invisible children

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT POSTS YOU'LL EVER READ.
And this is the 99th post and I wouldn't want any other topic for it either!

I want you to picture yourself sleeping at age 8.

But this time you are sleeping in a public street or area.

Every night you walk with your siblings to the biggest city,

and you sleeping in big groups of children from villages any and every where.

In the morning, you wake up and walk back home to do chores and school.

You repeat this every single night for a decade so you won't be abducted.

So every day you leave your village to be safe, but one day your village is burned.

Everyone in the village is dead or gone. You and your siblings are alone.

So you sleep in your bed that night because everyone else is gone.

All of the sudden you hear screams and gun shots and loud voices.

And then you are taken from your home and forced into an army.

An army that is made up completely of children who are forced to kill.

You are now given a gun and sent into your best friend's village, and

you are given orders to kill all the people in that village and burn it.

Every night there are children who experience what I described.

The man behind all of this is named Joseph Kony and he heads the L.R.A.

30,000+ children have been taken from their homes and thousands killed.

There is no cause or reason for this war except for Kony's own power.

Meet Josephy Kony:

There are many criminals out there in our world, but Kony is #1

on the International Criminal Court list and has been for 7 years.

He is being charged with murder, sexual slavery, rapes and abductions.

A couple years ago I found out about an organization focused on stopping

Joseph Kony and saving the children from being abducted and killed in Africa.
(I grew to love their cause and have support them as much as I can.
I even considered uprooting my life this summer to be an intern for them!)

Anyways, Invisible Children is focused on ending this war and making the world aware.

This war could have been stopped years ago, but 99% of the world doesn't know.

For almost a decade Invisible children has been putting out information

to politicians and to young people. Anyone who can make a difference.

And finally in October of 2011, the U.S. sent over a small number of forces into

central Africa to provide assistance to regional forces that are 

working toward the removal of Joseph Kony from the battlefield.

However, this support could be removed at any time and Kony is still out there.

He knows of the plan to remove him from his power so his tactics have changed.

Think back throughout the world's history.

There are horrible events that we all wish had been stopped.

Thousands of people were killed because people didn't step up.

That can't happen again. 

We need to shape human history.

"We need to fight back and show the people that we see them

and that we care enough to fight for them."

The Ugandan military needs to find Kony this year.

We need to inform people about this so that the

government knows we care and keeps the military

over in central Africa to train the Ugandan man

so they can capture Kony in 2012!!!

However, I know that 

capturing Kony is not enough.

It won't matter what the civilized people want to do,

Kony and his army will keep doing what they want to do.

And that will happen with or without Kony as their leader.

There needs to be a breakdown of the army and culture

that is allowing this to continue to happen.

But we need to work on what to do afterwards.

Americans need to get together to work on

counseling and educating the people of Africa.

But this cannot be done in an American way.

The people of Africa need us to meet their needs their way.

The only way to really end this war - 

educate the people in Uganda so it doesn't happen again.

Look at Rwanda. Rwandans have been working on

pulling their country together after the genocide.

That starts with the children of their country by

educating them to love others and think differently.

I believe that this is the future of the African people.

I am personally trying to go over to do my part

in educating the Rwandans this summer for a month!

My goal: inform, inspire, change.

"Be informed so you can inform.
Be inspired so you can inspire.
Be changed so you can ignite change."

-me

I'm getting involved in this organization

and I encourage you to do the same.
Or find some other way to be involved.

Any little bit can help.
Be the change you want to see.

Want more information?! Watch this video!

It's only 29 minutes but watch as much as possible.

I promise your life will be different.

We've seen these kids.

We've heard their cries.

This war must end.

We will not stop.

We will not fear.

We will fight war.

lent

Every year I give up something for lent.

I'm not Catholic but I love the meaning behind it.

Giving something up for God that has become too important

or causes you to stumble in some way - sounds good to me.

Last year I gave up coffee. That one was so hard!

I used coffee to keep me going throughout the day - instead of God.

And I used it as crutch to get together with friends - because I always needed coffee.

So I gave it up and did not drink coffee for over 40 days. And it was amazing!

I had to rely on God to get me through late night homework sessions.

And I had to come up with new ideas when I wanted to hang out with friends.

I learned so much more about myself and others without coffee in my life.

Since last year's lent I have started drinking coffee again.

But I am not dependent on it and tend to workout more with friends!

I love my life without being dependent on coffee :)

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good cup of coffee now and then.

Plus I have a ridiculous amount of mugs that need to be used every so often!

The picture above is not my wall but I'm on my way to that status hehe.

ANYWAYS... Lent 2012.

I will be giving up:
Texting while driving/at the wheel.

Including when I'm at stop lights - hence at the wheel.

*everyone cringes.*

I know. I know. I know. 

Don't judge me. You all have done it.

But it is a horrible habit of mine.

I'm good at it but I want to break it.

*cheers. standing ovation. cheers.*

So when I feel the urge to text - I'll pray.

Whatever I have to say to anyone over a text can

1. Be said to God or 2. Wait until I'm out of my car.

I will be focusing more on prayer overall in the  next 40ish days.

I want to add more "me and God time" into everyday life 

and this no texting will help me while I'm driving here and there.

There are some other things I'm working on but this is my main one.

Many of you are friends with me in "real life,"

so I'm putting this out there so you can help me!

If you see me texting while my car is in motion - call me out on it!

I want to break this habit asap because I want to keep myself and others safe :)

What are you giving up for lent?!

Focus on something that is replacing God in your life

or something that you need to get rid of in your life if you need ideas.

Don't feel like you need to broadcast it either.

It is a personal decision between you and God.

But ask for support if you need it!

like a child

I'm studying to be an elementary teacher. So I know that part of the job is answering questions that students ask me. Whenever I'm babysitting or just hanging out with kids I am constantly answering questions about why things are the way they are. I love the minds of young children and the limitless amount of creative and unique questions that they come up with! I also think that children have a very special and unique relationship with God. I began to know and understand God as my Lord and Savior when I was 4 years old. Children see things that adults miss because they are too stuck on lots of other things they think are more important in life. Children are trusting, they love to be held, they are dependent, they are open, and their love is so incredibly pure, real, and unconditional. Jesus wants us to approach our life with Him in a way that young children do. And they ask the most interesting and thought provoking questions!

And I will serve God every day by serving His children...
not matter where that takes me!

Zambia, Africa (2004 and 2005)

Temuco, Chile (2006)

Labadee, Haiti (2011)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

flawed

Okay, real talk people.
I'm about to get deep and honest.

I'm a very type-A person.
I also am very much a 'thinker.'
Therefore, sometimes I struggle
with giving people grace or a break.
I tend to be hard on people and myself.
I see things as facts and don't like to
get emotion involved (they aren't facts).
I tend to withdraw and not show emotions
when I'm really upset. 'Suck it up' is my motto.
But I've learned that this isn't always the best -
for myself or the people around me.
And I can't expect others to do this either.

The quote below is how I've always approached life.
And in a way, that isn't always the best because
everyone needs a break and some grace.
(Yes, I know the quote can mean
boys but work with me people!)

However, God has been molding me
and teaching me to be more about grace,
and to listen, pause, and understand others.
It's a learning process and I'm nowhere
near being done with it. But I'm getting there.

In one of my education classes we've been
discussing how to manage and assess behavior.
A lot of time has been focused on who we are
because we need to understand ourselves first.
Most of class is spent in the Bible reading
and understanding God's calling as teachers.

I've been learning more and more about how
to handle children in a loving and supportive way.
But these same techniques can be applied to adults.
I've started to realize that sometimes I can really
jump on people and assume the worst in things.
I need to take a break and pray before I really
confront a situation that needs to be addressed.
I need to remember to not let my flesh get the best of me.
I need to rely on God more than anything in this area.

Today, I found myself praying and running for an hour
and then venting some stuff to a friend about a problem.
I found the run and prayer to be significantly more beneficial
than the time I spent venting my frustration - surprise surprise.
The next few months will be the hardest of my academic career.
I'm taking 21 credits, working two jobs, volunteering, and being a
daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, and woman of God.
More than ever, I need to rely on God (and my runs- time with him).

God is showing me first hand that this is a weakness of mine.
He is also giving me the teachers, mentors, and tools to
help me in this area. I am spending time reading what He
has to say to me in the Bible and picking it a part.
I'm learning so much about who I am in God and it's amazing.

We all have flaws. That makes us human.
It's what makes the world go 'round.
I hope that God continues to work in all of you
like He is working in me and guiding me.

temporary home

Everyone wants to leave town and travel when they're young. I went out and traveled the world, but I always came back home. Home has a way of making everything better, always. I dreamed of traveling when I got older and never settling down. It was only recently that that I realized that's not what I want. Years ago, I couldn't imagine living anyway for more than a few years. I wanted to be able to pick up and more at a moment's notice.

I wanted to have roots but never really put
them down too long. I wanted to travel my whole life and see everything I could. I dreamed of going to big cities and to small villages alike. But now all I want to do is put my roots down in my county. I mean I didn't even leave my county for school. I just went to the other end of it (about an hour away). Of course I still want to travel when I can. There is so much out there to see and experience. The great thing about teaching is that I can travel in the summers. And believe me, I plan on! I mean I haven't stopped traveling and am student teaching overseas!

The other week, I was driving around my hometown after the holidays and break was officially over. At school, I had an apartment waiting for me with all my stuff in it. I had classes and two jobs to pick back up and roll with for a year. And all I wanted was to never have to leave my hometown. I have grown so attached to everything it has to offer. But at the same time, I loved that my county was home to both my "home" and my school "home." I love everything about college life right now. This year is going to be the best one so far I think! Senior year and independence look good on me :)

However, I realize that, in the words of Carrie Underwood,
this is my temporary home. This will not be my home forever.
I will not be here one day but in a much better place.
But for now, this is what I have to say about my hometown:

These roads are mapped out on the back of my hand.

These buildings are homes to so many memories.

These people went from friends to family.

This is where I learned to live, to laugh, and to love.

This is where I learned to drive a car and play lacrosse.

This is where my heart found it's home on the corner of

"The Middle-of-Nowhere Street" and "Suburbia Ave" in Perkasie, PA - Bucks County.

commitments

Happy New Year!
It's officially the year the world "will end."

2012 Commitments.
[I hate the word resolution.]

I hate how everyone is suppose to come up with resolutions,

and even though I hate it - I still do it because I always want to.

So this year since I did 21 things I decided to go lighter on the commitments.

I wanted to pick 5 things to really commit to because 2+0+1+2=5.

I wanted to do things this year that will become habits and roll into other years.
But make the commitments more realistic and less idealistic like years before.

I wanted to make some resolutions that really required hardcore commitment.

So drum roll please....

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

I want to do my part in going green.
I also don't want to spend an arm
and a leg in this new apartment.

2. Stop tailgating.
Some would think I was from Jersey...
nope I just have a need for speed and
it bugs me when people drive slow.
But I need to work on my tailgating.

3. Be healthy at least 70% of the time.
It's hard to do it constantly so
I aim to change enough of my habits
so that I'm healthy at least 70% of the time.
Therefore exercising and eating will be strict
but not insanely strict like before.

4. Be more patient.
I have high expectation of people and
become frustrated when I'm let down.
I'm working on it but this year I really
need to learn to be more patient and gracious.

5. Put Him first.
We all do it - put people above God.
It's a natural thing to do but a very empty one.
So I want to work on always putting God first,
and running to Him first before others.
People always let me down - but He never will.


Well peeps..there you have it!
Now what are your resolutions?!

Merry Christmas

So  how was everyone's Christmas?

Did you remember to thank God for sending His son?

Did you sing Happy Birthday to Jesus?

I did :) and I had the best Christmas!

each year just gets better and better.

Merry Christmas - 

from my family to yours :)

Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a good night!

PS. Sorry for our creepy eyes...

a thankful heart

I have so much to be thankful for

so my heart is very happy today!

-Jesus Christ, my ultimate savior.

-My faith in Him and life serving Him.

-My family, all together again,

and those who are like family to me.

-My boyfriend who is my ultimate best friend

and love of my life - he's da bomb.

-My best friends who I can always count on

through it all, even states away.

-2 wonderful churches that I have grown so much in.

-My education: with professors who have taught me more

than I ever expected to learn in a classroom.

-The opportunities ahead of me in the upcoming year.

-The country that I love and live in.

-The men and women who keep me safe everyday.

-The football game that ended the perfect way:

Pennridge beating Quakertown - like it always goes.

-And the food I'll get a coma from later, holla!

-And that tomorrow is the best shopping eva :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!! :)

ps. two and a half weeks left!!!!

can't even wait.

the shine project

Winner! Winner! Winner!

My very first ever blog giveaway winning was a pair of earring..

that I love and received through The Shine Project!

Well for this giveaway, I won a Shine necklace

from The Shine Project through Glam Girl :)

[notice a pattern or anything?! loyal follower]

Thank you for my gifts :) I think of both of you when I wear it!

The necklace ties in perfectly with what I wanted to talk about today.

I decided that between now and the end of the year 

I will being doing something extra for others each week

so that I can spread God's love to those who are in need

and bring a little extra cheer to them this time of year.

Ashley's necklace is a reminder that I need to shine for God.

How did I shine today?!

Nick and I made shoe boxes for children who have nothing.

Why?!

Because we believe that every child deserves to have
something to make them smile.

The Mission?!

Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan's Purse.

How to make a box:

Step 1. Pick your age group and buy goodies!

Nick and I went to Target and bought 2 bags full of fun stuff!

For a girl 5-9:

Construction paper, crayons, pencils, pencil sharpener,
bouncy ball, play dough, baby doll, hair ties, necklace,
socks, gloves, hat, candies, soap, princess toothpaste and toothbrush.

 For a boy 5-9:

Construction paper, crayons, pencils, pencil sharpener,

bouncy ball, slinky, monster truck, play dough, hat,

gloves, candies, cars toothpaste and toothbrush.

Step 2. Fold up the box by following the directions. 

Step 3. Pack the boxes full of all the goodies!

Step 4. Label what age and gender the box is packed for.

Pray 5. Pray over the box and send it away with love and $7!

Give someone else a little bit of your time and resources this week.

Spread God's love to those in need with something to make them smile :)

SHINE ON!

a heavy heart

I want to be real... it has been a tough few days.

I don't want to put everything out there for the world to read.

But this is my blog so I'll share what I feel I can.

Death, sadness, and uncertainty has plagued those closest to me.

I have seen and heard so much sadness and hurt recently,

and I am coming before God tonight with a heavy heart.

I was sitting in class tonight when my professor asked:

"Does anyone have anything we should pray for?"

And I instantly felt my heart sink as I raised my hand.

I can't believe so much as happened in less than a week.

I feel like asking for prayer is the only thing I can do.

So I'll ask you to do this and that will be it for now.

PRAY

...for 2 boys - who have experienced miracles but still need a lot of prayer.

...for a boy's heart to be softened so that God may work in him and take control of his life.

...for 2 grieving families - both prepared for death but in the end it came so quickly.

...for strength and wisdom for myself and others close to me.

...that God's will is seen in the end of all this suffering.

...that more people will come to Christ in the midst of suffering.

With that - I leave you with these lyrics from two amazing songs.
And if there is anything you need prayer for - let me know!

I don't have much else to say right now.

I'm not going to apologize for the lack of posts...

it just isn't on the top of my list recently.

But I'll be back this week... at some point.

Amazing God

By: Brenton Brown 

We can hear it growing louder

songs from every nation

rising to your throne

Saints in every generation

singing for your glory

telling what you've done

from the north and south, we are crying out

there is hope in Jesus' name

You're amazing God, You're amazing God

You can bear the weight of every heavy heart

You can heal the pain, you can clean the stain

You can turn our tears into songs of praise

You're amazing God

Beauty rises from the ashes

sorrow turns to gladness

when our God is near

You speak light into our darkness

you heal the broken-hearted

you wipe away our tears

songs of praise surround us, songs of praise surround us

hear it growing louder, we are growing louder

my scar

I am very sorry for not being around in the past week.

This might have something to do with it.

The snowstorm that hit my area on October 29, 2011.

We got 8 inches. Lost tons of trees. Lost power. And had a trip to the ER.

I am one sore chica after moving trees and shoveling for hours.

My brudder gets to shovel the next storm. Nose goes!

[Below is my mailbox and the tree outside of my house.

Times this by 20 and that would be my neighborhood.]

I hope you understand my absence now!

That plus half marathon training and life has kept me away.

So sorry! But I'm back :)

Okay so onto the feature presentation:

MY SCAR.

No picture - don't worry.

I wouldn't do that to you.

But it isn't big or gross.

Okay we have to move to someone else in order to get to me.

So raise your hand if your Mama has a scar because of you.

[hand raised] oooh me me me! and probably many of you.

My Mama had to have a C-section with me and my brother.

She has a scar that shows she carried us for 9 months,

went through labor, and then was cut open for us.

That scar means she gave birth to me - but it means a lot more.

She read me stories, tucked me in, left little presents in my lunch,

wiped my tears, taught me to be a godly woman, taught me to drive,

went prom dress shopping with me, gets her nails done with me just because,

cooks amazing dinners, travels with me, and so so much more.

She has that scar as physical proof she is my Mama.

And I  know she wouldn't trade it for anything - I mean she has me:)

I'm only 20 and soon approaching 21.

Read about my 21 birthday goals here [click it].

I am a daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, Christian, 

but I am not a Mama.

I don't bare the scar from having a C-section.

I do bare a scar on my stomach though.

And my passion and love for children caused that scar.

I went to Haiti this past March.

I went there to bring hope, love the children, and serve.

I went because God called me go there and provided for me.

I went because I wanted to show God's love to the Haitians.

While I was there I got a staph infection.

I won't go into details but the aftermath was awful and painful.

My doctor was wonderful but had open up the infection so it could heal.

[note: many sermon illustrations could come from this...]

And when all was said and done - a scar was left in its place.

It wasn't massive but it was a scar nonetheless.

And every single day I see it.

And every single day I remember Haiti.

I truly believe that my spiritual gift is working with children.

Ever since I can remember I have been drawn to young children,

and they have also been drawn to me. It is my gift from God.

I understand them differently and love them all the same.

So my scar is a reminder from God.

It reminds me of the children I long to hold again.

The naked babies I held and fed from bottles.

The toddlers I carried into the ocean for a dip.

The younger ones I played ball with in the dirt.

The older ones I let braid my blonde hair.

The families that let me love on their children.

It reminds me of who I am.

It reminds me of why I am here.

It reminds me of my distinct calling.

It reminds me where I want to go.

It reminds me to thank God daily.

And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

So I have a scar and most people do.

Does your scar have a story?

Something beyond "I fell a lot"?

I would love to hear your story!

Leave a comment or email me:)

[alittlethis.that@yahoo.com]

College Student

I'm a college student.

Somewhere between a junior and senior.

I wanna teach, love, mold, and help little kids.

But there is a lot to do before I student teach.

Stress as become the norm for me.

Currently, I have:

a full class load of 18 credits;

homework for all those credits;

2 jobs: 15-20 hrs a week;

half marathon training;

social life; family time;

eating; sleeping;

stressing.

I'm at my maximum capacity for what I can handle.

I love everything I do though - seriously I do!

Therefore, next semester - the work load stays the same.

I love my classes and enjoy growing and learning.

I love my jobs [supervisor in Admissions and babysitting].

I love the things I do in my down time.

I love that I'm doing this half marathon because

running is my stress reliever, and I need lots of that!

I love my nights of just enough sleep.

I love the time with friends and family.

But it can be a little bit much and overwhelming.

I have to do a lot for my major outside of the classroom.

Reading to children, tutor, teach, practice lessons,

make a lot of contacts with teachers, observe a million hours in schools,

take lots of tests for the state, figure out my classes,

and determine where in the world I want to do my student teaching.

[Literally: because I'm student teaching overseas for 6 weeks in 1 year.]

However, I had very different worries my freshman year.

Who I would be friends with, when I'd see my boyfriend,

when I'd see my family, how I'd get around with no car,

how to get out of a horrible rooming situation [no luck but now I get it],

how to adjust to life away from home and my life I grew up,

what church to go to, how to write papers,

how to get all my reading done...blah blah blah.

I thought I was weird and strange for feeling depressed and alone.

However, that is quite normal for college students [especially freshies]

Here are some facts I found here:

-85% of students reported feeling stressed daily

-52% of college females reported feeling overwhelming anxiety

[17% higher than college men]

-84% of college females reported feeling exhausted

[not from physical activity and again 17% higher than men]

-Prescriptions for sleeping meds tripled among college age user from 98-06

-Academic work and grades are the top stresses for students

And over here I found this little bit of information:

"Researchers say severe mental illness is more common

among college students than a decade ago, with most young

people seeking treatment for depression and anxiety."

This website and this one are wonderful as well.

You're probably saying... "So what?!"

Well for some of you - that might explain your stress.

For me - I've learned what I can handle and how to release stress.

I can handle what I currently have - no more.

I have to run regularly or I'm a basket-case and stressed monster.

Dealing with stress is part of life.

There is always gonna be something that stresses you out.

So learn while you can how to handle it.

Seek out help and don'e be afraid of the help.

I'm not sure where this post came from to be honest.

But I know a lot of freshies dealing with this,

and I wanted to show you that it is normal.

But don't let that stop you from seeking out help.

Even going to someone to talk to might help.

Okay enough of that.

Clothes tomorrow :) or something like that!

PS. This is what I did with another pumpkin!
A girl can never have enough glitter in her life :)

AND

Today is my brother's birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Jared :)

can't wait to celebrate together!

miss you and love you!

Enjoy some pictures of the cutest siblings ever!

 Christmas 1993

 Chilling with Dad 1993

Family Picture 1994 or 1995

Homecoming 2008

 Cross Country 2008

 My Graduation 2009

 Fall 2008

 Winter Ball 2008

 St. John 2010

 St. Thomas 2010

 Jared's Grad Party 2011

 Jared's Graduation 2011

 Moving me into college 2009

 Junior Prom 2010

Senior Prom 2010

You the best little bro! Happy Birthday - live it up!