Girls of Purpose ~ Women of Destiny

The Swimsuit Dilema

2010-04-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

Before I get into this post I want to say three things 1) I do not wear T-shirts when I swim 2) I do not wear fully body drag suits and 3) I do not particularly like to wear a plain old one piece. (There is nothing wrong with these things, I just wanted to let you know where I am coming from).

Okay, I love swimming! I practically grew up in the water. Both my parents were lifeguards, so my brother and me learning to swim was pretty important. I even did a few summers of Swim Team. Needless to say, we have been around the water a lot. But, as I grew older I became faced with the question "how does modesty address swimwear?" Now that we are heading into summer this question has been on my mind again. To address this question I would like to look into the past first.

Over the Centuries women have been conscience about modesty and would try to maintain their modesty as much as possible when swimming. The first swimsuits were very modest but also very cumbersome and I would admit I would not be too thrilled at the prospect of wearing one. However, as the years progressed, swimsuits changed to both maintain modesty but allow for more comfort and flexibility. Sadly, in the last 50 years we have crossed the line when it comes to swimwear, and we are no longer achieving either modesty or comfort. Our bodies are not meant to be flaunted, but to be valued and protected. Many (I would hope to say most) Christian women and girls have thought about modesty and do try to be modest in their day to day lives. We know the verses that talk about how a women should adorn her body; how we are to be beautiful on the inside and out; but, many times we seem to think that all those rules and restrictions somehow vanish as soon as we want to go swimming or to the beach.

I was thinking about these things and asked myself the question, "Would I go out in public in my undergarments?" Ask yourself that question. Would you go to the store in your underwear? Probably not. How about an ice cream store by the beach? I would say no. What about the swimming pool; would you leave the changing room in your underwear? I know I would not! And, most of you probably would not want to either. So let me ask you, what is the difference between a bikini and undergarments? They are made of different material, one we wear under things the other we don't… one is actually more immodest than the other (bikini being the more immodest). If you would not go out in your undergarments why would you go swimming in them? Especially if they are more revealing than your undergarments!? I do not understand it at all. How is it that we as women want to be valued as people and treated as such, but then we go and dress in a way that is provocative and alluring. Wearing a bikini is not going to help guys see you as a person; all they will see is what you have to offer. You are making yourself a thing not a person. Why do we allow the culture to tell us it is good to look that way? I get uncomfortable just thinking about it. It cannot be comfortable to wear a bikini, maybe not just as clothes but, how it makes you feel. Girls, we are supposed to feel awkward when we are not dressed properly. I just want you to think about that. When you wear a String bikini (or any bikini for that matter) what is it, covering? Not much, only what is absolutely necessary. It still fully portrays what is under the little coverage, leaving you with literally nothing on to anyone who has an ounce of imagination. One pull of that string, one pull, and everything is gone! I do not want to seem harsh, but that bikini is one pull away from your total exposure. It is a sensual outfit meant to entice, and just another way to enable your friends, and your brothers in Christ to stumble. We are hurting ourselves by wearing immodest baiting suits and we are harming others around us too.

I want to take it the next step. I never wear bikinis, but, I have worn one-piece suits and I got to thinking, "this is much more modest than a bikini or even a tankini, but would I wear this out?" Never! I do not wear short shorts or short skirts because I believe they are immodest, so why would I wear a one piece that exposes all of my legs and much of my back? I really had to think about that. I had to admit to myself that I know bikinis are wrong to wear, but I did not feel that a one-piece was wrong or immodest. Why is that? I might know it is wrong and immodest, but why do I not feel it? One word: Culture. Our culture has numbed our sense of right and wrong, modest and immodest, when it come to the swim suit. Because of this I am encouraging myself to take that next step and go though my swimsuits to see what should stay and what should go. Please ditch the bikinis, and think about maybe even tossing some of those other questionable suits. I promise that you can find very feminine, cute, and modest swimwear, which will make you more comfortable and keep you up on the lastest styles without having to forgo your modesty and pure winsome allure.

It is sometimes hard to find modest swimwear that is cute (cute is a must!!!) but it is out there! So, as I finish this post I want to leave you with some ideas of how you can get a modest cute swimsuit that you will love and will make you comfy and modest, and also give all the guys around you a break from temptation and help them see you for who you really are.

Try a swim tank top and board shorts. This kind of outfit is my favorite and is totally cute! Also, you could try a tank with a skirt, or a one piece that come up higher in the back with a skirt.
I would also encourage you to read this blog article by Shelly Hitz http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/index.html

LandsEnd mix and match can be a good option: http://www.landsend.com/ix/swimwear-swimsuits/Swim/Women/Mix-Match-Separates/index.html?seq=1~2~3~4&catNumbers=644~645~650&visible=1~2~1~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&pageSize=12&tab=6

ChristaTaylor.com is also a good place:http://www.christa-taylor.com/c/modest-swimwear/

Aslo Check out these sites:

http://www.diviinemodestee.com/divinitasole/xmlVersion/xmlVersion.php

http://www.slimperfect.com/?main_page=index&cPath=1

This site is good for tops: http://www.limericki.com/browse.cfm/tankinis/2,2.html

http://www.shadeclothing.com/womens-clothing/modest-swimwear.html

http://www.swimmodest.com/modestbathingsuits.lasso

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://modestlyyoursswimwear.com/images/jennie_nelson_-_Copy.JPG&imgrefurl=http://modestlyyoursswimwear.com/testimonials.html&usg=__8D9VKXvKaoZBbPARX0QteeI0iy8=&h=3072&w=2304&sz=2807&hl=en&start=74&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=mFOkhteqpIpO9M:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmodest%2Bswimwear%26start%3D72%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1

Board shorts: http://www.swimoutlet.com/Board_Shorts_s/383.htm

This one is a bit different but I think it is cool! http://www.becomingswimdress.com/

Music

2009-07-20T22:13:00.001-07:00

I wrote this a while back and I wanted to share it with you girls, because it reminded me that no matter how old you are, you can play or sing for the glory of the Lord. At church this week we had only one Grown up on the worship teem the rest were kids, not teens, but children! It was so beautiful. And after remembering this article I wrote I was reminded that you don't have to be a Beethoven, or a Mozart, to play your instrument and give God glory, you just have to play your best and give your music to Him and that is what makes true worship. So this week don't be afraid to lift your voice to Christ or play for Him. You will give Him glory and you will be learning more. So take heart as you read this and be encouraged that many people gave their music to God, and He blessed that, and so can you.

An Essay on the History of the Piano

By Joelle Lucas

Bach once said, "Music's only purpose should be for the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit."

Music is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind. It is a way that we can express our great love and devotion to our transcendent Creator! The piano is one of many instruments used for such a purpose. So, to better understand music and the piano, let us first explore the invention of the piano.

The ancestor of the piano is the harpsichord. Since the 1400's the harpsichord was one of the most popular instruments used. Because organs (used only by the king or the church) were very expensive, the harpsichord was affordable for most well-to-do families.

Though the harpsichord looks much like the piano, there really is quite a difference. The harpsichord is similar to what it was named for… the harp. The harp is made of taut strings of different lengths. That alone is not very different from the piano. However, the way the harpsichord was strung made it so that it would only play at one volume and instead of holding the note for a time the harpsichord would just "pluck" the string giving it that very distinct sound. The word pianoforte means soft/loud because it can change its volume level. This is the accurate name for what has been shortened to piano. According to the dictionary of musical terms pianoforte means, "a keyboard stringed instrument of percussion, the tones being produced by hammers striking the keys". Much of the music played on the piano today was originally written for the harpsichord. We know this from the dates the music was composed. This helps pianists know how the piece was intended to be played.

The piano was first invented in the early 1700's, though there is some debate if there was one that was made in the late 1500's, or if it was just a type of loud/soft harpsichord. One of the additions to the pianoforte was that there are now (usually) three pedals. The one on the right is used for sustaining notes, The left for diminishing the impact of the hammers, making it softer, and lastly the middle pedal is used for either sustaining some notes or really quieting the piano for practicing (this last one is usually on uprights only). There are now three types of pianos commonly known today. They are the Grand, the Square, and the Upright.

Some of the earlier Christian composers who wrote pieces for the piano were; Handel, J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. All of these men had committed themselves to God and wanted to honour Him through their music. Whether it was through their church, through consorts or composing music their aim was achieved. Today we enjoy the fruits of their labors on pianos of all different varieties.

"God is ever before my eyes. I realize His omnipotence and I fear His anger; but I also recognize His love, His compassion, and tenderness towards His creatures." –Mozart.

Lets talk about friends

2009-07-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

So have any of you ever had friends who just did not seem to get it? Or a friend who was not there for you? Perhaps your friends turned their backs on you. Or maybe you have never had this experience. Whether or not this has happened to you, you will face "friend problems" one day, for some of us more than once. I want to address this issue today. Now the topic of friends is more than a 1 post topic, so I will not get to every aspect, just the part about when you feel somewhat friendless.
I have lots of friends, most people do from my observations. But your friends can let you down. This has happened to me more than once, and it is hard when this happens.
See, I myself feel like I am in a transitional period between friends; I have some old friends going and new friends coming, and so I have a dilemma. Friends I do not hangout with much and friends that are too new to really have good communication with. Thus I can feel friendless if I allow myself. (when the fact is I have both old friends and new friends with is lots of friends). I admit I was feeling down today, but then I God reminded me that I have a friend who will never leave me. So you know what? I put my phone away (I was going to call a friend who lives far away), and just talked to God, my never failing friend.
So just remember that when you feel down and rejected and think no one cares about how you feel; remember the one who came to earth was rejected by those who once praised Him, was beaten and killed. Remember that He is the one who counts as your forever friend. And don't forget to always be a friend. I think if we all tried to be more like Jesus we would all be better friends, and that is what brings better friendships.
"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
We do not need a mt. high pile of friends, we only need a few good friends, and Jesus, our closest friend. We also need to remember that God is in charge of our lives and we need to trust Him. If He starts closing doors to friends ships, don't try and hold it open, and if He opens new doors walk through them because He always has our best interests at heart.

I hope some of these ramblings made sense.

Love always,
Joelle

Pendragon Sword of His Father

2009-07-17T23:33:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to tell you all about this movie, I have not watched it yet, but we finally got our copy and I hope to see it soon. Anyway this movie was made by a Home school family and just from looking at their website and listening to the soundtrack I can tell you this is professional quality! I am so exited about this movie! It is Christ-centered and well It just looks cool. There is a button to the right of the screen that will direct you to the website I would encourage you to check it out.

Joelle

A City on a Hill

2009-07-16T22:03:00.001-07:00

I am an American and I live in a country founded by men who sought after God, and His laws and statutes. I am a descendent of this legacy and many others are or have been grafted into this country and this legacy. Now this legacy goes back even farther than our founding fathers, it goes back to those who really started this country…the puritans. I do not know what you have been taught concerning the puritans, whether they were stuck up Hippocrates, God-fearing men, or nothing at all, regardless of what you were taught the only people who can really tell you the truth about the puritans is the puritans themselves. How can we know for sure who the puritans were? The answer is simple; we read what they wrote. Baxter, Bradford, Bradstreet, and Winthrop were all puritans and they told their stories so we could know the truth. I have read these writers and let me tell you, they are men and women we are to look up to and model ourselves after if we want to be better Christians. In John Winthrop's Arrabella Covenant he claims that America is a city on a Hill ( taken from Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.). Meaning this country is different and we are going to be an example to the world, the world will look to us for freedom and righteousness.

As far as I know almost every president we have had in the United States has made some kind of reference to America being "A city of a Hill" in their inaugural address, even President Obama gave mention to this in his speech. However, I would like to venture to ask the question, is America still a "City on a Hill"? We might claim to be a city on a hill in words, but are we a city on a hill in our deeds?

I believe that to some extent we still are a city on a hill, but if so we are a very dim light that is slowly flickering and fading. We could be so much more, but we choose not to. We have become like disobedient children and have turned from what we know to be right. I am not talking only about "the liberals", but to everyone! Think about it. If we have one a secularly raised child and a child raised in a Christian home, and the secular child goes off and does whatever he/she thinks is right because to them there are no consequences; and then the Christian child goes off and does whatever they like, knowing there will be consequences, which child is most at fault? Well both are at fault, but the Christian child is more so, because they knew better. We as Christians are supposed to be different from the world, not like the world. It the world goes one way and we know that way is wrong we should not just sit back and do nothing, or worse follow them.

We could have another scenario where we have the secular child, and a Christian child and they are friends. The secular child goes to do something wrong and his/her, Christian friend knows they are doing something wrong, but does and says nothing. The secular child is at fault because they did wrong, but the Christian child is also at fault because they did nothing to warn their friend.

Many of us Christians have done the same, we have allowed sin to pass by us without a word or a warning, or we joined them in sin. We are all partly responsible for our actions and we will all have to answer for them, whether we were instigators, accomplishes or bystanders.

Our country has fallen so far from where it first started. Not only have we fallen away from our original purpose and morality, but have turned upside down and backward! We save trees instead of children. We say women are better than men (opposed to equal and different), we say dogs are "children", we talk about world peace (which we know will never come to be), we want to throw out capitalism to make room for socialism!

Just the other day I went to get my license and I could not get one without a birth certificate, my friend went to get a passport and could not get one without a birth certificate, yet our president can get elected without one!

We have thrown down our laws and stomp on them, instead of up holing them. We only have the freedoms we enjoy in America because of our laws in the Constitution. If we throw out the constitution, we throw liberty away too.

President Obama asked stay at home moms to go back to work, while allowing illegal immigrants to come into the US, live on welfare, and do nothing!

People, we need to stop letting our country side down this slippery slope. We have allowed people to come into government positions who are anti- America, and Are trying to make us like everyone else, thus no longer a city on a hill.

Let us not allow this country that our founding Fathers sacrificed their lives, fortune, and sacred honor for, fall into the hands of those who do not honor it, do not have regard for the men who fought for freedom, and who do not hold God's law as Higher than their laws. It was our Founding Fathers duty to fight for their posterity's freedom. Today, as their posterity, it is our duty to fight so that our freedoms will not dwindle into oblivion, but instead that us and our posterity may come back to the cross of Christ, and our light be rekindled so that we may once again shine as a bright light in a dark world. May America forever be a city on a hill.

The Imprtance of Family part 1.

2009-04-02T13:17:00.001-07:00

Two girls are walking down the street. They are having a jolly time and talking and giggling like most girls do. The sun is shining and it is the perfect day; when suddenly (you will understand this if you are from OR) the sky turns gray and the clouds roll in and it begins to rain. Both girls rummage through their bags to get out their umbrellas. One girls pulls our her pink flowery umbrella, opens it and it saved from the ferocious downpour. The other girl pulls out a seemingly fine plain black umbrella but when she opens it, nothing changes; she remains to get wet. she still gets wet because her umbrella is full of gaping holes that let the rain pour through.

Girls, your parents (or grandparents; guardians etc) are very important to who you are and who you will become. Your parents are the ones who teach and instruct you. If your parents are Christians then they are also most likely the ones who teach you about Christ and the Bible. Your parents are to be respected and honored. 1) because they gave you life, 2) because they sacrifice many things to teach and raise you; and many more reasons.

I plead with you girls to not be so hasty to leave your parents and their instruction. Your parents have been alive much longer than you and have a wealth of wisdom to share, regardless of whether or not they are saved. God knows who your parents are and He gave them to your for a reason. Your parents love you and want to have a part in your life, and if you let them things will go well with you! Don’t be embarrassed by them and don’t shun them. How would you feel if someone you love did that to you? It makes me sad when I see girls and their moms shopping together and not getting along. You don’t have to agree with your parents on everything, in fact you should research things yourself, but you still need to respect your parents and obey them when the tell you to do things.

It may surprise you, but I am 18 and I live at home with my parents and I respect them, listen to them, obey their rules, and ask their advice. Why? because I have seen that their is no need to race into the world and try to be “independent”, all of that will come with time and you can learn to be independent while living at home. My father is my protector and when I get married my husband will be my protector. I am not some "ultra-girls-do-nothing-except-knit-person" (there is nothing wrong with that by the way), but I do want to live the way Christ recommends, because His way is the best way.

Many girls try to live on their own too early and without their father’s protection, they get hurt, or misguided. Some girls can be out on their own and do fine, but why “be fine” when you can be GREAT!

Eph 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land’.”

Do this with me and honor your parents, so that you can live long in the land.

The girls I talked about at the beginning represent normal girls today. The one with the nice pink umbrella is the girl who listened to her parents and decided to stay under their protection. The girl with the black, broken umbrella is the one who walked away from her parents protection. The rain represents trouble. The girl who stayed under her parents protection was not hit my the “rain”, but the girl who walked away was hit by the pouring “rain”.

Personally I want to be the one who stays dry. What about you?

What is Apologetics?

2009-04-01T16:22:00.001-07:00

Today I was talking to some of my fellow apologists and I said it would be cool to have apologetics shirts. “They could say something like ‘Ask me about the verbal plenary inspiration of scripture’ on the front and ‘I *heart* apologetics’ on the back.” We laughed and thought it a funny idea. But really, what IS the verbal plenary inspiration of scripture? If you study apologetics you can learn about who God is, and how to defend your faith. I had never even heard of the verbal plenary inspiration of scripture until a few weeks ago. But I have grown so much and learned so much just in these past six months. It would take me a whole 4 cards and 6 min. to tell you about the verbal plenary inspiration of scripture, so i will save that for another time. But I just want to encourage you that Apologetics is probably the best thing since excepting Christ I have done.

In apologetics I learn who my God is (immutable, omniscient, mediator etc.) and how to defend my faith. This is so important. The world wants to tell you your faith is foolish and without proof. But that is a lie. When you spend time learning about who God is and how to defend that, you will do just that! you will stand firm and be a light.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." Prov. 12:15

let us not be wise in our own eyes, but listen to wise council.

Yes it maybe nerdy, but hey I think nerdy is cool! Please consider making apologetics apart of your life. You will never regret it, and you will learn so much and your faith in God will grow to be deeper and stronger that ever before.

Joelle

My speech

2009-03-31T17:56:00.001-07:00

This speech comes from a letter I wrote to President Obama. I have re-written this a I took this speech to competition and an going to Regional's with it!

A Comparison of the Civil War and the War on Abortion

“…We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broke.” (NY Times) President Obama said these rousing words at his Presidential inauguration . President Obama was talking about terrorists, but the principle still applies, the innocent are still innocent and their lives still need protection, whether from a terrorist or an abortionist.

Human life is precious and must be protected from conception. I will illustrate this point by using historical examples to uphold the sanctity of life and hopefully urge you to fight for the lives of unborn children.

Step back with me to the mid 1800’s when, our country was in an uproar because of the conflicts over states rights and the rights of enslaved African Americans. Turmoil between the states eventually turned into a civil war. The North came out victorious, in due course slaves were freed and the Union was preserved. I believe, opposed to 150 years ago, nearly all Americans today will tell you that slavery was and is wrong and should not be condoned. They will also tell you African Americans are no more or less human then White Americans.

In this same time period Darwin’s Descent of Man was published. Darwin, a highly respected man said things that we would consider very disrespectful today. For example, he said that women were less evolved than men, and people of African descent were even less evolved than women. He also tried to say that black people were a “Sub- Species” and less mentally developed than white people. We know what Darwin believed about African Americans was wrong. African Americans are just as intelligent as anyone else. We saw this through men such as Fredrick Douglass, and women like Sojourner Truth. Who are we to deny men and women of any race or color the right to live and make a difference? These men and women had a great influence on the outcome of our Civil War, but what would have happened had they never been given the chance to live?

This now brings me to the topic that is dividing America today: abortion. I see many similarities between the ways people viewed African Americans in the Civil War, and how we view the unborn today. During the Civil War, many people saw slaves as less than human; that is how we view fetuses today. Slaveholders used their slaves for selfish reasons; most times, we abort our babies out of selfishness too. Prior to the 14^th amendment slaves were not entitled to the unalienable rights as stated in our Declaration; just as our unborn are not entitled to these rights today.

The Fugitive slave act of 1850 was a law that made it illegal for slaves to escape and for anyone to help salves do so. Not only that, but slaves could no longer have a court hearing as demonstrated in the Dred scot case. Today we do not allow the unborn to be heard at all. Since Rove vs. Wade, more than 50 million children’s voices have been silenced because of abortion.

Today pro-lifers are very much like those who disobeyed the Fugitive Slave Act. Both these groups were volunteer, and they knew they had to do what was right no matter the consequences. They gave from what they had, and they helped in any way they could; as opposed to the pro slavery faction, which grew rich through the exploitation of others. One-hundred and fifty years ago, that is what slave owners and slave traders did. Now, that is what Abortion doctors do. They gain wealth through the slaughtering of today’s innocent unborn lives.

In order to justify abortion we are debating the moot point about when life begins; when we all know the answer, we just do not want to believe it. We choose not to believe this truth because it is “inconvenient” to our life style. This must be how the Slaveholders reacted to the possibility of their slaves being just as human as they were; it was inconvenient to their life style and therefore unacceptable.

Though many people today do believe that the unborn baby is a person, they still choose to ignore this self-evident truth and say that the woman has more rights than the unborn baby. This is a foolish argument because the baby inside the mother is not some blob of tissue, it is a completely separate person with its own DNA, its own two hands and feet, its own personality and half the time the baby is a different gender. The slave holders believed this false idea too; They said that because the slave was under their white master, the master had power over the slave, even the power to inflict harm or death.

Our President also said in his inaugural address, “…the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” (NY times) How can the president or anyone say all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness, and yet deny the unborn these rights?.

We have looked at what Darwin thought of human life, the justification used by the North and the South to promote slavery in the 1800’s, and we have seen what Americans in general believe about the sanctity of life. This in not just an American problem, people all over the world have struggled with the issue of the sanctity of life ever since the fall of man. Early pagans sacrificed their children to their gods. Romans abandoned their unwanted children on wall and fences to be destroyed in heinous ways or rescued by Christians. The Chinese killed their daughters because they preferred sons. Based on these examples we can see that humans have been selfish ever since time began, whether by killing children, or enslaving others. We as fallen people will never be able to abolish selfishness, but, through the grace of God we can fight to save lives and teach people of the sanctity of life and I believe for us Americans this means we are to fight for the unborn so that they may have life, liberty, and the chance to pursue their dreams.

Before I close I would like to share with you a quote from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin,

“A day of grace is yet held out to us. Both North and South have been guilty before God; and the Christian church has a heavy account to answer. Not by combining together, to protect injustice and cruelty, and making a common capital of sin, is this Union to be saved, but by repentance, justice, and mercy.” (American’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotes)

We too have a day of grace held out to us, and we are all guilty of complacency. This battle will not be won by sitting on the sidelines, letting wrong after wrong, pass by unnoticed.

I now urge you to get off the bench and fight with me and other men and women to save the unborn. There are many ways you can join in the fight to end abortion.

*Donate time or money to Pro-life organizations *Get informed (www.stand up girl.com/ www.abort73.com)

*Spread the word *pray

Just as Harriet Beecher Stowe said, now is the time to repent, now is the stand up and fight for freedom, do this so that justice and mercy may reign from the womb to the tomb.

Oregon right to life= http://www.ortl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=50 - number of abortions 50 mil.

Barack Obama quotes- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html

Harriet Beecher Stowe quote; America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer; p. 576

New Purpose

2009-03-30T22:52:00.001-07:00

If you have read my blog before you will notice that things have be change. I will be putting more purpose into my blogging and try to blog more. So if you do not see many LOTR things or such, you will know why. I hope you will still laugh and enjoy what you read, but be encouraged at the same time.

I also want to mention that if anyone wishes to add something or comment in an uplifting way please do so.

thank you all for reading my blog, and I hope you will find the change for the better.

Sincerely~

Joelle

2009-02-16T23:30:00.000-08:00

I have written a letter to president Obama, and now I am working it into s speech. The topic is a contrast between the Civil War and the war on Abortion today. As soon as i finish them I will post them so you can read them. I hope that the President reads it, but if not, I know that by sending the letter and giving it as a speech someone will hear, and that will have been enough.

A New Year!!!! Blows horn

2009-01-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well, It is now 2009. i am glad becasue I have been thinking it was 2009 for the last month or so. When I go to look back on a year i can only seem to go back six months becuase even though the year passes quickly, alot happens. I will see if I can go back through all 12 months and give sumary of what I thought was importent to me.

in Feb. I turned 17, and spent a nice time with my friends. I was finnishing up Classical liturature, and philosophy. Summer hit and I was very busy. We had quite the campot trip, which I wrote of earlier. I went to Luisianna, and at the end of summer our new exchange students joined us and we took them with us to gleanings for the hungery. I started new classes, my best friend started College. I took another SAT, and I began the best class I have ever done, Apologetics. I believe this class has been the highlight of the year. through this class I have been able to learn more about my wonderful savior who has touched me in so many ways. I love learning about Him in a way that will benifit me all my life, and allow me to have an answer for my faith, so I can be a better witness.

I love each year God gives us, they each have lessons to give us, and each one holds something new that the last one did not.

this year I am sure will be even more streaching than the last, though without this last year, i do not believe i would be ready for this year. I thank the Lord for His timing. He knows when we need to learn what lesson, what friends we will need, ect,.

I hope you all have a blessed new year and that you all would grow in the ways god is moving you this year.

Joelle

Beneath the Surface

2008-08-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well I was at BTS this last week or so.

This time BTS was in Louisiana! So I got to go with the Knopp's and help them. I really had no idea what i was going to do, but I was prepared to do anything.

We had a fun trip down there, nothing that eventful happened. I had to sit next to two strangers on the first plane and it was okay, I just tried to sleep. we had a 2 hour layover in Houston (with was only supposed to be 30min.) (the same thing happened on the way home) but we got lunch and lizzy and i rocked out on our MP3 players in on of the terminals

Then we cought up with the rest of the crowd and took a super cool picture with our shades!

Eventually we made it there (I know I am hurringing the story up) and we met the nicest people!

We stayed with a family with alot of cute kids (there were a lot of them, but most of the older ones were away) and they also had a swimming pool! that was really nice on Saturday night!

On Friday we went to the church around noon and started to set up. I found out I was incharge of the book table and I was to be a group leader. I was nervous about being a group leader because it seemed like a place of such responsibility and i wanted to do a good job. I sked to have the youngest group, and I did I got the 10 and 11 year olds and they were the sweetest little things. They were so nice and they all spoke with sute southern accents!

I even had a tomboy who had to wear a dress and who's mother made her come! she came up to me that night and complained that I was going to take her whole saturday! lol but when I said :what you don't want to send your saturday with me?" she mostly stoped. I think her favorite thing was the chocolate fountain. :) but I think she got some good stuff especiallty on Saturday. the other girls all we very diferent but each special. I don't think i have time to write about all of them but they all left special memories with me.

After BTS we went to NewOrleans and saw lots of stuff. I did decide though that I do not want to live there because it is soooo HOT!!! I wanted to run to the air conditiond mall, but sould only trudge to it! :)

Oh and they have interesting food! We ate Jimbolia (idk the spelling) and boudam balls (again idk the spelling) both were good and i liked them. and in New Orleans we ate bangets and they were really good they come from Cafe Du Monde which is suposed to be really famous, and according to the food and the lines I agree.

Well obveously that is not all of my trip but that is the good parts in a nut shell. Perhaps I will write more about it, perhaps not. (you never know with me;) )

Joelle

Campout

2008-07-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well,

I am going to try and catch up on my blogging, so I will only tell the best stories.

We went on a campout with our co-op and we were going to Sun River. when we got there it was nice and just alittle chilly. Then at night everything went wrong. first off, there were 5 boys and 4 girls and we were both in 4 person tents. so all four of us girls are cramed in this little tent with air mattresses side to side. I was sharing my air mattress with Rachel M. and she asked me what time it was in the middle of the night. I thought it must be atleast 3. But when I looked over I saw that it was 1 am! Our air mattress was flat as a pancack and it was freezing cold. BTW it was the middle of June. I looked over at Rachel and asked her if we should blow up the mattress, I did. We got in the small crack bettween the two mattresses and I blew up the double sized air mattress with my mouth! we went back to sleep and woke up around 4:30 and went to the (thankfully) warm showers. We even put on make-up because we had nothing better to do.

Oh and this whole time... it's snowing! It really was snowing! We came back to the camp and all the guys were up and one of them had gone to the lodge to see the temperature and it had been as low as 25 degrees!! so were we all cold and there was no place that was open, and we had been told on past campouts not to go into the moms trailor untill they let us in. So we ate the fisshy crackers untill the eary riser of the moms let us in around 6:30-7:00 and we all swarmed to the door.

here are some pictures!

It ended up that it snowed the whole day!
And even more funny is the fact that it got progressively hotter all week and we went to eagel crest to play minature golf for Greg's birthday and I came home with a sun burn!

All in all it was a good trip, and the weather was all over the place.

Joelle

Fast

2008-05-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I think I should now have everything covered, blog, face book and email. I am taking a break from the internet and tv and movies and my Zune. I will do thing for the month of June and that would be tomorrow. I am looking forward to streaching myself to do this.
So, I will not write for a while.

see you in a month!

Jo

2008-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

Wow everything seems to go so fast and yet so slow!!!

I really hope to be able to accomplish some good and great things this summer. I still ahve a senior project due in a few says, but I am looking forward to it. I cannot believe we only have one week left of Literature and philosophy is already over!

I just finnished reading Sain Augustines confessions. It was good, though there are definatly so things I do not agree with.

I made these pictures and I think they look cool!

This Last Week!

2008-04-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

I had a very exiting and busy week! I went to see Celtic Woman with my mom on Wednesday evening. That was so exiting! I really liked it!!! On thursday I had my Aenead quiz and my Philosophy final. ah! then on Saturday I took my tenth Syllibus test! I axtually did really well I am so exited! It is so weird to axtrually be done and not have to practice. I also played on worship team with my friends. My friend Brianna came up from central OR, and we had a nice time just hanging out. She was a little tired from Teen Pact, which she staffed. I was kinda bumbed I did not get to go but It would not have worked out, but most of my friends went so they told me all about it! :)
Well, now it is back to school! YEAH! :D

2008-04-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

this movie looks very very good!

I would encourage you all to go and see this movie, and support it with your money, because it is not every day amovie like this comes our, and when they do, we need to go and support it.
http://www.expelledthemovie.com/video.php

2008-03-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

I am walking for Steps for Life and I would love it if you would walk or sponsor me! you can visit my page here. http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1383&AID=188&PID=22784

Becoming Jane

2008-03-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

I just watched the movie "Becoming Jane". . .and . . .it .. . was ... so good!!!

I really liked it. It made me cry. It is sad because all her stories have happy endings unlike her own life, which was fine, but sad because she could not marry that nam she loved. therefor she did not marry anyone. You really should watch it, (just to warn you there is one part where the two guys go swimming and you see their back sides, but it is only for a few seconds so you can just skip it.) I t is interesting to look at their lives and ask my seld what I would do in her situation. It is hard to choose between that is right and wrong, or morally wrong, and what society tells you is wrong, or if you are helping so one or following your heart. I think Jane made the right decision. she loved the man she wanted to mary so much and it became a selfless love.

I won't say any more, you have to go watch it your self.

p.s. If you saw this movie and want to comment on it feal free. :)

Mt. Tabor

2008-03-10T22:05:00.001-07:00

I went to Mt. Tabor with my two friends and we are walking around. I had forgotten to wear old cloths, and that the ground was still wet from all the rain. So I tried to get up this hill, with the wet mushy ground and mt favorite white shirt, the result was NOT fun!!!!! I slid down the hill, just after I was almost to the top! and I was filthy dirty, I was more upset about my cloths then falling! So we went home and sat out in the safe back yard :)

My Birthday!

2008-02-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hello!
I had a Great Birthday!
I went Ice Skating with my friends, and we went to a confrence, and we played game, watched Zoro, and ate really good food! yum!
It has been a fun month! lots of Birthdays, and lots of Cake (and lots of presents!!!)
well, I will talk to you all later!

Goldberry

2008-02-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of Fun (JOY) today!
I went to church and afterward we all went out side and played with all the kids on the playground! that was fun! really!
Then I went to my friends house and We Am,Amber, and I started to work on our school project! I think it will be really neat whent we are all done.

Till next time,

Joelle

Past, Prestent, and Future

2008-02-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Tomarrow I am going to get my GED done! I am exited!
Also, My Dad and I built my hope chest! that was fun!
Well I need to go and listen to Oedipus Rex!

LOTR . . again

2008-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention that I watched LOTR again with Maiko. It was her first time. We watched all three in a weekend. Then I showed her the funny pictures on the Arwen Undomiel web site! heheh. So yeah, that was fun.
bye!

2008-02-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

On Saturday some friends and I went to the chocolate Fest at the forestry center. It was cool, we ate lots of chocolate, until we could eat no more, then we went home! I was alittle under the weather, and I don't think it helped to be walking out in the slush, yes it was slush. And It got all in my shoes, and my feet got cold. Any way, I was sick the next day. Atleast i still got to go to the chocolate Fest, but then i was sick for a few days. It was awful. I am still a bit under the weather, but i think I will be all better in a day or so. I was so worried about school, but Thankfully God has been helping me stay allert so I can focus. Well I should go and get back to that. Till next time,

Jo

2008-01-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

It wasa normal tuesday, that is all I have to report. And it is almost my birthday!!! YAY!!

Ok. good night.

2008-01-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

this is cool, it shows you how to write your name in elvish!

I know it's geeky, but it is cool.

the first pix is the alphabet, and the second shows you how to arrange your name. also if you have two of the same letters in a row use only one, and draw a line under it.

SNOW

2008-01-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of snow at church on Sunday. it was weird playing in the snow in a skirt and new shoes! but we all had a blast! I even hit Eric with a snowball! yes!
the snow made it's way down here, but it was only around for a short time. but I sledded down the hill, and threw a few snowballs.

Joelle

SAT

2008-01-26T18:25:00.000-08:00

I did my first SAT! it was interesting!, and I signed this legal document, that says I cannot talk about the SAT, or share answers for the SAT (not that I have them). So, that is all you need know, the rest is classified information. You will have to go, and learn about the SAT your self, atleast untill I get my test scores back. I could tell you, but then I would have to shoot you. LOL.

Joelle

Mission ConeXtion

2008-01-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

I went to mission conneXtion and I have a phenominal time! I was only going to go to the Friday night sessions, but after that I came home and called my friend who I was going to do SAT prep with, and told her i really wanted to go tomorrow, and that she should go too. Even Maiko came!
I got to learn so many things and hear a lot of great stories! and at the end of the day I decided I did not want to be a "safe Christian" anymore. I pledged to take the next step. So hopefully I will be able to get something going, that will let me and others reach other teens and families around us! so you could pray and let me know if you have any ideas. I have a few, but I could allways use more!!! I will write more about the confernce later ( I hope).
till then,
God bless,
Jo

2008-01-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I braved the Highway! ! ! I did it. With God's help. I started to get nervous, but my mom clamed me down. It was nto as hard as I thought it would be. It was nice because trafic was going a little slower.
I was driving to choir. I really like some of the songs we are singing. We got our new music a few weeks ago and my binder is now stuffed! Alot of the songs are in French, and I LOVE French!
On Sunday I felt I needed to say something at the open mic. At first I thought it must be for me, because i did not have that queesy fealling in my stomach. But Mr. Garvy got up and talked about how god is not silent. then when no one else was going up I decided that must have been for me. Is't God so good, that we can rely on Him? (the man before mr. Garvy mentioned how God wants us to rely on Him, and beable to trust Him even when we don't see the big picture.)
After I shared, (this happend last time too), I cried. I think that being used By God, even in the smalist ways, seems over whelming to me, and i cannot handle it. Can you imagine seeing all or most of God! Wow! now that would bring me to my knees. What a Great God we serve!

God bless,
Joëlle

LOST

2008-01-12T22:19:00.000-08:00

We finally got LOST season three!!! I am so happy! we are watching it as a family! there are others, and black smoke and Hurrly and Jack, and ahhhh , and WOW! heheh ok. I'm goin' now. We get to tgo to Church early to do set up! well ttyl.

2008-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day of school! Wow it actually feals good to be back! There is another thing I like about homeschooling, and that is being able to add subjects one at a time.

Also I Like these pictures!

New Year

2008-01-01T00:26:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I cannot believe It is 2008 already! Wow! We stayed up and watched National Tresure, then My parents went to bed but we stayed up and watched 'The Christmas Shoes'. I cried! I love that movie. I am listening to the music right now. The song that the movie is based on is on my my music player below. the movie finished one minuet before the new year. So we counted down and then screemed "Happy New Year" and tosted with our sparkling cider! I hope you all had a wonderful new year.

2007-12-23T15:14:00.000-08:00

This was sad

2007-12-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

I could not believe they hung the Americian flag under the Mexican flag!!!

Interesting Dessert

2007-12-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

December 19
Interesting dessert
Vivian's sister and her sister's friend, decided to make us dinner when they were over. The food was delish. But the dessert, was. . . interesting, and VERY healthy.
The dessert was made from boiled beans (like little soy beans) in brown sugar, long, thick jelly noodles, white stuff that looked like shaved coconut, (but it wasn't) it was more like somthing that grew under the water, and lastly there was long green strands of seaweed, that resmbled green beans. On top was coconut milk. Most of us, even Maiko did not find it to be our new favorite dessert.