Week 18: Determination

This morning was the one year mark of my service in the Kindergarten Ministry at River Pointe! Every Sunday morning, I look forward to seeing all of my five year olds bright smiling faces. We always have the best time together! Their carefree joy for life and laughter is always so encouraging. Today, one little girl's mom told me that I was the only reason her daughter wanted to come to church. It's compliments like that which remind me that I am doing exactly what the Lord intended me to do. I can't believe I have been serving for exactly one year to date in the Kindergarten Hut. I have learned so much from leading the small group talk every week and observing these little munchkins in action. This morning we learned about Determination.

Determination: Deciding it's worth it to finish what you start.

There are some weeks that I don't want to serve on Sunday, I'd rather sleep in or work out. However, Christ gave me an undeniable drive to finish every task He has given me. I am dedicated to fulfilling my purpose on this earth and showing love to every person I come across.

"And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

Week 19: No Strings Attached.

Week 19 has been one busy, busy week! I'll always remember the Blog Party, Total Tush Tuesdays with Brittany, and acting like idiots with the PALs in the Sonic parking lot. In my life I am constantly running from one activity to the next every single day... but I wouldn't have it any other way! After a long week of being exceptionally busy, I finally had a low-key night with my closest friends. I put on my comfy clothes and toasty slippers, and went to see 'No Strings Attached' with KK, Taylor, Mark and Anam. You know you're a senior in high school, when you go to the movies in your pajamas! The movie posed some interesting questions and in the beginning I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for my naive little self! But this sweet romantic comedy captured my heart and the heart of the rest of the audience. I am a hopeless romantic, so simple love stories always seem to get to me! It brought tears to my eyes and undeniable laughter. This story reminded me that the greatest love will be found when you least expect it. After the flick, we headed back to Katy's house for hot-tubbing and hanging out. There were no strings attached to spending a relaxing Saturday night with my closest friends. This was the perfect ending to Week 19!



Week 19: Project 365 Blog Party!

Today was the Project 365 Blog Party! I've never heard of anyone having a blog party before, but I wanted my dedicated blog followers to be able to see the finished project! I worked my booty off after school to get everything done today; from cleaning to baking. There was a pretty good turnout of people from every aspect of my life. I had my closest friends, the families that I babysit for, a few of the PALs, my mom's friends, my youth pastor, my second parents, some of my teachers, and the most devoted blog followers. Almost all of them got the opportunity to look and sign my blog book, but there were only two copies to go around! I also created a digital slideshow of the entire blog. I've been working on it for the past few days and I finished late Thursday night! You may be wondering... "What do you do at a blog party?" Well... we hung out, ate LOTS of yummy food, played just dance, and flipped through the blog book many many times! I love looking back at each day and remembering all of the details that made that day so special. It still amazes me that my Project 365 is complete and I was able to blog every day for three hundred and sixty five days! If you would have told me one year ago that I was going to have a blog party... I would have laughed hysterically. I now have a hard-cover book of my 365 accomplishment, which is a daily reminder of the reason I started the project in the first place. I couldn't have completed this project without the support from my amazing family, friends, and followers! Thank you to all for stopping by and helping me celebrate the completion of my Project 365!!! 

Week 19: Kick-Off!

Today kicked off the first day that I volunteered for the extended day program at Oyster Creek Elementary School and the first FCA of the year! Before volunteering at OC, I went to Sonic with Ira, Colby and Cassandra. It was unbearably cold, wet and nasty outside today,  so an outdoor seating arrangement at Sonic was not ideal! They grabbed their food and we all bundled up in my toasty car. We talked and laughed uncontrollably about PALs' class and various things going on in each of our lives. It is those kind of moments and conversations that make us grow so much closer! Tonight at the FCA kick-off, we played dodge ball!! There wasn't a huge turn out like we had anticipated, but everyone that showed up on this rainy night had a blast! We even played a couple rounds of  Seniors vs. Others. There were only about six seniors battling over thirty other kids. The six of us held our ground for a little bit, but in the end we were sadly defeated. Overall, it was a great kick-off! I know God has big plans for FCA this semester and I can't wait to see how he works through us to touch the lives of the students at Austin! I have been an FCA leader since the beginning of my sophomore year and today was the start of my last semester as a leader. I pray God continues to use me at FCA to inspire others to selflessly serve Him. Let the competition begin, let the glory be God's.

Week 19: 1,056 Miles...

Project 'Here's to the Nineteen' has officially began. It will be a slight change from my typical 365 routine, but we'll see how well it works! This morning, Jason moved to Charlotte, North Carolina! We have been anticipating this day for over a month now, but today reality hit. He graduated from Texas A&M in December, and landed a solid job that will start his career in the East Coast. Other than college, this is the first time anyone has moved out of our house and found a new place to call home. Everyone shed several tears, especially my mother. All of her babies are growing up quickly and moving on to big things! My brother, Jason, is one remarkable person. He is witty, creative, optimistic, hopeful, full of life and jokes, intelligent, hard-working, unbelievably selfless and kind-hearted. Everyone from Texas will miss this fun-loving, sweet southern gentleman... but North Carolina is in for a real treat! I know he has an incredibly bright future ahead, and I can't wait to see what's to come! Even though we may have doubted him at times, he always exceeded our expectations.  Jason Christopher Engle, you have achieved so much thus far in your life and I know you will achieve so much more. You may be 1,056 miles away from Sugar Land, but this will always be your home! Be sure to whip out your cowboy boots and southern accent to show all those folks in North Carolina how it's done!

Here's to the Nineteen.

My Project 365 has come and gone. The year 2010 was by far one of my best years yet, and I don't want to let 2011 be forgotten! Graduation is around the corner and I decided to hop back into the blogging world for my last semester of high school! After a month of hardly taking any pictures, after a month of getting plenty of sleep, after a month of my life not being on blast every day... I am ready to start something new! I had many sleepless nights pondering what my next challenge might be. I searched other photographer's personal blogs, researched creative projects, and even considered tackling the 365 again! For some reason, those projects didn't capture my heart this time around; they weren't original enough for the new year!  After many weeks of thought and prayer, I came to the conclusion that I can plan whatever I'd like for my future in the blogging world and in the real world; but ultimately I trust that God's plan will always triumph!
Proverbs 19:21 says,

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

With that said, I would like to introduce you to my new project; Here's to the Nineteen. Starting Sunday, January 23rd, there are nineteen weeks until the graduating class of 2011 will walk across the stage and finally toss up their caps! Each week I will blog; maybe once, maybe multiple times. I will take plenty of pictures and fill my new blog with inspiration, celebration, and possibly some frustration! My last semester of my senior year will be unbelievably memorable. Here's to the nights we will feel alive. Here's to the tears you know we'll cry. Here's to goodbye, tomorrow's gonna come too soon.

Here's to the Nineteen.