Happiness

 

Happiness is finding a pencil.
Pizza with sausage
telling the time.
Happiness is learning to whistle.
Tying your shoe for the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.
Happiness is two kinds of ice cream.
Knowing a secret.
Climbing a tree.
Happiness is five different crayons.
Catching a firefly.
Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone every now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.
Happiness is morning and evening,
day time and night time too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
that's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister.
Sharing a sandwich.
Getting along.
Happiness is singing together when day is through,
and happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening,
daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
that's loved by you.

 

Happiness: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

I am 16 going on 17

Today is my last day to be 16. As I think over all the lasting memories that were made the past year I thank God for all of the special times spent with friends: playing music, acting, hanging out, investing in people's lives and everything else we did. Thanks to all of you for making my 16th year so fantastic!

These are some of my favorite memories.

Conducted by the Alabama Symphony's Justin Brown

Cinderella

Beach Trip

Surprise Birthday Party (it was a surprise because it was in April)

Music Camp

National Homschool Convention

Student Leadership Camp

Literary Dance (Dressing up as Narnia Characters)

Thank you God for giving me such wonderful friends, parents, siblings, role models...I love them all very much. Thanks for making this year so wonderful! There were some hard times mixed in there, but the good ones outweigh them all!

Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. 

Nehemiah 9:5

Goodbye 16

Scrabble and Snow

When I found my grandmother's old scrabble board waiting to be thrown out, I seized the moment to use my creative skills. This is how my bathroom is better because of it.

 

Using my "Music" shelf on my dresser to display the Scrabble pieces atop a picture frame. (oh, and my new violin top given to me by a dear friend)

 

The snow is quickly falling outside on this fine night.

Blessed Be His Name

"When life throws you lemons, make lemonade" 

 Life certainly gives us a run for our money at times, those "why is this happening to ME?" moments. We start questioning God's love for us, beginning to wonder where God could be in this storm. That's when devil comes crushing our very being, trying to demolish our souls. 

Job merely says "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." [Job 1:21] Are you the kind of person who can praise the name of the Lord, even when things are taken away from you, things you wanted to hold on to?

God is unbelievable is He not? As I was sitting, listening to Pandora, I was thinking "what is that verse in Job about the Lord giving and taking away?" That is when I realized I was listening to "Blessed be Your Name" by Matt Redman. God is so good to me!

James 1:2-4 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Anna's House

I just got back from my dearest friend's house. Whenever Anna and I are together, we always have loads of fun! This time we wrote a few pieces, played songs, called two very good friends, enjoyed some Wii with the family, made silly videos, and had late night talks. Nothing could be better!

I am SO thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such a good friend! We were truly made to be friends! I love you, Anna!