Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Hope

I wrote a extended definition paper on the word "hope". It was harder than I expected. I feel like we don't talk about hope enough. Why do Christians hope? What do we hope for? I have my own answers for these questions, but what do you think?

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Bethany Dillon




Yesterday, Sam, Rachel, Katie and I headed up to Dublin, Ohio to see Bethany Dillon. Rachel and I have loved her since seventh grade, so we were pumped about finally getting to see and hopefully meet the girl! There were, at the most, one hundred people there. It was an acoustic night at the church we were at, so it was mellow and cool. I loved it. And I loved PW Gopal who opened up for her. His voice was kind of a mix between Mark Harris and Todd Agnew. Loveliness... Anyway, back to Bethany. I love her. Her songs are amazing.. and the fact that she started writing such deep songs at the age of 15 astounds me. Honestly, she is a smart cookie. She's turning twenty tomorrow and she's already married and just way wise beyond her years. When we got at the church, the lady told us she had walked through the front doors about twenty minutes before us. She's a humble young lady, too.

We were able to meet her after the show and chat with her for a second. I got a picture with her and a picture signed. She is neat.. I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

Oh, and tonight, I went to a Chris Sligh concert. Amazing! He rocks! I love his fro... I want to grow one now.. though a blond fro might be a little funky. I'm up for funky.


You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Fall Retreat '08











This past weekend, the youth group headed to Howell's Mill in Ona, WV for a fall retreat. We went there in 2004, my seventh grade year. That was fun times.. for sure. I found where Rachel and I had signed our names in seventh grade, which is funny. This trip was weird for me because I was one of the oldest people. The youth group is pretty young now, which doesn't seem like it's ever been the case. (Or maybe I just haven't paid attention until now.) Anyway, we did a ropes course and played games and such. My brother was a chaperone, and we had fun together, too. It was just a nice weekend to hang out.

And now to a completely random subject -- I'm thinking about getting a job. They're opening a CiCi's in my city in the next few months and I'm considering applying. Anyone ever worked for CiCi's?

Much Love

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Dump















I wrote this essay for Advanced English Composition. I almost never let anyone read my essays for school because I'm usually not happy with them. But Mrs. Hawley liked my thesis statement, so I guess I'll put it on here.

The Dump

A field of disparity covers the earth for miles. As far as the eyes will allow one to see, wast envelops the land. The piles seem to reach the sky with worthless rubbish people have thrown out over the months. Thousands call this land their home.

All signs of hope have vanished for the men and women inhabiting the land. Grime camouflages the ache etched into their souls. Every wrinkle is embedded with filth from the endless hours of digging through trash trying to uncover enough food for their families to live through another night. Men, women, children, livestock, dogs and vultures battle one another as they hunt for their next meal. Spiritual and physical wounds become infected by the bacteria surrounding them. An aged woman tries to clean off the much plastered to her body with contaminated water. Hastily, a man snatches, like a child seizes for his beloved toy, whatever he speculates he can assemble a feeble attempt for a home out of to sleep in during the bitter nights that will follow. When a bus crammed with Americans approaches, the community charges to see what treasures they have brought to offer them. The crowds of starving people swarm the bus like a kettle of vultures swarm the remains of a carcass. After leaving clothes and food for the deprived assembly, the Americans head back down to their picture perfect lives, still trying to wrap their minds around what they had just witnessed.

The stench of the dump is intolerable. The odor suffocates the body as one would in a gas chamber. Smelling the overbearing reek, and viewing what causes the aroma, results in an overflowing amount of tears.

One might ask himself how many times the world has turned its back for a group of people to call a landfill their "home".

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Oh Cindy..

Delaney took this picture while we were at Casa. It makes me laugh out loud every time I see it! I think it defines Cindy and I's relationship pretty well. Juuust kidding.. but seriously. I miss that kid. And the rest of them. Say a special prayer over them when you think about it.

Just thought I'd share the funniness with you. :)

Much Love

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

For the Record

When we (the church) stop trying to make sure everyone is happy and no one gets upset and actually start acting out in faith and ticking off a few people, that's when change is going to happen. We can't sugarcoat everything and make everyone happy. It's impossbile. We need to stop trying and just be Jesus. It might tick people off, but it will be so worth it. The people getting upset is Satan trying to get in the way of the good we're doing.