I just remembered a service that Pastor King preached about singing your song in the night.... at first I just thought wow great service... it didn't hit me until awhile after that service, and I don't know if this is what he wanted to say or if I'm taking it the right way but this is what I got from it.
A lot of the time that I was in church I felt like giving up because my mother wasn't in church and no other members of my family (except for my grandma) were in the church and I felt that I was very alone and that it was so hard by myself. Well one day we were driving in Lisa's car listening to her new Audio Adrenaline CD and we were rocking out (haha) to all the songs when a slow song came on. I'm not really good at hearing the words of a song and I still didn't know many Bible stories so the song didn't mean all that much to me, but Rachelle was getting so mad at me cause I wasn't listening and she knew all the things I was going through and that this song could be my song. The song is called "Leaving 99" this song comes from Luke 15:4-7

4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Once this was explained to me I have never forgotten this song. I can not tell you how many times I have listened to this song and how many times it has kept me going and even now that I am not going, I know that when I hear this song that He is looking for me and that He still loves me and cares about me and when I find my way back He will rejoice and forgive me. So I'm putting this song up because maybe someone just like me needs this song to sing in the night.


"I'm lost and broken, all alone on this road
the wheels keep turnin', but the feelin' is gone
when I fear I'm on my own
You remind me I am not alone
when You said

(chorus)
I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you
for you alone
I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you

it's dark and lonely and the path is unclear
can't move my feet because I'm frozen in fear
then you say,
"My child, my child - I am always here, I'm by your side"

(chorus)

you're never too far down
I promise you'll be found
I'll reach into the mud and mirely clay
pursue you to the end
like a faithful friend
nothing in this world can keep me away

(chorus)

Today I just want to cry. A part of me feels silly for wanting to but I know it's not silly at all. Lately I have been thinking more and more about Him...how much I miss Him, how He made me feel, how much He loved me and cared for me, and how I just left Him...because someone else got the best of me. It has just been one thing after another this morning... I don't know if I had a dream about Him or what but I woke up with him on my mind and then I checked my best friends blog and she had written a poem saying all the things that I was feeling. It must be Him pointing me back... the only problem is, that I don't know how to get there or how I ever could. I'm so scared and I wish I could find a way.......

This is the amazing poem that Rachelle wrote for me to say at the grad:

I stand here today realizing I've come to the end

As I hear the applause and see the smiles of my friends

Congratulations are in order, I've accomplished a waiting feat

But as I scan the crowd I see an empty seat

And though I am so thankful to have you all here today

There is still one word of encouragement I hope for one person to say

This journey of learning is not the only one in my life

There has been a whole wealth opened up, which is why I'm here tonight

Someone who has been on the sidelines in every race I have run

Encouraging, holding, and helping me and finally I've come

Realizing I didn't always know Him but now I see I love Him just as He loves me

And so I'm here with mixed feelings of joy, uncertainty and pride

Remembering the laughter, the lessons and the tears we cried

Thank you for honoring me now that I'm done

But mostly I hope that He is proud, my audience of ONE.

Rachelle Daly

Shad making the best farewell speech EVER!!

I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling haha I'm a geek!


The Grads of '07

So nervous!! Thats why my face is all red haha

I love my Pastor sooo much!!! One of the greatest men I've ever met

Vren

Angie

And me looking like a dork haha

I HAD THE MOST AMAZING TIME LAST NIGHT!!!! I CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW PERFECT IT WAS!!! I WISH THE NIGHT WOULD HAVE GONE ON FOREVER...BUT I KNOW FRIEDAY WILL BE EVEN MORE AWESOME SO I CAN'T WAIT!!! I LOVE EVERYONE!!! HAHAHA

Shucks!

Esther made me look good haha

Sara & I

Wow we have too much fun! I love it.

We definately are the coolest people EVER!

Love you so much!!!

Hugs, kisses & all my love!