Go! {To TeenPact National Convention} - Part 1

{The next several posts on my blog will be about what I learned at NC. I'm not promising you that they'll make sense. or that it'll have proper grammar. (You have been warned) I'm just writing to share with you what I took away from the week and hopefully encourage you in someway, somehow. So let's began, shall we? ;) }

The first day at NC was a little bit crazy. I remember driving up and hearing screams from Allison and Emmy! It had been way to long since I had seen those girls! :) Yeah, they're pretty much the most amazing-ist people ever. Just sayin' ;)


Anyway, the girls stayed in what was know as "The Palace".  And boy, let me tell you, it was. Hands down the best accommodations at a camp that I've attended! I think what I liked about it had something to do with the bathroom. or maybe just the type of tile it had in it. and the shower curtains. Yes, I am a design geek, I know. :p

Moving on....speaking of moving, I received some extremely odd looks as I rolled my suitcase into the lodge. I remember standing at the bottom of the steps trying to figure out a way to carry it up the stairs to my room. Since I was the smart person who decided to pack her whole house into one suitcase, I thought I should be the one to carry it up the flight of stairs. I'm pretty sure my arms thought I was crazy...actually, my entire body probably thought that.

Here's a picture of the monster....

Just for the record, I could fit myself into that thing....comfortably.
See what's wrong here? 

Need I say more? 

Fast forward to dinner where the girls of my small group bonded over dirty tables. We had the responsibility of cleaning up after everyone in the dining hall. Which was fun, I guess...I don't really know...

Anyway, we ended up sitting on the bleachers which allowed for an amazing view!

500 people worshipping Jesus. yay! 

We also listened to the President of the TeenPact nation, Stephen Blunk, give The State of the TeenPact Address. 

Excellent speaker, I might add. 

I don't remember much after that until it was time for girl talk with Lydia and the intern girls.

****                                                                                                    ****

And I'm going to stop there...the next part is a tad bit long. Check back later to hear the rest... :) 

The End & The Beginning

Today I finished my junior year and started my senior year. Its hard to believe this time has come. Honestly, it hasn't sunken in yet. But, I'm excited about what's in store for the future! (and scared at the same time. I just prefer not to think about it. :) ) Since I have been absent from the blog lately because of the mounds of schoolwork, I thought I would recap the last few weeks using bullets and pictures... :)

• Starbucks has become my second home this year as evidenced by the plethora of photos I have taken of their products. 

Exhibit A:

p.s. the cranberry-orange scone is my favorite along with the Passion Tea Lemonade! :) (I know that's not what's pictured, but I thought I would let you know! :) )

• Green Smoothies have become a staple of my diet. I think because they are super easy to make and super healthy at the same time. :) 

Blend your favorite frozen fruit along with a handful of spinach. :) 

• Two of my favorite people from Back to DC are running in the elections for TeenPact National Convention. I can't wait! Its less than a week away. 

• Trig Homework almost killed me. 

• Larabars have also become a staple. 

• I learned how to play baseball without a ball. 

• My brother owned me in emoticon wars. 

• He also reached a milestone with his little sister. 

• Me, my sister, and brother all tried an item from Starbucks' Secret Menu. 

And...

• I got to hangout with the Gravis Family and one of the cousins. 

So, that's the last few weeks of my junior year. I have been blessed beyond belief with so many things this year! I am forever grateful for the friendships, the ups and downs, and the memories!


Here's to the next adventure! :) 

Songs & Scripture

Psalm 17:15 -

"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." 

Psalm 63 -

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you, 

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast loves is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me. 

But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals. 

But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped. 

Psalm 18:28-30 -

"For it is you who light my lamp;

the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 

For by you I can run against a troop,

and by my God I can leap over a wall. 

This God–his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." 

And a quote from one of my favorite people, A.W. Tozer - 

“We’re all human beings suddenly to become blind, still the sun would shine by day and the stars by night, for these owe nothing to the millions who benefit from their light. So, were every man on earth to become atheist, it could not affect God in any way. He is what he is in himself without regard to any other. To believe in him adds nothing to his perfections; to doubt him takes nothing away.”