PINATAS!?

Well, yesterday was the Kingdom Causes BBQ which me, Justine, Kelsey, and Katie did for our dollar project in missions. Only Justine and I could make it, which was okay since the others don't really know anyone. Just let me say.. Wow.

It was so cool to see all my homeless friends, and the others, come together and just eat, relax, and play games. We began with the food. Justine and I helped cook... Or... I mostly just stood around and laughed, with an occasional peeling of the cheese for the burgers. After the food, we had a water balloon toss which turned into more of a... peg each other with as many water balloons as possible fight. I got wet... Justine didn't cuz she was freaking out about her hair... Haha loser. After we messed around with the pinata... which was interesting, but very fun. Unfortunately I didn't get to hit it cuz I was on the phone with Mr. Westrup, but it was exciting and hillarious to watch the others. I must say, the nerds gum balls were delicious.


But, on a more serious note... I'd like to talk about Jason. I remember the night Justine and I first met him... He had just gotten in a fight, and was absolutely drunk. He kept talking about suicide and how badly he wanted to kill the guy he'd gotten in a fight with. I remember when Ryan and them had to call the suicide hotline cuz he was about to kill himself. I never used to see him smile.. but... WOW, has he changed.
I can honestly say the highlight of the bbq was hanging out with him. He was cooking the burgers and hot dogs while Justine and I were helping him. He has turned into such a joyful person. Whenever one of us did something stupid, he'd laugh and make fun of us... I think he smiled almost the whole time, and he really looked like he was thorougly content. He's at Bell Shelter now, in the program, and it's amazing to see what it's done for him. I guess what I'm trying to get at... He's living proof that what we're doing... what Kingdom Causes is doing... what all missionaries and other people trying to change the world for Christ are doing... actually is making a difference. He is living proof that people can change.



I also worked at the 20 year high school reunion to raise money for South Africa. It's weird to think that's going to be us one day. While I was there, I got to meet the pastor we'll be working with in South Africa this summer... He seemed pretty awesome. Meeting him kinda made it seem more... real.


8 more days.
Insane.

Manana

I'm excited to find out why we need to wear close toed shoes for LCB.


And I need to remember to do my bio for the senior play. Uh oh.

Goals and Realizations

WELL, tonight was quite interesting. It was the NHS award ceremony.... It's so weird being a senior and finding out who's getting all the scholarships and stuff! And KRISTEN'S VALEDICTORIAN! (Yes, I did just realize this. And no, I'm not stupid, or out of it.. I guess I just wasn't there the day we realized it?). Well, I got the B of A Religious Studies Award, and one of the SAS scholarships... Which I was really excited about cuz I need more money for college. Three of the Calvin students won SAS scholarships... REPRESENT!!!!

Tomorrow, Cristina and I (and anyone else is welcome to join) will begin fasting. I say this not to brag or boast, but to ask for prayer cuz everyone knows going even 20 minutes without food for me is like death. Some people have asked what the goal is with this... and for me personally, it's mainly to get more spiritually prepared for college.

Also, I've been meeting some really cool people from Calvin on facebook. It's pretty exciting. Hooray.

And one last thing... One of my goals is to get in shape before college. With this, I am actually going to try to follow my diet (no sodas unless I'm at a party and no eating after 8) more closely... and increasing my diet (no chips and sugarness in the same meal, supliment one with fruit or salad)... Something like that.


School's almost over. Weird.

Take care everyone!

:(

Today was a really horrible day. Pray for me and some of my friends? I'd really appreciate it.


Well, on a lighter note... Graduation is a month and two days away! And it's even less than a month until we're done with school since I'm (most likely) not going to have to take any finals.

Hooray.

If you have a problem with me...

Seriously, if you have a problem with me or there's something about me that's bugging you.. Talk to me about it instead of talking crap behind my back. All that does is cause unnecessary
"drama" and back stabbing/gossiping which I really want to have no part in. Seriously. Either bring it up with me or don't mention it at all.

Thanks.


On a lighter note, Kelsey and I raised $70 for our missions project today!

Jeh Ess Beh. Et DISPLACE MEEEE.

Well, JSB and Displace Me were last weekend. Good times I must say. Everyone looked splendid at JSB... The food was good, the program ran a little late so there was less dancing time but it was fun. Interesting mix of music this year. It's weird to think it's our last dance of high school, but still cool.

Displace Me was also very amazing. We had a lot of speakers... Dan Helder's mom, Clinton's advisor on international affairs, an actress from the West Wing. And Laura Bush made us a video. The IC guys also had dinner with the president a couple days before the event. It was really awesome to see so many people come together to make a difference. There were about 7000 to 8000 people in the LA displacement camp and about 60,000 or more total. I think what really hit me was in one of the videos the people in Uganda made for us when a man said "I will tell everyone in our camp that the people of America are good and really do love us." That in and of itself made what we were doing worth it. The simulation was far from accurate, but it gave us just a glimpse of what they go through, and with that, their hope grew.