This was my day

 

            
                                   See that face? That's how I've been feeling all day.

   I have no make-up on. My hair was quickly done with curling gel, with my bangs pulled back with a headband. I'm tired. Homework has made me that way. I have an essay due on Wednesday. I miss my bestie who is currently on a mission trip. I want to see Les Mis again if I can find someone to go see it with me. Maybe. Or maybe I'll go see the Hobbit. Again. I really can't think straight today so I'm just going to continue rambling until I feel like stopping. I blame it on my tiredness and odd mood. I was in the same mood yesterday. You know you are when you walk out of church with determination in your step, singing, "Do you hear the people sing, singing the songs of angry men...".
Or maybe that just makes me a Les Mis nerd? :) What has your week been like? Anything like mine?
Days like this just make things more interesting, right?

                  In Christ,
                          Josie

To Look Like Love

Somewhere there's a man who once had everything.
 But one day, his wife left and took their children
with her. He has no job, no money. He's homeless.

There's a girl who's boyfriend left her with child and now she has no one but the life inside of her. She's tired and emotionally drained.She's scared and she trusts no one.

There's a boy who is left without a mother and father.
He can't see any kind of future and he doesn't
know what's to become of him. He's alone and unsure.

There are teenagers who are judged because they look different. They dress different, they act different. No one really understands them.

They are children, teenagers, and adults who have different needs than us. Some of them are called down syndrome, others known by austistic. Some deaf, some blind.

And there and children overseas who just need to be loved and looked after all.

As God's children, it's up to us to look like love. It's up to us to show His love to others. If we
believe in the Savior, then we need to be evidence of that.

To simply, love.

You know you're best friends when...

      You know you're best friends when...

      1.  You sing Les Mis at the top of your lungs while driving in the car

      2.  You give each other one knowing look and then burst out laughing

      3.  When you're at her house the first thing you do is throw off your shoes, run up to her room, throw your things on her bed and walk out

      4.  You give each other a hug despite the fact you saw each other a few days ago

      5.  You know each other's handwriting

      6.  You pray for each other


  I could go on, but I think you understand. I love my friends so much and I am so blessed that
 God has placed them in my life.

        Let's not take friends for granted.

               On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand,
                                               Josie

       

Christmas is Here

    Christmas was just a few days away and I was ready for it. Christmas music was streaming through
the speakers in my home, the tree decorated. My church would be caroling the next day. My   grandparents would be coming for Christmas day. I still hadn't gotten any shopping done. What other people in my family had bought as gifts were left unwrapped. My mom didn't have much time.

That afternoon she, my brother, and I were just sitting on the couch, talking, laughing here and there.
  Admiring our tree. Then, suddenly, my mom looked at my brother and I very seriously and said
"I just want you guys to know that I only spent about half of what I did last year."

            My heart dropped with dissappointment for a moment. Half? That's really nothing.

                                           Then I felt a nudging in my heart.

                "Wait a minute? Why I am acting like this?" I thought. "Haven't I been reminding people
to remember the real reason for the season? That Christmas is about Christ? That it's about His birth
and ultimitely, His death. His precious gift of salvation. The gifts shouldn't matter!"

Now, don't get me wrong. I love receiving gifts. I love the anticipation and excitment of ripping the paper off the item and seeing what that person bought me. And I can tend to be selfish at times.
Though, I know I need to be grateful, because there are thousands of boys and girls my age
who receive far less. Some nothing at all.  And Christ never wanted us the commercialize
the day of His birth.

                                His birth is truly the best gift anyone could receive.
                                                      I'm learning.

                  Christmas is here, my friends. Let's remember why we are celebrating.

                                                    Merry CHRISTmas!

                                         

When a Friend Comes to Visit

Last month, a very dear came to visit me for three days. You might remember me mentioning this.
Well, let me tell you, it was a very fun filled time! It's always great visiting with friends that you otherwise never get to see. My family and I picked her up on a Thursday. (let me tell you, the two and half hour ride there was unbearable). Then, not half an hour after arriving back at my house,
we took a trip to the mall. Which happens to be conveniently five minutes away. :) 

                                 So, we ended up having almost too much fun.
             We went to Claire's, Maurices, Carson's (and went up and down the elevator
            more than once) and we even had our pictures taken in a photo booth. We also
            went to the Christian bookstore. However, we weren't able to spend any money.

                                       Jessie: But I can't buy anything!

                                      Me: Do you just want to leave?

                                      Jessie: Yeah, let's go. 
 
                                     Me: Oh Jessie, look at that! Oh, it's the Hobbit!

                                     Jessie: Stop!
                
                Ok, so those may not be the exact words, but that's about how it went.
                                              And I know, I'm so nice. :)
                                           
                     Then, at Carson's, we had so fun trying some furniture and such.

Jess and I really liked this chair. Or couch thing rather.
Whatever the official name for it is.

 

                            Then, we made our way to some other parts of the store.                     
                                                

 

At Claire's. Aren't we cute?

 

The next couple of days was a blast. We shared so many laughs. We also

watched several movies. In other words, we had an Avengers marathon because I had never

seen the movies before. We also watched a really sweet movie that took place in Ireland. The two

of us talked in Irish accents off and on during the remainder of the visit. :) We listened to

some Irish music. We watched funny youtube videos. Talked. Ate junk food.

 

On Friday I had a choir performance, and sweet Jess came along. Afterwards,

my friends Katie and Tiffany came over. That was a lot of fun for both Jess and I.

 

Then, on Saturday, (the last day) we took a trip to Amish country. It was just for a short

time, but it was so nice! And once again, we probably had a little too much fun.

 

Isn't she gorgeous?!

 

 

 

                                                                 

                                                              

                                                             

                        That weekend went by much too fast. The hours and days truly slipped by.
                     But I am so thankful to God for it. And I'm thankful to God for such a friend!

                         Jessie, I can't begin to describe how much fun I had with you.
      It's crazy that we've only been friends for a couple of years, and yet we're like sisters.
    Thank-you for making me laugh, and encouraging me. Thank-you for being one amazing friend.  You're beautiful inside and out, dearie. I love you! Let's get together again sooner than later,
       ok?
 

A Few Faces That I Love

  Friends are wonderful, aren't they? This pictures were taken a while back, while celebrating for a  friend's birthday, but I wanted to share them. I am just thankful for these girls.


Me and sweet Tiffany. Tiffany, I love your smile and how you
shine for Jesus. I love how, like in the next picture, you can look
cute in glasses. I love your laugh. I how we laugh at each other's laughs.
You have been such an encouragement to me and I can't wait to
see what God has in store for you next, dearie.

Tiffany with sweet little Grace. Gracie Dear, you're getting
so big. I love being able to see you grow up. You make
me laugh!

Me with one of the sweetest young ladies. Ellen,
I love how you're like my little sister. I love how we make
each other laugh. It's been an honor watching you grow.

Three seriously wonderful girls. Sweet sisters who are alike, yet
so different. Ellen, Katie and Grace, really? You all are
wonderful. I love you girlies so.

Katie and Tiffany, I am so grateful that God placed you
into my life. Both of you have encouraged me so much and
have made me laugh until I cried. Especially when the two of you are
together.

Me and my sweet friend Katie. Katie, you light up my life, dearie.
I can't believe we've been friends for six years. Well actually,
I sort of can. It's been an adventure. I love your laugh and your smile.
I love how we can quote movies and books together. I love your heart
for God. So glad He placed you into my life.

Tiffany and Katie, do you know how much I love our
friendship? I love laughing together and sharing things
from our hearts. I just love talking.Sometimes about
guys and the future, sometimes about politics, and
other times about our awesome Jesus. You girls have
been a huge blessing in my life and I thank God for you. I love you two!

                                                               
                                                         

                        

Dearest Fall

 Dearest Fall,
welcome back, lovely season. You were greatly missed in my life. Have I told you that?
It's true. So very true. Why you ask? Well, there's just something about you that's wonderfully
different from the other three seasons. Should I explain?

You bring brilliant colors left and right, hues of gold and magnificent reds. Your temperatures allow
me to wear cozy sweaters, warm scarves and oppurtunities for night hayrides and bonfires. You bring a time of harvest, family gatherings, delicious food, and fun football games. :) I love walking outside during one of your crisp but sunny days and just soaking in everything about you. Because, sadly, you won't be around forever.

Simply put, however, you're beautiful. Surely you know that!

If you didn't, well, now you do. Because Spring can't compare, Summer is, well, it's too hot, and Winter (although it's splendid)  can get a little too cold.

This is why I love you.

And I'm extremely grateful that you're going to be around for another couple of months.

Once again,
welcome back.

             Love,
                       me

                                  Fall is wonderful, isn't it?
                                        Enjoy your week,
                                                             Josie