Small Group Leader.

At my youth group, I have a small group leader, Rikki.  She is one of the few major people to have a huge impact on me.  I could go on and on about what she has done for me, I really could.  I could also go on and on about all our inside jokes.  But what the important thing is I am very thankful for Rikki.  It is hard to tell you how thankful I am for her because she has done so much for me.  She has been a huge blessing in my life.  I pray that we will make even more great memories <3

November.

This year in November, I am setting a facebook status everyday to tell everyone what I am thankful.  It is a great reminder that there is always something to be thankful.  Here was what I have so far..

11/1 - I am thankful for the abilty to dance.
11/2 - I am thankful for other people who pray for me.
11/3 - I am thankful for the times you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.
11/4 - I am thankful for my padre and all the funny things he says.
11/5 - I am thankful for everyone who came or helped with the bonfire bash,(an event my youth group held.)
11/6 - I am thankful for the clock change, so i could get more sleep last night.
11/7 - I am thankful for teachers.
11/8 - I am thankful for the freedom of religon in the United States.

God's Timing.

Timing is everything and God's timing is perfect.
But waiting for His timing is the hard part.
We may not understand why He tells us to wait.
But faithfully, we wait.
In the end, things do work out.

As a teenage girl, I find myself jealous.
Jealous of other girls with a boyfriend.
A boyfriend who makes them happy.
I want a boyfriend.
But I want God's timing with dating.
It's hard, but waiting will be worth it.
I just know it.

Students taking over.

We have this new thing at my youth group called Student Take Over Night (STON.)  Once a month the selected students run youth group for the night.  Which includes the games and messege.  Of course there is adult supervision its just they stay out of the way. 
Last Sunday was our first ever STON.  I was not choosen to help lead but from my perspective things went fantastic!  It was a little rough, but that was expected.  I can't wait for the next STON.  Maybe I'll be able to help lead!

Joy.

My patience has been tried time and time again.
My temper has been tempted repeatedly.
My heart has been stabbed one too many times.
but..
My tounge has learned when talk and who to talk too.
My brain has learned to pick your fights.
My love has extended.
My faith has grown stronger.
My relationship has grown better.
My heart is more secure.

My prayers have been answered!  There is no better feeling!  The feeling that some one could love you so much that they would do something SO meaningful to you.  And its all out of love.  Not only has the prayer itself been answered but, I have learned many new things.  These things have made me a better, stronger person. 
The prayer was not answered in my time convience, actually its been almost a year since I started the prayer.  After a while I felt like things could never change, but I still prayed, I still had hope.  Everything in the past year did not go smooth, it was a very bumpy ride.  I had many times I was curled up in my bed balling, wishing things could change just for once.
Now that my prayers have been answered, I am like jumping off the walls!  I AM SOOO JOYFUL!!! 
Jesus' love is my drug :)

Letters.

Don't you just absolutely just love getting a letter in the mail?  I know I do!  It makes me feel loved that someone would think of me!
Lately, I have been mailing letters to some distant friends, in hope that they too may feel loved!
I have sent a letter to my college friend.  I really miss her.  She is like the older sister I never had!  I have sent a letter to an old jr. high friend who moved away.  Her birthday is coming up here in three days!  I also sent a letter to my Mexican best friend.  I know she will love hearing from me.  I really miss Mexico!
I absolutely can not wait to hear back from them!!!

A Walk with God.

Today I got home from a fantastic camping trip with some of the girls from my youth group. It was SO much fun! Friday night, we sat around talking and eating around the camp fire. It was beautiful outside. Just breath taking. We didn't actually go to sleep until like 2am... i think. The crazy thing was I woke up at 7am and I couldn't fall back asleep...
I am a much better night owl! I am usually cranky in the morning... especially early morning...
For some reason I had this urge to go on a walk and talk to God. I have never had that kind of feeling before it was actually pretty cool. So I left my tent and went for a walk. I didn't have anything specific to pray for, I just prayed for everyone and everything that came across my mind. Even if I didn't know the person very well.  I also praised God for the many, many wonderful things He has placed in my life. It was such an amazing connection I felt with God. It was almost like God was physically walking beside me. I really think God has taught me a lesson on prayer. The Almighty God never fails to amaze me!

Don't Rain on My Parade, Picnic, or Party.

This past weekend was awesome!  Let's start from the from the start of my weekend... Friday!
Friday night, there was another home football game.  So that means I danced and marched at half time!  Afterwards, I went to 5th quarter, and this time two of my best friends came for the first time!!!
That night, one of my friends stayed the night.  Early in the morning, we left for Monticelli (sp?).  It's in Iowa.  Anyway, we went to Iowa for a canoeing trip.  Sadly, or not so sadly...depends on how you look at it, it was raining almost the whole day.  But we did have fun.  Oh, I guess I also forgot to mention, that was my birthday!  Yup, that's me, Angel, born on September 3rd!
On Sunday, I got my first present!  It was from Rikki and Lynette, they are my small group leaders for youth group!  They are soooo much fun!  I love them!  Rikki and Lynette combined forces and bought me a Pepsi, (I looooovvveee pepsi!  It's like my drug!), Hot pink zebra print duct tape, (I looooovveeee duct tape!!!!), and Banana Grams (It is a super duper awesome game!  Oh, the memories!)  I also had a church picnic, at the best camp in the whole wide world....well according to me it is.  Faith Bible Camp is about a 1/2 hour away from where I live.  It was bunches of fun!  I absolutely LOVE my church family!
On Monday, there was a Labor Day, and I danced in it!  The squad did fantastic!  Afterwards, there was a cookout at my house, to celebrate my birthday!  It was bunches of fun!  I got more duct tape, but this time I got splatered paint print duct tape!  I also got a very pretty necklace, a picture frame, 2 books, $25, and BACON!  Overall, I FANTASTIC weekend!
I SOOOOO can't wait until next weekend!  I am going camping with friends!!!  It shall be an adventure!!!!! 

Book Covers.

There's this saying, "never judge a book by its cover"
You never can guess who a person really is just by looking at them.
I find this true in my life all the time. 
I love getting to know people, because I like to see the real them.
I like to know what they do, what they are involved in, and who they hang out with.
I find it quite interesting :)

Dance. March. Party. Repeat.

Tonight is my high school's first home football game!  I'm excited because I am a Gadet (*guh-det*  its the dance squad at my high school.  It stands for Great American Dancers Entertaining The Streaks.) and I am a marching alto saxophonist!  Which means....I dance for pre-game (music that is played before the game)  and then I dance at half time. 
Tonight I am dancing to "Till the World Ends"  by Brittany Spears,  is going to be AWESOME! 
Right after I get done dancing I run back and join the band and then i play my saxophone.  After that I walk off the field and put my instrument away and get ready to PARTAY! 
This party I go to is off the hook!  It is at my church, put on by the youth group, and there is a bunch of food and games!  And sometimes there are inflatables or airsoft.  It is just a blast!  The best part is I get to do this all again at our next home football game!  Let's go streaks!!!

hahaha.  did ya notice that i didn't mention anything about the actual game of football?  hahaha.  Nos Vemos!  (thats spanish!  i learned it in my spanish class!)

Obama and Cat.

On Wednesday, at dance practice, Obama finds his way to our school!  Everyone was estatic!  The whole dance squad got wanded by secert sercurity, and then evenutally led to about 100 ft. within Obama.  Also with us was the varsity volleyball team, and some faulcty.  We waited for like 15-20 minutes while he was finishing up an interview.  At last he came over!  And I don't care who you are or what you believe politically, meeting the president of the united states is really cool.  He shook most everybody's hand and he also took a picture with the dance squad!!  And of course the press was there, which included our local newspaper, which got a photo of ME shaking hands with Obama, and Obama with the dance squad!  It was such a neat experiance!!!

While down in Mexico, I was chatting with my small group leader, Rikki, and a college aged Mexican, Todayo (okay thats spelled wrong, but thats how you prounce it).  While we conversating, Todayo asked if I was Rikki's daughter because I can really act like it.  Rikki told him no, she just comes over all the time and eats my food, plays my game systems, and just hangs out.  and Todayo says like a cat?  We all laugh!  And Rikki agrees that i am like a cat.  So from then on Todayo called my Cat. 
meow.

School Begins and I Have an Abnormal Laugh.

School started once again...today.  It went okay.  Considering I had a substitute...on the first day. 
My spanish teacher won't let me have Angel (on-hell) as my spanish name...cause it is a guy's name.  Boo-hoo.  Oh well.  Life will go on...that was just my little rant.  all done.
After school, I hung out with Kathryn,  that was fun!  We watched Pretty Little Liars and now I'm like addicted....Thanks Kathryn.  haha.

So when I laugh, it doesn't sound...well...normal.  I don't know how to explain it...

But anyways, when I was in Mexico, I was talking to a mexican family who knew some English.  For whatever reason, someone made me laugh.  When I was laughing, the Mexican family gasped and stared while pointing at me,  they were telling me that my laugh was so strange.  Like something they never heard before.

hahaha.  and that's my little story about Mexico today :)

Broken Soles.

Soles as in like the bottom on your shoe...in case you didn't catch that.

Once a upon a time,
I went on a missions trip to Mexico, and this dude name Cole came too.  For some reason or another his tennis shoes kept breaking, so he would have to re-duct tape them again and again.  Cole had a fantastic idea of wearing his flip flops to the pyramids, instead of his broken shoes.  As Cole was walking, his flip flop hit a rock and broke.  And oh was that funny.  Fortunately for him, I brought an extra pair of purple and white, flower print flip flops with me in my purse (just in case I wanted to change my shoes).  I offered him my shoes, because my flip flops are huge on me.  With out hesitating he took up my offer,  and for the last two days of our trip he wore my flip flops everywhere he went.
the end.

Post Mexico.

My, oh my. Mexico was amazing!  It is SO beautiful down there!  I wish I could have stayed longer, but I know God's work has been done and that gives me peace.
There are SO many things I could share about Mexico... I don't know where to start or end...
For now I will share at least one thing about the Mexico trip once a day.

first airplane ride ever!
Airplanes are the best thing ever!!!  I was so excited to ride on an airplane!  To me going on an airplane felt like a roller coaster!  I do quite enjoy roller coasters.  And the view from up above just amazed me.  I kept staring out my window, looking at the clouds and the landscape below. 
airplanes: best. thing. ever.

Accept Yourself.

Easier said than done, I know.
But the truth is God made all of us in His own perfect image.
And God made all things beautiful.
God made you and me beautiful.
So, you might be a little over your desired weight.
Its not like your fat, its just you want to weigh less.
Weighing less doesn't make you more loved.
You are loved regaurdless.
God doesn't look at your outward appearance,
but instead looks at our heart, and its beauty.

But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."
~ 1 Samuel 16:7

If you have a beautful heart, it will shine both inside and out.  :)

Mexico.

In exactly eight days, I will be traveling to Mexico, for a missions trip with my church.  I can tell it is going to be super fun!  But truthfully, I am kind of nervous, which for me is a really weird feeling for me.  I am a dancer, and I absolutely LOVE performing, and I rarely get nervous.  So ya, me being nervous is a really weird feeling.  But it is going to be a really neat experience, and I pray many will come to know Jesus. 

I will be traveling with 18 other people, and over the past several months we have gotten to know each other really well, and on top of that our program is coming along quite nicely.  Our program includes puppets, skits, music, drama, crafts, games,  and I'm sure more.  What we are doing is running a V.B.S. (vacation bible school.)  I really can't tell you all to much more because I don't exactly know much more myself.  But I defiantly will be sharing ALL about it once I return.

Please pray for my team and I on our mission trip :)

My Bickle.

Quick background story. 
Crae and I were at a super bowl party last year, and she tried to tell me that we were bffls but I misheard her.  I thought she said bickles and from that day on we are known as bickles.

My bickle, Crae, is a really close friend.  She is loving, caring, insane, boy crazy, beautiful, skinny, and a bunch of fun!  And she defiantly has her moments.  Her big struggle in life is boys past and present, and how to bring honor to God with her relationships......or "non-relationships." 
Crae is strong and brave, she has been through a lot, and sometimes its surprising how well she seems to have it all together.  I admire Crae, I will admit not the best influence on me, but she has taught me a lot.  The biggest thing I have learned through Crae is:  you may mess up, you may chose the wrong thing, you may absolutely failed, but God is always there and He will get you through everything.  And I absolutely believe it especially looking at Crae and her story.  
I love my bickle!

My Friend.

So I have this friend, she is not a super close friend, but none the less a friend.  My friend is a christian, and she lives in a christian household.  Lately she has been struggling with life, and her purpose.  She feels like there is no point being on this Earth.  She has a very low self esteem.  She thinks she is ugly, fat, and dumb.  Which I know for a fact is not true at all.  All she really wants, is someone to accept her for her.  I know I have but she doesn't realize how much she actually means to me.  And sometimes I struggle to show my love to her.  But my goal is to become a closer and better friend to her.

If you ever feel like that, please know that you ARE beautiful and very much loved.

Please pray for my friend :)

First Post Ever! :)

Hey, my name is Angel and this blog is about me, a teenage girl making her way in the Christian life.  A blog about my ups and downs, my prayers and thoughts.  I can not guarantee how often I'll post, but if possible once a week.  Okay, story time :)

Once upon a time, I was at VBS (vacation bible school) and i was like five or six.  My teacher was talking about heaven, and how everything, and yes i mean everything, is made out of gold...even the tissues!  I decided that day, that when I die I want to walk the streets of gold.  So I asked Jesus into my heart. :)  Years go by, and I am a not growing towards Christ, but I don't realize this until I go to jr. high camp in 2009.  That week at camp I reevaluated my relationship with the Lord.  Towards the end of camp, I rededicated myself to the Lord.  Now I live to serve the Lord and only for Him.  But don't misunderstand, I still mess up all the time, I fall short constantly, but I'm forgiven.
The End. :)