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I Had an Old Box…(ec)
I Had an Old Box…(ec)
I had an old box, it was an refrigerator box-one of those really big ones! I guess maybe it wasn’t really really old, but it was from our new refrigerator and I got this brilliant idea to turn it into a house. So in the middle of my living room I cut and colored and added fabric to turn that old box into a wonderful house. I could stand up in it..but I could crawl around and I was little so it didn’t bother me. I loved that house..I played in it for many days. But it was cardboard and eventually it was falling apart and my mom put it in the trash. It was a sad day..I loved that box. So many memories! Maybe someday I’ll get another big box-I wonder what I would make out of that one?!:)
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Relationships
Relationships
Relationships are a huge part of life. Perhaps that is why God devoted most of the New Testament to talking about them. But why are they also often the source of trials and hardship. God has been teaching me a lot lately about what’s important in life. I am so quick to look out for #1 and forget that there are other people in my life. Sadly, my family usually gets the short end of the stick too. I was reading in my devotions last night, and I decided to read Psalms. I love that book, and I love how often David cries out to God. I realized that I often get so worked up with my schedule and my busyness that I forget about the people around me. I forget about serving them and being interested in their lives. I hold things against them and seem to think they are there to serve me, not vice-a-versa. I seem to always be asking God’s forgiveness-sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything right, but I am continually being reminded of God’s amazing grace and His never-ending forgiveness. How much I need it! So, goal one of the rest of the year-people! First, my family, since lately they have been getting less and less of my time. And then the people around me. I’m not going to hold past things against them. Even if that means I have to forgive them everyday and pray for them every time I pass them. It’s so hard to hold something against someone when you are praying for them. One of my teachers talked today about Christ coming back and it reminded me of the brevity of life. Who knows how long I have left, but I want to reach as many people as I can while I’m on earth. Thanks to all those who have not given up on me even when I was rude or hard to get along with. I am so appreciative of my friends and my school. I pray that you all finish strong. There isn’t much left, but it isn’t over yet either. You can still have an impact-the only choice is-will it be positive or negative?
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Spring Break (ec)
Spring Break (ec)
I fell in love- in love with New York City! It was so much fun. My mom and I went to visit her best friend who lives in Queens, NY-one of the burrows of NYC. We spent two days shopping in Manhattan! Talk about fun. We walked up and down 5th ave-going in and out of all the fancy shops that the stars shop at. We went to Trump Tower-that was cool. The man is mega rich..you can tell by His building-everything is Trump this or Trump that. Hum..I don’t want to bore you all too much so let’s see. We spent part of a day in Chinatown-I got some experience haggling the shop owners:). The last night, we went todinner in Little Italy-it was like being in a different country. Oh, and for those of you who have seen Save the Last Dance or know my fascination with ballet-I got to go to Julliard! Oh, we went to Live with Regis and Kelly-but Kelly was gone:( However, Jay Leno was there, and he is very funny. As was Billy Joel and part of the cast from Movin’ Out on Broadway. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. People watching is the best there..I loved just walking around and looking at the big buildings and all the people. It looks just like the movies:) Well-I’ll let you all go now. Thanks for listening to me ramble on about New York. I did many other things and had a blast! I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break!
I’m out-
Amanda
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Attitude Adjustment
Attitude Adjustment
I hate those two words..I usually associate them with words like heart issue. But lately, God has shown me that I need an attitude adjustment. As I have posted on before, we are reading through the book A Purpose Driven Life. And this past week, one of the chapters was entitled “What Matters Most”. The answer was relationships. And I agree..which is where my need for an attitude change comes in. Right now, more then anything, I want to get away. I’m sick of dealing with people, I’m sick of immature humans who won’t let things die, I’m sick of paying attention in my classes, I’m sick of people who think it is their places to point out every one of my faults, and I’m sick of people who seem to always be complaining about the school. (although, I’m not claiming to be perfect in any of those areas, or to be above doing those things..I know I’m not) But God brought a verse to my mind the past week-I think it’s in Matthew. But it says, “I tell you, if you hate your brother in your heart, you are committing murder towards him.” Talk about a powerful verse. Now, I don’t have this long list of people I hate, but sadly, there are a small few on that list-sometimes they come and go, and sometimes they stay on there for long times. It’s wrong. That’s the simplest way to put it. My attitude is wrong. If relationships and people are most important, I shouldn’t be sick of them. and I shouldn’t hate anyone. So now comes the attitude adjustment. I need to view people as humans to be loved..not people there to serve me, or to make my life all fine and dandy. Yeah..they can be extremely frustrating..and sometimes they seem to have this innate ability to push you to your last nerve. But Christ died for them too. And He endured far worse suffering then I ever have or will. One of my teachers prayed today that those who needed an attitude adjustment would do that..and I am one of those people. As hard as it is going to be, and as long as it might take..I am going to work at changing my attitude. I am going to work at loving everyone in my life. Like Proverbs says, “A Soft answer turns away wrath.” I’m so quick to bite back or get defensive..but that is not what the bible commands us to do. God tells us to turn the other cheek. So..I’m starting day one of my attitude adjustment plan. I don’t know where it’s going to go-but I know it’s the right thing to do and I know it is pleasing to my God.
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The Friday Five
The Friday Five
Because I think Mr. Harmless is super cool and because I want to branch out in my blogging..I’m joining him in the Friday Five.
Although this week and next will be a little late..sorry! Perhaps more of you will join..if not enjoy reading!:)
If you…
1. …owned a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve?
I would serve Italian food. I love pasta and my relatives are Italian so it sorta seems natural. Other then that I don’t have much other reasons.
2. …owned a small store, what kind of merchandise would you sell?
Clothing for the girl going to a Christian school. I hate shopping for school clothes, junior/senior dresses, etc. It is getting harder and harder so I would open a store that sold long enough shirts, pants that weren’t skin tight, and prom dresses with 2 inch straps:)
3. …wrote a book, what genre would it be?
Romance. I have read very few of them in my life, but I have my ideas of what the perfect romance would be like. All I have to do is put it in writing. I have also always wanted to write a book about my grandfather..He has a fascinating life-so I guess that would go in the biography genre.
4. …ran a school, what would you teach?
Hum..if it was a Christian school I would teach bible. I always enjoyed my bible classes and would love to teach others about God’s word. I also think it would be fun to teach a science. I’m a bit of a nerd that loves science.:)
5. …recorded an album, what kind of music would be on it?
Ha-me sing?! well, it would never happen, but in my dreams it would be Christian music full of praise to God. I love praise and worship music, so it would probably have a lot of that on there.
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Thoughtful
Ever feel like giving up? Throwing in the towel and quitting? Sadly, those were exactly my feelings as this cheerleading season came to a close. I was literally counting down the hours until it would all be over. Although the season started out great, it slowly went downhill and came to the point where I dreaded it. I’m not saying I had the right attitude, because looking back I don’t think I did..but that was my attitude. Lately though, God has been showing me how even things like cheerleading, and maybe especially things like cheerleading bring out character and serve as countless learning and growing opportunities.
But on to the point of this blog. Just as I thought no one cared, people were perhaps nice about cheerleading..but seldom was anyone encouraging..it was always, well I like you..it’s just the cheerleading. While I appreciated those comments, I was ready to come to a day where I wouldn’t have to get out and cheer in front of a less then inviting crowd. And come it did-the season was over. I breathed a huge sigh of relief, and looked forward to moving on. But then came the awards banquet, they would honor the cheerleaders and well, I was not so much looking forward to it. But I knew I had to go. Little did I know it would make the whole season worth it. I am so thankful for all the lessons I learned, but right now I have to say I am the most thankful to the varsity guys. All through the season, whether they wanted to or not, they were encouraging us. Thanking us for cheering after most games and occasionally telling us we did a good job!:) Tonight they had gifts for all of us..it was nothing big, but it was so thoughtful and much appreciated. They didn’t have to do anything..but they did. And for this cheerleader that made everything seem a little better. Maybe the crowd will never warm up to us..perhaps people will always dislike cheerleaders. But the varsity guys at least said they were appreciative of us. And since our purpose is to cheer them on, that’s a very good thing. So to all the varsity guys-thank you! Thanks for being an encouragement and an example. Thanks for your attitudes on and off the court. Thanks for your support even though having cheerleaders was probably not high on your list of things you wanted this year. You’ll never know how much your kind words meant. Look forward to cheering you on nextyear-hopefully cheering you on to win state! *Josh, Justin, Harley, and Amanda-you will be missed greatly!* Thanks again!
I’m out,
Amanda
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My Dream Profession-extra credit
My Dream Profession-extra credit
I have always wanted to be a fashion merchandiser. They are the people that travel to all the fashion shows and purchase styles for companies to sell. Ever wondered why stores sell certain things and not others? That’s where a fashion merchandiser comes in. It’s not very practical for having a family due to all the travel. But I think it would be the coolest job. They make really good money too-especially if you work for a company that is full of money. Just think, you would have the power to choose what a company sells and what they don’t. And since I love to shop, it sounds even more interesting. So I dream about it, and eventually come back to reality and realize that I want a family and I don’t always want to be traveling overseas and to every fashion show my company sends me to. It’s still my dream profession, but it probably won’t ever become a reality!:)
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What’s up ya’ll?
I changed my skin and my name-got bored with the old look!
Just want to wish everyone preparing for FABA good luck! It’s stressful, but it’ll all be over soon and hopefully we will come out ahead again!:) Only a week and 2 days till spring break! How cool is that!
Well, I must be going..my mom is calling! Write later..Have a great day everyone!
I’m out..
Amanda
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Prayer Request
Prayer Request
I have a request to make of all those who read my blog. Will you take a minute and pray for my family? My dad lost his job today and life all of a sudden turned into a big question mark. Thankfully, God has a perfect plan in all this and He will work it out to our good, however, sometimes even though that is true, it is hard to accept and believe. Especially admist trials. So I would appreciate your prayers. Thanks
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Wow..
I have the best friends! They are some of the most amazing, funny, Godly people I have ever met! And the bell is going to ring in about 5 minutes so I’m going to go..write later!