You wouldn't believe...

I'm not in the happiest mood of my life. I'm recalling (and can't get out of my head) some sad things that have happened to me, and I felt the need to share one of them. I promise, this story is the truth! I couldn't make this up.
When I was at basketball camp I somehow ended up being late a few times in a row (my alarm clock was messed up, I was in the bathroom, I was waiting for someone who had already left). I was feeling really sick one day and went to the bathroom to lie down (the bathroom had a couch in it, along with a bunch of 2x4's and dog crates. who knows why.) I curled up and tried not to barf, and somehow fell asleep. I woke up and it was dead silent, and I immediately knew I was going to be in trouble. I got up and ran to by dorm room (three blocks and a flight of stairs away) to see if anyone was there. no one was. my alarm clock was unplugged and I didn't have a watch, so I wandered around campus trying to find my team for about 20 minutes before they found me. Sure enough, Coach Laws was furious. She wouldn't even let me apologize. She told me that if I was late one more time I would be sent home from camp (forgetting that this was impossible, since I had ridden up with a coach, and couldn't go home because she still had to work). On top of that, I had missed supper, been to sick to eat at lunch, and slept through breakfast. I also had an injured wrist at this time.
Now that I've had my little pity party, I feel much better! I can tell you (looking back) that it's kinda funny. but not really.
I hope it made you laugh a little anyways!
(P.S. pray for me to depend on God, and be on time for things more often!)
(P.P.S. not that I will depend on God to be on time. you know what I mean. :p )

Things God made 'cause He loves me.

I like to think that there are things that when God made them, He said to Himself "This is going to make MaryLynn very happy someday." Take donuts for instance. Sugary goodness, in a perfect circle, they can be combined with chocolate, sprinkles, cream filling, and icing. What could be better? I'll tell you what. Dr. Pepper. Giant snowflakes. Music. Popsicles. Ice Cream. Best Friends. Sharpies. Sparkly things of all sorts... Whenever I take joy in one of these things, I say to myself, "Self, God made this for you because he loves you." I said this out loud one day, and one of my friends said, "Wait, I thought that was donuts?" and I replied, "God loves me a LOT." Thinking about that snippet of conversation has given me great joy. I don't think I intended to voice an epiphany, but I totally did. He loves me! He gave me my wonderful friends (see the note before this one), and many many things to enjoy. He blesses me without ceasing, and I don't deserve any of it. Not only do I not deserve rewards, I deserve punishment! The worst you can imagine isn't bad enough for me. And yet, I'm saved. 'Cause he loves me.

Busy and Blessed

I had a very busy summer. I also had the greatest summer of my life. :)

Coming off of a series of wonderful camps and other experiences, all I can say is WOW! I thank God for the great time I had, the friends (and siblings) I gained, and the memories I have.

I'm also looking forward to a busy year. I'm slightly intimidated by my schedule, but I know that it is going to be a great year. I have lots of hard work ahead of me, and hopefully a lot of crazy fun as well. What with church, acting, improv, basketball, English (shudder), history (wince), geometry (faint), and much more, I will be having a busy and stressful year. I just hope and pray that I will be strong, happy, and give 100% as often as possible.

I thank God for my wonderful friends. I would list them here, but it would take far to long, and my fingers hurt from typing and sewing! I shall simply say this. To my siblings (all of you!), thank you for being wonderful, and for encouraging me. To my friends I only 'see' online, keep being awesome! To my cousins, in all countries and states, you rock, come visit me! To my parents, I am infinitely blessed by you. Thanks! To my classmates, my team, my youth group, and everyone else - You are a blessing. I praise God for giving me you every day. To Mike, Will, Jason, Rachel, Kelsey, Antonia... You are the coolest people in the universe. Thanks.

The Purpose of Existence (step right up folks, here it is!)

People are complicated things. We love, we hate. We are stubbornly passionate in our feelings, and yet, sometimes easily swayed. There are many things about life that are wonderful. Growing up has many experiences, good and bad, that mark us for life. Although all people are different, I believe we have many common factors. Love and hate, I have already mentioned. These are the strongest. but there are many other things that bind us together. Pride is one of these things. You may think that there are many people with no pride, but even those of us who are not popular, or accomplished, pride in little things, or long for something to be proud of. "I'm proud of you" is one of the most longed for things to hear a parent, or anyone, say, along with, "Here are the keys to your new car!". But more importantly, we as Christians long to make God proud of us, to hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant" is, or should be, the goal of our life. I won't tone it down for you at all. Obedience to God is your reason for existence. Not a sport. Not a girlfriend. Not your grades, your car, your friends, or anything else you may take pride and joy in. Nothing else matters. I'm not being critical of you, anymore than I am being critical of myself. I see in my everyday life something that saddens me, almost more than I would have thought possible - a lack of Reverence. Reverence may seem like a big word that applies to preachers, (and it is) but it is also a word that should (and someday will) apply to every person in the world. I can say it will with complete confidence. How, you ask? Because He has decreed it. "Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess". But, as He also says, it is much better for those who gladly praise him now. I desire, hope, and pray, that this applies to all the people I love. I fear that it does not. I know all this sounds stuffy, and preachy, and it sounds that way even to me as I type it, but I also know it is true. God is in charge. He deserves not only our praise on Sunday mornings, but our obedience every millisecond of our existences. He won't get it until we are in heaven, but he should! Do you know that it is impossible for us to be perfect on our own? But not only does God deserve our complete obedience, He offers us the strength to obey, if only we would take it. For now, the best that I can do is take His strength, and follow Him. I stumble, yes. It seems like, instead of a little stumble in my straight path, I have a little straight path in my stumble. But I know that He can save me from whatever I do. I can't possibly mess up my life worse than He can fix it! All that is left for me, for you, and for every single person in the world, is to Follow Him. Obey Him. Love Him. That is all it takes.

kyoot kittehs!

Aren't they the cutest? yay for lolcats! www.icanhascheezburger.com - do it now!

BUSY!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but I have been very busy. you can read my post about my schedule if you don't believe me! 5 camps, a trip to the beach and too my cousins, Scott and Hannah living here and my cousins visiting us... we've been crazy lately. I have had a lot of fun though - Especially in Oklahoma, for Youth Camp - that was such a blessing. I grew a lot in my faith, and attained some new siblings too! :D I also enjoyed Threshold a lot - building Rube Goldberg machines, solving a real life mystery, creating a floating island, and wearing a crazy cape every day... good times. Although I have missed my down time, I've thoroughly enjoyed being busy - never having a day that was wasted. This stupid acne medicine I'm taking, however, has not been enjoyable. Aside from giving me some weird skin infirmity, it's made me sore, cranky, dizzy, tired, and aching. And sick. It doesn't make me feel any better that people tell me it's working - I'd rather have lots of acne and the use of my hands, and the energy to do things. I have played a lot of fun games lately, and had a lot of great experiences - but it's all been dampened by feeling sick, or not using my hands, or aching, or dizzy spells. Pray for that to get better. But still, Praise God for the fun times I have had.

That's all for now!