You may be thinking..the harmless factor, what is the world is that? One of my former teachers, Matt Harmless, was up for a visit today. He moved down to South Carolina in June of this year. It was a bittersweet occasion..on the one hand, it was great to see him and his wife, but on the other, I knew it would be over all too quickly. See, Mr. Harmless was my hero in a sense of the word..I used to love to sit and listen to him tell story after story from his highschool days. He had such a passion about what he was saying. But more then that, He had a real desire to meet his students where they were. He didn’t expect us to be super-Godly, 100% perfect angels. He knew we were sinners and were prone to mess up now and then. He realized we just needed someone to come alongside and say, “hey, you can do..it’s just gonna take one step at a time.” I remember countless times I would sit on his barstool and pour out my latest troubles. I came to really admire and respect him-as a father, a husband, and a teacher. And then he moved..and I realized that as I look back over my highschool years-that single day when the moving truck pulled out will forever remain etched in my mind. I remember the conversation, the tears, the questions. I remember thinking how could it be. But I remembered that God had a plan and He still has a plan-even though there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t walk by his room for nostalgia sake. I’m sure the teacher the occupies it now wonders why I do it.. So Mr. Harmless..thank you! I hope our paths continue to cross and I embark on a new chapter. You and your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Just a thought..

Amanda

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Biscotti Brain

Today is my 18th birthday. I have officially entered adulthood-the stage I shall remain in till I die. Having a birthday so close to Christmas proves great in December and a bit sad in June-which I think would be the ideal month for a birthday. I have learned though that I can make twice as long of a Christmas list-that is until this year. 2004 has proven to have a lot of new beginnings in it. My dad lost his job and found a new one. My mom went to school, got a job, quit, and got another job. My brother started at Harrison. And I started my final year of highschool. Quite the happenings around here. Due to numerous factors, we just aren’t able to have the big Christmas I know my parents want to provide for us. But it has given me lots of things to think about. One thing is just how life is about relationships, not things. It’s the people around you that make life great-not the stuff in your closet. As I think of going away to college, the thought of leaving my friends is so sad to me..I can leave my room, my things..but leaving my friends is a whole harder thing. Another I have learned is how we are all in the same boat. Just when I think I am the only one struggling with something, God brings a friend along to comfort and encourage me. Kelly, Angela, and Chelsie-you guys are the best! Thanks for being there through all this..and for sharing with me.. I think though one of the biggest things I have realized is how amazing my God is. He gave up heaven. A place I can’t even imagine..to come to earth and be poor..he didn’t have a home or any earthly belongings..but he was motivated by love. Love for me. That is a thought I can’t get my mind around. I can be sad because we don’t have a Christmas tree or because I will have fewer presents to unwrap..but I have something to open, and I have a roof over my head and an overabundance as it is. Take some time this season to think about Christ and what He gave up. Can you sacrifice something little for Him?

Just a thought..

Amanda

I have decided I love bookstores and coffee shops! They are some of my favorite places. Probably because I love to read and I love to drink coffee. They are also great date spots..not that I ever have any dates or have any control over where I go..but if I ever do, I will put my two-sense in! LOL 🙂 all that to say..I love bookstores and coffee shops and am at a loss for what else to say..

Just a thought..

Amanda

Ever feel like you try so hard and then in one moment all the effort is reduced to a pile of nothing? Ever wondered why you are doing what you are doing? That’s kinda how I’ve felt lately. I have really been working on my spiritual life. Something happened a few weeks ago that showed some things I needed to address. I realized I was not heading the direction I wanted to be. With God’s help I have worked at slowly going about solving them. But then, in one moment-I feel like it was pointless. I know it wasn’t..but it seems like my faults are broadcasted on a big screen while my victories are ignored. God knows me better though. He knows I would rather work for man’s praise then God’s. And I think that is why this keeps coming into my life. And I honestly think, until I learn the lesson, I am going to keep struggling with this. So I am going to work on it. And while my friends may only be able to point out the things I’m doing wrong, my God in heaven sees my triumphs. I should be working for future reward not earthly reward.

Just a thought..

Amanda

I got the urge to write in my blog. I really didn’t have a specific thought in mind, I just wanted to write. So here I am. Forgive my ramblings. Life has been trying lately. Cheerleading has started which always provides ample opportunities to grow in my walk with God. Sadly, I have failed several tests as of late. But by God’s grace I will succeed. I have also realized how fulfulling life can be. Sometimes I think we get stuck in a bubble of our Christian sphere. Life really is enjoyable! It is worth living and it is worth living to it’s fullest. Yes, sometimes the decisions my school makes frustrates me. But God didn’t say life would be good when I agreed with everything. He said it would be good. And it is! So good! I have the best friends and I keep making new ones! It seems like Lafayette keeps getting smaller. And beyond that, I have an awesome school and a God that you cannot compare with anything on earth! I can’t wait for heaven. As much as I love life, Heaven is going to be beyond words! I can’t imagine spending my day just worshipping God..it’s going to be so cool! Let’s see..I should probably go study Calculus..I’ll write more later when I have some connecting thoughts in my head. Love you all!

I’m out..

Amanda

I do everything on impulse. That’s the way I am. I cut my hair on impulse. I shop on impulse. I eat on impulse. I color my hair on impulse. I treat relationships with impulse. (You could probably more biblically say I live by my current mood/feelings) Growing up, I think this pattern of impulse was ingrained into me. It seems like I make rash, hasty decisions all the time, and am then left to clean up the mess after the fact. God has shown me how much this “living on impulse” has impacted my spiritual life. My devotions are sporadic, my prayer time sporadic. It’s like most other things I do-some days I feel inspired to do them, some days I don’t. I know, over and over, the bible talks about not living by our feelings, but that is by far one of the hardest things to do. How do you put what you know over what you feel? I have been trying so hard to do my devotions every day, but I’m lost and frustrated-two things which make me then not want to do them. So on days I feel like doing them, I do. And on days I don’t, well..I don’t. 🙁 It’s my sinful nature coming on strong. I am working on curbing it-curbing that desire to do whatever I feel like doing..but I have realized that apart from God I can do nothing. Apart from His love and His grace-I will never change. And apart from His pushing and trials, I will never grow into the piece of pottery He intends for me to be. So I am going to work on not living on impulse so much. Taking my time and thinking about things before I do them..because sometimes even the most trivial things turn out wrong..like my purple hair:) And I don’t want an impulse decision to turn into a negative life-changing decision..

7th Grade..

I will never forget that year..

So many memories..so many laughs..and so many tears..

We won everything..anyone remember our breakfast at burger King? And spirit week..beating the 8th grade was so much fun. Snow Heim and the 7th grade dwarfs…:)

How about the rotating row? What a creative person Mr. Heim is..and he was the coolest class sponsor..

And Brittany’s outbreak..I love you girl..what a long way we’ve come!

Remember those science classes and the flagella~

How about there only being like 15 odd of us..bible all together with Mr. Heim..every class was with Mrs. Smith or Mr. Heim..in two different rooms..

how about locker buddies? putt-putt golf partes?

WINK-EM-we have to bring that back..one last time..:)

And the list could go on and on..(for those of you not around in 7th grade, sorry for all that) Hard to believe we are seniors now..6 years later its cool to look back and see how far we’ve come. And I can’t wait to see how far our class goes..God has truely blessed us all..I pray that each of us continue to trust in God in every area of our lives. Thanks for being such great friends and for all the memories..you guys rock!

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go into medicine. First I wanted to be a doctor, and then a nurse. So I applied for college and to nursing but..I keep having doubts. I’ve been torn up inside over it for the past few months..Honestly, ever since I found out I was going to have to get my blood drawn.. I’m terrified of needles. Plain and simple-the thought of them makes me shudder. But is it enough to make me re-think a whole career? I really want to say no..I know the answer is no..but it doesn’t help calm my nerves. It’s ridiculous-I wish I could tell my brain to shut up and stop thinking about it..it’s years away. Think about..I’m reconsidering a career choice because in two years I might have to get my blood drawn once? ok..so I’m a retard..and I’m really not going to change my mind..I don’t even want to start on what else I could do..so I will stick with nursing..and pray really hard that God gives me peace over the decision.

just some random thoughts..

Amanda