Columbine: 13 years

One of my favorite quotes is by Rachel Joy Scott. In fact, I love it so much and feel it defines part of me so well that I made a huge sectional banner that extends across a wall in my room.

I write
NOT for the sake of glory
NOT for the sake of fame
NOT for the sake of success
but for the sake of my soul

That was written by Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine school shootings.

When I was at camp a last year, after morning service, during small group time. It was asked of us "who inspires you?". My answer? Rachel Joy Scott.

But I never really got to explain why.

Though I'm not sure what it is I would've said anyway.

I am NOT a beer chuggin', pot trippin', drug dealin' Christian
I AM a God lovin', satan slammin', Jesus freakin', world changin', Christian.
I AM A WARRIOR FOR CHRIST
--Rachel Joy Scott

You see, her story, her journals, her writing and life have inspired me in so many ways.
Helped me to grow in my walk in Christ and God has spoken to me through her words.

Something I want Him to do through my words someday.

Some people would say that her life was wasted, she was so young when she was killed.

But in fact, its rather the opposite.

While her death is tragic beyond words, her life and what it meant is so worth celebrating.

Her life wasn't wasted.

“And as Christians, we need to remember to walk our talk.”--rachel joy scott

Her memorial service was broadcast to people all over the country, all over the world.

And because of her story, thousands of people came to Christ and still are.

Teens stepped forward to "pick up the torch" that had been dropped at her death. (check out the book(s) for more info)

God had has a plan for it all.

He's got this.

What if you were to die today? What would happen to you? Where would you go? Tomorrow is not a promise, but a chance. It may not be there for you. After death, then what? Where will you spend your eternity? Will you have eternal life with your loving Father? Or will you be ripped from the arms of your Savior. Eternity is in your hands; change it!
-Rachel

Do you know what was written on the cover of her last journal?

"I WILL NOT BE LABELED AS AVERAGE"

Me? I don't want to be labeled as average either.

“I am not going to apologize for speaking the Name of Jesus, I am not going to justify my faith to them, and I am not going to hide the light that God has put into me. If I have to sacrifice everything…I will.” --Rachel Joy Scott {1 year before her death}

As of today, it has been 13 years since the Columbine school shootings. And it seems that no one cares to remember.

But I say remember, remember and never forget.

this post is dedicated to Rachel and Cassie as well as all those who died, and sacrificed their lives in the defense of others, 13 years ago. and to the families of those lost. God bless.

Fine Arts Trip Day 3 & 4

Next day is Fine Arts at a rather big (thought not as big as last year) church.

I canceled my Short Sermon entry as I felt my sermon wasn't ready etc...and my Spoken Word performance wasn't until after lunch.

Originally there were 4 girls and 2 guys doing spoken word, though it looked like it came down to only 3 girls and two guys. The guys went first and were really good. One of them was the same guy who received Superior with Invitation to Nationals and the Merit Award last year. Then I was up.
Now, I think it's worth mentioning, that part of spoken word, or any performance art really, is feeding back off our audience. This wasn't hard for the first two guys because they had HUGE youth groups as well as family and friends that packed the room. People who shouted things like "AMEN" and "tell it" and things like that. Supportive. People they had been practicing in front of for months (since September).
I on the other hand, had only had since January when I finally found out the theme. Not very long. Not only that but it is really hard to feed back off your audience when the only other people in the room are 3 judges, your mother, a random dude and the next girl and her leader. Yeah...
So, after both the other girls dropped lines halfway through their performances, surprise surprise the guy that won last year got the same this year. But, the other guy also got Superior with Invitation to Nationals.
And none for Siriana. *sigh*

Ah well, wasn't in my favor to begin with. Whatever. I still don't think the judges know what spoken word is...thus they responded better to the rap-like stylings and deeper voices of the guys.

But, I did pretty much the same as last year in T-Shirt Design and Poetry. Superior with Invitation to Nationals in Poetry, and Superior as well as the Merit Award (highest scoring) in T-shirt design.

Some of you may be wondering about if I'm going to National Fine Arts Festival. Well, the answer is no. I would need about $2,500 in the next two weeks...money that if I had I probably would spend on something more like a new computer and web design software so I could do that for work.
You see, Nationals is in Louisville, Kentucky. Which is on the other side of the country. Think 3,000 miles.
Which to go would mean, registration and ticket costs, finding someone to go with me, plane tickets, car rental, gas, food, and a hotel for a week. Craziness and lots of money.

Fine Arts Trip Day 1 & 2

Reading other blogs always makes me want to come and write something on my own (blog)...right now I am so enjoying Oh Restless Bird, Thoughts of a Shieldmaiden as well as the lovely stylings of Roz over at Clothes, Cameras, and Coffee.

And so I felt it was due time I posted again, and definitely about my district Fine Arts trip this past weekend!
Alright-y...where to begin where to begin... Well, we left on Thursday morning, (the 12th) and while originally having planned to leave home at 9am we barely made it out by 10am. This is, I will admit, mostly my fault because there were last minute things I needed to do but I needed help or something with so had waited for everyone else then they all had to wait for me...yes, confusing, I actually have no idea...yes moving on.
Obviously Thursday was a confusing, frazzling morning for me. I didn't really sleep much the night before, lots of tossing, turning and waking up in the middle of the night. Not restful at all. Thank goodness I didn't have to navigate.
Now, last year it was just my mother and I and so I was the person with the maps as we had never been to where we were staying and needed to watch for exits and continually consult the google maps prints.
We arrived at our destination about 6ish after approximately 6 hours in the car (not counting the stops).
Yet another fitful night, though this time because of sleeping in an unfamiliar bed...
Next day, attempt to sleep in but to no avail. Decide we're going to the aquarium...
Google maps our way to the aquarium, have enough to pay for two hours of parking...rush through aquarium (super cool!), mumble yell at the lacking not working camera a lot, and finally get a bunch of pictures:

Exit through aquarium shop, I of course buy a shirt (it's a weakness of mine). Though it is a pretty epic shirt. Tie dye with some cool floral digital printing on it and a classic collegian logo placement


Meanwhile, mum has gone ahead to the car to make sure her baby *cough* dog is alright.
Oh, did I mention we took our chihuahua with us? Yes...on the whole trip. She's too adorable to leave home. Don't believe me? She has a tumblr: http://therealspec.tumblr.com/.

P.S.
That was Pooky in all my pictures! Something I do is take pictures of him all over the place...kind of like people do with that gnome.
Last summer Pooky got to travel all across the country!...without me...obviously this bear is much better traveled than I!