Beautiful to Him

I am beautiful to Him when I give Him my all.

When I give up my selfishness

My fear,

My heart and

My soul.

He doesn’t need me to prove that I can do everything.

He understands me.

When I humble myself, he guides me.

He walks beside me.

I can feel it.

It isn’t when I made an ‘A’ in a class, or if I please everyone.

It’s when I’m honest and improve myself to try to be the bigger person.

It’s when I want to get to know Him.

When I go over to His house and listen to what he says.

I am weak and have thought about why I mean anything to Him and why he cares for me.

I think He sees a light in me. I know He loves me and that is good enough.

I know it because He lets me feel His love. I can find so much to be grateful for.

He listens to me. He speaks to me honestly. He places people and opportunities in my path that help me.

I am beautiful to Him when I try to love and show my love to Him.

Love is what pulls me through.

Story of My Life: Summer 2014

Quick timeline of my life.

I ran the Color Run in support for Relay for Life.

I went to my Church Prom.

I was a Junior Marshall.

I went to CJI (a journalism conference).

I also went to Palmyra New York with my youth group as well.

Towards the end of the summer, I went to New England which was neat.

That was my summer. Since then I haven't done too much except school and a little babysitting. I love y'all.

Photo by Sister Faulkenberry

A Modest Proposal

Hey guys, how are y'all doing? March has been busy. Hanging out people, soup kitchen, birthdays. All the good stuff. So this post is from an essay I did last block. The assignment was to write about a topic that bothered us a little bit, similar to A Modest Proposal by: Jonathan Swift. Earlier this week I went with Jr. Leadership to the State House. It really informed me about how the Senate and House work. We had speakers talk to us in between them and it was interesting to hear the politicians and to see their views on bills and different situations. The Senate was pretty good, however I was disappointed with the House. Below is my reaction of the what is done in the House. 

Our House: A House of Order

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity of seeing the House in session at the State House. I couldn’t believe the fantastic job our representatives are doing. They were laughing along with each other like they were friends, I’m sure that the speaker of the house was playing around when he said for them to come to order. In fact, they were so gracious they went through all the trouble to recognize everyone in the balcony looking on. They even brought in people to recognize for this session to pass bills. Some of the people they brought in were the ladies from the tennis team of Travelers High School who won first in their division -- AAA. All of those ladies were individually named and praised. In fact, the only people that were not recognized that were present were parents who wanted to take some pictures of their daughter from the tennis team. I felt like such a useful citizen when I had the opportunity to stand up while people applauded me, just like they did for everyone else. Then when they decided to “do” business it was casual and easy going. The speaker would propose a bill and asked them to say ‘Yay’ or ‘Nay’. When no one spoke, he said it goes to the ‘Yays’ then. The people under me from the balcony were having a wonderful conversation laughing and were turned around in their seats. When I looked at the board where it had everyone’s vote, for they pressed a button for their vote, they all agreed. I knew because I saw the unanimous voting I could tell that they were confident about how great every bill was that were placed before them. I kept wondering to myself, how I can help my state become a better place? Finally, I came to the realization of what to do.

                 Let’s pay them more money. That would be a splendid motivator. Even though none of them would ever think about doing something to get gain, it would help them to give back to us what we have sacrificed from our taxes. When a child gets whatever they want from a parent’s support, they have all the resources to better themselves. It will help them become better people, help them work harder, and it makes the job desirable. I think politics as a profession is a great idea. They should work for our dollars to keep on getting into office.

                In fact because they have this experience, we should praise them so they will continue working in our favor. They work so many hard hours and they make relationships with the people around them to get things done. In their sessions, they brought these important people in to recognize. By taking pictures with them and recognizing them by name they are helping us come together and realize our greatness. At a press of the button they can get things done.

                Also, we should vote for people that seem good. If we’re the same party, then they must have our best interests in mind. Why should we do research for who we vote for and think about if what they’re saying is important to me and think about if they will actually do what they say? We shouldn’t try to make them be more responsible and be stricter on them. Why, they wouldn’t be able to get anything done if we kept them from working and talking with other representatives during sessions. If they’ve done well in the past let us vote for them again. As they say ‘people don’t really change,’ so that is why they should be kept in office. Our views and what gets done will always be aligned. If what they say lines up with what I believe in or flatters me, I know that they really wanted to get what they said during campaigning season done done and they are really in my favor, even if they couldn’t be effective in office. We should give them more chances and our votes to show us what they’re made of.

                One should be able to see that by paying our representatives more, praising them, and to vote for people that seem good will help them be more effective. As we do this, things will be done in our House of SC even more effectively, than before.

Clap Along If You Feel Like a Room Without a Roof...

Hey guys!

So it has been a really fun week. On Thursday I got my haircut by Dawn. I really like it :)
Before:

Pretty, but crazy long

 After:

Whoop! Whoop!

This past Friday I went to SIPA with a few people from Newspaper. It was so much fun. The classes were good and we had sandwiches for most of our meals from Subway and this cafe down the road. Yummm! It was a lot of fun. We also got to go by the statehouse grounds as well.

Doing Seth's blog is fun too. He's growing up! Haha :)
I hope all of you are doing well, I love y'all!

Life is a Monet

Life is a Monet. Nothing is smooth, everything's up and down and the same colors (trials) rarely get used twice. It is hideous. However the further away you get so you can see the bigger picture, you see it is beautiful.

All the strokes and the texture help the Monet become the stunning, beautiful piece of art that it was meant to be. It becomes a blur, but when in the situation, one can only sees the hideous part, if only they would wait until the Monet was finished. Then they would realize the masterpiece the Master wants to place in His gallery, so others may see the works and glorify the master who helped make them.

Those looking upon their life on what is going on in the moment and not at the bigger picture the Creator has in store then they will never see themselves as they really are.

Life is a Monet. It's all on how you look at it.

My Monet is beautiful. Those around me have been helping me look at my bigger picture. It will be ugly at times, but when I step back I will see that the Holy Ghost guided me and helped me take the right strokes in my life.

 Life's been pretty interesting. Encouraging words, hugs, all the good stuff. Experiences help me to better be able to understand others or look at circumstances in a different way.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

I love y'all! Christmas is coming and I can hardly wait. It'll be beautiful.

I'm helping decorate for a Holiday Spirit Week with Student Council. It is going to be amazing. We're planning to sell hot chocolate, decorate the halls and have spirit days. Monday: T'was the Night Before Christmas (Pajama Day) and etc.

My classes have been hectic, but I love my teachers. They have some of the greatest personalities! Mr. Caldwell sings and dances. A week or two ago I noticed he was wearing corduroy pants and I could not resist telling him the joke.

Me: Mr. Caldwell, I've noticed that you're wearing corduroy pants today. Have you heard about the new corduroy pillows?
-Mr. Caldwell: Why no, I have not.
Me: They're making headlines.

<Mr. Caldwell puts his head back and laughs>
I later found out that he told his son the joke.

Mr. Dyer, my history teacher, is very intelligent and is teaching because he desires to help future America be more aware of the world around them to help them more wisely make decisions.

I'm also singing in a choir for Church. It's for a fireside full of music and we're singing lots of pretty music. I've been singing quite often recently and it's been a blast.

The Ward Christmas Party was fun, hanging out with Graham, Tyler, Kadee, Samuel, and Aila was hilarious! We talked about funny movies, and one of them was Hot Rod. (for those who have seen it, remember the hill?)

I also started a blog for Seth, y'all should check it out if y'all haven't already:
worththebest2years.blogger.com

I love life and people notice when you are drawing nearer to the Savior. I know because people have been telling me a lot recently that I am becoming more Christlike (for ex: a saint, a devout Christian). Never give up and serve others. Heavenly Father will help you know what to do.

Last week I was sitting in Pre-Cal and there is this nice, sweet guy in front of me. Mr. Caldwell called on him and he did not know the answer and said aloud that he felt stupid. It really stuck in my mind and at the end of the period the Spirit told me to talk to him. It was interesting how his face changed and how he became more open.

The next day right before class started, he turned around and thanked me for what I said. He told me that it really turned his day around. And that is why I keep doing what the Spirit tells me to do, this is why I strive to be Christlike because I did not know what lives I may have touched.

I love y'all, stay true to the faith!
Mary Ann

Dancing in the Moonlight!

So, in the life of Mary Ann. My life has been a little crazy (but not too crazy).

However, this past weekend was amazing!

My mom was really cool and allowed Rachel, Seth and I take her car to Florida to see our grandparents in The Villages. For the first two hours down, we had a major dance party and it was extremely fun. Later, we got tired and did whatever. It poured rain over half the way. Hello, Andrea.

But, the best part was definitely being hanging out with everybody. That night Granddad gave us a tennis lesson from the French Open. Grandma made us dinner #hungry ;). They are the coolest EVER! haha, it's true though. For the first night, we were all really tired and I talked to Rachel for a few hours in my room. We joked about how a # on twitter or whatever is replacing 'I am...'
     Ex: #hungry
           #ready to eat
           #tired
           #chilling at the beach
           #SWAG (Own that swagger?)

And, (our weird, twisted humor) we started talking about the ending 'er'.

"Hey Rachel, do you know what a police officer is?
"<Says exactly what it is>"
"Nope, it is a person who offices police!"

"Do you know what a headbutter is?"
*pause*
"A person who butts heads!"

We were laughing about that for ever. (Also known as, we were so slap happy we thought the strangest stuff was funny.

Before we went to sleep, Grandma joined us for scriptures. She is insightful and told us stuff that were really meaningful. We had a good discussion going and at the end we had a group hug. presh.

The next day it poured rain. For breakfast we all went to IHOP. It was my first time and I tried the "Cinn-A-Stack" Pancakes, yummm.
I was very pleased.

Later everyone played 'Triple E' together, without the poker portion. Rachel had the most crazy luck in the planet, haha. She ended up with ALL the chips. It is pretty ironic because the next day, while everyone was napping, I played 'Sorry' with Grandma. The first game when she got all of her guys to home, one of my colors were all in start. We played again because I figured, "How could my luck get any worse?" Well, I was sorta right. I got relatively far, especially in retrospect. When Grandma won again, we decided to see how many turns it would take for all my pieces to 'home'. Mistake. It took me over half the deck to get there. "Move backwards 4," haha, poor yellow. 

After, we played 'Triple E' Rachel and I went to the pool. Keep in mind that it is still pouring rain. We had a blast. We had the pool all to ourselves. We talked and Rachel told me all about this guy. Let's call him Jack. Rachel and Jack have been getting to know each other, therefore Rachel has been texting him throughout our travels. It was so excessive that Seth started to make fun of her. At first, Rachel denied that she was flirting with Jack and vice-versa. HA! Anyways, on the way home there is a really funny story about that. 

We ended up watching "42" (the movie is about Jackie Robinson). The "Barn Storm Theater" was pretty fancy.  

Finally, the rain stopped on Friday and Saturday. You know what that means? Tennis!

Granddad is seriously the best coach I could have ever asked for in a million years. He knows when to give you praise, to be hard on you, and actually teaches you how to do it. I admire him and I have improved immensely, long story short. 

Friday night, going to the square the super fun with Seth and Rachel.

On the way home, we swung by Hilton Head (beautiful), Chick-fil-a, and this historical church from the 1750s. The church grounds were truly fascinating.

Those were the highlights and I loved the whole trip.

On Sunday, church was super, super good. A returned  missionary, Michael Dropla, spoke on faith. Amazing! Later, President Mayo spoke on the restoration.

Mission prep. that night was the best I had ever done. Amber, my companion, and I spoke on how we believe in Jesus Christ. I related it to having an older brother and how Seth saved me from drowning in a pool. It was nice and simple. :) Brother Crocker, our teacher, is amazing. Think of his teaching style this way:

Brother Crocker: Mission Prep.::Granddad Jerry: Tennis

Yesterday, I went to a StuCo (Student Council) meeting. It was very productive and we have an amazing council this year. I can't wait to work with them this coming up year.


Y'all are amazing. Remember who you are. Never give up.