2010

2010 In Review

Wow- I cannot believe that tomorrow is the start of a new year! My how time flies!

(and just a little warning- this going to be a longgggg post ~:-)

This year has been crazy but good. God is faithful and has exceedingly blessed us this year!!

Some highlights/big things from this year:

~All three Scott girls were baptized and joined our church earlier this month! I am so thankful for that! Grandma came as well which meant so much! Some of my dear friends were also there for the baptism and for a blessing party! Thank you, friends!!

~being the publicity coordinator for the Nashville Do Hard Things conference! I got involved with bringing it to Nashville in July of 2009 and it came to Nashville August of 2010! It was so cool to see God working on our behalf for the conference. It was amazing to meet and work with new awesome people. I am so thankful for all of the people that helped bring the conference here! My friends were so supportive and helpful! Thank you all!!! It was a wonderful experience and I am so thankful I got to be the publicity coordinator!

With Brett Harris

With Alex and Courtney Harris

Johnna, Brett, and Lily

~my second year at Whitver. I feel like I have connected more and I really love it!! My classes, teachers, and friends are fabulous. I also have a lighter workload compared to last year which has been really nice. I am so blessed and thankful.

My lit lab last year! I miss that class!

My spanish 2 class last year.

~My family is so amazing!! They are supportive, loving, caring- all the good adjectives apply to them! :) I also feel like I have gotten closer to my parents this year. I have always really appreciated them but I feel like I have had a greater appreciation for them this past year. :)

~Our family trips: the Scott ladies went to see fam at the cabin in January. Our fam went with Nana and Papa to Knoxville in January to see our cousin get married! Dad and I went on a Lil and Dad trip to Memphis during my spring break! In June we went with two fun families from our church to Gatlinburg! In August we went to camp (see below). At the end of August we went to Miami for Mom's high school reunion! It was great to see a bunch of Mom's family!! On the way home we went to Disney!! (can I just live at Disney? It makes me happy :) In October we took Nana and Papa to Shaker Village! We had a great time!! Dad and I also went on a road trip to practice my driving over fall break down the Natchez! In July we celebrated July 4th with our friends the Dodds at the lake!

Aunt Lee Lee, Grandma, Aunt Ivy, and Mom

Cousins!

Lil and Elvis in his hometown

Scott girls on Main Street in Magic Kingdom!

The fam at Shaker Village!

At the cabin
Beach in Miami!

Disney!!

Fam in Epcot!
In a tree at Shaker Village

Shaker Village

~In April, Hannah came to live with us! She started cosmetology school in August! We have really enjoyed having her here!!

We aren't crazy or anything... :o)

~Some of our dear friends, Nicole and Bryan, got married in May! Their wedding was so fun and Mom made the main wedding cake! They also had a photo booth at their wedding- SO COOL. (definitely something I want at my wedding :o)

~In April I got a group of Makos together to go to the MTHEA Teen Banquet! It was so much fun!!

Our group!

Anna, Lily, and Linds!
Riley, Lily, Lauren, and Christina!

~I have gotten more into photography this year! Dad and I helped a friend photograph a wedding in October, and I did the adorable Polly Jane's newborn pictures! (coming soon!)

~Allie and I threw a surprise party for our darling friend Lindsey's 18th birthday in July! I also helped throw a going away party for Allie!

~I turned a year older! :) My fabulous piano teacher, who is practically a family member (she is so wonderful- I hope you can meet her sometime!) threw a surprise party for me! I also went with some girlfriends to Chihuly at Cheekwood!

~We now have all teenagers! Craziness! Cara turned 13 in October!

~I finally got my permit! I drove the fam to Atlanta and most of the way back a few days ago! Hopefully I can get my license soon :)

~I have such wonderful friends! WOW I am so blessed!

~I was excited to make a regional cut this season and last for swim team! Here is a picture of me and Christina at regionals:

~It has been so much fun to play piano for church- such a privilege! It is awesome to get to play with the guys every week! And y'all- our church family is phenomenal! I am so thankful for them!

~Y'all, God is so faithful. I am so thankful for that promise! Words cannot describe. He is good.

~In August Julia and I worked kitchen staff, Mom taught cooking, and Cara was a camper. It was a very interesting experience. I am thankful for it though!

~The Nashville Flood was in May. We were very thankful to not be affected but we have many friends who were. It was so sad. It was so cool though to see Nashville pull together and help! FEMA said they had never seen a city pull together so well!

~I love swimming on the Makos!! Our team is superb and I love my Mako girlies!! :)

~In June my friend Allie came home from China! We missed her!

~Nashville has gotten some great snows!

Favorite Movies of 2010

~the new BBC Emma!

~North and South

~Voyage of the Dawn Treader

~Letters to Juliet

~Tangled

~Step Up 3

~Toy Story 3

more coming soon :o)

If you read all of this, thank you! :)

Love and blessings,

Lily :o)

Belated Wednesday Love :o)

We were out of town Wednesday so here is some Wednesday Lovin on Thursday! :)

~Elizabeth Gaskell DVD set! AHH so good! So far I've only seen North and South and can't wait to see the other ones! Check it out on Amazon!

~

The newest Narnia movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader! The fam went to see it on Monday and it was SO GOOD!! Check out PluggedIn's review, imdb, and the trailer!

~My Spanish English Bible from Julia! I LOVE it!! It is amazing!!

My favorite iTouch apps:

~Bible for iTouch!

~Skype! I am trying to figure out how to get the video one since they just released it!

~Hipstamatic Camera- really fun pics

~Kindle for iPhone- you can get so many great and free classics to have at your fingertips!

~PS Express (Photo Shop!)

~Facebook app

~BG Plus- fun backgrounds

~Remote

Pride and Prejudice in Emoticons: this is awesome! My lit teacher told us about it so I had to look it up when I got home! Check it out here! Speaking of Pride and Prejudice, we are reading it for school!! Celebrations!!

Also speaking of Jane Austen-ish things, here is the new Jane Eyre trailer. It looks pretty weird... But I'm going to have to see it! :)

Have you seen these flash mob Hallelujah Chorus videos? This one is in a food court.

This one is in Macy's. So beautiful!

This one is also very fun, especially since I am really excited to see a bunch of my friends in Sound of Music next week!

The Nashville Symphony re-opens tomorrow! Whoo hoo! Did you know that middle and high school students and homeschool families can get free tickets to the Symphony? Check it out!

Look for a post about 2010 tomorrow!

Blessings,

Lily :o)

Jeremiah 29:11

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Post from Reformed Baptist Fellowship

Check out this great post from Reformed Baptist Fellowship:

Determining To Grow In The New Year

In Reformed Baptist Fellowship on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 12:08 pm

When I was a boy I was introduced to the world of Marvel comics by two of my older brothers. These comics not only contained the stories of the super heroes but page after page of advertising designed to excite the interest of young boys. I was promised that I could have x-ray vision and become a master of karate and even build a submarine!

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The one ad that stands out above all others was the one by Charles Atlas, the body builder. The ad was about transformation. Here was a skinny guy getting sand kicked in his face at the beach and who decides that he is going to send way to Mr. Atlas to learn how to transform his body. He ‘gambles the stamp’ and receives the information. By following the simple steps he is transformed into a muscular man who can stand up for himself and win back his girl.

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The idea behind the ad was simple: if you will commit yourself to a certain pattern of life, you will have results. You do not have to be a victim of circumstance, you do not have to stay a weakling. If you will only eat right and exercise, you would be shocked by how changed your physique could be. Generally speaking this is true. If you diet and exercise this year, your physical condition will improve. But it will require more than a desire to change. It will require activity. It will require perseverance. Most boys seeing the ad by Mr. Atlas would say that they wanted to look like that, but how many were willing to do what it takes to accomplish that goal?

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The same holds true for the Christian life. It is possible for you to become a stronger, more muscular Christian. It is possible for you to grow this year in both grace and in knowledge. It is possible this coming year for you to walk more closely with God, to enjoy his comforts, and to grow in holiness.

God has provided means for our growth. Those means are freely available for every believer, certainly every believer in the Western world. The problem that most professing believers face is not one of ignorance, but rather of desire and felt need.

Do I want to do these things? Do I need to do these things? I want the results (being a strong Christian) but do I want the results badly enough to do what I need to do to have the results? Allow seven words of exhortation for the coming year.

1. Commit yourself to the daily intake of God’s word

-Read or listen to the Bible daily

-Mediate

-The blessed man meditates upon God’s word.

-Memorize

-Hide God’s word in your heart.

2. Commit yourself to the stated meetings of the church

Every single meeting of the church for instruction, worship, and prayer is designed to bring glory to God and to bring help to your on the pilgrim pathway. By willfully absenting yourselves from those meetings your are denying yourself crucial nutrition for your soul.

3. Commit yourself to mortifying sins

Is there some nagging issue in your life, some place of disquiet in your soul, some thing which saps your strength and your assurance, the lingering issue of concern regarding your soul, some sin which easily ensnares you? When will it be dealt with? Shall sin have dominion over you? Has God placed the resources at hand–prayer and the word and the Spirit to aid you in overcoming it? Does he desire victory? Will he provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it?

4. Commit yourself to hospitality

1 Peter 4:9 ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Hospitality generally speaking refers to showing love to strangers–taking in the traveler, but here it is expressed within the church. Every member in the church has something to offer you and you have something to offer every member. Can you receive or give these benefits on the Lord’s Day and at prayer meeting only?

5. Commit yourself to dealing with unnecessary distractions

We all have distractions in our lives. Our jobs and daily human needs, our commitments to family, etc. But are there things that fill our time and our affections which detract from the great issues of life?

6. Commit yourself to study (read a good biography, find a good book on a doctrinal subject)

I have found few things more helpful and challenging than the reading of a good biography. When I say good–I am referring to a worthy subject, a well written treatment and what I will call realism–not fawning praise, not the presentation of perfection, but real progress of real pilgrims

7. Enjoy the rich benefits of a sanctified Lord’s Day

Here is a day, by divine design, to aid us in delighting in God. Here is a day designed to be for us a foretaste of heaven. A declension in our commitment to its benefits will not promote heavenly ends.

May God help us to grow strong in the coming year!

Jim Savastio, Pastor

Reformed Baptist Church of Louisville

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Friends!!

Wow- it is so amazing that Jesus came, as a baby, into this sinful world to die for our sins. So amazing!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and great fellowship with family!

We are so excited to have a White Christmas here :o)

‎"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Love,

Lily :o)

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 1

Dedication to Theophilus

1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.