Thank you, Dad.

The older I get, the more I realize how much my parents are actually pretty smart. Here is one example. My dad has been in education for as long as I can remember. He has a passion for students and helping them to learn and believe they too can do things with their life. He was always very involved with Student Council. I had the privilege of serving on Student Council all 4 years of high school. My senior year, however, something happened that I didn't realize was so cool until probably just a few days ago.

The National Guard wanted to create opportunities to recruit at different schools. They were asking what they could do to get involved. At this same time, our basketball coach was taking a group of kids to the National Summer Special Olympics games or something like that, but it was a big deal. This coach was their head coach and he knew it was going to cost money. Student Council was determined to find a way to help them out. When the National Guard arrived, we quickly thought of something and acted. What better way to support a basketball team than by playing basketball! We arranged a group of students and faculty and they played against the National Guard. Tickets were sold and we held a raffle for a TV.

Oilton is a small town. Yes, small towns do come together and support goals such as this, but that night there were also little league games going on so several people couldn't attend. Everyone had a great time and we were able to present Coach Madison with a check for approximately $800. You might not think that is a lot, but I still think that was pretty good for us!

You see my dad allowed us to dream as big as we want. He allowed us to do what we want. He let us have input. But, he helped, guided, and encouraged us along the way. Why did I just realize how great of a teacher my dad was until a couple of days ago? With the way some things are going, I feel like I had more of a chance in high school to be responsible, to be trusted, and to dream. It doesn't always go like that, but right now I am just trying to jump some of those hurdles. Thank you, Dad for believing and trusting in me and the rest of the Student Council for allowing us to do something we were passionate about.

The Enemy

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Wow! So it has been a really long time since my last post. I have contemplated of what my next thing to write would be, and I still may use some of those ideas, but this verse was placed on my heart today. How many times do we get caught up in the negative things of the world? You know what I am talking about...the things that just bring us down; the things that can make a day go from great to please just let me finish this day, God. Not so much have I been having of those please get me from here to there type of experiences, but more a long the lines of I am tired of things and people destroying my happiness. Of course, I have definitely added on to that by telling myself negative things. In a few short months, everything that I have known will be wiped away from me. I am most definitely a planner and not knowing what my next step will be makes me nervous. God keeps giving me strength, and I thank Him so much for that. Other things in my life have changed or will change, and I will have to find a way to cope with that as well.

We read a book this summer for SSL summer reading :) called "How Full is Your Bucket." It took no time at all to read this simple book, but the application part is pretty straightforward. You fill others 'buckets' with words of encouragement or things that make them truly happy. They are supposed to reciprocate, but the whole act of giving makes it totally worth not receiving anything back. As the saying goes, "it is better to give than to receive." When we deplete others 'buckets' it makes it hard for that person to truly accomplish anything because they have nothing to draw from. However, the really hard part is when the people you surround yourself with don't buy into this. That sometimes becomes the enemy. I can't destroy this enemy, but my God can. Thank you, God, for allowing me to realize this.

I wrote a post earlier about people being in different parts of their lives. I still very much believe this. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand where the other person is coming from, but quite possibly I have found a solution...pray. I think I have said that one before too. We are never going to live in that perfect world, but bringing peace within yourself is a big step towards that goal. When we are living in Christ's Will, you cannot falter because He is helping you right along the way.

So take that enemy. This is my senior year. I can not let you have the victory. I love 1 Corinthians 13. Here is a part that keeps making more and more sense to me. "It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." God is love. Sorry if this blog went in several directions. I just felt like I really needed to share this. Blogging definitely makes me lose my focus on a topic lol.