God's timing!

Oh.....oh......is it real?!? if I touch it will it disappear?? After almost three years of hard work, persistence has paid off: I have won a preliminary title and am going to the state stage!! Guys, my heart is very full right now. It is so humbling to have the title of Miss H.C. and a crown to go with it. I am, right now more than ever, a huge believer and advocate that you can have whatever you work hard for and put your mind to get. God is so good. So good. His timing is always perfect and over the past few weeks has pounded in my heart how HE was in control; how HIS will is already done; how HE has the perfect board for me to work with; in HIS timing.

My platform, Girl Talk: instilling confidence and integrity into HS and MS girls through mentoring, is very near and dear to my heart. I am a living testimony that mentoring works. Having gone from very little self esteem, and even going through a mild eating disorder because of that,  to becoming a woman of confidence, worth, and belief in my self, I can say that every girl out there has a purpose and plan for their life. Don't ever doubt it. Even when the going gets tough, DONT GIVE UP!!! My heart is leaping for joy and abounding in love for all the girls that I will now be able to reach through my title. Of course, it does not take a title to make a difference but it sure does help ;-)

I am so overwhelmed by the amount of support I have had. There is an enormous amount of people that have believed in me from the start. It is just incredible to know so many people have faith in me. And not necessarily me, but the gifts God has given me. They see Christ in me; THAT is the one goal I asked God to help me achieve... not to "get a crown" but to shine for Christ and to be a positive role model to everyone I come in contact with. Having a crown on my head and a title in my hand does not give me permission to get cocky, stuck up, or think I own the place. It gives me permission to be an even bigger example of what a role model is and to reach a far greater area. At the end of the day, I take the makeup off...I put my hair in a ponytail....I throw on norts and a t-shirt....I take off the crown and the sash....I become an normal girl. The question I ask myself then is "how are you a role model and example of Christ when its all said and done?"

I have a TON of work to do before I get to the state stage, but I have been very, very, very blessed with an amazing board who will help me prepare at my absolute best. God will provide all that I need and will give me strength to do whatever I need to. He has huge plans for my life, as I have already seen unfold. I am extremely motivated and excited about the next months ahead!!

A standing ovation for talent almost made me faint. So grateful God has given me a talent of tickling those ivories ;) Looking forward to the next few months preparing for the Miss Georgia stage and working with an INCREDIBLE board, as well as my new sister queen and our sweet teen!! To have the three people in the world that have pushed me and believe in me the most there to watch me own the night, my daddy, mommy, and first pageant coach, made the whole thing unbelievably perfect. My words of gratitude are not enough for all people have done for me. To each person that has had faith in me....my original pageant coach, my parents and family, my little sisters who knew I wanted a title so bad, judges from day #1, judges from #4368346, directors and boards who offered little bits of advice along the way, friends I have met through pageants, everyone....Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! ♥ 

 

Thanksgiving

 This Thanksgiving was quite different and very interesting from any other Thanksgiving I've had in my life. First off, I wore shorts for the first Thanksgiving yet. As silly as that sounds it actually was upsetting. Judge me for being cheesy or whatever you'd like, but wearing cold weather clothes (at least long sleeves, long pants, boots, and a scarf) for Thanksgiving is important to me. Its like a mark of the season or something. Unfortunately the southern United States seems to be wanting to bask in warm weather. I honestly hope this changes before December rolls around.

  Secondly, my family and I celebrated the holiday at some of our friends' house instead of our own. This can be accredited to our glass cooktop being shattered and our oven fan going out. It would only happen to us right before Thanksgiving. Actually the cooktop has been out since April, but that is another story for another time. It is what comes with living in a family of 12...haha. While it was highly enjoyable not having to do so many dishes or cleaning (lol) and spending time with them I still slightly missed my home.

 Thirdly, my two older sisters, both of whom are married, were unable to be here this year. One lives in OK and is not visiting until Christmas, the other was at the hospital with her husband who was diagnosed with Susac Syndrome recently. I know people get older, move out, get married, and the like, but sometimes it is hard to accept change.

 So you see, it was not "normal" as I would have liked it to be. In spite of all of the above, however, it was an amazing Thanksgiving. I think more than anything else all the "abnormality" of this Thanksgiving helped me to see things in a different perspective and gave me more appreciation of things we all, me especially, take advantage of. Change really is alright. I am SLOWLY, and I do mean slowly, coming to realize this. The change that has taken place so far this past year has been really good in the long run. Sure there are many days, such as today, and events that happen where the good that is coming out of the change can only seen once you step back. Yet even when you have to step back it almost takes your breath away to see what intense and beautiful work is going on... and that it is all for the better. I would have never guessed that the year would have turned out like it has so far; I would have never expected to be where I am at, doing what I am doing, or be who I am. I have so many plans and goals for my life... when I step back occasionally to look at them I can see that they have been changed so many times; but that's great. If I would have wished for the same things or longed to do the same things I would be such a different person. And really, that would not be a good thing. Now do not get me wrong, there are several things God has directed me to do in life and to accomplish. I will strive my hardest to put everything in what He has called me to do. At the same time I shall do my best to keep in mind that change is okay... not just change that I am willing to accept, but all change. I look forward to the future with much anticipation for the glorious, wonderful things in store.

 In light of the holiday spirit and the different perspective I had the chance of gaining today let me list a few things I am incredibly and deeply grateful for. While some are obvious they are all very important to me:

* God and Jesus Christ

* My parents

* My siblings

* My best friends Jessi, Woody, Megan, Emily, Jonathan, Lindy, Megan, Hayley, Joe

* My health

* The ability to run  - as far and as long as I wish

* My bosses

* My job 

* My circumstance, house, school

* My opportunities

* My everything

* The Miss America Organization

xoxo, SLR

Two of my bestest friends and I... so excited they have won preliminary titles and will be going to state!!

-- kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com --

[http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/] 

Do visit this site. It is touching.

"That if we really love Him with all our hearts and all our strength, NOTHING will feel like sacrifice in light of the promise that one day we will get to be with Him forever. Automatically, we will help those in need, we will give our all, we will love our neighbor as our self, because our heart is aligned with His. But so many don’t. This then begs the question: If we are not walking in the words of Jesus, do we truly know Him? Do we really know and believe in the Jesus of the Bible. Because if we do, if we believe what He says is true, our lives will be powerfully, unimaginable, radically different than the lives of those around us. He requires EVERYTHING."

Those who fill my life with happiness:

Adore Woody :-) He keeps me sane while M is gone.

I took this while JPyle's camera while helping him with a shoot. 

Love sunsets <3

Jon-Jon and C!!! COOLEST people I know :-)

Excuse my nastiness. These are 3 of my amazing brothers.

Haha, my daddy - He is wonderful and I love him!!

One of my sweet little sisters ... girl date with big sis ;-)

Stephanie Joy's wedding. One of the sweetest people on the entire earth.

You bette believe, J'aime Paris

101 small pleasures you can enjoy every day

Yes, so I "stole" this list off Yahoo's front page... however, it was way too good to not share. I agree with just about every single thing on this list. These are some things that put smiles on my face. God is number one on the list though... He never fails to put a smile on my face. 

1. coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too)
2. crisp cotton sheets
3. soft skin
4. old family recipes
5. the first daffodils of spring
6. sleeping in
7. an exercise endorphin high
8. window boxes
9. a perfect cup of coffee
10. a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)
11. the way babies smell
12. a handwritten letter
13. waking up in a good mood...for no real reason
14. singing in the shower
15. finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket
16. doing something nice for your neighbor
17. a home cooked meal
18. laughing
19. movie theater popcorn
20. playing hookey
21. a bubble bath
22. swimming
23. an afternoon nap
24. street musicians
25. your favorite song
26. saying thank you
27. helping someone in need
28. old fashioned photo booths
29. fresh whipped cream
30. inspiring blogs
31. a glass of wine
32. rainy afternoons
33. the funny things kids say
34. a novel you can get lost in
35. finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale
36. clean laundry
37. the wind in your hair
38. treating the person behind you at the drive-thru
39. sharing an umbrella
40. the smell of lavender
41. a long walk that clears your head
42. a bear hug
43. The Beatles
44. smiling at a stranger
45. eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)
46. butterflies
47. staying in your pj's all day
48. singing along to the radio and knowing all the words
49. fresh herbs
50. ordering in pizza
51. happy endings...even if they're fictional
52. flying a kite
53. puppies
54. root beer floats
55. holding open the door...
56. ...or having someone hold the door for you
57. fountain soda
58. white, fluffy towels
59. sunshine
60. spending an afternoon at a museum
61. really great advice
62. green lights all the way home
63. the sound of rain hitting the windows
64. sitting in a booth
65. holding hands
66. a great hair day with no effort
67. building a fort with your kids
68. when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder
69. fireflies
70. the perfect taco
71. geraniums on a windowsill
72. slow dancing
73. the smell of fresh-baked bread
74. cheesy, uplifting musicals
75. great stories
76. the smell of gasoline
77. the cold side of the pillow
78. love letters
79. old friends...
80. ...new friends
81. a pull-through parking space
82. a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside
83. when a dog licks your hand
84. sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner
85. using your favorite dishes
86. reading your child a bedtime story
87. Girl Scout Cookies
88. flossing
89. kissing someone you love
90. the smell of onions and garlic cooking
91. hot chocolate
92. jumping in puddles
93. old photographs
94. birds hopping on the sidewalk
95. Ella Fitzgerald
96. a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar
97. your softest t-shirt
98. a new magazine in the mail
99. fireplaces
100. having exact change
101. bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning

My Adorable Nephew ... I love him :-)

A true example of happiness and joy

This past Tuesday, my mom and I drove to the hospital where my brother in law is in rehab. The main reason for the visit was not only to see him, but to let him see his little boy, Gabriel. Jeremiah (my brother in law) has not see Gabe since first being in the hospital, which was November 10th. While he knew family was coming, Jeremiah did not however, know his little boy was coming; it was quite a surprise for him the minute he saw his "little present" (as he called it)! If there was a true definition or example of happiness, joy, ecstasy, and delight combined, it was written all over Jeremiah's face. That had to be one of the most amazing experiences for me to encounter. It was also one of the biggest blessings of my life to see how happy he was. Of course, saying he was happy is only saying the very least. Needless to say, it was an incredible visit. Praise God Jeremiah is doing very well! He finally comes home on Thursday!!!! We cannot praise God enough for all that He has done. My sister is an amazing woman and I would pray I can show the same love, support, and strength if I was ever faced with such a huge responsibility. 

 

Fried Rice

I enjoyed a beautiful day of laying out at the pool and swimming yesterday...but with me and my brilliant brain, I forgot sunscreen in a few places which caused me to be somewhat burnt on my back. Bummer. But at least I got to have a fabulous time enjoying the start of summer. The 7 puppies we have (about 2 or 3 weeks old now, I believe) are now walking! They are adorable. They have their little eyes open, and now instead of them scooting around they can actually walk =) I was given a free ticket to a Casting Crowns concert....backstage pass =D =D =D Talk about awesomeness. Only thing is it's the night before my big test, and I'd get home veryyyyy late. So I'm debating whether I should go or not. Praise God that yesterday and today have been SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better. One thingis, I haven't balled my yes out (Am I mispelling that word?? ... So what. No Princeton University Professor is reading this lol). I've watched more CSI episodes today than I have the past 2 weeks. Sad. I checked a lot into Nursing today. Yay. I get more and more exited about it just looking into school for nursing. Alright, again all I've done is just rambled. Sorry I'm bored right now. My family all went off to get root beer floats... and while I should be giving my dear dog (annie) a bath, I decided to ramble. But I suppose I better go do something worth importance. 

His will, not mine...

It seems over the last few weeks as if my plans continue to disintegrate and crash, leaving me with the unknown of "what am I going to do?". I have had several opportunities open up, but it seems as if every time I start working towards starting the given opportunity something happens and it doesn't work out for me. Am I whining? probably. But it has just gotten my very frustrated and confused. I mean, for pete's sake, I cried at least 4 times last week... It's so rare for me to cry (unless I am on my period, lol - which I was not). It's driving me crazy... mostly because I don't like not-knowing what direction I am headed in (well I do enjoy some surprises too here and there ;-)), and because I am tired of always stopping and starting over again. So what opportunities have crashed? Here are some to list....

* Europe. - Had a chance to go for 5-6 weeks, not anymore :-( I LOVE traveling, and this would have been an amazing trip to do some more sight seeing, see old friends, and learn more french, ya-da ya-da...
* Being an intern for a photographer - GRRR. I really want to pursue photography. I love it. I love capturing God's amazing creation, people's emotions, ect. I had a chance to work with a wonderful and fabulous photographer who is local ....
* Working at a local church as a music assistant/music secretary as a part time job, M-Thur ....
* Probably i360 will not be working out too...

Okay, you get the picture .... there has been different things come up but stuff is not working out. I have been SOOO bummed and upset about it all. BUT ......

I was reminded today from a dear friend that it's not MY will but HIS (God's) will that needs to be done. So then it struck me - is God clearing the way for me to do something for HIM instead of searching out my own desires? Is God preparing the way for something huge that I might not have been able to do if I was involved in any of the above or any other thing I didnt mention?? And right now I am believeing the answer is yes. I think He is. I have been so caught up in ME, and what am I supposed to be doing, instead of seeking out what does GOD want me to be pursuing so I may bring glory to Him, or so I may be I lighthouse for His name? AND... In church we sang a hymn which again reminded me of HIS will not mine. And while I have heard this hymn who knows how many times (and it is also one of my favorites), it struck home yesterday....

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

There is also a verse that goes along with that:

Lamentations 3:21-23 ~ But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Rest of the 2008 year pictures...

SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER

DECEMBER


JANUARY

My year in pictures...

JANUARY

FEBRUARY
MARCHAPRIL
MAYJUNE
JULY

AUGUST

2008 in Review -

This past year held a lot of life-growing opportunities and trials for me, along with some amazing memories that I will hold on to for a very long time. There were plenty of times where I felt helpless and alone but God let me know very quickly that was not the case. There were also many times where I messed up BIG TIME and like I could never fix what I did, but yet again God informed me that that was not the case either. I am constantly amazed at how incredible and loving and beautiful Christ is. He never ceases to surprise me with something :-)
Okay so here's a quick list of what went on this past year....
December 27th, 2007 - Let for Europe with MK for a 6/7 week trip to Europe; and as I have said before, it was a dream come true!!!
January 2008 - I LOVE Macs and Brioche and snow. I stayed with a dear family in Germany, but visited Luxembourg (several times), France and Switzerland. I didn't think about the rest of the world (family, boys :P, life, issues, problems, ALL of it) for most of the time ( ...until I received a strange email from a guy friend. GR. But he wasn't thought of most of the time). But it was such a breath of fresh air to get away from EVERYTHING. I was able to see all kinds of neat things in Europe. I think my favorite things were the Swiss Alps and, of course, the Eiffel Tower, and people who had a sense of style! lol...seriously. I came back feeling "trendy" ;-) Oh and for the first time I rode trains. I like them a lot - accept for the weird European guys that have to stare at you. ugh. It was a FANTASTIC time....especially with the world's best roommate and ping-pong buddy, MK =)
February - Alright moving on, I got back from my European expedition on the 7th. GAH I didn't not want to be home. Seriously. lol I remember MK and I trying to come up with a plan for us to stay a couple more weeks. Then when that one didn't work, we had fun trying to come up with another to not have to go home. Lol sad they didn't work ;-) Oh my, the funny times with me being jet-lagged. Getting up at 4 in the morning, then getting SOO sleepy at 6/7 in the evenings. Chris proposed to my 2nd older sister the beginning (i believe) of this month...yes while I was gone. They had a very fast relationship. Whatever works I suppose. During this month I continued trying to find out what God was wanting me to do...It's such a pain. I am hating the question "what are you doing after you graduate" cause I DONT KNOW!!! And while I desired to go to a certain school, later on I find out, this was not God's plan.
March - What a month....on some topics it was awful, others it was AMAZING. My oldest sister informed me that I was going to be an aunt in November - !!! I was very excited! I was very busy this month getting ready to graduate HS, my senior piano recital, piano guild, and piano festival...A LOT OF PRACTICING! I had to develop some endurance during the next coming months. I like the Enchanted movie too...lol. I've been VERY swamped with school work, especially math. Trying to keep up French!... Camping, "the office" marathons, and playing in the rain.
April - GAHHHH. This was a month full of mistakes and learning experiences. I didn't enjoy this month very much lol, except for getting to go on a 4-day trip to the Okefenokee Swamp with dad and all the boys... we paddled 33 miles. My arms were killing me the following week. But yet another trip I enjoyed greatly. Had to get Senior Portraits done. I don't like them very much but OH WELL. "Build a bridge and get over it." Took a "Spring Break" trip down to FL to see J and A, lol poor A was so sick (morning sickness). It was fun, but very rainy :P
May - GRADUATION!!! Yay!! I was so ready to be done with School, as I am sure all seniors are during the last semester. But I still am not sure as to what I will be doing in the fall. Guild and my Senior Piano Recital all went very well! =) This is what I played for my Recital:
*Toccatina, Kabalevsky
*Prelude in B minor, Chopin - second favorite
*Sonata, Scarlatti
*Sonata, Beethoven
*Hymn arrangement
*Dawn, from Pride and Prejudice movie ('05) - this one was my favorite
And I was the 2008 homeschool Prom Queen :)
June - 2nd older sister and Chris got married on the 7th ... I am so happy for them! I've had a lot of "1st timers" recently...lol and I've felt like an idiot too. haha. wow. I've been doing a lot of Gourmet cooking the last few weeks...It's a lot of fun and I enjoy it.
July - My bday =) spent up in the Appalachian mountains in WVA...AMAZING and very beautiful! I know that God does not want me at TFC this fall...that was hard to face. But I know that it's for his plan. And July 4th was spent over here with everyone... good times :)
August - My amazing friends surprised me with a bday party .... !! It was VERY sweet of them! They did a very good job keeping it a secret! Mom and Dad gave me my bday/graduation ring - Blue Sapphire with White Sapphires around it. I love it and it's beautiful!! The couple MK and I stayed with in Switzerland came for a 2 week visit - I loved getting to see them! I started working on Pathetique mov. no 1, Beethoven. I Love it! I've already played the 2nd mov but wanted to get the first one. It's very different, and very difficult, but it's also beautiful.
September - J and A's Wedding anniversary (2 years) was the same day. I will be staying home for the fall :-( I am trying to learn how to be content with where God has me. I am struggling a great deal with being submissive. gah it's rough to learn. ADD Now weekend at CBC - Olive and I were leaders of the CBC girl middle school group. I greatly enjoyed getting to share with those girls and to let Christ have his way in all of their lives...and he most certaintly did! Oh yes, and 2-week beach trip =)
October - Yay for fall weather! Although, it's been a little hot so far. But the trees are turning colors and showing God's amazing handiwork - My favorite time of the year!
November - Gabe DM was born the 7th =) I am an aunt...J and A are doing wonderful! They are going to be awesome parents!! 1st time voter! Although, I am not a fan of either candidates for the presidency  This country is not going to do so well.
December - I enjoy being an Aunt!! Christmas and New Years was quiet and different, but good. 
January - So far the New Year as been very good and prolific. I am more content, but I am also looking into different opportunities that the Lord has opened doors too. I am so excited to see what is in store for this year and what will go on, although I know there will still be plenty of trials and things that will come up, but I continue looking to Christ as number one and not let things, or people, get in my way. Joshua 22:5.
SOOOOO, after that very long post, that was some of my year in a nutshell. So much more went on that I would like to go into and share but not right now. I'll do a better job this year about blogging more often!!! Goodbye and God Bless!!!

I dare you to ask God to show you He's real

I want to see Him be real in my own life. I want my desire to serve and love other people to overflow on others so that they can see just HOW real Jesus is. I know He is real; He's the cringe I get or the uncomfortable moment when I'm in a place unsuitablefor me to bring Him, for He is always with me. He is the smile on a needy person's face when they've been helped. He's the heavy burden and tears of compassion I have for those who are hurting.

He's that feeling in my stomach, that stirring in my soul, that melting of my heart when I know I've seen a person or a circumstance through His eyes.

Although this God is REAL and ALIVE, I often chose to believe many lies that keep me from following and living for Him. I've believed that by missing time that should've been spent with Jesus and instead seeking after my own personal pleasures, that Jesus is angry with me. So why have that time the next day? My enemy likes me to believe that after I sin, there's no turning around or way out. I often believe after following my own ways instead of Jesus' that I am worthless and out of luck.

BUT...praise the God of the entire universe, who redeemed us from the curse of sin and wants us to realize that guilt is a glorious thing. Own it. Wear it. Be gutsy in it!
"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Thought I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, UNTIL he pleads my case and establishes my right. He WILL bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness." - Micah 7:8-9

i am not, but i know I AM

Ok, so church last night was fantastic and really caught my mind. After P&W, we watched a short movie that was recorded during Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio’s How Great Is Our God tour this past spring I believe. We watched Louie’s sermon on the universe - how vast and so big it is. I love science and astronomy (sleeping under the stars =D); mostly b/c it shows how incredibly awesome and huge God is (One of my fav. Books is I am not, but I know I AM, which talks a lot about that kinda stuff … I highly recommend it). It was a real eye-opener! I mean, come on - The heavens are telling the glory of God, and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Night after night they remind us of just how small we are, and how huge God is. Looking out into the far reaches of the universe, we find a seemingly infinite expanse of mystery and wonder, intricately fashioned b a God of unfathomable size and power. Just a glimpse of one of the billions of visible galaxies He has formed resizes us - no, shrikes us, and the world we call home, to a seemingly insignificance in an instant. But, I think the biggest thing that struck me was the fact that even though the universe is bigger than I can possible imagine or comprehend, my own body is a living miracle and just as complex! As tiny as we may seem, the God who knows every star by name Knows Yours and Mine! Talk about wow … So, here is pretty much the sum of what Louie talked about and he also included some pretty amazing pictures -

First off, Louie shows us a picture of M51 or the whirlpool galaxy astronomers call it the "darling of astronomy." Louie tells us two things about this galaxy in the deep reaches of space. 1.) Every second there are new stars being born. Millions of star incubators are found within the whirlpool galaxy. 2.) Not only that, but at the center of this galaxy is a black hole which the Hubble Telescope took a picture of...and wow, check this out:
The entire universe displays God's fingerprint and this is just one example...the cross of Jesus was on the mind of God even as he was creating the universe. Is that not incredible?!? Putting that picture back in our heads, Louie continued in the universe focusing on the stars with the purpose of showing us just how small we are and how BIG God is. Just to let you know, We serve a BIG God!! Louie took us to a few stars and put it into perspective: If the earth was a golf ball... The sun would be 15 feet in diameter Another star would be the equivalent of 6 empire state buildings Or 2 golden gate bridges

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ifzlwJL8s

We are so very very small...Our significance is in our insignificance. God cares for us so much that his same fingerprint can be found within us. Louie then looked within the human body and showed us just how great our God is. When we are developing in our mothers womb...just for the eye to function a million nerve endings start to travel to the eye and another million from the eye to the brain, these nerve ending meet up and have to find their EXACT match in order for the eye to work...that is AMAZING to me.

Though he went into more details the "finale" of the talk was this…let’s talk about the “wows” … LAMININ - Every living creature has laminin inside of them...the purpose of laminin is that it basically keeps our bodies from falling apart. It holds we as one united whole. wanna see what laminin looks like??? I know you do.... check this out!
Pretty sweet huh? OK, I thought so at least. The cross is EVERYWHERE...it casts a shadow over the entire universe...constantly reminding us of what Jesus did for the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejj51hNIL3E

words escaped my mouth the moment Louie put this on the screen so I will leave you with that...Laminin … wow. But as tiny as we may seem, the God who knows every star by name also knows yours, and mine. Your life is a miracle, and the creator of the universe knows you by name. God cares for you more than you can ever know - he knows you more than you could ever know yourself! He's big enough to breathe out stars, yet intricate enough to fashion together the trillions of cells that make up every facet of who you are. The God who spoke the universe into existence made you, too, and knows everything about you. From the smallest molecule to the situation you find yourself in right now, He's aware of your circumstances and intimately acquainted with everything you do. And He cares about you and promises to carry you through.

That's where we find hope in the midst of the darkest places in life. The journey often complicated and painful, filled with confusion and chaos. Yet, the cross of Christ reveals God's promise to preserve and restore you no matter what the circumstance. God will not completely take life’s challenges away (although he can), but better yet, he gives you the strength to push on, to continue on through it all. He will hold onto you and hold you together, giving strength to those who hope in His unfailing love. He is the everlasting God!

**** So, in a nutshell pretty much that was what was talked about =D I guess it was kinda long, but I felt like it needed to be shared. I hope that this maybe encouraged, because it sure encouraged me. ~Psalm 33 ****