Mum

Hi Mom,

  I know you only check my blog occasionally, but since today is dedicated to you I though it might be nice to write a little something for ya. Well first off, I wouldn't really be alive without you, so thanks for that. Thank you for leading my in the Godly way, and raising me (and continuing to raise me) to be a woman of God. That is the most important thing about your job. Through the tears and laughter of my life, you've always been there for me. Even when I wasn't a very nice person. Thank you for always supporting me in my decisions (when they were smart), and giving me advice with other decisions (when they weren't so smart). I wouldn't have gotten far without you.

  Thanks Mom for everything. I love you :)


   Bailey

Idea!

So there I was in the kitchen when an idea came to me! I jumped up and ran up the stairs (more like pounded up the stairs) ran into my room and looked into the mirror and thought: “Why did I come in here? There must be a reason.” I went back out of my room and three seconds later I jumped up. Ran back in my room and grabbed a bag of SKITTLES! Yes, that was my oh so brilliant idea.

Ever have something like this happen to you?

~Brianna

Guest Post By Kendall :)

Hi Guys :)

 So Brianna and I have a lovely friend named Kendall (I would post a picture of her if I had any, but ya know :P), and she has agreed to write a guest post about passion in Christ. I loved this post in how she showed how passion for Christ and living a life for Him could encourage her to have such good responses, and how it could lead her to encourage others through her words. So without further ado, here's a guest post by Kendall :)

   So, I've been recruited to do a guest post on this awesome blog, sweet! I am also supposed to write about a passion for Christ...even sweeter! I've been thinking a lot lately, about why we're here. We're here to spread the glorious new of the gospel. That's the reason for life. Hang on tight, 'cause this is gonna get deep here in a second. Let me tell you about a recent conflict that occurred while I was babysitting my 3 younger brothers. So here's what went down: Ryan smashed Matthew's lego airplane. Uh oh. So Matthew gets angry with Ryan and lashes out with his words. So that's when I walk in. I try to keep a quiet patience as I attempt to fix the problem (being the babysitter, this is my job). I send Ryan out of the room so that I can talk to Matthew alone. Matthew then begins to tell me all about Ryan has done. He continues on and on until it's my turn to make an observation. "Matthew," I say, "I know that Ryan did that, and it was wrong of him, but what did you do wrong in this?" He seems upset at this and replies more about how he had worked so very hard on the plane Ryan smashed. He will not accept the fact that I am trying to confront his own sin and not Ryan's right now. (Keep with me here, it gets better I promise!!) After a little more of this, I remember an illustration someone shared at church that really spoke to me, so I decide to share it with Matthew.

               "Matthew, trying to be perfect is like trying to jump over the Grand Canyon. Even if you can jump 10 feet and Ryan jumps 5, you both fall. So what difference does it make who jumps farther? When you fall, you die, and when you die, you can't explain that you jumped farther than he did. That's why we need a bridge. That's the reason God sent his son to die for us. Because we've all sinned and we've all fallen and we cannot jump across the Grand Canyon. We need a bridge! Jesus is that bridge for us, and he will carry us all the way to the other side. We just have to say 'No. I cannot do it. I cannot jump that far. I need a savior.""


                I left him with that. This was a big step for us and I sincerely hope Matthew understands who Jesus is a little better. Afterwards, I remembered something from the sermon we'd heard that very same day:
(Matthew 10:19-20) "...do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. (20) For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." It really made me think. God was in that moment with Matthew. He used me to speak to him! Matthew came to me later and thanked me for sharing that with him and said that it really helped him. But I know that it was not me who thought of that illustration, and it wasn't me who was speaking to him, but it was the Spirit of my Father speaking through me. What a cool feeling it is!


               Thanks for listening to my crazy rambles. I hope this encourages you guys as much as it encourages me. :)


~ Kendall Hayden

Briannas Back!

Yeah, Its been awhile and you might have forgotten about me, but I`m still on the planet!!!!! Been busy finishing the school year, big bro graduating scary....he needs to stay my 8 year old big brother for FOREVER! ...wait he might not like that . =) Also been working on next year`s school schedule EEK! I`m gonna be a SENIOR and doing a few COLLEGE classes (probably) EEK! Turned 16 in April SCREAM! and got a new camera DOUBLE SCREAM!!! getting ready for summer... probably not going to get a job this summer...even if I want a cell phone yeah I`m one of those starnge teenages that doesn`t have a cell phone.... oh well its not a necessary thing for life and I don`t really want to spend $100 bucks on a phone and then pay $20 buck a month for unlimited text and no minutes, hey I`m homeschooled talking on the phone is like evil...well not really but I don`t like it. I`m going to be taking a Photography class again this summer =D Thats going to be sooooo much fun =D ...haven`t got my permit yet and don`t really care about getting it... me on the roads..well that is a scary thing, really scary...well I`ll probably be alright just growing up is a scary thing and driving is a BIG step for me. I`m gonna try to get it before summer...maybe. =)
TTFN (Ta Ta For Now!)
~Brianna

On Growing Up

 My 16th birthday is quickly approaching. My sister (not really blood related, but all the same to me) is graduating next month. Actually, a lot of people are graduating next month and most of them are going away! I got my permit yesterday (finally :P). Milestones, milestones, milestones. Every week it seems like I hit a new one. My little brother is 13. 13!! My baby sister is not a baby, but 10!!! WHAT IN THE FREAK JUST HAPPENED!?!?!?

 Growing up is exciting, and every kid wants to grow up. Until they are grown up. Then they want to be kids again. I personally want to stay a child, but I want high school to be over. I want to have responsibility, but not too much. I'd love to get a job, but I fear I would flounder in the "real world". Growing up is full of fear for me. College is right around the corner. What in the world will I do there?! I can't believe how fast time has gone, the minutes of my life ticking past and I haven't even noticed until now.

 Not only am I growing up in ways like getting older, I am growing up in ways of life. A life well lived is a life in God's service. My life is currently, and will always be, in God's service. I am afraid of what is going to come in my life in the next 2 years. But I am not going to be alone. God is going to carry my through adversity, and bring me out stronger--but still leaning on his grace, as always :) I wouldn't want it any other way.

 Even though growing up is a daunting task, I think I will survive. Even if I can't get the minutes back. I am looking forwards to life ahead, and looking back at memories of time gone. God's been with me the whole time. He is still with me. He will be with me forever.

 Bailey

 P.S. This is post number 80!! WOOT WOOT!!

#27 (i think)- Growing up

Why I Read Harry Potter

Alright, promise me that you won't block me forever or anything, because I just want to share my opinion on the issue of Harry Potter. Yes, Harry is a wizard. But he's not demonic. Yes, there are things from the books/movies that I don't necessarily agree with. But the good outweighs the bad in this case. For a few weeks now, a couple of my friends and I have had a "debate" (for lack of a better word) on Harry Potter and whether it's wrong or not. So I will now address some of the main issues that I have encountered within these debates.

 1) The characters are wizards. Most people in the Christian community at this point will make a face and walk away, noses up-turned. But in our fallen world, wizard means something much different than in there world. In our world, a witch or wizard is someone who takes advantage of demonic powers to use for their own personal gain. Anyone can do this, and it is utterly wrong. But it's not wrong when you are special, and born with the gift. You don't think that superpowers are demonic, right? Well the wizards and witches in the Harry Potter books and movies are just like their own breed of superheros. It's not wrong in their special case.

2) There is no distinction between good and bad. WHAT?!?!?!?! This is probably the most stupid point I have ever heard coming from someone who has never read the books. Harry and his friends are up against a villain through the WHOLE SERIES. Seriously, people? Lord Voldemort is an evil wizard (there's the exception to the rule stated above. If you are LV, you are bad.) planning to rule the wizarding world, and destroy all the "half-blood" wizards and regular people. There is a clear fight between good and bad. There are also a lot of great morals for friendship, loving your enemies, etc.

3) People who are allowed to read Percy Jackson and The Olypimpians (which is a series about gods, demi-gods, and everything from Greek mythology thrown into modern times.) but not the Harry Potter books. I don't get it. Granted, it was the parent's choices and they are probably making the right choices in leading their kids, I don't understand how gods and demi-gods aren't considered on the same level as Harry Potter. I can see how it's mythology and all fake, but so is HP! This point just confused me. I don't read PJATO. I just don't like them as much. They are great stories, but i'm just not as big of a fan.

  So there you have it. My main points, and one concerning something I don't get at all (aka those kids have no room to argue with me about how HP is bad). There are draw-backs to the Harry Potter books just like many, many other books. But they are still some of my favorites.

  Bailey

 ps- Don't get me started on Twilight. There i'm much less of a fan. GO ORIGINAL DRACULA!

Good Friday

    Ah, Good Friday. Easter is probably my favorite holiday. And it's not just because of the candy (although that is a lovely addition). It's because of the true meaning: The death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. How much these things mean to me I cannot say in words. 

    As a child (if I have even moved on from childhood :P), I knew that the meaning of Easter was the day that Jesus rose from the dead, but not until recent years did I take into account what this meant. This meant that Christ had already died for my sins and conquered death, and now he had risen again. He revealed himself to many people on earth so that they could tell others about his sacrifice. Then he ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father, leaving behind hope where there was once was none.

    I thank God that He revealed all this to me. That I have the hope that Jesus died to give: the hope of eternal life to live with him in heaven. He has also given me a light to shine into the darkness of this world. If you are reading this and have never heard this news before, I urge you to find a Bible and read the entire Gospel. See what God has done for you! I wish that I could convey the Gospel better, but I hope that you can at least understand why I love it so much. And why I love Easter and Good Friday so much. On Good Friday he died. On Easter he rose victorious.

    Enjoy your Easter!

   -Bailey

 # 22- Easter
    23- Good Friday
    24- Hope
    25- How much God loves me, and how much He loves you.

   
     

Update

Hello All :)
  Well i'll just give you an update on life at the moment for me, because being a full time student/year round swimmer/new driver :)/babysitter hasn't really given me time to post. heh heh.
 So- Well, the most drastic thing i've done was cut all my hair off.

 It went from shoulder length to...ear length perhaps? Anyhow, it's short.

 I'm getting close to finishing sophomore year (YES.), and that's a relief.
  And as always, God is showing me just how much he loves me every day. Giving me grace, caring and correcting, what better Father could there possibly be?!

 Short, sweet, and to the point. Farewell until...eh.
 #21-Short hair :)

Day #(I Lost Track of) Thankfulness

 Lets see....

  7. Early mornings (sometimes)
  8. SNOW! (even if it doesn't stick)
  9. Bird feeders and a big window...makes for lots of very fat birds to watch whilst I drink tea :)
 10. Alex, Alyssa, Arianna, and Analisa...my lovely sisters. Oh, and Lewis. My mischevious brother. (Only certain people should get this so if you are lost it's all good)
 11. Basketball/laughing so hard it hurts (Trying to play with dad and mom without laughing doesnt work :) )
 12. My bible. One day I want it to be completely highlighted/underlined and falling appart.
 13. Compostions on the piano (i'm trying my hand...and i'm actually pretty happy with it)
 14. BABIES!! Trust me, at my church we are in no short supply and I LOVE it :)
 15. New mercies every morning...
 16. Bananna/chocolate smoothies for breakfast. Oh yeah :)
 17. Old pictures
 18. Memories of a beloved uncle...
 19. "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles
 20. The fact that God gives me grace to be thankful for anything :)

  -Bailey

Thankfulness...

Ollo,

   Those are the words of Megamind coming to you from a geek. Yah...anyway!

   I've decided to, as many have done before me (Melanie thanks for the idea :) ), start listing things that I am thankful for. I think that I will aim for 100 things. Which should be pretty easy considering all that God has given me to be thankful for. And this will also give you a little insight to my life and what I love :) Yay! So here goes:

   1. Jesus Christ (I will always be most thankful for Him)
   2. the piano in my living room
   3. my ipod (which I could never live without jk)
   4. my Dad...my Mom...my bro...my sis
   5. Hot tea (This is how I am still alive peeps...gotta love ya some)

   Five every post is how I would like to do this...but some days maybe I will just open up and write out 20 at one time. Oh how much God has given me to be thankful for!!!

   -Bailey

  P.S. I'm also really, really thankful for spell check. 6!

Commenting

Hey Ya'll,

    So....I've wanted to say this for a while. It's not illegal to comment on my blog. I know shocking right? Some of you have but only when it's directed at you. Just so you know, I LOVE reading comments. Knowing that something I wrote amuses or touches you makes my day. Seriously, if you have any comments, questions, stories, or random knock-knock jokes, feel free to put them in a comment :) Or send them here if they are super long or you don't want the world seeing them: littlepurpleipod@gmail.com

  Happy commenting (yes, I expect some of you to start commenting)! -Bailey

New Years...Let it all out!

I have officially decided....that I will not have any New Year's resolutions. I can never keep them, and why should you make resolutions every year for things you should have been doing anyway? So, I have nothing more than to live life louder (Hawk Nelson fans holla ;) ). Why hold it all in, when you can let it all out?! I'm just gonna live life to the fullest, and for God's glory. Let's see what happens :) See ya'll next year! -Bailey

What a lovely season...

Ready for some random ramblings? Hey, look! Alliteration....my teacher would be proud. Anyway, this is amazing. I'm actually writing a post. Oh, gosh....now I've lost my train of thought. I can't actually remember what I was going to write about.

 Ok, now I remember :) I was going to write about the season! We just finished Christmas (which was awesome btw), and all the holiday excitement is almost over. Only New Years remains...sadness. But this is also the perfect time to remember that we don't just have to wait until Christmas or Easter to celebrate Jesus Christ. While everyone would like you to think that Jesus is closest to you when you are having a great time over the holidays, he is closest to you when you need him most. Or when you just ask for him to be with you. Christmas is the time we celebrate his coming with the world, but why not celebrate his coming every day? Why not remind yourself that what he came for and celebrate his life, death, and Resurrection every time you open your eyes in the morning or take a breath during a stressful day?

  This season is beautiful, that is for sure. But we can have Christmas or Easter every day! Doesn't that sound lovely?! With the season of life that I'm in, nothing seems to go horribly wrong. But that doesn't mean that it never will. So I draw close to God when everything is going great, so I know how to draw even closer when things go badly. And being close to God is the greatest thing ever...ever! Knowing that the Most High loves you and cares for you is so amazing. And it seems more amazing every day. Not just at Christmas.

  So, dear readers, I encourage you to make every day a day for celebration. Even when things go wrong...celebrate in the love of Jesus Christ. And if you are reading this now and have never felt the love of Christ, here's what I have to say. Think of the happiest moment in your life...now multiply that joy by a million. That's what kind of happiness God gives you. And feeling his presence, his gentle touch in the dark as you lay in bed thinking of the day to come, that's the most wonderful feeling ever.

   Try to love him like he loves you. You won't succeed...he loves you too much :) But celebrate his coming, and what he did for you, every day. It'll help you love him more.

  -Bailey

December Randomness...

 It's December. AHHHHH!!!!! Where did my year go?! Anyway since I dont have anything to post about, here's some random pictures I just happen to have on my computer. Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

 -Bailey :)

My sunglasses :)

                                                                       Me and Hugh Jackman

Uhhhh....

                                                                      Hairnet....nuff' said. They is spicy, right?

A little word...

To my dear friends,

Most of you probably won't read this but I don't care. This is for you! Each of you will get a little word that expresses a lot. If the reader doesn't get it, then it's probably for the best and you will most likely get it. If not...blonde moment. Here goes!

Alex: I will catch up to you!! (I would drive for a while once I get my permit!)

Alyssa: I will vote for you.

Arianna: No touchy!! Just kidding ;)

Alalisa: :P

Kaitlin: CALL ME!!

Kendall: I really should write a novel shouldn't I?

Neeley: Remember to bring the white cheddar cheese it's and smoothies flavored jelly beans!

Brianna: Carryin' the banner home free all!!

Abbie: If I'm not dead then I'm there for you.

Blaise: He is very pudgy.

Melanie K: You have no idea how much you encourage me :)

Now for the guys:

Grant: I'm still faster :)

Jack: I don't care if you are a year and a day older!!

Dennis: Spicy? Really?

Josh: the king's speech. We need to watch it soon.

Henry: You make a terrible public schooler

Brient: The preying mantis you ate is endangered. Well it was.

To anyone I missed, terribly sorry but maybe I wanted to give you your small word in person :)

I'm back (maybe)

Oh goodness it's been a long time, friends. I miss writing out whatever I want and having people read it from all over the world. It's great to see the views from germany and Russia and all those othe places! And getting new followers to share my life with. So let's start with an update. Well I'm finishing up my first semester of 10th grade and it has been so much fun!! I really love learning about everything I can get my hands on...except for maybe math. Anywho, I promised to tell you about meeting a movie star so here's the story: Real Steel was just coming out an there was a benefit screening (charity) of te movie with an appearance from Hugh Jackman!So we went, hoping to see him and at best talk to him. He got out of his car and beat feet over to say hello to all the people waiting to see him...including me!! He was really nice and even took a picture with me! And that's my little story of well, startstruck wonder :p I'll post the pictures later since I'm on my iPod now and can't get to it.

Farewell children! I've missed you and hopefully I will return! And don't forget that you are all in my prayers :)

-Bailey

As you've probably guessed :)

Hello Peoples.


  As you have probably figured out, I haven't been blogging lately. Haha yah that's not obvious. I am just SUPER busy with swimming, school, and everything in between. Nothing major has changed and nothing exciting has happened...except for I met Hugh Jackman, but that's another story. Just want you to know that for a little while longer my posts will probably be few and far between. I feel bad not putting anything up here, but what can I do? Thanks for understanding, and maybe (if I can finish my homework :)) I'll post the story about my movie star meeting. 
  -Bailey

Just Until I Have Something More Interesting...

 Life is pretty boring at the moment, soooo here's a video...just cuz I have nothing to post. Me and Brianna are working on a segment on a volunteering job we did, which turned out to be hilarious and really fun. Enjoy, and know that I miss you guys!! I will be back soon. Promise.

-Bailey

It`s been awhile

It`s been awhile since I posted... be busy from school to cleaning and having company. Jason`s going to a collage class this semester.We are going to Florida this month!!!! It will be my first time!!!! Yeah, shocking.... But I have been to Nebraska oh yeah how many of you have done that?...=D ....I don`t remember it though...hum.... I found a saying in a book that I read that stood out to me "Whenever you can`t sleep at night it`s God`s way of telling you to pray. That there`s someone who need your prayers." That quote is in Summer by Karen Kingsbury. Lately I have been reading 2 of her series (The Baxter Family Drama and The Bailey Flanigan series) . Her books are Christian Fiction aka novels which I really like. =) Well I guess thats all for now ~Brianna

Poems, Co-ops, and Daily Naps

    I know it's been forever since I have posted, but you can't blame me! I have officially started my sophomore year in high school. And have school up to my nose. Time management has not included blogging for a while.

    Doing chores is a time to (for my family) be silly. We turn the radio on and dance nearly every day. And last week I wrote, or made up, a poem. About my favorite things. Here it is.

  Batman, soda pop, driving in the parking lot,
  I wish I could go swimming every day.
 
  Taking pictures, singing songs,
  Eating chocolate all day long.
  I'll play some notes and then I'll turn the page.

  Hanging out with friends, and laughing with the fam,
  Learning more about my God, and worshipping the Lamb

  Living life with all I've got, and dancing randomly,
  These are the things I love to do, that help me to be me.


  Hold your applause :) Just kidding. Anyway, co-ops have started. Which means that I will be super busy, and less blogging will happen.

 And just something to laugh at...I am back to the days of kindergarten. Taking a nap almost every day. I am such a baby. But getting up at 6 every morning (sarcasm...I've tried every morning. Yah, it doesn't work.) is hard! That or I just miss the days when things were simple. OH well. Off to do more school! -Bailey