Day 31: Kindergarten

This morning was my first Sunday to serve in the Kindergarten ministry at church. I used to serve in middle school with Katy and I loved it... but I am ready for a change! I have a passion for younger kids and am overly excited to be able to invest in their lives each week! One day I hope I will be an elementary school teacher, but as for now I am content teaching kindergarteners about Jesus every Sunday morning! Jesus said,"... whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:5

Day 30: Kid's Party Night

This weekend Jason and Katie came into town! So... tonight we had Kid's Party Night, since the parents already had plans. We ate pizza, stocked up on candy to sneak into the movies and then watched 'When In Rome'! Currently they are cheering on the Aggie basketball team as they verse Texas Tech! I've had a lot of fun with these crazy kids this weekend and am so thankful they could visit! Katie you are such a sweet girl and I am so glad that I've been able to get to know you more! And Jason... you are my favorite brother & I love you!

Day 29: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Tonight we had our monthly H.O.T. hangout; it stands for Hang Out Tonight! We went to Sonic and then the school's musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! This year the weather in Texas has been slightly unpredictable... so needless to say it was around 40 degrees tonight and VERY windy! If you are familiar with the set up of Sonic, then you know it does not have indoor seating! Everyone that came to H.O.T. was actually very COLD standing outside! We grabbed our food and ate inside the school's hallway. It was interesting, but WAY better than being outside of Sonic! Afterwards, of course, we saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and it was GREAT!
Good Job Theatre!!!

Day 28: Good Morning Honey!

This morning I woke up, got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast... the normal routine. However, today I had this sweet little note waiting for me. My Mom wrote it and I love that she does cute things like this! I hardly get to see her in the morning, so this was a treat! I don't know if she wrote it intending for it to be the picture of the day... considering when I got home from school it was sitting right by my camera. ;) But little did she know, I already took a picture of the note the second after I saw it. My Mom is the greatest and I appreciate all the little things she does for me!
Love You Honey!

Day 27: Static

Today in Physics we experimented with Electricity! Basically... we got to play around with a shock machine. It was so much fun! I volunteered to be the first person to get static-y hair! I stepped onto the platform in front of the room and placed my hand on a gigantic metal ball. Mr. Speckien turned on the machine and I quickly turned into a peacock! Everyone in my class says that one day I will be a motivational coach... simply because I convinced the majority of them that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they needed to try it! There aren't too many 'fun' days in physics, but today was definitely one of them!

Day 26: Out By Eight

Since no parents were around tonight, Shannon and I had a GIRL'S NIGHT! We ordered pizza and watched American Idol. Simple & easy. One second we were laughing and enjoying the unique auditions and the next second I look over at her and she is asleep on the floor. Out by 8 pm... typical of the Engle household. I can't say that I blame her... today has been one exhausting day!

Day 25: Clouds

Everyone has those days when their head is 'in the clouds'... well today was my day. I kept thinking about every subject other than the one I was supposed to be focused on. The hot topic in my brain was colleges and where I will be in about a year and a half. There are so many choices to consider and so many campuses to visit! I am extremely excited to see where I end up going, but as for now it's basically a game for me and my Dad. It does make me a little nervous...but I know wherever I chose to go, God will be with me and never leave my side. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Day 24: Oh my, oh my

Since it was so beautiful outside today, Shannon and I decided to take our dogs on a walk. This is an extremely rare occasion and it was a disaster. Shannon had her 'I am too cool for you' 4th grade attitude on and I was just not down with that. We bickered the entire way and needless to say... she did not want me to take her picture. This is her storming off after our heated argument about her attitude. It is tough getting along all with her all the time and it is hard for her to understand why I always have to do schoolwork instead of spend time with her. I hope, for my parent's sake, this attitude doesn't carry on into her teen years. Oh my, oh my.

Day 23: To Save A Life

Today I went to see the movie To Save A Life. It was very inspirational and I HIGHLY recommend it. The movie was about a young man in high school that decided to step out of his comfortable lifestyle and discover something more. After his long lost childhood friend commits suicide, he lives in regret and is unsure of his purpose in life. The movie encourages audiences everywhere to have faith and trust God. It clearly shows the impact you can make when you step outside your comfort zone and talk to someone 'different'. When you make a bold step towards God you'll not only save your own life... but you may save someone elses.

Day 22: Laughter

Laughter is the audible quality that produces happiness. The moments when you laugh the most are the moments worth remembering. Tonight was finally Friday and I got to hang out with my friends! Melinda, Eric, Dalton, Lauren & I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner! :) Afterwards we planned on going hot tubing, but once we found out it was broken... we just hung out, talked, told jokes and mostly laughed. It was a fun night which reminded me that laughter is the key ingredient to life!

Day 21: Ruby

Finally my Rube Goldberg is completed! This physics project has been assigned since around thanksgiving break... needless to say, I've been worrying about it for a long time. Today it was due and although everything did not work out perfectly, it is over!!! I drove Ruby to school and along the way one of the yellow slides decided to move. Of course I was freaking out once I realized this. I readjusted it with some handy dandy duct tape and it ended up working out fine. The egg yolk, the shell and the time requirement cost me a few points... but my creativity gained me a few back! Ruby may not be the smartest physics set up in the class, but it sure was the cutest! Thank you Jason for your excellent engineering ideas, thank you Dad for your expertise in construction & thank you Mom for reassuring me that us Engle girls just can't think like this! I love you guys!

Day 20: Bensley

Today was such a great day at school... I found out my blog was mentioned in an online newspaper, got a 95 on my Pre-Cal test, finished my Rube Goldberg project, got a random text from Jason with lyrics to Bad Romance by Lady GaGa and I got a call from World Vision! They said that as of right now ALL of their sponsored children are accounted for! It certainly made my day! This is actually a picture of Bensley on my refrigerator. Please continue to pray for Bensley and his family who are currently living in Port au-Prince, Haiti!

Day 19: Love

Tonight I went to WOW (Women Of the Word) which is a girls bible study based out of my high school. I just love each and every one of those girls. They encourage me weekly and I consistently grow in my relationship with Christ through them. Tonight we talked a lot about perspective and how we often underestimate and doubt God. He is greater than we could ever possibly fathom. Though some may lose faith, he will never leave us. I believe the best way to show God's love is to love those around you and live in a way that reflects Him.

Day 18: Candle Lighting

Today I went to Keith Morgan's candle lighting service. I never knew him personally, but I did see his smiling face every week at FCA. He will be greatly missed at Austin High School and we will never forget him. His mom spoke tonight and she showed such remarkable strength when she said, "If God had told me I could only have him for fifteen years... I'd say, I'll take him." Her confidence was so encouraging. We know he is in heaven smiling down on all of us. His death was so unexpected and it caught everyone off guard. It is tough when someone dies so young... but I know God doesn't make mistakes. We aren't promised tomorrow, so we must cherish each and every moment we are given. Our life is like a lit candle; it is precious and delicate and can be extinguished at any given moment.

Day 17: Simplicity

Transparent. Uncomplicated. Effortless. How come life is never any of these things? Instead it is complicated and difficult. From earthquakes in Haiti to a Physics test on Tuesday, the demand in life never seems to end. Our lives are so busy that we forget why we are here on earth. And that reason is to bring Him glory! Just like that. One simple purpose for One Almighty God. Why can't life just be simplified?"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

Day 16: Chilly Willee

Tonight is Jason's last night in town before his semester of school starts! We went to Fuddruckers for dinner and it is was pretty low key. We were following the Texas vs. A&M basketball game via Jason's iphone. The fighting Texas Aggies almost beat the #1 ranked team in the country... it was crazy. However, they lost in over time. Despite all of that excitement over dinner, my mom spied this little sign hanging from the ceiling. Not only was it cute and antique, but I really needed a picture for today! Thank you Jesus for random signs!

Day 15: You know you study too much...

...when you do homework on a Friday night. This week has been super busy and I have had NO spare time to work on my SAT prep classes assigned homework. I procrastinated until today and it is due tomorrow. Of course it is Friday night and I was stuck at home doing SAT homework. Cool. I love working hard all week in school and topping the weekend off with MORE homework! The good news is... it is a three day weekend! Whew!

Day 14: Sweet Caroline!

Last summer I nominated one of the little kids I babysit into Sugar Land Magazine's 'Sugar Land Sweetie' Contest. When I sumitted the form, it said I would not find out the top 15 until November of 2009. At the time it seemed like FOREVER away! Come the end of November I was informed that Caroline was selected to be a finalist! I was so excited! In DecemberI babysat the other precious children while Maggie took her to the photoshoot . The got home and Maggie said it went great and Caroline was convinced it really was her birthday. She wanted them to sing happy birthday to her and even open her presents! She cracks me up! During Christmas break we found out that she WON the contest and would be on the front of their winter issue. I was overly ecstatic! So... here is our own little Sugar Land sweetie!

Day 13: Unexpected

This is a picture of Port au-Prince, Haiti after the earthquake struck yesterday. I obviously didn't take this picture, however; I have thought about it all day long. In FCA we sponsor a little boy named Bensley and he lives in Port au-Prince. He turned 5 in December and we have been sponsoring him for over a year. This is such an unexpected catastrophe. It breaks my heart thinking about their current living conditions and great loss of loved ones. They already lived in poverty and are now suffering even more. Please pray that God is keeping Bensley safe and FCA can continue to show him Christ's unconditional love.

Day 12: Crazy Girls!

Whenever I get home from school I always have the mind set, "Alright, today I am going to be VERY productive!" And then Shannon comes home... and I can't focus to save my life. Today one of her best friend's Taylor came home with her and they wanted to bake cookies. So... I got the cooking utensils set up and tied aprons around their waist and told Lauren to do the rest. A few minutes later they are sprinting down the hallway singing "Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' Down the River..." with, of course, sombreros on. Go figure. Taylor is moving to Dallas a week from today. So... instead of getting frustrated with the noise, I couldn't help but laugh. These girls are so fun and crazy; even I will miss seeing her around!

Day 11: Dodgeball!

Today was the first FCA meeting for the semester and we kicked it off with Dodgeball! It was a ton of fun and ofcourse... I was taking lots of pictures :) Even though no one spoke at FCA tonight, today i've been thinking a lot about God's plan. By nature I am a planner, a perfectionist, a control freak and a worrier (about everything) ! But as I take a deep breath and close my eyes, I know God is in control of my life. I am in the passenger seat and he is driving. I have no control. That scares me and is reassuring at the same time.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. " Jeremiah 29:11

Day 10: A Work In Progress...

This is "Ruby" and it is my Rube Goldberg machine. It is the toughest physics project to date. Jason and I have been working on it the past few days and today my Dad and Mom jumped on board. This has turned into quite the family project. It turns out I am not very good at physics... at all. However, Jason has been a GIGANTIC help! So... I can't say thank you enough for all of your time and patience with me! We have been working on it all day, so I am extemly tired. What can I say... it's a work in progress.

Day 9: Go Hoops!

Today was Shannon's first full court basketball game. It was quite comical. The ending score was 9-3, we won. It certainly was a tough game to sit through, but watching these 3rd-5th grade girls pace up and down the court was worth it. Running isn't one of the Engle family’s greatest strengths, so this game was interesting for Shannon. However, she almost scored a basket and had a great time! On Shannon's team are a bunch of her friends and my Dad is the coach! Go Hoops!

Day 8: Always

Family and friends are non-replaceable, always dependable and a treasure to have. Each moment you spend with them is significant and each memory you have with them is priceless. The bond my family and I have reminds me of fate and how God intentionally put us in each others life for a reason. Whether it is a good day or a bad day, we will always support each other no matter the circumstance. My favorite part about my family is that we have fun together, we encourage one another and I know we will always always always be there for one another.

Day 7: Hook em' Horns

Today is the National Championship for college football. Tonight at 7 the University of Texas will go head to head against the University of Alabama. Since Lauren is the true longhorn of the family, she is in Austin, Texas cheering them on! Torri Clark, Katy Lowery and myself took this picture during school today. Torri and I are backing the Longhorns while Katy roots for Bama. When I got home Jason told me, "I was allowed to cheer for the Longhorns... but NOT allowed to wear the shirt". Our house is truly a house divided and I often feel as if I am sitting on the fence! Hook em' Horns!

Day 6: The Bros

Today I was very indecisive for what to blog about. So... I decided to write about a few things! In PALs class we figured out what our personality type was. And here is mine...

"ENFJ-- Warm, empathetic, responsive & responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone; want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual & group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise & criticism. Socialable, facilitate others in a group & provide inspiring leadership." I thought it was scary how true it turned out to be.

After school Jason and I continued to brainstorm and construct my Rube Goldberg project... which is a pain in the booty!

And later this evening my family and Jason's college roomates went out to dinner. This is one of the last times they will all be together before this semester of college begins. Observing the way they interact, relate and enjoy each others company reminded me of how important relationships are in our lives. They are the people you have fun with, crack jokes with and will provide never ending support. Jason and his 'Bros' have a bond they will treasure for the the rest of their lives. Thank God for friendships!

Day 5: The Light

Today was the first day of the semester and it seemed never ending! All day at school I was still undecided of what the picture should be for today. However, when I got home and stepped outside my car... this is what I saw. The sun was beaming through the tree branches and shining so bright it burned your eyes. When I saw the branches blocking the light, it reminded me of the different challenges we face which interfere with the light in our life. Whether it be school, relationships, work, finanical problems or tragic events... they all seem to block our relationship with Jesus Christ. The biggest goal in my life right now is to block out the darkness in order for there to be a bright light in my life!

Day 4: It's the Little Things in Life...

Tomorrow is the first day of the second semester. As much as I'd like to have another week or two of break... I am ready to get this semester over with! Junior year is the most stressful, jam packed, and important year of high school. This semester I am taking on seven courses, planning the Prom Fashion Show, taking SAT prep courses, taking the actual SAT test, and plenty more exciting things to fill up my planner! It will be interesting trying to fit in time to take pictures and document them throughout the semester... but what's life without a few challenges? By the way, today I reorganized and redecorated all of my binders... it may sound dorky (but that's because it is). Having cute and organized binders gets me excited about what's to come. It's the little things in life that make all the difference!

Day 3: Change

Isn't it amazing how when a new year comes along everyone gets excited for change. Whether it be your weight, your church attendence, or your new hobby... everyone gets excited. Today after church a song came on the radio called 'The Things I Would Say' By: Sidewalk Prophets and the main chorus goes like this...

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,

God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

These are the words I would say.

So this is the change I will make. I will live each day with these words streaming through my mind. And if you need motivation, encouragment, love, support, forgiveness, or hope... turn to Jesus this year. He never changes.

Day 2: Seven Too Many

Tonight I babysat the Alvarez Clan plus extended family (and my sister- but she doesn't count)! It was quite an interesting night. We started with the game Charades and ended with the flick 'Cheaper By the Dozen 2'. I managed to clump them all together for a split second to snap a photo and these are the expressions I got in return. Kids are so great because they are simply unpredicable. The things they say, their random mood swings and the way they interact with each other. They are at the perfect age when it doesn't matter what people think about you... they are just content with being themselves. While we try to teach children all about life, children end up teaching us what life is all about.

Day 1: Cheers to 2010

Happy New Year! Another eventful decade has ended and another one awaits us. From September 11th to Britney Spears shaving her head... we certaintly have not had a dull moment. Last night my friends and I got together to celebrate the New Year at my best friend Katy's house. In this picture are three of my good friends: Katy, Melinda and Amber. Everyone played Apples to Apples, Flip Cup (with water and coke), talked for hours and just enjoyed each others company. We looked back on our favorite and funniest High School memories and reflected how far our friendships have grown over the years. This coming year will be filled with long lasting memories and unspeakable joy. Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right!