It's OK Thursday

It's OK to plan a day off a month in advance for a birthday party on the lake. Lord knows I needed it.


It's OK to really want to sponsor Neely's blog again. I'm supa bummed July is over :(


It's OK to hate that it's August 2nd and the Summer is almost over.


It's OK to LOVE the Monday Mail Link-up Button! Lauren did a fab job!! 

It's OK to still not have bedding for college. Actually anything for that matter. I really need to shop!!

It's OK to be sick of all the ridiculousness going along with CFA Day

It's OK to stay up late and watch the Olympics every night

It's OK to steal pizza from guys at work. I was starved last night and totes snuck a piece. Sorry not sorry. (they love me. it was fine)

It's OK to have a slightly sappy moment when you realize that your youth group welcomed in the new 7th graders and you got kicked out.

It's OK to have a major crush on Ryan Lockte. But who doesn't?

It's OK to be obsessed with half price appetizers from Applebees after 9pm. Perfect for post-work, i should have eaten dinner nights. 

What's OK with you?

On my heart: E. St. Louis

I'm leaving in less than two days for a mission trip. The team from my church youth group is headed to E. St. Louis, the very heart of the city. It is such a broken and hopeless place. People struggling to find hope in something.

It will be the 5th and final time I'll have the chance to surround my self and love on some of the most beautiful baby children. We'll be doing daycamp for children. We have over 100 kids, newborn through 20 year olds. 

This year, I'll be in the 1st and 2nd grade classroom with the best team of 6 people. It will be high energy and non stop the entire week. This is what I live for. I can't wait!

We feed them lunch, play games with them, teach them, make a craft together. Most importantly, we share multiple hugs, kisses and piggy back rides. Oh and did i mention the most legit dance parties ever? Ya, these kids can dance like nobody's business.

My heart is breaking this year because I have to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I do.

I've graduated high school, and as amazing as that was, I have to move on and knowing that I'll probably never see these kids again, hurts me. I've grown to know and love them. Each year, we run off the buses to see familiar faces waiting for us. We know them by name and we love them so.

We've watched young girls become moms at young ages, teenagers pass away, and children grow up way too fast. But, these people have left a mark on my heart I'll never forget.

My favorite was praying with sweet Brittany last year! She prayed to ask Jesus into her heart. As soon as we finished, we started dancing and yelling! She went and told everyone that she invited Jesus in her heart! heart. melt. 

If you think of me this week please pray specifically for:

-these precious children; that they would learn through us and the Lord would use us to change their lives.

-safety for all going. we have about 45 people going, youth and chaperons. We are going into a very difficult and scary area. We have to leave by 5pm, because it is very dangerous at night.

-unity for our entire group. we live together the whole week.

-traveling safety for our two big church buses, plus the extra cars going.

I hope you guys have an amazing week! 

oxox,

Emily 

Sunday Randoms

This week has been crazy. It was not normal at all. I like normal. I like routines. In honor of the craziness, I'm brain dumping tonight. 


*The biggest random of the week was the Tornado. Branson has NEVER had a tornado that I can remember. I've lived here 9 years. Floods yes. Tornados no. It was freaky. I posted some pictures here. 


*Branson had National Guard here over the weekend. It was SO weird to see "army men" directing traffic and helping out around town. On a total side note, if Westboro would have come to protest Branson, like they did in Joplin, I would have given them a piece of my mind. Seriously. 


*Today was a crazy busy day. Church, friends over for dinner, 15 min snooze, cleaning, VBS meeting, youth, and mission trip training. go go go!


*Church this morning was incredible. I love my church. The power came back on on Friday (i think) but there were pews missing and carpet torn up everywhere. My pastor did an awesome job of tying in the tornado/tornado damage to our church in his sermon. I'm so blessed to worship there each week. (ps- can't believe i'll be worshipping in Jerusalem next sunday! 

*Pure Joy was Friday night. It was incredible. 3+ hours of worship, skits, testimonies, laughter, tears, and well over 1000 women. I've gone the past 2 years and I've left every year being filled and encouraged. I wish everybody could have attended. 

Photo Credit: Tonya Self 

*I went to wedding yesterday. It was wedding #2 (of 8) of 2012! It was the first wedding of one of my friends. That was weird. Molly, is 19 and she married Leeland Kimmel. I've known Molly since Jr. High. I didn't take 1 picture of the couple because they went off location to shoot pictures immediately following the ceremony :( I did manage to snap a couple of me and my broske, my date. haha


*After the wedding, Kyle and I got a movie, some Starbucks and chilled at home. We watched Water for Elephants. Overall, it was a pretty good movie. There were definitely some sad parts tho! oh and Reese Witherspoon is gorgeous! 


*I leave for Israel in 5 days! Holy cow. I still have so much to do. I haven't even started packing. I'm overwhelmed with so many emotions; excitement, nervousness, adrenaline rushes! It's insane.

*I've realized how white I really am. haha I was thinking about wearing a tank and a high waisted skirt to the wedding until Kyle said, you look like a white attorney. umm thanks?! #broskelove 

*I have yet another speech to prepare for this week. sweet.

*I had dinner with Addie on Tuesday at Olive Garden. I love, love, love her. Then doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. obsessed with her. 


*I bought this shirt from Target yesterday. I love it. 

I have alot more I could brain dump about. Random shopping trips, the cat vomiting on my bed, work, how much i want it to be summer, the music i love....i could write on and on, but I've hardly gotten any sleep all week. I'm about to have a hot date with my eyelids.


Happy almost Monday!


Emily! OXOX

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving that it's 60 degrees today and it totally feels like Spring! 


I'm loving that I won another giveaway this weekend from Tara! :)


I'm loving that I leave for Israel in 2 weeks! 


I'm loving that I found this Northface for half price!

I'm loving that my check from my grandpa came!


I'm loving this dress I found on Modcloth! 

I'm loving that I had a starbies date with my little brother! I luff him!

I'm loving that I'm figuring out who will be taking my senior pictures!

I'm loving that I'm getting my voice back little by little!

I'm loving all the new music on my iPod!

I'm loving that I've had extra time with the sibs this week!

I'm loving the fun silver nailpolish I have on right now!

I'm loving that I'm working the coffee shop at church tonight!

Happy Wednesday! 

a weekend with Jr. High Kids

my weekend:

Friday morning, 37 of us headed to St. Louis for Believe12. I mentioned it in this post. I had an amazing time. This was my first time "chaperoning" an event and I LOVED it! I learned so much by just spending time with everyone. They were so fun! Here are so pictures from our car ride up. We took 2 busses and 1 SUV! Dance parties and singing loud happened almost the entire time! 

This is Julie. She is awesome. She cooks all of our food for us for every single youth event I can remember! Mission trips, fall retreats, you name it. She cooks for it. Friday night, both of us went shopping at SAMS, Wal-mart, and some local grocery stores. After quite the detour, we finally found the shopping center! It was dark, and the GPS decided to go stupid on us. We rolled our eyes and did a fair amount of laughing at ourselves that night haha! We were making memories for sure! 

This is a SMALL fraction

of the food. very small.

Worshipping with 4000 teens was 

incredible. High energy for sure!!

I never thought this would be a part of the weekend.

He is fine now. Thankful for quick EMT's and wise doctors!

My Jr. High girls made me try on these

ridiculous 5 inch platforms at Journeys!

Zebra, sparkles, and SO tall!

These is about 1/3rd of the sleeping area

for the girls alone. overpack much?

myself included! :)

I LOVED spending time with these sweet girls! 

Happy Sunday! :) 

Friday: Headed to STL

2012

       This morning I'm heading to St. Louis with the Jr. High kids from youthgroup! I'm SO excited and ready to hang with all of them!! We are going up for Believe 2012, a conference meant specifically for Jr. High age kids! I can't wait to see what God is going to do with these kids and their hearts for Him! 

       I'm looking forward to spending time with them. I can't believe that I'm a senior in high school and i once was this age. umm really? was i ever really this excited? crazy? loud? never! ha! who am I kidding? I LOVE these kids! I'm ready for late nights, loud music, a 4 hour roadtrip and some incredible memories with crazy kids!


Happy Friday! We've made it to the weekend!! 

It's OK Thursday

It's OK that:
*I have literally told every single person I can that I ran for 20 minutes WITHOUT stopping last night! That is a B-I-G- deal for a couch potato-just started running 6 weeks ago-kinda girl! I'm SO happy and excited!!
*I haven't started packing for Israel, but I have been doing some online shopping for backpacks, luggage, clothes etc
*I straightened my hair for the first time since Christmas. lazy much?!
*I'm so tired and all I want to do is sleep.
*I decided to do another random giveaway! 
*I get excited with each new blog follower I get! 57 and counting!
*I have a HUGE crush on Channing Tatum. I mean who doesn't? Seriously.
*I'm going to watch The Vow again! I LOVED it!
*I'm skipping a really good concert tonight to have a coffee date with someone that I LOVE :)
*I bought new running shoes this week! eeep I can't wait to use them!
*I'm going to STL this weekend with the Jr. High Kids from youth group for a conference! I can't wait to hang out with some of the sweetest, coolest kids around! 


Happy Thursday!

It's OK Thursday

It's OK that:

* I went to school on MLK day

* I'm a little (alot bit) freaked out by the SOPA/PIPA stuff

* I skipped youth last night to come home and do homework

* I've worn sweats 3 days this week

* I really need to re-color my hair and haven't

* I wore Chacos and Nike shorts on Monday.....in January

* I got tired during C25K training yesterday, but I didn't stop

* I'm upgrading my blog again, thanks to Jenn!

* I love alone time

Happy Thursday!

Love,

E

Sunday Randoms

~I did watch the Miss America Pageant last night! It was the first time I had ever watched. I LOVED it! There were so many good stories, talents, and pretty girls for lack of a better term! ha! I loved Miss SC's suit. She rocked the white and the bikini and looked fab! I loved Miss Oklahoma's Irish Dance. I'm really not a big fan of Opera tho (Miss NY). Miss Iowa did an amazing job singing You Raise Me Up! It was so pretty! I really wanted Miss OK to win! But, congrats to Miss Wisconsin for winning Miss America!

~On a side note, I watched the MAP in sweats, ponytail, no makeup, and stuffing my face full of food!

~Yesterday, I did a mini-road trip to Springfield with some girls from church. We're having a pillowcase party on Monday night for our upcoming trip to KC! We bought fabric and had lunch together at Chick-fil-a! Branson doesn't have a Chick-fil-a :( There are rumors that Branson might be getting one in the near future! SO excited if that actually happened! haha

~Our family finally took down the Christmas tree today. It's been long overdue! This is the new record for how long our family has keep it up. January 15th.

~Speaking of overdue, I know y'all are dying to know my countdowns: 111 days till graduation and 54 days to Israel! I can't wait. They are both sneaking up SO fast! I'm glad time is flying!

~I had to give a speech in my public speaking class on Friday. Scared.out.of.my.mind. I hate public speaking, but I made it! We had to speak for 3 minutes so it wasn't too bad! I spoke on my mission trip to E. St. Louis. I've gone every year since 8th grade and it's something I'm passionate about, but still.

~I finished week 2 of C25K! Enough said. Tomorrow is a new day, a new week, with more running. baby steps.

~I'm reading Kisses from Katie right now. Incredible book. You might also fall in love with her blog! She is so inspiring and I can't wait to do a book review post on her book soon!

~Tonight, I met with our Lead team from youth group. I'm excited to see everything that God is doing and what He will continue to do through us in 2012.

I've got a crazy, full week ahead!

Happy Sunday!

Emily

Carolyn and Aaron's Wedding 1.08.12.

Carolyn and Aaron

1.08.12

One of my favorite couples got married last night in a beautiful ceremony at Integrity Hills Chapel. Carolyn was one of our youth helpers for many, many years! She spoke into numerous lives every week and poured into my life as well. It was so fun to be able to go and see her and Aaron get hitched! :) This is the first wedding of 2012 that I got to go to. There is at least 5 more on the calender! I can't wait! I went with my friend Hannah and my younger brother, Kyle! Hannah was so sweet to come over and do my hair before we left. I LOVED the final product! It was such a fun evening filled with laughing, dancing, eating and lots of pictures! They brought in a photo booth for everybody too! so, so fun. enjoy the pictures!

Hannah burned my nose on accident :)

We snapped a couple of pictures right before we left!

I LOVE how they turned out!

Miss Julie is awesome!

She leads our mission trip every year!!

Miss Lori is our smallgroup leader!

and we LOVE her :)

Carolyn was stunning.

so happy for her.

We sat with the Conner Fam :)

I LOVE Brianna! She sang last night

and did a beautiful job. She was my

team leader the first year i went on mission trip,

in 8th grade. so, so sweet.

Happy Monday!

Emily

Monday Randoms

***Remember, this is the last day to enter the Christmas Ornament Exchange! There is already over 100 participants. It is going to be so much fun! I will post partners on Wednesday

~Last Monday, we went to the EU at CofO basketball game. CofO played awesome. Evangel did not. Of course I would be wearing my EU hoodie. Walk.of.shame.

~Youth last Wednesday was incredible! Keith Chancey spoke from Kanakuk Institute and it was on trusting the Lord through our struggles. That.really.hit.home. I'll be sharing in my part 2 of to trust Him more.

~The weather here today is gorgeous. It is about 70 degrees and sunny! Feels like spring. I took a nap with the windows open yesterday. Perfection.

~This weekend we had our youth fall retreat, SHINE! Our guest speaker was Jeremy "Bub" Thomas, and we had an amazing guest band lead us in worship every session. The food was yummy, the friends and the small group talks were a blessing, paintball was slightly painful, but a blast! (I DO have some nasty welts to prove it), and our leaders/host homes were awesome!! There were many points to take home. My favorite three were: 1-Remove your old, dirty clothes. 2-Put your sin to death, once and for all and 3-Clothe yourself with righteousness, kindness, humility, and compassion. Colossians 3:12. This was probably my most memorable fall retreat, and my last :(

Here is our group!

This was for a photo content on 11/11/11 at 11:11pm

~Today is my grandpa's birthday. I sure love him :)

~I'm SO excited about Thanksgiving. Only 10 more days! I can't wait to have our house filled with college kids, family, and friends. It is one of my favorite times of year!!

~Speaking of counting down, only 40 days till Christmas, 38 days till my 18th birthday, and 173 days till graduation!!! Can u tell I'm excited?!

I'm off to enjoy this beautiful day! :)

Happy Monday,

Love,

HE will fight for you!

Great Reminder:

One of the hardest things I'm learning. To be still, and let the Lord do the fighting.

On a total side note, I had this saved as a draft for yesterday. Last night, something happened, and it was a perfect reminder to me to be STILL, and let the Lord do the fighting!

Have u entered my Starbucks giveaway yet? :)

Sunday Randoms

~ I'm SO excited that Jenn is almost done my blog design! I got a little sneak peak and i LOVE it! She does amazing work!

~ Yesterday Evangel had their homecoming. Actually it's been going on for the past 3 days. I went up with my Dad on Friday night. He gave me an excluesive tour of the Buisiness Department, and the new Academic Buildings. It is a gorgeous campus! I went to Gab-Fest with him and met alot of his alumni friends, and ate way too much good food :)

~Speaking of Evangel, my brother was on the homecoming court! He looked so handsome! I'll be doing an entire post on that this week! Evangel played a great football game. The Final Score was 23 to 17! GO EU!!

~College Football!! My Sooners beat Texas, or should i say CREAMED Texas! Great game! Boomer!!

~ I worked at Adventure Ziplines last night! It was so pretty outside. The perfect picture taking weather :) I also worked today! The guides affectionately call me picture/camera girl! Love them :)

~I sent my test scores into CofO and Evangel this week! I'm praying and crossing my fingers.

~I ate a pickle last night. A whole dill pickle, and it was wonderful! :)

~My friend Emily is coming in town this week! I'm SO excited to see her! She moved away this spring and I miss her alot!! We both started blogging at the same time. I've loved having someone to blog with and throw around ideas!

~I'm considering deactivating facebook for a little while! I'm addicted to it and spend way to much time on it. still throwing around the idea! I will miss it ;)

~ Our new youth pastors are doing great! I've said this before, but I really do love them! Our youth attendance is now 70-80+ on wednesday nights. Woo-hoo!! We broke off into 5 different teams. I'm on the Student Serve Team. We brainstormed tonight and got to know everybody!

~Today at church, we had a reception for Mark and Erin to welcome them! They had the best chocolate chip cookies. I ate w-a-y- t-o-o- many ;)

Mighty Mini Camp 2011

I love Mighty Mini Camp! This has been my 3rd year to help and I just love them! I was with 1st and 2nd grade this year; I taught Session 2 (day 2) on Sin! I have a pretty awesome and crazy team to work with :) Enjoy!