Joy.

    Remember that song from Sunday School?

I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.

    The next sixteen weeks at church we are studying the book of James. When I heard we were spending sixteen weeks on a five chapter book, I was a little skeptical. But this morning was so amazing! We talked about trials and tribulations.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of all kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith will produce patience."

    When we think of trials, we normally don't think of the word 'joy'. But we fail to realize that when we accept Christ, we are filled with irreplaceable joy. But, whether we choose to live in that joy or not, is our choice.

    Pastor John had a great example today about withstanding a storm. If you look at pictures from a tornado, you see complete devastation. But if you look closely, you can see the trees still standing. Their tops are twisted and their bark is stripped, but they're standing.

This picture is such a beautiful picture of how Christians should lean towards the cross in times of trial.



If we walk closely with God, and we are firm in our faith, when the storm hits, we will endure.

Have an amazing week! :)

I'm Back!

          Hello friends! I am still alive! It has been one crazy week here, and I'm gearing up for another one. Thursday and Friday our church hosted a simulcast event called Global Leadership Summit. Willow Creek hosts this event every year and it's broadcast out to host sites all around the world. This year we had some great speakers and it was a really fun time. Friday night I spent the night at a friends house for her birthday. Then Sunday we had church that morning, and then that evening, Ash and I met up at Sonic and then headed over to the Woodalls house for Dteam. School started today for Nixa, Wednesday for Clever and Republic, and next Thursday for Springfield. Over here at the Garrison School of Higher Learning we don't start until the first week of September. This Sunday we are driving up to St. Louis to visit my dad, who's been working up there for the past month or so. We are going to the zoo and to a Cardinals game. It should be a fun week and I'll update more when I get the chance. Adios!

Hot.

    Holy smokes friends! It has been more than toasty here in the good ole state of Misery for the past two weeks. Yesterday we hit a record high of 108 degrees. 108!!! That didn't even include the heat index. You would think we lived in Arizona. Sheesh....

   I've been up at the office for a couple of days this past week painting offices. There are a lot of changes happening at RBC right now, and I'm really excited about it! Back in September we (finally) started a contemporary service called 10:31. We have kept growing and have outgrown our space. So, starting August 28th, we will be kicking off the 9:01 service! To accommodate the new services, the students will be moving from our Fellowship Center to the Chapel. James will be leading the Senior High, Jessie will be leading the Junior High, and Nate will be leading 9:01, 10:31, and teaching on Wednesday nights. Since all this will be happening, a few of the staff have been switching offices. Yesterday Ryan, Julie, and I painted Nate's office, and they were finishing up today. I am really excited to see how God uses these changes to bring the church together.

  Today, Lance and I went over to the pool for about half an hour. It felt so good to just do nothing! Today is also my bestie's 16th birthday! I'm so excited for her and can't believe she's going to be driving around in no time! Happy Birthday Ash!

  Have a fun and COOL week!

Burned.

    No, I'm not talking about 'burned' as in "Oh you just got buuurned!", but as in a literal burn. Two of them actually. On Wednesday I gave myself a nasty burn on my arm from my flat iron. Oh the price we pay for beauty. Then tonight, while taking a batch of cookies out of the oven, I scalded my poor finger. Ouch.

   On another note, the scars from my appendectomy are still a lovely pink color. I hope they turn white soon...I don't enjoy looking like pink markers attacked my stomach. Ick.

  So now I shall go nurse my wounds...literally.

Unite.

     This has been a bit of a crazy week for me, but good nonetheless. I really enjoy being busy in the summer, but there's times where I just want to sit and do nothing. There's only so many hours in a day, right?

     Sunday morning we had church, and I absolutely love my church, but I'm always just exhausted after Sunday morning. Daniel and I led the opening game Sunday morning, and I'm so glad our youth group gets students involved in activities. That morning, our lesson was on 'Our Calling'. Determining my 'calling' has always especially difficult for me, because I've never felt like I had that niche that other girls have. I don't sing, or act, or have a great sense of style. But this week I realized that my calling is to simply glorify the Lord in everything I do. He will use me in every situation that comes my way.

    Monday we went up to my grandmas house to paint. When she asked us to come and help her with some painting, I pictured rollers and a paint can. Wrong. We used spray paint. Yes, you read that right: spray paint. She had us spray paint the wallpaper under her bay window in the front room. After inhaling way too much spray paint, we headed to Zios for lunch. When we got home, Lance and I mowed the yard. All in all it was a long day.

   Tuesday my mom and I went to lunch with Kari at Beths Bake Shop. Yum! I had half of a croissant sandwich and a salad. After lunch I went to work up at the church office. I always have a great time hanging out with the staff and the other apprentices.

   Today Ashlyn and I headed back up to the office to prep for the church-wide prayer gathering we had tonight. This is the third prayer gathering we have had, but the first one I've attended. I loved it! It was such a great time for every generation of the church to come together to worship and come before the Lord in prayer. The music was fantastic thanks to Tyler, James, Nate, and the band.

    I don't have anything to do this weekend! Except for maybe paint the kitchen.... I'm thankful for friends who have even busier schedules than I do, but still make time to hang out and catch up.

    Be blessed and be a blessing!

I promise I'm still alive...

...I've just been a little busy lately. So, here I am to update you on all things Emilee.


   To start off with, from July 13-17 we had CAMP! But before we headed off to Windemere, Ashlyn and I had a girl date that included t-shirts and Nichole337 videos. We started off with Girls Bible Study, then hit up WalMart for some t-shirts, puffy paint, and donuts. After we returned to my house, we decorated our t-shirts and then watched this (our friend Nichole) fantastic video.

   The next day it was time for CAMP! We took off for Roach, MO on Wednesday and returned on Sunday.

   Here are some pics from the week:

Ash and her contraband.

Quinn, Leigh Anna, and Ashlyn on the tube.

Me and my roomie: Day 5

Oh 10th grade boys...

They attacked poor Tori.

Ashlyn, Katie, Courtney, Marlowe, Tori, Jordan, and I.

        It was such a fun week and God is moving in Rbcstudents! My dad left yesterday to work for two months up in Quincy, IL. We will be heading up there for a week at the end of August, so that will be an adventure!

      Have a wonderful weekend, and be blessed!

Foodie Friday.

      Ok friends, so I was a little slow on this food trend. May I introduce the love of my life....NUTELLA.


                                     

       I'm telling you, this stuff is the bee's knee's! I had it on a nectarine for dinner last night, and on a graham cracker for breakfast this morning. So, if you've never tried Nutella...GO BUY SOME :)