"Thankful April" project

List #5 

So... April 30th was the last day of my "Thankful April" project. I did all 465 "thank-you"s! Can you believe it?!  Here are list #1, list #2, list #3, and list #4. It was pretty fun, though hard sometimes too. Here are the last "thank-you"s of the month. 

27) Thank you, God, for:

• reading a great book
• a great plot in it
• my two youngest brothers singing a song 
• Dad recording a skit two of my brothers did
• walking the dog
• staying home in the morning 
• writing about myself 
• some pretty quiet hours 
• writing a blog post 
• writing 
• talking with Dad about the ACT
• practicing the skit with Dad
• laughing with a brother 
• safe travel
• talking with my brother about my story a bit 
• thinking about going with the church to talk about God with strangers on Saturday 
• an interesting sermon 
• some of my family visiting my grandparents a
• God's forgiveness 
• school tomorrow 
• memorizing more of the skit
• finishing that story part of the book I was reading (haven't read acknowledgements yet) 
• talking with some siblings about Veggie Tale songs
• grapefruit 
• Mom trying on different dresses 
• finishing the dishes
• finally going to sleep

28) Thank you, God, for: 

• buying a lot of free classics 
• downloading them and a few others to my kindle 
• buying 2 free Christian books
• finding a blog showing free and cheap books
• school ending for the day
• learning about programming a bit
• getting ready for a big test tomorrow 
• hanging up my sweaters 
• writing a book review 
• wondering what will happen to the characters in the next book
• getting a new hat 
• laughing with siblings 
• completing a project  
• FINALLY showing the skit 
• doing some math problems 
• being let off doing chores 
• Mom and Dad's friend coming over
• my sisters showing a skit
• homemade subway sandwiches 
• a friend replying to what I said on Facebook 
• feeling good about my acting (though I'm sure it's not wonderful) 
• staying up later to study 
• watching our performance on video
• mostly everyone in class 
• an email to read later 
• a late but truly beautiful present 
• a Dad and Mom that love me
• a chance for Dad and Mom to go together on a trip

29) Thank you, God, for: 

• doing a test  - finally!
• the test being not too hard 
• hanging out with friends 
• missing school because of the test
• laughing with a brother 
• buying a book 
• some quite time 
• a reminder of His resurrection 
• sweets 
• typing up a book review
• looking at some blogs 
• Mom and Dad being on their trip
• Dad and Mom's friend staying with us
• picking out a movie
• warm weather 
• computer being all right for now at least 
• walking the dog with my sister 
• talking with my siblings about history 
• a great movie 
• a good translation of the original 
• Mom and Dad getting safely to their destination
• having a Skype talk with them
• dreaming of doing something with movies 
• feeling independent 
• a hot dog 
• a friend sharing what books she's waiting for
• not a lot of homework 
• finding a website that (I think) has some interesting opportunities with Christian teen fiction books 
• a writing contest entry that I'm planning on reading later

30) Thank you, God, for:

• planning stuff for next month 
• stomach feeling better
• reading a writing contest entry 
• getting to school on time 
• a pretty interesting project in geography 
• working outside a little 
• spending time with a friend 
• ice cream 
• reading a new book 
• the wedding of a teacher at school 
• three school-free days because of a holiday 
• writing "happy birthday" to a friend 
• writing a short movie review 
• interesting writing suggestion
• getting a song stuck in my head 
• doing some math problems 
• anticipating a weekend word war I hope will happen 
• waiting for a giveaway on a blog I follow
• walking the dog with a sibling and a daughter of a guest 
• a little picnic outside 
• a friend answering a message 
• listening to some Christian music 
• cross-stitching a bit 
• Dad and Mom on a trip 
• someone staying with us while they are gone
• watching Abbott and Costello videos 
• getting emails from Dad and Mom 
• chocolate 
• playing with siblings and Dad and Mom's friend
• doing this project

What have you been thankful for this month? Please share. 

He has the answers

Life is an interesting thing. It can be so… different. So confusing, stressful. And so joyful at times.

I have a lot of questions. And I don’t know all the answers. I don’t even know half of them. But I do know the One who has them. I know I've said this a lot, but it deserves to be said again and again. God is in control even when we don’t feel it, when we don’t feel Him. He is our Lord and God of the whole universe. He has always been and will always be.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

"Thankful April" project

List #4

As I mentioned on April 1st, I am trying to be thankful this month. It's really pretty cool! You can join me if you want. Here's the info about the "Thankful April" project and here's list #1, list #2 and list #3. This is my list for April 20th-26th.

20) Thank you, God, for:

• reading about His resurrection 
• sending texts to friends, teachers and relatives 
• memorizing my lines
• practicing the skit at home and in the car 
• saying "Christ is risen!" to a neighbor kid
• performing the skit 
• a new stage in church 
• more people in church than usual (I think) 
• a sermon on Mathew 27-28
• taking pictures in church a little 
• walking home from the bus stop
• ice creams on a hot day
• a beautiful dress
• continuing to read a great book
• baking a cake 
• eating the cake with family 
• watching a movie about Jesus 
• not going to school tomorrow 
• hearing two young girls (sisters) play on the  piano well 
• HIS RESURRECTION!

21) Thank you, God, for: 

• hunting for Easter eggs
• playing with my brother 
• skipping school
• getting a legal thing done faster than we thought
• watching "who's on first" and other Abbott and Costello videos 
• looking at information about colleges 
• finishing at looking at them for the day
• getting something in the mail 
• taking a bath 
• finishing homework 
• checking my results for a practice ACT-science  
• seeing that I got more than half of it 
• singing to myself 
• finishing a lesson 
• milkshakes
• new bookshelves in our room
• writing a letter 
• getting an interesting assignment 
• finishing the dishes 
• sharing food
• a chance to give tomorrow

22) Thank you, God, for:

• sorting through stuff I can give
• checking email 
• it being quieter than usual in class 
• writing an email to a friend 
• finding the "who's on first?" script 
• practicing it with my brother 
• no homework in math
• being finished with school 
• homemade chips 
• waiting for soccer 
• watching Abbott and Costello with siblings 
• finally finding scripts  
• having more time to do stuff than I thought I would have 
• soup 
• reading a winner's entry on a goteenwriters' contest 
• making an outline for my story 
• brainstorming with my sister about something she might write 
• cross-stitching
• Christian music 
• feeding my youngest brother 
• reading 
• planning something for tomorrow

23) Thank you, God, for:

• taking notes from a book
• learning about a flash fiction contest 
• being able to not skip P. E.
• a math tutorial 
• geography class ending 
• interesting discussions in biology class
• resting a little after school 
• reading an interesting blog post
• checking out a couple blogs
• reading" Who's on first?" to Mom
• dreaming about a country I'd love to be in
• learning about World Book Night
• feeling better than in the morning 
• book reviews of a friend
• memorizing a bit of "Who's on first?" with my brother 
• laughing with a classmate 
• discussing poetry with my siblings 
• Dad getting back safely
• lots and lots of new hangers
• having a writing question answered
• singing while washing dishes
• Mom (with me) driving someone to their destination  :)
• planning to hang up clothes tomorrow

24) Thank you, God, for:

• starting to hang up clothes on new hangers
• doing a hard assignment in math 
• laughing a lot with a friend 
• Dad helping me with math a bit
• playing basketball in P.E.
• writing a blog post
• sharing it
• seeing chickens running (from the window)
• getting homework done early 
• listening to Christian music while working on the computer 
• taking a typing speed test
• getting better results the second time
• spending time with my youngest  brother 
• doing an interesting project 
• finally finishing that project 
• reading an interesting blog post
• Dad and Mom leading a seminar 
• them getting back safely 
• a more or less quiet afternoon 
• sharing a friend's blog
• eating a cake my brother made
• practicing a skit with another brother 
• waiting for soccer tomorrow
• reading an interesting writing contest entry

25) Thank you, God, for:

• finishing hanging up clothes 
• being safe 
• spending time with a friend 
• a car
• looking for interesting blogs
• reading about soccer 
• scoring my practice ACT 
• watching home videos 
• taking a bath 
• reading a blog post on writing 
• dreaming about that country I'd love to be in
• writing 
• trying present tense in my story 
• learning that Dad and Mom and two of my siblings are headed back from their little trip
• a friend helping me out 
• practicing the skit with my brother 
• watching a children's movie
• an email from a friend 
• helping my youngest brother take a bath 
• no school tomorrow 
• reading a very interesting book
• God being in control over everything 
• a bed to crash in
• safe travel 
• getting a comment on my blog post

26) Thank you, God, for:

• reading about talents in the Bible
• looking at blogs
• following some of them 
• no school 
• Dad and Mom counseling someone
• making an account on a website about colleges 
• taking a few tests there 
• telling my brother some of my thoughts about maybe becoming a literary agent
• looking again at Abbott and Costello videos 
• going to the store with my brother 
• doing a bunch of math problems on my own 
• Kentucky fried chicken
• taking our time in the restaurant
• practicing skits with family 
• laughing with a brother 
• contacts 
• spending time with my youngest brother 
• reading that good book
• chocolate
• talking about books with Dad
• reading about the writer's work 
• siblings playing with balloons 
• wavy brown hair and blue eyes
• some quiet time while others watched a movie 
• buying a few classics 
• writing a blog post on family 

What have you been thankful for this week? Share in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Family

Family is an amazing thing. And I am grateful for it. I have a wonderful family with 2 parents and a lot of siblings...

So often we who have families take them for granted. Or even get tired of them. Family is this thing that should be treasured.

But God gives us something even bigger: a chance to be part if HIS family. And THAT is truly amazing and lasting. And everyone can have it.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1(NIV)

Can ministry be for everyone?

Ministry, or any work for God, can sometimes seem unreachable. Really, you might not ever become a pastor and you might have an awful voice and you might not be good with children. So what do you do?

I, for one, think that however “plain” you think yourself to be, you probably have SOMETHING. Maybe you write. Or draw. Or you love to talk. Maybe you know a lot about horses. Or you’re a nurse. Or you love soccer, I don’t know.

But whatever you are good at, it can be used. You can write stories that glorify God. You can try to capture the beauty of His world in your drawings. You can talk to others about Him. You can run a stable and talk about God there. You can nurse people to health telling them of the One that can completely heal them forever. You can play soccer and influence the guys and girls around you. Or if you’ll become a pastor or sing in the choir or lead church service that’s great too.

So think about it. God has given you your talents. Use them for Him. Or at least give it a try.


There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)

Blessings!    

Giving

I've been reading this book I have: "I Like Giving" by Brad Formsma. It talks about the joy of giving on your own account. When it's not pressure or nudges or hints that get you to give, but something from within. A desire to give. A love for giving in small and big things.

I'll post a longer book review when I'm finished, but I wanted to share this with you. I need help in this department. I don't give much. Yet... But with the help of God, I want to be more spontaneous, consistent and unpredictable in my giving. I want to WANT to give because it helps others. And because it brings glory to my God.


Do you?

"Thankful April" project

List #3

As I mentioned on April 1st, I am trying to be thankful this month. It's really pretty cool! You can join me if you want. Here's the info about the "Thankful April" project and here's list #1 and list #2. This is my list for April 13th-19th.

13) Thank you, God, for:

• organizing some information I have from a book about colleges 
• walking the dog with a brother 
• posting on the blog
• a sermon that made me think 
• finishing the great book I was reading!
• buying the second book in the trilogy 
• cross-stitching for about half an hour
• reading a book on the joy of giving
• reading about soccer rules
• not going to school
• restricting myself from almost all internet on Sundays 
• reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice 
• dinner at Subway

14) Thank you, God, for:

• posting a book review 
• doing a small online test
• an email from a friend
• sending that friend a birthday present 
• learning a bit about programming 
• finally finishing my homework!
• writing my story a little 
• talking more about homeschooling with Dad
• making a little agreement with my sister 
• seeing friends' prom pictures 
• practicing a little for that big test 
• cleaning up instead of someone today so he will do it on Wednesday instead of me
• getting some stuff off my to-do list
• Dad and Mom getting some building in

15) Thank you, God, for:

• my brother finding my contacts that I lost
• having a test on World War II in history 
• safety
• reading to and playing with a younger brother 
• a piece of cake and a can of soda 
• an easy math lesson
• a small show in school 
• starting to read a new book 
• my brother learning simple magic tricks
• Dad planning to buy a history book for next year 
• walking a bit after school with a friend
• doing math by myself for a while
• a friend's birthday tomorrow 
• an acquantince's birthday today
• reading a blog post on writing

16) Thank you, God, for:

• a chance to get a free book for a review 
• a friend's birthday 
• another easy math lesson
• having a fun time in P.E. 
• reading the Bible 
• Christian music!
• an idea for my story
• sending a letter to my grandparents 
• cross-stitching
• understanding the few first lines of a song 
• working on math a little 
• dreaming of playing soccer (hopefully tomorrow)
• Dad working on the vestibule 
• looking up books on acting
• paying off a small debt I had 
• consulting Mom if I should get a book

17) Thank you, God, for:

• school finally ending
• reciting a poem in class 
• playing volleyball in P. E.
• talking with Dad
• having homework done early
• thinking about buying a book on acting 
• knowing that I got some answers right on a test we had last Saturday 
• French toast
• an interesting topic in math
• playing soccer!
• getting chores done pretty early 
• my youngest brother speaking more and more (I think) 
• looking at a website about colleges a bit
• a fairly understandable physics lesson
• interesting math problems after school
• a blog post by Nancy Rue
• the Last Supper

18) Thank you, God, for:

• playing soccer a wee little bit 
• reading a sample of a book I might buy
• trying a practice ACT-science
• learning I have much to learn in science 
• finishing a tiring chapter in social studies 
• finally finishing homework 
• answering a friend's emails 
• planning to play soccer tomorrow 
• someone agreeing that soccer is the best sport 
• planning an after-the-school-year party (a little)
• mom playing with most of my siblings 
• Pride and Prejudice 
• a brother having chicken pox (better early than late)
• writing out something for my story 
• talking with Dad a little 
• warm weather 
• reading the Bible as a family 
• JESUS DYING FOR ME!

19) Thank you, God, for:

• playing soccer with family and some younger kids at school 
• an interesting history lesson
• picking up stuff with classmates 
• breakfast burrito 
• being 16 years and 1 month old
• finding a beautiful song on the internet
• reading an email from my grandparents 
• writing them back
• talking a little with my brother 
• my mom writing up a skit to perform tomorrow 
• preparing that skit 
• commenting on a blog post about writing and having it answered 
• planning on baking some tomorrow 
• a new arrangement in our room
• beginnings of a closet
• icecream that's shared 
• not losing my contacts
• sharing one of my book reviews on Facebook
• knowing the meaning of Easter

What have you been thankful for this week? Share in the comments. I'd love to hear from you. 

He is not dead

Yesterday was Good Friday. Yesterday so many years ago Jesus was crucified. For God's glory. And to save us.

Tomorrow is Easter. Tomorrow so many years ago Jesus rose. To God's glory.

Jesus is our Lord, Lord Almighty. He is the Messiah, the Christ. Praise be to the living God!


Listen to "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher. Beautiful song. 

He will make a way

He will make a way by Kathy Troccoli is an encouraging song. Here are the lyrics. 

He makes a way even when we think there is none. Glory to our God!

Easter is coming up

Easter is coming up. This was Jesus's last week on earth. This week Jesus died. On Sunday He rose. This is the BIGGEST news ever. This is what forever changed history. People were changed, nations were changed - because of this great news. It is and always will be amazing. Jesus died for us. He rose. We need to share this news.

Anomaly by Krista McGee

There was a nuclear war. The Scientists were the only people who survived it. They were sure emotions were the reason for it, so they carefully constructed their new world to be emotionless. Just productive.

But Thalli is an anomaly. She FEELS. And if her secret is revealed she will be annihilated...

Typical Thalli: I know my malformation goes far beyond a sickness of the body. My mind is sick, my heart is sick. But I will never tell. Because, if I am perfectly honest, I like my sickness.

I loved Anomaly! Krista McGee is a brilliant author. The story world was well constructed, the plot twists in this book completely unpredictable (and numerous).That made the story so exciting. I just get used to one reality and then Thalli's world is turned inside out again. Both Thalli and Berk are characters I loved getting to know.

Generally, I don't read futuristic books, but this book proves that they can be great. I recommend this to all Christian teens and adults who want something that's out of this world, but still Christ-based.

For more on Krista McGee visit her blog and facebook page.

"Thankful April" project

List #2

As I mentioned on April 1st, I am trying to be thankful this month. It's really pretty cool! You can join me if you want. Here's the info about the "Thankful April" project and here's list #1. This is my list for April 6th-12th.

6) Thank you, God, for:

• Jesus dying for me
• playing with my family
• reading a GREAT book with awesome plot twists 
• a devotional by Nancy Rue
• reading the book of Daniel (with study notes)
• a guest pastor at church

7) Thank you, God, for:

• writing more than 1000 words
• connecting with other writers 
• a friend at school 
• some farely quiet time at home
• a cake made by my younger brother 
• writing a letter to my grandparents 
• getting homework done early

8) Thank you, God, for:

• doing a bunch of math problems
• peaking from time to time at a kids' movie during the time I planned to do other stuff
• being almost done reading a great book
• learning about the World War II in history
• m&ms
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
• reciting a short poem in class 
• talking about Christian YA books a bit on Facebook 

9) Thank you, God, for:

• listening to Christian music
• cross-stitching a bit 
• getting better (?) at volleyball 
• writing some in the morning 
• making plans for a new closet 
• contacts 
• gathering with the family for dinner 
• finally finishing the dishes
• learning that a friend won a pretty big giveaway 

10) Thank you, God, for:

• laughing with a friend 
• practicing some for the ACT 
• watching a pretty interesting movie
• learning that I won't have a test in language tomorrow 
• looking at some homeschooling books and stuff on the internet 
• a sick brother maybe feeling a bit better
• parents' safe return home from work
• reading an interesting poem in literature 
• Easter coming up
• WANTING to play volleyball

11) Thank you, God, for:

• doing some pretty hard math problems with my tutor 
• getting ready for a big test 
• doing biology homework early 
• eating a cake with family
• reading Wordsmith (a book on writing)
• getting an e-mail from a far-away friend
• a thought that friend said that made me think a bit
• reading a post on GoTeenWriters (a great blog)
• putting both contacts on without mom's help 
• a trip to a nearby town
• Dad and Mom getting bikes from the repair shop

12) Thank you, God, for:

• much needed (though sometimes not much wanted) tutoring in math 
• ice skating for a bit more than an hour
• ice cream after ice skating 
• making a friend
• being tired and then getting refreshed 
• a practice test for the big test we have
• finishing that practice test!
• drawing 
• messing up a few times in volleyball, but also getting it right sometimes 
• seeing a teacher from school with her soon-to-be husband 
• Dad quizzing us a little at the dinner table
• burritos for dinner

What have you been thankful for? Share in the comments or post a link to your blog (if you have one, of course). I'd love to hear from you.

To-do lists

Generally, I think I like to-do lists. They have me doing a bunch of stuff I might not do otherwise and with probably less distractions. I also like beating my to-do lists (meaning getting them done faster than I planned). That feels great.

But to-do lists need LIMITS. I myself are not limitless and my to-do list needs to reflect that. That is a problem with me. Fridays and Saturdays used to be free from anything big after school and I planned a lot of things there. But now I go to my tutor to study math for a big test. I do OK myself, but to do that test great I need to study. So, that takes time. But did I change my to-do list? Yeah right. I try and get it done anyway and have all these things left for Monday and probably Tuesday. Which gives me something to strive to beat, but then, as I said, I have limits. Sometimes it leaves me just feeling incapable or something.

So... Do you have that sort of problem? God gave us time and it's a remarkable thing. But planning way too much way too often really isn't good. Leave your thoughts in the comments. :)

God's purpose for you

Hi, all! Check out Relevant Magazine's post about knowing God's purpose for your life.

Really, God's mission is SO much bigger than ours. And God has us where we are for a reason. We might not have all the answers, but we can know and serve the God who does.

P. S. Join me in beings thankful this month with the "Thankful April" project. You can start any time you want.

More fellowship

This weekend I joined in for a word war on GoTeenWriters. It’s basically 2 or more people setting an amount of time to write (like 15-20 minutes or something) and then seeing who has written the most words. This word war was all weekend!!! I really enjoyed being able to connect with other writers out there as well as writing itself. It was fun to see that even though we were all so different, we had something in common.  

I think there should be more stuff like that for us Christians. I'm not at all saying that we don’t interact or anything. I'm just saying we could get together more and that way there’d be so much more encouragement. We are all very different but if we have something in common: faith. And that should draw us closer despite the differences.

How about you? Do you have any ideas on more fellowship opportunities for Christian teens? 

"Thankful April" project

List #1

As I mentioned on April 1st, I am trying to be thankful this month. It's really pretty cool! You can join me if you want. Here's the info about the "Thankful April" project. This is my list for April 1st-5th.

1) Thank you, God, for

• anniversaries of any kind

2) Thank you, God, for:

• playing volleyball in PE
• plot twists in a book 

3) Thank you, God, for:

• a trip to town
• talking with Dad about college
• learning more about soccer rules

4) Thank you, God, for:

• writing almost 500 words in a day
• driving to a nearby town with a friend
• a chandelier and ceiling in the playroom 
• a math tutorial

5) Thank you, God, for:

• parents who don't drink
• a movie about the Great Depression 
• a talk with Dad about some homeschooling stuff we might do next year
• some ideas for a family-and friends party when school's out
• having to sweep the vestibule only every other day

What have you been thankful for? Share in the comments or post a link to you blog (if you have one, of course). I'd love to hear from you. 

Cry out to Jesus

"Cry out to Jesus" is a beautiful song by Third Day. Here are the lyrics

There IS hope. And that's such a relief. Jesus is always there. He is always ready to hear out all our problems. Thank you, Lord!

We are all so different....

 Just look around you. There are so many people everywhere. And they're all different. Each and every one of the kids, teens, and adults out there is different. They have their own talents, habits, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, dreams.

 And that is beyond cool. That is amazing. How wonderfully God has made us! He has such a grand imagination to make us all so unique. Praise the Lord!

 How about you? Do you find it amazing how different we all are? What are some of the special things God has given you?

What's with this generation?

Have you ever heard an adult (anywhere from 25-125 years old) say something like this: “Just look at this generation. Clicking constantly on their little iPods and iPads and iPhones on a something called Facebook. We didn’t have an iThingy or a Facebook when we were kids. What is this world coming to?”  Well, maybe not exactly that, but it seems like skepticism to the younger generations comes with age. Parents do it. Grandparents do it. Teachers do it. It’s frustrating sometimes. Like really, was absolutely everything better and spotless and perfect when they were kids? I don’t think so.  

But I think it just comes naturally. Probably the ones giving us a hard time now got a hard time themselves when they were teens. :) The mind is interesting – it doesn’t remember everything. (And that’s good, really.) So, the adults that say that everything was so much better 10 or 30 or 50 years ago don’t really remember the bad parts too well. We won’t remember everything either. Just imagine, 50 years from now (if the world’s still here and we’re still alive) this just might come out of your mouth: “Just look at this generation. Flying here and there on their little helicopters. In my day we had cars. And we were glad and we appreciated it when we had cars. Not like you – taking this all for granted. What is this world coming to?” :)

So…  All my little chatter up there didn’t solve the problem, did it? We might understand them better, but that doesn’t make them stop doing it, does it? There is something we can do about it, though. Consider this: 

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12

If we, the teens, do that maybe some of the adults will stop and say “Hey… Maybe this generation isn’t that bad after all.” Wouldn’t that be cool? We can at least try.