Wedding of the Year...

This past Saturday was my friend Noelle's wedding. I have known her for so long, and to see her get married was so amazing. When I was at winter camp in January I got a call from my dad saying that Noelle was being courted. I started freaking out because Michael Bower, the young man courting her, was someone I have know for almost all my life. Not only have I know both of them for like ever, but they have know each other forever too. It was so sweet to see the two of them come together as a couple after seeing them as friends for so long. Anyway, the wedding was so sweet, and I am so excited to see what God has planned for their future!!

Lighting the "Communion Candle"
Awww, the first kiss. Me, Julia, Fumie (she flew out from Japan for the wedding), and JACK!!!

Some of the wedding crashers...I mean attenders (sorry this picture is so small, i copied off my friend's facebook album).

Operation Christmas Child...

Last Friday, our homeschool group went to volunteer at "Operation Christmas Child". OCC is a Christian organization that sends shoe boxes to needy children around the world, so that they too can have a Christmas. Our job was to sort through the boxes and take out all "inappropriate" items. Inappropriate items were things that can melt, explode under pressure, or expire, things that would promote war (like camo, little soldiers, etc...), things that were would not help spread the Gospel (skull and cross bones, scary dragons, little demon creatures...you get the picture. These things were classified as "evil"), and things that could break.

It was so fun to serve in that way, and know that these boxes are going to children around the world. The boxes we sorted that day went to the Philippines!!

Enough said.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (look at all those boxes, and that's just a fraction)

This is where all the ripped boxes go to be repaired.

Hi Brown's!...and other guy in the gray. Smile!! Nice smile Matt, but the camera's over here.

Jossie, Katie, and Fumie, doing our part to further God's Kingdom!!

I Got Tagged!!!

I love Christmastime!!!! It's the best time of the year!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He's too busy to wrap them, his elves do it.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? It differs. This year it's both.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Once
5. When do you put your decorations up? Sometime during the first week in December
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Pumpkin waffles.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Watching Ryan propose to Janina on Christmas Eve
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was always told he wasn't real...and I always tried to "convert" my friends (I was like 8 at the time).
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes!!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lot's of lights, and mis-matched ornaments.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I like to look at it, but don't like being out in it.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but not too good.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I got an old fashioned baby buggy one year. I was the envy of all the girls on my street.
14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Buying presents for family and friends, and being together as a family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Peanut butter balls, they are SO yummy!!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting together on Christmas Eve.
17. What tops your tree? A really old angle that has so much sentimental value, that we (my mom) can't bear to see it go.
18.Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving all the way!!!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? The remix of Bing Crosby's "Happy Holidays".
20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum? Yum, in moderation.
21. What do you want for Christmas? My family to enjoy our "together-ness".
22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? Not an "annual"one, but I am going to one tomorrow!!! YAY!!
23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? Always PJs when we open presents, then regular clothing after breakfast.
24. Do you own a Santa hat? No. I probably woundn't wear one anyway.
25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Mi Famila!!!

Band Practice Take Two...

Okay, so I never got a call about singing, so that means that I didn't get to sing on Wednesday, but that was totally fine. I would rather be totally prepared, than have it be a rush, rush, "We might need you" kind of thing. Anyway, one of the staff guys came up to me and asked me how Monday night went (that was the night we practiced). I said that I thought it went pretty well. He said that he heard good reviews, so that was encouraging.

Thanks to all that prayed, and even though it didn't work out this time, it was God's will, and there will be many more Wednesday nights. Monday night is practice again, and I am really excited to see how that goes!!

Band Practice...

Oh, I am so excited to share with all of you some, well, exciting news. Our youth group is starting up an "All Youth Band", and I applied. Well, tonight was our first audition/practice,...and I might be singing on Wednesday night!!! I am so excited. Only one other girl applied for vocals...well, only one other girl applied period, and she didn't show tonight. So, since I was the only girl at practice, I was the only female voice, and I the guys said they'll probably need me. AHHHH, excitement fills my soul!!! I got the song list tonight, so we'll be doing "Came To My Rescue", "Mighty To Save", "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" and "My Future Decided" on Wednesday. I was a little nervous which then made my voice kind of crack, but water cures everything, so I sounded better afterward. Anyway, if you could please pray for a calm heart, and a yes from the guys, I would be so thankful. I should get a call tomorrow, so I'll fill you in then.