Change

Change. Such a small word, but soo much meaning there. Like Hope. Faith. Grief. Grace. Courage. Love. The weight behind these words, and the depth of meaning can fill your heart, whether it be with joy, pain, or optimism. Change holds this meaning for me, partly because I've been through so much of it in the past years. I never thought I would get adjusted throughout the move and all of the simple every day trials that came along with it. My sister Bethany and my favorite buddy Ian moving back in. Dad looking for a job. Finding a job. Molly engaged. Bethany engaged. Life hasn't really slowed down and I can't really see that happening in the near future. Once again, life is about to turn upside down once again. My adorable, hilarious, crazy best friend and sister, Molly, is going to be married in less than two weeks. Yeah. You heard me.

LESS THAN TWO STINKING WEEKS.

Ahh.

It wouldn't be so hard if she weren't moving across the country. San Diego, California, watch out she's on the way!! Her fiance Lynn, is stationed in San Diego and is awaiting her coming with eyes filled with rapture and joy in the coming of his bride-to-be. I couldn't be happier for them.

I realized yesterday that I haven't been apart from her for more than two weeks in my entire life, (I might add that those two weeks were when she went to visit Lynn on his graduation from boot. But I'm not bitter;).

Most exclaim that these two are much too young, being 19 and 20 upon their wedding day. But I say that's crap. Let me explain. Yeah, they're stinking young buuut, the way I see it is, they couldn't really NOT get married right now. Let me explain. They're both so on fire for God, that, that's what their relationship is based on; and they'll be SO much better together, than they are apart. So much better for God. Not to mention HAPPIER. Like wooahh... :) So you see, it really is a good thing. Good. But hard. For pretty much all of us, but Lynn. :P

One of my friends explained change to me like this, "when change happens, a little piece of you has to die, to make room for something new." Now, a piece of me isn't dying, but a piece of my soul IS leaving me and moving across the country.

Molly has been my twin (3 years older) ever since we were little. Our bedtime changed at the same time, we were allowed to watch the same movies (spiderman comes to mind) at the same time, and through the move we got a TON closer.

I know this will be amazing for her and I'm so excited for the both of them! My other sister April flew in last week and since we've been having a constant girl party including Sandra who came up for bridal party pictures. :) :) I reeally wish I could post them.... but not til after the wedding!!! :)

Through this I'm hoping God will teach me that He is all I need and that I shouldn't have to depend on others for my happiness. Though it helps. :) God is so good, and I'm so excited to see what comes of this new chapter in their/our lives. :)

Have a great day, and pray for me!!! They're not kidding when they say weddings are stressful..... :P but I'm STILL not gonna say she's a bridezilla....yet.......;)

In Christ Alone!

Amy <3

A Hero

Okay, so I was planning on posting a part of my paper this week, after having read Tokien's The Hobbit on what being a real hero means, buut.... it's really long. So, I apologize. Feel free to skim.

When asked what they think of when someone mentions a hero, most reply that they picture a tall, bronzed, toned man with wavy blonde hair, that strides into danger with a swagger in his step, demolishing evil with a shake of his gorgeous head. I don’t think so. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Not always expected, not always recognized, but, all around you. A hero is someone that puts the pleasure, comfort, or safety of the people around him above himself. Also, a hero is not a hero if there is no struggle. A hero is someone who faces difficult situations and comes out fighting for what he believes. He does not always conquer, he does not always slay that dragon, but the point is that he faces the dragon, no matter how much he would like to turn and flee. A real man is someone that in spite of the fear in his heart, and the fact that all odds are against him in the battle he knows he must fight, turns and faces the conflict head on. Ambrose Redmoon sums it up nicely, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important.” A hero is not someone who does all of this for the approval or acceptance of others. In fact, he does it regardless of the opinion of the people around him. Even in the majority of classic stories, the lead is forced to be heroic when all around him stand in opposition. Actually, that is in most cases the majority of the hardship. Doing what is right is easy when everyone around you is supporting you, doing what is right when all stand against you is when your true character shines forth. The makings of a hero are not incredible strength, cleverness, or even luck; what makes a hero is his heart. A hero is not someone who wears a red suit and a cape, and flies around being dashing and debonair, he is more a servant then a god, more a slave then a master, and he is strong out of love and compassion, regardless of the opinions of others. It is not to say such men do not fear, for that is simply not human. But courage is acting in spite of your fear. It is saying that what you are fighting for is more important to you, than your fear of what is standing in your way.

I for one, have many heroes in my life, but the main one that comes to mind is my incredible, unselfish Dad. He amazes me every step of the way with how everything he does is for us, his family, and how he sets aside everything he wants to the extent that sometimes I can't tell if he really wants something, or if he's acting that way just for us. I want to thank him.

Who is the hero of your life? Overall, it should be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave everything. He came down from heaven where he was eternally exalted into this miserable wretched world, preached, healed, and eventually DIED to save us. He, the perfect one, DIED so that we could spend eternity with Him. It really kinda bugs me when people say "why do bad things happen to good people?" really, that only happened once, and He volunteered. What love, what self sacrifice. He is our one and only true hero, and an amazing example to follow.

Have a blessed day!:)

Amy

I'm back again

So, I started out not extremely excited about the whole blogging thing. Meh, who blogs anyway right? But, I'm going to try again. No promises but, here we go. This post is gonna be slightly boring. But I promise they'll get more interesting.

As winter fades and spring is nigh, every student holds their breath in anticipation of what is to come.

SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!

It's almost here, we're on the verge, about to tip into the chasm of freedom. Sweet freedom. I can almost taste it.

My lovely sister Molly is about to get married. I'm SO happy for her! Like, I can't even say! Buut... she's also moving to CA. Epic Fail. *mushroom cloud of fail* Sigh. But I'll make it.

Summer for me includes permit test, ACT, wedding, church camp, and hopefully, much more.

So close.

From now on my blogs will include thoughtfulness, hilarious stories, poetry, and whatever else crosses my mind.

Amy

Okay so i've decided that I'm going to blog! I am. Seriously though this time. Really. Why are you laughing. No, wait! I'm serious! Stop... okay. Do we have control now? Okay lets get on with this then.
So aalot has happened. But those of you who actually care enough to be reading this will know the basics. Life is good. No really. Mainly. For the most part.
Church planting is complicated. Just saying. (so i just noticed that most of my sentences so far aren't sentences. lol:P) But yeah there is so much that goes into planning what kind of a vibe you want people to walk away from Mercy Hill with. We have biblestudies on Thursday nights with the family thats helping us... the Nichols rock:) And that is really encouraging... to have a family that wants the same things we want and is willing to work alongside us for it. (and they have a 16 year old daughter who rocks, and a 9 year old daughter who rocks, and then their son is 14)
I could use prayer with weird joint problems... doctors, rheumotologists (thinkin about it) and just weird junk like that.
I need to go to bed now but I WILL be back. Honestly. Don't start laughing again. I'm warning you.
love you guys:)
Amy

hah. woops:)

okay so i forgot again... for a long time. my last post was about fiddler! alot has happened since then... ALOT!
anyways i can't catch you up on all of it so i'll just tell you about this past week...
we got back monday from ponca and then molly went with the hopkins on tuesday to spend a couple days with them. Lynn took his vows on thursday and is now officially in the Navy. he's at basic right now... please be in prayer for him, his family, and our family. (mainly molly) :)
i decided it would be best if i stayed behind on this one so i helped with VBS at bethel this week! it was soo much fun! it was really great to get to know the youth group better by serving with them. including pranks, etc...i had basketball practice thursday night, twisted my ankle and got a black eye. well sort of. its red and swollen. so now both of my knees, my ankle, and my face are hurt as well as having a pretty bad sunburn. hah. i got many teases and jokes from my friends at church. they told me i needed to just get a wheelchair cause i'm falling apart:P
though i miss ponca and all of my beloved friends there i'm beginning to feel at home here. well i wouldn't go that far... i'm beginning to feel like i belong at bethel. nowhere really seems like HOME right now... but i really do love it here:) the people are so sweet and i feel very loved:)
I LOVE MY FRIENDS! old and new:)
AMY:)

hey :)

heey! so i'm incredibly proud of myself that i remembered to post without being reminded. GO ME! lol!
so last weekend was crazy fun! i went to ponca on friday and saw Fiddler on the Roof. it was amazing. thats all i have to say! of course it helped that i knew half the cast :P lol, you guys did so amazingly incredible! i wanted to see it again sooo bad! we spent that night with kaley after going to the cast party :P lol, which was really fun! we talked and told each other horror stories (!) and made up a story where you say a couple sentences (or in molly's case paragraphs) and then you say mum and the next person starts up and ruins everything you had going with the plot. ANYWAYS. then we went to haley's surprise going away party on saturday, which i can talk about now :) lol, i was so proud of myself that i didn't spill the beans. GO AMY! it was toons of fun! we did a scavenger hunt, and water balloon fight, and pizza :) I LOVE YOU GUYS!
and then we went to pawhuska for Lynn's 18th birthday party at the lake which was SUPER fun :) we were there from 2:30-8:00 and i managed to get home without any sunburn. not having used sunscreen. explain that one to me!
we went to church on sunday, and then we left on monday for bethany's. it took 7 hours to get there! it took forever! but it was worth it, we went to her babyshower with her and stuff... she is so cute pregnant! she only has 4 weeks left! we got back last night and watched a movie. today we're just relaxing and enjoying NOT DOING SCHOOL! :) we move into our house on monday, i can't believe its already here i'm sooooooooo excited! WOOHOO!
i dedicate this post to all of my friends that are moving away from me :( :( :(
(thinking of haley and matt)
LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!
AMY:)

sorry about the boring rambling post :) LOVE YOU!

SORRY!

okay... i'm sorry! i completely forgot!!!!
anyways, i'm super excited about everything right now!!! i'm making alot of really good friends at bethel, and of course that is super exciting!!!
this weekend we're coming to see Fiddler on the Roof presented by Ponca Playhouse, in which are going to be some of my very best friends. we'll stay the night with one of those very best friends kaley, and go to pawhuska on saturday for my sisters 'special friend' Lynn's birthday party at the lake! its going to be soo much fun! i'm looking forward to seeing some friends that i don't get to see every day :)
so last weekend, on saturday morning we went out with a bunch of people from Bethel, whom we thank very much :) and handed out 1,000 FLIERS! my word! that is alot of fliers! me and hannah nichols, had a blast talking to people and being crazy :P on saturday night was the JJ STUPOTE concert, which was INCREDIBLE! i know kaley and haley have been to concerts and camp, but they have gotten so much better! you guys will be shocked to hear them, they rock!! that was just an amazing time of fellowship with friends, to meet new people, and to glorify God through worship of His incredible name!!!
On Sunday JJ STUPOTE played at church, which was again, incredible. and on sunday night we had the first...
MERCY HILL CHURCH!!!!
woohoo!!! lol, it was incredible. we cranked up the sound for JJ STUPOTE as they helped us start up! it was so exciting to be finally there, doing what we have been planning for so long!!! there were about 50 people there, none of which weren't there to help. In other words nobody we didn't already know, didn't come. but it was okay, i mean it was the the first service!!! we're going to have it once a month during the summer and then this winter we'll have it every sunday night!!!
i apologize if i have bored you with the little details of my humble existence...
love you guys tons!!!
AMY:)

~IF DARK CHOCOLATE COULD SING, IT WOULD SOUND LIKE
JOSH GROBAN!!!!~