This past weekend, I went to a junior high workcamp called BIGHOUSE, or Believing in God and Helping Others Understand Through Service Everywhere. 90 youth and adults hauled themselves and tools up to De Soto, Tx to help local churches with painting, yard work, general cleaning and other jobs. This year the youth cleaned up a park, helped a shelter, painted a church, did yard work and the list goes on... :) It was great to see these 7-9 graders pay to come help people. They truly showed God's love through their actions this weekend. I got the privilege of helping Doug on the programs. I helped him in worship, playing games at night and making sure the slide show was a success. We were also able to go visit all of the site on Friday and pass out some candy. The students faith and wilingness to serve was truly a blessing. I can only hope and pray that my children will have that same king of willingness to selflessly serve others through God's Love.

WOW! It sure has been a while since I have been on here. Few things have really happened since I last posted.
To catch you up on the last month: I have been working a whole lot. I have been helping out a family with triplet 3 month olds. The mom is there with me. I make bottles, feed, change, play with the babies, fold laundry...generally what ever she needs to make her life just a little bit easier. I have also been working on weekends and nights with other families to make a few extra bucks for the school year.

I did just get back from the river, where I had a great time with friends. We rode the river and had a great time sitting around the camp. It was really, really hot!!

I have learned some things over the past month. Kind of a "random 25 things about me" list :) A little peek into my brain.
1. I am not into the party scene anymore- This weekend, I went to the river. I really had a blast, just couldn't believe how many adult beverages were flowing through the campground and the river.
2. I feel that I am seen as the "little sister" in a lot of situations-
3. I get annoyed when people try to speak for me, especially when it isn't remotely close to what I want. Please don't speak for me. I have a voice.
4.Getting left at a restaurant or group setting so that someone can smoke really irks me. Although I am grateful for the thoughtfulness of not smoking in the car, it was really annoying to have to stop every hour so that they could smoke
5. I am not spiritually where I want to be. I am not putting enough of the good stuff in. But the bible study is helping.
6. 2 little boys have become my conscience and help me to keep staying on the straight path. I think about what they would say if they saw or heard me. Would they drop their jaw and go, "ummmm, you said a bad word!" Or worse, be in a situation in 5 years and think "well, I saw Miss Miranda do it, so I guess it is okay." That scares the crud out of me.
7.I have a love/hate relationship with being a little sister. I love my brothers whole heartedly, but I have 2 brothers and 1 that is like a brother to me, and then a lot of guy friends. It takes a lot for someone to gain the title, the one that has has known me since we were both in diapers. I can easily slip into the little sister role and will let someone take care of me. It, however, causes confusion and blurring of boundaries
8. My view of how someone should act in mixed company and other's views are quite different.
9. Peer pressure does not just affect teenagers....

All in all, God has shown me red flags in my emotions towards certain situations and I am thankful for that. He has brought my faults to light and I am able to work on them, getting closer to that intimate relationship with HIM that I desire. Through others, songs and talking to HIM while looking at the stars through a tent, I know that He will be there. I know that He has put the people and situations into my life so that I could learn these lessons, however small they may be.

Pictures from the No Doubt concert, before I ran out of batteries.... :)

Last Saturday, the elevate class had a crawfish boil! It was YUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYY!!! I ate, and ate, and ate, and ate a little more! The seasoning was just right. There was crawfish, corn, artichoke, garlic, spinach salad, cookies, fruit, and lots of friends! The weather was perfect and we cannot wait to have another one. Shawn, our pastor, his wife, Christine, and little Brenna even showed up to eat some food!

For the past 2 years, Sarah and I have taken our moms out to dinner for Mother's Day. This year, we went to Kemah and ate at Landry's. It was great to have time with the girls and talk about the upcoming wedding, school, life, etc. Sarah and I lived at each others houses through out high school but our moms never really saw each other. Having them at dinner gave them a chance to talk and get to know one another a little better. We really had a lot of fun and are looking forward to next year. Sarah and I surprise our moms every year with the restaurant!

Sarah, Mrs. Lindsey, Mom, and me at Kemah Boardwalk.

Does helping a neighbor out mean to pay off their debt, or buy them a pantry full of groceries? How about taking them to a beloved baseball game or treating them to a day at the spa? Being a neighbor does not take a lot of money. I have always thought that I couldn't do much to help a neighbor. I only make enough money right now to cover my bills (barely). In this time of financial need, I do realize that there is a lot more needed than just more money. I began to think of ways that I could help a neighbor with my gifts that God has given me. After looking at different ways, I came up with an idea that doesn't cost a thing, only time.

So I ask you, fellow bloggers and facebookers, to help me out. Do you know someone, a single mom, a grandparent raising their grandkids, or a family who has lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet? Could that person(s) use a night out, even if it is to walk the track and go to a matinee movie? I would like to help!!

I would like to help someone(s) in need. Life is hard and no one wants hand outs, so i have not quite figured out how to go about telling someone, " Leave your children and go do something for yourself for 4 hours... I have your kids."

Is there anyone that knows a family in need? Are you financially stable, and able to spend a few dollars on someone else? Would you be willing to "go in" with me by offering movie tickets, gift card to dinner, or any other special "treat"?

Let's think on this, and let me know your thoughts... :)

I have been talking about doing a marathon, and some 5K's for a while. Although I have participated in a 5K and had all intention of doing the marathon, that is all that it turned out to be...good intentions. My question is, why shouldn't I?? Why shouldn't I be able to run and train for the big goal? Why shouldn't I take charge and get things done? Am I lazy? More than anyone will ever know. Am I scared? Heck yes! Of what? I am actually not sure. All I know is that I am tired of talking about things and not being able to complete it.

Today at church, my dear friend talked about the barren woman. We all are barren women (guys too!) We all stand around, waiting on that "thing", trying to do things about it. Why try tricks and spend all of this energy on something that will come in God's timing? Instead of wasting years on things that will NEVER work, use that energy to do something productful. For me, I am going to run 3 times a week, and get into shape. I am waiting on God to bring me what I desire and I know that when HIS time is right, it will be wonderful! But in the mean time, I am going to work on me. To be happier, less stressed, and more in tune with HIM.