Just thought I would share this...

I wrote a paper a while back, and H thought I should share it..So, here it is. Enjoy!




It Changed My Life

When my little sister, Mary, was only six years old, she had a massive cerebral hemorrhage that removed her ability to speak or use her entire right side. This was a traumatizing event. Not only was I shocked by it, but I was majorly affected long term. Three notable effects it had on me were my being taught the importance of assisting others, my learning to accept help from the community and church, and my deeper dependence on God for help.

When my sister was in the hospital, I learned how to assist others in time of need. I saw my family broken because of Mary's emergency. My parents sacrificed many things to help her recover. When I saw them expending themselves, it made me feel as if I needed to give, too. But there wasn't much I thought I could do - I was only eleven. Then I realized that, no matter what form help came in, it would always be appreciated. So, I dedicated myself to comforting and taking care of my other siblings. Because my parents were almost always at the hospital, I became a nanny for my baby sister, a best friend to my big sister, and a comforter to my younger sister, who took Mary's situation the hardest. I began to understand like never before when to help, comfort, love, and pray for them. I now care very deeply for others and strive to serve them to the best of my abilities.

Additionally, accepting help from the community and church was a new experience for me. While learning how to care for others, I noticed the church embracing and praying for us and the community assisting us through the hardest times. Consequently, I came to the realization that I didn't have to do everything myself, and I wasn't the only one who cared. I learned how to rely on both the community and church for support for both me and my family. People from all over the country were calling, helping, and encouraging us. I was comforted knowing that we didn't have to go through this sad situation all on our own. I realized the value of being a part of such a community and determined to participate with them in serving others. Because of my sister's stroke, I am now a member of the church and enjoy assisting families and friends in need.

Most importantly, this traumatic circumstance renewed my dependence upon God for help. When I saw Mary lying in the hospital bed, unable to talk or move her right side, my spirit was broken. I wanted to second-guess my belief in God and His graciousness. I wondered why this horrible thing could happen to anyone, especially to my very own sister. I remember finding myself many times on my knees praying even when I doubted everything I believed. I needed comfort and strength during those many weeks before Mary improved. When she survived the surgery, it was a miracle before my eyes. Though I didn't realize it at the time, the only reason I was comforted and she was healed was because of God. Seeing her improve so rapidly made my faith grow rapidly stronger. I realize now that all things come from God. Everything that happens, happens because God appoints it. I also now realize that He has a purpose for everything He does. I know that He grants His people help, eternal love, comfort, strength, and perfect truth, even when they don't ask for or deserve it. His comfort and care surpass all others'. Seeing my sister on the hospital bed, completely dependent upon help from others and God's grace, made me realize I needed to be the same way with God – forever relying on Him for strength and help. Her stroke caused me to understand that God's steadfast love and faithfulness is all I need to survive because I know He will provide for me, even in death. I know now that not only Mary couldn't live without Him, but neither could I.

My little sister's stroke shaped my development in significant ways. Though the journey through it all was hard, sad, and painful, the effects in the end were for my betterment; I matured in ways I might not have otherwise - I learned the importance of assisting others, how to accept help from others, and, ultimately, how to rest upon God.

A late night = "thirstysomething" man, and a HUGE quiche <3

It was a girls' night. That's probably all I have to say! But I will expand a bit for those who don't understand the title. For those of you who know this story, sit back and remember the good times!
So, one Friday night, G and I went to stay the night at Callie's house. We hadn't had dinner yet, and we arrived late. When we got there we found out that Callie, Abby, and Rachel had all waited for us to come before they even started cooking dinner!! Therefore, we were all starving. So, Callie had a genius idea - we'd make some quiche. We figured it would cook fast, so we made TONS. Let me tell you, we did NOT use a recipe! We were all saying, "Aw, it can't be that hard!" So we cracked one dozen eggs, chopped four huge potatoes, broke burning hot bacon, used two cups of milk, and what looked like too much salt and pepper. The pie dish was full to the brim. Callie attempted to transfer the dish to the oven but not without spilling some of it on the way. Triumph! It was in the oven and cooking. All we had to do now was wait. So, while we waited, we turn on some music, goofed off, decided on what else we were going to do do that night, etc. About 15-20 minutes later, Callie remembered the quiche! We run over to the oven to look at our dinner......We started laughing. The quiche was HUGE! We had forgotten eggs poof up when they're cooked! We made the largest quiche we had ever seen! Callie removed the pan from the oven and set it on top of the stove, accidentally sticking the iron frying pan handle (which was on the stove) into our quiche! It was SO funny! Then when we started serving it, we realized that we forgot crust! Again, we started laughing. We each take a bite - no flavor. We start laughing again. We were so hungry we didn't really care, so we begin to scarf it down. But this is when Callie makes an absolutely hysterical comment about our dinner, causing G to spew her food all over the table, including on Abby's food. You guessed, we were laughing again. Abby had to get a new plate and slice of quiche, while G cleaned up her food off the table. Next we decided to watch a movie. We were all reading the back of the movie, and we came across a word that none of us recognized - "thirstysomething man". After reading the word 100 times and trying to guess what it meant, I pick up the movie one last time and read the word. We were reading it wrong all along! What it really said was, "thirtysomething man". Laughing at our stupidity, we watched the movie to end our long funny night...
I didn't really do the story justice because there was too much to write about. But I did my best! I will say I had to stop typing occasionally to laugh! Good times! I love you girls! <3>

class canceled & a good book...or four :)

So last night I was informed that my only class this morning was canceled. Where the average teen would rejoice over the fact that school was canceled, I reacted differently. Yes, I was looking forward to going to class this morning. I ended up getting an extra 30minutes of sleep, dropping off my sister for her classes and seeing some friends. So, I guess you could say that it made up for the late cancellation notice. When I got home I realized that with and extra hour and 45minutes now added to my day, I could get finished with my leftover home work faster. Yay! After finishing my work at record speed, (at MY record speed) I decided to get started an a new book.
Nancy had let me borrow her new "Twilight" book after watching the movie twice in one evening. It was like Christmas. As soon as a got home from her house, I started on the book. It took me about ten hours to read it. Of course I didn't read it all in one sitting, just most of it. :) After what seemed to be a LONG weekend, Nancy brought me the second book- "New Moon". I couldn't wait to get started. So naturally, I raced home and dived into it. (Note that ALL home work was taken care of BEFORE receiving it.) Yet again, I finished the second book in my own record time- 10 hours. I'm not as fast at reading as Nancy is. She claims to be able to read the entire "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (which has 626 pages) in four hours. :) I don't know how she does it. ANYWAY, I was at her house again yesterday, and she gave me the last two books of Twilight. All that to say, I'm already on the third and TOTALLY in love with Edward Cullen- the vampire. Let this be a warning to the fainthearted, weak stomached, emotional, gullible, and average girl- ONCE YOU PICK THE BOOK UP, YOU WILL NOT PUT IT DOWN! That saying, I'm going to be responsible and clean my room, and THEN I will devour "Eclipse".

Paint, Sweets, & a Day with Lil'Sis..

So, last week I told my littlest sister that I would try to find time and play with her. Well, here it is a week later, and I just got around to it. Terrible huh? After I got home from class this morning and finished my homework, I got out the paints.
Mim and I painted for a few hours. Well, at least I did. She gave up after about 45 minutes of it. While I continued to sit there in the kitchen and paint, she proceeded to go help herself to the OLD Christmas candy. I didn't say anything about it but watched her from the corner of my eye. She came back to the table with the candy she had chosen, which was the largest lollipop I have ever seen. She quickly reminded me that I had bought it for her for Christmas last year, and she hadn't finished it yet. I commented saying, "oh, wow!" and waited to see if she was going to ask if she could eat it or not. Of course she didn't ask! When I was her age I probably wouldn't have asked either. I guess because Mom wasn't at home, she figured it was ok to have some. I think she noticed me watching and waiting, so she started talking in a teenager voice about how she would have to sit there all year and lick the lollipop because it was simply to big to put in her mouth, and there was no way she could bite it because it was way too hard. I couldn't help myself. I burst out laughing. I knew that she was trying to keep me from telling her she couldn't have it, while also trying to be "cool". I happened to be right, because as soon as she heard Mom pull up in the drive way, she immediately wrapped up the sucker, put it away, and started acting 7 again.
When Mom walked in and asked us what we'd been doing, Mim said, "We've just been paintin'.." I kept my mouth shut and didn't correct her. I'm sure she thanks me for it too, because come to find out, she had cake and part of a candy cane earlier that day. If I had been a tattletale, she might not have gotten that EXTRA slice of chocolate cake after dinner...All that to say, I had a blast today Mim! (even though you're not old enough to read this) Oh, and sorry Mom for not telling you..I hope you understand. :)

party!

For the past week and a half, I've been helping plan a surprise 18th birthday party for one of my close friends (Nancy Drew). My friend KK and I were in charge of the decorations. So after we decided on a few ideas and colors for the party, she and I went shopping. It was a bit insane! We kept thinking that Nancy would show up all of the sudden and see what we were doing. If we weren't careful, she would have figured everything out. So, KK and I did the decoration shopping. I ended up taking home all of the supplies. Therefore, I made all the decorations (with some help from my awesome sisters). The entire week, not one person mentioned the party. Everyone told Nancy that they had to work this weekend, or were going out of town. I even put together another surprise party for her ON the day of her birthday, so she would assume that there wouldn't be anything else. It was great.

So the day of the real party came. It was crazy! over 50 people were going to be at this party! So, I arrive at the house, where we were having the party, at 2:45 pm. The people were supposed to start showing up at 5:30pm. We had to cook all kinds of food, set up decorations, and get the HUGE water slide running. (I was the biggest party I think I have ever attended, other than a wedding!) Here I am, sweaty, dirty, and nervous, trying to get things in order and the guests start arriving 45 minutes early! I'm freaking out a bit. It's ok though, we're just about ready, I think. No, we're not close, there's food and decorations that still need to be fixed! AH!

Only ten minutes before Nancy arrives blindfolded, was I able to go change and welcome everyone. When Nancy arrived, we told everyone to surround the car and not make a noise. Nancy stepped out of the car blindfolded. She was told to remove her blindfold, and as soon as she did, we all yelled, "SURPRISE!" It was perfect- she had no idea!

The party got started. There was music and games, and watter everywhere. All the guys were covered from head to toe in mud and grass. Everyone ate and had a good time. After the cake was cut and served, it was present time.

I had to leave the party early, because I was dog sitting and had to let the doggies out. So, I have no clue what gifts were given of how the party ended. But I'm sure I was a whole lot of fun!
My sister, G, took a ton of pictures, so hopefully I can post some pics of the party later..

a bit crazy..

Today has been quite a crazy day. At least for me. Not only did I have classes, but I also had errands and papers due.
After class, I had to go to the post office and see if a book I ordered had arrived. I had been needing this book for about 4 days now, and it still had not come in. My wish came true today-it was finally here! Now, I had to go home, read 40 pages, write and edit a paper on it, AND turn the paper in!
After reading, writing, and editing, I get ready to turn my paper in, but the laptop I was using won't connect to the site! So, I sign into my e-mail and start downloading the document. I go down stairs and pull up the site. I go back upstairs and find the document won't download! So, I do the copy and paste thing and e-mail it to myself. I go BACK downstairs to receive the email and find I can't log into my e-mail. I go BACK upstairs and log out. (you guessed..) I go BACK down stairs and sign in. FINALLY!
I received my e-mail, and was FINALLY able to turn in my paper. Looking back on it, I realize there was a much easier way to do this. Such as, taking the laptop down stairs with me the FIRST time to prevent all my running back and forth.

A piece of me

I never really wanted a blog until some family and friends got theirs.  But eventually I gave in (as you can see!) So here begins my first blog! 

My last first day of high school was last Wednesday.  It hadn't really sunk in till just about today.  For the most part, I'm quite excited about this school year.  I was really looking forward to seeing my friends at classes until I realized that I will have only two classes with those friends. The rest of my classes will be at the community colleges in the neighboring counties.  This, I think, is going to be hard for me to get used to.  I'm trusting in my Lord and Savior to help me through it and countless other things.  I'm looking to Him to walk with me every step of my life. <3