The Ultimate Follower Of Christ: Part 1

Today, I begin my personal bible study about being the ultimate follower of Christ. I am not using curriculum. The Bible is my guide (of course I use Google in some aspects but I interpret everything on my own.)


What is Atonement?:
the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ.

-God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His for forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-
~Romans 3:25


-He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
~1 John 2:2



What is a Evangelist? and What is Evangelism?:
Evangelist: a person who seeks to convert other to the Christian faith, especially by public preaching.

Evangelism: the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.


-Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
~Matthew 28 19-20


-He said to them "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
~Mark 16:15



Now that I've explained atonement and evangelism and provided biblical references to go along with it here are two things that they tie into.

1) The Gospel: The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2) Sanctification: The process of becoming more like Christ.


The gospel is truly simple, you just have to understand it and accept it. Many people complicate the gospel when educating others about it when really its as simple as it's definition and knowing that this is what Christ did for you, not what we did for Christ. Once you can understand that the gospel is what Christ did for you then the sanctification process comes into play.

Many people think that before they can accept the gospel (or in easier terms, accept Christ as their savior) they must get their lives right first. Well, that's impossible. When you accept Christ, He then guides you to making your life right. If we had to get our lives right before we could accept Christ then we would never get our lives right, they would forever be wrong because without Christ in our lives, our lives are wrong.

Once you have gotten your life right with God, the sanctification process starts. Your life will start to change. You will see yourself becoming a more Christ-like figure. Not saying that any one of us could ever compare to how great Jesus truly is.

I posted a status on Facebook last night knowing that I was going to start this personal study and the pastor of my church commented and and asked my thoughts, but to skip to my point, his second comment was "Come to Jesus broken and He will make you whole again." and how true is that! The gospel leads you to Jesus, Jesus guides you to making your life right, sanctification kicks in which ties in with evangelism and atonement.


These four things I believe are the first step into being an ultimate follower of Christ. Understanding them and then being an evangelist yourself is being The Ultimate Follower Of Christ.



If I can ever pray for you, or you need someone to talk to about struggles you are going through, please feel free to email me and I would be glad to pray or talk to you!

Email: iamkara.blogspot.com@gmail.com



If you need a song to listen to for inspiration in the coming days click here for one of my favorite inspiration songs. 

Divergent: My Take

This is a comparison of the book and the movie Divergent. I recommend if you do not want any spoilers, do not read this! This has plenty of spoilers in it!


The book to me is way better than the movie, no doubt about it! I think the book is just so much more personal and intimate than the movie. When I read the book I feel like I am Tris (Beatrice) I can feel everything she feels mentally and emotionally. I never wanted to put down the book! The movie shows you some things out of the book, but you just don't get the full story!

• In the book, you are told that in Abnegation at the dinner table you are not to talk unless asked a direct question, that it is the time for your parents to discuss matters together, and if they want your input they will ask for it. You get to talk before bed in the living room and your parents have to listen to you. So in the movie when you watch the scene before the day of the choosing ceremony where the Prior's are eating supper and the mother and father look at Tris weird for talking out, you don't know why. I guess people could wonder if they are thinking she's being a bit too nosy or if she is what? There is no clarification of what is going on in the movie. 
• They also don't really tell you what each of the factions mean in the movie, you just know there are five and that when you are sixteen you take this test and then the following day choose which faction that you want to be a part of. 
• In the movie, you don't know why Caleb chooses Erudite, you just know that he does. When Caleb tells Tris the night before the choosing ceremony that when she chooses her faction she needs to think of her family but also think of herself, you don't get a preview of why he chooses Erudite like in the book. 
• One big problem I have with the movie is adding in so much stuff that Veronica Roth did not write! She wrote an amazing story and no one needed to mess with her story, it was perfect! Why instead of adding stuff that didn't belong why didn't they just put more of the real story's details in there? That would have made much more sense! A few examples of this is there weren't nearly thirty non-Dauntless-born initiates like it shows in the movie, there were 9 that end up staying for the actual initiation process. They also do not show rankings as in the book! They don't get Jeanine to shut the program down either.
•  In the movie they don't tell you that Peter stabbed Edward in the eye because he ranked before Peter, so that made you not know why he tried to kill Tris. The movie doesn't say why Al was in on this either. The book clearly tells you why Al wanted in. Al was in love with Tris. She turned him down and things got awkward. Then she was ranked first in stage two and Al was ranked last. The jealousy got the best of him. Then he asked her for forgiveness and she tells him to never come near her again or she would kill him (that part was sort of in the movie, but still not the same as the book) he hates himself and commits suicide later that night by jumping into the chasm. 
• I am going to skip so much because I really want people to read this book, and watch the movie to know for themselves! But there is just one more thing I just can not leave out!
• They love story is just so much  better in the book. You really can't see how much Four (Tobias as found out later by Tris) loves Tris. Tris also loves Four. There is so much more than what you see in the movie, and they took it away, the part that holds the entire story together! Four doesn't choose Tris for no reason,  and you don't know that when you watch the movie, but it is so spelled out in the book. 

I really do suggest people read the book. The book is almost always better than the movie! If the people who made the movie Divergent made it exactly like the book, it would be so much better, its amazing. 

Veronica Roth: You did an amazing job on Divergent! I am currently reading Insurgent and it is just as amazing, thrilling, and all as Divergent. You are an amazing writer! 

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" Matt Redman: What The Song Means (My Perspective)

In this post, I am going to tell you ultimately what this song means to me. Some people sing songs just to sing them, but I really grasp what each of them means, especially when it comes to church. We sing songs to worship God but how can we worship Him in what we are singing if we do not understand ourselves what we are singing means. Tomorrow my fellow Praise Team members and I are singing "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" by Matt Redman for the special at church. I've had about three days since I learned we were singing this for the special to really think about what the song means. I think I'd heard the song a few times before, but it's been a few years ago and at that time I wasn't saved. So then I really didn't know what the song meant. How could I really? I really love this song. I have been singing it nonstop since Wednesday evening. It is such an amazing song, and I think when I tell you what it means to me, you will know why and I think you will think it's amazing too.

I'm going to start with the verses and end with the chorus. Though the verses say quite a lot, the chorus ties it all together and means the most, to me at least.

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes"

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again"

can be transformed into a person is newly born again and its a new start in life as God's child. This child of God will start changing and forming into a Godly person and will every single day worship Him more and more. It's time for someone to enter the family of God and begin to sing His praises.  

"Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me"

through all the trials and tribulations, fears, doubts, hurts, heartbreak, deaths, whatever happens.....

"Let me be singing when the evening comes"

allow me to still praise God through all hard tings in life up through my death so I can eternally be with Him and sing His praises forever. Let me still be singing God's praises when I die. 

"You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find"

"You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing"

This can transpose into God is always showing love, and is always forgiving. God's name is the sweetest name I know because He is so warm and tenderhearted. He may get disappointed in some decisions we make but He never gives up on us. I will praise Him for all His goodness and even the bad times we go through because God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!

"Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find"

there are so many reason we should worship God! For every bad time God cancels it out with all the mercy He shares with us each and every day. He is continuously proving to us that we should follow Him. The number one reason atheists become Christians is because they get tired of trying to prove there is no God and get proven wrong that all they can do is believe.

"And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore"

"And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come"

This turns into when my days on earth are getting shorter and my strength to stay alive on earth goes away. My time on earth has come to its end and my time to eternally be with the Lord is now.....

"Still my soul will sing Your praise unending"

I will still be praising Your name when I am dying but.....

"Ten thousand years and then forevermore"

I will praise Him the day I die and when I get to Heaven I will do the same thing for all eternity.

The song begins with the chorus, and the chorus is in-between each verse, and it ends with the chorus. 

When the song begins this is what you hear. 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship His holy name"

In the beginning I see this as a cry out to God asking to become His child as the first verse explains the beginning of the walk with God. They are praising His name and beginning to follow Him.

Then in-between each verse it is saying no matter what Lord, I will worship you through everything. I will worship you through the storms and the sunshine. 

What you hear yet again at the end of the song is.....

"Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship His holy name"

They are now in Heaven looking back on their walk with God, worshiping His name like they always said they would. They only thing that has changed is that they are now actually with Him. But still no matter what , they stayed true to what they always promised.

I see this song as looking at a persons walk with Christ. This is a realization of how the Christian walk should be. It's not always easy, but no matter what we should still praise Him. This is what I'd like my walk to be like, and I work for it every single day. Like I said, it's not always easy, but it is most definitely all worth it in the long run. You can do anything with Christ on your side.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

"Take my yoke up you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits--"

Psalm 103:2

"Everyday I will praise You and extol Your name forever and ever."

Psalm 145:2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

Psalm 103:1

To hear the song please click here.

 

Day 6: Love

Love. What is love? Is it something people tell their girlfriends/boyfriends to keep them around? Is it something more personal? Well, there are different kinds of love. I love my Mom, and I love my best friend, I love my pastor and youth pastor, I love my brother, but they are all different kinds of love. I know what most people would think I want to talk about is the love we have for our husbands or wives. Well, I can't talk on that because I've never experienced it. I am hopeful that one day I will, but being sixteen, well, it's just a bit too early. I want to talk about the greatest love of all. God's love for His children. God's love is like no other. God loves us more than we could ever give love to any single person alone. God loves one person more than we could love the entire world. Our love will never be that great because I don't believe we have the capability to love as greatly as God, but we should love God the most out of anything or anyone we've ever loved. God is my rock when I am weak. God is there to pick me up when I fall down. God is there to love me when I feel like there is no one else in this world that loves me. God is my soul-mate more so than my [Future] husband. I love God more than anyone else on this entire earth. I love my mom forever and ever in a day, as well as my dad, but my love for them doesn't even compare to the love I have for my Father. I could talk all day on true love and the right guy/girl for you, but I'd be "wasting my breath" so to speak because at the end of the day, people are going to do what they want to do. If they even think that they love someone, you can count out your opinion as to what they do. But one thing that people may still even do what they want but I will never be wasting my breath on is telling them how much God loves them. God loves you. Each and every one of you. He loves you when you are sinning, He loves you when you love Him, He loves you when you turn your back on Him, He loves you through everything. God deserves our love in return! If just 100 people read this, that is 100 people that I've shared God's love to, but if you share it on your Facebook and 100 of them read it, that multiplies to 10,000 people, and just keep that chain going. Share God's love today! Please click here and here to lead you to some devotionals on God's never ending love for us.

Day 5: Right Choice

Yesterday I talked on wrong choices, but today I want to talk on right choices. You know, it's easy to to point out wrong choices, but is more difficult to choose right ones. I personally can not think of any really good scenario's to even really talk about. I have thought about this topic for days and every time I try to write this, I fail because I can never think of anything good enough. I've known for a couple of weeks that I wanted to do this series, and I have all my posts written out already, and though it is day five out of thirteen, it was one of my lasts ones to write. I put these in the order I thought they would go best in, well because I am working up to one big picture. This picture takes effort to find. I didn't see it for years. I think that if you have read my blog this far that you can probably figure out what I am going to say is the biggest right choice. That is definitely a given. I can tell you all day long that if two people are in love and want to get married that is a really great right choice, and it is, don't get me wrong, but there's an even better right choice. I can't help but think of a few of my friends in this instance. I am hoping that they make the right choice, but let me stop dragging this out. The ultimate right choice is following God. Plain and simple. If you have had a life full of bad or wrong choices and you haven't been saved, that will all straighten out after you become saved. You won't always make the right choice, no one does, but you will begin to make more right than you are wrong because you will begin to be more like Christ. That's what everyday should be, getting one step closer to being more like Christ. We all know we can never be exactly like Christ, but that doesn't mean we can't strive to be. I really don't have much more to say on this. I could tell you a list of right choices to make, but what's that gonna do? I'd rather you make the ultimate right choice and let the others follow. To back up what I have said, here is what the Bible says which is God's Word. 

• Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
• Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance, a person falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
• Deuteronomy 30:19 "This day I call the heavens and the earth witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

If you do not have a Bible and would like to read please click here to find an amazing Bible site. 

Brother Ronald Birthday

I miss you like crazy, brother from another mother! 
When I heard you were gone I was messed up for years.
I didn’t for a long time find true happiness.
I couldn’t stop thinking of you.
For years I couldn’t sleep without my parents by my side.
I couldn’t go over and stay with a friend because the memory of losing you haunted me.
I didn’t know you for long, but I am so thankful for how long I did.
I can see you now, with a girl by your side.
I wish you could see me, all grown up.

These days its weird to say, but I see you on every corner in the high school.
I see you everywhere around me in the band room.
I can picture you playing the snare up there in the percussion section with Rickie by your side.
You have a hold on me brother.

I always dreamed of being like my brothers,
And in a sense, I am.
I am proud to be a part of what you used to be,
And I am proud to carry on your legend.

I can’t believe its been nearly seven years in July.
Seventh month, Seventh Day, Seventh year.
Your death was a shocking one.
No one saw it coming.
Everyone came to your funeral.

Today, I celebrate you, brother.
Today is your birthday,
And I know we all miss you now,
But you are in such a better place having a grand birthday party! 
You’re kickin’ it with Jesus!

Happy Birthday, my brother from another mother,
Ronald.
And my brother’s best friend.

I love you,

Kara aka. ‘Lil Rickie

Day 4: Wrong Choice

People make wrong choices everyday, and if I said that I didn't, I'd most definitely be a hypocrite. At times the wrong choice seems like the best choice until you've made it and it's too late. Sometimes we are influenced to make the wrong choice, and sometimes it comes naturally. Wrong choices can seem adventurous, reckless, fun, and you know you are making the wrong choice, but you just can't say no to it because you know as soon as you make it, you will feel alive, it's irresistible. Sometimes we make wrong choices because we feel like there is no where else to turn to. There are so many things I could say on the wrong choice, but in reality it all depends on the scenario. Like, sex before marriage is a wrong choice, but that's a given. Doing drugs is another wrong choice, also a given. But the one thing that continuously come to mind is not following Christ. That is the biggest wrong choice you can make. I could choose many topics to talk on for a wrong choice, but as a Believer of Christ, I feel that I should be a witness to God and share what I believe through any chance I get. I don't care if you stop reading my blog because I mention God, or talk about Him a lot. It's your wrong choice to not believe in Him. All I can do is share the Word of God. That's why I am choosing this wrong choice. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Sin is a wrong choice obviously because it causes eternal death, or damnation, well unless you believe in Christ of course. Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life." Choosing to drink a beer instead of soda at a party, bar, etc., is a wrong choice in many circumstances. No I am not saying that it is not okay to have an alcoholic beverage because it is fine in moderation. But why even put yourself in the situation of you possibly getting drunk by the trigger of one drink? When you take it as far as to get drunk, that is a sin, so it makes it wrong. Hating someone because you do not like what they have done to you is also a sin. God doesn't hate anyone, and in the ten commandments he says "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" if you hate yourself I guess you can hate your neighbor, but be honest, no one truly hates themselves. The biggest wrong is Christ tugging at your heart and asks you to follow Him and you deny His request. Well think about this, what if that exact night that Christ tugged at your heart and you denied you unfortunately get in a car, receive a text while driving and decide to reply then get in a wreck because you were not paying attention and die instantly. Well, texting while driving is another wrong choice in itself, but look at what has just happened. You've gotten a chance to accept Christ right before you die and you deny Him, and you die and get eternal hell. It doesn't seem so good to me. I could go on forever on our wrong choices, but they are quite depressing. I just want all of my readers to think about this. If you are a Christian, check your life and make sure your relationship is right with God, and if you aren't a Christian, consider getting a Bible and maybe going to church. The biggest mistake you can make is not following Christ.

Tomorrow I talk about right choices so check my blog tomorrow for all the rights to the wrongs I've mentioned today! 

If you don't have a Bible and would like to read one please click here.

Day 3: The Ultimate Hiding Spot

So I want to tell you of a few of my favorite hiding spots! My youth members and youth pastor may just love one place I am "revealing!" Well, since I've kind of "let the cat out of the bag" so to speak, here is number one!

Hiding Spot Number One

In our church I know all the best hiding spots there is to know. Of course, my youth pastor didn't believe me when I said this and I proved him wrong! At our most recent lock in, in the last round of hide and seek where the youth pastor had to find everyone, my cousin and I hid together. I only hid with her because, well, I trust her, I knew she wouldn't give up this amazing hiding spot! And I also knew it would be more fun to hide with her than to hide alone. It is the best spot in the church with no doubt. You can not find a better spot than where we hid! Anyway they looked for us for over thirty minutes. We could hear every move they made, and every word they said! I couldn't help but laugh, but we tried to stay quiet so they wouldn't hear us. Well, eventually we got tired of waiting so we made a run for it. They didn't like that and they said "you're supposed to stay where you are until you get found" and I was like "no, that's why there is a base!" I've never played hide and seek where you couldn't at least move to a different spot, let alone go to base! The whole point of the game is to hide so good you don't get found and to get to base before you get caught. Of course we weren't about to give up the best hiding spot ever! So we did what we had to do. In my opinion, I think they were just mad that they didn't ever find us. So anyway, we won! Now since I said that I was "revealing" this spot in this post here it is so youth members, Thomas...read carefully. Okay, so you go through the fellowship hall, head towards the nursery, turn left, go outside that door, turn right, run around the church five times, call one of the seekers so you can hear everything the group looking for you is saying, but you must make sure they are on your side, then go back inside the door you exited, climb in the old baptistery, then ten minutes later climb out, run down the hallway leading to the sanctuary, then go sit on a pew for promptly three minutes, when you hear the door crack open, crawl out the opposite door, run to a classroom, write on the chalkboard "hi", check and make sure the coast is clear, then go to the nursery bathroom because hardly anyone looks there, then run into the kitchen, stay for no more than thirty seconds, then safely cross over to base. Hahaha, good hiding spot huh? Yeah, um, I know you just read all that fellow youth members, but, um, I didn't do that. I made it up while typing. There is literally an amazing hiding spot in the church and NO I WILL NOT GIVE IT UP!!! (Yes this was just a prank for my youth members...especially Thomas). So sorry that I'm not gonna leak that...


Hiding Spot Number Two


When I read books, it's like an escape. So in other words i get to be someone else for a little while and experience a new adventure and hide from the reality I live in if only for a little while. But don't get me wrong. My reality isn't bad, it's just cool to experience someone else's day every now and then! (Well every and then is an under exaggeration, I read everyday! :-) )


Hiding Spot Number Three


Music! I write music, play music, listen to it. Music helps me think, and overall feel better, so another hiding place.


Lastly, Hiding Spot Number Four


Writing. Writing is my favorite hiding spot. Unlike reading a book, you can write the experiences of the character and still be able to feel them as if you were just reading it. Writing is a way of making your dreams come true in a sense. If you can't experience them in real life, that doesn't mean you can't through a character in a book or story you are writing. All the books I have written thus far (yes I have written about seven, and no, no one has read them yet) are dreams of mine that I've never experienced in real life. Sometimes, or most of the time I listen to music while writing to influence my emotions and fill my imagination. 



A hiding spot doesn't have to be a literal one, it could be somewhere in your heart that you escape to, which for me my hearts escape is writing. 

Day 2: Failure You Have Experienced

God gives us many trials and tribulations in our life. Sometimes we pass, sometimes we fail. In this moment, it is hard to choose one failure in my life to tell you about because there are so many, in fact I have on everyday. My Faith gets tested everyday. The past two Wednesday nights our youth pastor has taught us about letting God interfere. I guess that is the failure I want to tell you about. It may be my biggest failure. The first part in this failure is denying Christ into my heart repeatedly. I hate that I did that. Knowing that this tugging on my heart was Him saying "become my daughter" and me constantly saying no. At that time, I honestly didn't know I was saying no until one day I suddenly felt sorrow in my heart, began to cry, then opened my Bible and I remember reading Deuteronomy 32:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." I knew from that day on that I was and am a Believer and Follower of Christ. They story of course doesn't end there though I wish it did. Even though I became a Follower, I still didn't always act as I should. In different places  I used to act different ways, and I'm still not one hundred percent there, but I work everyday to be the same person I am on the inside everywhere I go, and not a different person at every place I end up.  This past Wednesday we were talking about what society thinks of us and I think my youth pastor misunderstood me. One of my fellow youth members was saying how she cared about what people thought about her, and I kept asking questions but the whole time I was trying to get at that what she should be looking at is through God's eyes because he has the final judgment. Who cares if you are popular in high school? Who cares if you've got the latest fashions? God sure doesn't. So why should it matter? We should live our lives pleasing to Him and not society because society gives you eternal Hell but God gives you eternal life in Heaven! At Liberty Winterfest 2013, Sadie Roberson was there and told me to stop worrying about what others thought of me that the only one who mattered is God and I took it to heart and believe that. I look at this failure in life as my biggest gift. Without this failure I would not spend my life in Heaven when I die. So I am not ashamed of this failure, I'm blessed to have had it. Without failures in life, we wouldn't be so happy about the success!

Thirteen Day Series!

I am doing a simple thirteen day series! If you have a blog, feel free to join me! I am doing this because I am a writer! I didn't tell anyone for the longest time that I wanted to be, but I can't hold back anymore! So, I've made this thirteen day series on topics to write about in my life. This could be various for everyone. I will post a new post everyday with each new topic. For those who want to join, here is the list of topics I have chosen! This starts today by the way!

Day 1 May 23: Biggest Loss

Day 2 May 24: Failure You Have Experienced

Day 3 May 25: The Ultimate Hiding Spot

Day 4 May 26: Wrong Choice

Day 5 May 27: Right Choice

Day 6 May 28: Love

Day 7 May 29: Hate

Day 8 May 30: Talent

Day 9 May 31: Friends

Day 10 June 1: Success

Day 11 June 2: Defeat

Day 12 June 3: Hurt

Day 13 June 4: Greatest Love Story

If you up for the challenge, join me! If not, feel free to just read mine!

Here is my Day 1!

Biggest Loss

I don't know that I've had a "biggest loss". Many things come to mind when I think about what I have lost in my life, but at this moment, none of it sticks out. I've lost my grandfather, friends, pets, in a sense my brother (because of marriage but he's not actually gone, so a different kind of loss), but nothings so big that I can't handle it. I've over come many things in life, and to think that I've had a "biggest loss" makes me believe that I haven't overcome it. All my losses did hurt, some more than others, but they don't have to remain losses, they can just be things from my past that I simply don't have anymore, but they aren't a loss if I've overcome it. There will always be trials in our life, and sometimes we will lose things, but if you overcome it, in my opinion, it's not really that much of a loss anymore, it's just something you no longer have.



Let's Play Catch-Up!

I haven't posted in a while...shame on me I guess? Haha.

The past couple of months have been extremely busy with preparations for my brother's wedding coming up. And considering the wedding is this Saturday, May 17, I know this week shall be hectic. (I will post wedding pictures after the wedding!)

Also, baseball season has definitely kept me out of the house since I do the scoring for both JV and Varsity at my school. The season is mostly over except for playoffs. I am definitely sad to see the season end, but am so relieved to get a break!




Just a few of very many pictures from the season!





School always keeps me busy. Four classes and homework for at least two out of four, it keeps you with little time to just do what you want to do.

I am so ready for summer! Only 22 more days of school until summer break! The day after school gets out, I head to the beach for two weeks to kick off my summer! I am so excited about this! Then shortly after that, in July I get to go see my amazing friends, and second parents Pete and Jessica for a little while!:-) Then I guess i'll stay home for a little while, but by the end of July I have two weeks of band camp. Luckily camp is at the high school five minutes or less from my house. I've got a pretty eventful summer! But that's how I like it!

My sister-in-law to be (Saturday May 17) on this past Friday (May 9) graduated from college, so my family and I attended her graduation! My brother and I got a few pictures together there since we don't take pictures often. 

(Yes, I know he doesn't like to smile!)


On Saturday (May 10) my Parents, brother and I went to see my Dad's mom for Mother's day. She had three out of four of her children there with her and two out of five grandchildren there (my brother and I). My Dad cooked barbecue chicken to carry down there for supper, my aunt made the vegetables, and my Mom made the dessert. I think my Grandma really enjoyed it.

Yesterday (Mother's day) I went to church as normal. Then my Mom prepared lunch for her mom and her second mom. After we were done eating lunch, my Mom, Nana, and I went to the mall looking me shoes for my brothers upcoming wedding and just had a nice outing together for Mother's Day. When we got back, my Mom, Dad, and I went to my step-grandmother's house and did Mother's Day with her. It was an overall very nice day.

Today (Monday May 12) the Newlyweds to be are coming over to help my Mom and I do preparations for their big day. It should be a lovely evening! 

Check out the person's blog who inspired me to blog! To do so click here.

College Preparation? Already!?

I cant believe it's already time for me to really start considering every college I'd like to go to and exactly what I want to major in. I'm looking into so much information about each college I've considered. Tuition, classes, major tracks, master's, bachelor's, doctorate's, so much! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Here are the colleges I am considering in order from my top school and so on...

1) Liberty University

2) North Carolina State University

3) University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

4) Duke

5) East Carolina

I really think 1&2 are kind of tied, because Liberty doesn't offer as much as I'd like to take for my career. Its been a dream of mine to go to Liberty for a few years now, but though I'd love to go there, NC State may have the better program for what I'm looking in to. I think it would be best if I chose the college best suited for my career, but of course I haven't fully decided yet.

Kik

I do in fact have a Kik! Kik me! 

Username: karabarmer

Texting While Driving

Don't text while drive, or be on your phone while driving, period! It could kill someone!

Check out these facts about texting while driving!

http://www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org/#facts







 

Writing 1

Since I have practically announced that I write to the whole world, I might as well start sharing my talent...

Puzzle Piece

My heart is like an empty chamber,

it is ready to love,

but doesn't have it.

There is a dark room inside of me,

longing for someone to occupy it, 

but no one is.

In my mind, 

I dream of the right person,

I always wonder who that can be.

I can never find who is supposed to fill my occupancy,

and I always wonder why.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever know.

Sometimes I wonder if it's not meant to be.

Then I think to myself..

of course there is someone,

they have my missing puzzle piece.

I still wonder who that someone is.

I realize that someone is me.

That I need to learn who I am to fill the missing puzzle piece,

I have that puzzle piece inside of me,

I just have to find it.

And to find it,

I have to know me.

Oh Brother

Oh, Brother of mine, 

you have me twisted, and molded.

You have me formed like you.

You have molded me into a younger you.

You have taught me the type of person I want to be.

You cared for me when I was young,

and became my best friend when I got older.

You've loved me since the beginning,

and I know you'll love me to the end.

Our time as just brother and sister is ending,

in just a matter of a couple of months.

But I will never forget the days

you showed me how I wanted to be.

When you have children,

I'll give them the kind of love you gave me.

You played with me when I was young,

and gave me advice when I was older.

You've never left my side,

even in our tough times.

We've fought,

we've laughed,

but most of all, 

we've loved.

I'll always remember, 

as I was a child,

you taught me to be strong,

and not a wimpy child.

As we get older,

our relationship gets better.

I'll love you forever,

and remember the days we were young, 

and how you taught me who I wanted to be.

Oh, brother,

you've completely got me twisted,

into this little minion of yours.

I would do anything to help you,

but that role isn't mine anymore.

When you get married,

i'll pass on my role to the girl of your dreams.

I will forever love you,

I will forever look out for you,

but it won't be the same.

She's got to be your number one,

and I have to let her be.

Just like one day,

as I get married, 

you'll do the same for me.

I don't want to let you go,

and I don't think I ever will,

but I guess its time for some separation,

so you can spread your wings.

You moved away from home, 

a couple of years ago.

But married life is way different,

than living forty-five minutes away from home.

Oh brother,

how you've been to me when I've needed you,

and that's when you were the best.

I've cried to you

so many times before,

and you never gave me a judge full eye,

you were only there with open arms.

Oh, how I hope shes as good to you,

as you have been to me.

You've helped me through my worst times,

and got me to my good times.

Without you, I would be Kara,

you loving little sister.

I wouldn't love like you,

or act like you.

People say daughters learn to love like their fathers do,

and how as that may be true,

I have also learned to love as you do.

You care for people in need,

even if it's stupid.

You've brought me up when I've been down,

and even brought me up higher,

by your tender words in "its okay"

Oh brother, 

how much I love you,

you have no earthly idea.

I will never forget our pirate ship,

in the backyard of our house.

And how you made me feel special,

by just playing along for laughs.

You treated me with kindness,

and though we both have flaws,

your flaws are no worse than mine,

because we are merely the same.

I've learned so much over the years from you,

as in who I want to be,

so now that we are letting you spread your wings,

I think it's time for me.

I have decided what I've wanted to do in life,

if you can not see,

I want to be just as good as you,

if that can even be.

When I have kids,

I hope they have as good as a brother as I have had,

and that they will have the same experience you and I have had.

Now it's time to let you be free,

and start to lead your own life.

But don't you ever forget,

that i'm only a phone call away.

I want to be there for you, as you were there for me.

I wont ever forget the love you've shared and always given me.

Oh brother, 

how I love you,

and you have loved me.

To The Girl My Brother Loves

I've always known he would find you,

I just didn't know it would be this soon.

You must be extra special,

to be my brother's girl.

You must treat him right,

even when he is wrong,

because he will do the same.

You must act with love,

even when it's hard.

You must be mature,

even when things aren't going your way.

You must like to have fun,

because he is a goofy guy.

And if you don't you aren't the right girl.

You must learn to be patient with him,

as he will be with you.

And don't you be mean to him,

because then there I will be..

You must learn to accept every aspect of his life and family,

 as he will you. 

And to let you know,

if he loves you,

so do I.

But don't mess this up,

because this is a once in a lifetime try.

New Pages

I have added a couple of new pages to my blog! Check them out! In case you can't find them, here are the names and the links!

Favorite Quotes

http://iamkara.blogspot.com/p/favorite-movie-quo.html

-The link says favorite move quotes, they are not movie quotes at the moment...



Showing My Faith

http://iamkara.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Over The Past Years....(Estimate 4 1/2 - 5)

In the past four and a half to five years, I have done a lot of growing. I have been finding who I am inside, and who I want to be in the future. This task has not always been the easiest. I've gone through so many rough times, bumpy roads, roller coasters, gone up hills, mountains, whatever you want to say, but its been a journey. There were also good times along the way. The task in finding who I am can not come from me saying I am going to be this person, it came from others teaching me who they were, and what they believe, to find who I am. Though I know mostly who I am, I still have questions, doubts, and fears. I believe that is because everyone I am supposed to learn from has not "driven down my path" yet. I know a lot about myself. I know bits and pieces of the puzzle to who I want to become in the future, but I haven't figured it all out yet. This little "prologue" leads me to the story I want to tell all of you, taking the time to read it. Thank you to everyone who is, because this is one story, I would want the whole world to know, no matter what costs.

**In this story of my life, many people who know me will know who I am referring to. In this case, though you will still probably know who I am talking about, I am going to change the names of all the people in the story, except their first initial. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, and it should not. I am NOT posting anything harmful to anyone, I WILL NOT talk bad about anyone in this blog post. I would never want to hurt anyone.**

The story I am beginning to tell you is a story of part of my Christian walk. However it does include some outside influences.

Today is March 15, 2014. It is 9:59 p.m. I am just now finding the answers to questions I was asked earlier in today. So everyone knows what I am referring to, I think now it is safe to say that my church WEBC (no location or full name for safety) is searching for a new youth pastor. I have been keeping a low profile on this subject because it is not certain yet. (What I mean is, we have found a potential new youth pastor, and it is not certain that he will be the new youth pastor, but my feelings at this moment I feel need to be said. And I promise to go back to low profile after this is over with until anything, and everything is certain.) The "meet and greet" with the potential youth pastor was today. I have known this day was coming for two weeks. I have grown in excitement over the past two weeks about this time, and I will explain later in the story. Anyway, I finally got to meet "Tommy" today. He asked me, along with another fellow youth member some questions about our church, youth, and other things. At that moment, I really could not answer fully how I felt. I am the type of person, when you ask a question about myself, or how I feel, I will continuously search myself for the answer. I have done that since I departed from meeting him. I have finally found one great big answer to his questions. Which my answer starts now.. (By the way, if someone is reading this who has the type of relationship to share this with "Tommy" I wouldn't mind it being shared with him, because it is kind of what he was wanting to know...)

Around four and a half years ago, I was in sixth grade, and twelve years of age. I was greatly fond of your pastor at the time and his family. In that year, we had a new youth pastor be hired. "Tim". As I got to know him, and his wife to be, "Alexis", I became fond of them also. This couple grew on me tremendously. Our pastor left later that year, and it hit me hard, and at this time I was more so fond of them than the youth pastor, and now wife. Luckily, "Tim and Alexis" stepped in and kind of filled their spot. Over the past four years, I have just become so attached to them. During the time that "Tim" was the youth pastor, for the most part, we had a fairly large youth group. I remember the time it was in the twenties. I loved youth so much. (Little anecdote real quick... I can come off as immature sometimes, but people who truly know me know that, that is not true. Immaturity is on front I have at times, which I am not proud of. Immaturity is stupid, and proves nothing. But most of the time, when I am being who I really am, I am probably more mature than most sixteen year old's are expected to be. And I think today, at the meet and greet for youth, I feel like I acted a little immature, and I feel the need to say sorry for that, because "Tommy" didn't get to see the real me. Anyway, back to story...) I still love youth, but in a different way at the moment. It isn't the same not having a youth pastor to be there, and really know that they are there for the long run, and not just temporary.. I love the people who have stepped in as youth teachers for the moment, but I don't want to get too attached because I know its not going to be for long. I know everything doesn't last forever, but there is a big difference between six months, and three to five years. In three years, I wont be thinking about the youth group anymore as in me being in it because in two years, ill be graduating high school, then it will be time to take the next step in life. But at this time, I am so ready for someone to be there the next two years, and not wonder how long its going to be before I can find who I was in my true youth group before it "crashed". Our youth group near the end of "Tim's" time went down to about five people. And it was quite a few more than that. When he left, it dropped to three. Three people is kind of sad, to be honest. Three people isn't a youth group, three people are three high schoolers in the same class at church. Its different to me. "Tim and Alexis" did have a big impact on my life. They taught me things about myself that I didn't know. In "Alexis" I found a best friend, mom, sister, counselor, just a pair of loving, caring, listening ears when I needed her. It didn't matter whether it was with my Faith, or with something outside of church, she was there. I must say, it has been hard, really hard to let her go. I don't know that I ever truly will be able to completely break the bond of her. And honestly, I don't want to completely. I know, that things change throughout the church. Nothing stays the same forever, but when you get attached to something, you don't want to let it go. She has been such a Godly inspiration to me. She is someone truly hard to find in today's world. She will always hold an everlasting touch on me. As far as "Tim", he brought me closer to God through what he taught. He had a great strategy, which was putting fun together with learning. The homework was just talking to God. It is so easy to talk to God when you have an open heart, even when you have done wrong. That is because is the most forgiving. I have had a long battle with what I believe in. I think if every Christian does not go through this period of finding what they believe, they really don't know what they are believing in. I gave my life to Christ at a church camp back in fourth or fifth grade. I knew that's what I was doing. That didn't mean all of my questions were answered. Summer of 2013, I found a lot of what I was looking for. One day after church, I came home, cried and cried, opened my Bible, and the verse that it led me to was the answer I needed all along. What I had heard all my life had finally made sense. I rededicated my life right then and there. It changed my heart in so many ways. The first person I told, was "Alexis" so she forever has this place in my heart for being so key for me to tell what I found out. Also through our mission trips they allowed me to meet lifetime friends that are now my "adoptive parents" who I love just about as much as I love my real parents.(also Michelle and John Boy) The good thing is, I don't have to give up "Jess and Petty" because they are true friends, that I would do anything for. And I don't want to say they are really replacing "Tim and Alexis" but they are in a sense taking on the role of them, but are so much more. In the one week I stayed with them, I grew an everlasting bond with them. "Petty" stood up for me and "Elaine" in a hard time that week, and he didn't even know us all that well. But by the end of that week, it seemed as if we had known each other for the longest time, because they knew everything there was to know about me, and I know I can go to them for anything, and they would be there for me. And "Jess" she is like a mom, best friend, sister, loving open eared person. she is almost like my rock, I guess she is my second one. I have so much love for them that is  crazy. I can never thank "Tim and Alexis" enough for bringing them into my life, because they are such a big part of me. In all this story (I am so not done) I think "Tommy" needs to know this... I am still very fond of "Tim and Alexis" and they will always have a special place in my heart. But I have grown over the past six months, and I feel, though I can't forget them, nor say my final goodbye to them, I am finally ready to open up a new spot in my heart for someone new. I am ready to have another great youth experience with someone new. I am ready to continue to learn more about myself, and who I am. I am more than just mentally ready for all this. Though it was hard mentally to be ready, the hardest part was my heart. Though it took time to open a space for someone new to lead me as a Christian, my heart is finally ready to let someone in. That is why, when I found out that there was a potential new youth minister, I was so overfilled with joy. So "Tommy" I felt like you needed to know that. As far as your other questions you may have asked, or wanted to know, here are some possibly answers. 



*This is mostly for "Tommy" now*

I am Kara, obviously. I love Marching Band, and I love playing instruments. Without music, I wouldn't be who I am because it is such a big part of me. 

You met my brother, and he is like one of my best friends ever... period. 

I love to write. I want to be a writer one day, though many people don't know I love to write and want to be a writer. But I guess having a blog might explain part of that. I haven't told anyone but one person until right now when you read this that I have written three books, though the only people who have read them are God and I. Now the whole world knows about this.... great...

I have a great sense of humor....seriously...ask anyone. I can make anyone laugh that I want to...it comes from my mom's side of the family, although she does not have this trait. I am the life of the dinner table, and am a total class clown...

I love church...if you haven't found that out already by the story I told..well...wow

I love history. Especially American History and the Holocaust. I want to be a history teacher then professor one day. I feel that History Teacher and Writer is my calling.

I want to go to Liberty University in Lynchburg VA

I am very much a Tar Heels fan

I love so many Christian bands... (Ex. Skillet, RED, Family Force 5, Jamie Grace, Toby Mac, Lecrae, Newsboys, Building 429, many others....)

My favorite genre of music is most definitely country.

I am very much a country person, and most of the time have country slang/accent

If you ask me what type of vehicles I like, I will say BIG TRUCKS....PERIOD (no I do not like cars, vans, and most SUV's)

I can sing on a good day

I play the Piano often

I hate math

Kinda love English

I've been to France...and yes, the Eiffel Tower is pretty awesome

Obviously you know what I drive...

Obviously you know what I look like...

Favorite Color: Lime/Neon Green

Yes I like baseball, because I know you're wondering...I do all the scoring for our Varsity and JV baseball teams along with a friend

Why yes.. I am 6 ft tall....

Yes, I do have big visions for the church. I would love to see our church population grow...I would love to incorporate young people into the church service. 

I already told you about "The Light"

Anymore questions... ask me laterrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

And by the way "Tommy" at the moment, from what I know, you have my vote...and if you do as good preaching tomorrow as I think you will, I don't think that will change!