My Interest

So, this summer I've been pretty bored, so I've used my extra time to develop my devotion to 2 groups. First group, The Haygoods, a family of 8 kids from Branson. I've always liked them, they have the life I wish I had. I will devote a blog to them later.
The second group, is the Jonas Brothers.

I know, I know. I'm 19. What of it? I never used to be into boy bands. I missed the whole Backstreet Boys and N'Sync phase. So I'm making up for lost time.

I really like the JoBros... My family says I'm obsessed. I don't think so, I mean. I don't have any posters or anything like that (ok, so I have the People Magazine devoted only to them, but thats it)I know their
not the best of singers, but they grow on you once you listen to them.
I really like their songs, because there is nothing dirty or questionable about their lyrics. Also, the fact that they write their own songs is amazing to me. I really respect the fact that they are Christians and aren't afraid to say so. And they also openly wear and talk about their purity rings. I really respect them for their choice to wear rings and not be afraid to talk about it. They also seem to be very family oriented people, and being a family oriented person myself, I really like that.

So there... I have written a blog about my Jonas Love. I don't claim a favorite brother... I really don't care. I would marry any of them ;-)



I hope y'all have a great day!
~Raye~

Update... its been a while

I know its been a while. I've been a hole. I'm trying to get back into the world of communicating with people.
Summer is always an interesting time. It seems to be the making or breaking point for a lot of things. Also, things just seem to get clearer for me in the summer time. I always seem to reevaluate my life during the summer. Hold on... I'm not saying what I want... Lets start at the beginning.

During the Fall Semester of school, things were really rough. I had a good time, but I got really shy and I didn't make very many friends, which for me is very unusual. I got really depressed and just was really hard on myself. I felt like I wasn't a good Christian, friend, or daughter. Needless to say, I began to hate school and my parents forced me to go back for the Spring Semester. They told me to finish at least one year of school.

The Spring Semester was like a complete 180. I was involved in a play and I actually spent time with people. I began to enjoy myself and loved the people and the college I was at. But even though things on the surface were good, deep down I was still depressed and listening to the lie of the enemy.

See, one of my biggest pet peeves is honesty. A lot of times I can tell when people aren't telling me the truth, and it annoys me to no end. I would rather people be honest with me and allow me to react in my own way, rather than them "shielding me" or just being too scared to tell me the truth. Well, the enemy knows my love for honesty, and he began to feed me all kinds of lies. He began to tell me how much of a hypocrite I am, and how I talk like a Christian, but I don't really mean any of the things I say. I began to believe that I didn't deserve the friends I had and that all my life I would be nothing but a lieing hypocrite. I began to try and make up rules on how to be more spiritual,and I would beat myself up whenever I didn't follow those rules. All the time I would pray for Jesus to give me a passion for Him, and show me how to live for Him. Throughout the semester I began to feel like Jesus wasn't answering that prayer, and that eventually lead to my belief that God doesn't always answer prayers.
I knew God loved me, but I started to believe that He didn't care about me. That He was leaving me to fend for myself until I got myself together, yet I knew I couldn't get myself together without His help.
Needless to say, it was a downward spiral.

Let me pause to say, if you are feeling this way right now. That God doesn't care, or that you are a worthless Christian. Let me tell you "THAT IS A LIE FROM THE DEVIL" and I know exactly how you feel. Continue to read.

At the beginning of summer I had the privilege to go to a New Attitude conference in Louisville, KY. I tell you, God knows exactly what you need. I was very much encouraged. I began to realize all the lies I had allowed myself to believe, and that Jesus is there and He does care about me. It has not been easy. A couple of things I learned is that I need to memorize scripture. One of the speakers C.J. Mahaney, mentioned that we need to talk to ourselves instead of listening to ourselves. The best way to remember God's promises is if you have them memorized. Another thing I realized, is that I am saved through GRACE, not works, and not feelings. Too many times I rely on my feelings or my works to bring me closer to God. Grace is what God gives to all of us. No matter how many times we mess up, or think there is something we have to do, God is there with arms open wide waiting for us to realize that apart from Him we can do NOTHING! I imagine Him smiling and laughing as a father would at a child who is trying to do something on their own, when it is completely out of the child's power to do anything.

But I realized that although we are saved through grace, we are required to fight for a relationship with God. Just like how you must fight to set aside time for people in your life you have a relationship with, so I must do with God. So what does fighting for a relationship look like for me? Getting up before my family starts stirring to spend time with God. And I am continually learning about grace. The fact that if I don't read my bible every day, that God is not upset or disappointed in me.

Jesus is teaching me and growing me everyday. I am grateful for the people and family He has placed in my life. But moreover I am grateful for His grace and love and patience and just overall amazingness.

Remember. Jesus is there, even when you don't feel Him. When you think you've gone too far, He's there with arms open wide and a smile, just waiting for His child to grab His hand.

Love!

My Personality?

So I took the Myers-Brigg test, and this is what it said. I'm not sure if its all that true about me...

I am: ESFJ

You are:

* very expressed extravert
* slightly expressed sensing personality
* distinctively expressed feeling personality
* slightly expressed judging personality

Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes.

All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. ESFJs, as do most SJs, bear strong allegiance to rights of seniority. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others.

ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen.

Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!

An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord. The contender pits self against self, once firmly deciding with the Right, then switching to Prudence to forestall hostilities, countered by unswerving Values, ad exhaustium, winner take all.

As caretakers, ESFJs sense danger all around--germs within, the elements without, unscrupulous malefactors, insidious character flaws. The world is a dangerous place, not to be trusted. Not that the ESFJ is paranoid; 'hyper-vigilant' would be more precise. And thus they serve excellently as protectors, outstanding in fields such as medical care and elementary education.

Hello Friends and Family,

Things have been crazy and I don't have a lot of time to write. I did want to let you know that the play is over. I had a lot of fun doing the play, and I am excited to do more. Also, I have decided for sure on a major. I am going to get a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater (emphasis performance) and a minor in music business. I am really excited about this and look forward to my next 3 (or 4) years at Belmont.


Ok, for the really exciting news!! We are adopting!!!!

This has happened so extremely fast. We found out about the baby about 3 weeks ago, and on Monday (the 18) my mom talked to the adoption agency. She sent in pictures of our family for the birth mom to look at and my mom filled out paperwork all day tuesday. We found out Wednesday that the birth mom picked our family to have the baby, and she wanted us to take the baby as soon as he/she was born. (because we didn't know the sex of the baby)

Yesterday a little boy was born to our family. We don't have a name for him yet, but he is so cute and everyone is so excited! I will post a picture, but for now I must run.

God Bless,
Raychel

Happy Pre-Valentine's Day!

Hey Friends,

How are you? I'm doing ok. This has been a rough 24 hours. I'm really tired and not as far in my homework as I would like. And I continue to procrastinate.

The Play opens tomorrow. I'm excited and really nervous. I feel like I'm just getting into my character. I need more time to get my character down, but I think it will be a good play.

I am very ready for a break. I feel like a lot of things are happening at once, but I keep telling myself, I only have 2 weeks left of craziness, then life will slow down.

Sorry this blog is so choppy, but I'm having trouble forming complete thoughts.

I have decided not to go to Slovenia this summer. I really feel like God said, "not this year". It was a very hard decision. Part of my heart is still in Slovenia, and to leave it there without seeing it almost broke my heart. I try not to think about all that I will be missing out on by not going. I know God has something great planned for me this summer, but I can't see what it is. Right now, I'm just praying for peace and that the people in Slovenia would understand and not feel betrayed or forgotten by me.

Please allow me to vent for a moment. I like college very much, but one thing that is not fun is how big of a deal everyone makes Valentine's Day to be. I was so happy the years before, it was a day where I got candy, got to tell my family and friends how much I loved them, and just have fun. But here at school the question is "do you have a Valentine?" People are freaking out because they don't have a Valentine. I joke about Singles Awareness Day, but some people really take it to heart. They talk about how much they hate Valentine's Day because they don't have a Valentine... I say, WHAT DOES IT MATER?!??!? One day you might have a Valentine. Or not. But its just a day. Enjoy that its Valentine's Day. Just cause your single doesn't mean you can't enjoy the day. In fact being single can be more fun, you can have as many valentines as you want. To those that have Valentines, good for you. Enjoy them. Let them know how much you love them. For those without Valentines. Don't be sorry for yourself. You get the great opportunity to love on everyone the same!

Ok. Thanks, sorry, that was my rant. I love you all so much. Have a WONDERFUL,AMAZING,GREAT AND LOVELY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!


Raychel

This is Crazy!

I feel like my life has been insane right now. I just got back from a super fun, super exhausting weekend with the Jr. High kids at our church. Play rehearsal is good, it makes me tired though. But we only have 19 more days until opening!!!!! I don't feel ready, but it is going to be a wonderful and funny play!

There are many things going through my head right now. I am praying for wisdom in so many things. One major one is if I should go back to Slovenia this year. I really want to go, but I'm not sure if its the smartest thing to do, or if its what God has in store for me right now. I have to give an answer very soon.

Well, I must run. I've got a scrachy throat and a news report to write.

God Bless,
Raye

Back to School

Today I head back to school. This should be an interesting semester. I'm kinda excited to see what God will do, yet I'm really dreading going back to school. This semester I'm taking 15 hours (although, I'm already thinking about dropping one class) My major is Drama and Theater, and I might change it, that is, if I go back to school next year. Like I said, we'll have to see what God does.
My classes this semester include:
Health and Fitness Concepts
Mass Media and Society
American Experience from the
Cold War to the Reconstruction Period
Acting for Camera 1
Broadcast News Reporting


All of the classes will count towards my core classes except the broadcasting class. I'm taking that class because my dad thinks I would be good at broadcasting, so I figured I'd give the class a try. Between these classes and the play, I'm going to have a very busy semester. Not to mention working at the Music Business office on the side. The nice thing about my classes is that I don't have any on Friday!! So that will be my sleep and catch up day!

I hope each of you are well, and have fun at school!!

~Raychel Raye~