Blog #1 - Carmen C

So hey guys, it’s finally summer. we are no longer sophomores, and it’s honestly just a little sad. it’s crazy to think that in just a few months we’ll be juniors and then we’ll be graduating high school and going off into the big world.
i hope everyone’s summer is going good so far with as little drama, lots of sun, tons of smiles, many pictures and billions of memories. for the last couple of days i’ve been hanging with my friends OH YEAH I TURNED IN MY FIRST JOB APPLICATION!!!! how exciting:/ ashlynn, autumn and i are going to start working at sonic (hopefully not managed to get fired with the way we are) it was honestly a great experience tho to fill out a application and do something grow up for once, not saying i’m not grown up or anything because i am for my age. BUTTTT anyways like i was saying about the job, i’ll finally have money and not have to ask my parents because i don’t know ab y’all but i HATE ABSOLUTELY MOST DEFINITELY HATEEEE asking my parents for money (ya see how i added more words there cause i honestly have no idea how many words i’ve used) so on the other hand i go to the beach in two weeks and i’ve working out ( lol funny right??) but i have and it’s been great, it makes me feel better about my body and my self esteem so i highly recommend working out for your physical and mental health. okay well i think ima stop now but prolly gonna ramble for a bit because i don’t know how many words i have and i don’t wanna make ms. long (larkin)  mad or anything because she doesn’t need to be stressy, depressy, or get anything lessy than a full summer of not worrying about our summer assignments and spending it laid up with her hubby ;)so like i hope y’all are having a great summer so far and everyone be safe. anywhoooo. i’m outy, PEACE <3

KT Blog 1 ~ The Game (Story Time!)

    Soo...I didn't know what to write about just yet, so I decided to start off with a short story that just randomly came to mind. I don't know if I'll continue it from here or not.
    Some credits go to: Wings Interlude mashup by Ryuserlover. This song made me think of someone who is lost and trying to get away, goes through many hardships, and at the end finds their “wings.” And also the song "Home With You" by Madison Beer, because a girl needs some confidence and it mentions “I ain't got no time for no games” which you may or may not get the reference for the main character here in a minute. Soo.. Action! Lol

                       ************

    Ailat ran. Even as branches scratched at her skin and littered her path, causing her to trip more than once, she still ran. Because Ailat knew that to stop was to give up, and she couldn't afford to do that. But her attempt was most likely futile. She had stayed in one place for too long and he was likely to catch her now. Every advance she thought she'd made was lost because of her foolishness, and he was closer to catching her than ever before. He wouldn't let her escape again, and she wouldn't be given the nicest welcome back either.
    She'd been on the run for two months, using the forest and the darkness of night as cover from curious eyes. As a creation of her twisted master, she didn't need much food to sustain herself, but her tired and aching muscles said otherwise. The soles of her shoes were mostly worn from many nights of running, her only rest during the day when she could hide and hunt for food, and blisters and scratches littered her person. It would be easy to give up, but she'd be delivering herself to the devil, and she couldn't do that. She wasn't that helpless yet, although she knew it was just a matter of time.
    She shook the thoughts of her capture away. She couldn't let it happen. He saw her life as a game, all of their lives as a game that he could control, manipulate as he pleases. She wouldn't be apart of it, as long as she could help it. So she ran, and hoped she'd win this round. But sadly, Ailat wasn't a lucky girl, and the true game had just begun.

                       **************

I know it's short but I thought it would be good to end it with suspense. Hope you liked it! (If not? Oh well! I was bored) This felt more like a prologue to get started into the story anyways. And I think this is close enough to the word count so I'm out!

~Katie Towery

Grace Powell Post #2– New Orleans

My Memorial weekend has definitely been one for the books. Last Thursday night I began packing to get up Friday morning and head to New Orleans. This was not my first trip to NOLA, but it was the first time I got to see the insides of city. This weekend, I was a part of a mission trip with my home chuch, New Hope, Black Oak! This isn’t the first mission trip I’ve been on, but it’s the first out of state mission I’ve been to. I spent 7 hours in a little church van with 12 other people. I’ll tell you, you really get to know people when you’re locked in a tight space with them. We arrived about 4:30 and began making our beds and putting our things away. We were staying in Gentility Babtist Church, super nice church, lots of nice people.  We stayed in the buliding with all their rooms right next door. This building saved a lot of lives during Katrina, because it’s one of the tallest in the neighborhood. This church opens there doors every Friday afternoon for any homeless to come in, they have a community closet where they have clothes for the homeless to change into, they have showers provided, and hot meals they get to eat, and leftovers they can take home. The next day, we met the preacher of missions chuch in East New Orleans, and did what our church knows best. We helped throw a block party. Also a little hint, snow cones are called snow balls down there. And the only way to communicate with someone is by sayin “how ya doin?”  We had a really good turnout, and even though we didn’t exactly tell people about Jesus, I think they could see Jesus through us. Our last day in NOLA, which was Sunday, we went to church with the mission community chuch, Brother John, the preacher brought the best serman about not worrying. Sunday afternoon we took a tour through New Orleans, we seen where the homeless live, which was so sad. They mainly live under bridges, some have mattresses, some have tents, some have nothing. Then we toured the French square. Such a neat place to be, also it’s very strange.

I had so much fun in New Orleans, I’m just glad I went to spread the love of Jesus Christ.

Grace Powell

Blog #3 - Sophmore Year is Over - Brittany Fulcher

So this is honestly just gonna be a short rant since it is two in the morning and I can not sleep. Can you believe we are gonna be juniors once summer is over.  That is wild. It honestly feels like I just read The Outsiders and spent my summer writing in a journal over the book. I feel like it was just yesterday when we had to run thirty laps, maybe 20 sprints, and a whole bunch more in basketball practice during seventh grade because some people did not run all five laps before practice. It would not  have been so bad if it was not for the boys not practicing that day. They all just sat around and watched us suffer. It also feels like it was not long ago when my group in elementary would spend every recess playing kickball or basketball. Elementary seemed to drag on but now everything is going by so fast I can barely keep up. I’ve made new friends along the way. I have also lost some friends or just grown apart from them. Over the course of being in junior high and sophomore year, I learned I need to apply myself better. I am not a bad student, but I have to work harder for my grades. In elementary, I never studied or did anything extra out of class, and made all A honor roll the entire time. Now I have to study or else I’m going down like a sinking ship. It’s only like thatcher for some subjects though. Math is pure torture. This year I made my first F in Mr. Conner’s class. I knew I wasn’t bad at math, but that was shocking. Actually is really wasn’t. Guys, we only have two years left, then we are done. Can you believe that? Because I sure can’t. Honestly I can barely remember the beginning of the school year. I do know it was a good one despite the tears and late nights I spent working on assignments because of procrastinating. I have so many good memories to look back on. Sophomore year was one for the books. I succeeded by meeting all my deadlines in yearbook, AP World History, and CBA. I cannot say the same for coding, that was a complete train wrecks from the start. You can ask Lexi Hall, Kaitlyn, or Makayla.

I’m gonna stop now because I’m pretty sure this is plenty. -Brittany Fulcher

Blog 1 by Eli G

My summer in 2016 was probably the best summer of my life. Before summer officially started, I signed up to play summer ball with the baseball team. That's how my summer started out. I played for about 2 weeks before going on vacation. This is when the most fun besides baseball happened. We traveled all the way to New Mexico to stay for about a week. The trip to there took about 2 days. We stopped to sleep one night in Brownfield, Texas which is outside of Lubbock, Texas. After we made it to Alamogordo, we just kind of checked things out around the house and around the town. It is beautiful out west in southern New Mexico where we stayed. There are many places you can visit out there. We spent a couple days at White Sands at the White Sands National Monument. You climb huge sand dunes and you can watch and listen to the thrilling sound of jets flying over every few minutes from the Holloman Air force Base. We even drove to Las Cruces which is a little bit west of where we were staying. We got to see the Organ Mountains and then go back to the house. On our way back to Arkansas, we stopped in Waco, Texas to visit the Magnolia gift shop from the show Fixer Upper.

Lexi B's blog #2

We're in the last full week of school, my dudes. Although it has been what feels like the shortest school year of my life, this week has taken so long and it's only Tuesday. It seems like even the teachers are finished with pretending to like school, so they just give us easy work or even no work at all. Even Mr. Conner has been giving us easy work! Don't get me wrong, I am not a lover of doing super hard work, but I definitely hate just sitting there wasting time. Here I am complaining about having no work, but once Thursday comes and brings our AP World History Exam, I will without a doubt complain about that as well. This makes me a hypocrite and I'm too tired to care. I just hope that the AP exam isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be, and I avoid a mental breakdown over it. On a more positive note, Friday is my last day. I lucked out and have no semester tests next week. I only have one semester test and it is this week. I have to take my online Health test. I take it tomorrow, and I am not at all worried. I am totally going to wing it (just like every single other test in that class). I mean, it's health. I know that washing your hands is good and eating junk food is bad. Why do I have to take this class? The teacher was literally a pain in the butt! I'm just glad that after tomorrow that awful class is over. I hope everyone's week goes smoothly. I know that this isn't realistic considering our MSA is due tomorrow, and some people (Kaitlyn) have barely started on their paper. You can't really help her though. So, here’s to the last week of stress for a long time and it almost being summertime! After this week, we only have two more years of MSAs. Yay to summer and growing up!

p.s. - I love you Kaitlyn.

Most Important Day By Hailey Carr

The most important day in my life was the day that my uncle adopted a child. It was February 7th of 2015. It started out as a normal day for me. I was at the most hated place in the world, school, and I stayed till four, because of basketball practice. My mom came and picked me up and we went home. I took a shower and got ready to go to town. We went to Dillard's and bought all kinds of newborn clothes. They were the most precious clothes that I had ever seen. The clothes were tiny and beautiful, some had flowers and some had polka-dots. At this point, I thought that we were buying the clothes for my mother's pregnant friend, but later I would find out we were buying them for my uncle's child. After we bought the clothes, we went and ate. Then we went home and I was super confused as to why my whole entire family was at my uncle's house. We took the clothes down there and when I walked in, the truth had finally come to me. My uncle and his wife finally got pregnant, after trying for over 10 years. However, then my uncle came out of his bedroom with the most precious  baby girl that you could ever see. She had beautiful chocolate eyes that could melt anyone's heart. It melted mine and I loved her as soon as I seen her. We stared at each other for what seemed like for ever. She would just look at me and start to smile. I knew that we were going to be those cousins that everyone wanted to be. Sometimes, I think about what my life would be without god blessing my family with her. I wonder if it would be dreadful or just as fun, but then I remember how much this has changed me. I thank god every day for blessing my family with this amazing miracle. I am forever thankful for that day and for god for choosing my uncle to be Ava's father. Without Ava, I wouldn't have an important day in my life.

Blog #2- Having a Twin By Brittany Fulcher

Growing up I never had to worry about playing alone or having no one to talk too. My twin Tiffany and I did almost everything together. We played, we laughed, we got in trouble, and sometimes we would even be forced into taking baths together. I never had a dull moment. We tricked people into thinking we were each other. Somedays we would even dress completely the same to throw people off. Now we do not look the same that much, well to me anyway, those tricks do not normally work. It is kind of sad. 

As we got older, I wanted to do things on my own more without her tagging along. Of course, that got me in trouble or on her bad side several times. I never disliked spending time with my sister, but sometimes I prefered doing things on my own. We had some different friends, and she would get offended if I was invited and not her. Of course, this probably went both ways. 

Having a twin has its perks. Even being only thirty seconds older,  I pull the I'm the older one and get my way on a few things. I always have someone to rant too. Or trash talk other people, including our parents. Tiffany is a blessing to have, but sometimes I wish we were not the same age or so much alike. It takes the element of space and differences. 

I do not understand why so many people think having a twin would be cool. I mean yeah, you have someone the exact same age as you and you sometimes look alike. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy it, but sometimes it gets old. Tiffany do not harm me in any way for this. I do not dislike you at all. :)

I'm honestly just trying to get another blog in, so  I gave some details on being a twin. 

-Brittany Fulcher, a.k.a the older twin.

Blog #1 - The Most Important Day By Brittany Fulcher

The most important day of my life is the day I quit basketball. It was such a relief off of my shoulders. I did not have to worry about someone breathing down my neck daily about every one of my actions. Being on the team was a huge stress for me. It was not that I did not want to put the effort into being a part of the team and doing my part, it was that I had no time in my life for what I want to do. Quitting benefited me in several ways. I was able to focus more on my education. While on the team, I never made time for my school work. Homework was always something  I did during the morning. Projects were always a last minute thing. It seemed like my time was always consumed with games or play days. I am a person who loves to have time and sit down to read a book. Being on the team meant days of my week were dedicated to a ball game. Some weekends were for play days, when I wanted to be out and doing my own things with friends. Another thing is academics. I have already talked about them, but another reason it was a joy to not be on the team was my grades. My grades were never low or anything I had to worry about, but if I'm failing a class, I want it to be on my terms without punishment. I do not want to run for having a low grade when I can probably cram a few things in and bring it up. If I am failing, I should be able to do so without the worry of a coach on my back. Once again, I never had to worry about that, but it is a good thing about not being on the team.
Before I get any hate for this blog, it's just my opinion on things. I am not trying to offend anyone. The time consumed with basketball was not for me. That's all I am trying to say. If all of the time is for you, by all means, keep going.  I'm gonna stop now since I am probably repeating myself.

This isn't the best, but yeah. - Brittany Fulcher

Lexi B's blog #1

Wow, guys. We are almost juniors. Isn't that insane? It seems like just yesterday we were in Ms. Payne's math class, and now we're in Conner's. Sometime within the next two weeks, we are gonna have to make schedules for next year. As scary as it sounds, I'm gonna sign up for College Algebra. I've only heard of seniors taking this horrifying math class, but according to the R.E.A.D. degree plan, college algebra should be taken our junior year. One of the smartest girls I knew took this class, and it was not at all a cake walk for her. I hope one of you guys decide to take it with me, so that way I am not the only one having a mental breakdown every single day. Until my first mental breakdown of junior year, which will more than likely be the first day, I don't have a lot of plans. My summer is going to consist of laying in bed until noon, swimming, riding around, and hanging with Kaitlyn. My summer might sound boring, but it is a real step up from last year. For most of June and July, I taught swim lessons to 7 children aged 3 to 10. I can literally count on one hand the amount of times I had an enjoyable lesson. Most of the times, I got kicked in the face or got my hair pulled. It really wasn't fun, so when swim lessons got brought up for this summer as well, I had almost a traumatic reaction. I am looking forward to being able to spend my days as lazy as I want and not worrying about getting a black eye. My summer might sound like it’s going to be boring, but I really don’t care. Boring is okay with me. I also look forward to junior year and getting to create many more memories with my classmates. It's been a great 4 years with you guys, and I look forward to another 2 memory filled, fantastic years of high school.

Blog #1 - Bri Timms (short story)

One summer day, my buddies and I headed up to the lake. We spent most of our time at the lake. It was sort of our safe haven. Ma always brought snacks for us to munch on afterwards. This particular day was the day that I met Anne Marino. Anne wasn't like other girls her age. She was... I don't know... special somehow. Anne wasn't shy at all, in fact, she was the exact opposite of me. She was shorter than me, but all the mightier. Anne wasn't particularly popular, but she was so beautiful. Her long golden-brown hair rested below her shoulder blades. She was fair skinned with an amazing smile that could make you weak in the knees. Her southern draw could soothe you on the worst days. Her eyes were a deep green with what looks to have been twinkles. Her personality was playful and vibrant. She'd give a homeless person the shoes off her feet. Anne was always upbeat. She never cared if anyone was disapproving of her good spirits.

That summer at the lake cabin was the best summer of my life. Anne was the one to talk to me first, because all I could do was stare boyishly, smiling at her marvelous presence. I remember I was sitting on the picnic bench just after swimming with Carter and Caleb. Caleb and Carter are my best friends, we've been through a lot together. Just the three of us. We are about fifteen at this time.

Carter is sitting beside me; he says to me, "WHOA, bro!" He exclaimed in Anne's direction. Anne glances over, eyes rolling, then focuses back on applying her sunscreen lotion SPF 75.

"You're so childish man," Caleb says loud enough for Anne to hear.

"Yeah, but you love me though!"

"Jesus, Carter can you not!?" My sister, (Who has a crush on Carter,) Melanie gripes.

"What Mel? Can't a guy just be himself without being criticized?" Carter pouts, frustrated.

"Not when you are a Perv!" Melanie shouts. I chuckle a little at her retort.

"Something funny Manny!?" She hisses, glaring in my direction.

After regaining myself I tell her, "You two fight like an old married couple."

"Yeah they do!" Caleb adds, laughing. Melanie, at this time, is so red in the face. Carter coughs awkwardly.

Anne butts in, "Ahem, Excuse me..." We all turn towards the voice to find a girl with her hands on her hips waiting impatiently. I look at her in shock, I did not expect her to actually speak in my general vicinity. I clear my throat and extend my hand to the girl.

"Hi, I am Emmanuel García," My voice is shaky as she takes my hand softly, "Y..you can c..call me Manny."

"Hi Manny, I'm Anne Marino" Anne let go of my hand. "So, you guys just want to look at the water, or actually get in..?"

Wow she cut straight to the chase... talk about feisty.

"S..Sure eh, C'mon guys let's go." I gesture to the boys to follow me.

Blog 1! -- Teressa Boatman

The Most important day of my life was the day I gave my life to Christ. It has been a challenging road, and I know that i’ll serve God for the rest of my days. A day of importance doesn’t originate from just one person, yet, we all have different opinions upon it.

I remember it like it was yesterday. Two years ago at youth camp I fully committed my life to Christ. I was truly overwhelmed by all of my sins I practically fell to my knees in the anger I had for myself in committing them. At camp, we were all worshipping in song when the particular song came on called, “O Come to the Altar.” I heard the first few verses, I felt God tug upon my chest telling me it was my time!

I went to the altar, had a good talk with God, asking for forgiveness, relinquishing my life into his hands. My sister, Tevin grabbed me, and I was crying, I remember saying that simple phrase, “I know where I’m going.” It was very emotional, but it changed my life for the better. I’ve never been so happy as to how that moment made me feel right then. I learned later, though, it’s not easy being a Christian, especially when you stub your toe. I’ve face many trials, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am thankful for that night and the answers God gave me that night, this was truly the most important day of my life.

Although, I struggled, I overcame them with experiences with God. He has helped me through everything. Keep going, and never forget your most important day!

My Most Important Day - Lexi Hall

There has been many days in my life that have been special to me. Everyone has experienced an important day during their life that stands out the most. To Helen Keller the most important day of her life was the day her teacher came to visit her for the first time. The most important day of my life was the day that I got saved.

On January 13, 2008 I gave my life to Christ and haven’t looked back since. I have been raised up in church and every Sunday I attend church with my family. At the age of seven there isn’t much that I had done wrong, but by having started my relationship in Christ at that age has helped my through these past years of my life. He has helped me get through trials that I thought I may not overcome. I haven’t only seen Him work just in my life but in others. Throughout my ten years of being saved I have seen miracles happen. These past few weeks there has been revival in teens in local communities and lives have been forever changed. God hasn’t only been revealing himself to me these last few weeks but to others. My life has been drastically changed and will be forever because this is the most important day of my entire life.

On that day, I had been to church with my mom and I felt a tugging on my heart to be saved. It wasn’t in a church service, it was during a meeting that my mom was in at church. We were sitting there as the lady begin speaking. She was specifically talking about salvation, but it got my mind to wondering and thinking about salvation. I didn’t say anything to my mom at that moment. When we got home I told her what had happened, and right there in our house I asked Jesus into my heart. That next Sunday I was baptized and my life has been forever changed since. I will never forget this day.

Everyone has a day that has changed their life forever, and more than likely it’s the most important day of their life. This day changed my life forever and will always be special to me. No matter who it is they have a specific day in their life that is important to them and that they’ll never forget just like me.

The Most Important Day Autumn Courtney

The Last Christmas

The most important day of my life was when I got to spend my last Christmas with my entire family. It was a time of festivity, remembrance, and happiness. Little did I know, at such a young age, that I was never going to experience something like that ever again. My whole family together laughing and enjoying themselves. It was utterly the sweetest day of my life.

It all started on that morning. At the time I was living with my mother, but I ended up staying the night with my grandparents and cousins because I had “helped cook”. I was about seven or eight years of age. The night before was so much fun! My cousins and I would make pallets in the floor, play church with each other, and fall asleep to my grandpa’s old southern gospel music. It sounds boring, but we actually all had a ball. I remember waking up and being so thrilled to go to my aunts house, where everything was going on! My aunt’s name was Sharla Crawford. She was hands down the sweetest lady in the entire world. She was my cousin Caleb’s mom.

I had woken up at six thirty! It was Christmas morning and I was so eager to get everything started! I went and woke my grandparents up and we started to prepare for that day. Except we didn’t. My family is very untraditional. So, we didn’t start our Christmas “Day” until 4pm. Throughout the day all I did was annoy everyone because I was so anxious. Looking back it makes me laugh so hard, but back then I was so mad that I didn’t get my way. However, when the time came we all got ready, packed all of our food, and headed out! We made a pit stop to my mom’s house before we left. Just to make sure that she and my sisters were all ready. As soon as we were done checking on  them we left for my aunt's. I remember getting out of the tiny buick my grandpa had and running as fast as I could to the front door as soon as we got there. I was so ready to see everyone! All of my family from Little Rock, Arkansas had came in and I hadn’t seen them since Thanksgiving. The younger you are, the slower the time goes. I could not wait any longer. I ran in and the first person I hugged was my precious aunt Judy. She gives the best hugs. After that I told everyone else hello, and for some reason we were the last of the family to show up. So, as soon as my super slow grandparents came in we got started. Back to my family being very untraditional for dinner that night we had tacos, chips/dip, and everything Mexican. It was yummy! I remember after everyone had gotten their food, and we were all seated my grandpa wanted to bless the meal and pray. I was literally about to be on my second plate, but it was okay everyone thought it was funny. Once everyone took forever with eating we FINALLY got to open up some presents! This was, clearly, my favorite part about Christmas. I had always had such a big family so I always got so much stuff,  and I loved it. Once all of us opened our gifts we started to sing Christmas Carols. This was a really fun time because everyone would dance, laugh, and sing off key for the fun of it. As I sit here typing tonight I can’t help but to cry. Just to cry and let my tears fall. This was eight or nine years ago, and I am remembering every detail like it was yesterday. This was the most important day of my life. It may not be typical, but this day has impacted me the most. It has brought me comfort and content. It taught me how to appreciate the good times, how to value family. Family is the most important thing in this world. Driving home from Jonesboro that night I was so worn out by all the fun I had, had. I wouldn’t change it for anything, though.

That upcoming summer my aunt Sharla passed away due to an uncommon heart problem. No more family Christmases at her “massive” house, no more get togethers, no more taking me to the fair, no more “yes, darling?” from her sweet voice, no more girls days, no more nothing. That day changed all of our lives. We had lost one of our very own, but we got through it as a family! We stuck together and stood side by side. That's what she would have wanted. She would've wanted us to stay strong in our faith, stay strong in our family. So, that’s what we did. Yes, this is the most important day of my life. Not just because it was Christmas or because I had a few good tacos. I was surrounded by people who loved me! That’s what made it so special, and I thank God everyday for it.

Blog 1-- Ashlynn

The Most Important Day

Everyone has an important day. Everyday is special and important for everyone. Whether it is good, bad, or just crazy it is important. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The most important day in my life was when I rededicated my life to Christ. When I was growing up, I wasn’t very involved in church. My parents aren’t the best Christians and they didn’t go to church; therefore, neither did I. I always heard great things about the Lord and I wanted to feel all the great feeling everyone described.

When I was around 9, I was invited to go to church camp with my friends. It was an amazing experience. I felt the Lord in my heart so I decided to get saved. I wasn’t sure on how to let the Lord into my heart. I didn’t know how to grow in the Lord. It was a whole new experience for me. If I’m being honest, the main reason I got saved was because my friends did also. I went on with my life knowing I was saved, but I wasn’t for sure how to act.

My life went on and I fell off my tracks with the Lord. I only went to church on the holidays like Christmas and Easter. I never thought about the Lord and I was perfectly fine with it. My grandpa always encouraged me to read the bible and get baptized but I never would. He recently passed away and it changed my perspectives on things. I know that he is in Heaven and he wants me to live for Christ. I felt the need to start going to church. I started a new church, but I was just going through the motions.
A couple of weeks ago, a close friend passed away and it changed everything for everyone. The love for Christ spread throughout everyone. I was invited to go to a revival last week. I went and it was the best decision of my life. I felt the Lord come into my heart. His love flooded into my body. I had never felt anything like it. When the pastor asked us to come up and say the prayer, I was one of the first people up to the stage. I said the prayer and I rededicated my life to Christ. Ever since that day, I live everyday for Christ.

Rededicating my life for Christ was the most important day of my life. Now I’m living everyday for him and it makes everyday more important than the others. Having Christ in your heart is one of the best feelings ever.

Blog 1 - Briley Douglas

The most important day of my life was when I was saved and fully accepted Christ into my life. There was plenty of times before where I believed I was saved, though on April 30th, 2018, I truly understood the meaning of being saved and accepted Him into my life.

The Revival took place on a Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday Night. I attended it on Monday because I had been invited by my friend to go and they said great things about the ceremony. The entire day at school, everyone was speaking of the Revival and the more they spoke about it the more excited I got. I grew up going to a Baptist church, though after I got into highschool I drifted away from church. Throughout my years of going to church, I never got saved. I wanted to wait until I got older so I would fully understand my actions. The days leading up to the revival were torture, there were two individuals who I knew who passed away. Resulting in a depressed mood that surrounded our area. Despite the tragedies that occured, there was good that resulted from it.

The day of the Revival was a buzz. Everyone was speaking of the ceremony there the night before, talking of the speaker there and how good the band was. It was during 5th period when my friend, Grace Powell, asked me if I wanted to go. At first I was nervous to go since it was a school night and I didn’t want to be dead the next day. Plus I hadn’t been to a church event in a long time so I didn’t know what to expect. I finally agreed to go, but little did I know what was to come. Later that day, my friend picked me up from my house and we began to travel toward the event. The Revival was held in building in Bono, though it was located in the middle of houses and could easily be looked over if you weren’t keeping an eye out. We arrived to the Epicenter, and my first thought was how old the building was. The first thing I smelled when I entered the center was a mixture of popcorn and the smell of a really old building. The Epicenter is used for little country concerts, so it had the rows of movie chairs that would lean back and touch the floor if I wasn’t careful. We started off the night singing worship songs, and that's when I began to feel this odd pressure on my chest. The longer the night when on, the heavier my chest felt. Until they sung “Reckless Love,” and the pressure went away, then my chest began to feel light and my body felt like it was buzzing. By the end of the song I knew what needed to be done. I could barely stay still the rest of the night. After we finished worshipping, the speaker gave his devotional.During his devotional he asked a simple question which laid heavy on my heart. He asked us to raise our hands if we knew exactly where we were going, and I couldn’t answered the question. I knew at the moment that I wanted to be saved and I knew what Jesus Christ meant for me. So when he began invitation, I jumped out of my seat. I knew what I wanted to do and I couldn’t stand a second longer waiting. The moment when I said the prayer is a moment I’d never forget. I never felt so much joy in my life.

Getting Saved has been an experience I’m grateful that I was able to go through. I believed that I wasn’t worthy enough to be saved and always pushed the thought of being saved away. People experiences a day like this everyday, but little did I know that during some individuals worst days of their lives, would I be experience the most important day of my life.

The Most Important Day Of My Life - Grace Powell

Everyday of our life is an important day. We have good, bad, crazy and even some days that we don’t think we can make it through. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says “when times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.” The most important day of my life is the day I gave my life to Christ.

I grew up in a super small town where everyone you know goes to a church in town. 90% of the people are Baptist. Every Sunday and every Wednesday, my family and I were sitting on that third pew from the front, in a little white church just outside of town. There is no doubt that I couldn’t explain every inch of that building to you. It was home, and the people there were family.

It was the summer of my fifth grade year, I went to Mtn. Zion Baptist Church camp. Church camp days were always the best days of my life. You met so many people that are just as excited to learn about the lord as you are. After bible study one night, during recreational time, I went upstairs to find my mom. My mom was my counselor at church camp, because we aren’t good at being separated. I went upstairs to have her help me give my life to Christ.

Little did I know at the time that I don’t need help to give my life Christ. I later got Baptized. Not long after that, I kinda lost my faith. I still believed, but I wasn’t living my life for him like I should’ve. Recently, I have regained my faith in the lord.

My childhood best friend was recently killed in a car accident. It was such a tragedy for my community. Emmalei and I met in that little white church outside of town that I mentioned earlier. I looked up to her, I wanted to be more like her in anyway I could. The passing of her really hit me like a truck. The night after the tragic accident happened, I went to lock the tanning bed at the boutique.  I sat in my car listening to music, just trying to think it through. The song “Come as You Are” by Crowder came on the radio. I have never felt anything like this before, it was the best feeling I’ve ever felt. It was the holy spirit, no doubt. Since that night, I have been living my life for the lord.

The day I rededicated my life to Christ was the most important day of my life. Psalms 121:1 and 2 says “ I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” I live by this scripture, and I will praise him in this storm.

Blog One -Lotti Hoffman

The Best Day of My Life (this is personal guys)

It was August 28th around 6:15 am and my nerves were shot. “I have to be up in two hours,” I had thought to myself. I was not prepared for the eventful day that was soon to come. 6:45 am, and I rolled back over, 7:15 came and I rolled over again. Sleep was a lost hope. After staring at the ceiling for another hour, 8:15 finally came. I decided to wear my favorite yellow dress because yellow was a happy color; and I was about to have the best day of my life.

With curled hair and painted toenails I walked into the kitchen with a bop. Cameron was eating a cereal bar and Jack was blowing bubbles in his milk; I was not phased by the boys because after today, I would no longer see them again. By 8:45 Callie and I were headed to the car for our two hour drive. We hopped into the car and began our journey. I was trembling with nervousness, but so excited I could not contain myself; My ADD was at an all time high (long car rides were not my forte,) as I was bouncing in my seat. After awhile I began to feel the exhaustion arrive caused by aftermath of my staring contest with the ceiling earlier that morning. Suddenly I heard, “Wake up! We are here!” I wiped the drool off of my pillow and looked in the mirror to make sure I looked my best. In big bold letters the words, Dyersburg Courthouse, were plastered on the huge white building before me. I was scared so I grabbed Callie’s hand to walk me inside. As I walk in there were people everywhere, like mosquitoes in June. People were so rushed, upset, loud, and disorientated. I could not understand why. The courthouse was the best place to be for a kid like me. It meant you could finally have your forever. In the midst of my daydreaming my lawyer came to me and in a sweet, loving voice she said, “Lotti it is time, are you ready?”

Ready could not describe the feeling I had. I walked into the courtroom with big eyes and a happy heart. In the corner of my eye I could see them standing  there and feel them staring at me. I kept trying not to act scared, but there was so much going on at once. I immediately feel my eyes fill with tears and my face became a river. Callie hugged me, and although I knew it was my last time to hug her as her child, I knew these parents and this life was going to be one to remember. As the judge banged his gavel on the podem, I knew I had finally found the perfect home. I walked up to my new parents and hugged them. The best day of my life was the day I had found MY home.

and then I woke up.

The Most Important Day; Gage Crews

January 12th was the most important day of my life. I had been living my life in the wrong way, I sinned often and worshipped rarely. I was too stupid to understand that the road I was on was the road to hell, and I needed to change my ways. January 12th was the day that I put myself on the right path, the path to Heaven.

My family used to be big on church. Every Sunday morning, you could find me and my family at church. Eventually, this passion died off. We still believed in God, but we did not worship often. We said grace before every meal, but you couldn’t see Jesus in our lives. We wore cross necklaces, but did not thank God for all of our blessing each day.

One day, it hit me. It had been a couple years since I had been to church.  I was sitting in my bedroom. All the sudden, I decided to listen to Chris Tomlin. Before I was done with the first song, I was in tears. God was within me. That night, in my bedroom, I asked God to be my Lord and Savior.  I went and told mom about what happened, and she burst in tears as soon as she heard. I asked to go to Church Sunday, of course she said yes.

That following Sunday at Church, during the first song, it hit me again. I rushed to the altar. The preacher came to me, and he told me the prayer to say. That day, I was officially saved. After the service, we worked out a date, and that following Wednesday I was baptized.

Getting saved changed my life greatly. Now I am able to walk with my head high, knowing I have a better purpose of life, which is to live for God. I now am not scared of death, because I have eternal life in Heaven.