a friend that's gone

Yesterday I found out that a friend of mine and my brother’s had died. He attempted to swim across a river and ended up drowning. They were searching for his body and just found it. When I first heard that he was missing and then later when it was confirmed that he had died I was in shock. It was kind of crazy to think back and remember that not long ago we were in school and everything was fine and now he’s gone. I’ve never really lost anyone that I was close too and just knowing that he wasn’t that much older than me made death more of a reality. In my head I knew it could happen, but now it’s so much more real. It’s a sobering thought, but it’s so important to be ready to go at any time...

"That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:31

summer

My summer has definitely not gone as I planned--which isn't bad, I've had alot of fun. I thought I was going to get a car and a job and just start adjusting to that before I start college. As it turns out... that didn't happen. My three day trip to Pennsylvania to see a friend graduate turned into a two month visit. Along with spending time with some friends I haven't seen in awhile I've been helping take care of my nephew Dillon. He hasn't had regular night nurses so I've been sleeping in his room and waking up with him whenever he needs suctioned or fed, then I can sleep during the day if he had a bad night. I'm headed back home on July 25th so I'm trying to enjoy my visit here as much as possible before it's over!

one thing i would tell you

If I only had one song that I could sing you—
Or story I could tell before I leave
If I only had one message I could bring you
There’s no question it would be
About the cross—about the blood—
About the place I found God’s mercy and love
And although it’s bittersweet remembering the cost
There’s something beautiful about the cross

I could sing about the state of grace I live in
Or the peace and joy I have when times are tough
I could sing of all the blessings I’ve been given
But in the end, my life is just about the cross
About the cross—about the blood—
About the place I found God’s mercy and love
And although it’s bittersweet remembering the cost
There’s something beautiful about the cross

Two thousand years ago if I had watched him die
I think I would have lost all hope—demanded to know why
But now I know the cost means everything
And it’s the greatest honor to sing
About the cross—about the blood—
About the place I found God’s mercy and love
And although it’s bittersweet remembering the cost
There’s something beautiful about the cross

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
‘Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it someday for a crown—
There’s something beautiful about the cross

graduation

The day finally came--I graduated!! I'm excited to be done with high school and I can't wait to see what God has for me in the future. The night I graduated was amazing. It was great to have all my family and close friends there with me. I'm definately going to miss all my friends from school--especially my senior class. I honestly think we have the best class and I hope we all can stay close to each other and most of all to God.

2008 Calvary Christian School Graduating Class

missions conference

Last week we had our missions conference. Out of all the special meetings that we have at church I'd have to say that missions conference is the best. This year we had three different missionaries and their families. They are going to Peru, South Korea, and Arctic Canada. It's always fun to have the missionaries over for a meal and to get to know them better. We're getting ready to take down the decorations and posters that were put up for the conference, but I wish we could leave them up longer. There are so many posters that we have up with great quotes about missions. I wrote a couple of them down (well, I guess more than a couple. ;o)...but you won't be disappointed if you take the time to read them.

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply" -- Hudson Taylor

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him" -- Hudson Taylor

"The Great Commision is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" -- Hudson Taylor

"If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for China" -- Hudson Taylor

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." -- Hudson Taylor

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God" -- William Carey

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" -- Jim Elliot,

"In the vast plain to the north I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been" --Robert Moffat

"Sympathy is no substitute for action." -- David Livingstone

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." --C.T. Studd

"No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once." -- Oswald J. Smith

"We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first." -- Oswald J. Smith

"If God calls you to be a missionary, don't stoop to be a king" -- Jordan Grooms

"In our lifetime, wouldn't it be sad if we spent more time washing dishes or swatting flies or mowing the yard or watching television than praying for world missions?" -- Dave Davidson

"No reserves. No retreats. No regrets" --William Borden"The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time" -- Carl F. H. Henry

"Go, send, or disobey." -- John Piper

"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." -- Amy Carmichael

"The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity." -- Mike Stachura

"To stay here and disobey God -- I can't afford to take the consequence." -- Amanda Berry Smith

promise scholarship

I've been praying about God's will for me for a long time. I was wavering back and forth about whether I should go to Bible college somewhere or if I should go to Fairmont State University. FSU is really close to my house, but I just wasn't completely sure I should go there. Anyways, there was this scholarship available in WV that would cover 2 to 4 years of schooling completely. I didn't think I could get it, but I applied anyways and prayed that if God wanted me to stay here in WV that he would provide that for me. Long story short---I ended up getting the scholarship! Of course this is a huge blessing to me. I haven't been able to work a job throughout high school so I was needing a miracle to pay for college...and God provided it!

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Phil 4:19

national competition

The competition was incredible and very challenging. Over 2,000 kids were there from 37 states. No one from our school placed, but I think we were just all glad to be a part of the competition. After all the kids from our school had competed, we walked around campus and found things to do. I ended up going to an adolescent psychology class, which turned out to be somewhat interesting---I'd have to say that going to the snack shop was a better use of my time though. ;o)

here's a picture of me and some girls from my school that went...