I Talk to a Backpack

Lord, how time flies!  Guess what?  It snowed on Halloween...and its 70 degrees outside right now.  Happy Christmas everyone.  Today I wasn't feeling good so I slipped on my stretch pants and flip flops and went to school (thank you God for the beautiful weather).  I hardly studied for my Spanish map quiz but I aced it anyway, lolz :)

Robert was also tired today, but that is nothing new.  During class, I couldn't seem to keep my eyes open.  FYI - I got 5 hours of sleep last night trying to finish my homework.  Anyway, I kept falling asleep while Mrs. Garay was talking and found it hard to concentrate.  I constantly shifted positions and finally just put my head down on the table in exhaustion.  I felt a jolt from the table and turned my head the other way.  A big black backpack was right where Robert's head should have been.  He had apparently collapsed onto the table, disappearing behind his backpack.  I began to speak...

Me: "I seem to be talking to a backpack."

Backpack: "Yes, hello."

Me: "How are you doing today?"

Backpack: "I'm good, very tired actually."

Me: "That makes sense, seeing as how you're not moving.  You must be exhausted."

Backpack: (laughter) "I am."

Mrs. Garay: "Are you guys getting this?"

Backpack: "Yep..."

Me: "Uh huh."

I've never spoken to a backpack before.  It was interesting.  Anyway, I didn't feel like leaving the Edwards Room during lunch, so I stayed in there.  I borrowed money from Analisa and bought myself some doritos.  I hung around Kiera and talked with Liam a little bit.  Then, I went into Mrs. Lynch's class room to ask her a question, but she was in the middle of a conversation with Mrs. Mayo.  10 minutes later, Meghan Perdue said something that answered my question.  Funny how we waste time when we don't think we're wasting it huh?

After lunch I went to SAT Prep.  Then I went to American Literature.  I really like Ally Loftness, my teacher.  She's very relaxed, but knows how to get her students' attention.  After all my classes I saw Matt coming down the hallway!!!!!!  I was soooooooo worried about him when I heard about the car accident.  A couple days ago, a drunk driver hit Mrs. Harman, him, Liam, and Tasia at an intersection.  By God's grace they all survived!!!!!!!!!

Then I went home.  And I posted on my blog.  Which is right now.  Hi.

Welcome to my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's quite thrilling.  (Who got the Esther quote???)  Yet even when my life isn't as exciting as I would like it to be, I know that the Lord is with me.  For me, monotonous daily life can be a trial.  The Joy I seek is found in Christ and Christ alone :D :D :D  
~Anna

I am HIS creation

Today, I had a photoshoot with my wonderful sister, Mary.  I realized that it was November and I still had a g-mail status picture of me at the beach!!!  Oooops.  I didn't have other pictures of myself, so I asked Mary to take some of me.  She agreed and we had the photoshoot in our backyard in a small patch of fading sunlight.  There were leaves from grandfather tree scattered all around so it looked very autumn...ish.  I want to show you some of my favorites from the shoot!!!!!!!!!!

Keep in mind, as you view the pictures, that I am GOD's creation.  I am definitely, absolutely, and most emphatically NOT my own creation.  I can pretend that I am my own creation, but in reality, I am a child of God.  When I think about that, I just get sooooo overwhelmed at God's love and mercy for me.  I'm such a rebel and God treats me as his child!  So yeah.  Enjoy the photoshoot!!!!

 This is my absolute favorite.

My hair is ridiculously thick, but I like how it fans out.

Ok, this one was kind of experimental.  

My hair is A LOT longer than shown in the picture.  

Answer my poll and tell me what you think?  

Good...bad...maybe?

Hehe.  I envied Hannah Carroll's role in Shakespeare Camp last year.

She was The Ghost of Banquo.  Macbeth...macbeth...

God is wise.  He created and fashioned me into the very person He meant me to be.  SO NO COMPLAINING!  Anyway, thanks to Mary for helping me acquire new status pictures!!!!  Watcha ya'll think???  Comments are permitted...no STRONGLY encouraged :)
~Anna

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."    ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Mr. Maka Smashes a Mirror

Last night, at 10:31 Mr. Maka preached to us about judging others.  He did a really good job!  His points were VERY well-stated and easy to write down.  Even while he was speaking, I could feel God pricking my conscience about people whom I judge regularly.  I never realized it was such a habit until that night.  I'm inherently evil and can judge people for almost anything!!!!  Style of clothing...behavior...appearance...popularity...spiritual status.  The list goes on and on and on.  Mr. Maka explained to us that instead of judging, we should extend the same mercy to others that God has bestowed on us.  And the amount of mercy that God has bestowed on me is just insane.

I really want the youth of Covenant Life Church to be bonded together in unity instead of awkwardly separated, starting with myself.  I mean, whenever groups of kids are separated or certain kids avoid other kids because of judging issues, its always so awkward.  Its not just awkward, but it distorts God's character.  Mr. Maka illustrated this point using a mirror.  He held it up and said "We reflect God's character when we show mercy to others instead of judging."  The mirror cast a square shaped beam of light around the room.  Then Mr. Maka picked up a hammer and smashed the mirror so the beams of light looked like little, shattered dots.  He explained that when we judge, and distort God's character...just like breaking a mirror.  Cool.  Please pray for this issue in the youth ministry guys!!!

Besides having a convicted conscience, I played in the big Spoons Tournament in the Edwards room.  I won out of 5 people in my circle, and then moved to the winners circle.  Nikita Jones was in the winners circle, nevermind how he got there.  Things DID get very crazy...but what do ya know, I actually survived to be in the top two!!!!!  It was me and John Hill.  We didn't want to face-off so we consulted Mr. Brewer and he promised to award us both 2 TICKETS TO THE UPCOMING TRIPP LEE CONCERT!!!!!!!! yayayayay.

I <3 <3 <3 the Youth Ministry.
~Anna