St. Patricks's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17th unless it falls on Holy Week. The Irish view this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day the Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. The traditional meal for St. Patrick's Day was bacon and cabbage. The most popular symbol of St. Patrick's Day is the shamrock. It is said that Patrick used the shamrock to help explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. St. Patrick's Day came custom to America in 1737. We celebrate St. Patrick's Day wearing green and having parties. But don't be the one caught not wearing green because you could be pinched!!

Encouraging Friends

Right now I am struggling with this and finding friends that I can relate to and will be there for me and keep me accountable. I thought that I had the best friends ever and they are great but aren't what I need with helping me grow in my faith. I find myself settling in a group that I feel comfortable with but really don't belong. With being in high school comes LOTS of drama that swarms you constantly. I want to so badly to flee from those temptations but can't seem to escape. It's something that is extremely hard for me to say no and to let go of those friends that are continually filled with gossip. I fall on my knees asking for guidance and seeking God's Word for what He says. I can't seem to grasp what it is that I am suppose to do and what is the right thing. I know I have been convicted of this and this is something that needs a change in my life. I hope that as my high school days end, I can seek what He wants to do with my life and how He is going to use it to further His Kingdom. I know that with God anything is possible and He has a greater plan for my life. So I encourage you to examine your friendship and to truly think about the people you hangout with. Just because you aren't the partying type and ones that are "good" doesn't mean that you have the best possible friends that are made for you. Take your life and see what is glorifying Christ and what isn't giving Him praise, take it out, flee from it.

Planning Your Life

Recently I have had to make decisions that could effect the rest of my life. I worry that I might have it too together and planned out. We had a discussion in Sunday School whether or not you should plan for the future because as Christians we are suppose to hand it all over to God. A verse we refer to when worrying about what might come in the future is, "So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 We were wondering if it is us that are planning our future or is something God is speaking to us about the rest of our life. I think that the work of the Holy Spirit is so powerful, that it is continually speaking to us about ours lives. I think we have to examine whether or not the life we are living is pleasing to God. I know as for me I have given my life to him and everything is in his hands now. I pray that whatever the outcome is in my life that will glorify Him.

To Save A Life

This weekend I went to the movies and watched "To Save A Life." I really encourage everyone to go and see it. This movie was really touching and the message is amazing. It is centered around teen suicide and people dealing with depression. It really shows how one kind word to someone could change their life and might change their mind about taking their life. You never know what people are going through or what they are dealing with. So I took this as to watch my actions and how I respond to people. Also, I want to search for those students that might not have many to no friends and make sure they know that someone does care about them. I think its so easy to stay in the group of friends that we have always been with and ignore those that are lonely, lost, and hurting. I see kids that are in our school today that walk around by themselves and are picked on by others. I think that this movie has really opened my eyes to how one kind word can make a difference in someones life.

New Teacher = Aunt

Well this year you are probably aware that the new freshmen English teacher is my Aunt. At first I thought it might be a little weird having my aunt at the school all the time. I thought she would always have a close look on me and would be hard. But to find out she's pretty cool. The thing is though me and my aunt are really like sisters. We live together in my grandparents home and pretty much do everything together. She's a really big help when it comes to my school work and doesn't mind to give advice. But she doesn't just teach at the school she also helps out with our Cross Country and Track Team after school. She ran when she was at Apollo with the same coach I have right now. She has always wanted to come back and teach and coach at the same school she graduated from. So having my aunt around school all the time isn't that bad. She is there when I need something or forget to bring something. It's actually a big plus me and I'm glad she got the job at our school.

Run Fast or Run Home

Running to me is basically my life and that's all I have done. I have ran since the sixth grade and it's in my family. I have a passion for it but I don't always love it. I do complain at times because I get to a point where I am just worn out. I push myself everyday to do my best even though it might not be my best performance, I know I did the best I could. People ask why in the world I would ever like to run and there are many reasons that I run. First, I have done it for so long I don't see myself giving it up now. Another reason is that my family has a history of heart attacks because they are over weight and I want to prevent that by keeping my heart healthy. I love the feeling of being with a team and being apart of something. I grew up being set apart from others and didn't always fit in and this team feels like another family to me. I love the people that I run with and would never give up those friendships because it does change when you quit a sport. Overall I love the excitement in running and competing against other people and the rush you get when you accomplish something. I love the feeling after I get done running. Running is in my heart and a big part of my life.

Dear Mom,

Well I know that in the past we haven't been the closest because of some situtaions. I know you may think that I don't care or love you but that isn't true at all. I just wanted to write you this letter and tell you how I feel about everything. You know, I was hurt when you first left. Never did I think that my childhood would be such a mess as it was. I know you tried your hardest to give us the life we deserved but that isn't how it was. I can't hate you for your choices you made but truthfully I have learned from them. I know what my future will be like because I have seen how families can be torn apart and I don't want that for mine. Yes, things happen, people go through troubles but, I thank God everyday that he actually gave me a chance of a different life. I do love you and wish that things didn't have to happen but I can't fix the past I can only hope for a better future. I hope for a better future with you where things are okay between us. I want to have a mother that I really never had.

Love your daughter,

Katharine