2009 in Review

I stole this idea from Dana. She's done it for the past couple of years.

What did you do in 2009 that you've never done before? Chemistry, got to go all over New England, experienced many things that I can't remember right now and lots more.

Did you keep your New Year's resolution and will you make one for this year? No. Probably not.

Did anyone close to you give birth? No, but my two cousins are going to have kids soon

Did anyone close to you die? Thank goodness, no.

What countries did you visit? Middle Earth, Paris, The land of Oz, England, and many other countries

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory? March 18th or something like that, New Year's Eve, different nights driving with Hannah, lunch times with Madi, Alex, Anna, and Margret, and lots of others

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Wisdom, and whole lot more trust.

What's your biggest achievement this year? hmmm, well that would be bragging wouldn't it? Well, I would have to say that I'm still alive.

Biggest failure? doubting

Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, I got to go to the ER in Boston because I smashed my hand in between a truss stack and a door frame. That was fun.

What was the last thing you bought? Food of some kind I think

Whose behavior merited celebration? Anna, Elizabeth, Dana, Hannah,

Where did most of your money go? Shining Light, Starbucks, Shining Light, gifts

What did you really get excited about? The fact that I'm close to getting my permit, getting a fluffy chair and several pillows, Shining Light tour, seeing Elizabeth, and having Dana and Hannah home

What song will remind you of 2009? "Never let Go" by Matt Redman, , Um whatever songs Hannah and I would listen to on the radio

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier. Much happier.

What do you wish you'd done more of? Journaling, keeping my room clean

What do you wish you'd done less of? loosing my cool

What was your favorite TV show? Top Chef, The Amazing Race

What was the best book you read? my answer is, do you want me to pick a favorite star in the heavens? I have several!

What was your best musical discovery? Owl City, Skillet

What did you want and got? Pens, Cd's, clothes, Starbucks, a good first half of the school year

What movies did you see in cinema? Race to Witch Mountain, and probably others but I can't think of them.

What did you do on your birthday? How old did you turn? I don't think I did much and I turned 15

What one thing would have made this year more satisfying? If I had a better start of the year.

How would you describe your personal fashion? My own. Not much change and I'm happy with it for now

What kept you sane? friends in general, and books, and the book of Proverbs

Who was the best new person you met? Worldview staff, Worldview small group people, and new Shining Light people

What was a valuable lesson you've learned? Romans 11:18 "...If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you."

Fans

While checking my news feed on facebook, I see that many people becoming fans of what ever it is they are becoming fans of. So it got me to thinking, what am I a fan of? Well here are some of my answers:

I am a fan of taking walks in the rain with an umbrella.

I am a fan of dreaming while I'm sleeping.

I am a fan of the book of Proverbs.

I am a fan of reading Harry Potter after lunch with Jen, Isaac and Mom.

I am a fan of Dana and Hannah coming home.

I am a fan of Shining Light and how well the new people are adjusting.

I am a fan of "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" (come see it on Nov. 20th!)

I am a fan of God's patience.

I am a fan of the feeling you get once you finish a really good book.

I am a fan of reading a really good book.

I am a fan of clean rooms.

I am a fan of Thanksgiving!!!

I am a fan of watching how God provides.

I am a fan of not having Chemistry lab this week.

I am a fan of watching movies.

I am a fan of eating good food with fun people.

I am a fan of... listening to music while doing school.

I am a fan of friends and family.

What are you a fan of?

Funny story plus news

This Afternoon: When Dad calls Mom's cell phone, the phone usually says that his number is restricted. So, I assumed that it was him. I pick up the phone and said "Hey dad, here is mom." Low and behold, it was not dad. It was the doctors office reminding mom of an appointment for someone. (I dug myself a hole after that)

That is the only funny stories I have right now.

Nothing much has happened to me. Since Dana and Hannah have left, I have now become the oldest. I hate it. There was a reason that God made me the middle child. He knew it would suit me. But I guess being the oldest is a growing experience too. And, I don't have any exact reason why I dislike it. I just don't.

On top of that, I miss Dana and Hannah dreadfully. The house seems empty without them. And I miss Hannah driving me to places. Good times. I can't wait for them to come home (and no it is not just because I don't like being the oldest. ).

CHESS is being... well... CHESS. French I absolutely adore. American Lit is AMAZING. But Chemistry... (pause with roll of eyes) well lets just say that it is NOT going to be my favorite subject anytime soon. But besides that, CHESS is going pretty well so far.

Co-op is just a blast! We are doing The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood as a drama this year. YEAH!!!!!!!! Our cast is a good one. Come and see it on Nov. 20th.

Shining Light is good (what else would it be). Penelope joined (: and that is very exciting. I love the songs we are doing and the first show is coming up.

That is about it. I told you nothing much has been happening. Just chugging along as best as I can.

You Raise me Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3pF6YPxGEw&feature=related

Here we go again...

I wrote most of this yesterday night but didn't have time to put it up until now.

I'm sorry I haven't written. It is now the night before the first day of CHESS. Tomorrow will be my fifth first day. Where did all of that time go?

I know... I know. I know where it went.

It first went to prisons and long bus rides with long hours with the Shining Light people. That consisted of going to many state facilities all over New England, eating cafeteria food, and trying lobster for the first time. I also got to go for the ER for the first time in my life after I smooshed my hand in between a cart and a door frame (really stupid of me). But most importantly, I saw God's beauty and work in many people's lives (including my own.).

Then it went to sitting in a cold chapel at Lancaster Bible Collage. There I learned a lot about many things including wisdom, worldviews, and the arts. IT also included skittles, M&M's, friends and creaming my voice out encouraging the red team to try to win the wonder of all wonders...

THE SPAMLEY CUP

The majority of the remaining time was doing random things with random people. Things like these:

. going to see Jen in "The Wiz"

. reading several books, but not as many as I had wished to

. hanging out with friends

. and the thing that I did most of all- hanging out with my family.

The last two weeks of the summer were the saddest. I said good-bye. First, it was Dana. She left for collage earlier than she had expected. Then came Hannah. I miss both of them. Even though I like having a get away, I still would much rather have them home.

Now, I have said good-bye to summer and the lazy days that came with it. School has come back from vacation. Who know what's going to happen this time around.

Good luck!

Time, oh how it flew

My, how time flies. Last night was Youth group at Graybill's again. As I was riding in the car with Hannah, I remembered last year's Grabills. I remembered Hannah saying how it was her last Graybills as apart of youth group. It was very depressing.

But so much happened within the two Graybill's. Hannah and I joined Shining Light (and met some of the best people in the world), Dana got a boyfriend (who is coming today!!!!!), Elizabeth moved, and somehow I managed with God's strength when I didn't have any.

So much learning and epiphanies one can have in just one year. So many new experiences and people for one to enjoy. All of that can happen in such short of time. What could happen next... that is up to God. But we can be excited because his plans "are to prosper you and not to harm you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Anticipation

I love being able to look forward to fun things. These next couple of weeks for example. On Sunday I looked forward to a day with Penelope at Hershey Park. It was a blast. We rode rides (What else is there to do? [No, I did not go on the Great Bear]), ate subway and funnel fries (sooo good!!!) and snuck "Bob" onto the roller coasters.

Today, I can look forward to seeing Elizabeth in her new house. I shall be with her until Thursday afternoon. (Sigh) I can't wait. Seeing her will great. We both have a lot of talking to do because we will solve all the world's problems whilst there.

Then after that. Dana and Daniel come!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to have them here again. Watching Daniel pick on Dana is so much fun.

Daniel will be here for a week and then will leave. Dana, three days after he leaves will leave for school. Then, Hannah will leave for school too. Soon after, or even before Hannah leaves, I will be starting school too. Eww. Don't want to think about it. So, I will just enjoy looking forward to the rest of my summer.