I was on my way to the choir concert listening to Avalon- (they are awesome). During a song called Adonai I asked God for what seems like the billioneth time why certain things don't go they way I had hoped and finally, I have had a catharsis: Sometimes we don't get the things that we want because it will stand in the way between our relationship with God. I am happy that some things haven't worked out for me that used to sound appealing. There is NO way I would be this passionate about God if it had worked out.

That is all.

Song of the day: Can't Live A Day by Avalon

I could live life alone
And never fill the longings of my heart
The healing warmth of someone's arms
And I could live without dreams
And never know the thrill of what could be
With every star so far and out of reach
I could live without many things
And I could carry on, but...

CHORUS
I couldn't face my life tomorrow
Without Your hope in my heart I know
I can't live a day without You
Lord, there's no night and there's no morning
Without Your loving arms to hold me
You're the heartbeat of all I do
I can't live a day without You

I could travel the world
See all the wonders beautiful and new
They'd only make me think of You
And I could have all life offers
Riches that were far beyond compare
To grant my every wish without a care
Oh, I could do anything, oh yes
But if You weren't in it all...

CHORUS

Oh, Jesus, I live because You live
You're like the air I breathe
Oh, Jesus, I have because You give
You're everything to me

This is definatly the song of my heart right now.

P.S. I want to go to the Honor Academy more than ever right now. But if I don't get accepted or it doesn't work out, I'll take it that it's not God's will for me.

EDIT: EW! HONOR ACADEMY!

CL Pics 12-10-08

Matthew 22:37 (New International Version)
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

^{I don't understand how people can get through the day without God. I don't understand how they cand live with that empty, disatisfied, uneasy feeling, EVERY DAY. I dont get how people can reject God  and continued living with the empty disatisfied feeling every day. That is what I want to do with my life. I want to help people get rid of that feeling. I want to help people feel the same overwhelming peace about my life that I have. I want people to have JESUS!
There has been a dramatic change in my life and how I look at things. Everything is spiritual. There is a reason for everything and everyone. I want to be a light and a friend to the lost. I want people to see Jesus in me and live what I believe in every single way.
Something is happening. Something bigger than me, something bigger than you. I feel it in my heart and I am exspecting more.
I'm going to be writing in this more.}
Job 22:26
26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty
       and will lift up your face to God.
 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
       for you alone, O LORD,
       make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

I love you all. Good night.

P.S. The Cactus is dead. Way dead.

Holidaysss

It's the night before Thanksgiving and I have a million thoughts and memories going through my head. And I figure if I don't write them down I won't ever be able to share my philosophical side with you guys. Here's a question for you:

What do the holidays mean to you?

For children it most likely means presents. Lots and lots of presents. Toys that they've wanted for months.

For adults it's stress. They have to bake a ton of food, be responsible for making their children happy for the right gift, decorating their house perfectly with every single Christmas bow and piece of tinsel in the right spot, to wear the right clothes to parties, and the list will go on.

As a seventeen year old girl who no longer is thrilled by toys or presents and doesn't feel the stress that some adults feel I wanted to figure out where I stand with the holidays... So I've been thinking for awhile about all this and it's gonna all spurt out.

1.) I do not understand and cannot stand the way people commercialize Christmas. It's all about Santa. It's all about Christmas lights and exspensive gifts. I don't like the idea of selling Christmas. Now, I'm sure this has been happening for...Forever but I just recently figured out that I despise it.

2.) To me, Christmas isn't all about actual Christmas day. This year I won't be in Chicago for Christmas. There won't be snow. I'll be with my Mom and my sister in Jacksonville, Florida. At first I was really upset about this. But you know what is the difference between Christmas and the rest of the actual Christmas season. PRESENTS. And as I said, I do not give a flying monkey about presents. Christmas is a feeling of peace, and being with your family and friends that you love. It's fellowship.

3.) CHRISTmas shouldn't be all about the dumb presents or cookies. Material objects don't bring real joy and baked goods make you fat. It's about CHRIST. It's about the story of Jesus. I think sometimes we forget about this because we're so wrapped up in the materialisticness, the wordly thoughts on Christmas. We would not have Christmas if it wasn't for the fact that God loved us, the sinners, SO much that he sent his son down, knowning he would have to die for OUR sins. Yes, you've heard that story since...forever. But think about it. It's truely amazing.

This Christimas is going to be special. Because I have opened my eyes and see it in a whole new light. It's amazing what this sinful world can do to a girl's head.

Hoping that this all made some kind of sense,

Noelle

Have a good Thanksgiving & a lovely Christmas.

Wisconsin 2007 Pics

Go Mad/Turkey Run