God is goooooood.

Today is the day....that I have to make my regional cuts for swim team. I have have 5 chances and this is #1.

Last year, at our very last meet of the season, I was devastated to find out that I hadn't made my regional cut. Shaving off one or more minutes off your 50 free is a lot harder than you would think. Of course, I cried, but only because I had worked so hard.

This year, it's gonna be different. I have busted my butt at almost every single practice and have already succeeded in times faster than I had at the end of last year. Today, I WILL get my regional cut.

As you could see, I'm probably a little stressed out about it though. I mean, just because I am swimming faster this year doesn't mean I will be able to lay it down in the first meet. But I read something so completely and utterly awesome in my devotional today, that it couldn't be anything but God.

"Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you. The more challenging your day, the more of My Power I place at your disposal."

Deuteronomy 33: 25 says, "As your day, so shall your strength be."

Holy cow!! Isn't it great to know that no matter how hard or challenging my day is, it just means that God is willing to give me more strength to get through it?! I think that's really freaking awesome!!

God and I are soooo gonna pwn this meet tonight it won't even be funny. :)

till the swimmer's take their marks,

lindsey.

random update.

LOTS of things going on right now, so I'll just cover every thing very briefly. :)

FALL-it's finally here, and I couldn't be more excited. I wore a sweatshirt today! First time in a long time. Oh, and my hands and feet were freezing all day: a sure sign of cooler weather.

MAKOS- yay! It's swim season!! (well, almost anyway.) It's about time I got back into shape. I think I gained at least 10 pounds this summer. Oops! Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-a-a-alco...nevermind.

SCHOOL- ew. I hate it. Nothing new here.

SWIM LESSONS- I actually taught a kid how to swim! Big surprise, I know. I think the kids are starting to like me a little too much though, they won't even let me get out of the water! I guess I just have to cut down on the lovable factor. ;)

FRIENDS- oh boy. This one is a toughie. Saying that I've had some friend drama the past couple of weeks would be an understatement. It's hard to really get into things here, but prayers would be SO helpful.

CHURCH- Speaking of prayers, I've really felt convicted in church a lot recently. Our youth pastor, Matt has really been laying down some messages that really hit home with me. While talking on the subject of Spiritual Growth, I've realized that I haven't really been having much of that going on lately. And that's not okay.

Being a christian is not about kicking your feet up and letting God do all the work. Being a Christian means to strive to be more like Christ every single day, and it is hard. work.

One of the examples he used is when a child gets a puppy. Now, if you truly want a puppy, you have to take care of it. You have to feed it, give it exercise, and let it out every now and then. If we don't, it dies. Yeah, you heard me. It DIES.

Believe it or not, the same thing happens to your faith. You need to feed it, (with the Word) you need to exercise it, (practice you faith) and let it out. (share it with others.) Without this, your faith just kind of shrivels up. Kind of weird to think of it that way though, but it makes perfect sense.

so, that my friends, is what has been happening my life recently. welcome to the utterly randomness of Lindsey's brain. :)

till the autumn leaves fall,

lindsey.

Because This is What homeschooling REALLY looks like...

As a homeschooler, I am constantly getting hailed with questions like "Where do you do school?", "Who is your teacher?", "How do you make friends?", and the ever popular "Do you get to do school in your pajamas?"

Although I do all of my schooling in my living room, my regular routine is not all together different than the normal high school student. I get up, I shower, I eat breakfast, I do school, I eat lunch, I do homework, I go to bed.

Disappointed? Sorry, no tweetie bird pajamas here! ;)

Here's a funny clip that describes us homeschoolers PERFECTLY. ;)

till the school bell rings,

lindsey.

wrapping up junior year

Wow. What a year.

I have to start by saying that my junior year in high school has been one of the most busy/fun/productive/hectic/exciting/tiring and INCREDIBLE years of my life. I've had sooo many great memories from this school year and LOTS of awesome new friends.

Here are just a few highlights of my year:

~Demi Lovato concert with Alyssa. "Nashville is the GHET-TOE at night." Lys, that was sooo much fun!! I lost my voice for three weeks after that...

~Tie Dye at Pinkerton Park! "You guys fail at this." :P

~West Side Story at Pull-Tight. Wow, what a cast. Even though Cranky Cathy almost killed me in my sleep, it was worth it. Logan, you will forever be the butt of many jokes, I love you. :)

~IHS homecoming. My first 'real school' function. I don't think i have EVER seen so many...umm...well...PDA's? :P Lindsey, thanks for being my date. ;) (oh yeah, and borrowing your dress.)

~MAKOS!!! wow, SO many memories with you guys!! The bonfire at Ben's house ("I can talk like a black woman!"), THE TEA PARTY ("Crime of Passion!!"), Girl's night a my place (this is when Charli and I realized we were soul mates), and Allie's-not-so-surprise party (so. SAD!), The Cheesecake Factory, Our photoshoot (Maddie, your amazing) Jason' Deli after the Riverdale Meet ("It's a BOAT!!"), and of course Prom. (BEST. NIGHT. EVER.)

~My never ending day with Charli. Wow, I don't know how. in. the. WORLD we have so much fun all the time?! We had a photoshoot, tried on hats, ate sweet cece's...I'm going to miss you sooo much. :*(

~WOZ at IHS. Wow, my SECOND school function!! Haha, even though it was totally and completely stressful, it was fun to hang out with all my awesome public schoolers. You guys will go on to do great things. Let me know when you get to Broadway!!

~Junior Miss. haha, even know this was a completely RANDOM blip in my life, it actually paid off! I was awarded "Most Talented" and received a scholarship of $200!

~GETTING MY LICENSE!!! Haha. FINALLY. After waiting for TWO YEARS I am now street legal. Turns out being able to drive wherever, WHENever is totally not overrated...haha.



~My first College visit: Lee University. It's really scary to think that by this time next year I will have already been accepted to a college!! As sad as it will be, I'm SO excited to see what God has in store for me in the upcoming chapters of my life!!

~PROM! WHOAA. I never knew that dancing in a ridiculous dress could be so much fun! My favorite moment of the night? The Single Ladies Dance. Maddie, Kay and I kept bugging the DJ and he finally played it!! Just goes to show that nagging pays off...not that I have experience or anything...;) and girls, you are the most beautiful, funny and talented girls I have ever met. Thank you for inviting me as your "third wheel." You guys are fantastic. :)

As much as I will miss these fantastic memories, the time has come for newer and betting things!

Senior year, here I come!

till the gown is donned,

lindsey.