His Light And Rachel

I have once read a short article featuring Robin Roberts and how she had dealt with cancer and everyday struggles. The one line that really stuck out at me in this article was that she prayed to God every morning to allow his light to shine through her onto everyone she met. It is so apparent that His light does shine through her in this way. She helps people and genuinely cares about the people she has the chance to meet and hear about. I wanted the same thing.

I had prayed for this light she was talking about to shine through me and so that I could help people and hear God's word. But, there was a problem that I now see. I did not fully understand what it meant to have the Lord's light shining through me and onto the people in my life. Still, I prayed for this.

Today I sat through a First Priority meeting at my school. I had forgot that they were meeting in the band room today, because there is no school tomorrow. So, because it was Halloween and I always eat in the band room because of the parades we do for the elementary kids, I ended up sitting through this meeting for the first time in all of my high school career. I am really glad I did, and I don't think that it was just chance that I made that decision. I think it was part of God's plan for me all along.

The topic of discussion was Rachel Scott and her story. Rachel Scott was killed in the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and was a firm believer in God. She felt is presence in everything she did and everywhere she went. She knew He had a plan for her. She also had challenges and vision for people in order for the world to be a better place for everyone. This, along with knowing that God has a plan for each and every one of us, was the focus of our time.

We talked about how a smile or a thank you can make someone's day. That those things really do matter and make a difference to someone's life. I wasn't expecting much out of this Halloween, especially this. I'm really grateful for it though.

Just a few minutes ago I had finished watching a five part YouTube video dedicated to sharing her story. It ended up being over an hour of my time, but I would highly recommend watching it (click here to view the first part). This is when I truly realized what it meant to have God's light shine through me. It means being there for others when no one else is. It means to help those in need. It means to truly believe in the Lord and share this with others. It means to always know the Lord is with you. It means to always stay positive even when the going gets rough. This is what I pray for. I think you will fully understand what it means to have His light shine through you after you watch the videos. 

Lastly, I have to say that every moment is a blessing so treat it like one. Don't do anything you will regret and do things you know you will not regret doing. Here is the link to the website honoring Rachel and the Lord (click here to view). I'll talk to you later. Bye : )

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On The Fundraising Road

Hey, Scouts! 

Just wanted to inform you that I made it through the interview and was accepted to travel with People To People as a Student Ambassador to the United Kingdom next summer. Eek! Yes, I just typed that.

Now, it's time to fund raise. 

I may have mentioned before that this trip costs a lot of money. About, give or take, $8,000. Talk about a heart stopper. I have serious work to do. With that said, any and all help/ideas are welcome. Just leave a quick comment or tweet me any of your great ideas using the little twitter button at the top of the page and don't forget to share this with your friends.

I can't possibly tell you how much going on this trip would mean to me. I want to travel the world and this is a great first stop on that journey. 

I'll talk to later then Scouts. Okay? Okay. Bye :)

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Hey, It's Holly

Hey, Lovelies!

Lately there has been a lot of stuff happening in my world. Let me brief you on it.

First off, we have started concert band at school, finally wrapping up the marching season. The banquet is tomorrow night. I must tell you, I hope to get best performer for color guard two years running. It would be amazing!

Second, I had my interview with People to People Ambassador Programs today and, although I was really nervous, it went pretty well. The two delegation leaders that interviewed me were funny and super nice. It would be great to get to know them better. Anyways, I find out if I go on this trip to the UK this next summer tomorrow, so wish me luck! Thanks.

Next, I have been trying to get into the Halloween spirit this weekend by watching movies, carving pumpkins, and deciding what I should dress up as. So far, not many good movies have been playing on TV at a time I can watch them, I have gutted both of my pumpkins but have yet to finish carving them, and don't really have a clue what to be for Halloween. I was thinking maybe dressing up as the Morton Salt Girl, a Charlie Brown inspired ghost, or.... Yeah, so that is going well. Any easy, creative ideas would be welcome. Leave a reply or tweet me, please.

So, anyways. That was my week in short. I still need to edit/upload pictures and make a post about the band season. Will get right on that after the banquet tomorrow night. Oh, and A Look At Fall Part 2 is in the works. Adios, Lovelies. Adios. :)

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Bonita!

So, Lovelies. As promised, I am sharing (in no particular order) pictures from my Homecoming dance. I hope you like them as much as I do. Let's go!

A simple picture of my dress. It was dubbed as 'Hawaiian'. Pink and blue was the ultimate theme for me.

A cropped version of a later photo. It is currently my facebook profile pic.

Group shot!

And another.

This was a 'funny shot'. I didn't realize it was actually being taken, but it's funny nonetheless.

It's me.

A random selfie while getting ready.

I love the angle of this one. I might have to make it black and white.

Me while waving my hair.

And yet another of myself doing my hair.

Morgan applying eyeliner, while I am randomly placed at the edge of the pic.

Cierra and I. Don't we look excited.

A favorite of ours.

Grace face!

Me, again.

This was not the actual photograph. I happened to find something very funny, while Cierra held it in. It's a great shot.

A classic.

Ching! 

Selfie.

Me. Although, I look kind of awkward now that I think about it.

Morgan and I. Pretty.

More of my face.

And another favorite. Cierra demanded we sit on the ground. Kudos to her.

Okay. This was a failed jump shot. One of many failed jump shots. I still find myself liking it, though.

Cierra jumping into a selfie with Morgan and her mom in the back.

Sitting in the car. Three teenagers squished into the backseat.

An up-close picture of my ticket for the dance. The theme of the dance was 'fandoms' and so everything was Harry Potter inspired.

Love this photo to pieces. Really, I do.

Quick pic after the dance.

And another, because who can take just one.

Okay, so I looked pretty good with the messy hair. I promise that was the last one.

Let's be honest, those were some pretty good photos. Right? Well, I vote yes. Still being honest, I think I am going to have to get many of the pictures printed in black and white AND color. That's how great I think they came out. Hmm. Oh, the decisions. 

Well I hope you are happy with this post and I would love to see one of your photos from a dance. Tweet me and I'll be sure to see it! See you later, Lovelies. Bye :)

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A Friday Five... On Saturday

1. Jumping right in, my life has been so busy (hence lack of posts. : / Sorry! ). First off, last week was spirit week at my school leading up to the game and dance. Also thrown into the mix was a band competition (same day as the dance), homework (because it's high school), and lots of drama (so annoying, but that's how it goes). This past week was equally busy. Conferences with my teachers, yet another band competition (the last), and even more drama. Relieved the past two weeks are over to say the least.

2. Homecoming spirit days went as follow: 
Monday -Ugly Sweater Day
Tuesday -Tacky Tourist Day
Wednesday -Wacky Wednesday
Thursday -Fandom Day
Friday -Black and Gold Day

Not going to lie, there were some pretty crazy outfits for spirit week. I may have not dressed up for every single day, but it was still fun. The game was pretty eventful, too. Okay, a bit more than that. We won! As crazy as it may be, the varsity football team won for the first time in over twenty years? Something like that. Quite amazing. And proud, I might add.
Next came the dance. In short, it was hot, sweaty, and the decorations were cool. In long, it was hot, sweaty, crowded, and really awkward with my date. My friends constantly complained and wanted to go home early. I was kind of frustrated. The up side, we took some really good photos before the dance when we all were in good moods. So, yeah. Long version. 
BTW: I will be posting the photos and commenting on them in a post named 'Bonita'. Be sure to keep them eyes peeled for that. Preview photo:

3. Marching season is finally over. It's kind of a bittersweet moment for us band kids. I just can't believe that 3 seasons has gone so fast. But, at the same time it's kind of a good thing it's over now. I just don't know how many more Saturdays in a row I could take. 

At a Saturday competition.

A football game performance with the color guard captain.
 Revision: the Homecoming game (hence my pink nails).

The Homecoming game with my brother, a freshman trumpet player.

Oh, how I'm going to miss this after my senior year. A post to come on this, also.

4. All school activities aside, this weekend is a family birthday party. If it doesn't rain it will be a bonfire outside. The backup plan is to have it inside at my great grandma's house. In the mean time, my cousin, aunt, and I picked out pumpkins for carving this afternoon. Where we went to buy them, one of the drum majors from a school that was at a few of our band competitions was there and noticed the school I was from. He complimented us and it pretty much made my whole week. I love getting compliments from strangers (especially cute ones) and I will definitely be sharing what he said to my band director. Lovely people. I just love them.

5. Last, but by no means the least, I was invited by the People to People organization to be a student ambassador. I went to the meeting last weekend and now have an interview that decides whether or not I am eligible to go. I am so nervous. This trip to the UK means a lot to me right now. It would be a lot of fundraising for a lot of money, but it would be totally worth it. It would mean a lot of time, but it would be worth it. It would mean a lot of stress, but it would all be worth it to go on this trip. I am willing to do what it takes to go. I am not messing around. I want this.

With that said, I'll be going now. I hope this makes up for my absence, but in case it doesn't I promise to be posting much more frequently now that the above is over for the most part. These things have also given my something to blog about so there you go. Bye :)

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The Autumn Tag!

Hey. So Lovelies, inspired by TheGirlinPinkk herself (if you haven't heard of this blog click here because you are missing out), I have completed the Autumn Tag!

Favorite thing about Autumn?
The crisp cool air that allows sweaters to be worn and high school football games. The best holidays occur in the fall.

Favorite drink?
Lemonade. Everybody knows that, but I guess hot chocolate it pretty good, too.

Favorite scent/candle?
I love the smell of apple cider this time of year.

Best lipstick?
Wet n' Wild 911D Stoplight Red. Love it and it stays on all day. Well, most of the time.

Go-to moisturizer?
Jergens Original Scent (Cherry-Almond) Moisturizer

Go-to color for the eyes?
My everyday go-to for eye shadow is a shimmery pink champagne color with light gray in the crease. 

Favorite music to listen to?
Adele is perfect for long, cold, Autumn nights! And I love Charlene Soraia's cover of Wherever You Will Go. Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Parachute and anything playing during lunch at school. And Lorde.

Favorite outfit to wear?
Jeggings, a soft sweater, and my aunt's varsity jacket from high school. For shoes: definitely my guard shoes. Yep, I'm a band geek. 

Autumn treat?
I'm not really into sweets or anything, but does cake count? I vote yes for vanilla cake.

Favorite place to be?
Hmm.... Under about three warm blankets sleeping is about it. And maybe on the field spinning.


Now, I tag you! Leave a comment answering these tag questions and I promise to read them. Later, Girl Scouts. :)

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A Look At Fall: Part 1

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