fairytales.

Hey :]

well, first of all...soccer was actually fun. I'm really feeling the practice right now (yay for muscles I didn't even know existed!) but we don't have another one until Tuesday, so that should give me time to recover. I'm really excited about it...thanks for the prayers!

As you can probably see, the title of this post is fairy tales. except without the space. Anyway, it's called that because of a conviction I've had lately in my life. As a Christian, I've realized that I have expected life to be a fairy tale. No major troubles to speak of, eventually marrying the perfect guy, and driving away from the wedding, off to a mansion of immeasurable riches and happiness, where (of course!) we would live happily ever after. Well, REALITY CHECK for me! That's not always how it happens. In life, there ARE troubles, and every girl doesn't always get married in a fairy tale wedding. In the world around me, there's so much of a push and a longing for a happily ever after, with perfect relationships and no more pain of frustration. Last weekend, my great grandma died, and today was her funeral. At the burial, the pastor said, "Now, we are burying a body, but this is not Caroline. Caroline is in heaven, celebrating with her Savior and Creator. She's not here, she is with Christ!" I was suddenly reminded of the fact that I am not living in a perfect world. Things don't always work out, hearts are broken, and pain and irritation is everywhere. But someday, we as Christians are going to be able to celebrate in the arms of our Creator, completely whole and made perfect in His glory. I am so excited for that! Isn't it such a reassurance that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17). The real question is...are you going to be there, taking part in that eternal glory?

Em.

Soccer!

Today was a lovely day. I had a good day (unlike yesterday!) and we certainly needed the sunshine that was ever so conveniently paired with the beautiful blue sky outside. The one thing that slightly...freaked my day out was when I actually agreed to doing spring soccer at my school. For any of you who know me, it's rather obvious that I'm not a sportsy sort of person. I enjoy volleyball, but that's about it. I used to play soccer, but not any more...at least, not until today. Today I said yes. I am BEYOND nervous about the first practice tomorrow, but I'm most likely over-thinking it and it will be totally fine. So, if anyone has a few seconds to spare and wants to send up a quick prayer for my state of mind and my physical stamina, that would be ever so lovely! Mom and I are going to pick up some of the things I'm going to need, like cleats, shorts, and socks/shin guards! :]

Anyway...other than that, I had a totally fabulous day, despite the HORRID math test that was trying to ruin this sunshiny day...it did not succeed. No worries. I'll hopefully let all you guys know how it goes tomorrow...wish me luck! AH!

:] Em

P.S.

Go check my Tumblr...I have an app for my phone, and so I can update while I'm on the run.

emilyelizabeth20.tumblr.com

ACT.

Ugh. I'm sitting at school, bored out of my mind in my third hour class. Apparently a bunch of juniors I know are here, but I haven't seen any of them yet! AH! I can't get to my locker, and the school feels extra warm because of all the closeness with the students...I can't say this is really enjoyable at all. Wow. I'm such a complainer...I apologize to everyone who read those last few lines. Let's see...I think that a little scripture quote would help my boring day along! :]

1 John 4:7-8
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

What a fantastic reminder- loving others is not one of my strengths, and I will certainly be trying to work on that! On a happier note, my math test is postponed until next week, and my Bio presentation isn't until Thursday. I guess today might not be so bad after all...good luck to all you juniors!

Em :]

Oh! and there's sunshine and not much snow left. Ohh yeah, today is a good day. haha :]

Hallelujah!

So I recently discovered this song called "All I Have is Christ". Google it. Buy it. Listen to it. I love it. :]. Here are some of the lyrics...

"I once was lost, in darkest night,
yet thought I knew the way,
The sin that promised joy and life,
had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
a rebel to Your will,
and if You had not loved me first,
I would refuse You still.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!"

So...that's one of my favorite songs right now. I love the "Hallelujah! All I have is Christ! Jesus is my life!" I've really been challenged with that saying, because I'm not sure if I'm in a place in my walk with Christ that I could actually say "Hallelujah, all I have is Him, and He is enough!". That's my little mini challenge this week...well, not so mini, I guess.

Also, on a not-so-hallelujah note, this week is ACT and MME week, so I wish good luck to all you juniors, and I'm sure you'll do totally fabulously. At our school, they blockade off like...half of the school, which includes my locker, which means you can't get to those classrooms/lockers until Friday morning. FRIDAY. Which means I have to lug around all 1,000,000 pounds of junk that usually exists inside my locker and I will probably end up with a broken back. My kind friend Katie is letting me put my things in her locker, which is SUPER generous, so I'll hopefully be a little bit less encumbered. Wish you all well! Hope this week goes aboslutely swimmingly!

Em

SPRING! (PUPPIES!)

So I realized all I post about is my thoughts...never any pictures or anything exciting like that. Last week, our dog Holly had puppies, and so, I will now attempt to upload a few pictures of the adorable little guys. :].

I really could just watch them all day...just being cute.

Aww, yeah. I love puppies.

Anyway, sorry about the fuzziness in the photos...the little guys are still a bit wobbly, and getting them to hold still is certainly a trick. We have 8 boys and 3 girls, and they're just as cute as can be! Hope you guys have been absolutely wonderful since I last had a chance to talk to you...love to all!

Em