Happy 4th!!

Happy early 4th of July! I hope everyone has a great weekend filled with family, friends, and fun!!!!

Day 5305

Today, June 27, 2011, I am 5305 days old. I just got back from cross country practice, and I think it was one of the best yet. We ran for 30 minutes, and even though I walked for about a minute, I still finished with everyone else. I finally found people that run at about the same pace I do. Then we did strides, and they were amazing.

Another reason that I like running is because it gives me time to plan. I'm doing something that is profitable but I also have to time to think about something else. I planned out my whole day today. So, I hope everyone has a great day!

Toyless

Apparently I just invented a new word, because toyless isn't in the dictionary:)

Anyway, I have been cleaning out my basement for the past week, and I came to the realization today that there are hardly any toys left in the basement. My youngest brother is seven, and he has most of his toys in his room now. In place of all the toys is a huge (very loud) drum set. Maybe my little brother will follow in my footsteps one day and plan in the percussion section of middle school band.

It's hard to believe that all of us are old enough to get rid of almost all the toys. I can remember the countless days spent down in the basement playing Barbie's and G.I. Joe's. Oh the fun times we had. It is really sad to see those times go, but I guess a new chapter of life will begin...

Cooking

So, I decided I'd have a cooking label. My mom has planned out that my sister and I each have to cook one meal a week, so I thought it would be a good idea to share some recipes with y'all (and it's a good way to keep up with them if I lose the websites;)).

The first thing I made this summer was a sour cream noodle bake from The Pioneer Woman. I usually don't like sour cream, cottage cheese, or green onions, and a tomato sauce base isn't my favorite. But I looooved this recipe. So, I hope y'all like it:)

Stubbornness, Perseverance, and a Lesson from Cross Country

I have lots of jumbled thoughts to tie together in this post, but here goes nothin'.

Our pastor has spent the last two Sunday nights preaching from James. His message was entitled "Living Faith in a Dying World." He was encouraging everyone to live faithfully through trials. I must confess, as I listened to the message, I was thinking, "I don't need this message. I haven't ever really gone through a trial. I know people with cancer and broken relationships and family issues, but I don't have any of those." But boy, I was wrong. I have come to realize that pretty much anything in your life that you struggle with can be classified as a trial. I have been going through some things lately that I have really been struggling with. I have been extremely stubborn in listening to the Lord, and I have been unwilling to submit to His authority. A.W. Tozer says, "The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it." Honestly, I had pretty much made up my mind to resist it. I didn't want to be joyful. I wanted everyone to know that I was miserable so that they would feel sorry for me.

But my attitude changed after cross country practice last night. We had had a kinda hard practice. By the time we finished our sprints, I thought I was gonna die. But I persevered through it and by the time we finished our core exercises I felt great. I forgot how hard it was and how much it hurt because the triumph of finishing strong was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Then I stopped to think. If I can persevere through practice with only my strong will and determination to get me through, then why can't I persevere through these trials when I have God to help me?

So, with God's help, I will be going though this trial with a smile on my face and a determined spirit.

Cross Country Friends

I had cross country practice this morning. If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be getting up at 6 am to RUN, I would have considered you a crazy person. But here I am... I ran for 30ish minutes this morning without walking at all, so that was actually good for me.
I am so thankful for all my friends at cross country. I was surprised when I first joined that I didn't feel really stupid. I expected to be made fun of by all the seniors since I'm only a freshman, but I totally wasn't at all. Everyone there (well, most people;)) is really nice and I'm glad to know everyone. These people have to be able to like me when I'm sweaty and tired, so I know they won't let me down.
So far, cross country has been a really great decision for me, and I really hope I continue to get better!

Courtney

I'm excited, because my friend Courtney who lives in Illinois will be coming down here soon:) Courtney is a great friend, and I enjoy all the time I get with her, even though it's not very much. When Courtney comes over, we usually talk and play mad libs. Lots and lots of mad libs:) I don't get to see her in person very much, but thanks to Skype and gmail chat, we are able to keep in touch. I love today's technology:) Although we do write an occasional letter or two:) Because we are apart for so long, the time I do get with Courtney is fun and special.
Thanks so much, Courtney, for being a great friend!