PLNU

Point Loma's rad. But we're lazy here. Lazy with our homework, lazy with our faith. Is it because we assume that being surrounded by Christian's makes everything easy? That a great relationship with God comes naturally when you're in a Christian environment? Christians are superior, so homework and life should be a breeze, right?

Wrong.

Luckily, I'm not the only one who realizes this. In fact a lot of students know this problem but it's dealing with it that's the struggle. How do I prayerfully act out my life with thought and care?

Praise God for my heart of deep thought and curiosity, but my prayer is that I find out a way to rekindle the fire for my relationship with Him and live in real fellowship with everyone.

a few of my faves

I just wanted to list a few of my favorite verses just because :).

""For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."" - Jeremiah 29:11

"Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31:30

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Corinthians 13:4-13



That is all! Love you and good night.
Noelle

Not All Rules Should Be Followed.

    So incase you didn't know, I'm sort of kind of like really involved in this organization called Invisible Children. I'll blog about the organization and cause later, cause I can go on for hours about that. But for today I'm going to share with you how STUPID my school is.
    I am the president at our school club this year, and over one hundred kids come to the meetings every week. I have set up a list of fundraisers I want to accomplish by the end of our "Schools for Schools" competition (our school raising money for Anaka Secondary School in Northern Uganda). Here it is: Volleyball Tournament, Benefit Concert, Silent Auction, Displace Me, Trick or Treating for Donations, and Penny Wars. Want to know which of those are allowed on district grounds? Penny Wars. You're probably thinking, um.. what the heck? I agree. I've been to many meetings with our administration and here's what they've told me. State law says that we aren't allowed to fundraise on school grounds unless the money goes to our school, or the person donating gets nothing in return. So we can't do things like sell Invisible Children bracelets, root beer floats at lunch, or a car wash. What we CAN do is coin jars and "a-thons" (car wash-a-thons or walk-a-thons where people give pledges). We held an event called Displace Me two years ago in the school gym. Teachers and parents attended, along with 50+ kids, spending the night in our gym. It was to raise awareness of what was going on in Northern Uganda, and let us experience it as best we could for one night. Last year and this year we aren't allowed to do this at school. My middle sister Alysha was president of this club only two years ago and NEVER ran into any of these problems... but the state law hasn't changed since then. AKA Ms. pencil up her nose Alexander comes to our school as the Assistant Principal.
    So what would I love to change? What would I love out of our club? I would love if I could utilize our campus as a place to fundraise for this organization and cause that I absolutely believe in. I do a ton of community service on my free time, whether it be at church, Invisible Children or American Cancer Society. But a lot of my peers don't have the opportunities I have. The fact that over one hundred kids have been showing up to my meetings is incredible and shows how badly kids want to get involved. I live in a secluded, wealthy community and we sometimes lose touch with reality. But I still believe that there is good in every one of our hearts, and that if given the opportunity to serve our world these kids would put both feet forward. They don't want to carry change jars around all year, they want to be creative. If we could spend the night on the football field (rain or shine) and walk around the city all night and day, we would. If we could organize a huge car wash in the Eastlake school parking lot, we would. If we could hold a talent show at Eastlake's theater with an admission fee, we would. There are endless opportunities of things our club could do, but our older generation is holding us back. We don't want to have to collect money for our fundraisers off campus behind Safeway; why should we be secretly collecting money for the children of Uganda?

    So my mom, my sister, my club and I have decided to take a stand. We are going to protest these laws, and call the media. We are getting on the news, and we are raising awareness to this problem.

Don't encourage us to do good and serve the world, if you're just going to put harsh limits on what we can do. Not all rules should be followed.

Fellowship

So, here it goes... my first blog. Number one blogging fan in the world? My mom. I used to be the number one blog hater in the world. Always have to give things a shot.


I'm going to start rambling in short sentences and see if something sparks my interest. Let's start with a wrap up of my last year. Joined church last summer, gave my life to God in December. Spent my summer consumed with ministry, loved every second of it. Graduated Junior year. Made it through with no injuries, failed classes, or giving into peer pressure. I stood my own, that's as much as I can say about that year. Two summer camps, one trip to New York, one trip to Manhattan Beach, and many late nights full of fellowship. Made a group friendship that will never be forgotten. Seriously don't know how I got so lucky. Hey, let's talk about that.


When people say B.F.F. (Best Friends Forever), I always doubt in my head that those two girls who make memories playing beer pong or making out with the same guy will really, honestly be best friends forever. My group? No doubt in my head that we will be. It's made up of three girls, all three radically different. I'm the tom-boy, spontaneous, deep chick. I say random things just to see how many people will laugh. Usually just the girls do.. I'm earning my place in the guy's hearts. Abby's the artsy, free-spirited girl. I don't think I've ever met someone so excited for life. Amanda's the girly girl, hard working, loving one. I swear, I hate her just because she's so dang good at life. She doesn't give herself near enough credit. Then we have the two asians: John and Harrison. John may actually be the funniest person I've ever met. His life goal? To be funny for a living. Why are asians so funny..? Harrison: I don't think I could name an instrument he doesn't know how to play. He's like some freaky musical genious. Oh, and I don't think I've ever heard him talk bad about someone. Then there's Belleba. Belleba and I go way back.. after all he does live five houses down from me. He's the afro kid, the bass kid, the person you just like to be around. Sidenote: he always has headphones around his neck. The deepest kid in the group: Andrew. If you want a deep conversation, talk to this kid. He is so passionate and intense its freaky. Something I admire big time. Brice Mckee. What a character. He's as sarcastic as can be, but somehow consumes every action around everyone else. People pleaser? That's Brice. People say we're going to get married.. his beard may be a little too much for me to handle. Lastly, is Dillon. Most honest kid I know. He had a rough past year. He, unlike the rest of us, fell into the high school life. He smoked and drank his Junior year goodbye. Summer camp woke him up, and he leans on us for accountability and fellowship. He's a sober kid and I'm so proud of him for it. We put on a student-led worship night two Sundays ago and he spoke on fellowship. He brought tears to every single person's eyes. He has the strongest story out of any of us, and that will be a useful tool in his walk of faith. There's a couple other guys and girls, but for the most part this is us. The seniors at Timberlake Church.


As we sat around the bonfire a couple weeks ago, sang songs, shared stories, laughed at John walking into the glass door, and popcorn prayed I looked up and said thank you. I wouldn't have made it through this summer without these freaks. They give me hope for true friendship. Every single person inspires me in a different way. They bring light to new ideas in my head like the beauty of nature, the simplicity of life, and the power of friendship. People are beautiful, we all have such different stories and personalities. Every person you pass on the street? They have a life just like you, they may not be having a good day just like you, there dog may have died last week just like you, they may be your soulmate. But let's save that for a rainy day :).


For now, it was nice talking to ya. Whoever you are. Maybe this blogging thing isn't so bad after all.


Ttys,
Noelle