This is my last post on Working on the Heart, Soul, Mind, and Body.
Well, on our drive back to Montrose, it was kinda quiet. Georgia and I talked about a ton of things but there were many more pauses that I noticed this time around. We stopped in Glenwood Springs, at the same place where we stopped on our way to and from Dare 2 Share I might add. While we were there, I called a few friends and asked how one was doing and the other to tell another friend happy birthday for me. As we were checking out, I paid. Georgia was not too happy about this what so ever! So told me that she was the adult and I responded with something like I'm the teen rebelling.
When we were outside, she glared at me. It wasn't like a bad glare but it was a glare like why did you do that?!? I've been glared at many times in my life, but never did I feel guilty until then. I actually felt horrible for paying for something. It bugged me that she was so upset over me paying though, and I really don't know why I felt horrible that I paid. So as we went on with the trip, it was really quiet. I just had to say something though, and it was about what had happened. She said that it was kind and other stuff. The way I see it though, is that it really isn't kind, I mean it is with someone else but not this time.
Everything that she has done and her family has done and the trip to Evergreen and everything, to pay for a few drinks and snacks was nothing compared to everything they do for me. Besides, it wasn't half of how much she's over paid me, and that's what bugs me more than anything. Its being over paid and then being told that I wasn't. LOL I know what teen complains about getting money. Well, I am just one of those weird teens that really cares about lots of stuff.
I didn't tell Georgia why I paid, and I didn't say why it wasn't kind. I really don't know why I paid, for the most part its because I like paying and no one ever lets me pay. Why I didn't say why I didn't think it was kind? Who only God knows. I just feel like I did something I knew was right but at the same time, I feel like I did something wrong. I'm pretty sure I didn't, but at the same time I don't know. I just wish that I was at peace with knowing I did the right thing or not. Should I have just let Georgia pay and know that I could have or did I do the right thing and pay because I just have this thing about paying sometimes????
Love you all and thank you,
CarissaGrace
Monday, March 21, 2011
Working on the Heart,Soul, Mind, and Body: Part 5
I know this is quite a long blog post thing but I could have just written it all on one post but it would have been forever long, this I know.
After the party was over and everyone was gone, some of us stayed up talking. Some of us that I was talking to would be Jen,Georgia, and Ashley. I think we talked more about boys and God than anything else, oh and drama that silly boys cause. It was weird just how I felt so comfortable to open up to Jen and Ashley, I like never do that. But God has a way to let me know its okay. Jen was giving me advice that I've already been told but it was still nice because I got to see it again and how I can change my life once more to follow the advice given.
Talking to these people for about an hour if not longer and I final asked Jen a question when Georgia and Ashley were talking. It was about the girl I prayed for. She knew her much better than I did and will for all I know. Jen made a lot of sense which I'm not really surprised at but then again I kinda am. Jen is really smart and just seems to be a down to earth person that you can talk to, and I just feel comfortable talking to. So when she was able to help me understand more about what was going on and just understand more with a few other things, I just felt like I've known her for a very long time. Really though I've only know her a few days.
Ashley,Jen and I talked for a while longer and it just was great. I never really get to talk to other girls besides Georgia and Andrea, and I really haven't talked to Andrea in like two almost three months. I enjoyed getting to know both of them on a different level too. We talked about so many different things and by the time Ashley and I went to bed I was just happy with the fact that I came. I was before but I really didn't think I had learned everything God had wanted me to but I felt a little bit better by the time we were laying in bed talking with Heather.
When we were talking before sleep it was a little more in depth than it was the night before. I don't think we laughed and giggled at all but talked more about their youth group and things that have happened in their life. One thing we talked about is prayer. I asked if they felt weird when people asked to pray over them, because I was still worried that I had done something wrong. Well they both gave their answers, but I don't think I have the right to share. It kinda surprised me but then again it really didn't. I thought about when I first accepted Jesus and I thought it was weird to have people pray over me and now I am used to and enjoy it.
In the morning, I was almost the last one up. So I got dressed and brushed my teeth, when I got up stairs everyone was awake except the two grandparents. I sat down to eat but was still kinda dazed, when Jen started asking me questions. It wasn't difficult questions, but it was like what I wanted to eat. I had no idea so she made it easier to answer, plate or bowl. Well, I really didn't care so I choose what she said first plate. I heard Georgia say something like, "I will let you ask all the questions." I really don't remember exactly what she said, so the next question was so do you want french toast. I said sure or yes please or something like that. So french toast it was and then Jen passed the strawberries, and told me to take some. Not really asking anymore. She gave me some choices of things to drink and Natalie added in water to the list. I said fine water and was going to get it but one of their Aunts got it for me. I felt horrible because everyone was getting things for me. I hate feeling like I'm a burden on people's lives.
We all just kinda hung out after breakfast, most of it was because we were tired I think and the fact that we were leaving too. It was nice just to be there but I also knew that we were leaving and felt like I was going to cry most of the morning. It was Heather's actual birthday so of course, there was her birthday spanking for everyone and it was really funny.
During slide shows of/for the girls, I started tearing up and had to turn around to get a hold of myself. I didn't want to leave but knew I had to. Once I finally got everything together, I turned around and wanted to start crying again. I was like Uh-no! You can't, no, you just can't, not today. Right before we left, I said my goodbyes and it was so hard not to cry. I am really bad at goodbyes but since I felt like I've known them forever and it was really only two days before when I first met them, it just made it worse.
Heather was the first to cry and it was so so so extremely hard not to cry with her. As we walked outside, I got this really unnerving feeling in my stomach like I was just leaving home for the first day of high school. I hugged everyone goodbye again and felt like I was loosing control of the tears. I got in the van and couldn't look at everyone as we left. I was now crying and just didn't want to leave. I was able to stop the tears enough to realize that this wont be the last time I see them. And everything was just better.
In the three days that I was there, I grew to love each one of them and it felt as if they were family. They are family, they are part of God's family. It seems so strange to know that it was hard to leave but at the same time it doesn't. So on the way back home, I thought about what everyone did to change my life and just help me grow with God.I also thought about how I need to work on the relationship I have with God. By joining a bible study or something, but I always feel weird when I'm the only teen and everyone else is like way older. So Georgia and I talked about that for a while and she mentioned that I could even lead a bible study because teens have so much power to change the world. For we aren't married and have children, we really only have school to worry about as in times and stuff.
We made it back into town just in time for youth group. One amazing thing about God is that He has the best timing ever! So, normal we would have been worshiping at 6:18, but since the person doing worship got sick, three teens stepped up to do it and they were doing worship. Luke and Sarah had to use the restroom, so it was great timing that nothing went as planned.
I talked to an old friend of mine named Amber when I first saw her, and then it was time for worship. We were asked if we had talked to anyone new there tonight. I could have said yes but didn't so I talked to two other new people and learned that one of them I went to school with and the other was his sister.
The message was so what I needed. It was about what the soul needs to grow. Prayer,Fellowship, Worship, and the Word was what it was about. After Jason's message, we broke into small groups and we, the highschoolers lead it. I was really happy and just thrilled to be back at the Grove. I told the group I was with that we should pray first and then Jason told us that it would be a good idea to pray first.
The questions we were asked and answered really helped me. I was real the whole time and I think it helped some of the others know that its okay to mess up and fail. Since we had two of the new people there, I tried to get them talking with out it being an on the spot type thing. I connected with one of the girls in our group. Her name is Morgan, and I've been looking for an equal friendship with Christ-like girls and she said she was too. So we got each others numbers and I think we are meeting this Sunday.
Meeting this Sunday with Morgan and Nikki, plus two other girls and we are going to make it kinda like a small group or bible study with fellowship. So reading the bible, sharing our struggles and playing cards sounds like we are changing the Body of the youth group a little. Its just a start but doesn't everything start out small and get bigger with time?
After the party was over and everyone was gone, some of us stayed up talking. Some of us that I was talking to would be Jen,Georgia, and Ashley. I think we talked more about boys and God than anything else, oh and drama that silly boys cause. It was weird just how I felt so comfortable to open up to Jen and Ashley, I like never do that. But God has a way to let me know its okay. Jen was giving me advice that I've already been told but it was still nice because I got to see it again and how I can change my life once more to follow the advice given.
Talking to these people for about an hour if not longer and I final asked Jen a question when Georgia and Ashley were talking. It was about the girl I prayed for. She knew her much better than I did and will for all I know. Jen made a lot of sense which I'm not really surprised at but then again I kinda am. Jen is really smart and just seems to be a down to earth person that you can talk to, and I just feel comfortable talking to. So when she was able to help me understand more about what was going on and just understand more with a few other things, I just felt like I've known her for a very long time. Really though I've only know her a few days.
Ashley,Jen and I talked for a while longer and it just was great. I never really get to talk to other girls besides Georgia and Andrea, and I really haven't talked to Andrea in like two almost three months. I enjoyed getting to know both of them on a different level too. We talked about so many different things and by the time Ashley and I went to bed I was just happy with the fact that I came. I was before but I really didn't think I had learned everything God had wanted me to but I felt a little bit better by the time we were laying in bed talking with Heather.
When we were talking before sleep it was a little more in depth than it was the night before. I don't think we laughed and giggled at all but talked more about their youth group and things that have happened in their life. One thing we talked about is prayer. I asked if they felt weird when people asked to pray over them, because I was still worried that I had done something wrong. Well they both gave their answers, but I don't think I have the right to share. It kinda surprised me but then again it really didn't. I thought about when I first accepted Jesus and I thought it was weird to have people pray over me and now I am used to and enjoy it.
In the morning, I was almost the last one up. So I got dressed and brushed my teeth, when I got up stairs everyone was awake except the two grandparents. I sat down to eat but was still kinda dazed, when Jen started asking me questions. It wasn't difficult questions, but it was like what I wanted to eat. I had no idea so she made it easier to answer, plate or bowl. Well, I really didn't care so I choose what she said first plate. I heard Georgia say something like, "I will let you ask all the questions." I really don't remember exactly what she said, so the next question was so do you want french toast. I said sure or yes please or something like that. So french toast it was and then Jen passed the strawberries, and told me to take some. Not really asking anymore. She gave me some choices of things to drink and Natalie added in water to the list. I said fine water and was going to get it but one of their Aunts got it for me. I felt horrible because everyone was getting things for me. I hate feeling like I'm a burden on people's lives.
We all just kinda hung out after breakfast, most of it was because we were tired I think and the fact that we were leaving too. It was nice just to be there but I also knew that we were leaving and felt like I was going to cry most of the morning. It was Heather's actual birthday so of course, there was her birthday spanking for everyone and it was really funny.
During slide shows of/for the girls, I started tearing up and had to turn around to get a hold of myself. I didn't want to leave but knew I had to. Once I finally got everything together, I turned around and wanted to start crying again. I was like Uh-no! You can't, no, you just can't, not today. Right before we left, I said my goodbyes and it was so hard not to cry. I am really bad at goodbyes but since I felt like I've known them forever and it was really only two days before when I first met them, it just made it worse.
Heather was the first to cry and it was so so so extremely hard not to cry with her. As we walked outside, I got this really unnerving feeling in my stomach like I was just leaving home for the first day of high school. I hugged everyone goodbye again and felt like I was loosing control of the tears. I got in the van and couldn't look at everyone as we left. I was now crying and just didn't want to leave. I was able to stop the tears enough to realize that this wont be the last time I see them. And everything was just better.
In the three days that I was there, I grew to love each one of them and it felt as if they were family. They are family, they are part of God's family. It seems so strange to know that it was hard to leave but at the same time it doesn't. So on the way back home, I thought about what everyone did to change my life and just help me grow with God.I also thought about how I need to work on the relationship I have with God. By joining a bible study or something, but I always feel weird when I'm the only teen and everyone else is like way older. So Georgia and I talked about that for a while and she mentioned that I could even lead a bible study because teens have so much power to change the world. For we aren't married and have children, we really only have school to worry about as in times and stuff.
We made it back into town just in time for youth group. One amazing thing about God is that He has the best timing ever! So, normal we would have been worshiping at 6:18, but since the person doing worship got sick, three teens stepped up to do it and they were doing worship. Luke and Sarah had to use the restroom, so it was great timing that nothing went as planned.
I talked to an old friend of mine named Amber when I first saw her, and then it was time for worship. We were asked if we had talked to anyone new there tonight. I could have said yes but didn't so I talked to two other new people and learned that one of them I went to school with and the other was his sister.
The message was so what I needed. It was about what the soul needs to grow. Prayer,Fellowship, Worship, and the Word was what it was about. After Jason's message, we broke into small groups and we, the highschoolers lead it. I was really happy and just thrilled to be back at the Grove. I told the group I was with that we should pray first and then Jason told us that it would be a good idea to pray first.
The questions we were asked and answered really helped me. I was real the whole time and I think it helped some of the others know that its okay to mess up and fail. Since we had two of the new people there, I tried to get them talking with out it being an on the spot type thing. I connected with one of the girls in our group. Her name is Morgan, and I've been looking for an equal friendship with Christ-like girls and she said she was too. So we got each others numbers and I think we are meeting this Sunday.
Meeting this Sunday with Morgan and Nikki, plus two other girls and we are going to make it kinda like a small group or bible study with fellowship. So reading the bible, sharing our struggles and playing cards sounds like we are changing the Body of the youth group a little. Its just a start but doesn't everything start out small and get bigger with time?
Working on the Heart, Soul, Mind, and Body : Part 4
Through out the whole day on Saturday, I kept asking myself if I would have gone back to the Axis youth group stuff. I thought and thought and I really thought. I came to the conclusion that I would go back twice and if I didn't see anything different choices like the one time I went to FNL then I wouldn't go back. I might just have been there the one night that it wasn't good but maybe the next time would be better. I'm sure that's how it is for some people at the Grove.
Nothing else besides the party and hanging out with everyone really exciting happened. At the Birthday party, which was for Ashley's Sixteenth and Heather's fourteenth birthday, was quite umm... wild and crazy but wonderful.
I broke out of my shell once again and talked to people I didn't know. I found myself actually talking to these people and getting to know them. I kept asking why they go to the Journey (the name of the church) or to Axis. I think everyone was surprised when I asked, like they aren't asked that often. I also found out a bunch of other stuff that I was shocked by. Shocked in a good way, and thought it was very interesting about some of the things these teens told me.
It was the first time I have ever had a marsh mellow fight and the first time in almost two years that I've danced like I did. The marsh mellow fight was so much fun and it was pretty crazy too. We were all in the woods blowing marsh mellows at each other and some of us, not me, but would hold marsh mellows in their mouths and then blow them out. GROOOOOOOSS! You would know if you were hit by one of those because it would stick to you and you would be covered in slobber. I don't even know how long we did that but we did for what seemed like ever but it was a good type of ever. I ended up giving up because I was just too thirsty to keep blowing the marsh mellows, and besides the fact that I dislike the taste of them too.
While inside, I was talking to two teens and really got to know them. Well as best as I could before everyone else came back inside. I think the adult, Luke and Sarah had more fun than anyone else did. I don't even know who stayed outside the longest but I think they were pretty close to the last ones. When everyone was back inside we played "Apples to Apples". It was a first for me, and it was quite funny I think. Sarah had fun helping me choose which one to pick.
During the last dance session, a girl who I had spent some time with that night came and sat down on the couch next to me. Luke was getting tired and was sitting on my lap. Well, she just seemed different not like her bubbly self. I asked if everything was okay and she told me what happen or was happening. I really felt like God was telling me to pray for her. So I asked if I could and she said okay but its not the big of a deal. I stated a few things and I felt a little bit better about asking to pray for her. So I did and afterwards I wondered if I did the right thing. I mean prayer is always good but I asked to pray for someone I didn't really know and she seemed unease by it. I almost felt like I had done something wrong.
Later when everyone was leaving, I hugged a few of them saying goodbye and knowing that God has a plan for everything that happened that night. I didn't really know anyone that I hugged, I just knew them from what happened at the party and talking to them. I was comfortable with it as they were too. I just love how God works that way. Its always funny to me just how God works. I enjoy it but its weird sometimes, just like His perfect timing.
Nothing else besides the party and hanging out with everyone really exciting happened. At the Birthday party, which was for Ashley's Sixteenth and Heather's fourteenth birthday, was quite umm... wild and crazy but wonderful.
I broke out of my shell once again and talked to people I didn't know. I found myself actually talking to these people and getting to know them. I kept asking why they go to the Journey (the name of the church) or to Axis. I think everyone was surprised when I asked, like they aren't asked that often. I also found out a bunch of other stuff that I was shocked by. Shocked in a good way, and thought it was very interesting about some of the things these teens told me.
It was the first time I have ever had a marsh mellow fight and the first time in almost two years that I've danced like I did. The marsh mellow fight was so much fun and it was pretty crazy too. We were all in the woods blowing marsh mellows at each other and some of us, not me, but would hold marsh mellows in their mouths and then blow them out. GROOOOOOOSS! You would know if you were hit by one of those because it would stick to you and you would be covered in slobber. I don't even know how long we did that but we did for what seemed like ever but it was a good type of ever. I ended up giving up because I was just too thirsty to keep blowing the marsh mellows, and besides the fact that I dislike the taste of them too.
While inside, I was talking to two teens and really got to know them. Well as best as I could before everyone else came back inside. I think the adult, Luke and Sarah had more fun than anyone else did. I don't even know who stayed outside the longest but I think they were pretty close to the last ones. When everyone was back inside we played "Apples to Apples". It was a first for me, and it was quite funny I think. Sarah had fun helping me choose which one to pick.
During the last dance session, a girl who I had spent some time with that night came and sat down on the couch next to me. Luke was getting tired and was sitting on my lap. Well, she just seemed different not like her bubbly self. I asked if everything was okay and she told me what happen or was happening. I really felt like God was telling me to pray for her. So I asked if I could and she said okay but its not the big of a deal. I stated a few things and I felt a little bit better about asking to pray for her. So I did and afterwards I wondered if I did the right thing. I mean prayer is always good but I asked to pray for someone I didn't really know and she seemed unease by it. I almost felt like I had done something wrong.
Later when everyone was leaving, I hugged a few of them saying goodbye and knowing that God has a plan for everything that happened that night. I didn't really know anyone that I hugged, I just knew them from what happened at the party and talking to them. I was comfortable with it as they were too. I just love how God works that way. Its always funny to me just how God works. I enjoy it but its weird sometimes, just like His perfect timing.
Working on the Heart,Soul, Mind, and Body : Part 3
As we got back to the house, I realized that there were a few more cars than there had been. Ashley's grandparents and second Aunt was now there too. I was so tired and I think most of it was just from the drive and the spiritual growth. I know it doesn't seem like that much work to work on your faith and your relationship with God but it is. Its still weird that I was tired though, because most nights I stay up till at least 2 or 3 in the morning and don't actually get tired but know I have to sleep. It was only like 11 when we got back from FNL.
I like to stand sometimes, even when I know I can sit down. It helps me think and I also notice the little things in the room or in a person. Well, Jen or Mrs. Jen, or Mrs. Larson whatever you want to call her, kept trying to get me to eat and I just kept saying, " No, thank you. I'm fine." It was kinda funny, because she just wouldn't stop.Finally she told me to sit down and I, of course, said," I'm okay thank you." But was told by Jen," I don't bite, unless you ask me to." I sat down between Jen and Georgia. As I sat down, I just become at peace with everything. I was comfortable in the house and with the people around me, I knew that I could trust the people God had placed in my life. I know I got all this from sitting down, how crazy can I be?
Its hard for me to trust people and be comfortable with everything. So when I was, it was just such a big step in my life, I guess you could say. I listened to all the conversations going on, the sounds of nature going on outside, the dogs paws on the wood floor and I fell asleep. You know how when your sleeping and then someone says the word sleep and its like you just wake up? That's what happened, I was sleeping I guess and Jen said sleep and the next thing I know Georgia isn't sitting next to me and Jen is looking at pictures on the computer. I thought it was kinda weird that I would just fall asleep like that because most of the time I would have never ever done that and if I did would apologize many many times. I didn't though, I just went with it.
Where was I going to be sleeping for two nights? In Ashley's room with Heather,Livy, and of course Ashley. When I went to get ready for bed, Heather was sitting on the bed and we started talking. Then Livy came in and the three of us were talking, and then the last one of us came in and we all were talking. After we all were in bed, I felt like we were the girls from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants which is a movie but it was a book first and many books really. I could see how we all fit their personalities and just see how our friendships are kinda the same. So I let the girls know that's what I felt like and we all laughed and giggled. Being girls, kinda like a sleepover type thing, we talked and talked while laughing and giggling and just being too tired to sleep. Once it was quiet though, we all fell into sleep.
It was the first time in I don't even know how long , that when I was asleep and dreamed that it wasn't a nightmare, it was a weird creepy dream but it was funny not scary. I think it was because I was able to really see God again and know that God was taking place in my life. I know God is always working in my life but I don't always see how big certain things play part in my life. Since I was able to really see everything God has been doing though, it made it easier to know that He has what's best.
The next morning was crazy but fun. There was the crazy breakfast that was pretty awesome though, and then just hanging out with everyone for a while. Georgia was going to go see her friend and invited me to come along. I knew that I wasn't going to find much to say during the visit but I also knew that Ashley would probably want to spend some time with the kids alone. I went and found it quite interesting,really. One thing that really stuck through all of the conversations is that she said that people refer to a soda as a coke. It went with just everything else she was saying but later on the next day someone said that some one's coke was sitting on the TV and then said that it was a Dr.Pepper. I just found it funny.
I like to stand sometimes, even when I know I can sit down. It helps me think and I also notice the little things in the room or in a person. Well, Jen or Mrs. Jen, or Mrs. Larson whatever you want to call her, kept trying to get me to eat and I just kept saying, " No, thank you. I'm fine." It was kinda funny, because she just wouldn't stop.Finally she told me to sit down and I, of course, said," I'm okay thank you." But was told by Jen," I don't bite, unless you ask me to." I sat down between Jen and Georgia. As I sat down, I just become at peace with everything. I was comfortable in the house and with the people around me, I knew that I could trust the people God had placed in my life. I know I got all this from sitting down, how crazy can I be?
Its hard for me to trust people and be comfortable with everything. So when I was, it was just such a big step in my life, I guess you could say. I listened to all the conversations going on, the sounds of nature going on outside, the dogs paws on the wood floor and I fell asleep. You know how when your sleeping and then someone says the word sleep and its like you just wake up? That's what happened, I was sleeping I guess and Jen said sleep and the next thing I know Georgia isn't sitting next to me and Jen is looking at pictures on the computer. I thought it was kinda weird that I would just fall asleep like that because most of the time I would have never ever done that and if I did would apologize many many times. I didn't though, I just went with it.
Where was I going to be sleeping for two nights? In Ashley's room with Heather,Livy, and of course Ashley. When I went to get ready for bed, Heather was sitting on the bed and we started talking. Then Livy came in and the three of us were talking, and then the last one of us came in and we all were talking. After we all were in bed, I felt like we were the girls from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants which is a movie but it was a book first and many books really. I could see how we all fit their personalities and just see how our friendships are kinda the same. So I let the girls know that's what I felt like and we all laughed and giggled. Being girls, kinda like a sleepover type thing, we talked and talked while laughing and giggling and just being too tired to sleep. Once it was quiet though, we all fell into sleep.
It was the first time in I don't even know how long , that when I was asleep and dreamed that it wasn't a nightmare, it was a weird creepy dream but it was funny not scary. I think it was because I was able to really see God again and know that God was taking place in my life. I know God is always working in my life but I don't always see how big certain things play part in my life. Since I was able to really see everything God has been doing though, it made it easier to know that He has what's best.
The next morning was crazy but fun. There was the crazy breakfast that was pretty awesome though, and then just hanging out with everyone for a while. Georgia was going to go see her friend and invited me to come along. I knew that I wasn't going to find much to say during the visit but I also knew that Ashley would probably want to spend some time with the kids alone. I went and found it quite interesting,really. One thing that really stuck through all of the conversations is that she said that people refer to a soda as a coke. It went with just everything else she was saying but later on the next day someone said that some one's coke was sitting on the TV and then said that it was a Dr.Pepper. I just found it funny.
Working on the Heart,Soul, Mind, and Body: Part 2
As we final arrived at Comicsons' (a nickname for the family that I spent the weekend with) I had a killer headache and a prayer to help me get through the weekend. I have been praying for God to take me out of my comfort zone and help me be better at bringing up God in conversations. Once I was taken away from everything I know and love, I wasn't so sure if I wanted my prayer to be answered.
I had gone to Ashley's (a friend of a friend) Sixteenth birthday party, which is about five hours away from where I live. I had been getting to know Ashley but it was through emails and what not. Well, for this party I would be spending three days, sort of, with her family and friends. I wasn't ready what so ever but its where I was suppose to be.
I was there hanging out with Ashley, Heather ( Ashley's sister), Natalie ( other sister), and all the cousins. There was a total of 17 people, five dogs, a fish and a cat all under the same roof. The first night we were the, which was a Friday, their youth group had a movie night. They called it FNL for Friday Night Live. When we first got to the church, I was a little nervous, who wouldn't be though? I was with people I had just met hours before and now I was in a place that was filled with people I didn't know and was five hours away from my comfort zone it felt like. Being there for about 45 minutes to an hour, I was tired of not talking to tons of people and laughing and enjoying this time to be able to fellowship. Livy ( a cousin of Ashley's) and I had been keeping to ourselves for the most part and talking to each other. Every once in a while one of the Comicson girls would come and check on us, kind of anyway, and it was super sweet.
I finally convinced myself to rely on God to help me through my trouble, which was being shy. The only thing in the whole room that I recognized was Foosball. There were two tables and different types of people playing them. One table had older kids like Junior/Seniors and the other had what looked like Middle Schoolers. I just walked off and went to play Foosball with the older kids. I was sorta nervous about walking over there but was almost laughing because I am truly the worst person at foosball ever. It was like, "okay God, do you want me to connect with these teens or work on my Foosball skills." It happened to be both. I kept score for the first two games and then was not really asked but told to play. It was girls against boys and it was close for a while but the boys won. Ashley and Heather kept coming over to talk with me and stuff.
I noticed that Livy was talking to a few people but she was staying close to the people she knew, which was not bad at all. If it wasn't for God, I would have been following the people I knew like a lost puppy dog. I also noticed that a game of Ninja was about to start. Ninja is a game we play often at the Grove and is fairly easy to play and to get to know people. Well, I didn't know that they played theirs a little different. At the Grove you can't move out of the circle, your turn in one fluent motion and if one hand gets hit your out. The Axis youth group played the rules differently. You can move out of the circle, not everyone made just one move and you had to get both hands hit in order to be out. I played one round and have gotten to be one of the last two standing once and it was not this game.
Afterwards, Ashley waved me over to listen to one of her friends singing and playing guitar. She had such a beautiful voice and played quite well. I remembered Nikki and missed her more than I normally do during any given week. I went back to playing Foosball, but this time the best player there helped me. This person that helped me is like the best player ever and was now helping me. I was smiling, even though losing, because God found a way from me to connect with the teens and help my awesome skills, even though I'm still horrible at Foosball.
The movie they played was "Oceans 12" and I wasn't too thrilled when I first heard that it was that movie but told kept telling myself to have an open mind. Being that there was at least an eight year old there and younger kids, I was almost blowing my top anger. I really wanted to ask their youth minister why he would even think about playing that movie. I never did and wish I had but I was really upset with it. I noticed that there wasn't any prayer said before everyone hung out or anything. A few of the leaders didn't even know that I was new, which I thought was odd. But they did have a fun game they did which was why I think they choose the movie.
Seeing how they did things and then how the Grove does things really changed my heart. I've heard that a group of kids playing video games and stuff isn't a youth group even if they call themselves a youth group. Yes they are a group of youth together but they aren't doing for God. I never really paid much attention to a group of kids playing games or a group of kids learning about God. After seeing the first scene of the movie, I was like really?!?!? You are going to play this in a church for a so called youth group?!? Even when the Grove just hangs out, also know as fellowship, we pray and talk about God. I don't think I heard anyone speak about God while I was there but then again I don't think I really talked about Him either.
Really trying to not let this movie get to me, I thought about the Grove a lot and just how we do things. Jason does so much for us all and the way he does youth group is so great but I would have never realized it if I didn't change something in my life. Well, you could tell that no one wanted to watch the movie and I knew of at least one person who fell asleep during it. When the movie was over, you could hear everyone complain about it and how it was a poor, boring choice. I was still anger but tried to let it go. Although this one question came to mind that really helped knowing I wouldn't be there forever," Well you not looking for a youth group but if you were, would you come back after tonight?"
I had gone to Ashley's (a friend of a friend) Sixteenth birthday party, which is about five hours away from where I live. I had been getting to know Ashley but it was through emails and what not. Well, for this party I would be spending three days, sort of, with her family and friends. I wasn't ready what so ever but its where I was suppose to be.
I was there hanging out with Ashley, Heather ( Ashley's sister), Natalie ( other sister), and all the cousins. There was a total of 17 people, five dogs, a fish and a cat all under the same roof. The first night we were the, which was a Friday, their youth group had a movie night. They called it FNL for Friday Night Live. When we first got to the church, I was a little nervous, who wouldn't be though? I was with people I had just met hours before and now I was in a place that was filled with people I didn't know and was five hours away from my comfort zone it felt like. Being there for about 45 minutes to an hour, I was tired of not talking to tons of people and laughing and enjoying this time to be able to fellowship. Livy ( a cousin of Ashley's) and I had been keeping to ourselves for the most part and talking to each other. Every once in a while one of the Comicson girls would come and check on us, kind of anyway, and it was super sweet.
I finally convinced myself to rely on God to help me through my trouble, which was being shy. The only thing in the whole room that I recognized was Foosball. There were two tables and different types of people playing them. One table had older kids like Junior/Seniors and the other had what looked like Middle Schoolers. I just walked off and went to play Foosball with the older kids. I was sorta nervous about walking over there but was almost laughing because I am truly the worst person at foosball ever. It was like, "okay God, do you want me to connect with these teens or work on my Foosball skills." It happened to be both. I kept score for the first two games and then was not really asked but told to play. It was girls against boys and it was close for a while but the boys won. Ashley and Heather kept coming over to talk with me and stuff.
I noticed that Livy was talking to a few people but she was staying close to the people she knew, which was not bad at all. If it wasn't for God, I would have been following the people I knew like a lost puppy dog. I also noticed that a game of Ninja was about to start. Ninja is a game we play often at the Grove and is fairly easy to play and to get to know people. Well, I didn't know that they played theirs a little different. At the Grove you can't move out of the circle, your turn in one fluent motion and if one hand gets hit your out. The Axis youth group played the rules differently. You can move out of the circle, not everyone made just one move and you had to get both hands hit in order to be out. I played one round and have gotten to be one of the last two standing once and it was not this game.
Afterwards, Ashley waved me over to listen to one of her friends singing and playing guitar. She had such a beautiful voice and played quite well. I remembered Nikki and missed her more than I normally do during any given week. I went back to playing Foosball, but this time the best player there helped me. This person that helped me is like the best player ever and was now helping me. I was smiling, even though losing, because God found a way from me to connect with the teens and help my awesome skills, even though I'm still horrible at Foosball.
The movie they played was "Oceans 12" and I wasn't too thrilled when I first heard that it was that movie but told kept telling myself to have an open mind. Being that there was at least an eight year old there and younger kids, I was almost blowing my top anger. I really wanted to ask their youth minister why he would even think about playing that movie. I never did and wish I had but I was really upset with it. I noticed that there wasn't any prayer said before everyone hung out or anything. A few of the leaders didn't even know that I was new, which I thought was odd. But they did have a fun game they did which was why I think they choose the movie.
Seeing how they did things and then how the Grove does things really changed my heart. I've heard that a group of kids playing video games and stuff isn't a youth group even if they call themselves a youth group. Yes they are a group of youth together but they aren't doing for God. I never really paid much attention to a group of kids playing games or a group of kids learning about God. After seeing the first scene of the movie, I was like really?!?!? You are going to play this in a church for a so called youth group?!? Even when the Grove just hangs out, also know as fellowship, we pray and talk about God. I don't think I heard anyone speak about God while I was there but then again I don't think I really talked about Him either.
Really trying to not let this movie get to me, I thought about the Grove a lot and just how we do things. Jason does so much for us all and the way he does youth group is so great but I would have never realized it if I didn't change something in my life. Well, you could tell that no one wanted to watch the movie and I knew of at least one person who fell asleep during it. When the movie was over, you could hear everyone complain about it and how it was a poor, boring choice. I was still anger but tried to let it go. Although this one question came to mind that really helped knowing I wouldn't be there forever," Well you not looking for a youth group but if you were, would you come back after tonight?"
Working on the Heart,Soul,Mind, and Body : Part 1
So I have to go all the way back to Wednesday for most of this to make sense, which means I will have a ton to write about.
Well as most of you know, I had CSAPs for two days. CSAPs are hours upon hours of testing to see how well the school and state are doing. After you are finished with your test, everyone else has to be too and you still have to sit quietly. There is no writing after you are done with the test session and no talking and blah, blah, blah. Our whole group would finish in 30 minutes tops which means, we sat still for 30 minutes and then afterwards had a break of ten minutes. It was not only killing me but also everyone else.
After all my test sessions, I would read, A Lady in Waiting , which I received for Christmas and its really about being happy with just God in your life and not some guy. Well there were some parts that I couldn't help but laugh at some parts, or feel really awkward because this guy was sitting next to me during some parts of the book that was just... too weird to read next to him. While reading this book, I realized how much drama I caused myself and how much time and effort I would have saved if I listened to God's way. I also thought about everyone who has really tried to get me to listen to God's way, and how many times I said I know but didn't follow God's way like I should have.
I really felt like I should say thank you to all those people but haven't gotten around to all of them yet. Well the first person on my mental check list was Andrea. I sent her a text at lunch time Thursday, the only time I could have my phone, and soon after had to hand it back in until the end of the day. Once I got it back, I of course didn't expect her to reply but she did. I miss read her text and thought she said I said your welcome. It didn't... I still feel silly about it, anyway after that I thanked her husband,Jason, and today Georgia.
Thursday Night was so amazing that I don't even have words to explain it. A good way to start would be that I have been or was struggling with boys for one, two is not listening to God, and three would be getting out of my group so to say. Its not that I really struggle with boys but in a way I do, I can't be really good friends with a guy because then he just tells me that he like, likes me. I find it easier to connect with boys and non-Christians that I do anyone else. Well, besides people older than me. Two, I haven't really been seeking God the last month, I mean I kinda have been but not with my whole heart. Three, I talk to almost everyone at youth group sometimes but besides being in a place that I know and am comfortable in, I am really extremely shy.
Being a night of fellowship and worship with a youth group from a different state, I knew I had to put myself out there to get to know people. Did I, nope not really. I mainly stayed with the people I was around and knew. This other youth group lead the whole thing and I thought it was just really amazing. I wondered if the Grove was ready for a challenge like that, I would hope so. As the night went on, I found God picking things in my heart that I knew really needed to be worked on. What a true blessing that was, and is.
When I got home, I forgot all about what was going to happen the next day. I was leaving for a three maybe four day trip and it was with people I didn't even know. Friday morning, I started to write my essay for the Discipleship Training, well about five minutes in, I get a phone call from Georgia saying she's going to drop of her youngest. I had to pack, finish the essay, and make sure I wasn't forgetting anything. I got it all done in 23 minutes. It was just in time for Georgia to show up to pick me up, to start on the weekend trip.
I was once told that a long drive was good for conversations. Well, that is very true but its also a great time to reflect. I thought a lot about God and everything else. Our conversation were sometimes short, other times long, and once in a while there was no talking at all. I thought more about what I felt going on this trip than anything else. I was worried about it and also very nervous. I had never met these people, I was a shy person anyways, and there was a chance of me missing out on hanging out with some friends and youth group. It was to the point where I almost didn't want to go, but there was really no reason that I shouldn't.
Knowing that God would be there the entire time and helping me through everything, I knew I would be going. Thinking about those things during the drive, made it harder and harder to be at ease with the fact that I wouldn't be around people I knew or in a place that I knew. I started getting a headache then it went away. As we creeped closer and closer, my headache came back. It got worse with each mile and turn we took, a lot of it was the fact that I couldn't give all my worries and anxiety to God.
Well as most of you know, I had CSAPs for two days. CSAPs are hours upon hours of testing to see how well the school and state are doing. After you are finished with your test, everyone else has to be too and you still have to sit quietly. There is no writing after you are done with the test session and no talking and blah, blah, blah. Our whole group would finish in 30 minutes tops which means, we sat still for 30 minutes and then afterwards had a break of ten minutes. It was not only killing me but also everyone else.
After all my test sessions, I would read, A Lady in Waiting , which I received for Christmas and its really about being happy with just God in your life and not some guy. Well there were some parts that I couldn't help but laugh at some parts, or feel really awkward because this guy was sitting next to me during some parts of the book that was just... too weird to read next to him. While reading this book, I realized how much drama I caused myself and how much time and effort I would have saved if I listened to God's way. I also thought about everyone who has really tried to get me to listen to God's way, and how many times I said I know but didn't follow God's way like I should have.
I really felt like I should say thank you to all those people but haven't gotten around to all of them yet. Well the first person on my mental check list was Andrea. I sent her a text at lunch time Thursday, the only time I could have my phone, and soon after had to hand it back in until the end of the day. Once I got it back, I of course didn't expect her to reply but she did. I miss read her text and thought she said I said your welcome. It didn't... I still feel silly about it, anyway after that I thanked her husband,Jason, and today Georgia.
Thursday Night was so amazing that I don't even have words to explain it. A good way to start would be that I have been or was struggling with boys for one, two is not listening to God, and three would be getting out of my group so to say. Its not that I really struggle with boys but in a way I do, I can't be really good friends with a guy because then he just tells me that he like, likes me. I find it easier to connect with boys and non-Christians that I do anyone else. Well, besides people older than me. Two, I haven't really been seeking God the last month, I mean I kinda have been but not with my whole heart. Three, I talk to almost everyone at youth group sometimes but besides being in a place that I know and am comfortable in, I am really extremely shy.
Being a night of fellowship and worship with a youth group from a different state, I knew I had to put myself out there to get to know people. Did I, nope not really. I mainly stayed with the people I was around and knew. This other youth group lead the whole thing and I thought it was just really amazing. I wondered if the Grove was ready for a challenge like that, I would hope so. As the night went on, I found God picking things in my heart that I knew really needed to be worked on. What a true blessing that was, and is.
When I got home, I forgot all about what was going to happen the next day. I was leaving for a three maybe four day trip and it was with people I didn't even know. Friday morning, I started to write my essay for the Discipleship Training, well about five minutes in, I get a phone call from Georgia saying she's going to drop of her youngest. I had to pack, finish the essay, and make sure I wasn't forgetting anything. I got it all done in 23 minutes. It was just in time for Georgia to show up to pick me up, to start on the weekend trip.
I was once told that a long drive was good for conversations. Well, that is very true but its also a great time to reflect. I thought a lot about God and everything else. Our conversation were sometimes short, other times long, and once in a while there was no talking at all. I thought more about what I felt going on this trip than anything else. I was worried about it and also very nervous. I had never met these people, I was a shy person anyways, and there was a chance of me missing out on hanging out with some friends and youth group. It was to the point where I almost didn't want to go, but there was really no reason that I shouldn't.
Knowing that God would be there the entire time and helping me through everything, I knew I would be going. Thinking about those things during the drive, made it harder and harder to be at ease with the fact that I wouldn't be around people I knew or in a place that I knew. I started getting a headache then it went away. As we creeped closer and closer, my headache came back. It got worse with each mile and turn we took, a lot of it was the fact that I couldn't give all my worries and anxiety to God.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Resting in God
So the most amazing things have happened today, well not the most but some pretty amazing things.
I didn't go to sleep until four this morning, because I was listening to Christian rap and Christian punk. Since Sunday after a really great friend had me listen to this Christian rap song, I have been exploring other Christian music types. I found that listening to others talk about God, I felt a little bit at ease. I only got about three hours of sleep but it was worth it.
I had a rough start this morning because of my staying up late but it was what I needed. I know I sound crazy but its true. If I wasn't so exhausted, the last two days, then I wouldn't have found out so many things. Like how I always have a choice to choose what to do, and lately I've been making some wrong choices. I have been almost like avoiding God and my friendships. I need to fully focus on God and then work on everything else.
Through this blessing of being tired, I have realized that I have been disobeying God by not listening to Him. I got this book for Christmas called, Lady in Waiting, and its such a good book about dating and God really. Well, I read it for the first month that I had it and haven't picked it up since. For CSAPs though, I needed something to read after I was finished with my test, I could have picked anything but something about that book just keep me thinking. I read that book every time I was done, and a lot of it just opened my eyes, things that I would have missed if I wasn't sleep deprived. Like, how I cause all this drama for myself because if I was focused on God I would have a LOT less drama. I also realized how much God loves me and how much the people in my life have changed me. It was so amazing just how God used these small things to make a big difference.
After CSAPs it started to rain and I was so tired and still have things I must do, but I went to a night of fellowship and worship. I debated whether or not to go, and I really needed to and didn't want to make an excuse not to go. I ate so chocolate, to get much need energy, and when I got to the Grove I couldn't have been more thrilled. It was a very amazing night because a youth group from Oklahoma was there and they did all the worship and everything. I think my favorite part was when we each got a post-it-card and wrote what we needed prayer for and afterward, put it in this box and got a different one. We prayed for the other person's needs. I know that my needs had been prayed for, I just felt at peace half way through worship.
The other youth that was there, I was so sad to see them go. I don't know most of them but I know that we all share the same love for God and am so excited to see my brothers and sisters in Christ be so in their faith. I was in awe at just how there was no drama and nothing but love for each other. I know that I will see them all again one day but until then, I know that our generation is changing the world, one heart at a time.
I feel so at peace right now, even though I still have a million things to do. I am so grateful that I was able to spend so much time with God the last few days and just rest in Him. I am so blessed to have such resources that I get to grow in my faith and expand what I know about God. I don't know very many of you and I'm sure of that. I would like to get to know each one of you and know how God has changed your life. Send me an email at CarissaGrace1@gmail.com if you want to.
Thank you all and I love you guys,
CarissaGrace
I didn't go to sleep until four this morning, because I was listening to Christian rap and Christian punk. Since Sunday after a really great friend had me listen to this Christian rap song, I have been exploring other Christian music types. I found that listening to others talk about God, I felt a little bit at ease. I only got about three hours of sleep but it was worth it.
I had a rough start this morning because of my staying up late but it was what I needed. I know I sound crazy but its true. If I wasn't so exhausted, the last two days, then I wouldn't have found out so many things. Like how I always have a choice to choose what to do, and lately I've been making some wrong choices. I have been almost like avoiding God and my friendships. I need to fully focus on God and then work on everything else.
Through this blessing of being tired, I have realized that I have been disobeying God by not listening to Him. I got this book for Christmas called, Lady in Waiting, and its such a good book about dating and God really. Well, I read it for the first month that I had it and haven't picked it up since. For CSAPs though, I needed something to read after I was finished with my test, I could have picked anything but something about that book just keep me thinking. I read that book every time I was done, and a lot of it just opened my eyes, things that I would have missed if I wasn't sleep deprived. Like, how I cause all this drama for myself because if I was focused on God I would have a LOT less drama. I also realized how much God loves me and how much the people in my life have changed me. It was so amazing just how God used these small things to make a big difference.
After CSAPs it started to rain and I was so tired and still have things I must do, but I went to a night of fellowship and worship. I debated whether or not to go, and I really needed to and didn't want to make an excuse not to go. I ate so chocolate, to get much need energy, and when I got to the Grove I couldn't have been more thrilled. It was a very amazing night because a youth group from Oklahoma was there and they did all the worship and everything. I think my favorite part was when we each got a post-it-card and wrote what we needed prayer for and afterward, put it in this box and got a different one. We prayed for the other person's needs. I know that my needs had been prayed for, I just felt at peace half way through worship.
The other youth that was there, I was so sad to see them go. I don't know most of them but I know that we all share the same love for God and am so excited to see my brothers and sisters in Christ be so in their faith. I was in awe at just how there was no drama and nothing but love for each other. I know that I will see them all again one day but until then, I know that our generation is changing the world, one heart at a time.
I feel so at peace right now, even though I still have a million things to do. I am so grateful that I was able to spend so much time with God the last few days and just rest in Him. I am so blessed to have such resources that I get to grow in my faith and expand what I know about God. I don't know very many of you and I'm sure of that. I would like to get to know each one of you and know how God has changed your life. Send me an email at CarissaGrace1@gmail.com if you want to.
Thank you all and I love you guys,
CarissaGrace
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Reaching for God
Busy Lives We All Lead
The next few days will be more than busy, I'm defiantly sure of it. I am trying to write an essay in which I have no idea how to start, I have eight/nine hours of testing for the next two days, a worship night on Thursday and everything else in life that must be done.
Just thinking about everything that needs to be done, is kinda freaking me out. I think the hours upon hours of testing is what is causing the freak out though. It may seem really simple and stress-free but I think its one of the most stressful things about school. You have to take written tests,no talking, no passing notes, its not an option, you don't get the results back till the fall and this is the last year I have to take them, which means I have to take SATs and AC Ts. Plus after a day of CSAPs, you are so mental exhausted that I'm worried I wont have time to write my essay.
With everything going on and already being a day behind on the Love Challenge, I probably wont be posting the Love Day Challenge for at least the next week but will post some many people to catch up to where I need to be. I might be blogging if something really amazing happens and with God something amazing happens almost everyday.
I love you all and hope that you can all take a moment to Thank the Lord for every little thing He does for us :-)
God Bless,
CarissaGrace
Just thinking about everything that needs to be done, is kinda freaking me out. I think the hours upon hours of testing is what is causing the freak out though. It may seem really simple and stress-free but I think its one of the most stressful things about school. You have to take written tests,no talking, no passing notes, its not an option, you don't get the results back till the fall and this is the last year I have to take them, which means I have to take SATs and AC Ts. Plus after a day of CSAPs, you are so mental exhausted that I'm worried I wont have time to write my essay.
With everything going on and already being a day behind on the Love Challenge, I probably wont be posting the Love Day Challenge for at least the next week but will post some many people to catch up to where I need to be. I might be blogging if something really amazing happens and with God something amazing happens almost everyday.
I love you all and hope that you can all take a moment to Thank the Lord for every little thing He does for us :-)
God Bless,
CarissaGrace
Friday, March 11, 2011
On a walk WITH God
Today as I went walking with three children, I realized what we all do for love. Or the ones we love I should say. While crossing the road so that they would be protected, just reminding them to stay closer to the white line, or asking them not to get to far ahead, I was reminded of how God does all these things. Giving us the ability to read the Bible, to go to church, to ask advice from someone we look up to, or even just the knowing of right and wrong.
As I was walking, pushing the two girls, and a six year old boy named Luke rode his bike, I was asked a question out of fear. Luke kept turning around to see if any cars were coming on the other lane, He said," When we were at Ashley's and were walking I got creeped out." I questioned why but Luke never said. I got the sense that he was afraid, not knowing why for we had gone on walks before. We kept on going, Luke was now pushing his bike. Luke looked at me and asked," Carissa. What would you do if someone tried to run us over?" I really didn't know what to say, because if someone did I would not be a very nice person and probably would freak out, so to say. I told them that I would call the police and make sure that they would be okay. He questioned how, and I told them that I had my phone with me. Luke seemed worried, so kept asking about it. He then asked," What if they hurt us?" My response," Luke, I will never let that happen. I will protect you." Luke then replied," No, I will protect you."
That was the end of our conversation, but my mind went to God. How He protects us and just how the Lord makes everything better. Looking back I had to ask myself a very important question, what am I trying to protect myself from and not letting God protect me from it. I couldn't help but smile because this little boy has helped me so much in just asking getting me thinking and realizing huge questions.
After our wonderful walk, we came back to the house. I wanted to be outside because it was a really nice day for it being winter/spring. The kids went inside and turned on the T.V. I was like really, what is wrong this picture... oh right the sun is out and the movie should be off. I talked them into playing outside and it was really amazing. For weeks they have been treating each other ugly and just not being very nice, but while we were out in sun they were being the nicest kids ever. Luke and Sarah offered to push Naomi and Luke and Sarah were sharing. It was so cool to see what a little sunshine and lots of fresh air could do to all of our attitudes. We even ate outside and stayed and played out in the sun until it was all the way down.
Being out in the fresh air, it reminded me of what finding God in another way can do for us. I mean, I love worship and serving but when I find God in some other way like in our walk, then it just shows God in a whole new way. I love getting to know God in different ways and I think everyone does. Just knowing that God has this huge plan and when we find some other way to connect with God then we are accepting His plan just a little more.
Well I have much more to say but I should probably stop writing and boring you. Thanks for reading and love you all.
I have posted a Prayer Request page at the top next to the 120 day Love Challenge. If you have a prayer send me an email or just comment on it.
Love you and blessings,
CarissaGrace
As I was walking, pushing the two girls, and a six year old boy named Luke rode his bike, I was asked a question out of fear. Luke kept turning around to see if any cars were coming on the other lane, He said," When we were at Ashley's and were walking I got creeped out." I questioned why but Luke never said. I got the sense that he was afraid, not knowing why for we had gone on walks before. We kept on going, Luke was now pushing his bike. Luke looked at me and asked," Carissa. What would you do if someone tried to run us over?" I really didn't know what to say, because if someone did I would not be a very nice person and probably would freak out, so to say. I told them that I would call the police and make sure that they would be okay. He questioned how, and I told them that I had my phone with me. Luke seemed worried, so kept asking about it. He then asked," What if they hurt us?" My response," Luke, I will never let that happen. I will protect you." Luke then replied," No, I will protect you."
That was the end of our conversation, but my mind went to God. How He protects us and just how the Lord makes everything better. Looking back I had to ask myself a very important question, what am I trying to protect myself from and not letting God protect me from it. I couldn't help but smile because this little boy has helped me so much in just asking getting me thinking and realizing huge questions.
After our wonderful walk, we came back to the house. I wanted to be outside because it was a really nice day for it being winter/spring. The kids went inside and turned on the T.V. I was like really, what is wrong this picture... oh right the sun is out and the movie should be off. I talked them into playing outside and it was really amazing. For weeks they have been treating each other ugly and just not being very nice, but while we were out in sun they were being the nicest kids ever. Luke and Sarah offered to push Naomi and Luke and Sarah were sharing. It was so cool to see what a little sunshine and lots of fresh air could do to all of our attitudes. We even ate outside and stayed and played out in the sun until it was all the way down.
Being out in the fresh air, it reminded me of what finding God in another way can do for us. I mean, I love worship and serving but when I find God in some other way like in our walk, then it just shows God in a whole new way. I love getting to know God in different ways and I think everyone does. Just knowing that God has this huge plan and when we find some other way to connect with God then we are accepting His plan just a little more.
Well I have much more to say but I should probably stop writing and boring you. Thanks for reading and love you all.
I have posted a Prayer Request page at the top next to the 120 day Love Challenge. If you have a prayer send me an email or just comment on it.
Love you and blessings,
CarissaGrace
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Struggling But Still Smiling
Where, O' where do I begin? Well, I might as well tell you that I am doing good but at the same time, I'm struggling. But God is just really showing up in my life, well I'm just noticing it more.
I've taken a closer look at my life the last few days, and I noticed a lot of big things that I normally miss. Like how when something happened and I got upset but then God worked through someone in my life and just made me smile. Or the fact that I have been babysitting for years and I'm now just realizing how much kids have changed my life. There is tons and tons of stuff that I have been missing. Even now, I came to write the person of the love day challenge and I see that Andrea has some new posts. Which just made a smile and laugh come from deep,deep with in.
So there's a lot of drama, hurt and confusion going on with me. Drama that I could have completely avoided if I would have listened to God better. Hurt because I wasn't following God like I should have. Confusion because I don't know what God wants me to do. Plus I keep crying and even now I want to cry because if I was just focusing on God none of this would have happened.
What I'm struggling with more than anything else though is what to do. Even yesterday after everything happened, I wanted to call a very insightful person but I fought with myself for two hours on it. My winning statement, " You gave your word that you would talk to her even if you can't just ask her to pray for you." Of course I couldn't stop crying, which I very much dislike doing in front of people, and I'm positively sure that was the first time she has ever heard me cry. Being who she is, we talked for one hour and thirteen minutes.Not knowing what to do was asking for advice, now its whether or not to meet with my youth minister and if I'm just over reacting.
With not knowing what to do, the enemy is just really attacting right now. Trying to find the truth through the lies has never been my strong point. Now with thinking I'm just over reacting, I don't think I should meet with my youth minister but I don't know what the truth is. Everything going on just makes me question a few other things. Like who I am, who my friends are, should I keep teaching, should I stop going to the Grove, why didn't I see this coming, why haven't I been listening, am I a good person, am I a good influence, if not should I keep babysitting, should I do this or that and its really getting out of control. All I can do is pray and read the Bible, asking for God's help. I do know a few things though, like the fact thats I may not be a great influence but I don't see myself as a bad one, I defiantly want to keep babysitting, and I love teaching even if I'm not the greatest at it. So why would I stop doing the things I love and see God working in those areas of my life?
I think my biggest fear though, is that I am getting in the way of someone else's walk with God. I know its their choice to walk with God or not but it still feels like I am getting in the way. I know my heart hasn't at peace with anything since yesterday evening and its just hard and difficult to keep fighting with everything. All I want is to be me. Not have to tip-toe on eggshells while I'm doing it either. So if I am, how could I change that or how do I stop feeling like I am?
Happier, great things going on though (which is just God's perfectly amazing timing) I meet a new friend Ashley, and I'm reconnecting with some old ones. Ashley and I have so much in common its almost scary. She used to babysit some of the same kids I do now before they moved here. I'm not going to lie, it was kinda weird to talk to her at first because I didn't want her to think I was trying to take her place or anything. Although, I'm sure thats what it might of felt like at first. We had a conversation about it and got everything cleared up. See, I enjoy relationships (friendship types) and I think they are important. When I think I might be changing or getting in the way of one, I back off and try to work everything out. Ashley and I worked out some issues that needed to be fixed before we really got to know each other and God defiantly show us how. I've been looking for a very equal friendship. Don;t get me wrong I love my friends so much and I know they help me but I don't know just an equal friendship with someone my age I guess. Well, God did just that or at least it seems like it with Ashley so far. :)
Old friends, well I guess not really old, but we all went to Dare2Share together. We all sat in the back on the way there and got to know each other. There was a picture taken of us and the five of are all showing who we are. I just got done posting them on FaceBook last week and tagged everyone. Serena, the newest one of the group, said she missed though times. As if it was 10 or 20 years ago?!?!? Since I have been feeling like showing lots and lots of love lately, we are all going to get together and just have fun. No clue when that is or not but as I read earlier tonight," Life is short." I read that on Andrea's blog.
I just feel like time is becoming shorter and shorter, which it is but we are all missing these really important moments. I think so anyways, I also think we all need to show down and enjoy life. For the next two days I have to sit through hours and hours of testing, but I'm still going to enjoy it because it is another chance to show God's love. I still have another chance to help spread God's Kingdom.
How can you slow your life down this week?
So since I keep bring up Andrea's blog and I just feel like I need to post the link so you can see how spectacular she,her writing and her walk are/is.
http://thegressmanfamily.blogspot.com/
Love you all and blessings,
CarissaGrace
I've taken a closer look at my life the last few days, and I noticed a lot of big things that I normally miss. Like how when something happened and I got upset but then God worked through someone in my life and just made me smile. Or the fact that I have been babysitting for years and I'm now just realizing how much kids have changed my life. There is tons and tons of stuff that I have been missing. Even now, I came to write the person of the love day challenge and I see that Andrea has some new posts. Which just made a smile and laugh come from deep,deep with in.
So there's a lot of drama, hurt and confusion going on with me. Drama that I could have completely avoided if I would have listened to God better. Hurt because I wasn't following God like I should have. Confusion because I don't know what God wants me to do. Plus I keep crying and even now I want to cry because if I was just focusing on God none of this would have happened.
What I'm struggling with more than anything else though is what to do. Even yesterday after everything happened, I wanted to call a very insightful person but I fought with myself for two hours on it. My winning statement, " You gave your word that you would talk to her even if you can't just ask her to pray for you." Of course I couldn't stop crying, which I very much dislike doing in front of people, and I'm positively sure that was the first time she has ever heard me cry. Being who she is, we talked for one hour and thirteen minutes.Not knowing what to do was asking for advice, now its whether or not to meet with my youth minister and if I'm just over reacting.
With not knowing what to do, the enemy is just really attacting right now. Trying to find the truth through the lies has never been my strong point. Now with thinking I'm just over reacting, I don't think I should meet with my youth minister but I don't know what the truth is. Everything going on just makes me question a few other things. Like who I am, who my friends are, should I keep teaching, should I stop going to the Grove, why didn't I see this coming, why haven't I been listening, am I a good person, am I a good influence, if not should I keep babysitting, should I do this or that and its really getting out of control. All I can do is pray and read the Bible, asking for God's help. I do know a few things though, like the fact thats I may not be a great influence but I don't see myself as a bad one, I defiantly want to keep babysitting, and I love teaching even if I'm not the greatest at it. So why would I stop doing the things I love and see God working in those areas of my life?
I think my biggest fear though, is that I am getting in the way of someone else's walk with God. I know its their choice to walk with God or not but it still feels like I am getting in the way. I know my heart hasn't at peace with anything since yesterday evening and its just hard and difficult to keep fighting with everything. All I want is to be me. Not have to tip-toe on eggshells while I'm doing it either. So if I am, how could I change that or how do I stop feeling like I am?
Happier, great things going on though (which is just God's perfectly amazing timing) I meet a new friend Ashley, and I'm reconnecting with some old ones. Ashley and I have so much in common its almost scary. She used to babysit some of the same kids I do now before they moved here. I'm not going to lie, it was kinda weird to talk to her at first because I didn't want her to think I was trying to take her place or anything. Although, I'm sure thats what it might of felt like at first. We had a conversation about it and got everything cleared up. See, I enjoy relationships (friendship types) and I think they are important. When I think I might be changing or getting in the way of one, I back off and try to work everything out. Ashley and I worked out some issues that needed to be fixed before we really got to know each other and God defiantly show us how. I've been looking for a very equal friendship. Don;t get me wrong I love my friends so much and I know they help me but I don't know just an equal friendship with someone my age I guess. Well, God did just that or at least it seems like it with Ashley so far. :)
Old friends, well I guess not really old, but we all went to Dare2Share together. We all sat in the back on the way there and got to know each other. There was a picture taken of us and the five of are all showing who we are. I just got done posting them on FaceBook last week and tagged everyone. Serena, the newest one of the group, said she missed though times. As if it was 10 or 20 years ago?!?!? Since I have been feeling like showing lots and lots of love lately, we are all going to get together and just have fun. No clue when that is or not but as I read earlier tonight," Life is short." I read that on Andrea's blog.
I just feel like time is becoming shorter and shorter, which it is but we are all missing these really important moments. I think so anyways, I also think we all need to show down and enjoy life. For the next two days I have to sit through hours and hours of testing, but I'm still going to enjoy it because it is another chance to show God's love. I still have another chance to help spread God's Kingdom.
How can you slow your life down this week?
So since I keep bring up Andrea's blog and I just feel like I need to post the link so you can see how spectacular she,her writing and her walk are/is.
http://thegressmanfamily.blogspot.com/
Love you all and blessings,
CarissaGrace
Monday, March 7, 2011
What God REALLY does for US!!
I have been thinking about the word love a lot lately. I'm sure some of you have noticed in my writing. Today while speaking about love and posting my 120 day Love Challenge this morning, God was planning on changing something in my heart tonight.
Having a great day, even getting a nap in before a great dinner, something about the word love kept coming to me. Through the laughs and a few unhappy moments, the word love just kept coming to mind. Just thinking about love and how great it is. When I say how great love is, I don't mean boyfriend/girlfriend love.I mean the whole I love you, you love me.(This is NOT where we all start singing the Barney song!) I couldn't, for some reason, get that word to go away. For the past few weeks that word just keeps coming up. Still not knowing why, I had faith in God that He would help me understand later.
Having hope that God would help me understand, I tried not to worry and just live. While at church tonight, God really just spoke through the pastor. If you know God then I'm sure you could guess that the message was on love. How great is our God?!? I couldn't of been happier. I cried, a lot. I'm sure some of it was happy but other tears were just emotions being set free. I enjoyed crying, and I never,ever am happy about crying especial in front of people. During communion, I just was crying away when a very nice lady who helps at youth group came over and gave me a hug. She prayed for me and everything else. I was so grateful for her being there, even though I just wanted to be left alone. When I'm crying and stuff, sometimes I just want to be left alone. I didn't have it in me to ask her to go away. I think highly of this women and was very grateful for her help. I don't know if I should be posting how I felt...
March 6/7th.
So, today was a good day. Not everything about it was awesome but God made everything better. Which is why it was a good if not great day.
We had the night of worship tonight and also the fundraiser for Andrea and this other man recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. The night of worship and dinner fundraiser both started at the same time, Georgia and Mike invited me to go with them.While at the same time, High School Youth Group would have been happening but instead we went to the worship concert. I had no idea what we were doing, so I went to the worship concert, and then Georgia and Mike picked me up from there.
I arrived late to the concert, which was God's timing. Right as I got to the church a friend sent a text to me asking for help, you needed help find a Bible verse or something. Right as I walked into the church though, Georgia calls. We work out how I will know when they were there to pick me up. I hung up, walked inside and found a good friend of mine. While trying to worship the Lord, I also tried to have a conversation with her. It didn't work out either way, I couldn't focus and I also couldn't hear her. I as I tried to do an impossible thing an other friend comes up and gives me a hug. Some of the boys shaved their heads for Andrea tonight, some you could hardly recognize while others didn't have much hair to lose in the first place. But anyways, I walked over to where the youth was sitting and I thought I saw a few friends and gave them a hug and stood next to them.
I was so indescribably happy, and I have no idea why really. I think it was just from being able to worship and knowing God was working in my life. Knowing that God was just helping fix big problems, with just a simple smile. All day today, one thing went wrong and after another but during those times, God fixed them. He used the people around me to help me get through everything and remember that what I go through, He goes through. God also sent someone new to my life, which is awesome, because I think this is growing to be a very great friendship centered around God. Not only has God done that today, but for the first time in a month, I really, truly worshiped God. If it wasn't for God's amazing timing, I would have never had such a great day. Now that I think about it, no day would ever be great with out God's timing.
During worship, I felt peace and love. I felt accepted. I know many, many people accept and love me for who I am, but other people just can't accept this life I'm leading. While I was just there with God, it was so awe-striking. It was so breath taking just how it felt to realize everything God had done in my life. I knew before but its different from knowing that He has made changes in my life and really, truly knowing that He has been there every second and just felt how hurt or happy or whatever I was feeling the whole time.
Which lead me to some others who have just been there through the good and the bad, Andrea and Jason. They have been there when I have fallen so far from God to when I was closest to Him. I felt at that moment in time to go over and let them know how much I love them and how much they have changed my life. I didn't though. I don't know why, I just didn't. With everything going on with them, I don't think I have really offered to help or anything. I felt/feel just I don't even know what the word would be. But I just want them to know that I don't want it to be where they just help me and I don't help them. If that makes any sense.
I cleared my head again, just in time for the last three songs. Georgia called me halfway through the second song and I hit the ignore button, her calling was our signal for: leaving the house. I went back to God, laying everything before Him, I even cried tears of joy. Which NEVER ever happens, I believe thats the first time I cried for joy. I've cried from laughing too hard but that doesn't count and besides I wasn't laughing for the Lord, I was laughing because I find humor in everything as I so read today. Any how, while just being with God, I knew that this life I had chosen was the one meant for me. I mean I choose to babysit, which then I choose to have a relationship with the families. From there I choose to let them in my life, to then choosing to having them be part of my life. From which everything started because of my relationship with God that I chosen to have.
Worship for me tonight wasn't just about letting everything go, or just loving God or even getting to be with Him, I got to do all those things and did all of those things. But it was really me thanking God for everything He has done in my life and everything that He has planned for my life. Today, God just helped me see what little things He does through the people around me that I miss, all the time!
When trying to write the person of the day for the love challenge, I couldn't believe how many things God has done through the children in my life. I mean I do believe it because children are so pure and amazing but I just missed tons of it, until I started thinking about how they all made my life come closer to God.
I have tons and tons to say about the worship concert and the dinner fundraiser which I haven't even gotten to yet but since its already 2:30 AM, I think I should go to sleep before some great peoples' mom side kicks in.
Oh and just so you guys know, because I know at least one person thinks I felt convicted to tell Andrea and Jason how much I love them and how much they mean to me, when I was leaving right at the end of the last song (another truth to God's perfect timing) I went and gave Andrea a hug and told her I loved her. I didn't say everything I should of but I don't know, my heart isn't too worried about it.
If you, Andrea and/or Jason are reading this, You guys have changed my life in so many ways and you have helped me come closer to God than I could ever think of before. The two of you have been there through what seems like everything with me and I can't explain how much you guys mean to me. If I knew this is what was going to happened when I went to Grace the first time, I would have gone to the Grove sooner than I did but God has His timing and its always perfect. Thank you SOOOOOOO SOOOO SOOO much. I love you guys very more than very much and thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. :-)
Prayer Request-
Ky-Ky is sick and I told him I would pray for his health. If you guys could too, I would be extremely grateful. Thanks, Love you all!
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
(just reading this and then rereading and fixing mistakes, I want you all to know, especial since I'm writing about love, there is no guy in my life right now or anytime soon that I have strong positive dating relationship feelings for. That strong positive dating relationship feeling part was from this last weekends sermon. I changed it up though, instead of romantic feelings I used dating relationship feelings because romantic just sounds too adult like :)
Having a great day, even getting a nap in before a great dinner, something about the word love kept coming to me. Through the laughs and a few unhappy moments, the word love just kept coming to mind. Just thinking about love and how great it is. When I say how great love is, I don't mean boyfriend/girlfriend love.I mean the whole I love you, you love me.(This is NOT where we all start singing the Barney song!) I couldn't, for some reason, get that word to go away. For the past few weeks that word just keeps coming up. Still not knowing why, I had faith in God that He would help me understand later.
Having hope that God would help me understand, I tried not to worry and just live. While at church tonight, God really just spoke through the pastor. If you know God then I'm sure you could guess that the message was on love. How great is our God?!? I couldn't of been happier. I cried, a lot. I'm sure some of it was happy but other tears were just emotions being set free. I enjoyed crying, and I never,ever am happy about crying especial in front of people. During communion, I just was crying away when a very nice lady who helps at youth group came over and gave me a hug. She prayed for me and everything else. I was so grateful for her being there, even though I just wanted to be left alone. When I'm crying and stuff, sometimes I just want to be left alone. I didn't have it in me to ask her to go away. I think highly of this women and was very grateful for her help. I don't know if I should be posting how I felt...
March 6/7th.
So, today was a good day. Not everything about it was awesome but God made everything better. Which is why it was a good if not great day.
We had the night of worship tonight and also the fundraiser for Andrea and this other man recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. The night of worship and dinner fundraiser both started at the same time, Georgia and Mike invited me to go with them.While at the same time, High School Youth Group would have been happening but instead we went to the worship concert. I had no idea what we were doing, so I went to the worship concert, and then Georgia and Mike picked me up from there.
I arrived late to the concert, which was God's timing. Right as I got to the church a friend sent a text to me asking for help, you needed help find a Bible verse or something. Right as I walked into the church though, Georgia calls. We work out how I will know when they were there to pick me up. I hung up, walked inside and found a good friend of mine. While trying to worship the Lord, I also tried to have a conversation with her. It didn't work out either way, I couldn't focus and I also couldn't hear her. I as I tried to do an impossible thing an other friend comes up and gives me a hug. Some of the boys shaved their heads for Andrea tonight, some you could hardly recognize while others didn't have much hair to lose in the first place. But anyways, I walked over to where the youth was sitting and I thought I saw a few friends and gave them a hug and stood next to them.
I was so indescribably happy, and I have no idea why really. I think it was just from being able to worship and knowing God was working in my life. Knowing that God was just helping fix big problems, with just a simple smile. All day today, one thing went wrong and after another but during those times, God fixed them. He used the people around me to help me get through everything and remember that what I go through, He goes through. God also sent someone new to my life, which is awesome, because I think this is growing to be a very great friendship centered around God. Not only has God done that today, but for the first time in a month, I really, truly worshiped God. If it wasn't for God's amazing timing, I would have never had such a great day. Now that I think about it, no day would ever be great with out God's timing.
During worship, I felt peace and love. I felt accepted. I know many, many people accept and love me for who I am, but other people just can't accept this life I'm leading. While I was just there with God, it was so awe-striking. It was so breath taking just how it felt to realize everything God had done in my life. I knew before but its different from knowing that He has made changes in my life and really, truly knowing that He has been there every second and just felt how hurt or happy or whatever I was feeling the whole time.
Which lead me to some others who have just been there through the good and the bad, Andrea and Jason. They have been there when I have fallen so far from God to when I was closest to Him. I felt at that moment in time to go over and let them know how much I love them and how much they have changed my life. I didn't though. I don't know why, I just didn't. With everything going on with them, I don't think I have really offered to help or anything. I felt/feel just I don't even know what the word would be. But I just want them to know that I don't want it to be where they just help me and I don't help them. If that makes any sense.
I cleared my head again, just in time for the last three songs. Georgia called me halfway through the second song and I hit the ignore button, her calling was our signal for: leaving the house. I went back to God, laying everything before Him, I even cried tears of joy. Which NEVER ever happens, I believe thats the first time I cried for joy. I've cried from laughing too hard but that doesn't count and besides I wasn't laughing for the Lord, I was laughing because I find humor in everything as I so read today. Any how, while just being with God, I knew that this life I had chosen was the one meant for me. I mean I choose to babysit, which then I choose to have a relationship with the families. From there I choose to let them in my life, to then choosing to having them be part of my life. From which everything started because of my relationship with God that I chosen to have.
Worship for me tonight wasn't just about letting everything go, or just loving God or even getting to be with Him, I got to do all those things and did all of those things. But it was really me thanking God for everything He has done in my life and everything that He has planned for my life. Today, God just helped me see what little things He does through the people around me that I miss, all the time!
When trying to write the person of the day for the love challenge, I couldn't believe how many things God has done through the children in my life. I mean I do believe it because children are so pure and amazing but I just missed tons of it, until I started thinking about how they all made my life come closer to God.
I have tons and tons to say about the worship concert and the dinner fundraiser which I haven't even gotten to yet but since its already 2:30 AM, I think I should go to sleep before some great peoples' mom side kicks in.
Oh and just so you guys know, because I know at least one person thinks I felt convicted to tell Andrea and Jason how much I love them and how much they mean to me, when I was leaving right at the end of the last song (another truth to God's perfect timing) I went and gave Andrea a hug and told her I loved her. I didn't say everything I should of but I don't know, my heart isn't too worried about it.
If you, Andrea and/or Jason are reading this, You guys have changed my life in so many ways and you have helped me come closer to God than I could ever think of before. The two of you have been there through what seems like everything with me and I can't explain how much you guys mean to me. If I knew this is what was going to happened when I went to Grace the first time, I would have gone to the Grove sooner than I did but God has His timing and its always perfect. Thank you SOOOOOOO SOOOO SOOO much. I love you guys very more than very much and thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. :-)
Prayer Request-
Ky-Ky is sick and I told him I would pray for his health. If you guys could too, I would be extremely grateful. Thanks, Love you all!
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
(just reading this and then rereading and fixing mistakes, I want you all to know, especial since I'm writing about love, there is no guy in my life right now or anytime soon that I have strong positive dating relationship feelings for. That strong positive dating relationship feeling part was from this last weekends sermon. I changed it up though, instead of romantic feelings I used dating relationship feelings because romantic just sounds too adult like :)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
My Love Challenge
I asked in my last post what we could do to show love for some one this week. I have been thinking about it for a long while now, and I thought of one. Not one that I will do everyday but it helped me think of one that I could do every day. So here's the first thought that came to mind.
For 120 days I am going to post my favorite memory of someone and how they have changed my life. I should have started this the first of the month and since I didn't I am posting five people this morning. I am going to post people randomly so no one is higher or has effected my life more, except on day 120. I am going to post the one person that has changed my life the undeniable most. I will be posting them on a different page marked as My 120 Love Day Challenge. You can find this at the top of the page under the blog title and description. I might even post pictures of something that the person I'm writing about will know. Whether you read it or not, Thank you. You all help my writing grow and if I misspell something or use wrong grammar you still come back to read. :D Thanks
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
For 120 days I am going to post my favorite memory of someone and how they have changed my life. I should have started this the first of the month and since I didn't I am posting five people this morning. I am going to post people randomly so no one is higher or has effected my life more, except on day 120. I am going to post the one person that has changed my life the undeniable most. I will be posting them on a different page marked as My 120 Love Day Challenge. You can find this at the top of the page under the blog title and description. I might even post pictures of something that the person I'm writing about will know. Whether you read it or not, Thank you. You all help my writing grow and if I misspell something or use wrong grammar you still come back to read. :D Thanks
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Love is...?
I wanted to share this picture I found that was taken maybe four months ago. I was babysitting like I normally am and I brought my camera. Ky, a five year old, took this picture and it just brought a smile to my heart which I really needed this morning.
As I looked at this photo I remembered all the fun we had that day, all the laughs and all the smiles. I started to remember all the other times too. The times where one of the boys was upset and they still found a way to smile when something happened. Even if it was something really small, they just let it brighten up their day.
The word love keeps popping up in my life this week, and one scripture keeps coming to mind. One that I have remembered and I didn't even realize I knew it. This picture may mean nothing to you but to me, it means so much. The people that have shown me the way when I was lost, the people who told me something I really needed to hear, and the people who have been there to make a smile appear on my face have all shown love. But the greatest love ever shown was when God sent his only son. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
That scripture I was speaking of earlier, when I hear the word love come up, well here it is. I'm more than sure you have probably heard it at least once, I think its one of my favorite verses right now in my life. 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 the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
What scripture comes to mind when you hear the word love?
What does the word love mean to you?
How is one way you could show your love for someone this week?
(Yes I threw that last one in there like I would have if I were teaching Sunday school. But shouldn't all have a weekly goal that we try to be successful at, and then try to put in our everyday lives after we succeed?)
Just some thing to think about.
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
As I looked at this photo I remembered all the fun we had that day, all the laughs and all the smiles. I started to remember all the other times too. The times where one of the boys was upset and they still found a way to smile when something happened. Even if it was something really small, they just let it brighten up their day.
The word love keeps popping up in my life this week, and one scripture keeps coming to mind. One that I have remembered and I didn't even realize I knew it. This picture may mean nothing to you but to me, it means so much. The people that have shown me the way when I was lost, the people who told me something I really needed to hear, and the people who have been there to make a smile appear on my face have all shown love. But the greatest love ever shown was when God sent his only son. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
That scripture I was speaking of earlier, when I hear the word love come up, well here it is. I'm more than sure you have probably heard it at least once, I think its one of my favorite verses right now in my life. 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 the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
What scripture comes to mind when you hear the word love?
What does the word love mean to you?
How is one way you could show your love for someone this week?
(Yes I threw that last one in there like I would have if I were teaching Sunday school. But shouldn't all have a weekly goal that we try to be successful at, and then try to put in our everyday lives after we succeed?)
Just some thing to think about.
Blessings,
CarissaGrace
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
