Something Special <3

So I was going through my stuff and I found my old journal from summer with this written in it and wanted to share. :)

08-08-09

The past week I spent in Orland, Florida with my greatest most amazing friends anyone could ever have! We were in Orlando for National Fine Arts and Convention. It was so amazing and I have so many great times, memories and stories I would love to tell about, but I think I'll tell you about those later. Right now, I want to focus more on what I learned this week down there, and what we got out of this as a team.

I'd never be able to fully express how special our group is. You wouldn't believe if you saw. So let me explain a little bit. In short, we are all VERY different people. We have different dreams, live totally different lives, have different paths we will follow, but what we share is what brought us together. Our differences just make it all the more special. We share a love and a heart for God. We share with each other. We're all so very different, and that is not hard to see, but as I said it's our differences that make what we have even more special and beautiful. I guess I might need to explain a bit (which is the purpose of this...)

Going from oldest to youngest - first there is Vanessa (Ness). She just graduated from high school. Nessa is like the "mother bird" or the "big sister" of us all. She's really sweet and caring. She loves to shop (she's like the fashion queen!) and is almost always smiling. She is quick to take control when a situation starts to get out of hand, and is always there. She's going to be a nurse. (And know she'll make a great one!)

Next is me! And to explain -- I'm just me! I love to dance and worship God and I want to work in ministry after High School. I'm not exactly sure WHO I am in this group. Although, they have described me as a workaholic at times and ambitious...and a brainiac...But I'm just me. I'm different. And I love it! I'm so thankful that God put these girls in my life! I would not be the same without them!

Next is Emily (Emilina!). he is a senior in High School like me. Emily has such a passion for God and worship and has the MOST AMAZING voice! I swear she'll be famous someday! And even if she's not, she's that good and so much better. But even aside from all that - she's real. I love that bout her! She's true to herself and when she's committed to something, she pours her heart into it. Everything she's got - and God always gets the glory. She's so sweet and has a beautiful heart and above all else, trusts God in everything.

Now there is Erica. She is a junior in High School. She loves to sing, dance, and act - she is the greatest when it comes to that! And she stands strong on what she believes in. In everything she trusts God to keep her going and to lead her in his way. She has such passion and heart and strength. She loves horses and has a heart for the lost and broken. God is going to use her in amazing ways.

Then there is Eden (E). Eden is a sophomore in high school. And to describe her well....she's Eden. She's amazing and I know no one else like her. She's real, she's herself. She's different and proud of it. I'd say she's one of the most grounded in our group. She loves Music and is probably going to be a missionary. But wherever God takes her, I cannot wait to see. She's going to do amazing things I know!

Next is Sarah, (Sar-rocks!). Sarah is really sweet, loves drama and is really good at it! (Ok that's an understatement. You ought to see this girl! You wouldn't believe the stuff she memorizes! You'd be blown away! She's def the drama queen-- and I mean that in a good way!) I realize we all have different styles and all, but Sarah stands out as the princess! I rarely see her without a dress. She wears them constantly! She always brings a smile to everyone's face and truly cares for people. She loves music and plays guitar. All out - she rocks! (Oh and she takes around Diego, Dora and Sarah the Mammoth for all of our youth activities! It's the greatest! I believe they are her loyal sidekicks! lol.)

Then there is Jess, ....actually....I think jess is older than Sarah...lol...yeah she is. haha. Jess is all around amazing! She's a gifted musician with a heart after God. Jess is friends with everyone and reaches out to everyone, and has the ability to just pull them in. She never gives up and is always praying for her friends to come to Christ. This girl is gonna be famous someday I just know it! She's amazing with music and dance and with communication. She is sincere and caring, and probably the most humorous of us all...especially when you put her with Emily... (AHHHHHHHH!!!!)

And there is Lydia. She's what i call a diva. Really sweet, spunky, amazing voice, and is gifted. Lydia is our "country girl." She and Erica kind of relate on that level I think. It is really cool though. Lydia loves horses, and music, and well...a lot of stuff! I love this girl! She's got this great personality that just shines through. She loves God with all of her heart. She has a great call on her life and I know that God is working in her in awesome ways! I can't wait to see where He will bring her to!

We all are different ages, and in different places in our lives. We come from different backgrounds, live totally different lives, and yet - we're best friends. What makes us so special is our differences. And we love each other because of them. It makes us strong as a group and it separates us from other groups, out there. We cover each other's weaknesses. There are no limitations. Like i said before, we are all so different - our friendships are unheard of anywhere else, but God brought us together. He is one thing we all have in common. But we're we're best friends, and even though someday we may go our separate ways as we are called, we'll always carry a little bit of each other everywhere. And we'll always be friends.

We've had good times and bad. This week was amazing. Some bits of it got stressful and were hard, but we pull through together. And sometimes things come up or out that shouldn't. It is just the enemy trying to break our unity. We were brought together to glorify God in what we do. Our friendship is from him, bound by him, and all for Him.

This group of girls is special to me. We can all be ourselves when we're together. We're all so different and every one of them is just amazing! I think they'll all be famous someday! haha. It really wouldn't surprise me!

Anyways, I love you girls! Thanks for being such a great part of my life and for accepting me for who I am. God bless you always. I continually keep you in my prayers! I know God will do something amazing with each one of you! Know that you're all very special to me and I love you.

Remember - We'll always take a piece of each other with us everywhere we go. We have so much we share together! You girls make me proud, and it's my prayer that you never stop going after God, that you'll always be who you are, stay strong, be the beautiful, passionate, gifted, uniquely designed and glorious girls that God created you all to be! Don't change for anyone!

Thanks for the memories, the good times and the bad. Thanks for just being there. I know this week in Orlando is something that we'll carry with us. It's part of our journey together. I don't know where the road will take us, and I don't ever want it to end! Thanks for everything. Proud of you all, and I love you dearly.

God bless always!