Carolina. And as I think about all this, I can't help but be excited to see what God has planned for these next four years.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Pure in Heart-- a Prestigious Award
Hello one and all! Okay, so I was awarded with this 'Pure in Heart Award' by a couple of friends this last week. Partake in the observation of the award, if you please: 
Yep. It's just that cool.
If you are tagged:
1. Post about the tag.
2. Pick 10 bloggers who deserve this award.
3. Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged letting them know they were awarded.
4. Answer the questions along with your post.
I've already posted about the tag. I'll do the questions next.
Ready- set- go!
1: Apples, Oranges or Bananas? I would have to say oranges. Since moving to Japan, they have become my #1 staple as far as food goes.
2: How many siblings do you have? Two comedic brothers, Matthew (11) and Titus (5) and one adorable sister, Grace (5)
3: How old are you? I'm fifteen. I'll be sixteen this month. Kind of funny-- this year has flown by!
4: Do you live on a prairie, woodland, swamp, city or other? City, dahlin.
5: Scissors or glue? Scissors are always winners with me! I used to LOVE cutting things out.
6: Describe your dream house. I seriously do not have a dream house whatsoever. I don't really care what my house is like. However, I do want to live in an orphanage one day, for some amount of time -- maybe in China or Mexico or Haiti, or wherever God would have me.
7: Is your room clean? Clean is a relative term.
8: If you could be a movie character for a day, who would you be? Definitely Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite movie!!!
9: Italy, Greece, France, Spain or England? England, of course. I'd love to go there! Although any of those would be fun, none of them are the main places that I truly want to go to.
10: What denomination are you? 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, "For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men? What after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-- as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
11: Do you sleep with a stuffed toy (BE HONEST!)? No.
12: Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans? Hum.... depends on the chocolate. If it has nuts and caramel or toffee then I'm in. But if it's just plain chocolate or has fruity stuff then there is nothing to tempt me.
13: What is your favorite book? Oh, dear. I knew this one was coming. I have so many! I love historical fiction. Some of my favorite books in the past are Elsie Dinsmore and Millie Keith and Violet Travilla books--they're so good. And I love the somewhat comical A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin, and Candle in the Darkness and Fire by Night. I also love A Case for Christmas and A Case for Easter by Lee Strobel when I'm in an investigating mood. I love Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. I like Yellow Rose Bride. I enjoy Silas Marner which we read for Lit. 10 this year. And... hum. I still haven't finished Pride and Prejudice (Sorry Haley!!) but I really want to as soon as I get back to America (I don't have access here in Japan...) because I forgot to pack it and like I said, it's my favorite movie. Ever. But anyway, although I love all these books, none of them can really compare to my very favorite book. Hands down, the winner is the Bible. No other book or writing can ever touch my heart like it has. So it wins. Definitely.
14: Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie dough and Mint Chocolate Chip.
15: If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be? Mexican. Right now, you could say for the next year and I wouldn't mind if it were Mexican food. We don't have much in Japan, so bring it on!! :)
16: What is your favorite Olympic sport? Hum-- ice skating, maybe. Or gymnastics. But I don't really watch the olympics (Except I watched some this year-- long story.)
17: If you woke up and discovered that you had turned into Miley Cyrus for the day, what would you do? Heaven forbid.
18: Describe yourself in three words. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, tall order! A sister, a friend, a Daughter of God
19: What chore do you hate? Maybe weeding? I don't know, my favorite is probably doing the dishes. But I don't know what my least favorite is.
20: If Elmo came into your room with a gun, what would you do? Gotta love THAT! haha-- I don't know. maybe call Gracie and Titus in to practice their karate on him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOH. So now I choose my victims. I mean *ahem* friends.
Yep. It's just that cool.
If you are tagged:
1. Post about the tag.
2. Pick 10 bloggers who deserve this award.
3. Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged letting them know they were awarded.
4. Answer the questions along with your post.
I've already posted about the tag. I'll do the questions next.
Ready- set- go!
1: Apples, Oranges or Bananas? I would have to say oranges. Since moving to Japan, they have become my #1 staple as far as food goes.
2: How many siblings do you have? Two comedic brothers, Matthew (11) and Titus (5) and one adorable sister, Grace (5)
3: How old are you? I'm fifteen. I'll be sixteen this month. Kind of funny-- this year has flown by!
4: Do you live on a prairie, woodland, swamp, city or other? City, dahlin.
5: Scissors or glue? Scissors are always winners with me! I used to LOVE cutting things out.
6: Describe your dream house. I seriously do not have a dream house whatsoever. I don't really care what my house is like. However, I do want to live in an orphanage one day, for some amount of time -- maybe in China or Mexico or Haiti, or wherever God would have me.
7: Is your room clean? Clean is a relative term.
8: If you could be a movie character for a day, who would you be? Definitely Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite movie!!!
9: Italy, Greece, France, Spain or England? England, of course. I'd love to go there! Although any of those would be fun, none of them are the main places that I truly want to go to.
10: What denomination are you? 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, "For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men? What after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-- as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
And 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment... Is Christ divided?
"Ephesians 4:3-6"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
As you can see, I'm not really into the whole 'denomination' thing. I believe in what the God of the Bible says. In America, and currently in Nagoya, I go to non-denominational churches (ironic, no? :) but I've also gone to Baptist and Presbyterian churches in the past.
11: Do you sleep with a stuffed toy (BE HONEST!)? No.
12: Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans? Hum.... depends on the chocolate. If it has nuts and caramel or toffee then I'm in. But if it's just plain chocolate or has fruity stuff then there is nothing to tempt me.
13: What is your favorite book? Oh, dear. I knew this one was coming. I have so many! I love historical fiction. Some of my favorite books in the past are Elsie Dinsmore and Millie Keith and Violet Travilla books--they're so good. And I love the somewhat comical A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin, and Candle in the Darkness and Fire by Night. I also love A Case for Christmas and A Case for Easter by Lee Strobel when I'm in an investigating mood. I love Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. I like Yellow Rose Bride. I enjoy Silas Marner which we read for Lit. 10 this year. And... hum. I still haven't finished Pride and Prejudice (Sorry Haley!!) but I really want to as soon as I get back to America (I don't have access here in Japan...) because I forgot to pack it and like I said, it's my favorite movie. Ever. But anyway, although I love all these books, none of them can really compare to my very favorite book. Hands down, the winner is the Bible. No other book or writing can ever touch my heart like it has. So it wins. Definitely.
14: Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie dough and Mint Chocolate Chip.
15: If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be? Mexican. Right now, you could say for the next year and I wouldn't mind if it were Mexican food. We don't have much in Japan, so bring it on!! :)
16: What is your favorite Olympic sport? Hum-- ice skating, maybe. Or gymnastics. But I don't really watch the olympics (Except I watched some this year-- long story.)
17: If you woke up and discovered that you had turned into Miley Cyrus for the day, what would you do? Heaven forbid.
18: Describe yourself in three words. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, tall order! A sister, a friend, a Daughter of God
19: What chore do you hate? Maybe weeding? I don't know, my favorite is probably doing the dishes. But I don't know what my least favorite is.
20: If Elmo came into your room with a gun, what would you do? Gotta love THAT! haha-- I don't know. maybe call Gracie and Titus in to practice their karate on him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOH. So now I choose my victims. I mean *ahem* friends.
(I'm gonna award some of you who I know have already done this, just because I feel like it. )
Kals over at "Adventures in the Life of a Daughter of Christ"
Haley over at "Singing in the Rain"
Problematic over at "It's Raining"
Hannah over at "My Book of Days"
Hannah over at "These Little Wonders"
Heidi over at "Heidi's Musings"
Hosanna over at "Hosanna's Messings"
Gray over at "The Locket"
Whoever happens to be reading this write now. If you are reading this blog post, you are tagged. It's official.
And, sorry that's only nine. Too bad. :'(
Monday, April 19, 2010
To My Best Friend
Miss Haley Christine, I just wanted to let you know that you are the greatest friend ever. I'm so happy that I know you, and your family! Some of my best memories are from being with you and Curtis, or just you, or you and anyone else! I really miss you right now, and I can't wait to see you!Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Thank you for always being there to help me up!
Because of your love of Winnie the Pooh, I think I'll quote him in conclusion.
"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." -- Winnie the Pooh
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Speech Tourny morning!
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Here are a couple of pictures from the morning of the last day at speech camp.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Meeting about Vacation Bible School
Haley, Anne, and Alyssa practing acting out the parable of the Unmerciful servant. (Alyssa was the King! Notice her crown ;)
Me. Wow that's one strange expression I've got going. it looks like I'm smiling but my head is tilted weird!!!!!!!.jpg)
The lovely miss Bobbie Jo ;) haha just kidding there's Anne DRESSED as Bobbie Jo for the skits.
The beautiful Fung sisters. Okay the reason that Alyssa is smiling and Jennine has a somewhat... worried expression is that Haley set the camera on "Smile detection" mode basically meaning that it would flash once it saw someone smile. So Jennine was waiting to smile but Alyssa smiled before her. Oops! Sorry Jennine. it's still a good picture though :).jpg)
The lovely Miss Awissa
Aww... sisters
The beautiful Anne and lovely Haley in scene two of the Unforgiving servant....
Alyssa and I reading the Pharisee and Tax collector story outloud...
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