So there are 10 toothbrushes total in my house... 3 downstairs and 7 upstairs... and there are three people living in my house. I investigated the matter and this was the inventory I came up with:

Upstairs:
1 toothbrush belongs to my dad
2 toothbrushes belong to my mom
2 toothbrushes belong to me
1 toothbrush belongs to Amy Amonett
1 toothbrush... well... we're not sure who it belongs to...

Downstairs:
1 toothbrush belongs to my dad
2 toothbrushes belong to my mom... including a Scooby Doo toothbrush (she says it was the only one she could find to fit in the toothbrush holder holes..)

So yesterday morning and early afternoon I was happy. Then I was cranky. Then I was OK. Then I was cranky again and began plotting a sermon I was going to type here. I went to bed but had trouble sleeping. I woke up cranky. I went to church cranky and kept asking God to take it away from me, to fill me up with His joy. I remembered what Amber and Michael said Wednesday about worshipping God despite how you feel (and despite the fact that everything in the service is extremely kiddy because of VBS...) I was a judgemental mess all morning. I found a problem with pretty much everything and everyone. And then I was ok when I listened to Rom Moore preach. I thought ok I'm finally focusing on God. Then I was ok when we sang... and then the mood of the offering was interrupted and I wanted to scream!!! I realized I was seriously under attack...
I'm ok again for now. I'm learning to pray throughout the day through all circumstances. This past week has been insane. I've learned to trust God through the rough times, praise God through the good times, and that God is always moving even when things seem off-centered. I also saw the wisdom of God revealed to me through little children... one thing I did right this morning was recognize the precious and simple faith of little children. I need more of that in my life... and I guess that's what God is teaching me.

Well, I would feel unloved that I only got 1 remark on my previous post, but I noticed that the same was true for most everyone who has posted since me, so I won't complain. I'm too happy to complain. I was so down and now things are just great... oh boo. I just noticed Atlanta Braves are beating someone. Darn the nasty Braves!!!
But anyhow, I'm still happy anyways. God has just blessed me so much.
Random side note: I think I may be shrinking. Either that or sizes are changing... strange...

photo from SingAHappySong

Today was a lot of fun! Mom and I went to Franklin to go see Matthew West. We got there and it was hot and crowded and I was starting to wonder if it was really worth it. But then I saw Amber and Michael and so I knew I had to stay a while longer then. We had fun together and Patrick came along after a while, but he was quite late. I also saw Garrett's little cousins so that was kinda random. I also saw Alli Scott from my English class back in the day... high school... not too long ago yet it seems that way... Anyhow, after a couple of Sanctus Real songs, Mom and I decided we were ready to go cool off at the Galleria (though I do like Sanctus Real... it was pretty hot!)

In my almost two years in TN, this was actually my first time at the Cool Springs Galleria. It was nice, but whoever decided to call it Galleria was majorly jipping y'all. A real Galleria is the Houston Galleria... three malls in one, three floors, and an ice rink that Tara Lipinski practices on in the middle of it all... but hey, I would pick Franklin over Houston anyday. Franklin's nice and I wouldn't mind living there one day. Anyhow, all I got was a pair of pants and a shirt at the Gap (figures) but they're both really cute so it made me happy. We ate at Ruby Tuesday in the mall and went to Lifeway in Franklin as well. Mom wasn't too impressed because her old Lifeway was about the same size.

So that was pretty much my day... it was pretty good. Oh yeah, and I think I'm going to stick with geology because it sounds like most all the physical science teachers are hard. Oh well, I guess rocks can be cool...

Thanks so much for the remarks, guys. It means the world to me how much y'all care. The past two days have been rough, but things are a lot better now! Thanks to everyone who cared for me yesterday when I felt down.

God is so good. And always in control.

So I feel like I am entering a new chapter in my life now, but it is good. I'm going to learn a lot.

So, I guess I would like some advice on the following matter, especially from the older kids. Should I switch from geology to physical science? This is coming from a girl who hates science with a passion, but is starting to wonder if Topics In Physical Science would be easier and more interesting than studying rocks. Like who really cares about rocks anyways?

The best things in life are worth fighting for, and right now I'm fighting pretty hard.

The spiritual warfare I feel is intense...

Please, please, please pray for me and what I am going through right now. I need all the prayer I can get.

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." -Luke 1:38

I finally read the last chapter of Captivating. I really needed it...

Well, I literally spent most of the day writing (yes, for fun). It's been a long time since I've spent most of the day working on my novel... it was cool to revisit my old friends. (Yes, I am a dork because my characters are my friends, but oh well).
When Mom came home we went to Target, Chik-fil-a (I saw Amber!), Hasting's, and Blockbuster. At Hasting's we bought three used DVDs for $21. Pretty good. You gotta love Hasting's. I'm still on the lookout for either a used or clearance Creed the Greatest Hits CD. Anyhow, we bought Phantom of the Opera (which neither of us have never seen but felt compelled to buy), Lemony Snickett's A Series of Unfortunate Events (which we are watching now), and Finding Neverland.
Well that was my exciting day... maybe I'll have something more interesting to say tomorrow...

Tiger Woods got beat today. Yahoo also listed him as being #2 on the list of the most powerful and highest paid movie stars/atheletes/musicians. "Well, at least you make more money than the rest of them!" I told the image on the TV screen. Money doesn't buy pride and dignity I suppose though.
Mel Gibson was listed at #3, which I think is pretty awesome. I hope that there are many Mel Gibsons in my generation who will be willing to rise up and stand up for their faith in the entertainment industry... and be serious about it. I'm not talking abou those rappers on MTV who are like "yeah thanks God" before they sing their new hit smash about drugs, sex, alcohol, and violence (and that's just the first verse, which is all you get to sing on MTV since it really has nothing to do with music.)
And lastly, I could have promised you that there was a tweleve year old chick driving behind me on the way home from Mamaw's and Papaw's... that was a weird feeling...

Well happy Father's Day/Lauren's b'day/Zach's b'day!
Today was my first day in the AO Sunday school. Older college kids please do not take offense... y'all are awesome and so is Charles, but it's a big change that's going to take a while for me to totally love. I miss Riley... *sniffles*
Anyhow, this morning at church during the service I saw this adorable little boy who had this cute little expression on his face, and I thought about how people truly are God's greatest creation. Granted we can be stupid idiots, but we were created in His image, and He is the most beautiful thing out there. More beautiful than the sunset or anything else. A sunset is gorgeous and captures my heart... but can a sunset giggle, smile, or make any sort of expression? Can a sunset love or feel any other kind of emotion? Anyhow, I just thought I would share that new perspective with y'all... funny that I think about this after Charles points out in where in the Bible it says we are NOTHING... which is also true. It's a great paradox.
Tell your daddies you love them today!

Fathers be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers be good to your daughters too
Boys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without warmth from
A woman's good, good heart
-from John Mayer's "Daughters"

So at Big Stuf, Rachael and I had a conversation about having often set our expectations too high. I know I have high expectations for myself, which I often don't fulfill, and then turn around and expect the same things for other people, and then I feel hurt and get upset when they don't fulfill them.
We can all be so stupid sometimes.
Anyhow, here's a great quote from Captivating that I read the other day... apparently all women have high expectations for others (I don't know how much of this applies to guys- y'all can let me know):
"For a woman to enjoy relationship, she must repent of her need to control and her insistence that people fill her... In your friendships, in all your relationships, you will disappoint others and they will disappoint you..."
The good news, however, is that Christ will never disappoint you. That doesn't mean that everything will go your way or that you will always be happy with what God allows to happen in your life, but He truly does know what is best. If we let Him work and move, it will be great. He is always there for us if we are willing to turn to Him. He goes beyond our expectations, and is more loyal than anyone on earth ever could be.

"I put you on like an old pair of shoes... but now I need you... why this love never leaves me... why are you holding me tonight... can't deny this love that is given to me... why this love never leaves..." -part of Bethany Dillon's "Why"

All the cool kids are gonna be at Starbucks at 7:30!!! Whoo hoo!!!

I wish I had something deep to write today. I was reading Cari's entry and my jaw just about hit the floor. I want to do great and mighty things for God, but I guess I can't imagine going in a savage area to spread His good news. I would of course, but I've always believed that I was called to stay right here in the U.S.A.
Before I got online, I started looking at my future college classes. Looking through the college catalog used to equal stress, anxiety, and confusion, but now looking through the catalog excites me about all that is ahead. I feel such a peace about electronic media production. When I tell people my major, half of them look at me like I spoke a foreign language, but I know it's sooooo right for me. I'm not even sure if production is in my future, but I know that this is the right direction.
This is what I know: there are many things I want to do, and the Scriptures say that in whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God. I also know that God has great plans and He can make anything possible. In my lifetime I would love to be a wife, mother, writer, photographer, producer, director... I don't know what the future looks like for me, but I know I have nothing to worry about. It's all in God's hands... and that's exciting!

*EDIT* Starbucks/mall/Target was fun. It was me, Garrett, Graham, Aimee, Cameron, Rachael, and Sarah. It was an odd group in a way, but a very good group and we enjoyed ourselves. So what is everyone else's excuse for skipping out???

So Garrett and I went and saw Madagascar tonight. We both agreed that it was funny, but not quite what we expected it to be. My favorite part was probably when the penguins ended up in Antartica... and my favorite line was: "the penguins are psychotic!" I also loved the little furry creature... I don't think he had a name, but he was cute. Anyhow, While You Were Sleeping is on TV! But Dad just changed the channel... darn it... LOL... but anyways... so we were watching the previews before the movie, and Garrett nearly fell out of his chair laughing during The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl preview. It was pretty funny... that movie looks incredibly cheesy and dumb! We saw a new preview for Willy Wonka that made me want to see it more. The boy who plays Charlie is Peter from Finding Neverland... I love him because he is soooooo adorable! We also saw the Nicados (minus Lauren) at the movies as well as Graham's dad, who was getting a popcorn refill in the middle of Batman Begins (which looks like it might be a good movie as well. What did y'all think Drew and Graham?) Speaking of Belle Aire people, I saw Rachael Vance at the dermatologist. Well, I guess I'm going to get ready for bed now...

Big Stuf, in a word, was amazing! You know, I really enjoyed it last year, but I think I got a lot more out of it this year. It was like God just really showed up there in my life and in the whole camp. Tuesday night's worship was probably the most awesome and intense worship I have ever been through! It was crazy! I made a couple of new friends, and I also got closer to some old friends and aquaintances. I learned a lot about myself, my relationship with Garrett (1 year and 1 month today), God, my purpose in life, missions, how I can make an impact, my friends, and the difference between the right thing and the wise thing. I honestly did not want to come home... yet how could I live out what I learned if I stayed at camp the rest of my life? How can I live out my mission and see how God wants to work through my life and talents for His glory if I didn't leave? I seriously wish that everyday I could listen to a speaker like Jarod Herd or Louie Giglio and experience worship through music by a band like the Big Stuf band. But even that would become routine and mediocre after a while. I have to learn how to make God a part of my life everyday, even when I do't feel the high. Anyhow, it was just a really awesome week! I started uploading some pics from the week and will continue to do so throughout the day.

Funny Quote of the Week:
"Hey, guy I like!" -Louie Giglio seriously calling out to Clint!

Serious Quotes of the Week:
"The question we should be asking is 'what is the wise thing to do'?" -Jarod
"Do you just believe in God, or do you believe God?" -Louie

I don't know how I managed to get on, but I finally did! This is to say goodbye until next Thursday or late Wednesday night. Please pray the hurricane/tropical storm/evil Arlene/impending doom on Florida doesn't get us all. If you're going to Big Stuf, as Brian King said, see y'all dark and early tomorrow morning!

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment... Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit." -1 Peter 3:3a & 4

"...true beauty comes from the inner part of us. Our hearts. A heart ay resy... A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet center where God dwells that he finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy, and in him, she is enough." -from Captivating

"You still my heart, and you take my breath away, would you take me in, would you take me deeper now, and how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you, would you tell me how could it be, any better than this?" -Lifehouse

"Everything she does is beautiful, everything she does is right." -Lifehouse

"Then you came around me, the walls just dissapeared, nothing to surround me, keep me from my fears, I'm unprotected, see how I've opened up, you've made me trust, I've never felt like this before, I'm naked around you... trying to remember, why I was afraird to be myself, and let the covers fell away, guess I never had someone like you, to help me fit in my own skin." -Avril Lavigne

So today I am learning that I have a beauty that is unveiled when my heart is at rest... when I am still with God. So many times, I feel I always have to be busy. Maybe that's why God has forced me to the summer situation I am in... I am being forced to rest and stay still. This is what it has taken for me to abide in Him and seek Him. He wants me to discover His beauty, and in turn, I too will become more beautiful.

Big Stuf tomorrow... hope we don't... as Cari said... get eaten by the tropical storm!

I can do a series... ok probably not.

"I want to be beautiful, make you stand in awe, look inside my heart, and be amazed, I want to hear you say, who I am is quite enough, I just want to be worthy of love, and beautiful..." (Bethany Dillon)

"Gaze into my eyes, let me know you'd fight thousands for my love, slip your hand in mine, ask me to dance with you tonight, just ask me, for my love..." (Bethany Dillon)

"I like you the way you are, when we're driving in your car, and you're talking to me one on one..." (Avril Lavigne)

As I read this book Captivating, I'm learning that my true beauty is revealed when I allow my Savior to romance me. And to think, that the Creator of everythig loves, values, and even romances me! Crazy isn't it?

Today I felt very confident. I was having a good day. Well, I went to get a haircut, and I was ok with that, and it turned out ok. At least, I think it did. But the woman did not dry my hair... so I really couldn't tell. Then I was kinda upset... like well crud now my hair's wet. Well, after going home and eating dinner, my hair eventually dried. Before Garrett came over (he's FINALLY back home! yay!) I noticed that my hair dried wavy, but differently than it usually does when I air dry my hair, because it was only part of my hair that was damp. Well, at one point while Garrett was over I went to the bathroom, and I noticed my hair again. And I could see that it had turned out... beautiful. That sounds really vain... but I think it was God telling me... "see, you really are beautiful! Always and no matter what!"

Sometimes I can be such a drama queen... I listen to Bethany Dillon and/or Avril Lavigne to feed my girly needs, and today I learned that music is a way that God romances. All the beauty in the earth, whether through song or creation or whatever, is God's way of calling out to me, and that's pretty awesome.

Girls love to be pursued, and God pursues me daily. Sometimes I don't let Him though. Now, more than ever, I really want to let Him in and work through me.

I learned about true love and true friendship last night. Now, I know I'm not the best friend or the best person, and I'm definitely not trying to brag or be like "Hey I'm cool, be like me." But last night I learned that true love is truly putting yourself aside when your friend needs you. True love is being there no matter what. True love is being willing to sacrifice for someone else. But when you truly love someone, it doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice. It may be somewhat inconvenient, but you care more about your friend than your inconvenience. That's true love. Both in a friendship and in a romantic relationship. You truly love someone when you think about someone before you think about yourself. When was the last time you saw a TV show, watched a movie, or listened to a song that supported that idea? When's the last time you lived it? Last night changed my persepective.

"Love is patient, love is kind... it is not self-seeking... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." -from 1 Cor. 13

*EDIT* This is what Kelly said about me (with the questions from the previous two entries):
AMY -- 01. You're never in a bad mood. Ever. 02. The song "Beautiful One" that's sometimes sung in youth all of a sudden popped into my brain, so we'll go with that. 03. 10:00 in the morning. 04. Devoted. 05. Talking prom and a whole lot of other stuff after school that one day. :) 06. A canary! 07. What does the future hold for you after college?

photo from SingAHappySong

Y'all asked for it... LOL...
01. Reply with your name and I will write something I like about you.
CLINT: You're dramatic and fun.
NATHAN: You're just awesome. You can do everything I wish I could do and hope to learn to do in college.
KAYLEI: You have such a sweet spirit.
AMY: You strive to be a good friend.
BECKY: You're sweet.
STEPHEN: You're mature for your age and earnest to learn.
02. I will then tell what song/movie/icon reminds me of you.
CLINT: Beverly Hillbillies... because of Siegel drama.
NATHAN: A Beautiful Mind... I know you like it, and we saw the mansion in NJ. It's also deep and pyschological, like you... lol.
KAYLEI: The Phantom Menance... it was literally your first Star Wars movie!
AMY: Any chick flick... lol... oh and Whisky Lullaby!
BECKY: I guess The Notebook, since both you and Amy like it.
STEPHEN: Well, I know that you're into like all the different Passion stuff... I think... lol... so I yeah I guess worship songs.
03. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, I'll tell you what it would be.
ALL OF YOU seem like night owls. Midnight. Except STEPHEN. You seem like a 5 AM guy to me... lol... well maybe not yet.
04. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
CLINT: dramatic
NATHAN: cool
KAYLEI: sweet
AMY: dedicated
BECKY: friendly
STEPHEN: mature
05. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
CLINT: When you finally wore the red Chucks to a football game.
NATHAN: Having our college talk. And the first time we met at the 03 fall retreat... "you go to Riverdale?!"
KAYLEI: Talking about relationships @ 2 AM.
AMY: Hmmm... so many memories... how about riding in your car with balloons in the backseat while you're talking to Graham on the phone and driving... I seriously thought I wouldn't live to see my 18th b'day!
BECKY: Eating at Chili's when you were very angry with a certain someone... lol I don't know why that stands out!
STEPHEN: New Jersey trip
06. I will tell you what animal you remind me of.
CLINT: Um... an animal?! What animal do you want to be?! I'll be random... polar bear!!!
NATHAN: Your dog Callie
KAYLEI: Um... I dunno... random generator says you are like a... turtle.
AMY: Something skinny... how about a giraffe?
BECKY: Um... goodness another random generator... you can be a toucan.
STEPHEN: Random generator says you are a... frog?
07. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.
CLINT: What it will take you to become Republican.. lol...
NATHAN: Hmmm... how can anyone can be so artsy and scientific? Not fair!
KAYLEI: I don't think I really have a wondering about you... at least not that I can think of...
AMY: I wonder about you all the time... ha ha.
BECKY: I don't really know you well enough... I guess I wonder how you and Amy act at home together.
STEPHEN: I wonder how you survived through junior high not acting like a typical junior high boy... believe me... that's a compliment!

01. Reply with your name and I will write something I like about you.
02. I will then tell what song/movie/icon reminds me of you.
03. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, I'll tell you what it would be.
04. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
05. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
06. I will tell you what animal you remind me of.
07. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.

I'll try the best I can with this if you want to reply! I think this will be kind of fun... hee hee...

photo from bee136

So, in honor of Nathan leaving today for NY, I am tributing this entry to him. I was going to write a cheesy ode that rhymed and such, but decided against it. I may be pretty good with words, but I'm much better at just saying what I mean than coming up with poetry or limeriks or anything of the like. So with all that in mind... Nathan... it's going to be tough at first, for us in the Boro and for you there. But we'll all adjust. I suppose I'm just speaking frankly because I know what it's like to move and I also know what it's like for friends to leave. I'm going to miss you, but I'm soooooo happy for you because I know that what's ahead of you is going to be so great and awesome because God's got plans for you. He has taken your hand and led you to a city that desperately needs to see Him. What an awesome responsibility! Know that you are dearly loved... you have to keep in touch and let us know what God is doing over there... Jeremiah 29:11...