One Thousand Gifts:: Take Seven:: Early

Hey friends!

I will not be blogging much this week! I am taking a little break :)

117- 134

117. that the Gospel is true!!!

118. playing Just Dance with Mom

119. the joy and privilege of taking care of three precious children

120. fabulous preaching and teaching today (check here in the next few days- the messages from today are ones you do not want to miss!)

121. forgiveness of sins

122. God's unfailing love for me, a sinner

123. my amazing family

124. rain

125. playing piano in the worship band

126. that Julia played for the first time today!

127. great swim lessons

128. the fact that some of my kids got over their fear of the deep end!

129. many good times and laughs at swim

130. the wonderful friends God has blessed me with

131. peace from the Savior

132. my Bible Study girls

133. getting to see Never Say Never with some fun friends :)

134. Words of encouragement from a dear friend: Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

~~What are some things you are thankful for this week? Leave a comment!~~

See y'all next Monday! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Lily :o)

The Gospel is true!

Yesterday I had a rough day. But even though I had a bad day, I am thankful for something.

The Gospel is TRUE!

Jesus died for MY SINS. He came down to earth- can you imagine living in heaven and coming down to this messed up world?! He came, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross. He died so that MY SINS can be forgiven. Now. He didn’t just die. He ROSE FROM THE DEAD and was resurrected and is now seated at the right hand of God! Y’all. That is AMAZING! Jesus loved us so much He DIED for us. He laid down His life for His children.

This is a verse we all know and have known since we were small munchkins, but I don’t think we always let it “hit home.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16

Thank you, Jesus, for dying on my sins! For loving me, a sinner.

I am so thankful that the Gospel is true.

~Lily

Wednesday Love:: Belated

My latest favorite hymn, All I Have Is Christ!

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Kodak Moment:: Day Six

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for the day

She is fictitious, but I would love to switch places with Elizabeth Bennet for a day! :)

Kodak Moment:: Day Five

Day 05 - A picture of an old memory. (or, in my case, a lot of memories :)

Last day of swim practice when I was in (7th? 8th?) grade

haha
Dear friends :D
I had the best hair for NSCA Productions! Pictured above as Stephanie, below as a Who

I decided to copy this panda picture for a biology project :)

I love this! We were at Cori's house and ordered pizza. We assumed someone's grandpa would deliver it so we decided to dress up. Of course it was a guy a few years older than us... haha :)

DISNEY!!!!
Whitver folks at the MTHEA Teen Banquet last year

As Mrs. Potts for a NSCA Talent Show!

Cinderella!!

American Girl Fashion Show many years ago! (I was a hostess!)

Above: Lily and Elijah, Julia and Matthew

Below: Lily and Haven, Julia and Megan

(now we will have to do a Lily and Polly Jane, Julia and Mason picture! :)

Hope you enjoyed these!

Lily :o)

Kodak Moment:: Day Four

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Last night I was at my second home, the pool, teaching swim lessons! :) I was so, so thankful- yesterday's lessons were the best all month! I felt very encouraged! My cute private lesson student brought me a paper heart she made :)

I had a student who was scared of the deep end and started crying whenever we would go over there. When we started February lessons, I decided we were going to conquer that fear! The first 15 mins of every lesson have been spent in the deep end, and the second 15 mins in the shallow end. I was so happy yesterday when that little gal swam ALL BY HERSELF in the deep end, was jumping in by herself, and very excited about the deep end! "I love the five feet!" she exclaimed. "When you jump in you don't hit the bottom like in the three feet!" Mmm life is good! I have another little girl who swam all by herself in the deep end too! In my first class I have three girls and one boy.

In my second group lesson, I have four little boys. And since they are little boys they like playing :) Yesterday we started out the lesson with our rules- no hitting, no unkind words, if you hit someone with your kickboard I will take it away :), and when I am working with another student the other three have to stay above water (a safety thing). I was so pleased when all of them stayed above water when I asked and they were all obedient! As a reward we got to play a game at the end! It made me happy that they were obeying and listening and I told them that. :) My munchkins are CUTENESS!

I LOVE teaching swim lessons! It is wonderful! I love it when the kids are excited and learning new things. I had kind of a crazy day yesterday and swim lessons made my day better! It brings me joy! :)

Lily :o)

Kodak Moment:: Day Three

Day 03 - A picture of the cast of your favorite show.

What Not to Wear

Say Yes to the Dress!

One Thousand Gifts:: Take Six

100-116

100. playing in the worship band at church

101. fun and colorful chem labs

102. my favorite plate :)

103. my brilliant mother!

104. yummy homemade pizza

105. algebra 2 study group with fun friends every week

106. genuine questions of how I am doing

107. anticipation of the mthea teen banquet!

108. this fabulous weather

109. my dear family (and their sense of humor :)

110. fun times with Joelle- labs, pilates, lunch... :)

111. nice, long chats

112. rain

113. being able to communicate via email, text, phone, skype, and fb :)

114. catching up with old friends

115. chocolates from my Valentine- Dad :)

116. Isaiah 54:10 "'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

Kodak Moment:: Day Two

Day 02 - A picture of the person you've been closest with the longest.

Jenny!

Our moms were roomies in college! Her mom was the maid of honor and her dad a groomsman in my parents' wedding! So we've been friends since she was born :o)

Love you, dear friend!!

Kodak Moment:: Day One

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

1. I am a daughter of the king!

2. I am so, so blessed. I have amazing family and friends!

3. My middle name is a combination of my parents' names= Lauren!

4. I kind of have an obsession with ice cream... While on the topic of food, my favorite fast food is Chickfila. mmm.

5. My favorite kid movie is Meet the Robinsons.

6. My favorite radio station just stopped broadcasting- WNAZ. I am so sad! :(

7. Disney World is one of my favorite places. It makes me incredibly happy.

8. I love anything and everything Jane Austen.

9. My newfound love: Pandora.

10. I love photography!

11. My favorite color is turquoise. I want to buy everything that color. It's kind of bad...

12. I should totally be a model for Vera Bradley, Kohls, and Crocs. Everything I own is from those people! :)

13. Is it weird for one's closet to be organized by color...? cuz if it is... umm...

14. I have only been out of the country once- to have tea in Canada.

15. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a cowgirl and a ballerina when I grew up. They aren't really working out for me... :)

photo creds: Dear Dad at Scarritt

Kodak Moment:: A New Challenge

So... I don't think I really ever finished the last 30 day challenge.. :) but I am going to try a new one! It's all pictures- I think I can do that! :)

Some of my very fun and amazing friends are doing this too!

Linds- check out her blog!

Allie- check out her blog!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

Day 02 - A picture of the person you've been closest with the

longest.

Day 03 - A picture of the cast of your favorite show.

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Day 05 - A picture of an old memory.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for the day

. Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured possession.

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh every time you look at it.

Day 09 - A picture of a person who has gotten you through

the most.

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the dumbest things with.

Day 11 - A picture of something you absolutely hate.

Day 12 - A picture of something you absolutely love.

Day 13 - A picture of

your favorite band/artist.

Day 14 - A picture of a person you couldn't picture your life without.

Day 15 - A picture of something you'd like to do before you die.

Day 16 - A picture of a

person who inspires you.

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently. Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Day 19 - A picture of a

letter.

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Day 23 - A picture of your

favorite book.

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

Day 25 - A picture of your day.

Day 26 - A picture of

something that means a lot to you.

Day 27 - A picture of you and a family member.

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

Day 29 - A picture that makes you angry.

Day 30 -A picture of someone you miss.

Here goes!

Wednesday Love :: Belated

This week's very belated Wednesday Lovin is ::

SUSIE Mag!

SUSIE Mag is a Christian mag for teen girls! I was so excited to get my March issue this week! I love SUSIE Mag!

FAQs
Mag online
February issue
Subscribe- $23 for 12 issues

Want to know more? Check out the links or ask me about it!

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Check out some of my friends' blogs! (also see the links on the sidebar!)
~ Allie's new blog!
~ Lindsey's blog!
~ Jenny's blog!
~ Hannah's blog!
~ Sarah's blog!

One Thousand Gifts :: Take Five :: Belated

Hey friends!

Whoops I have not done a good job blogging this week :) So the next few posts will be catch up posts :)

82-99

82. a spontaneous week off of school because of a snow day
83. going ice skating (read: watching my friends ice skate :) and Chickfila with fun school friends
84. hanging out with friends at the park on a beautiful Tuesday
85. my fabulous friends!!! Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with such amazing friends!!
86. great swim lessons, even when I have to threaten to take kickboards away :)
87. Makos getting runner up in our division!
88. a fun evening at the MTHSSA Banquet
89. special sister time :)
90. this FABULOUS weather!!
91. answers to prayer!!
92. peace about school stuff for next year
93. going to Sweet Ceces with some of my makos
94. mercy and grace from the Lord, and that He does not cease to give it!
95. my Bible Study girlies
96. nice and long chats with dear friends
97. a road trip with my favorite guy- Dad!
98. North and South :)
99. promises such as Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. The you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

He is faithful!

My friends, God is SO GOOD! And He is very faithful!! He will provide!!

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

1 Corinthians 13

The Way of Love

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Snow Day!

Today is my first snow day in a very long time! At first, I did not want a snow day since it would mean one less week of spring break. But I have had a change of heart and am excited to have a homework-free week! I am sad to not see my Whitver family today though! So my feelings about snow days= :( and :)

I updated several things on the blog! Check out the pages! There are now even some random fishies towards the bottom of the page. haha :)

I have very intense plans for this week. Play in the snow, read, watch North and South, play Wii, eat ice cream, take some pictures, hang out with friends, and if time permits, do a little history and homework ~:-)

Today is the State Swim Meet in Knoxville! GO MAKOS!!! Even though I won't physically be there, I will be there in spirit :o)

Sometimes I get weird bursts of energy. Like at swimming, for instance. And I kinda scare my lane... haha. Jenny: (dramatically) "Do you have any strength left?" Me: "not....much..." haha. We were the dedicated (*cough*) and crazy lane. ~:-)

Swim lessons are going well! The idea of going to the deep end has been pretty scary but we are conquering that fear! My munchkins are adorable!

Some recent pics!

I love these girlies!!

Cuteness!

Pretty much describes us :o) Love you dear!!

Ahh, now off to watch North and South! Stay warm and be safe!

(Now I am going to copy Lindsey's cool way of signing off :)

Till the snow melts,

Lily

One Thousand Gifts :: Take Four :: Belated

64-81

64. Fun outings with my Mako girlies

65. Precious little children

66. Celebrating the birth of several fun friends

67. Having a crazy adventure with my dear Mumsie- including being lost for more than two hours, two road closings, possums, piranhas, deer, alligators, skunks, and no cell service (ok... maybe not piranhas and alligators... but everything else ~:-)

68. Grace and strength on rough days

69. Photo shoot with a super cute baby

70. God's everlasting and abounding love

71. My dear family

72. Enthusiastic swimming munchkins

73. Hot water :o)

74. Ice cream :o)

75. My awesome Bible Study

76. Sweet fellowship with my church family

77. Swim lessons in the deep end without any tears

78. An amazing woman I work with who encourages me and gives me great tips and advice- so thankful to have such a friend and co-coach!

79. My Mako coaches- they ROCK!

80. A warm house when it's cold and snowy

81. Warm and cute texting mittens my fabulous nana made

The Word :: Lessons from my cellphone

Ever wondered why spending time with God through His Word and prayer is so important and vital? Check out my new blog series, The Word!

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The other day, my phone died. I had forgotten to charge it for several days and was frustrated when it decided to go kaput on me. As I plugged it in and watched the screen come to life, I realized that I was a lot like my cellular device.

When I don't spend time with God in His Word and in prayer, I "die," just like my phone. When my phone dies it won't work unless I charge it. When I have not spent time with my Creator, I am not going to function properly. But when I plug into God's Word, I am revived and recharged!

Have you plugged in recently to God's Word? Do you need to be spiritually recharged?

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." ~ Psalm 119:105

Jeremiah 29:11-12

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."

Wednesday Love

Hey friends! Time for some Wednesday lovin!!

1. Hannah! Today is her birthday! I am so glad that she lives with us and she is my super cute and fun roomie :o) Love you honey!!

2. Pride and Prejudice in emoticons (check out the link :o)

3. Awesome blog backgrounds- Cutest Blog on the Block and Shabby Blogs.

4. My Bible Study with some dear friends- we are studying 1 Corinthians using this study.

5. Through the Precious Blood- by Sovereign Grace Music

6. Save the Date- the newest book by Jenny B. Jones!!

7. SUSIE Magazine- a Christian magazine for teen girls!

Hope you are having a fabulous Wednesday!

Blessings,

Lily :o)