new reads.

Began two new books today! Very excited to learn from them. The first book, "The Same Kind of Different As Me" is an incredible story so far. In the other one, "The End of Poverty," I have only gotten as far as the forward from Bono, but who doesn't love Bono?! I am still reading "The Last Eyewitness: the Final Week" during this Lent season which is also going great. That book is one that retells the last week of Jesus' life from the Gospel John in a different and personal story form. I love it. In case you are wondering, it's not because I have too much time on my hands that I am able to read all of these books, it's that I don't have the alternative of T.V.!

y-not love.

Just in this past weekend I have been exposed to some pain that Christians, the church, has caused people. I always hear from movies or leaders of other's stories about the church causing them pain: how the church had treated them poorly or how they felt outcasted and out of place or that Christians they encountered were judgmental. The past two days, however, I've been able to talk with two very great ladies about their "church history". One had told me she felt her church growing up was just completely superficial. That everyone seemed only concerned with telling other's faults and reminding them of their sin. She said the people were just so judgmental and she really didn't want to be apart of something like that. The other woman I had spoken with told me the church had hurt her very badly. She had trusted the people and the pastor but then some things happened and she felt that the rug had been pulled out from underneath her. She was shocked and completely devastated and hurt. In her own words, this woman told me it felt like a divorce. That returning to church was like trying to date and Ex-husband: awkward, scary, and hard. I have never been exposed to real life stories like this from people I know. I'm heartbroken!

It makes me so mad and sad that Christ's church has treated people like this. As followers we are ambassadors of Christ. When you choose to follow him, you have chosen to be like him which means you have chosen to LOVE people. I know I am not perfect, but I hope I am always intentional with my words and actions. That they will always be filled with life and love because if not, the consequences are sad and painful.

Daddy & Me.

First Starbucks and the Art Museum!

Then Mai Lee Chinese Food!

Then Kaldi's Coffee Shop!

This Saturday Daddy and I went on a date together, our first one in a while. We started it with me treated us to Starbucks. Then, we headed to downtown St. Louis in Forest Park to walk through the Art Museum together! It was very fun. I'm glad we both like art. Afterwards, we headed to an area close to the "Loop" to eat Chinese food, another love that we both share (that mom hates). We ate at Mai Lee. It was delicious! And then we headed to Kaldi's Coffee Shop and had some chai tea lattes and read the paper. I had a wonderful time with my Daddy. I love him so much! He's so special to me and I'm so glad he's mine!

Family Springfield Tournament.

Caleb played four fantastic games!

He even made the switch from defense to forward.

And even though it POURED and stormed on us...

It was worth it cause our boys WON!

The family and I went to Springfield, MO just a week ago to watch my brother in his season's first soccer tournament! It was a very good time watching Caleb and the boys win the tournament. They all played very well. Since we were in my soon to be "hometown", Mom and I took advantage of our time there checking out the sites and finding all of the good spots of town. I found a few awesome coffee shops and fun places to go! Made me even more eager to finish up high school. Anyways, Springfield was a great time. We had fun as a family!

Breakfast of Champions.

Daddy's donkey and garden at Lambert's

Brother and Daddy at Lambert's

Momma and Me at Lambert's

The food was so good!

One of the many fun places downtown!

One of the many cute, yummy places downtown to eat.

There were a few painted walls downtown, pretty cool.

TJ's Birthday.

(the birthday boy, Tucker James)

(the cousins)

(caleb and peyton)

(the aunt's kissing tradition!)

(yummy birthday cake!)

This past weekend me, mom, and caleb headed up to Mattoon and celebrated my cousin Tucker's birthday! He turned 15! I can't even believe that. He gets his "white card" in just a few days too... driving! Tucker, out of all my cousins, is MY baby! I just can't believe how old he is. Anyways, we had a lot of fun celebrating him with all the family. TJ is one amazing kid! I'm very proud of him.

my first ash wednesday.

Yesterday was the beginning of the Lent Season! I've lasted so far.. today (Thursdays) is probably my hardest T.V. day. I'm missing Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice! Oh well. It's been a good-different with the house being quieter and my time being spent reading and with Jesus. To kick off Lent my church had its first Ash Wednesday Service! It was very cool. Our pastors reminded us of our mortality telling us "from dust you came, to dust you will return" as they placed ashes in a cross shape on our forehead. We also took communion and worshipped together through songs. I really like Lent.

the next 46.

Every year we Christ followers take time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and we call it Easter. One Catholic tradition leading up to that celebration is called "Lent". Although I am not a practicing Catholic, I am a practicing Jesus lover and I have decided to take part in this tradition along with my church family. Lent consists of sacrificing or fasting something with the intention of better preparing us for Easter time. My lent sacrifice is to fast T.V. and also to eat healthy (no bunny trails or "bad food days" allowed in my weightwatcher diet!). But its important to know that lent is not only giving up something, but also taking on something as well. So instead of watching my shows, I'm going to read my Bible and a book called "The Last Eyewitness: the final week". And instead of eating poorly, I'm going to pray for specific things when that craving comes. Both bad food days and t.v. are comforts and time-stuffers to me, so I'm very excited to see what my life and relationship with Jesus will look like without those two things for the next 46 days.

to be angelic.

This Sunday afternoon I was able to spend some time with my new friend Cathryn. She has an amazingly giving spirit. Every weekend Cathryn heads down town and meets the needs of two men that have no homes, Rob and Terry. She brings everything from propane and food to matresses and tents! The pictures above are the men's tents. Today, Cathryn, her dad, and I set up a new tent for Rob and cleaned up around their campground. I was able to visit with Terry for quite sometime. He showed me inside of his home and filled me in on the purpose of everything inside of his tent. One of his favorite hobbies is cooking! With a propane burner, Terry said he makes everything from tea to fetticine alfredo! Both Rob and Terry were very nice and I'm looking forward to getting to know them! They sure do appreciate Cathryn. Terry told me today that he calls Cathryn his angel! I hope my actions are just as angelic someday.

morning date.

I have the coolest little brother in the world! I really love any time that Caleb and I spend together and one of our favorites is Starbucks on the way to/from school. This morning we left early and grabbed some to start our Friday. Ever since I have had to quit my job, Caleb has felt quite deprived of his Starbucks on the account of me being broke! When I told the family at dinner that I had gotten a new job Caleb's reaction was "Yes, we can do Starbucks again!!" So glad I can give this crazy kid something to look forward to again! He cracks me up but honestly I'm really excited too!

road trip!

me and kelsey b: my mo state partner

getting gas for the 4 hour trip

us spending the night in Blair/Shannon... our hopeful

dorm next year!

one of the picture of mo state's campus

on our way home when we had to pee really bad
this was the sign we saw!


us approving that famous bathroom


what good is a road trip without Starbucks?!

This past week my friend Kelsey and I took a road trip together to Missouri State University! It was definitely one of the most big girlish things I have ever done! We drove down Tuesday after school and arived 4 hours later. Right away we began our plans and went to something called Christian Campus House (kind of like a youth group) which was pretty cool! Then we settled into a friend's dorm for the night and watched The Notebook together in the suite's living room. The next Wednesday morning we woke up around 9:30a.m., took a 25 minute walk to my car, drove for another 20 minutes till we found a parking spot and then began our hour and half tour of the campus! After that, Kels and I went to lunch with one of my favorite teacher's friend. She filled me in about the studies, work, and life of a social worker! After talking with her for an hour, Kelsey and I headed home. It was a really packed, wonderful trip! Mostly, what I received from the trip was a dose of reality. Not in a bad way, but college is definitely not what I expected! I can't wait!

its boring.

This week has been intense. I've been studying for tests, writing papers, watching tv, and going to play practice. In case you were wondering what keeps me going, it's diet pepsi! And yes, this is all I am writing about. Maybe that tells you just how worn out I am or just how lazy I feel tonight. Either way, I'm out of creativity for the day but it will return soon, I promise. Hope YOUR week has been good!

i'm a big kid now.

i'm not sure why i waste my time watching t.v. or just laying around. sometimes even school and work seem a waste. but i'm always reminded that wherever there is people there's an opportunity to build relationships. and people are what matter. i really do long to make my life meaningful and i don't want to let time pass and miss out on anything or anyone. i want to seek out the injustice and be used by God to just be his love. but usually i don't act on these things. i feel that i'm at a point in my life that i'm being stretched in two directions and it's causing me to have to make a choice. i can either stay put and continue "thinking" about taking action or i can grow up and just do it. i'm beginning to realize i have responsibilities, whether they're as daughter, sister, friend, or Follower. it's weird but i'm a big kid now so i'm putting on my big girl pants!

update

hello readers. i am very sorry it has been such a long time since i've blogged. i guess i'll just give you an update. first and foremost there are only 56 more days of high school left for me! with that comes lots of english projects and tests but i'm going to keep looking at that light at the end of the tunnel! my family is doing great and so are all the friends. yeah not much of an update, i've just been chuggin a long. nothing very interesting has happened lately but i promise to find something interesting soon!

parents.

Meet my adorable parents. They have done some amazing things for me through out my life... like providing food and water, shelter, bed, and clothing, but more than that they have taken time to love me. Yesterday I was challenged to fight for my relationship with my parents; to find a way to make it work and to embrace their humanness. That may sound silly but it truly hasn't been until this year that I've recognized my parents are allowed to make mistakes too. They need grace and forgiveness just as much as I expect it from them. I know more times than not I have taken for granted what they have done for me. I fail to recognize the pure love they have for me and all they have sacrificed to be my parents. It must be tough being a parent. I want to honor them and obey them, but what I want the most is to know them and share life with them because I love them.

weight watchers #1.

Today was my first Weight Watchers meeting of the year. Although I make the resolution to "lose weight" every year, this year feels different. My goal is to lose my 30-35 pounds within the next four months. Exactly four months from today is my Senior class trip to Florida. Usually I would use this as "motivation" to lose my weight but not this time. I want eating healthy and exercising to be a daily lifestyle for me. Being thinner and healthier for the trip would just be a great bonus! I'll update my losses over the weeks and months. Yay getting healthy!

78 more days.

Only 78 more days of HIGH SCHOOL!!! I have officially returned to my last semester of my Senior year. I cannot even believe I am this old. I'm going to try my best to stay concentrated with my school work but I have a bad case of "SENIORitis"! Why isn't May 16th tomorrow (graduation day!)?

09 Resolutions List.

New Years is probably one of my favorite holiday times. I love the new start it offers and the chance to just begin fresh. This year I have tons of Resolutions, as I do every year. I was thinking that maybe if I put them on my blog I might be even more motivated to actually accomplish them! So here's my favorites:

lose 35 pounds through Weight Watchers & Exercise

read 22 books this year

have an adventure day every other month

(this is my attempt to be more "risky" and get out of my comfort zone)

get involved with volunteering somewhere regularly

be a better daughter and sister with more dates with family members

write Litzi a letter every week

And of course I have my spiritual and individual goals between me and God. Hopefully I will be updating my blog with my accomplishments and not my failures throughout this year!

my favorites of 08

became an official "regular" at Starbucks!

had the most amazing night of my life with my mom at my man's... i mean micheal buble's... wonderful concert! it was perfect.

went on one of my very favorite mission trips to nashville with my awesome youth group.

was able to spend christmas in dallas with my family and it was a tasty, wonderful time.

my senior homecoming was a blast and i was on court with my best friend (the queen!).

my little brother came to my school! i got to spend time with him every morning driving him to school. i cherish this time especially since 09 means college soon!

hoping 2009 will be even greater than this past 08. have lots of resolutions to fulfill, graduating high school, going to new york for a mission trip, headed to mo state for college, and who knows what will fall between those high points. can't wait!