You Are the Best Thing by Ray Lamontagne

Yeahhh I changed my mind. I can't help it.

I honestly don't know how to write a blog about this song. All I know is... it just makes me feel so good. Seriously, when I hear it, I'm automatically happier. Not many things work that well for me. So when I find something that does, (and this song certainly does) I just gotta tell someone. So here it is.

I've decided that being happy should be a bigger priority in my life. I honestly believe that God didn't make me to just be a miserable, sickly girl who hardly found joy in life. I should surround myself with things that make me happy. Now, chemistry is NEVER going to make me happy. (Although I did get an 85 on a quiz today, thank you very much!) That doesnt mean I drop chemistry. I get through it with a better attitude. I listen to happy music while I toil through my homework. I motivate myself with good things, and in the end I'm happy with what I've done.

Music makes me so happy. I can't even tell you how happy it makes me, especially when I'm performing something beautiful and I can feel it moving around me and through me. (I sing.) Try... A Boy and A Girl by Eric Whitacre. Its breathtakingly beautiful. (Youtube it.) When I sing that... it makes me feel breathtakingly beautiful. And those are rare moments.
A bunch of people in my choir at school are quitting this year. Its the Varsity Ensemble, so I guess they didn't realize that making it into the higher elite choir meant actually working even more than the others. (Or maybe I'm just crazy.) But I couldn't even consider the idea of quitting. I NEED IT. I need that release. If I didn't have it, I'd start randomly singing in classes (even more than I already do) and probably get kicked out of school. I would be known as the annoying girl who wouldn't stop singing and everyone would loathe me. (It could happen to me, you know it could.)

I've listened to the title song about four times now. My lord, it's so wonderful.

Anyway.
Find something that makes you happy. Basketball, algebra, music, etc. Fight for it. And don't let anyone tell you its any less than what else is out there or that their 'thing' is more important or that you're just not good at your 'thing'. Do what you love.

God gives you talent and makes you the perfect way you're supposed to be. I was made to love music. My brother was made to love baseball. My sister was made to love her boyfriend... Haha, sorry I couldn't help myself. Love you, SarahLaine.

You are the best thing,
You are the best thing,
You are the best thing that ever happened to me.

Listen to it. I guarantee you'll smile. (:

I AM by Ginny Owens

Ever feel like you're just too small, too flawed, too insignificant for God to truly use? Don't fret. You're in good company.

No Lord, he said, you've got the wrong guy,
Simple conversation gets me tongue-tied.
And you're telling me to speak with a maniac king,
Or could it be I've lost my mind?

Besides, I am weak, don't you want someone strong
To lead them out of Egypt when they've been there so long.
And anyway, they wont believe You ever spoke to me.
It's not your problem, God replied
And the rest is history...

Moses. Moses was a Hebrew, born into slavery. His mother wove a basket, set him into the Nile River, and trusted God. Pharoahs wife found him, drew him from the water, and he became a Prince of Egypt. Then, he found out his true identity. He accidentally murdered an Egyptian soldier for beating a Hebrew slave too harshly. He didn't face his fears and consequences; he ran. A murderering slave that flees from responsibility. And he saved God's chosen people from obliteration.

Now Lord, are you sure? He's just a shepherd boy.
Too small for battle gear, with a giant to destroy.
What on earth can he do with five stones and a sling?
It's not your problem, God replied,
'Cause I can do anything...

David. A small, shepherd boy. God used him in extreme ways. He defeated Goliath with a SLING SHOT. I couldn't defeat a squirrel with a sling shot. And after that, David had to hide from Saul and persecution. When he finally did become King, David stumbled numerous tiems with other religions and adultery while his family suffered. You wanna know what he's called? A man after God's own heart. His OWN heart. David did some great things and made some great mistakes. But he always returned to God. His Psalms cry out for forgiveness and mercy, and still touch the lives of millions.


Great Lord, she said, I'm just a simple girl.
You say that I will bring your son into the world.
How can I understand this thing You're gonna do?
It's not your problem, God replied,
For I have chosen you.

Mary. A simple, sweet, faithful girl. She was about fifteen, or maybe sixteen. Younger than I am. And an angel came to tell her she was to carry and give birth to God's son, who would eventually save the world. I can't even imagine. Literally, how does someone react to that? I'd say, WAAAAIT A MINUTE. I'm Camille. Remember? (As if God could have actually forgotten my name or made a mistake.)

These three people thought themselves completely unworthy. And rightfully so, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. -Romans 3:23. Still, God chose these three regular, sinful people to carry out some of his greatest works. Moses parted the Red Sea. David used his problems to write Psalms that are still true today. And Mary brought God's son into the world, His greatest work.
Don't think for one second that God can't use you.
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

There's a bigger picture you can't see,
You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me,
'Cause I am your Creator, I am working out my plan
And through you, I will show them I AM.

God uses even the most insignificant people. Trust me, I would know.

Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli

First off, I'd like to apologize for this being a whole week late. It's been a bit hectic with homework and life the past couple weeks. Don't hate me.
Secondly, I've decided not to name this blog until I get done with it because I can't think of anything good at the moment.
I just spent the weekend at Gatlinburg as a highschool leader for middle school students in my youth group. Best weekend I've had in a very, very long time. (Shout out to Noonday!) The basis of the message this weekend was about three things: friendship, integrity, and individuality. Ironically enough, my little sister (Mallory is becoming increasingly popular on this blog...) has been struggling with these very three things for a couple of years now. Last weekend, it got really bad though. It's one of the reasons I didn't blog. I was too frustrated to focus. Basically, it was a whole He said-She said scandal, and ended up cooling off. But Mal was hurt, bad. Over something completely blown out of proportion. And I had to watch. And I'm sick of it.
Guys, there are certain things that fundamentally make you YOU. Things that should never change for anyone. For example: I do not drink. I do not smoke. I will remain abstinent until marriage. I am a proud follower of Christ. These decisions make me who I am and represent what I believe, and they're not changing for anything. Sorry.
Sure, I'm a bit crazier with some friends than I am with others. Some work me up, others calm me down. That doesn't mean I'm a different person with them. Different people affect you in different ways. But you do NOT, EVER, change who you are. You think people can't tell? You think they can't see what you're doing? You're not fooling anyone, not even yourself. Come on, guys.
Good lord, I sound hyped up. Forgive me, this is a subject I feel strongly about. Only because I've lived through it. I've lost many a friend by remaining who I was. It breaks my heart, but I know it was the right thing to do. Besides, friends don't love you because they're blind to you flaws. They love you inspite of them.
Aimee's my best friend. Not because she has a car to drive me places, not because her house always has ice cream, but because she and I are twin souls. I honestly can't explain it. On the outside, we're complete opposites. She's athletic. I'm....yeah. She's crazy smart at school. I try. She's shy around new people. I am most definitely not. She loves basketball. I love music. I sing. She...yeah. (Love you Aims =]) But when we hang out, none of that matters. Because we share the same values. We're always bringing each other up. We know who each other are. And we love each other. We could sit around all day, doing nothing, (which we often do), and have a fantastic time. That's the kind of friend you want. The kind that knows you. Not the you that that others may think you to be. The you that you are.
One thing I really admire about Aims is her integrity. No matter who she's around, she sticks to what she believes in. I've seen her do it. She speaks quietly, but firmly, and people get the message. I pray for that strength every day. I pray that if God could give me that strength, my little sister could see it and strive for the same things.
The world is not a positive place these days. Just a few months ago, my mother was at WalMart with my little sister. Mallory, who was looking adorable by the way, was most likely talking to my mom about getting some new clothes. Just then, a girl walked by. She gave Mallory the once over, scrunched her face in disgust, and continued to giggle with her friends about whatever was wrong with my sister. My mom looked at Mallory and asked if she knew the girl from school. "No Mom," Mallory replied, "I've never seen her before in my life. That's just how girls are."



Are you kidding me? A random girl Mal's never even seen before just writes her off completely while walking down the aisle in a freakin WalMart? And Mallory was hardly fazed, she even used an excuse.
The saddest part was the fact that this girls mother was with her. And she didn't do anything. She probably wasn't even paying attention.
Agfa%zgbjkNX*^x9xBasidyfdbhe7af4w9. Excuse me, I just became so angry that I didn't know how to put it into real words, so I made some up. I've just discovered that blogs are a lovely place to rant.

In short, find friends who support you for who you are. There's no way on God's green earth that you'll make it through life without them. If it sounds difficult, I'll tell you how to do it. Theres one easy step.

HOW TO FIND AWESOME FRIENDS THAT LOVE YOU FOR YOU!
Step 1: Be yourself. Others will gravitate towards you.


TADA!
This was a fun blog. I think I'll go watch the Oscars now.
Hey Aims, I thought of a title. Its for you. Thanks for everything (:

PS- I love you, Mallory. Show people who you are. They won't be able to help but feel the same way that I do.