The Road Less Traveled

how the story unfolds

2010-06-29T15:36:00.010-04:00

Ever had to do something you were not so fond of? Today I was not so excited to go to a youth field day that was scheduled. Sports typically aren't my thing, besides soccer. So I went with the intentions to sit and chill. The youth at the host church were so great! We hit it off right away. The first game we did was ultimate Frisbee. I've heard of it, but didn't think it was for me. Ha, was I wrong! I had a blast, and my team won both times we played to 15. The idea of the game is to advance the Frisbee down the field to your goal, except once you get the Frisbee you have to stop and throw it at the spot. What I would give for instant replay. After that we went inside to the wonderful air conditioning and ate watermelon. After that we played pool and Dance Dance Revolution. Anyway I had a great time and were planning to have the same youth over at our church really soon.

I'm so excited about next Thursday! Eclipse comes out tomorrow at midnight. I went and saw new moon at midnight, but my parents didn't like how late it was. So I have my tickets for Thursday at 7:15. It is going to be so epic. I was one of those people who read twilight before it got popular. I hate how when something gets this popular some people blow it off. It really is a great book series that I recommend to anyone. From the previews that I have seen it is going to be amazing. I know Victoria's actor, Rachelle Lefevre, was replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard. So I'm excited to see how she does. Eclipse is my second favorite book in the series. I personally can't wait to see when Bella dumps Jacob. I am more on the vampire side, so yea Team Edward!

I'm actually about to go do a photo shoot that is themed about eclipse. I think I'm going to paint a ribbon across my face. For my flickr of course! Link is to your right I believe. I will probably upload it tomorrow sometime, but most likely I'll post it here too.

Listen to: Airplanes by B.O.B

Seek and you will find, they say

2010-06-28T07:59:00.011-04:00

Wow I'm actually posting regularlly now, miracles do happen. So homecoming was yesterday at our church. I believe it's the one hundred and twenty-second homecoming since our church has been standing. Yea it's ancient. God has really blessed our church in so many ways. The sermon was about us as christians being aliens in this world. It was really good and quite stiring.

So yesterday I kidnapped my bestfriend, not really, and we hung our for a while. I took a quick picture of her ^. She is just such a great model. We have done a few photo shoots together, and she never dissappoints me. A pretty odd thing about that is the fact that every time we take pictures we see snakes. I think our count now is 3 snakes. I absolutely loathe snakes. They for real freak me out, and somehow everytime we do a photoshoot we come extremely close to some, I mean extremely close! But besides that we always have a blast. Lacey is my bestfriend and she is so special and talented. She really has what they call a servant's heart. She gives and gives without even thinking of her self. She would go to the ends of the earth to please someone. She really is the kindest person I know and I hope that never changes.

So yeserday I did the most hillarious thing! My mom has this christian walk video for in home walking. I did it with her and it was so much fun. I have never done cardio or anything, but it was pretty cool. That probably sounds so lame, but it wasn't.

^ So you may be wondering why my brother is in the middle of this page. I took some pics of my mom in front of our church yesterday, and managed to snap a few of him as well. I really like how it turned out. He can be pretty photogenic at times.

Today at twelve we have the food distribution at our church. It's kinda like a food bank thing. About two hundred people, that are qualified, sign up for this. It really is fun helping people that need it. The prison team actually helps us and they do an amazing job. I really am looking forward to it today. I think this is the type of thing that stores us up treasure in heaven. This is the type of thing that will last forever. It really is an amazing ministry that God has blessed.

I am so ready for my mother to get home today! My camera died yeserday, apparently I take to many picture. Were getting rechargable ones this time so I won't have to worry about it for a while.

Listen to desperate: fireflight

Thoughtful Battlefields

2010-06-26T15:11:00.003-04:00

heres a verse I have been memorizing.( trying to start scripture memory, good habits)

No man should say God is tempting me, because God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he temp anyone. But each is corrupted by his on evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has concieved it gives birth to sin and sin, when full grown, gives birth to death

James 1:13-15

So anyway today God spoke to me and said that he placed weaknesses in each of our lives so we could over come them, with his help, and give him the glory. That's what this verse kinda means to me.

Anyway so that really spoke to me today, just thought I would share that.

I booked another photoshoot with a friend of mine this friday. Hope it goes well:D

new photo, called I was born into a world of imaginary friends

Stranded

2010-06-25T22:40:00.003-04:00

So today was quite.........interesting. I expected to come back and blog about a fun, hilarious, frikkin awesome tubing trip down the Etchetucknee river. But sadly I will not be blogging about that.

On the way up to our "epic adventure" our bus started having problems. We were almost in Florida at the time. So we pulled over to a convenient auto repair shop and was told it wouldn't take more than an hour, okay no big deal. So we went ahead and had lunch at dairy queen, that was joined onto a souvenir/ gas station. Turns out they couldn't fix it until Monday! So we walked around the gas station for about 3 hours! It was blazing hot outside so we were trapped. We finally just resulted into laying on the floor in the back of the store, and we probably spent over $10.00 on the claw machine for entertainment!

But through it all we had fun, and maybe God allowed us to break down, because we might have been in an accident if we kept going. You never know what the lord is up to?!

I did this photo to show just how hobo-like and desperate we all felt. ha a humbling experience for sure!

Long time no blog

2010-06-24T19:56:00.003-04:00

So I have finally got to posting again. I revamped my blog, thanks to my mom. I'm good with computers, but was totally lost when it came to blogger. So I'm gonna try and post regularly from now on. This will be all over the place, but you have missed a lot.

I have been so busy with my photography for one. I am so much better than I used to be. I thank God for giving me the passion and ability to do so. I'll be sure to post my photos occasionally.

I just got back from Global Youth Ministries Camp in Laguna Beach. It was so amazing! I really got so much closer to God. He convicted me of tons of things I needed to change. He showed me how to be a leader. Our youth group had an amazing experience, particularly the worship. A lot of barriers were broken down and we just let go and praised God for who he is. The fire kinda died down from last years camp, but it up and high now. We plan to keep it that way too! We have so much planned to do in our community and our school to give the people who are searching for something the thing they really need. Jesus Christ. No doubt about it, we all have a hole that we can't fill, a longing that really can hurt sometimes, and makes us who we are. That void can only be filled by Jesus Christ! So you'll be hearing a lot about that process!

I have also decided to start photo shoots this summer! I couldn't get a job, no tears there, so I need money if I plan to be a teenager and stuff. Hahaha. I drive now, that's new! I really grown up so much and I can't wait to fill you all in on the amazing roller coaster of an experience it has been( and still continues)

So until then, Later :) God Bless!

2010!

2010-03-29T18:27:00.002-04:00

wow! It's been almost a year since I have been on blogger. So much has changed. I'm almost finished with my sophmore year! Summer is all I can think about. I have allot planned; A youth camp @ Laguna Beach, a mission trip with my parents to Oklahoma, another trip to the beach for a wedding. There will probably be tons more, perhaps I'll update occasionally. So until then.......

These simple truths...

2009-11-03T21:44:00.005-05:00

Recently, my mom showed me a song entitled The words I would say. It is a beautiful song that really spoke to me.

If we were face to face,I'd tell you just what you mean to me,

I'd tell you these simple truths,Be strong in the Lord and,Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,Forgive and forget,But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

These are the words I would say,

This song really lifted me up that day, from the pit I felt trapped in. I loved the lyrics, because I felt they applied to me. I hope you feel the truth in them as much as I do.

I also learned something this week from my pastor's sermon. He said Misery is optional.

I used to feel like I had to feel absolutely terrible in order to be forgiven from my sins. I was shocked to be told that you don't have to go through misery. Wallowing in self pity is strictly a choice. God wants you to be hopeful, thankful, and joyful when you are forgiven. He loves you and without a doubt he is faithful and just to forgive us.

Love the lord your God with

all your soul,

with all your mind, and

with all your strength.

getting to know the real God....

2009-10-18T19:31:00.003-04:00

Well today was great. After rereading The Shack, I realized that when I prayed, I was praying to thin air. I didn't picture talking to God like we should. I realized that God is actually there. I felt like a had seen him for the first time. Like a song says, I fell harder than the first time. All through out today I was aware of God beside me. In church I imagined God walking among our congregation reading people's hearts. I pictured him laughing at the jokes made and smiling at our praise to him. I feel like I understand God a little bit more, but I will never fully understand him. NEVER! God is so amazing:) I love him even more now and am so lucky to have him as my best friend. Its amazes me how he, the creator of the flippin universe, cares the slightest bit about me. But he does! He cares about every breath I take and every move I make. Lol. I know, that was cheesy. Haha. But he really does care. He loves us that much. Knowing he is there makes it that much easier to live for him. I love him and am so proud to call him my savior!

Wrapped in a fog of alienation.....

2009-10-08T17:02:00.006-04:00

Ever thought someone was your friend, then they turned their back on you? ever had someone who was all smiles and laughs until you let your guard down and they stabbed you in the back? From experience I've learned your lucky if you have one true friend. A true friend to me is someone you can confide in. A true friend is the first person you go to with a problem. They're always there and never let you down. That's no saying you want get in fights here and there, but a true friend is quick to forgive. Nothing tests a "friendship" like danger. If someone is not your friend they won't think twice about ditching you in the face of danger. A true friend stays with you through the thick and thin.

My issue is that I'll trust anyone. I've been hurt a number of times by so called "friends" that I trusted. A true friend isn't interested in what they get out of your friendship. Trust is something someone should earn. Being gullible doesn't work, trust me.

The saying about true friends being hard to find is quite true. I'm lucky enough to have a few true friends that I know would never turn their back on me, and for that I'm thankful.

When I was younger.....

2009-09-26T16:25:00.008-04:00

Today I had the pleasure of tagging along with my mom to an interview for the paper. My mom was interviewing Mrs. Betty brown and her son about Mashburn & Fitzgerald, the store they own. So I got to be my mom's photographer today. Mashburn & Fitzgerald is currently a hardware store, where you can by household items, tools, etc. The building, the store is located in, is around a hundred years old. It was really cool. The store was really booming back in the day. hahaha. Anyway, the most interesting part of the trip was the interview. Mrs. Betty Brown is the sweetest lady I have ever met. She told me about what things were like when she was my age. It was really quite interesting. She, unlike allot of older seniors, can appeal to young people. Listening to her made me realize just how much our world has changed. Back then everything was easier. They're were fewer weirdos running around. Lol. It was like being taken back in time as I listened to Mrs. Betty tell me about her childhood and what Rochelle was like in her days. I find that a great deal of wisdom can be learned from people like her. Listening to senior citizens could very well help todays generation from making mistakes that have already been made before. Just because somethings older doesn't mean you can't learn from it.

(Mrs. Betty and her son Royal)

Your resentment is delicious.

2009-09-24T16:30:00.003-04:00

This new show called Glee is amazing! I love it. It comes on at 9:00 on Wednesdays on ABC Family. It a really great show about a Glee club, obviously. The cheer leading coach, Sue, hates Glee and does everything in her power to get rid of it. The kids in Glee are considered losers and are the outcast of the social crowd, but all of them joined Glee wanting to be somebody. The characters in Glee club range from football players to a black girl with a killer voice. Its also a really funny show. I almost died laughing when the football players busted out doing single ladies at a Friday night game. L.MF.O. So anyway I give this show five stars and recommend you watch it. It's Great!

If looks could kill....

2009-09-18T16:18:00.003-04:00

If looks could kill, there would be some casualties at the moment. I'm not one to get mad, but when I do my bark is as dangerous as my bite. Well enough about me.

Actually my title is mores than a quote, it's a fact. Today people are obsessed with their looks. I know, glass houses. I'm just as bad. The fact is looks have become so important it's actually killing us. Whether it's Botox, teeth whitening, hair cuts, plastic surgery, or diet plans. Humans as a whole, focus on their flaws, and try to perfect them. There is no telling how many of suicides are caused by not reaching perfection. I honestly feel sorry for celebrities, who have to look perfect or risk rejection. "Looks" today are the furthest thing from natural as they could be. You have to have flawless skin, beautiful hair, designer clothes, and perfect teeth. Then people get disappointed when they can't reach perfection in any of those areas. We put allot of energy into making sure the outside looks good when we should be focusing on the inside. If we put that much energy into task like saving natural resources, discovering the cure for cancer, or having a relationship with Jesus Christ, the world would be a much better place.

By no means am I saying looks don't matter. I would be lying if I said that. I just mean they shouldn't be so important that they're killing us!

Brush up on your history......

2009-09-03T16:51:00.003-04:00

Today in history we studied the Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae. If you have ever seen the movie 300 you're ahead of the game. If not don't sweat it. Basically the Spartans were at war with the Persians. Even though they were greatly outnumbered, the Spartans fought bravely and fought to the death. Some happy ending right? Even though they were killed, they provided the other city-states time to prepare their forces. The Spartans sacrifice helped Greek city-states defeat the Persians. Well enough of the history lesson. Something I thought about was how our life is like a Spartan war. Sometimes we feel outnumbered or trapped. Life's hard. Sometimes we feel surrounded like the Spartans were. There are so many traps we face in life. But on the bright side, all we have to do is call out to God to help us. He'll defeat any foe, problem, sin, or complication in your life. With God on your side, I believe you have the upper hand. I mean he's only the creator of the world and of you! Trust him and your problems of this world will grow strangely dim.

Language without love is just noise

2009-08-30T14:00:00.004-04:00

What is love? How many times a day do you here I love you? Today's world has polluted love into nothing but lust. We think it's love but it isn't. We can't full understand love. It's impossible to understand the bond between a mother and her child. It's impossible to fathom the love a father has for his daughter. It most certainly is hard to understand God's love for us. GOD IS LOVE. In 1 Corinthians it describes love in many words.

Love is patient.

Love is kind. It does not envy,

it does not boast. It is

not proud. It is not

rude,

it is not self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no

record of wrongs.

Love does not delight

in evil but rejoices with truth.

It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

Oh, by the way. this is a new photo i did called Eat your heart out.

All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest

2009-08-28T16:03:00.006-04:00

He said. She said. They said. Gossip. Gossip hurts. Today I got my share of gossip. Gossip spreads like wild fire, and is today's language. Everything on the news is gossip. Pretty much all teenage conversations are gossip. It's impossible to avoid. I have to try really hard not to judge someone by what someone else says. I try only to believe what I see with my own eyes. Gossip can ruin a friendship faster than a cheetah on cocaine! Well thankfully I took care of the problem. The best way to avoid gossip is not to spread it or listen to it. What's weird is how much faster gossip spreads than any other news. You never see anything good about celebs. It's always who's pregnant and who's broken up. Same thing on the news. There's hardly any good news! It's always about the economy, murders, conspiracy, etc. The good news is that there is good news. And that's what I am called to spread as a born again christian. THE GOOD NEWS

Paint the town

2009-08-25T17:51:00.003-04:00

Well I'm thinking about trying out for One act play at my school. Allot of my friends do it and say it's a blast. Even if you don't get a roll, you can do stage crew. It only last for about a month, so what have i got to loose? I'm not much of an actor, but I'll give it a try. I can just see it. Ill pass out from stage fright! I did do a few plays in elementary school. Maybe I won't be horrible. It'll give us some laughs anyway. My friend Sam is the one who convinced me to do it. Oh! She told me the funniest joke today. I just had to share it. L.M.F.O.

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.
"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents."
Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: 'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!"

Chills.........

2009-08-23T15:47:00.005-04:00

Quarantine. I loved this movie. It's about a fire department and a reporter that get trapped in an apartment building. A person that had been in the attic developed a virus that spread by getting into your bloodstream. Basically ZOMBIES!The movie was film left behind by the reporter and film crew. In the end everyone dies! I was so freaked out. Especially when the zombie girl took a bite out of her mom! It was so creepy! ugh! Chills. Anyway, it was a really good movie that I recommend watching, if you like getting scared.

The unborn. I've heard allot about this movie and was excited about watching it. Going to my grandmas was the perfect opportunity to watch it. Every time I go to my grandmas I watched movies, tons and tons of movies. The Unborn was a really creepy movie. It was about a demon that was haunting this girl. The demon was in between worlds and could only come to earth in the body of another. The demon possessed people around the girl in an attempt to isolate her. in the end she defeated the demon by reciting God's word. On the bad side she lost all her friends to the demon. All in all it was a pretty good movie.

Music is love in a word<3

2009-08-18T18:27:00.003-04:00

Music- an organized sound. Music is more than that to me. Music is free, and passionate. It doesn't have to be organized or even make since. it just needs to be an expression of yourself.

To me music is an escape. Anytime I can depend on music. If I want to dance around, music's there. If I want to cry, music's there. Music is God's gift to us. It's another way to worship him. you know the goosebumps feeling you here a powerful song? That's God. Music is meant to lift you up. It's meant to help you forget your troubles and praise God. If you know me, then you know I love all types of music. everything doesn't have to be christian. By know means am I approving inappropriate music. Music has many sides like a more expressive side. The more soft side to music includes softer and more heart felt lyrics. With all the music out there it's hard to know what to listen to, but that's what makes it fun. :)

Discernment..

2009-08-17T17:32:00.007-04:00

This Sunday I found out what discernment means, at least from a christian perspective. To discern God is to understand his plan for you. Wow I doubt anyone knows God's complete plan for their life. We're not supposed to. We might understand a little, but we will never fully understand God. It would literally blow our mind! We couldn't discern it. God is to powerful for us to understand his ways. It's a little scary giving him complete control over your life, but he created you right? So, he made you for something. Why not let him show you? It's a whole lot easier than fighting him. Trust God! I could learn something from this as well. Giving god the steering will is better than doing things "your way". Trust me you'll hit so many dead ends without God. It's so much easier with him on our side. So let's give God the benefit of the doubt, and let him show us what he has in store for us. I promise if you let him, he will bless you so much!

Raining on my parade.

2009-08-16T21:24:00.005-04:00

It's still raining. Gosh! who called a monsoon? Ha. I think I might do an anti-rain dance. Rain is a pet peeve of mine. Yea I know, I'm weird. I know we need rain, but it causes allot of problems, which i won't go on and on about. Basically it bumbs me out. Although I hate rain, it does provide intersting pictures. So it's not all bad.

This world has nothing for me.....

2009-08-16T17:14:00.006-04:00

Well today at church two of my friends got baptised. They were saved at Youth Week west, which I previously talked about. It's been hard for them, coming home to all their previous friends. It's really hard to stay "changed" when your back in your comfort zone. I just pray they will stick to their decision. Walking the walk is harder than talking the talk. Sorry, I couldn't get a really good pic. I had to pull my phone out in church to take a pic. I felt really awkward. Lol. Phones and church do not mix. How can you be touched by God if your in another conversation? Phones bring the outside world in the church. It should be the exact opposite. The church should take things to the world. When I'm in church I try to forget the outside world, and give God the time he deserves. Isn't that the point of worship? It's about God and not you. That is our purpose on earth, to worship God. That's really hard for me. My selfish side wants it to be about what I get out of it, but it's not. IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST! We are blessed so we can bless others. That's our job.

Anyway, Lacey is on the left, and Crystal on the right. random fact: Our baptismal pool is heated. I thought that was cool. A hot tub in the church. lol. That's just food for thought.

Rainy day, pankakes, popcorn, and a vampire-flick

2009-08-15T17:05:00.004-04:00

Well this photo was easier than the last. Haha. Inside pictures are so much easier, but outside ones are, for the most part, better. It raining outside. Ugh! I hate rain! Me and mom are about to have pancakes. When I was little I called them "Panny Cakes". Lol. How embarrassing, but I don't care. Childhood memories are the best. Then we'll probably watch a flick. Probably Twilight! Best movie ever! I cannot wait for New Moon to come out. My best friend hates it, but I'm going to have to convince her to give it a chance. I know if she watched it she would love it. she says vampires creep her out. Ha.

Just a blur....

2009-08-14T21:24:00.006-04:00

I just took this photo and it took forever! Would you believe me if I told you I carried a chair half a mile to take this? I really am in need of a tripod. I could have done a ground shot but I didn't want to. You'll find it surprising I have put my camera in trees to take a picture before. Ha. I practically had to bush whack my way to this meadow that is down the road from my house! Who knew a chair could be such a bother? By the time I got home I was dripping sweat and ready to burn the forest! I hope it was worth it.

P.S. A friend of mine told me something I feel applies to this picture very well. One side is settled and the other is searching. Wow! That really describes me in a nutshell

Brush strokes

2009-08-14T18:20:00.004-04:00

Today me and some of my friends from Y-Club started a mural at our school. Oh! I mean Patriots for Christ. We changed the name. Still haven't gotten used to it. Anyway, we primed the wall today and are suppose to actually paint it sometime next week. We used a retro projector, which is probably from the stone age, to get the image and then traced it on the walls. The primer was really sticky and is hard to get off. So thanks to Lacey, who painted the smiley face on my arm above, I will have to scrub for an hour to be clean. Hahaha. Some people say our mural was sideways, but if it is people can just turn their heads sideways. While we were painting we discussed music. Everything from how slipknot scares me to how perverted lady Gaga is. Speaking of music, I heard "Love drunk" by Boys Like Girls today. It's an awesome song that I can't get out of my head. I used to be love drunk, but now I'm hung over. I'll love ya forever! The mural should be done sometime next week. So when it's done I'll post a pic.

Oink! oink!

2009-08-13T15:58:00.003-04:00

Well today we had a note sent home from school about, of course, the swine flu. There is actually two confirmed cases @ a school not far from where I live. It trips me out how this originated from pigs! From the very animal that we make bacon from comes an epidimec. This disease is spreading far and wide. I believe it started in Mexico, correct me if I'm wrong. Doctors strongly advise you to stay home if you have symptoms like fever, runny nose, soar throat, and coughing. Actually, my throat is kinda soar. Great! I'm getting swine flu. Quarintine! I just got this mental image of doctors locking me in a plastic bubbe. Wow. Lol jk. Although it's kinda funny, it's really serious. This disease is spreading really fast and is highly contagious. the disease isn't spread by pigs, like most people think. It is a respiratory disease of pigs that somehow affected humans. So if you have a pet pig, your fine. i saw this image and just had to post it. L.M.F.O.

Heart of stone

2009-08-12T16:37:00.007-04:00

Life is beautiful. Life sucks. Life is full of accomplishments. Life is full of false hopes. Life is a gift. Life is a curse. However you perspective, life has it's ups and downs. Somedays are totally bliss, and others you feel like your a waste of space. If your anything like me you feel like your just taking up space allot. Lately I have realized that it is simply a longing in your heart. You dont feel like you are fulfilling your purpose. What is our purpose? What is our life about? These are very common questions that everyone ask at some point in there life. If you havn't discovered your purpose yet, it's closer than you think. Actually, it's a "he". Jesus Christ. That longing is simply the empty space inside of you. You can try to fill it with other things like money, fame, and friends. Only Jesus can fill that hole. If you dont believe me try and fill it. You may fill it, but it won't last. The only person that will fill that empty space completely died on a cross for the sins of the world. Having a relationship with him is the only thing that isn't temporary. Everything else is temporary, but God never changes. Life is nothing but a test of faith, refining you for what your meant to be.

The Last Sin Eater

2009-08-11T18:59:00.004-04:00

This is a book I'm recently reading and in the very first pages is a quote I just had to share.

Tears do no good

some pain is just too deep.

Grief cant't be dissolved like

washing dust off

a roof.

Sorrow knows nowashing away.

No easing. No end of time.

It's a little depressing but still beautiful:')

Take Notes

2009-08-11T18:21:00.004-04:00

Here is a new picture i just did. It's called Post it monster. It's made of simply 4 sticky notes and tape. It's inspired by Mitchell Davis, who came up with the idea of sticking post its on your face. I wonder how bored he was when he invented it. Ha. But I'm glad he did, because it's super rad. Mitchell Davis is a insanely funny comedian. He has the coolest hair, just saying Hahaha. Check out his videos on YouTube. One of my favorites is "Meezy". L.M.F.O! He is hilarious! He takes the stupidest stuff and makes it roll in the floor funny :D.

2009-08-10T19:55:00.005-04:00

This is my attempt @ Alex Evans photography. I can't compare though. Alex Evans is an amazing photographer! He has really cool ideas and is fairly famous in the photography world. He has this really cool clothing line called So Impolite, which is rad.Check out his blog at http://www.alexevans.net/. He is really talented!

What's going on?

2009-08-10T16:47:00.004-04:00

Well I am going to attempt to update you on everything that has happened lately. Don't feel bad if you get confused, I do too. Hahaha. Anyway this is a pic i took yesterday. I love it! (A little blurry) Just thought I'd show you fellow bloggers.

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This morning my mother, who I love to death, went to do a commercial! Today she is expected to do a commercial, interview, and a photoshoot! I wanted to go so bad, but alas i have school. Ugh! Anyway, it's possible she will be on a billboard! wow that's an akward situation to picture. Your riding down the road with your friends and someone says, " Isn't that your mom Dillan?". Wow talk about wierd. Your mom on a giant billboard. hahaha. If that happened my I wouldn't let my mom hear the end of it. Hahaha.

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Oh yea, I almost forgot. my youth pastor, which is amazing, just had an addition to his family. Mrs. Terri, his wife, gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. They named her Mollie Elizabeth:) How awesome is that?

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Another thing is I made it through my first week of school!!!!! Yes. Only like a hundred eighty days till summer again. But I'm not ready for summer. I'm ready for winter! Winter is Ah-mazing! It's the best time of the year. Layered clothing, hot chocolate, campfires, CHRISTmas, and hours of laying on the heater! Hahaha. Winter is so awesome! I can't wait.

LayseeGee

2009-08-09T16:44:00.006-04:00

Lacey Nicole Gaines.

Better known as LayseeGee
This girl is awesome!

She happens to be my best friend. And I am priveleged enough to be hers. She was recently saved and is already a strong christian.

Well, today is actually her birthday. Happy Birthday

Lacey!!! She just turned fifteen. She has a late birthday so she is the youngest sophomore at our school by far.

She is the funniest person I know. She's the kind of person that can say something and unintentionally make everyone roll on the floor laughing. Hahaha. LMFO(Laugh My face Off)

She is my most trusting friend. i can tell her anything without her judging me.

I'm glad she is in my life and

I love her to death!

So if your reading this, which you are because I just texted you and told you to read it, I LOVE YOU LACEY!!!!!!!!!!

Unreliable Technology

2009-08-08T11:37:00.003-04:00

Well today hasn't been so good. My computer is being jank!

Probably have another virus. Gosh technology is so stupid @ times. What's even wierder is the fact that it works for my parents. But that's probably because they only get

on facebook. My blog is the only thing that will really load properly. My myspace (Goshtomickey@yahoo.com) wont let me approve comments or friend request. Ugh! For technology to be so usefull it sucks. I won't even load my favorite photographer's blog (Alexevans.net/). I feel like one of those people on tv that has slow internet and then Geek Squad saves them. Hahaha. Where is the guy wityh the jet pack to fix my computer? HELP!

Just keep smiling

2009-08-07T18:28:00.005-04:00

Ever have a day where you dont feel like smiling? Well my personality is smiling. I always look happy, or so i'm told. Often when I feel bad i just smile anyway.

Usually smiling makes me feel better. Smiling actually

releases a chemical that makes you feel better. So yea, smiling releases

the happy chemical. Hahaha. I often find that if I think about what I am

blessed with, I do feel better. There's always someone worse off than you.

So smile it looks good on you:)

O O

\_____/

Anticonformity

2009-08-04T19:28:00.004-04:00

Anticonformity. A big word for most, but to me it's an anthem. It originally was one of my favorite songs by Krystal Meyers, but as time went on I began to understand

its meaning. Me being a firm believer in Jesus Christ I am set apart from the world.

I am different from the world, because I have discovered my

purpose in life. I have found The Truth, The Way, and The life. Living a christian life can be very hard. There are so many obstacles and traps that the world throws

at you constantly. Don't get me wrong being a christian is a blast, but the bible says you will be persecuted. There is no doubt

about it. Satan is going to come at you HARD. A dangerous thing I face every now and again is comfort. Some times Christians get burned out or loose their spiritual

high. It's inevitable that you are always going to be perfect with God.

there are going to be times where you

you will doubt God. That's totally normal. A remedy to this endurance. Keep searching for God's will and seek him.

Ask him to reveal things to you that

will make you closer to him. It can be really hard at times, but it's worth it. I'm laughing at the fact that I can use this advice sometimes to. Hahaha. So dare to be different than your friends. Dare to be different than the world.

BE AN ANTICONFORMER!!!!!!!!

Back to school

2009-08-03T17:06:00.005-04:00

Where did summer go? I have asked myself this question so mant times. Today we went back to school. I'll be honest, the night before I was a nervous wreck. One of my many faults is that I worry. I worry about what will probably never happen and fear the unknown. I was so nervous, I had an awful nightmare and woke up drenched in sweat. I know worry is a sin, but I'm not perfect. I have been praying all week that God would provide. He did. He always does. The first day really was'nt so bad. I got to see all my friends that I missed over the summer. I got a good schedule and for the most part have a friend in all my classes. So all that worrying for nothing. God always answers my prayers in some way, shape, form, or fashion. He can do the same for you.

PHOTOFILTRE!

2009-08-01T11:38:00.002-04:00

Recently i downloaded Photofiltre. Its FREE! This program allows mo to edit, add to, and crunk up my photos. Its really cool and i already have the hang of it. My mind has already conjured up tons of ideas for editing now that I have Photofiltre. There is so many things you can do to just one photo. Such as: Black and white, textures, crop, blending multiple pictures, and adding cool backgrounds and effects. Thanks Mom & Dad for letting me download it!@

Adrenaline

2009-07-20T12:57:00.009-04:00

This Saturday my youth group went to Wild Adventures in Valdosta. If you know me, you know I'm a coaster fanatic! But unlike me, some of our youth were a little scared. But they stepped up to the plate and faced their fears. There is nothing like the thrill of a coaster! Its pure ADRENALINE! On the boomerang I got scared lol. This was the second time we had rode it. Unlike the first time my harness was loose! Before I could say anything the metal machine began its accent to the sky. I was freaking out! I pictured my body flailing through the air when we hit the first loop. The only thing I could do was grab the bottom of the seat and scream! the ride consist of a steep drop, back flip, and a corkscrew. Then it goes repeats backwards! Luckily, the harness stayed on me. Hahaha. We also got to ride the new ride called "The Rattler". It was my favorite ride all day. Thankfully we had noone blow chunks. Hahaha. That night we got to hear Chris Tomlin, who is a very famous christian music singer. His songs were inspiring and uplifting. We rode all day

Youth Week West

2009-07-12T15:22:00.005-04:00

My experience @ Youth Week West, which was held at Mars Hill college, was amazing. God really showed me how things work out when you really on him. The speaker was Adrian Despres. He was AMAZING! His sermons were graphic, powerful, moving, convicting, and from God himself! One of my favorite sermons was the four chairs. The four chairs sermon tells you where you are spiritually. It's really easy to lie to yourself, but with this sermon there is no mistaking which chair you're in. The first Chair represents a Christian who is right with God. They're growing. The second chair is a hypocrite and is compared to vomit by God. The third chair represents someone who thinks they're a Christian but really are not. You know if your in the third chair because you're not convicted. The holy spirit isn't in you. The fourth chair is someone who is not saved period. This sermon successfully brought four of our youth to Christ. They all believed they were in the third chair. The drama team was amazing! Their skits were so real! The band was really good too. I definitely was at the throne of God many times throughout the week. The week was based on purity and how to love God and people. Many things were revealed to me about LOVE. The week went by fast. Our youth were unified and closer to each other. We all supported each other. To my surprise the cliques disappeared completely. We even started Cow Towing. It's a way to pray. You lay completely flat surrendering all to God. We also had the chance to pick produce in FIELDS OF HOPE. It was really cool to know that we were picking food that would feed hundreds of starving people. My best friend Lacey face planted in the field lol. Good times!

On Thursday we went to the "Looking Glass Waterfall". We even climbed up behind the falls. So the week was awesome, but it doesn't end there. On the way home we experienced white water rafting. It was the most thrilling thing I have ever taken part in. You find strength you never knew you had. We went through level 2 and 3 rapids. 6 is the highest. For about two hours we maneuvered around rocks and currents. No one got hurt, but Lacey did fall out of the raft on a level 3 rapid. It scared me to death! I thought she was going to die, but our guide quickly grabbed her and literally yanked her into the raft within ten seconds! She was okay, but a little embarrassed. We got to stop in a calm current and jump off of a very high rock. It was really thrilling! Thank you guys for all of your prayers. God and I have definitely drawn closer to each other. I'm so glad I went on this trip!

Happy Fourth!

2009-07-05T13:33:00.005-04:00

The Fourth of July! Well me and my family enjoyed our fourth out by the pool. We had hamburgers and hot-dogs and had a great time. Had alot of laughs. Being with family is one of my favorite things to do and it's FREE. Hahahaha. Their awesome! I love you guys! Happy Fourth!

Through the lens

2009-07-03T18:56:00.005-04:00

Photography is a new passion of mine. Photography can be fun, fulfilling, and very frustrating. It can be frustrating when you can't get the image you imagined. But that's the fun of it. A picture can look different than actually seeing it. And sometimes you can get an image you never imagined that's even better than your idea. I take my camera everywhere and take alot of pictures. You can take a hundred pics and only get one good shot, but that's okay. There are many things to consider like:lighting, zoom, contrast, black and white or color, and brightness. So if you want to give it a try, all you need is a camera and a good eye for a shot.

Youth On Mission Trip

2009-07-03T18:34:00.005-04:00

Recently I attended a youth on mission Camp held @ Truett McConnell Collage. It being @ Trutt is a major coincidence, because it’s a possibility on my list of possible colleges. Anyway, I had an awesome time. Me and Pastor Brian (My youth Pastor) were the only two going. We went alone because I need exposure in missions since I plan to be a missionary in some way shape or form. Since it was just the two of us, we were paired with another group. Ironically we didn’t know who we would be partnered with until that very day. And if you know me you are aware that I’m a scheduled person. When I’m not on a schedule I freak out. But something I heard many times is that as Christians we are to be flexible. Sometimes God has different plans. So I definitely learned that a plan is good, but it’s better to be flexible. On the road of life there are twist, turns, stops, and many hills. As a born again Christian we are supposed to let God drive. Sometimes that can mean being completely out of your comfort zone. This trip was definitely out of my comfort zone! I’m usually used to my friends being there so I can fall back on them. This trip was something I never want to forget.
That Sunday was Homecoming. I sat in the social hall looking at people laughing and smiling. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be a home person that stayed in their comfort zone. I was so nervous! The ride up there wasn’t that bad though. Pastor Brian knows how to make you feel better. But sometimes he can be too serious. We arrived at the college around six thirty. We were the last ones to arrive. We went to the cafeteria and grabbed something to eat. Well Pastor Brian ate. I didn’t eat anything. Anytime I’m away from home my appetite is shot. We went to the seven o’clock orientation and found out there were about five groups. There was also another group that was just two people too. We went to bed that night not knowing what or who we would be working with. The next morning we met New Harmony Baptist Church. We were doing a Bible school for kids that lived in Pardue trailer park. It was a little awkward at first, but I made friends fast.
My first friend was Jordan. She was the group's photographer. She was pretty good at making small talk and we hit it off pretty good. She was a junior.
While talking to Jordan I met Brandi and her daughter Ashley. Brandi would always pick at me. She made me laugh alot. I believe she was the reason I felt so welcome. She has what you would call a dry since of humor. She was very sarcastic lol.
My next friend was Jenna Stephens. She was also interested in missions. She was sweet and really funny. We became friends pretty quick. We both really enjoyed working with the kids. We even played tic tac toe with them and they loved it. They would jump and dance when they won. They were very good trash talkers. Hahaha
Tyler was the musician in the group. He played guitar. My first impression was that he was really cool. We were good friends the rest of the trip.
While we were at Bible school we got bored and started doing string tricks. Like Jacob’s ladder and the witch’s broom. Aren, a girl in the group got really frustrated with it. We became friends while I taught her how to do Jacob’s ladder. She was about thirteen and very energetic. She was pretty awesome.
After Bible school we went into Helen to wash windows. We laughed so hard at the looks we got from tourists. The whole idea is to get someone to ask what we’re doing. That becomes an opportunity to share the gospel. Something I’ll always remember is to wipe the window with a paper towel after you squeegee it. It prevents streaks. We washed windows for about two hours. If anything we got a farmer’s tan. Hahaha
We then went to a camp ground and sung two songs and performed skits. The skits were “Contagious” and “Sin Box”. These two skits were very cool and got the point across. Sin is contagious and hard to get away from once you’ve got into it. So that was the first day. Pretty great! Something that really stood out was the difference between my youth group and theirs. They were so sincere and serious. They do goof off occasionally, but they know when to be serious, unlike our youth group.
The second day we continued with Bible school, but instead of window washing we went tubing. It was so much fun! Me, Jenna, and Ashley connected and tried to maneuver around rock and into currents. We got stuck a few times and even lost Ashley’s tube Lol. But we didn’t have the worst of it. Brandi had her tube stolen by some old guy. She had to swim until she found another empty tube. We almost died laughing when she finally made it to the end. That night we went out to eat and walked around Helen. When we got back to Truett McConnell we had an assembly. The band was great and the message convicting. After that we went up to the very top hill where a cross is placed. That was some hike. Hahaha. We even had some other groups join us. We did what they call “Cow Tow”. It’s where you lay completely flat and pray. It may sound ridiculous, but it’s really humbling. We left that night and got home around three thirty.
Come to find out the next night they went up to the hill and did the same thing. This time four people got saved and they had seven rededications. Two of those dedications were Erin and Tyler. How bought that. Well I guess that’s it. I have a better idea what the mission field is like. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God definately worked on this trip.

Highschool memories

2009-07-02T20:51:00.002-04:00

As I rode the bus home a great sadness washed over me. I had finally got through my freshman year! Why wasn’t I happy? My question was quickly answered. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t not want to see my friends everyday. Even the people I couldn’t wait to get away from I would miss. During the year I thought many times how great it would be to get out of school, but now I’m not so sure….. “I don’t want to forget anything”, I thought as I flipped through my year book. I wanted my freshman year to be engraved in my memory, but time will take its toile regardless. My memories will fade, the inside jokes won’t be funny anymore, and I will drift apart from some of my closest friends. The year went by so fast! I can remember thinking, “when will it get here?” But now that the time has come I don’t want to leave. The only thing keeping me from breaking down and crying is the fact that I have three more years. Three more years to see my friends, laugh at inside jokes, and cherish my time at Wilcox County High School. How long can I make it last?

Relying on God

2009-07-02T20:26:00.004-04:00

You here the phrase, "Do what scares you the most". I always knew what that meant, but never experienced it. Recently I did. I won't go into detail, but in a few days I'm going somewhere that I will totally have to rely on God. The reason it's so scary is when you rely on God you're not in control, HE IS! As humans we want to do everything ourselves,. "If you want something done do it your self" - that explains it perfectly. WE THINK WE CAN ONLY RELY ON OURSELVES - BIG HUMAN FLAW. Well the truth is, we can rely on God. He will lead us through whatever storm, trial, bad relationship, struggle, and any other problem we face. The sooner we rely on him the sooner we can have a closer relationship with him.