SNOW DAZE 2012

Yesterday was that day.

Snow Daze 2012

Friends
Fun
Laughing
Dancing
Music
Coranations
Pretty Dresses
And so much more...

Right before I left

Pictures of my dress!

A few of my friends! 

I can't wait for next year - So many memories made!

I keep replaying some of them in my head.

It's safe to say that I can't dance that great, and it takes me a while to catch on!

But I had such a fun night with all my friends!

Snowdaze 2013, here I come...

~Michlyn

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Style

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Style

Have you ever stared longingly through the glass windows of a store that displayed those beautiful clothes? I don't know about you, but I have. Just wishing that I could take them off that ugly mannequin and keep it for myself. Have you ever seen a new shirt that your friend is wearing and be really jealous? I have. Sometimes it's hard to put that jealously away, and realize that it doesn't matter what clothes you wear.

Of course you want to look nice and have good clothes, but they don't matter. Having stylish clothes and wearing all the new trends isn't important. Look through your closet, and maybe you can put a few things together. You don't have to go by the newest article of clothing the day it comes out. 

You don't have to have the cutest shoes or prettiest cardigan. All you have to do is...be yourself. Let people know that having new clothes doesn't matter, and you can still look pretty without all that makeup. It's better to show your style then trying to be someone or something you're not. You don't have to have the most expensive dress for prom or the trendiest haircut.

I'm not saying it's bad to go shopping or wrong that you wear makeup. I'm saying that having all the new things and spending extra money right away isn't important. What's important is that you can show your personality, and still have fun with the clothes you have. That you can feel pretty in your own skin and not under layers of foundation.

Wearing too much makeup can hide or disguise the beautiful face that God gave you. It can show mixed identity. It can even damage your face. Wearing makeup isn't bad, and it's human nature that girls want to look pretty. No one wants to think they're ugly or that they don't deserve the best. Being yourself and showing your true colors should be all it takes in this world. But sadly society doesn't agree and that can be one of the hardest things to understand and deal with.

How about revealing clothes or swimsuits? Does that ever bother you? Walking around and seeing girls wear shirts so you can purposely see their bra? Or where they take pictures in their bikinis and post them on the internet. I just don't find it cute or attractive. I think that it would be best if girls just didn't dress like that. That they didn't have to feel beautiful without wearing something provocative. Being modest shows good character and that you can feel and be pretty inside and out.

1 Timothy 2:9 says "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes."

Thanks for reading!

~Michlyn

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Daze

Got my ticket today!

So excited!!!!!!

Hopefully getting my dress tonight!

Then going shopping with Beka next weekend for shoes!

I don't have a date, but who needs one?

It's going to be a blast

Hanging out with my friends, dancing, food, and lots of fun!

Can't wait!

~Michlyn

Wordless Wednesday - Dishes

I Wish...

Sometimes...

I wish teachers wouldn't give out so much homework

I wish my mom didn't get hurt while she tries to be the best momma she can be

I wish my siblings weren't so mean or disrespectful

I wish I could please the Lord in a better way and more often

I wish my attitude was always good

I wish that making hard decisions wasn't so...well...hard

I wish the truth in some situations wasn't so hard to say

I wish that the house was always clean

I wish my makeup, hair, and face was always spotless and perfect

I wish that I didn't get so jealous over ridiculous things

I wish my dad had a better boss and a higher paycheck

I wish that money didn't get in the way of so much stuff

I wish that hearts could never be broken

I wish that there weren't orphans in this world

I wish friends wouldn't lie and make things so complicated

I wish politicians could make decisions that help everyone

I wish athletes didn't have to get hurt and ruin their dreams

I wish that no one got sick and would stay healthy

I wish that I could take amazing pictures

I wish... I wish... I wish...

BUT

I know... That our God performs miracles and that some of the things above could eventually be fixed.

Nothing is impossible with God!
~Michlyn

We Are

I've heard this on the radio a lot lately.

I love it a lot.

Up beat and it tells a great message.

What we are. What we should do.

"We're the light of the world. We're the city of the world"

We need to spread the light and the word.

God tells us.

We need to obey.

~Michlyn

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Peer Pressure

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is something we all go through. When people your age try and get you to do something. Something they might think is cool. Such as drinking, smoking, drugs, dating, partying, or sneaking out. It's all part of life and what others think you should do. Anything that anyone asks you to do and you know it's not right...then don't do it.

People ask you to do stupid stuff because they don't want to feel guilty when they do it. They probably know it's wrong and bad for them, but they just can't stop. That's how addicting some of the things can be. It's hard to let go. It's hard to stop. So they ask other people to join in, so they don't feel left out or alone.

When people get into things like drugs or drinking, it's probably because someone else got them to try it. They probably knew in the first place that they shouldn't take that sip or take just one puff. Because after that it just gets worse. That one puff can become hundreds and that one sip can become bottles and bottles.

The truth is they weren't strong enough to say NO. They knew the right answer; they know they shouldn't of done it. They just couldn't say no. They had to be "cool" or had to "fit in". Now you know though... You know what it can do, and how it could affect the rest of your life. So when you're offered that substance that is wrong, then show your strength...say no. You can walk away and leave the bad things behind. If you're ever in that spot or forced into a bad situation you need to leave or get help or both.

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

You could even inspire someone at the same time. Maybe there's someone who was in that exact situation and at that moment they're trying to get you to do the same mistake they made.When you back away from the things they couldn't, that shows the strength of standing up for yourself and stepping away from the evil stuff. The stuff that they couldn't step away from.

Another thing you could do is try to stop it. Help others out of their situations if you can. Get them help or tell someone they trust. Make sure that they know it's bad, and make goals for them. They could start taking steps to get out of what they got themself into. Give them information and tips on how to make it easier and let them know that they have support. 

By saying one word, you can change your life... and maybe someone else's too.

~Michlyn

More Beautiful You (#5)

More Beautiful You

by Jonny Diaz

~Michlyn

Packing

We're taking another road trip this weekend! We're off to see some more friends that my parents travelled with in Ethiopia. We saw them in November, just in time for my mom's birthday!

But this time, instead of them coming to our house - We're going to their house.

I'm also really glad that this road trip will only be 4 hours each way. Instead of 12-13 hours each way.

Should be fun - Except I have to start packing tomorrow and I don't really want to.

Have a good Thursday night everyone!
~Michlyn

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Relationships

Through the Eyes of a Teenager: Relationships

Having a boyfriend or girlfriend as a teenager is looked at as "important". Teenagers think that it's cool if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. You're looked at as popular or dominate if you have another person of the opposite gender hanging out with you. Holding hands, taking pictures together, giving hugs and anything else. Public schools, private schools, and charter schools. Anywhere... It's talked about. It's debated about. It's thought about.

Sometimes it great and sometimes it's not. Is it wrong to be in a teenage relationship? Absolutely not. Is is necessary? Absolutely not. It just depends who you are and how you look at it. Is it your goal to have a girlfriend or boyfriend by the time you are 15 or maybe 16? To me there's should be no "goal" to be in a relationship. I'm not against dating at all, and some day I can guarantee you'll see me dating.

What about your parents? Would they approve of your decision to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? I do realize that some parents don't care if you date. They look at it as cute and how "grown up" you are. Other parents on the other hand... They definitely care. They might tell you a certain age you can start dating at. They might want to meet the person. Or maybe they just care about you and don't want you to make any mistakes. Most parents have more than likely had experience in difficult relationships - or ones that didn't work out. Ask them. Make sure you talk to your parents about it and know that you are ready for a relationship.

"The prettiest smiles hide the deepest secrets. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears. And the kindest hearts have felt the most pain." ♥ -Unkown

I know quite a few girls who have had about 3 boyfriends in the last year. That's 3 different guys, all within 12 months. How do you take that? Sometimes it's sad and sometimes it's good. It all depends on the reason for breaking up. Some think, "If I don't hurry up and find someone who likes me, my friends are gonna think I'm lame." Girls out there and guys... Please don't think it's bad, or lame, or that you're a loser if you aren't dating someone. Even if all of your friends are.

I've said it once and I'm going to say it again... I'm not against dating. What. So. Ever. It's the way you get to know your best friend more, and maybe see a future together as your new husband or wife. God didn't say that finding the right person is easy. He wants to help you with it. He wants you and your significant other to be focused on Him and the plans He has for you. And just because it feels like you're the only "loner" or single one with your friends or at school, doesn't mean it's going to be like that forever. God has bigger plans for you and He wants you to trust Him every step of the way.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34

~Michlyn

Random Saturday Rambling

I didn't have that much homework this weekend, but I had to finish one fairly big project for Language Arts and my math.

I hate book critiques - Take so much thought. (Oh just thought that I'd let you know that I DO know how to spell book... I didn't realize until later that I speilled it with an 'e'.) lol oops!

I had to do the critique (kind of like a book review) on this book. It wasn't even that great.

If you know me, then you know math is not my favorite subject. At all. I'm pretty good at it, but I still don't like doing it.

Today I have a family reunion gathering type of thing so I'll be going to that and then coming home to probably do nothing.

I still have to shower and so something useful! :) Good thing it's Saturday!
Looking forward to my new "series"! I'll be working on my next post, and hope to have it published sometime next week.

~Michlyn

Through the Eyes of a Teenager

Through the Eyes of a Teenager

Yes I know, I already do a "series" - Video of the Week. I'll probably be doing just a couple more videos and then I'll be done with that for a while. I'm going to be starting "Through the Eyes of a Teenager". Look into this crazy and sometimes messed up world, and find highly debated topics. Things that are talked about a lot or are shown by this world as "important".

Of course many people look at topics differently, depending on their age, experience, or background. It also depends on how the person was raised on what to learn, or how to do something a certain way. Parents would obviously have a lot more experience with kids than a 10 yr. old would because they wouldn't have a child yet.

This is something that I'm choosing to do, just for me. You can disagree or hate it, but the truth is - I don't care. I want to write down my thoughts and my views on these things. Not everyone on this earth is going to agree with each other - No one said that life was going to be all gumdrops and rainbows. It's hard and sometimes we need to take the time to reflect about these things.

I'm excited to get started! Look for my first post soon!

~Michlyn

Count On Me (#4)

Count On Me
by Bruno Mars

~Michlyn

Top List of 2011!

Ok here's my top fave memories of 2011 - It was a great and memorable year!

January:

My top memory for January was Volleyball - I used to play on a team through another school and absolutely loved it! I played through the JO program (Junior Olympics) and had an amazing team with great coaches!

February:

Most of you know that I LOVE youth group, and also like to volunteer and help in anyway! So my favorite memories of February is the Valentine's Dinner and also Dare2Share! The dinner was at our church and I had a blast serving with my friends from youth group - the food was really good too! At Dare2Share we got to take a road trip with our youth group to Lincoln, Nebraska. At the conference, students are taught how to share their faith with their peers, get to watch dramas, worship, and a lot more. It was so much fun!

(Beka and I on the way to the church, we stayed at in Nebraska)

March:

I also love babysitting! I used to be a part time nanny for two little boys who I would watch once a week! They were such great kids and it was an awesome job! Another memory in March was the adoption finalization for my sister Tareh Jo - She became a U.S. citizen!

April:

For those of you who don't know, I was homeschooled last year. Anyway around April last year, we were thinking about putting me into school for the next year (which we did). So my favorite part of April was finishing up my homeschooling.

May:

This month is the month when all school work speeds up... homework finals, graduations, and end of the school year parties. I loved finishing up my schooling, seeing my siblings finish school, and watch my littlest brother graduate from Preschool. It was a great start to an amazing summer!

June:

The start of summer was great last year! Full of memories with friends and family. You can click here to read about my whole summer. My favorite memory in June was the youth group summer kick-off party, and also the fun time to relax with family and friends.

Beka and I at the summer kick-off party - We had a lot of inflatables!

Beach Day with Friends

July:

July was a busy month, but it was also a lot of fun! We celebrated one very special day in July (that we will celebrate every year) and that would be Tareh Jo's "Gotcha Day"! The day that she came home to us - Her forever family. Another fun event would be the trip we took to MOA (Mall of America) with the youth group! (If you can't tell yet, we have a lot of fun events in youth group - especially in the summer).

July 23rd, 2010 - Can't believe it's already been over a year

Celebrating one year - July 2011

MOA trip - Beka and I

August:

This month was probably the most fun, and busy month of the summer! My #1 memory from this month was Bunker Beach with the youth group! My next favorite memory was Valleyfair with my cousins and grandparents!

Excuse the smeared mascara and you got one fun day!

Cousins :)

September:

School had been in session for about a week by the time September got going. It was fun because I actually got to go to Valleyfair again with Beka one weekend! Another memory for September would be Beka's party! She invited a few people over for a bonfire and dinner and it was a blast!

October:

There was not too much going on in October - Just a bunch of school and homework and hanging out with friends! To start out with, Beka and I love taking pictures, so one day in October she came over and we did a photo shoot! It was a blast - I think we took around 300/400 pictures just on that day! Now we have a "photo shoot" like every time we see each other! My next memory is one of my very favorites from the whole year. FALL FLING! It was a great weekend full of friends, games, fellowship, worship, and tons of fun! If you want to read more about it then you can visit these links:

Fall Fling Part 1

Fall Fling Part 2

Fall 2011 Pictures

BEST FRIENDS

We played in the flag football tournament as a youth group! It was so much fun!

November:

My favorite memory in November would have to be my birthday! I had so many birthday wishes at school, through texts, and even on facebook! I felt very special on my birthday! Here are some pics from that day!

December:

There are a lot of fun memories from December! It was a fun and busy month because of the holidays, but I also had such a blast in December because it was a time to reflect on the year and also to look forward to a new year! Thank you so much for reading!

Here's a list of links to go to if you really feel like it; for December:

My Little Brother

Crazy Shopping with Beka

Only One Year?!?!

Happy New Year 2012!

It was so good to go back and look at what I enjoyed in 2011! I made a lot of memories and I'm very excited to see what 2012 will bring!

~Michlyn

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year {2012} from Beka and I! Can't believe that 2011 has passed and that 2012 is actually here! Should be and exciting year with tons of fun memories to be made! I can gaurentee that most of them will be posted here as well! Thank you to all my friends, family, and faithful followers who are always here to read about my life and its crazy adventures. :)

Hope you all had a great time celebrating!

~Michlyn