Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bible Memorization

As sad as it is, it's hard to make time in our crazy lives to memorize scripture. However, it's so important to "hide God's word in our hearts"; and yet we give such little time to it.

At Bible Study, we made these very cool little deals which help you memorize Bible verses.
It works really well and it's a great idea...so, here's how to make them!

First, pick a bible verse(s). Write it on a piece of paper. Put the piece of paper in a plastic baggie.


Make a slit in the plastic baggie, and thread a ribbon through it, tying the end. Then, hang it on your shower head.


Voila! Next time you take a shower, it's there, waiting for you. Pretty ingenious, right?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Really? Already?

Is Thanksgiving already over? Was it really two days ago that we munched orange rolls, played football in the backyard, watched Detroit get beat..again, stretched the adult's memories to the max in the Couch Game, and of course...devoured the wonderfully delicious dinner?

Are we already putting our fall decorations away? Is Christmas music really playing 24/7? Did we actually decorate the church, preparing for Advent? Is Mom really almost done Christmas Shopping? Can the Ball really be less than 21 days away?

Yes. It can. And is.

LET THE PARTY BEGIN!

Here's a few snapshots from Thursday...

Kate, at the breakfast table, displaying her turkey.


Mmm...Sticky rolls.


(l to r) Kate, Uncle Eric, Karis, and Zeke. Uncle Eric is the buddy of every little person in our family.


Levi's beeeeautiful smile after the orthodontist finally cranked off the braces.



Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go clean my room, while blasting Christmas all over the place!

I wish December was longer.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Day 13

Thanksgiving is just around the corner...wafts of baking goodies are drifting near my seat.
I've loved reading everyone's thankful posts. It had reminded me once again, really, truly, how much we have to be thankful for.

Today, I'm thankful for one of the most important parts of my life. My friends.

Can I even express this? Are there words fit to describe my friends and what they mean to me?

Everybody is convinced they have the best friends in the world. I'm just the same. Only, it's true for me :)

My friends are not just friends...they are sisters/brothers.

We haven't just been through the wonderful but easy times...laughing late at night. Running in the rain. Singing our hearts off. Dancing in the parking lot. Talking to random people in Walmart. Concocting wildly crazy plans. Laughing even I'm not funny. Caring even it's something small. Bearing with me when I'm grumpy. Encouraging me whenever, whatever it is.

They've been with me through the hard times too. Confusion. Goodbyes. Silence. Emptiness.

God has blessed me so,so much to have been able to grow up with such a tight, strong group of Christians. Most friends fight. Not us. Most friends bicker. Not once. This is a God thing. Completely.
Not only have we shared so many experiences, we've shaped each other. I'm sure I'd be different if I hadn't had the friends I had.

So. I'm thankful. Utterly, filled up to the brim, thankful. I love you, friends.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Day 12

Today...(I'm finally caught up!)...I'm thankful for...

Heh.

This is going to be weird.

And not deep at all. Quite shallow, in fact.

YUUUUMMMY FOOOD!

Ok. Do I even need to go into the benefits of food?
It keeps you alive.
It tastes good.
It's fun to eat.
It's even more fun to eat with friends.
Plus, meals are a great time to spend with your family.
It's a blessing to have enough of it.

Alright, I did my best to make it sound deep :)

But seriously..today, I had a delicious lunch at Panera Bread with yummy hot chocolate. And it was good. :)






(And, no, unfortunately this not the hot chocolate I had. But, it looks yummy, doesn't it?)

Day 11

Today (yes, yes, I know...), I am thankful for...
This is harder than I thought to explain...

You know those things that make you happiest/most excited in the world whenever you do them? Those things that give you goosebumps?
It's different for everybody. It's so amazing how unique God has created each of us. We all have different passions, different things that make us feel alive.

I am so thankful for those things. Those things that make you fall in love with life. The things that make you just stand and gape at the awesomeness of God.
When I was younger, I used think, secretly, that Heaven would be boring. I knew what at a sacrilegious thought it was, but it was true!
But then my Mom said something that really stuck with me. She said that God created all the things that give us such joy in life...in fact, he *created* us to enjoy them. He created music, and friends, and dancing, and art, and sports, and all the things that different people enjoy in the world. And if we think this life is amazing...do you know much more amazing heaven with be?!? It's not going to be boring. In fact, it will be the most thrilling experience EVER. The closest I've ever felt to this feeling was at church camp...when we were all singing together, praising our God with our entire souls. And the happiness I felt then was so incredible. It was fulfilling and scary and wonderful at the same time...our God deserves praise, forever and forever. "God is most satisfied in us, when we are most satisfied in Him" - John Piper.
The pursuit of happiness. It's God, everybody. Nothing can make you happier.



Things (note: things, not people. These are the things I love, a WHOLE big bunch, but they don't come close to my family and friends) that leave me breaaathless...or not. Then, I'd be dead. But, they get pretty close.

Dancing


(l to right: Mom, Dad, Me)

Music (Specifically, singing)




Writing


Acting


Reading


Monday, November 23, 2009

Day 10

Today...*cough*...I am thankful for...
Joy

"Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5


I'm usually a very happy person!


:)


But, occasionally, since my friends have moved, I had bouts of "sad days".
I just don't feel...joyful. I feel tired and lifeless and just altogether blue.
But I'm learning to be cheerful, even when it's not a good day.
God is always the same God. He stays the same. But his greatness and amazing love grow greater and greater to me every week.
And through his strength, not through my own, I can be joyful, even when I'm feeling down.





Saturday, November 21, 2009

Day 9

Today, I'm thankful for...

Pictures
Which bring back wonderful memories
That you'll never lose.




Day 8

Today, I'm thankful for...
Saturdays
Which put me in an extremely good mood.


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Day 7

Halfway there!!

Today, I'm thankful for...
Being Girl
Yes, indeed. We get to do so many awesome things. Such as...

Play dress up, though we're teenagers...


Dance/Sing in the rain (Would a boy do this? Not a chance.) :)


Have the awesomest inside jokes. And write them on their arms in red sharpie.

And much more.

I have to go to bed now.

Psalm 89:30-34
"If his sons forsake my law, and do not follow my statues, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging, BUT, I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered."

Goodnight, dear readers!

My first blog award!


AWESOME!
Costume Queen of Aria of an Amateur has kindly awarded me this From me to you! award for having an awesome blog :) Thank you so much, Costume Queen! :)

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Copy the Award.
3. Post it in your blog.
4. Tell Us 7 things that your readers don't know.
5. Link 7 new blogger as recipients.
6. Notify winners of award with comment on their blog.
7. Keep being Awesome.


7 things you don't already know about me...hmmm...this could be difficult...

1.
I don't really like animals. Yes, I'm afraid it's true, all you pet lovers (that is, basically everyone in the world besides me). Although I'm fine with kittens and puppies, I'm NOT a fan of dogs...or cats...or guinea pigs...you get idea. I'm glad other people enjoy treating their animals like their children, but I'm really okay without them :)

2. I fail at craft projects. I've attempted knitting. *shiver* Oh, the horror. I like knitting and I love yarn, but my finished product after painstakingly working for at least a month was hideous...in fact, multiple finished products were hideous. I attempted crocheting. I walked out the door crying. 'Nuff said. (I was 11, ok?) There are many other such stories. I make friendship bracelets, and that's about it :)

3. My pet peeve is people cheating on games. I NEVER get mad at my friends. They're my friends, for goodness sake! Recently, my friend said the only time she can remember me mad, is at a capture the flag game, and the other team was cheating (in a way). I feel really, really stupid about it now, but it made me rather angry. But hey, it's just a game. And usually I'm not very competitive. Teehee :)

4. I've read the book Shadow Spinner at least 7 times. At least. It's in a close tie with Fairest, Ella Enchanted, and The Sherwood Ring. Also, I've read nearly all of Agatha Christie's Mysteries. Heh.

5. When I'm performing, I get nervous playing piano, but not singing. When I play piano by myself, my legs start shaking. I love accompanying, not so much solos. But singing is fine! Weird, I know.

6. When I was little, I really, really, really wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. I even dressed up like one for Halloween :)

7. I'm running out of ideas, so this is going to be random. I don't own any red articles of clothing. I don't have anything against red..I just don't own any red clothes!

Now, for the people I'm nominating for the award who have really awesome blogs...

1. Haleymay at http://musicintherain.blogspot.com/
Her posts always make me either smile, or cry, or both. This Christ-focused girl has a funky way of writing which is both endearing and entertaining. Her posts are meaningful. I love you!

2. Rainydaydreamer at http://rainydaysareawesome.blogspot.com/?zx=c48f6b4fb4651f71
This dear girly always makes me laugh out loud with her crazy rambles...which is are both awesome and heart felt. She's so completely herself on whatever she's talking about, be it friends, dancing, knitting, singing...you get the idea. Sisters in Christ forever!

3. Matt over at http://www.matteroniandcheese.blogspot.com/
What can I say? This kid can write...and he's extremely funny. I always enjoy his posts and pictures...and always end up LOLing all over the place. Keep rockin', brother!

4. Bre of http://unbellavita.blogspot.com/?zx=98ec178938e1c2ae
With details, pictures, and fun, Bre's Christian Worldview enhances everything she writes about. This piano lovin' girl's posts are always well thought out and an enjoyment to read!

5. Miller Family at http://cmmillerblog.blogspot.com/
This blog is the story of Christian family through the hard times as well as the joyful. All of their posts are such fun to read, and cover a variety of topics. Days in the life of big family are crazy, and it's nice to read about others with lots of siblings!

6. Ellie Snider at http://theglamlg.blogspot.com/
Who's posts are filled with witty comments, fun pictures, crazy stories, and altogether awesomeness. I love you, Ellie! :)

7. Levi at http://levi-leviathan.blogspot.com/
This dude is my brother. I couldn't leave him out...and plus, I really enjoy reading his entertaining, but sporadic, posts. It's fun to see his take on life in writing...although his spelling could be improved ;) (I love you too!)


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Day 6

Today, I am thankful for...

My two youngest siblings, Kate and Isaiah
Who keep me laughing.


Who knew little kids could be so completely hilarious?
I love them.
NOBODY has cuter/awesomer/funnier/more demanding/sweet siblings. I'm serious :)





Day 5

Today, (yesterday...yes, indeed, I am lazy. But also busy!) I am thankful for...

Silence

Something rarely found in a family of nine. But, the time I do get that is silent...I am very thankful for. It keeps me sane :)

"Saying nothing sometimes says the most." - Emily Dickison

"Silence is full of music." - Marcel Marceau

Monday, November 16, 2009

Day 4

Today (for reals, this time), I'm thankful for....

Expectation

Ahh! This is something I really, really, REALLY am so grateful for. Without it, I'd be some sort of dead lump in the closet who spends all their time writing depressing poetry. And crying. It would be sad.
Expectation is just another wonder of life. Half the fun and excitement of any event is..waiting for it! Expectation makes goodbyes so much easier - instead of dwelling on the sadness of the moment, you can think about the next time you'll see each other. YES!
Expectation is a vital part of any Christian's life. We can rest in the fact that one day, we'll see Him. Our creator, sustainer, savior, our everything. And, in that day, there won't be anymore tears, or goodbyes, or wickedness, or despair, or failures, or sickness. We'll understand every mystery our puny minds can't begin to grasp in this life. We'll be able to worship our king without any hindrances. I CAN'T WAIT!!!
There are so many things I'm waiting for right now, but mainly....
  • Christmas (!!)
  • The Ball. Theballtheballtheballtheballtheballtheballtheballtheball. And, again I say, the ball. It's going to be most awesome thing ever. Be jealous :)
  • To go to Hoooouston again. AHHHHHHHH!! Hopefully, that'll be really, really soon.
  • To finish my novel
  • To drive :)
  • To try out for Annie!


Day 3

Today...or, that is, yesterday *cough* (an extremely busy yesterday, might I add) I am thankful for...
Hand Written Notes

In this day where almost everything is done through the internet...do you know how SPECIAL it makes you feel when you get a hand written note? Goodness Gracious, someone cares about you enough to dig out a working pen, file through the cluttered drawers to find a stamp, get out a piece of paper and envelope, and strain their minds to write just the right words. Get well cards, Birthday Cards, Congratulations Cards, Christmas Cards...they. all. rock. I am SO grateful for hand written notes. Which is rather selfish, but true :)
For instance, my mom writes me really special and sweet notes which she sticks in birthday/Christmas presents, on my pillow, in my lunch on the way to a camp...I save all of them forevers.
AND, some of my awesome friends write me notes, too! :)
Just a simple sticky note with a small bit of your own scrawls really can make somebody's day.
Ahhh, the joys of life. What an awesome God we serve!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Day 2

Today, I'm thankful for...

The Unexpected


Which might sound a little strange. Let me explain.

Some unexpected things are really awesome. Like a surprise visit from a friend, or a belated birthday card, or a call from someone you haven't heard from in a while, or even just finding a library book after you had given up all hope of seeing it again!
God just pops little blessings ALL over our lives...and sometimes we don't even notice! (*ehem* me *ehem*) Sometimes, we just focus on everything that seems to be going wrong and forget to be thankful for those little unexpected delights.
Last night, I was having a little pity party. For...myself!
After going on about all my complaints to God about my less than perfect week....I realized.
There was SO much good that happened this week as well. Duh.

Not that everything unexpected is good.
I didn't expect for so many of my best friends to move away in one year.
BUT.
Despite what seems bad when it happens, God has planned everything for our sanctification, whether through pleasure or hardship. Nothing is unexpected to God. We can rest in his promises. We don't have to worry about tomorrow...God has had it planned from the beginning. What a thing to be THANKFUL for.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Day 1

Today, I'm thankful for...

SMILES

Smiles are just so warm. And happy. Where would we be without them?
IreallyhopeIknowyou smiles
YoujustfailedthisbasketballgamebutIstillloveyou smiles
Rememberthatonetime? smiles
AreyouthinkingwhatIthinkyou'rethinking smiles
Thatwastooinsanelyhilarious smiles
Irestrainingmycompletefrustrationatyou,child smiles
YOU'REMYFRIEND!!!! smiles
Hi,youwayacrosstheroom smiles
Iforgiveyou smiles
God'sgracejustmakesmewannajumpupanddown smiles
Just a plain jane smile

They can make somebody's day.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR SMILES.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thanksgiving is coming up way too fast, soo...

Here's a challenge that the author of http://untraveledpath.blogspot.com began!
From November 13-26, I'm going to post one post every day about something I'm thankful for!
Head on over to the Untraveled Path if you want to join, too! :)







Monday, November 9, 2009

"No one mourns....the WICKED!"


Wow.

Just.

Wow.

WICKED was the single most incredible musical I have ever watched.

WOW.

I basically had chills the entire time :)

AHHHHH!

I want to watch it again.

And again.

And again.

*sings*

It was so worth missing the first basketball game. Sorry team. Wicked phoweeps.

We left...around 7:30, and drove to Wichita. Not quite as easy as it sounds.
My mom is not the most confident driver. *cough* understatement *cough*
But, we made it there safely AND without taking any scenic detours.




Kate and Karis :) They so cute.

We left them at Grammy's house. Karis was convinced she was going to be dead when we got back. Morbid child :)


Then, Mom and I went shopping! It was fun...but,
in the three whole hours, we only bought SOCKS. Exciting, right?
Oh, and we ate at this yummy healthy resturant, and got serenaded by an old guy playing jazz on an electric piano :) It was pretty awesome.


And, then, we got the theater! It was huge, and round.

YAYAYAYAY!


We made it up the three flights stairs, only to discover we had come up the wrong side. So down we went, and back up three more flights of stairs. We were in the middle of balcony...*grin* It was actually a pretty good view. And binoculars were helpful too. Here's the stage at the beginning, it's kind of fuzzy..(And, yes, that is a bald guy's head in the corner)


And...it was incredibly amazing and awesome and moving and all that jazz.
I LOVED IT.
And I thought the actors/actresses did a great job not forming to the typical mold of the songs from the original broadway showing. Popular was faaabulous, and it was different, and almost better, I thought, than Kristen Chenoweth's.
And the sets were crazy cool.
So was the rain on stage.
And they all had beautiful voices.
And it was altogether sweet.

Here's my t-shirt :)


And it was a little creepy...I saw Mr. Dalton (The Director of Wizard of Oz from '08) at the show afterwards. How weird.

But it was an incredible experience.

It was WICKED. (Yes. This is overused. Yes. I am going to use it, again. :D)

Friday, November 6, 2009

A little survey...

We played an awesome game at Youth Group on Wednesday Night! We all had to fill out a short survey, making sure no one saw our answers. We would then hand them to my dad, who would read the answers out loud, but wouldn't say who wrote them.
We all wrote on a sheet of paper which answers we thought went with which person (as in, #4: Kaley, etc.) , then went around and compared our answers!
I am proud to say I guessed everyone right! I'm perceptive like that.. ;)

Here's the survey:

What is the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning? Already?

What color do you think best describes your personality? Cranberry :)

If you could have any pet in the imaginary world, what would it be? A firefly

What is your bedtime? 10:30-11ish on school nights

If you could visit any country, what would it be? England

Sweet or Salty? Sweet

Red or Blue? Blue

Shower or Bath? Shower

If you could go to any time period, what would it be? Medieval

Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Nope

Favorite Sesame Street Character? Ernie

Favorite Soup? Baked Potatoe at Panera Bread

If you could be any character in a movie, who would it be? Eowyn from Lord of the Rings

What's your favorite song (GAH! I just picked two I like)? In Christ Alone, and All I ask of you

What's your favorite candy bar? Three Musketeers

SO.

Now it's your turn! Have fun!

(Please post your answers in your comment!)

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My Room!

Yes, it is, in fact, true that my room is all entirety normally a place of disaster and despair. Clothes are everywhere, beds are in havoc, toys are where no toy has been before...but, it is not always this way. (AND, it's not all my fault. Try sharing a room with an 8 year old and 4 year old. MmHmm. Cleanliness is not going to happen)
But right now...after a weekend of effort....my room is fairly reasonable. And I'm going to post pictures of my favorite spot.
Ever.
This is where I read...and get ideas...and dance to music...and talk on the phone...and all that fun stuff.
It has recently been renovated after birthdayness. YAY! And this is part of the room that stays clean..um, 60/70% of the time. As opposed to the 20% of the other side.

So, anyways. Here is it.
This is the entrance into my wee spot...

And this is the inside :)
(Note: My flamingo rocks. Just sayin')

I have decided I'm going to post at LEAST twice a week. At least.

Don't laugh.

Hugs,

Kaley

"By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me -
a prayer to the God of my life."
Psalm 42:8


Monday, November 2, 2009

Words, Songs, and Hymns

Wordle: Untitled

This is pretty cool!
If you go to www.wordle.com, it will give you a box containing the most frequently used words in your blog :)

I know this is kind of hard to see...but, the most common words I use are:
Rainbow
Life
Somewhere
Something
Amazing
Unknown
Something
Dream
Really
Song
Game
Ahh
Cause
Random
Even

:)

My parents recently were talking about songs they used to listen to...and I looked them up :) They're actually pretty good :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr3dJxeT4oA&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFCGn_bU_kI
(This video is, well, old. And their clothes and hair is ridiculous) :)

I LOVE playing piano for church. (Yes. Random. What's new.)
It's so energizing and such a fun way to glorify God with music!

Here are two of my favorite hymns/contemporary Christian songs that I got play yesterday!

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

What's YOUR favorite hymn/contemporary Christian song?