BEACH 2011!

Have you ever had a weekend that totaly blew you away? One that you are pretty sure you will remember forever and ever? Well... I had one just this weekend! Wow! Amazing people, amazing camp, amazing weather, amazing worship... really amazing worship, and all for ONE AMAZING AMAZING GOD!!!

Our Youth Group went to Dunes Beach Bible Camp this weekend and it was unbelievable.  We were literally RIGHT next to the beach, and had gorgeous weather... not a cloud in the sky!!! The people in my youth group are so fun. They encourage me to walk closer to Christ, they make me laugh, they are easy to talk to, and they are in love with their Savior.  I really couldnt ask for a better group of brothers and sisters in Christ.  I didnt know what it ment to have brothers and sisters in Christ until I started coming to Westwood Baptist Church.  To have a family there that loves me and cares about me and encourages me... It is really a gift.  And one I will never take lightly!

Our topic for the weekend was obedience.  How to obey God, and what steps that requires.  It was challenging, and extremely convicting. It streches me a lot to think about stuff like that, just letting God take it all and being obedient to whatever He calls me to do. Thats a scary thought... But step by step I am starting to get it. So thankful for a patient God.

ANYWAYS! Now, for the pictures... and trust me... there are LOTS of them!

Me, Jessica, and Halle!

You know when you dig yourself into the sand and you get really short? yea.... Its quite entertaining.... So weird to look eye to eye with someone who is usually a good 7 inches taller then you

Ive got GIANT friends... no biggie...

Ryan is super tall usually... BUT NOT RIGHT NOW!

So fun to get to know this girl... Melanie! Loved getting to see what Christ is doing in her life...

For all you Lame-O freaks who dont have a life... This is a Potato gun. You put a potato in it, and shoot it. Dumb? Yes. Pointless? Yes. Able to fill HOURS with lots of fun and laughter? YES!

So weird to be taller...

Ok, This picture could go down as one of my all time favorites.  I was ready for the pictures... Jake was not. He did not mean to make this face, yet it is the best face ever... Cracks me up

These girls rock... Couldnt ask for better Christian friends...

This is basically my other half. You find her... you find me.

If you dont know Alli... your life has not yet begun. What an amazing girl!

We are rebelious and sit on the roof

Can we please take a moment and look at how DROP DEAD GORGEOUS Maddie is...

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Thank you

CAR RIDES CON MI AMIGA MADDIE!

I like having a friend that is 6'1" so I can get piggy back rides!

Thank you GOD!

Another picture taken on accident that makes me LAUGH! Oh Jason...

We also had the great chance to baptize people! Megan, Becca, and Ed. These 3 people have totally turned their life around for Christ.  I have gotten to see God work so powerfully in their lives and it is the most encouraging thing ever! THANK YOU GOD!

Oh... and we had a wedding... Ya know. 2 of our leaders got married this weekend! They have been engaged for over a year and thought it would be fun to do over our retrete. The wedding was so "them" and so cute. Very fun to be a part of!

Thank you God for an amazing weekend that really brought me closer to YOU!

I Dont Really Know...

I dont really know what to say. But I do know that I should blog.

I dont really know why Washington has such sad weather in may. But I do know that I have loved these sunny days.

I dont really know what God is going to do through me and my team for my missions trip. But I do know I am excited.

I dont really know why teachers give out homework. But I do know that I hate it.

I dont really know what Maddie's score at districts was. But I do know that I am so proud of her that she made it.

I dont really know how to play tennis. But I am so happy for Alli that she made it to state for tennis!!

I dont really know how Jake is so good at golf. But I do know that he will do great at state this week.

I dont really know why God has given me such amazing encouraging friends. But I do know that they are a huge blessing to me.

I dont know why school cant just end. But I do know that I am so excited for summer.

I dont know how on earth how I have eaten so much today. But I know that all of it was delcious

I dont know what God will teach me next weekend. But I know that I am PUMPED for Beach retreat next week!

I dont really know a lot about anything... But I do know that my God has complete control over it. 

And that is the most comforting thing I can think of...

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Just watch...




Here is the speech:

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

Just a trip to Tolmie...

It was sunny... a rare sight here in Washington. Annie needed a walk. I have a license. I have a sister. I have a coat. There was an available car. There was time... Yes... it was time for a trip to Tolmie... Get on those rain boots Emily, and grab the leash! Lets go!

In case you didnt know, Tolmie State Park is just a few minutes from my house and is one of my favorite places to be. It has these amazing trails through the woods and God really gets to show off His artistic side. Really, its gorgeous there.

Emily and It took Annie for a 3 mile walk through some muddy woods and had a total blast! A dog, a sister, and some gorgeous trails... Hmmm... yes please! Now just excuse the bad cellphone camera quality!

My Maddie....

This is my Maddie. Not your Maddie... My Maddie. That's the name my family has given her.  When she walks in the door, my mom will proudly declare... "My Maddie is here!" Maddie is my best friend.  She makes me laugh... more then most people can in their whole life time.  She knows me inside out. She challenges me to grow in my relationship with Christ. She makes coming to school worth it (not even kidding).

I remember before I came to High School, I prayed asking God for just one friend that was a Christian.  Just one. And look! God gave me Maddie! She is really the coolest girl I know. I love her to pieces. So much so, that she deserves her own post about her.  I mean, come on... how many people are lucky enough to get a friend like her? She deals with my stupidity, my bad days, my stupid jokes that aren't funny... Shes awesome.

 One thing I love most about Maddie is how we both have the same sense of humor. We can make each other laugh so hard, its kinda scary actually (and hairy... that's a joke only Maddie will get). You put Maddie and I together for more then 5 minutes and we are both crying because we are laughing so hard. And, every conversation we have has something to do with an inside joke. I'm not kidding you!

  And, Maddie loves Christ. Her encouragement and love for her Savior helps and encourages me.  We pray together and go to church together, and will actually be going on a missions trip this summer together.  God has really blessed me with a friend like her. She rocks my socks.

I LOVE YOU MADDIE!

Just Chillin'

I love golf, I really do. Especially the people in it. Sarah and Maddie are my two buddies through golf. And we are weird on the course, pretty sure we break the whole "prim and proper" rules of golf. We laugh, and joke, and today, we just decided to lay on the greens. There was no one behind us, we were tired, and it looked comfortable. So... why not?