Where Have I Been?

Gee, Where have I been?
I have been in North Carolina working in a camp kitchen for the last 2 weeks. I had such a great time and made lots of fun friends! There is my excuse for neglecting this blog. I'm back now and school is almost in full session!!
So instead of giving you the details of my life from the past 2 weeks (which would take forever, by the way) I am just going to jump right into the details of now. This post may be all over the place but we'll just see what happens!

I am excited to jump right into school and see what new and exciting things I will learn this year and how I will grow and stretch as a student. I'm also a little bit nervous as I am starting a new school this year and I will be taking some harder courses. Even though summer sporadic-ness is nice I think a school schedule will be just as much appreciated :)
The last week of summer I managed to squeeze in some friend time. On Saturday my church youth group went downtown and handed out hot dogs and hamburgers to people and then we went swimming. Doesn't summer just scream swimming? I think it does. So that was definitely a summer-feeling day.
Here is a picture I took of one of my friends with my waterproof point and shoot:

You know what else screams summer? Ice cream for dinner. That's right I did that. Well, actually it was frozen yogurt so that's healthier right? We recently got a new frozen yogurt place in town. It rocks! I also went there with some friends last night.
It's sad to think that summer 2011 is over. You don't realize how fast it goes until it's over and you are trying to figure out where the time went. Now it's time for school year 2011-2012. And I'm ready... I think?

Happy school days,
Maddy K.

Where Trust Comes From

You know what I haven't done lately? Blogging just for the sake of blogging. Blogging just to give my followers a peek into my mind. So here I go. I'm gonna blog just for the sake of blogging :)
I know that there are no pictures and I know that over half of you won't even read this, but this is more of a post for me. 

Gosh, when I think about the past 3 weeks of my life a flood of memories fills my mind. Mainly memories and events that have taught me something. Usually when I learn something in a situation it means that things didn't go my way and I had to learn to let go, or wait, or just plain give up.
Often times I find myself talking to God like this 'Lord, I know that you know what you are doing here, but if you would just do things this way (my way) I am certain that things will turn out great!' Boy am I wrong. And that's the frustrating part. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a time in life where everything and everyone was predictable? You knew what was coming so you could just prepare yourself and everything would be fine and dandy. Well that's not the way this life thing works.
You see, God designed it so that we walk around blindfolded. Not knowing where we are going or where he will take us next. When I think about that it makes me kind of mad. Why wouldn't he let me see what is up ahead?
But, then you think about it more and you get more into the details. Like if you knew what was coming next there would be no trust, no surprises, no faith to jump out on. It'd be like going on a roller coaster and knowing every twist turn and spin- it would lose it's excitement.
And if we really knew what was coming next we would try to get out of it. Life would be lived in anticipation. If we see something great up ahead we would rush through all the not-so-great parts of life. And most of the time those not-so-great parts of life are really what make life better. They make you, you, they make you cling to the only constant thing in this life, they set your eyes not on your circumstance but on the One carrying you through life. And suddenly, when your focus is back on the One, the not-so-great arts of life seem not-so-bad anymore. Because you know that whatever you go through in this life- weather you see it coming or not- you know that He will always be holding you and he will never let you go. That's where trust comes from. And that is why I will go through this life blindfolded, but clinging to the One who knows where we are going.

Turtle Back Falls!

I get to go somewhere pretty awesome tomorrow. I've only been there once before and I've been itching to go back ever since. It's a place called Turtle Back Falls.
If I tried to explain to you in words what turtle back falls is, you would get a very strange image in your head. Thank the Lord for pictures. So, alog with my strange description of the phenomenal place I get to go to tomorrow I will share a picture (but you have to promise not to laugh, because this was taken last year and I look like a goober).
Turtle Back falls:  Is a place where water runs off of a natural curved rock shaped like the back of a turtle's shell (hence the name). The rock is smooth enough so that you can slide off of it, along with the water into a deep pool of water. Along with the turtle back shaped rock is other rocks of different sizes and shapes that you can jump of if you so desire. Even if you are afraid of heights, it's still a fun place to go.
I'm like SO excited! A group from my church is leaving tomorrow morning around 8:00 am. We are gonna drive up and pack a lunch for when we get there. After all the fun is had we will change, have a nice dinner and head home. We hope to be home around 11:00! Should be a long, but fun day! If I haven't mentioned already, I'm REALLY excited :)

Now, here is the picture so you can get an idea in your head. (remember, no laughing)

you can tell by the look on my goobery face what a great time I am having :)

What adventures are you up to this fine weekend?

Maddy K.

Birthday!!

I just wanted to post and mention that yesterday I turned 16 years old!! Crazy, I can't believe it. I feel like I have learned and grown so much since last year. I have met new people and experienced so many more adventures. 15 was a great age, but I am so glad to see what 16 will be like- with the freedom of driving!! I will post pics soon!

No excuses

Hello, Fellow bloggers!
I hope you have all had a great summer so far! I know I have. It has been exciting, busy and fun all rolled into one. I really am sorry that I haven't blogged in a long time. I wish I could give you a list of excuses as to why I have been slack blogging, but why don't I just tell you what I have been up to instead. OK!

Well, this past week was VBS at my church. There was lots of action going on in that building. I was signed up as one of the leaders for the 4k class. So that meant that I was co-in charge of 17 four and five year olds. There was a lot of them, but I really enjoyed getting to know them and love on them. There are some really sweet little kiddos out there!

Some days after VBS me and some of my friends that helped out too, went out to lunch and then hung out. We went swimming, bowling... it was fun! After a full week I was worn out! --So much, that now I have a cold. YAY BOO! Hopefully I will be better by my birthday in 2 days! I'm so excited about that :)

I will be blogging a lot more now that things have slowed down a bit around here. I have some blog ideas and also a blog interview that I need to post (Ali I will get on that!)!

Now that I have blabbed on typed on about my life, I will end this post with a picture.
I took this a while ago, but I thought I'd share it now. Just goofin off with the camera. I love doing that!

What has been on your summer schedule?

~Maddy K.

Tale as Old as Time

Tonight was our third performance of Beauty and the Beast! I can't believe it is almost over. It makes me sad! These past couple weeks have been so much fun! We put on this amazing show in just 2 short weeks!
I have made some great friends and really learned a lot about the makings of a play. I wish all of you could see it! We have a great cast! A great dance number for 'Be Our Guest' and 'Gaston'- my two  favorites!
Man it has been so fun! I don't want it to end!!

Have a good weekend,
Maddy K

Bubble :)

Yes, I am still alive. This week has just been much crazier than I had anticipated. I am still working on editing pictures from the beach. I have done over half of them, but I want to post them all at once. I hate waiting so long after fact to post them, but...
Lately I have been rehearsing every day to be in a play at a local theater in town. We are doing Beauty and the Beast. I have been having a lot of fun with it. We have a great cast! If you live near me you should come see it. The performances are next weekend the 10th-12th. I think you would really enjoy it!
So to tie you over until I can get the rest of the pictures done... here is a picture of me blowing a bubble. Me and some of my friends were goofing of- taking funny pics and I thought this one turned out pretty cool! :)

How is your summer??
-Maddy K.

Pictures soon!!

 I'm really excited to start editing pictures from the beach soon! I think I got some good ones:)
But the editing will have to wait until tomorrow. We got home earlier tonight and I just need some chill/unpack time. So, I'm sorry my friends... you will have to wait!
Until then,
Maddy K :)

Hey!

Hello, faithful followers!
Have I mentioned that I am at the beach? Well I am, and as of Monday I have been absorbing the Florida sun. Ah, such bliss. My mom, me and some of our friends came down for the week to celebrate my mom's birthday. So far the weather has been marvelous!
Since this is the beach and quite a hoppin place to take pictures I will try to post some as soon as I get back!

Enjoy the beginning of your summer as well,
Maddy K.

Love Stands Out Concert

On Thursday Night I went to a Wayne Kerr Band Concert for their world tour for their new Album- Love Stands Out. The concert was held at a local school and you got a free CD upon entry. I'm usually not a huge concert person, but over time I have grown to love them. I was oober pumped about this one because I had heard the band several times at a Youth retreat I had gone to. Their songs are great, and they do a great job making worship songs modern. There wasn't a ton of people at this concert because it was mainly just for our church, so not only did I get a front row seat, but afterward we got to hangout with Wayne Kerr and the band. We got autographs and pictures. It was really fun!

I was close enough to just stand on my tip-toes ans snap a picture.

This picture was taken by Wayne Kerr from the stage. Me and my friends are up front. Out hands spell out 
W-A-Y-N-E-K-E-RR-!-! It was great :)

There is us afterwards with the Wayne Kerr Band!
-my friend on the end got them to autograph her face. haha!

And here we are hanging out with RAZ- base guitar and Noland- guitarist... I'm not sure where the drummer went. They were hilarious though :)

So, there you have it. The Wayne Kerr concert in a nutshell. I've been jamin to the tunes from his new CD. Love it!
Have a fantastic Weekend,
Maddy K.

Loved by My Maker

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you , and people in exchange for your life." -Isaiah 43:4

You are precious to Him. He loves you. To Him you are so significant. We can find worth, not through the things of this world, but through Him.
This verse gives us so much truth. I put this verse on my mirror as a reminder of how special I am to my Maker.
You are precious. You are significant. You are loved. He can use you in mighty ways, and He will. He loves you with a love beyond our understanding. Bask in His love this week. You are His Child. Don't ever forget it.
your sister in Christ,
-Maddy K.

Way back when...

I found this picture of me the other day, and wanted to share it with you. When I saw it I cracked up! I was still in diapers when that picture was taken. The cat I'm holding was named Panther. I loved that kitty, but I'm not convinced that he liked me very much after that. I was as happy as could be holding that cat. I'm shocked that he didn't bite or scratch me or do whatever cats do when they get angry.
Also, notice my outfit. Great, right? And those little boots! haha!

Hope this brought a smile to your face!
-Maddy K.