Every once in a while, I decide to do artwork as baby gifts. I love being able to paint and draw. I love using my talent to brighten someone's day. My friend Christine is having a baby in the next few weeks and decided to do her nursery in The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I wanted to do something special for her, and below is what I came up with. Not to brag, but I think they came out better than I expected and Christine and Shawn were really happy! In the caterpillar picture, I wrote Jer 29:11 at the top of the log.. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord is written as part of the picture.

It was done on canvas with acrylic paint.

Lord,
Grant me the wisdom and peace that only you can bring. I want to be the friend that _____ needs right now. I want to be what you want me to be. Help me to cast aside my selfish thoughts, my plan does not matter. Your will, your plan, is the greatest plan that anyone could hope for. Help _____ to understand your will and that you have a plan for them also. Surround _____ with your love and help them to feel you with them, everyday, in every situation. Lord, I pray that you will help to calm fears, and ease the pain. I pray that _____ understands that everyone stumbles and that there are those that love them ready to catch them and lift them up. You have something amazing in store for them. Help the anxiety and worry disappear so that they are able to worship and serve you.

Miranda

I am attracted to music. I find comfort in various songs and am moved by many. I just watched the movie Fireproof. The song While I'm Waiting by John Waller, caught my attention. In fact, I just bought it off iTunes. It puts words to what I have been feeling lately. There are things that I have not been able to describe. This song has a great beat and wonderful lyrics. Take a look:

8. While I’m Waiting
Psalm 5:3, 27:14, 33:20, 37:7, 38:15, 40:1, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:24
John Waller

"The explanation for this song is simple, I was waiting on God and I was hurting when I wrote the lyrics. I probably wouldn’t have written
a song if my friend, Mike, hadn’t encouraged me to document what I was going through during that time. I’m sure there are few people
who can’t relate to this song, but the important thing to remember while we’re waiting on God is to not just wait but to actively wait.
Serve, worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are… “even while (you) wait.”

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

© 2007 Travelin’ Zoo Music (ASCAP) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing)

I am giving my testimony at church soon. I am sooo nervous about doing this. I am not one to talk about my faith very openly, so doing this in front of a bunch of my peers freaks me out TOTALLY!!
I wanted to put some prayer requests up today that are affecting me and some of my family and friends:

1. My testimony
2. A friend at school is dealing with her father having cancer and she is going through tests herself.
3. Continued healing to Joni's mom
4. 4 of my family/friends have recently gotten engaged...prayers for them as they continue to plan. Blessings on their new marriages.
5. Me- peace, understanding, strength, and wisdom to handle whatever situation may arise
6. Friend at PFUMC has received news that treatments are not working. Strength for her family and comfort for her.
7. My cousin, Kamala, is going through some health issues
8. Christine's baby girl should be gracing us with her presence in the coming month. Prayers for a continued smooth pregnancy and delivery.
9. Elevate Bible Study- wisdom, enthusiasm, and cooperation.

As I become older, I am starting to rely on prayer, and love the comfort it brings me when I know that someone else is praying for me too.

1 Thessalonian 5:16-18 "Always be joyful. Never Stop praying. Whatever happens give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this."

Being at the race and seeing all the cars was a pretty cool experience. I enjoyed it a whole lot more than I thought and met a lot of incredibly nice people. I learned some racing terms and saw some cars that cost more than I would EVER dream of making in a year. But, I also met and watched a group of extremely passionate people do something that they absolutely loved! It was great to see so much enthusiasm. The kids that were able to come seemed to have a GREAT time :)
The Ferrari (insert a bunch of car specifications here) that all the boys were drooling over. I have to admit... it was a pretty cool car!
watching the racers go by

#22 is Ross' friend Jeremy (I think)
I personally like this car!

I spent the majority of my day today at the race track, down close to Angelton,Tx. I had no clue that it was even there! It is pretty cool. My friend Ross invited me down to see some of his racing buddies race. A lady from our bible study also brought a small group of kids out to see everything. We first raced go-karts on the track next to the big track. It was so much fun :) Here is us getting the safety talk Gentlemen, err...ladies... START YOUR ENGINES I am the speck of bright pink going down the track
All done and styling in the race helmet

REDO!!! As I was reading everyone else's 25 list, I realized that half of my stuff was not random... everyone knows about my school stuff... so I thought I would try again. I think I succeeded in being random this time.

1. I love to sing Disney songs from all the different movies throughout the years.
2. It takes me a while, until I know you well, to tell you what I am really thinking about a subject. I am working on this, though
3. I have recently become a fan of Taylor Swift
4. I will choose sweet tea over any other choice of drink
5. I generally don't mind still living with my parents...although I have my moments
6. I cry at one Hallmark Christmas card commercial...the one where the girl is spending her first Christmas with her husband's family... *sniff*
7. I am addicted to my blackberry and have had to take programs off of it so that I don't check it constantly
8. I graduated in the lower half of my class in high school (I was super lazy and barely went to class) and have only recently cared about my grades.
9. I raised 2 pigs and 2 cows in high school. woohoo, FFA!!
10.I don't like driving with other people in the car. I would rather be a passenger. But I like to drive when I am the only one.
11.I hit a funeral procession (funeral directors car)- in my defense, I did not get a ticket and if the police man had been where he should have been, I would have killed him.
12.I was ticked at my older brother for 6 wks when he left for college. It took a while for him to figure it out.
13.I will generally not tell you when I am mad at you. (hence the reason for number 12)
14.I have a hard time talking about my faith with you until I know about yours. Something else I am working on.
15.I have a hard time taking a compliment.
16.I am not a perfectionist in most areas.
17.My car is always messy
18.If you can get me talking about my personal life, you might want to cancel your evening plans
19.I love eating raw dough (cookie, biscuit,pie)
20.I do not like my things to touch on my plate and will only eat one item on my plate at a time
21.I have a texture issue with food... thick, smooth and creamy is not good for me
22. The only vegetable I would eat when I was little was green beans. It has only been since high school that I have expanded to salads, broccoli, peas, etc...
23.I have a fear of the unknown (I like to know what is going on:))
24.My family and friends are my life. I love going to family Christmas, weddings, and parties.
25.I have never thought of myself as a leader, and if you tell me I am, I will laugh and get embarrassed.
... and one more, just because...
26. I am very afraid of speaking in a group of adolescents and adults. Give me a room full of elementary kids, I am fine. Put me in front of my peers and have me talk about something? have a trash can ready :) This is the problem I am having with taking mass communications this semester...2 speeches AUGHHHHHHHH