2.0.1.3

We are almost completely done with the first month of 2013 and I still have yet to recap. Silly me. Highlights of 2012...

-Joining the 21st century by buying my first iPhone.
-Disney World for spring break.
-Watching some of my best friend graduate high school.
-Experiencing Camp Barnabas for the first time.
-CAMP with rbcstudents.
-A fabulous trip to Chicago.
-CAMP reunion.
-Leadership Summit.
-Starting my first day of high school.
-Homecoming.
-My 17th birthday.
-Winter Retreat.
-Christmas at Remingtons.
-Christmas.
-Cutting my hair short.
-Ringing in a new year.

The most important thing that came from 2012 though was the way I grew in Christ. It has been incredible and it's still a day to day journey, but the pain has been so worth it. I'm so grateful for the friendships that have been strengthened and the new ones that have been formed. I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!

Random-ness.

It's been awhile.

A lovely, short, sweet Christmas break was just what this girl needed.

Some crazy, painful, bittersweet, exciting things have happened in my life the past six months or so, and I'm so blessed to have amazing friends to experience those things with.

Our youth pastor, Nate, announced his resignation at the end of December and his last day on staff will be January 13th. As sad as we are to see them go, we are so excited for the Bocks and for what lies ahead of them!

The second semester of school is now two days underway, and I have around ninety days of school left. That is totally doable. Auditions for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying are coming up soon, so that's exciting. It' hard to believe that this is my last semester of high school.

This has been short and sweet, mostly because I'm extremely exhausted, so I'm signing off. Have a great weekend!

19 Days Worth of Thankfulness.

Day 1) I'm thankful for being born on this fine November day.
Day 2) I'm thankful for road-trips with my family.
Day 3) I'm thankful for family weddings.
Day 4) I'm thankful for making new friends.
Day 5) I'm thankful for the family across the street who trust me to watch their kids.
Day 6) I'm thankful for the ability to get an education.
Day 7) I'm thankful for the chance to worship with my friends.
Day 8) I'm thankful for new books.
Day 9) I'm thankful for being grounded, because I have privileges that can be taken away.
Day 10) I'm thankful for free Saturdays.
Day 11) I'm thankful for a creative group of students who love the Lord and talented friends.
Day 12) I'm thankful for Mondays, because they represent a new week.
Day 13) I'm thankful for the opportunity to help with Cinderella.
Day 14) I'm thankful for technology.
Day 15) I'm thankful for a mom who will go sit through a show with me, and listen to me complain.
Day 16) I'm thankful for late nights, because that means I'm busy.
Day 17) I'm thankful for people who keep life interesting and take interest in my life.
Day 18) I'm thankful for the chance to go to Italy with my best friend.
Day 19) I'm thankful for the new friends that I've made.

Creativity and Cliques.

     I've noticed that I like to alliterate in my post titles. Just a quirk I've noticed.

     Last night we had a church event called Creative Night. Our youth group met and then broke off

into different groups based on what we wanted to do creatively. The groups were music, drama,

tech, art, and dance. I joined the music group, and we were split up into even smaller groups. Half of

us went with Brian Opperman, and the other half went with Sean and Brett Killingsworth. I had the

pleasure of working with Brian, who studied at Hillsong and was part of their worship team for the

past few years. We were given Psalm 63: 1-8, and he just told us to write what the Lord was telling

us. By the end of the night we had a song! I wrote the first verse and the chorus, Brian wrote the

second verse, and Lindsey wrote the bridge. I'm so excited to see where this project is going to go and

how the Lord is going to use it!


     Today in class I heard the following conversation:

Jordan:: You know those posters for that church event? I just realized those are for my church!

Kenzie:: Oh really? When is that? I think I might go...

Jordan:: You shouldn't go. My church is really cliquey and no one is nice.
    

     This honestly broke my heart. How bad is the Church as a whole that it's own members are saying

"don't come here"? We as a body of believers should be inviting people in, not turning them away.

Homeschooling, Homecoming, and Hotrod.

      What a month it has been! School has gotten better, it's not great, but it's better. Here's a small recap of the things that have happened in the past few weeks...

1. I'm writing my research paper on homeschooling (creative topic choice, eh?).
2. Auditions for Cinderella have come and gone, and even though I didn't make this show, I'm so excited for all of my friends who did! I know it's going to be an amazing show.
3. I joined drama club today! Our first get together is this Saturday at one of the seniors house. We are doing a drive-in/barbecue/bonfire. It should be quite a lot of fun.
4. This past Friday was Nixa's homecoming. I went with an awesome guy, and enjoyed hanging out with my crazy friends. I sure do love them...
5. I'm watching Hotrod for the first time right now, and I must admit, it's kind of cracking me up.

       Sorry for the short post, but I have an English paper to write! Have a great week! :)

Hard.

Life is hard. School is hard. Friendships are hard.

You know what isn't hard? Having faith.

I hate school. I hate being surrounded by crap all day. I hate sitting in a classroom for 7 hours and feeling like I'm not learning anything. I hate that I hate it. All I want is to be a "normal" high-schooler. But I'm not, and people don't like that. I feel like people are judging me because I don't like their normal. But, you see, that's what they've been doing to me for the last 8 years. Making fun and judging my normal. I feel as if I were coming from public school to homeschooling, and I didn't like it, then that would be fine. However, that's not the case. I still don't know if I'll continue going to school. I'm strongly considering going back to homeschooling, but I'm still praying about it.

Through it all though, I have faith. I have faith that the Lord will reveal His purpose to me. I have faith that no matter what, His hand will be evident in my life this year.

Will you pray for me to follow God's plan? Will you pray for me to realize who my true friends are? Will you pray for me as I strive to do everything in the name of the Lord? Thanks, friends. It means the world.

Ramblings and Whatnot...

I'm halfway through my days of work this week! I worked yesterday and today, and I work tomorrow and Tuesday. After that though, I'm off for almost three weeks! My working buddy, Kristen, worked her last today, because she is headed back to Baylor for school.

I ordered my backpack online yesterday. That was weird. I haven't had a backpack since the second grade. I still have a few things to pick up before school actually starts, but I'm getting excited!

Our student associate, Jessica, is taking a new job as a 6th grade reading teacher this fall. I am so excited for her as she starts this new journey, but she will be greatly missed.

I'm hungry. All the time. I don't understand it, but I eat like a grown man.

This post is awkwardly short, but I'm going to take a nap. See you later, blogger world!

One Giant Post.

This post is going to be obnoxiously long.

CAMP:

Seriously my favorite week of the year. This year was especially great! Sean Killingsworth and his band came to lead worship, and Matt Atherton brought the message each night. I loved hanging out on the dock with my closest friends, and then watching them act like crazy people on the tube! The worship time was incredible as usual. Overall it was an amazing week!

CHICAGO:

Amazing. I swear we ate our way through the city, but then we walked it off afterwards.

Here's a list of the places we ate:

-Gino's East Pizzeria
-The Melting Pot
-The American Girl Place
-Bubba Gump's
-P.F. Changs
-Buca de Peppo

I told you we ate a lot. Ashlyn and I successfully navigated all the airports with no issues, although we were a little confused trying to find our luggage when we got to Chicago. We went, we saw, and we conquered! Well...sort of. Lots of food, lots of shopping, and lots of quality bestie time.

CAMP REUNION:

The most incredible worship experience I have ever had. At 11:45 on Friday night we started our midnight session. Daniel was only supposed to play a total of four songs, but the Holy Spirit had other ideas. People started getting up and sharing what they were struggling with and we could pray for them. I had the amazing chance to talk to two incredible girls and was so excited to hear what the Lord is doing in their lives. Then, we all gathered in a clump and started praying aloud for each other and for our church, and then we stayed in clump and worshipped like never before. Get this, we didn't stop until 2 a.m. The Lord did CRAZY things that night, and has been working ever since.

ASHLYN AND KAITLYN'S BIRTHDAY:

 Saturday night I had the privilege to celebrate with some special ladies. Ashlyn and Kaitlyn had a combined 17th birthday party with a Tangled theme. It was so fun to spend time with some of my best friends and hear how their summer has been.

Well friends, this next month brings a big change...school. On August 14th, I will start my first day of high school as a junior. It's really exciting, and mildly terrifying, so please pray for me as I do my best to spread the love of God throughout NHS. That's all I've got folks...

Oh The Places You'll Go...

It's adventure time here in Emilee-land! We leave for CAMP tomorrow, and then a mere seven days after we return, Ashlyn and I are jetting off to Chicago. Don't worry, we will be supervised, but we are flying up a day later than Lori, Ash's mom. The two of us trying to navigate the airports, especially the one in Chicago, should be very entertaining.

I am so excited to get to experience the Windy City for the first time. Lori is working during the day, so Ashlyn and I will be hitting up the Magnificent Mile for some hardcore shopping. Then at night we will probably do some sight-seeing and other things. I know it's going to be a great trip, and I'm excited for some girl time with my best friend!

I'm headed up to the office today with the other apprentices to help with last minute CAMP details, so I'll update when we get back! Prepare to here some great stories!

Hey-yo.

Hey, uh, remember me? Yeah, it's been a while. I'm sorry I left, but I'm back now. I just needed some space. Don't worry, I didn't meet anyone else. It was me, not you.

The past fifteen days have been a blur of work, church, pool, sleep, repeat.

My ankle has been swelling up again, so here's to hoping that it goes away and I don't need to have it checked out.

It is so flippin' hot here, ya'll. Like 102 degrees hot. Hello humidity.

I am flat-out exaughsted. All work and no shopping makes Emilee a tired girl. I'm almost, gasp, ready to be in school so I will have fewer hours at work. I know, I'm crazy.

Speaking of school, OH MY WORD friends. I have a month and a half of freedom left. In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of freaking out about it. I just keep repeating "the Lord will fufill His purpose for me". Right now it seems like His purpose is me losing my mind, though.

It's only 11 days until CAMP with rbcstudents! I am so excited and ready for a great time with God and my best friends! Pray for our group to be awakened towards Him.

I can be in the worst mood ever, and this song will instantly make me happy. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic

Barnabas Day 5:: Thursday.

Today's entry is a little happier. Yesterday was awful, and I was just over the whole thing, but today has been great! Grace is crazy, but I love her so much. She was "signing" a song for Morgan at lunch. I just finished FOB with Ash, Josiah, Sam, Jacob, and a few other CIA's. It was really nice to have some friend time. My cabin is waking up so we are headed to OATS!

Barnabas Day 3:: Tuesday.

Oh my Lord. I have never been this tired in my life. I sprained my ankle playing basketball this morning. My camper is SO sweet, but she is a train wreck. Her name is Grace, she is 19, and she has Downs Syndrome. There have been some really fun times this week, but I am so ready to go home. I totally take my bed, shower, and free time for granted. I love being here and blessing other people, but I will have to think about coming back next year. I love all of the other CIA's in my cabin, and that makes life a little easier. But I'm tired. Physically and especially emotionally. Jesus, help this week pass quickly.

Promised:: Barnabas 2012

I've been putting off writing this post for a few days. I was trying to find a way to put a happy, positive spin on this past week. Yes, I had SO much fun at times, but it was the hardest, most stressful week of my life.

To be as transparent as possible, I'm going to post my journal entry from each day.

Starting with Sunday, the day the CIA's arrived.

Sunday, June 3: Barnabas Day 1

The campers are coming! Ok, technically the campers tomorrow, but we are here TODAY! This is quiet time before dinner. I am so hungry! I love all the girls in my cabin, and definitely love my staffers. I know the Lord is going to do so much this week, and I am so ready for it! Also, I swear it is like 346234 degrees out here. I have never sweat this much in my life. Well, time's almost up, so I'm heading back to the cabin.

Stay tuned for more tales from Camp Barnabas.

Barnabas Bound.

     Well folks, in one hour and forty-five minutes, I'll be headed to Camp Barnabas!!! I am so excited to be able to share this experience with  my best friends. As nervous as I am about this week, my excitement far outweighs my anxiety. I know that God is God, and He's going to do His thing. I know that I have amazing people that I can rely on for words of encouragement this week. I finished packing late last night, and just finished putting together my backpack for the week. This term is Developmentally Disabled/Autism. I really believe that the Lord picked this week for me for a reason. I have had experience dealing with kids with Autism-like disabilities. I know that these kids will be so excited about camp, and that they will be such a blessing to me this week, and I just hope I can be as much as a blessing to them. This is my first year at Barnabas, so the only thing I know to expect is a great time! I will take lots of pictures! Be praying for me this week friends. :)

It's Here...

Summer time is here, friends! The sweltering heat and the opening of neighborhood pools has confirmed that Summer 2012 is in full swing. Today I thought I'd share a few of my favorite summer things.

1. The pool. Seriously, there is nothing more relaxing than spending a few hours soaking up the sun and splashing around.

2. P-whip. In case you are not familiar with the treasure that is P-whip, it is a local frozen treat stand. They feature pineapple and then a random flavor. We aren't exactly sure what the "whip" is...maybe really creamy ice cream? Oh well, it's delicious nonetheless.

3. Tan lines. See #1.

4. Friends. Yesterday I spent the morning with my friends at church, the afternoon playing water games at Ashlyn's, and the night chilling with some cool people at Josh's. Honestly, nothing can lift my spirits like these people. Yesterday was just the day I needed. Minus the Irish rock and Dubstep...

5. Good music. See above. Dubstep sounds like people were recording normal music and then an earthquake hit while aliens tried to make contact. Gross. I prefer some Ke$ha or Carly Rae Jepsen. So, call me maybe?

6. Flexibility. There is less of this now that the majority of my friends have jobs, but it's still better than the school year. Now I can call my friends and plan to get together the next day and we don't have to worry about school or homework interfering.

7. Watermelon. It's like a food and a drink.

8. Sunshine. See #1 & #3.

9. CAMP. Possibly the highlight of my summer. Jesus, friends, and the lake. Perfection.

10. Road trips. Stay tuned for this one.

Have a great week, and enjoy your summer sunshine!

Cherish Life.

Ten years ago, I met a little girl. That little girl became my best friend for 5 years, and is still a good friend to this day. That little girl had an older sister, Megan, and an older brother, Josh.

Josh was constantly terrorizing Emma and I. He would throw our American Girl Dolls down the laundry chute that was in their house. One time, we bought a slip'n'slide, and Josh was the first one to try it out. On the very first slide, he out his feet through the end of it. That was the end of the slip'n'slide. We used to play hide and go seek in their backyard with Nathan and Ryan. Josh was a bug pain in my butt the majority of the time, but he was like an older brother to me. He was a good kid. He just finished his freshman year at Dordt college. He was a skilled debater and golfer, and an amazing Christ follower.

Last Wednesday night, Josh committed suicide by laying down in front of a car on the highway. He was on drugs at the time. The past week has been a blur of memories, and lots of tears. I'm sad, because I lost my friend. But I'm also glad, because Josh is in the presence of the Lord now. He is in a place I can only dream about. While our hearts ache here on earth for the loss of a son, brother, and friend, all of Heaven is rejoicing because they just gained an amazing young man.

We miss you Josh, but we know that you are partying it up in Heaven.

Uh.

I really didn't have a title for this, so "uh" it is.

First off, I want to ask you guys to pray for me. A group of students from my youth group are going down to Barnabas in Branson this summer, and I'll be joining them. I have had a little bit of experience working with special needs students, but never one on one for a whole week. I'm so, so excited to have this chance to serve and bond with these kids, but I'm also really nervous. Pray for peace of mind as I prepare for this summer.

Now on to a lighter topic: reality TV. It's a horrible addiction, but I'm not really willing to break it. Big Rich Texas, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and really anything with plastic faces and teased out hair.

It's hot here. And I'm currently driving a car with no a/c. My precious Duh-rell was taken away when I got grounded. I'm driving my dad's Dodge Intrepid, or as I refer to it, "the turd". It sucks. But, tomorrow is inspection day, and if things are in order, I will get my truck (and my life) back!

Tomorrow I have an orthodontist appointment. I'm not looking forward to it, because I haven't been wearing my retainers. Ah.

I'm ready to start school. People are CONSTANTLY asking about scheduling, classes, extra curriculars, blah blah blah. It just needs to start (after summer of course) so everyone will just chill.

I'm heading to bed, and I plan on sleeping until at least nine...good night friends.

3M.

M1: Monday

That's today, in case you didn't know. I really hate Mondays. They serve no purpose for me except to provide me with headaches and no motivation. I vote we just completely skip Mondays. Let's start a petition.

M2: Middleton

I love Kate Middleton. Seriously, that woman is so classy...and I might have a strong urge to raid her closet. She totally conducts herself like royalty, even though she isn't officially queen yet. Her desire to help others outside of her social status totally reminds me of Diana. I'm starting to sound old, so let's wrap up this subject.

M3: Movies

I really want to see The Vow. It's been out for a while now, but I still haven't dragged my sorry little self to the theater to see it yet. Have you seen it? Is it worth going to see it in the theater, or is it Redbox worthy?

Well folks, that's all I have for today. Enjoy your Monday, if that's possible.

Confessional Friday.

Hello there! I hope you all have been enjoying the fabulous weather this week (minus the rain this morning). It's been a fairly interesting week, so let's get to confessin'!

1. I love Coke. Honestly, I probably drink way too much of then stuff, but nothing cures a headache like a good ole McDonald's Coke.

2. I do not love exercise. I couldn't tell you the last time I actually worked out. With swimsuit season upon us, I'm trying to jump back on the wagon, but above addiction is making it a little different.

3. I'm so tired. All the time. I absolutely love my job, but I came dang close to tears when my alarm went off at 7 a.m. yesterday morning.

4. I can't say "no". Tonight I am volunteering at an event that the high school puts on for 8th graders called P3 (purity, passion, and pearls). I am working in the kitchen with my good friend Katie and her mom. I love these ladies, and can't wait to hang out with them tonight. However, I am doing that tonight, working 8-2 tomorrow, and then babysitting tomorrow night. Apparently "no" is not in my vocabulary.

5. Allergies suck.

6. I highlighted my hair! I had a mini freak out of sorts when I dried my hair and there were BLONDE streaks in it. Not caramel as the box promised, but blonde. However, as the days have gone by, I'm starting to like it more and more. It makes me feel like summer.

7. <-- I had a difficult time typing that number. On Tuesday I was messing around with my dad and brother, when my dad threw a dry erase marker at me. It bounced off of my laptop, resulting in the loss of my seven key. Sad day.

8. I made no-bake cookies at work yesterday, and they turned out dang good (dang well?). Still a little soft, glossy, and chocolaty, I was pleased with my work.

And on that note, I am off to take a nap in preparation for my busy weekend. Have an awesome week and be blessed!

Homeschooling: The Real Deal

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not anti-public school NOR am I anti-homeschooling. I firmly believe it is whatever works best for your family.

This is my 8th year of being home schooled. We started homeschooling in 3rd grade, and never looked back. There was no extremely awful school situation which caused my parents to make the decision to home school me. In fact, I loved my school. I had great teachers, and my principle was an awesome guy. However, I had been begging my parents to pull me out of school for a while, because, quite frankly, I was bored. * I am not trying to toot my own horn here, just giving you the facts* I finished my work before everyone else, homework wasn't a challenge, and I got good grades. In 2nd grade my parents made the executive decision to put me in W.I.N.G.S., the gifted program for our area. It was one day a week, and focused on a higher level of learning. At 7 years old I was putting together multiple power-point programs a month, memorizing lines and writing skits, and solving simple algebraic problems. But that was only one day a week. The other four days I was doing an advanced math curriculum, but the school wouldn't let me skip a grade because I was at different levels in every subject.

The first year was hard. My brother wasn't in preschool yet, so my mom was trying to take care of him and teach me consecutively. At the same time, I was struggling because I didn't get to interact with my friends throughout the day. There were also things that I loved about homeschooling. I didn't have to be up at 6 a.m., I was finished by lunchtime, I wasn't forced to do P.E...just kidding. Kind of. After deciding that homeschooling was do more good than not, we planned on trying another year. And we are on year 8 of "trying another year".

Homeschooling does not mean your children are sheltered. If you choose to shelter them, then they will be sheltered, yes. I am 16 years old. I listen to secular music stations. I watch reality TV. I wear modern clothes. If I don't know a song, that isn't because I'm home schooled, it's because I choose not to listen to that music. If I don't dress like a slut, that's not because I'm home schooled, but because I choose not to dress like that. The only effect homeschooling has had on me is whether or not I go spend 8 hours in a building, or 2 at home. It doesn't affect my music choice, my clothing choice, my personality, or my beliefs.

That being said, I don't judge you for going to public school, so don't judge me for being home schooled.

It looks like year 8 is where it stops for me. This August I will officially be enrolled as a junior at Nixa High School. Am I excited? Absolutely. Am I terrified? Duh. But I am ready for a change, and I believe this is the change I've been looking for.

If you've made it all the way through this, congratulations! Have a great week, and be blessed!