Lion King 3D

Today, my Mom, Sarah Grace, Nathan and I went to see Lion King in 3D in theaters. =) It was one of my sister's favorites when we were little, so I've seen it like 1000 times, but it was still awesome. :)  It's crazy how your perspective on things changes so much as you grow up. The really scary scenes don't seem quite so scary. And the super long songs, don't seem quite so long. But my favorite part of the movie will probably never change. What is my favorite part? Uhhh, the part where Pumbaa is so clueless when Nala comes and finds Simba...and when the crazy monkey hits Simba with his stick. ;) Seeing it again brought back so many happy memories: family safari nights with the opening song as background music; the Disney ASO concert when the awesome guy and African choir sang the songs so perfectly; the science lessons about fire and rain in close succession actually being good for the plants; and just remembering being together watching laughing and having fun as kids. =) Ahhh, it was fun. :) "They just don't make kids movies like the used to..." *shakes head* I feel old. ;)

What was your favorite movie when you were little? =)

Oh and I'm currently hooked on The Piano Guys music...it's awesome. :) 

Stop this one at 3:15...the blooper reel ruins the effect of the beautiful song....

It's obvious where this one ends and the advertising starts. ;)

::20 Questions::

Ok, so I know that I'm really late with this, but here goes! =)

1: A favorite book.

     ~The Bible, and Paperdoll: What Happens When an Ordinary Girl Meets an Extraordinary God by: Natalie Lloyd =) It will change your whole perspective on life, God's love for you, and the story of the Woman at the well. :)

2: A favorite quote.

     ~ "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."

3: A moment you wish you could relive.

     ~ May 27, 2011, mid-morning, at the end of Brett Harris's session at National Convention, when so many people cried out "Jesus Christ is Lord" in one resounding praise-filled voice. Gives me chills. God is so good. Really, to relive that whole morning and afternoon would be fabulous. ;)

4: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.

     ~ my Bible, my sister, my guitar, pen and paper, and God

5: An item off your Bucket List.

     ~ successfully fly a kite, on a gorgeous breezy beach day

6: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

     ~ Sarah Grace on the left, and me on the right. Aren't we cute in the matching dresses Mom made us? =)

     

7: A photo of you taken recently.

8: A guilty pleasure.

     ~ Hershey's Bliss Chocolate with Raspberry Filling :)

9: A vacation you would like to take.

     ~ I want to go to France, and Italy with my sister, and I want it to not cost any money. ;)

10: A person you admire.

     ~ This is feeling repetitive... My sister, Sarah Grace is a person I greatly admire. She is real, genuine, sincere, gorgeous, honest, fun, hilarious, and a wonderful woman of God. She always brightens my days and inspires me to live better. :) 

11: Your dream job.

     ~ My dream job is to teach second graders in a title one school. I want a huge class full of children who need love, and need to know God, to teach and love on. :)

12: A hobby of yours.

     ~ My newest, and most favorite hobby, besides Good News Club, is playing the guitar.  =) I'm teaching myself and loving it. 

13: Something you know you do differently than most people.

     ~ I do most everything differently than most people. I hear myself talking in my head when I think or read, I like to sing tenor better than alto or soprano, and all my dreams seem to be crazy adventures. :)

14: A website.

     ~ teenpact.com Check out a state class or an alumni event, you won't regret it! =)

15: A way in which you want to be remembered.

     ~ I want to be remembered as a girl who encouraged often, gave more than took, and loved her God so fully and completely that His will always won over hers.

16: A recipe.

     ~ Recipe for Beauty: "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her hands through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone." ~Audrey Hepburn

17: A childhood memory.

     ~ I was about seven years old and my family was over at our best friend's house to play. My friend and I decided to climb the tree in their front yard for the bazillionth time. It was the kind of tree where there aren't limbs remotely close to the ground, so they had pounded nails into the trunk for "steps." He climbed up first and then I followed. When we finally decided to climb down, I froze. For some reason I just couldn't take that first step onto the nails! We ended up having to scream for our moms to come out of the house to help us. After much convincing and manipulation I jumped into my friend's mom's arms. Later that afternoon my mom was thanking my friend: "Chandler, thank you so much for staying up in that tree with Hannah while she was so scared, that was so kind and gentlemanly of you!" He promptly replied, "Well she was in the way, I couldn't get down!!!" Our families are still close friends and we can barely get together without this story being re-told...it always gives us a good laugh. =)

18: What you'd do with 10,000 dollars to spend in one day--no charities, gifts or college funds.

     ~ I'd buy a whole new wardrobe, a nice camera, a new phone, and I'd take a tour of the US visiting friends. 

19: A random fact about yourself.

     ~ I have a mental 'Bucket List' that nobody really knows about, and I have sung and spoke over the radio before. :)

20: Hopes, Dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.

     ~ I hope to: graduate from high-school, continue teaching Good News Club, go on a missions trip, learn to play my guitar better, staff with TeenPact (or at least attend more TeenPact events), develop a deeper relationship with my Father God, and learn to love/see people the way God does.

20 Questions...

Here are 20 questions I plan to answer over the months of July and August. =)

1: A favorite book.

2: A favorite quote.

3: A moment you wish you could relive.

4: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.

5: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.

6: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

7: A photo of you taken recently.

8: A guilty pleasure.

9: A vacation you would like to take.

10: A person you admire.

11: Your dream job.

12: A hobby of yours.

13: Something you know you do differently than most people.

14: A website.

15: A way in which you want to be remembered.

16: A recipe.

17: A childhood memory.

18: What you'd do with 10,000 dollars to spend in one day--no charities, gifts or college funds.

19: A random fact about yourself.

20: Hopes, Dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.

Comment with your answers if you'd like! 

A New Beginning, and a Few of My Favorite Things =)

My initial reason for starting this blog was to reach voters in a student election I ran in during the Spring Semester of this school year. The election is now over and I've decided to take this blog in a little bit of a different direction... I re-designed my page and now I'd like to in a way just start over by telling you a little bit about myself. 

I am 17 years old and I live in Georgia. I like: spending time with friends and family, reading, shopping, babysitting, teaching Good News Club, coffee, chocolate with raspberry filling, jelly beans, cherries, listening to music, studying History, attending TeenPact events, smiley faces, the beach, singing, laughing, cooking, baking, and playing the piano and guitar. I am a senior this year, and I plan to pursue a degree in elementary education. I have an amazing older sister...I have no clue what I'd do without her! I also have a pretty cool little brother. My parents are just the best ever and I know my family will always be there for me.  

God has blessed me greatly and I'm so excited to have this blog where I can share with you about His blessings and the things He is teaching me. 

=) 

my sister, me, and my mom (L-R)

The Gospel

Allow God to take over your whole life and you will be Ready for Anything He calls you to do. He is able to do anything He wants without us, yet He chooses to use us, if we will let Him. Our God has done so much for us, what an amazing privilege He gives us to serve Him. Please take the time to watch this. It's totally worth the 12 minutes.

God's Love

I heard someone talking on the radio recently about the night when Peter denied knowing Jesus. He pointed out the fact that the Bible says that Jesus turned and looked at Peter. We may wonder why Jesus didn't ask Peter to testify on His behalf, ask him why he was denying and abandoning his Lord, or just bring him back to his senses.

When you think about it, since Jesus knows everything, He realized that if He spoke to Peter, Peter's cover would be blown. The people who had been accusing Peter of knowing Christ would be proven right, and Peter proven a liar. He saw Peter in his worst moment, as he made one of the worst choices he could ever make, and helped Him.

Jesus never changes, so, He still sees us in our worst moments and reaches out to us. He does not condemn us in our struggles, but desires to lend us aid.

"And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." Luke 22:61-62

Requirements and Reminders

To be Ready for Anything requires:

-Viewing God correctly. He is almighty and always working for our good, and His glory.  Everything we encounter was either caused by God, or allowed by Him--everything that touches us has been sifted through His nail-scarred hands.

-Trusting God with our deepest desires. He never dangles our desires out in front of us teasing us like we would our dog with a treat. We need to realize that He is always working for our good and turn our desires over to His management. He can handle every aspect of our lives perfectly and is waiting for us to simply place it in His capable hands.

-Realizing that He already knows us completely. He knew every little thing about each of His children before they were born. He keeps a special journal about each of us in Heaven where He records every detail about us. He knows our biggest fears, greatest victories, toughest struggles, burning passion, and deepest desire. He deeply enjoys spending time with us and hearing us describe our day to Him. He will never tire of hearing about the mundane events, the tragedies, or the adventures we encounter. He will never love us less for our confessing our sins to Him. He already sees it anyways...

-Seeing that God can be our closest friend. He will still be a listening ear when all others go deaf, an awake adviser when all others sleep, and a friend when all others forsake. He will never walk away, ask us to keep the details to ourselves, quiet down about the obsession, or give the "I don't really care" smirk. He always cares, wants to hear, and comfort us in our needs and joys. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Being Ready for Anything is a wonderful place to be. It is a place where your heart is constantly overflowing with joy over what God is doing. A place where Scripture pops into your head in distress. A place when God is what you derive your rush of happy and is who you pour out your crisis to. He can be your all...if you will but surrender everything to Him, and follow where He leads.