tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653345233148935702024-03-13T11:31:15.708-07:00Nicole's SoulNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-63993165144853184102010-08-21T18:24:00.001-07:002010-08-21T18:25:56.475-07:00NEW BLOG :)This is officially my last Blogger post!<br /><br />If you're still interested in reading what I have to say you should now go to:<br /><br /><a href="http://fifteengoingonsixteen.tumblr.com/">http://fifteengoingonsixteen.tumblr.com</a><br /><br />DO IT. :)Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-65745306053670128872010-06-30T09:09:00.001-07:002010-06-30T09:13:29.524-07:00The Thing About Life.<span style="color:#336666;">The thing about life is that, it's not perfect.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But I bet you know that.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">It knocks you down, again and again and throws you surprises and curve balls and heartbreaks and happiness over and over again.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And when it <em>does</em> knock you down,</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">You've got to get back up again.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">You've got to be strong and let it go and just keep going. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And when life knocks you down <em>again</em>, you've got to <em>get back up <strong>again</strong></em>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">We've got to stop worrying, stop fretting, stop pacing, stop crying, stop all of it.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Just stop.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Relax.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Forget about it.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Move on.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Pick yourself up, and keep going, because you never know what surprise life is going to throw you next.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-42549202851566538972010-06-22T15:35:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:48:00.304-07:00Since I Started Blogging..<span style="color:#336666;">I started blogging over a year ago. I looked forward to my Blogiversary.. and I do remember seeing that I had about 16 days to go and getting all excited.. and then summer came, I got busy.. and forgot.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But anyway, I can't believe it's been <strong>A YEAR</strong>. It really feels like just yesterday I was trying to figure out what I wanted to name this thing (You should have heard what I came up with haha), how I wanted to decorate it (I think I've changed it 3 times so far). I can remember writing my first blog post, getting all excited, and putting a link on facebook so everyone else could see. :)</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">To a stranger who happened to stumble across my blog and read all or most of my postings I'm sure it appears that I haven't changed much since I first starting blogging.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But I have.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">A lot.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since then a lot in my life has changed. <em>I</em> have changed. I always told myself that there was nothing wrong with writing about the good things I was experiencing spiritually, or something I was up to, and that I would never make this a personal blog. (I have a diary for that. You never know what could come back and bite you!) So it's difficult to explain the reasons that I have changed.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, God has done miracles in my life.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, my faith has blossomed and grown and been beautiful and full and wonderful.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, I let go of my faith for a time being and lived the way <em>I </em>wanted to live. (By the way, it didn't work out.)</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, I thought I fell in love.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, I grew up some more. I saw things I'd never seen before.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Since I started blogging, I met people I know I'll be friends with for years and years to come. People who have changed me for the better.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And I can't wait to live another year. I can't wait for all the surprises, the people, the laughs. I can't wait to continue "growing up", changing, and learning about myself and the world around me.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">By the way, I've decided to keep this blog and not get a tumblr. For now anyway. :)</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-12927951285715823712010-06-14T17:38:00.000-07:002010-06-14T17:39:53.131-07:00Tumblr, Maybe.<span style="color:#336666;">Lately I've been hearing great things about this new blogging site called Tumblr. I checked it out.. and it's actually pretty cool.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So I'm <strong><em>thinking</em> </strong>about possibly ditching this blog and beginning a new one. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Just thinking though.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Hmmmmmmmmmm...</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-44901261325997821552010-06-03T13:39:00.000-07:002010-06-03T13:53:32.886-07:00Summmmmer.<span style="color:#336666;">Ahh.. finally. Summer.</span> <div><div><div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">Summer means staying up late and sleeping in. It means jumping in cool, refreshing pools, drinking iced tea, going to parties and being with your friends. It means a summer romance, the hot sun on your face and in your hair, friendship bracelets and sleepovers all the time. Summer is one of the best times of the year and it's FINALLY here!</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478652711479794098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/TAgVnSt72bI/AAAAAAAAAsI/gMiMEjYfYK4/s320/30705_126204124066313_100000301796668_224272_6044523_n.jpg" /><span style="color:#336666;">Catherine, McKenna and I decied to take some nice pictures together. (:</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478652715253917554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/TAgVngxwZ3I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/78nNfHX816g/s320/30705_126207510732641_100000301796668_224278_7133113_n.jpg" /><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478652722081418594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/TAgVn6NjzWI/AAAAAAAAAsY/EVBvevoTs-A/s320/32232_125121887517436_100000588768595_216225_257445_n.jpg" /><span style="color:#336666;">Best friend Danielle and I in the last week of school. (:</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478652731823621698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/TAgVoegSBkI/AAAAAAAAAsg/JVToTgyu4-g/s320/31055_125429534143772_100000301796668_220443_8266723_n.jpg" /><span style="color:#336666;">And it's only the beginning!<br /></span><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-26177941138101196042010-05-31T08:20:00.000-07:002010-05-31T08:28:53.251-07:00I'm Not Perfect.<span style="color:#336666;">I'm naturally competitive. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">It's just the way I am. Whether I'm playing a sport, or taking a test, or comparing myself to others, I'm constantly wanting to be better. Sometimes it can be a good thing. It helps me strive to be better and better. But- it can also be my downfall.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Sometimes I get too caught up in being the best, and perfect, that I lose myself. I start inwardly insulting myself over and over again, until the point where I'm doing things I shouldn't in order to be the best at whatever I'm doing.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So where does God fit into all of this?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">See, that's the thing. He doesn't.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">When I get into my "competitive mode", I sort of shove everything else aside. Even God. Especially God. Because I know that when I'm in this really good place with God, I can't do the things I want to do because guilt eats at me constantly.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I know I need to change. And I'm working on it. I have to focus on being happy with the way God made me. My personality, my body, my IQ. I have to be content with it. There's nothing wrong with striving to be better, but when it comes to the point that I'm leaving behind my set of morals, I know it's time to take a step back. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Part of the reason I'm so competitive is because- it's what people expect of me. People <em>expect</em> me to always look great, get good grades, be a "good" person, because that's the reputation I've built for myself. But the thing is, I'm not perfect. I don't always look beautiful, I don't always get an A, and I'm certainly not always the role model person. But no one really is.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I know I need to turn to God, and ask for forgiveness for the things I've been doing.</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-86201779229357646222010-05-22T08:52:00.000-07:002010-05-29T18:34:31.241-07:00Choir Banquet (:<span style="color:#336666;">It's hard to believe my freshman year in high school is almost over. It seems like just yesterday I was worrying about finding my classes the first day, and getting used to my new teachers, finding a place to sit at lunch, etc. I think each year of our life helps form us into the person we become- and this year changed me a lot. </span><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">One of my constants this year was Choir. Some of my very best friends are in Choir, and I know I'm going to continue to grow closer to these people for the next three years of my life. I'm so grateful for all the experiences I've had, all the laughs, all the tears. It's been unforgettable. And now that Choir Banquet is over, I feel like my whole year is too.</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474123868799242530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S_f-p9BEESI/AAAAAAAAAro/ZpR5HiBawqE/s320/003.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Before the banquet. (:</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474123875372851154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S_f-qVgVX9I/AAAAAAAAArw/ubZyZWc-cRs/s320/004.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Rojean</span><span style="color:#336666;">, Katie, and Cammie! Crazy, amazing girls.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474123881747616450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S_f-qtQMksI/AAAAAAAAAr4/hWCt5NenrJg/s320/008.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Some of my very best friends, Catherine and McKenna.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474123886505586818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S_f-q--lcII/AAAAAAAAAsA/zCDiytzYRD8/s320/010.JPG" />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-91733707245957683812010-05-03T18:22:00.000-07:002010-05-03T18:29:48.105-07:00Reasons to Pray?<span style="color:#336666;">Prayer is so beautiful.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I mean, when you really think about it? Being able to talk to your Creator, the one will loves you no matter what, who will never leave you- <em>anytime</em> you want? That's huge. And it's amazing.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">A friend and I were together the other day and started talking about prayer, and all the ways that it's important to us. We talked about how comforting it is to know that when you pray about your friend who's hurting that there's actually someone there listening to You. We talked about how astounding it is that we can talk to <em>Jesus</em>, just like we talk to our best friend. We talked about how undeserving we are, that he actually <em>wants</em> to hear what we have to say. We talked about how loved we feel, when we know that when <em>we </em>are hurting or have a problem- <strong>He cares</strong>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But you know what we didn't talk about?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">We didn't talk about <em>listening to God.</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#336666;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Which is <strong>huge</strong>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">How are we supposed to know God's will for our lives, if we don't listen to what He has to say? Think about it. He already knows what's going to happen to us in advance if we choose to do what He asks- or if we choose to do what we want. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And you know what?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">God's way is best. <strong><em>Always</em></strong>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Even if His will for you makes absolutely no sense at all. Maybe at the moment you're confused and hurting and you think that this situation has to be done THIS WAY, or no way at all. Because, that's the only way it's going to work, right?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Wrong.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">He knows best. And He <strong><em>actually wants </em></strong>the best for YOU. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So next time you sit down to pray, make sure you set aside some time to listen. Maybe God's got something to say too.</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-18249145486866761282010-04-24T16:55:00.000-07:002010-04-24T17:26:16.137-07:00Cute Pictures With My Cute Best Friend.<span style="color:#336666;">McKenna and I got together today and had the BEST time. And took some amazing pictures along the way. (: Want to see;)?</span> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857436104360594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFY65ggpI/AAAAAAAAAo4/9i-bmPtqktA/s320/24216_115743178455765_100000602500141_173608_6427908_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857438606478882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFZEODziI/AAAAAAAAApA/v2dm7VqJ6l0/s320/24216_115743208455762_100000602500141_173609_3557173_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857443577537874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFZWvQJVI/AAAAAAAAApI/rR1m1Zf0ip0/s320/24216_115743231789093_100000602500141_173610_2523835_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857447364593074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFZk2KBbI/AAAAAAAAApQ/vw7otuuBnNA/s320/24216_115743298455753_100000602500141_173611_4130201_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857458331363522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFaNs1qMI/AAAAAAAAApY/NW0cAb49jvM/s320/24216_115743565122393_100000602500141_173647_8356041_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857781934872386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFtDN7V0I/AAAAAAAAApg/4uv5kx4Ebdw/s320/24216_115743588455724_100000602500141_173648_4797195_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857786816106114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFtVZtDoI/AAAAAAAAApo/MqhB0Is-Cmc/s320/24216_115743638455719_100000602500141_173649_3068832_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">Haha this was such a fail! The sun was waaaay too bright. (:</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857790347678386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFtijskrI/AAAAAAAAApw/glFJqKPRn90/s320/24216_115743715122378_100000602500141_173653_6294306_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857802737253154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFuQtmeyI/AAAAAAAAAp4/vqohh-fuk5E/s320/24216_115770965119653_100000602500141_173749_7864939_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463857808867821154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OFunjPhmI/AAAAAAAAAqA/E25f1azZMkE/s320/24216_115770975119652_100000602500141_173750_2746078_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858055096811714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OF880zwMI/AAAAAAAAAqI/JaYY65Uff3Q/s320/24216_115770998452983_100000602500141_173751_7118057_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">Haha McKenna you are such a spy;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858066971281666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OF9pD5yQI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/r22D0d-mSjE/s320/24216_115771021786314_100000602500141_173752_6074438_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">I'm a treehugger, get it? (;</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858072608556258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OF9-D7xOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/wdOqy0uysE0/s320/24216_115771041786312_100000602500141_173754_3700447_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858076570812338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OF-M0m_7I/AAAAAAAAAqg/HUA0TgtZF-g/s320/24216_115771055119644_100000602500141_173755_8173111_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858084660601314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OF-q9XYeI/AAAAAAAAAqo/qEwBYe83qg0/s320/24216_115771065119643_100000602500141_173756_556948_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858379212490210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGP0QAheI/AAAAAAAAAqw/5f6X3a3hDMk/s320/24216_115771078452975_100000602500141_173757_1808224_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">McKenna found some pretty purple flowers. (:</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858384860496530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGQJSmQpI/AAAAAAAAAq4/XQE6ovRhS-E/s320/24216_115771288452954_100000602500141_173766_328039_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858389551735010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGQaxE4OI/AAAAAAAAArA/gV8_ukCB-5E/s320/24216_115771308452952_100000602500141_173768_5305933_n.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858393783690034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGQqiDYzI/AAAAAAAAArI/Ri7CVP_4Zpk/s320/24216_115771341786282_100000602500141_173769_4396315_n.jpg" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858397992942578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGQ6Nne_I/AAAAAAAAArQ/vmbYNlj_65I/s320/24216_115771361786280_100000602500141_173770_8126114_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858515167259202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGXuuJqkI/AAAAAAAAArY/RmODM0iYZNU/s320/24216_115771408452942_100000602500141_173773_2410498_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463858517605694610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9OGX3zhPJI/AAAAAAAAArg/Xy2nrqdLig0/s320/24216_115771421786274_100000602500141_173774_7783285_n.jpg" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">McKenna, you are the definition of </span><em><span style="color:#336666;">blessing.</span> </em></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-70650959347453849622010-04-22T18:02:00.000-07:002010-05-21T15:13:02.556-07:00Choir Spring Trip!<span style="color:#336666;">So last week Choir packed their bags and went to San Antonio! We had A <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BLASTT</span>. Friday night we hung out at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">riverwalk</span>, and Saturday we went to Six Flags! Both times it was raining <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">soo</span> hard.. so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">McKenna</span> and I said a prayer that the sun would come out- and it did! God can give such awesome blessings in even tiny ways like that.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463133467882834978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9Dy8bG0TCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/fxrUUJg6iJQ/s320/003.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">McKenna</span>, Nathan, and I. (:</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463133472358121634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9Dy8rxzwKI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/73y9EMr9cQ0/s320/006.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Cammie, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vincente</span>, me, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">McKenna</span>!</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uhh</span>.. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> ask about the guy behind us. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">haha</span></span><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463133476835985634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9Dy88daiOI/AAAAAAAAAoY/6qAO-PAF8Rg/s320/015.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Cammie and Katie:)</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463133479069918146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9Dy9EyBo8I/AAAAAAAAAog/13nTOQwkhLk/s320/027.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">McKenna</span>, Catherine, and I at the hotel! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Haha</span>.. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ohh</span> the faces of people in the background. ;)</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463133487545704674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S9Dy9kWz4OI/AAAAAAAAAoo/yxVZKjxBVso/s320/038.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">At the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Riverwalk</span>! We had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">tonss</span> of fun there. (:</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">The trip was pretty darn fun. There was so much laughter, and jokes, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">roller coasters</span>!! Best weekend I've had in a long time.</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-39583324488659989682010-04-15T17:24:00.000-07:002010-04-15T17:39:43.112-07:00THANKFUL THANKFUL THANKFUL!<span style="color:#336666;">So today I am feeling really, really thankful.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I am <strong>thankful</strong> that I know Jesus. That I love Him. That I want to grow in Him, and learn more about Him, and fall in love with Him. I know I don't deserve his grace, or love, or forgiveness, and I am so thankful for all that He does for me. Especially the things I don't even know about!</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I am <strong>thankful </strong>for my friends. I'm not sure if I blogged about this in the summer or not- but all summer I prayed that I would meet wonderful Christian friends in Choir that would uplift me and I would grow close to- and man did God provide! I couldn't ask for better friends. (Ahem.. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">McKenna</span>, Catherine, etc) :)</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I am <strong>thankful </strong>for my family. My sister and I are best, best friends. (She's a year older than me) We don't just share clothes and jewelry- we share a bond that no one can break. And of course, my parents. I can't ever be thankful enough that I'm growing up in a Christian home where my parents are still in love with each other- 18 years into a marriage. That takes work and dedication and I am so thankful.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I am <strong>thankful</strong> for the way God made me. I don't want this to sound vain, let me explain. Throughout my short, fifteen year life I have struggled with accepting not just the way God made my personality, but my body, like any other girl. But over time I've slowly become fine with who I am. My body type. <em>Me. </em>Weird as it might sound, some days it's really hard being <em>thankful</em> for who you are. And today, I am.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I am <strong>thankful</strong> that I have the chance, every day, to witness to everyone around me. I want not only to talk about Jesus and spread the truth, but I pray that people will see Jesus in me just through my actions. I hope that when people see me, they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> really see <em>me</em>, but Jesus!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So, yes, I'm thankful. For the beautiful weather today. For everything about my life. I'm so, so blessed and I cannot thank God enough for giving me everything that He has! I cannot wait to see what's ahead in my life.</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-56302331058136281502010-04-09T15:40:00.000-07:002010-04-09T15:45:33.847-07:00I'm Forgiven.<div><span style="color:#336666;">I recently heard this beautiful song on KSBJ, called Forgiven by Sanctus Real. It totally hit home. Sometimes I think I hold on to the bad things that I've done, and I have a hard time forgiving myself, and letting it go. But this song is so beautiful- it reminds me that it's Jesus who paid the price for my sins, that He's forgiven every "big" and "small" sin I've committed- and I know that once and for all-</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">I'm forgiven.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ&feature=related</a></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">^^ Check it out.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458272454467373058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S7-t4M_TyAI/AAAAAAAAAoA/V4X-2gI_LYY/s320/sanctus-real.jpg" /></span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-62646767574887340832010-04-02T19:48:00.001-07:002010-04-02T20:37:23.134-07:00A Little Catch Up and A Message to My Followers!<div><div><span style="color:#336666;">I love life. I really do. Every day is a gift in of itself. I mean, some days aren't so great, and sometimes I make mistakes. But I get to learn from those mistakes, and I get to keep going. And that is such a blessing.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">When I think about how God chose me to be His follower.. I just can't believe it. I mean, I get glimpses of myself as a Christian and it's bad. So I can't imagine how He could see the good in me to choose me to love Him and know Him. I'm not sure if this is making a whole lot of sense.. I am just so happy that I know Jesus as my personal Savior and that I have the privilege of spending the rest of my life growing in faith and spreading what I know.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">So, things have been busy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">And guess what!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">I'm fifteen. :)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">Yep, last Tuesday. Haha, I listened to Fifteen by Taylor Swift on the way to school that morning. :)) It was a pretty "smashing" day. (Haha am I so weird for loving that word?) My friends were so sweet.. they were so nice and gave me some pretty awesome gifts. Like, my good friend Megan (Who just had her sweet sixteen party!) gave me this blowing bubble kit because she knows I love doing that (Haha!) and this big pack of "everlasting" gobstoppers. (My favorite candy). But mostly.. I got lots.. and LOTS of candy and sweets! Haha, I could NOTT eat it all. I had a pretty good day... and I finally got a pair of Sperry's! Haha, I love them.. they have flowers on them. (I've been wanting Sperry's for ages!)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">Unfortunately, most of the pictures we took have gone "missing." I sure hope we find them! But here are some we do still have...</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455742126922983666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S7awjwVg6PI/AAAAAAAAAnc/sMjDIkdK0YI/s320/008.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">You can sort of see my Sperrys to the left. :)</span><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455742132755216898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S7awkGEBugI/AAAAAAAAAnk/I1SY8s_nCmc/s320/012.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">My awesome vanilla-raspberry cake. Haha, we had to throw it away today because it was too old to eat! :(<br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455742140688092002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S7awkjnXy2I/AAAAAAAAAns/FsHCx6bTHdo/s320/013.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">So it's not the best picture of me, but this another birthday gift! It's going to my dress for Choir Banquet.</span><br /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">So, something I've realized..</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#336666;">When I first started blogging, it was basically just for me. I love to write, and I had just recently gotten into computer, and I thought it would be cool if I kept another (less personal) account of my life. (My diary is the personal version) ;). I had no idea what followers were when I first made this. lol. And, while it's not a huge amount, I have followers! And I guess that makes me happy. :) So, since I do, I figure I'd let you guys out there that have some spare time in your day to read what I write some things about me.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#336666;">1. Jesus is my everything. I love Him with all of my heart, have accepted him into my life, and can't imagine living a single second without Him!</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">2. I love cold showers.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">3. While some people's favorite color changes constantly, my favorite season changes constantly. Usually whatever season it is, is my favorite. :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">4. My favorite colors are yellow and purple. (But not together) :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">5. I love to take pictures.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">6. I used to love sucking on ice.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">7. I love watching movies.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">8. When I was a little girl, all I wanted was to sing and act. I still love those things, but I don't think that's what I'll end up doing. But who knows;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">9. I love, love, LOVE people. Basically, I love meeting new people and figuring out different personalities, and making friends!</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">10. I want to be a missionary. :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">11. I love asian people. I know that probably sounds weird, but I do. lol</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">12. Give me chocolate and I will love <em>you</em>;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">13. While I admit Taylor Lautner is clearlyyy hot, I'm not obsessed with him.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">14. I love to smile.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">15. The smell of chlorine is AWESOME. I love, love, love it. It's my favorite smell. (Ashley, if you're reading this, when I read that you love chlorine too, I thought that was so awesome!)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">16. Music makes me happy.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">17. I write letters to my future husband.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">18. I embarrass myself a lot. Seriously. It's almost a daily ordeal. lol</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">19. I love giving oral reports. Last year when I took Speech, it was my favorite class! And in 8th Grade Awards, I actually got an award for best speech maker! Haha, on one of my speech's, I got a 99.. one point off for making too many jokes while talking! :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">20. I love playing sports.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">21. I'm not afraid to get my hair messed up;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">22. I love dresses.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">23. I usually always have my nails painted. (But I've never had them "done")</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">24. I'm 5'0. And I've stopped growing. Pretty short.. and that's okay! :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">25. I get cravings of fruit.</span></div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#336666;">:) Hope to get to know all you followers out there!</span></div><div> </div><div><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-64703901066889995952010-03-20T12:29:00.000-07:002010-03-20T12:41:05.071-07:00Spring Break Reunion!<span style="color:#336666;"> </span><span style="color:#336666;">Well, Spring Break is almost over. :( Only one and a half more days, and I'm back into school! But, the week was pretty amazing! I had tons of fun, and one of the best parts was seeing my best friend, Ifrah! We haven't seen each other since the last day of Jr. High, since we went to different high schools. It. Was. A. Blast!</span><br /><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450801349957593602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S6Ui8r1xKgI/AAAAAAAAAnE/P5GjdZfuxnM/s320/March+2010+(sort+of)+069.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Ifrah and I! :)</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450801341593979410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S6Ui8MruihI/AAAAAAAAAm8/lcQp9FIWcIQ/s320/March+2010+(sort+of)+062.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">We went iceskating:) And, amazingly, I only fell down three times! She fell down twice. This is tennn times better than the last time I went ice skating... I can't count how many times I found my face covered in ice!</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450801369936338338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S6Ui92REnaI/AAAAAAAAAnU/202OoOThOoI/s320/March+2010+(sort+of)+075.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Yeah, we get pretty goofy. :D</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450801363736191058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S6Ui9fK14FI/AAAAAAAAAnM/RpzvkGb_Xt8/s320/March+2010+(sort+of)+081.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Then we went to one of my absolute favorite restaurants!</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Ifrah is one of those friends I won't ever forget to thank God for. I'm so, SO grateful that He brought such a wonderful person into my life! And it was really nice seeing her again, after almost a year. :)</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-830019059761695882010-03-14T09:19:00.000-07:002010-03-14T09:26:58.304-07:00Letting Go of Do's and Don'ts<span style="color:#336666;"> A couple Sundays ago the lesson was all about how some of us Christians get really caught up in the whole "Do's and Don'ts For Christianity." I remember thinking that I was like that, that I tried to hard to do the "christian" things I'm supposed to do, and stay away from the tempting things I find myself wanting to do. What my teacher said next surprised me.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> He told us to stop living on that list, to stop focusing on what we should and should not do. He said just to love Jesus. That we should just give every part of ourself over to Him. To pour our heart and soul into a passionate relationship with Him, and let Him guide us through everything we say and do. When we do that, we don't need to be so focused on doing this and doing that because we won't <em>want</em> to do those things, and we will want to serve Him and follow His will when we're, well, in love with Him. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> Of course- there are still some things I want to do that are wrong. But I'm human and not perfect, and I'm going to be working on my relationship with my Heavenly Father for the rest of my life.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> Anyway, I just wanted to share that with all of you because it has definitely helped me in my day-to-day life, and I hope it helps yours:)</span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-78212804101664607302010-03-06T19:23:00.000-08:002010-03-06T19:31:26.183-08:00Are You Different?<span style="color:#336666;">Different.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Some people choose not to be.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Some people spend all their time dressing like others, talking like others, and acting like others.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And then what?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And then they've lost themself. They've lost that special thing that makes them <em>them</em>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Then they're unhappy.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Because they're never good enough.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Never like that other person.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But what if...</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you <strong>stopped</strong> wearing that because other people wear it?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you <strong>started</strong> wearing what you want to wear?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you <strong>stopped</strong> talking like that because your best friend talks like that?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you <strong>started</strong> talking in a way thats pleasing to Jesus Christ?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you<strong> stopped</strong> doing that because everyone else is doing that?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you <strong>started</strong> doing something else? Something <em>you </em>want to do. Something good.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">What if you started being <strong>different</strong>?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Started being <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">yourself</span><span style="color:#336666;">.</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-55582480920647974982010-02-24T17:21:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:23:58.827-08:00Encouragement.<span style="color:#336666;">A little bit of kindess can truly make a person's day.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Today was kinda crazy and it was going downhill fast.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">But I walked into my 7th period class- and what was waiting for me?</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">A wonderful letter from one of my best friends who tracked down my class, found out where my seat was, and left it for me before I got there.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">And I felt so much better.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">So.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I dare you to say something nice to someone tomorrow. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Maybe they're having a bad day and maybe they're not, but either way-</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">You made someone smile.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;">:)</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-39756371334127798192010-02-23T17:29:00.000-08:002010-02-23T17:45:00.778-08:00My Life List<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441619863921838322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S4SEb2_FSPI/AAAAAAAAAmU/2Zt8B1emBcc/s320/Skydiving%2520007.jpg" /><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">So many times I think "Wow, I'm definitely going to do that before I die!" And I've always told myself that I'm going to sit down and make a list of all the things I'm going to do. Well... years later... I finally did!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>My Life List</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">1. Go skydiving.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">2. Go bungee-jumping.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">3. Get married.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">4. Have kids.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">5. Be a missionary. (Here, anywhere)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">6. Write a book that becomes published.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">7. Be a singer.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">8. Be an actress.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">9. Be a teacher in sunday school.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">10. Be a girls minister.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">11. Start a clothing store.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">12. Have my sister be the maid of honor at my wedding and vice versa.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">13. Be on the show survivor.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;">I know this list will change and grow- and that's okay. But right now- these are the things (Er- some of the things) I definitely want to do before I go to Heaven.</span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-88298885361317391602010-02-18T17:48:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:00:51.435-08:00Devotions and Freedom Weekend:)<div><div><div><div><div><span style="color:#336666;">I don't know about you, but sometimes at the end of the day all I want to do is scream to let all that builtup-stress out, and then collapse into bed. That's one of the reasons I do my devotions at night. No matter what's happened, or what I'm afraid is going to happen the next day, I'm overwhelmed with peace and comfort and suddenly I feel okay. Because I know that God is with me, and that's all I need.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">Last night I felt extremely overwhelmed. While I do cry sometimes, I don't do it that often, but I really did feel like crying. So I crawled into bed and read my Bible and did my devotions. (I have a Dr. Stanley one- it's the best! Love him!) And I just felt so much better. It was like this blanket of peace had been wrapped around me. Just wanted to share that. :) Next time you're feeling overcome with stress- pray. It really does help.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">Well, last weekend was Freedom Weekend! Freedom Weekend is this thing at my church where you get to spend a weekend at a host home with your friends. There's worship, food, fun, and even some help for the homeless going on! It's the bestt! </span></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767211947319378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S33vdUjv4FI/AAAAAAAAAls/EJ_4kaNJONQ/s320/004.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">A few of the girls in my host home. We've got from left to right Torrey, Rachel, me, Sarah, and another Sarah! These girls are <strong>hilarious</strong>.</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767220296149234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S33vdzqQ6PI/AAAAAAAAAl0/lGOg0DdpW6A/s320/010.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Sarah and I became best friends in the 2nd grade. Seven years later and we still are!</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767224544653346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S33veDfL8CI/AAAAAAAAAl8/K2zpDCBQ504/s320/023.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">The guy in the middle was our speaker- Tim Bach. (If his name sounds familiar- I blogged about him in the summer when he was our speaker for camp) Love this guy!</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767236291866610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S33vevP8L_I/AAAAAAAAAmE/ML8-9GPovVY/s320/057.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">My hair fell into my face at the last second :( but I thought this picture was so cute! It's of Torrey, Sarah, and I on the last day, wearing our new Freedom Weekend shirts!</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767239440813410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S33ve6-tTWI/AAAAAAAAAmM/4USe7WRw4h4/s320/065.JPG" /></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Definitely a weekend I won't be forgetting any time soon. :)</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-43746074650746727822010-02-14T15:34:00.000-08:002010-02-14T15:38:51.918-08:00It Came! It Came!<div><span style="color:#336666;">YES!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">My SUSIE t-shirt finally came in the mail this week! They asked if I would take a picture of me wearing the shirt and holding one of their magazines and send it to them- so here's the picture:</span></div><br /><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438247301834425378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S3iJG6KRRCI/AAAAAAAAAlk/7UNAO0p7L8Q/s320/February+2010+085.JPG" /></span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">I absolutely love the shirt design! It says: I read Susie mag. (I just realized my hair is covering up the <span style="color:#cc33cc;">I read</span>)</span></p><p><span style="color:#336666;">Anyways, that package totally made my day:).</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-42261300840791227902010-02-11T17:39:00.000-08:002010-02-11T18:02:52.646-08:00Trials? Yes, Please!<span style="color:#336666;"> Like anyone else who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal saviour, I've had my doubts. I've searched and I've prayed, and I've received peace. And I've had trials. But through those trials, I've grown so much in my faith and overwhelming love for my Heavenly Father, that I would never want to erase the horrible things that have happened to me.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> I walked into highschool with strong faith. I was (I say in this in past tense, but I most definitely still am) in love with Jesus. I wanted to be nothing else but a light to the lost, to spread the gospel and truth of who Jesus is, what He's done for us, and how He desperately wants a relationship with <em>you</em>.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> Remembering years in the past, I knew that this year was going to have its own set of difficulties. In the past two years I've spiritually grown- a lot. (Definitely not physically growing- I'm still 5'0! Haha.) One of the things I love about being a Christian, is that I know for the rest of my life I am never going to stop learing about God. There's always something else to discover in the Bible, and in my personal relationship with Him. I love it.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> Well, this year, one of the biggest things I've had to overcome was peer pressure. Sure, I knew people last year that did the whole drinking, drug, sex thing, but it was never anyone I was especially close to. That changed this year.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> A lot of my friends that I've known all the way back from Elementary school have changed their values. I remember doing D.A.R.E with them, and signing that little red card that said we will choose to be drug-free, and live healthy lives. </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> I expected people to do it anyway- I wasn't completely caught off guard. What I was caught off guard with was the pressure to do it too.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> Personally, I never thought I'd have trouble saying no. It seemed simple when we learned about it in class. "Just say no, and walk away." But it's more than that.</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"> The first time was easy. The second time... I started to wonder. And by the third- I was digging in my Bible, finding out <strong><em>why</em></strong> I was saying no. I prayed, I read, and God gave me an overwhemling peace. And now I know exactly why I am not going to drink or do drugs, or any of those things during high school. (Or college for that matter).</span><br /><span style="color:#336666;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><em>Why?</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">I have many personal reasons but here are a few:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">1. I am going to stand before God one day and give him an account of my life. That is not something I want to say I did.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">2. How can I be a light to others by giving in?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">3. <em>What is the point- besides fitting in?</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"> People give me a hard time about it, and that's okay. But maybe someday they are going to need help- and I will be there. I won't be drunk, and I won't be high, and I won't be pregnant. I will be there for them.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"> It may sound a little weird- but I want trials. No, I'm not going to throw myself in a bad situation and then crawl my way out with God and suddenly I've grown in faith. But, I don't want to live with my head up in the clouds believing everything is perfect and I'm always going to be happy. Because everything is <strong><em>not</em></strong> perfect, and I will <strong><em>not</em></strong> always be happy. It's okay if I go through another crisis, or big problem. I trust God. I love Him. And I can't wait to spend eternity with Him. And I really, <em>really</em> want to grow with Him.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"> So in that way, I welcome trials.</span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-72807690567310586072010-02-07T12:18:00.000-08:002010-02-07T14:59:43.172-08:00SURPRISE!<div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="color:#336666;">Don't you love surprises? I do. When I was younger, I would read ahead on every book, or find out what was going to happen in movies and TV shows, but lately I've started to appreciate "the surprise factor." In fact, I'm using it for a little fun!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#336666;">A while back my friend McKenna and I decided to throw one of our good friends, Cammie, a surprise party. Well two months and lots of planning later, it finally went off without a hitch! </span></div><br /><p><span style="color:#336666;">I did take a video of the whole thing, but for some strange reason it won't load. :( Sorry!</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435600014104962242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S28hae3VpMI/AAAAAAAAAk8/r4lqoysu2yw/s320/2028.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">McKenna and I decorated practically everything in sight before everyone arrived. I almost fell off a high chair putting these streamers on the fan!</span><br /><p><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435600017656678354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S28hasGIh9I/AAAAAAAAAlE/hmw45CSnrEk/s320/2026.JPG" /></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">McKenna decorating the curtains.</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435600026440136258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S28hbM0RdkI/AAAAAAAAAlM/Ez2hQr5sco4/s320/2047.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435600031133533858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S28hbeTRBqI/AAAAAAAAAlU/ZEAEtaZugMo/s320/2061.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">We only ate this cake for about two seconds until a huge cake fight got started! It was the best.</span><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435600191769359954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S28hk0t1NlI/AAAAAAAAAlc/dy875I0XWnw/s320/2069.JPG" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">We did about a million and one amazing dares. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">It.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Was.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Amazing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#336666;">Haha, but the important part was that Cammie got genuinely surprised, and she hopefully had a birthday she'll never forget!</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-60622390718830784572010-02-04T18:30:00.000-08:002010-02-04T18:44:17.810-08:00Got Five Minutes?<div><div><div><div><div align="center"><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;">So you know that one person in your life who never has anything nice to say to you? Well, I know that person. And this morning it felt as if that person was really tearing me down. So, even hours later, I was still bumming about it. So, I prayed that God would once again remind me of my true identity. That being His follower and daughter defines me- not what that person says of me.</span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#336666;">God is so good. About 60 seconds after I prayed, I came upon this video. Got five minutes? Watch it...</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_PpRpYME10">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_PpRpYME10</a></span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#336666;">Or- if for some reason the link won't work for you: Go to youtube and type in Flawz.</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;">Well, last Saturday night the girls got to use our church's new Student Building ("The Lodge")! It was a blast. Here's a quick recap...</span></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434582961443276834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEaOc3iCI/AAAAAAAAAj8/5xuJXfjy_NM/s320/February+2010+005.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">We played Dance Dance Revolution...<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434582968436250562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEaogH18I/AAAAAAAAAkE/6TPetGO6nIA/s320/February+2010+010.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Ping pong...<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434582973340719730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEa6xcGnI/AAAAAAAAAkM/eHFpl0ZJYiI/s320/February+2010+020.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Amazing, old games that everyone still loves...<br /></span><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434582979274556242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEbQ4LQ1I/AAAAAAAAAkU/IbMyBeOQnew/s320/February+2010+023.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">Messed around on the photo booth...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434582988445163746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEbzCnoOI/AAAAAAAAAkc/iyhDXB_M6tQ/s320/February+2010+026.JPG" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Band Hero...</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434583171458465234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEmc0Y_dI/AAAAAAAAAkk/A-5xWaKpks0/s320/February+2010+029.JPG" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Learned how to jerk:)</span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434583179339029602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2uEm6LQ3GI/AAAAAAAAAks/GpoGiGWQ_R0/s320/February+2010+041.JPG" /></span><span style="color:#336666;">And had an absolute blast!</span></p>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-86975972477881584402010-01-30T08:14:00.001-08:002010-01-30T08:38:26.705-08:00Beauty Is?<span style="color:#336666;">I love it when you think you have something down. You know, when you're sure you couldn't learn anything more about it. Well, I don't love that I think I have it down, but love when I find out there was even more.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">I think that beauty is one of those subjects that I'm going to keep learning about (And being reminded of) all my life. <em>True</em> beauty. It seems all the time I'm stumbling over another beautiful truth.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;">One of my stumblings was this amazing card my <strong>beautiful</strong> friend, Megan, made me for Christmas. It says this:</span><br /><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>Beauty Is...</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not rich silky hair or baby blue eyes</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not a perfect tan and a small waist size</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not straight teeth or no acne on your face</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not cute clothes or good fashion taste</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not starvation and not eating for days</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not throwing up all your food when it's making you gain weight</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on men and their twisted view of captivation</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on models and their fake image of perfection</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on boyfriends, on dates, on kisses, on sex</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on how many guys you can and can not get</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on a mirror and the fleshly image I see</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Not based on the outward appearance of me</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">My heart, my soul</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">My God who makes me so completely whole</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">The women who will love the loveless</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">The women who will shine with God's goodness</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">A woman is captivating when she looks like the Lord</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">A woman is endearing when she knows whom she stands for</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">Too fat, too ugly, too skinny, too tall, not pretty...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">These are complaints that all girls' minds project.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">But if you're mad in God's image-</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">How are you any less than perfect?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">God made you captivating, He wanted you this way,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">To Him you have the beauty that will never go away.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">So whenever you look in the mirror smile to yourself and say</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">"God made <em>me</em> BEAUTIFUL and I don't want to be any other way!"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#336666;">...YOU!!!</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;">I think one of the most important things I've learned about this is that a thousand people may tell you are insanely beautiful. They may compliment you, or insult you every day of your life. But in the end: It's you that has to decide whether or not you're going to accept what <em>The One Who Made The World</em> made. (You!) You've got to decide whether or not you're going to use the body your Father has provided you with to share the truth of Jesus Christ, to love, to share, and to serve!</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#336666;">I've accepted myself, and I want to spend my whole life being the best Nicole I can be. I want to spread the love my Father has blessed me with. And I <em>don't </em>want to lose sight of what I'm doing because I've become too obsessed with trying to "fix" what my Almighty, Heavenly, Lord, God has given me.</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432571823121854946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2RfSkX5ceI/AAAAAAAAAj0/5_gbt9Njc_g/s320/2015.JPG" /><span style="color:#336666;">(The card)</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432571559514582242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S2RfDOXBrOI/AAAAAAAAAjs/0RBIuPcEp5U/s320/2016.JPG" /> </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765334523314893570.post-64280603056324391832010-01-23T15:15:00.000-08:002010-01-23T15:23:29.207-08:00Hip-Hip-Hurray!<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S1uD9y0IGvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/6wmTG8m4qE8/s1600-h/August09+035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430078873360931570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S1uD9y0IGvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/6wmTG8m4qE8/s320/August09+035.jpg" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#336666;"> I got the best call from my friend, Rachel, (Look Above) Friday night. She said that she wanted to do the Makeup Breakup shin-dig when I did it, but was too nervous. (Hey, a lot of people were. I was for a while too.) But she said that she's going to do it now! Hip-hip-hurray! I love how when you do one thing, it can cause other people to do other things and you don't even know it.</span><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430078877300052658" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLnYe9qmtkw/S1uD-BfSUrI/AAAAAAAAAjc/SuIGpF_2r8M/s320/August09+038.jpg" /></div><div><span style="color:#336666;">PS- Can't you just hear us saying "We want YOU to do the Makeup Breakup challenge!" Hehe:)</span></div><div> </div></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448507866188110277noreply@blogger.com2