I Saw the Light

Ahh.....

I can finally breathe.

Exams were today, and I've never been so grateful to be done(with classical, that is).

This year, in no way, has been easy. There have been many tears...and many hours of frustration. But I made it through...with many people by my side supporting me.

Amanda, Paige, Mary, mom, your support means the world to me and I can't tell you how thankful I am for you,

But most of all, God has helped me through everything. He has helped me through horrible days, continued to strengthen me when I felt like I wanted to give up, and today...he refreshed me of everything I studied this semester for my exams and I feel so proud of what I have accomplished.

This year has been very challenging, I feel like I have learned and accomplished so much that I would have never had the opportunity to do in a public school. I am so thankful for this opportunity to homeschool...and even on the hard days, I have to remember and remind myself that later on I will be so thankful I learned how to study and know how to learn hard material. And though it's been quite rough...next year, oh next year, I have one of my favorite people in the world as my tutor...and well...I'm quite extremely excited. :) And yes I just said I'm excited about school.

The main thing I have learned...other than defending what I believe(don't get me started)...is that God loves me. No matter what. He will never give up. He is always there. Through good and bad. When we are crying. He has placed people in our lives to encourage us and continually be there for us. He's just amazing. And I, after this year, have grown closer to Him...and I feel God has let me struggle through these assignments and this year to teach me that He is all I need, and He will get me through any struggles. And show me that light at the end of the tunnel.

And today- I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And I breathed a sigh of relief.

Because now I can write a book. And yes, I know I'm a nerd. But hey, that's how God made me! And even after a year of struggling- I'm still thankful for this opportunity to learn, to open my mind...and I'm thankful for everything that God has taught me. He has given me the opportunity of a lifetime- and I'm trying to make the most of each day He is giving me.

~Bailey

P.S. And just incase you didn't pick up on it...I finished Challenge I...and I didn't give up...HA!

To my wonderful mother...

Just a week ago we celebrated Sonia Grace's birthday...and now we celebrate my mom's birthday. She is the big 40 today! ha...she's getting old.

Many of you know that the past year has not been easy for our family, especially for my mom, nothing life threatening, but life changing. The Lord has challenged us all, but yesterday marked a day that will turn everything around. We have a new beginning, a season of healing for my mom- for all of us. I know that God has placed this in our lives to challenge and strengthen us- not to tear us down.

James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." He is good and will hold us- no matter what.

From today on- things will be different, God is working in our family. We have a very exciting year ahead of us. Lots of things will be going on. School, camp, Summer With the Arts, and lots more...that I will share later :). God is doing something great AMAZING in our family- I know it. And through this past year of struggles, God has pulled us all through, loving and forgiving us daily.

I am thrilled to see what God has in store for our family in the rest of this year.

Mom- I hope, even though you don't feel too hot, that you have a fantastic birthday. You are such an amazing example of a Godly woman to me and so many others. You have loved people that are not your own, you love them like your children. There are so many people looking up to you, and so many that love you so very much. You are the best mom anyone could ever ask for to me, William, J-man, Sonia and even Amanda. I am amazed at your love for Christ and your trust in Him daily. Thank you for being who you are. I love you.

Your almost oldest daughter :) - Bailey Elizabeth

To My Sweet Sonia Grace

Oh, my sweet Sonia Grace...from the moment I first laid eyes on you- I knew you were meant to be part of our family. I just knew. And I fell in love with this little girl.

You make us laugh. And you drive us crazy- but my heart finds new ways to love you daily.

The Lord is continually stretching my heart and teaching me so many new things through you.

And when I think my heart is as big as it can get, God proves me wrong.

"You know what sissy? I wuv you."

"I love you too," I say as we hug each other. Our relationship- our bond is different, it's like no other. We are ten years apart, but God has shown me so much through such a little person. He has changed my life.

People always say, "You've changed her life." No. She's changed ours. And what an incredible story we all have to tell...

And while I was begging God for a little sister, I had a big sister watching out for me. Supporting me every step of the way. The relationship Amanda and I have is completely indescribable- only something God could ordain.

My sisters are both incredible, amazing gifts from God and I am so, so, so very thankful for both of them. And the story of how God has placed each of them in my life- again, only something He can write.

Oh, my sweet Sonia girl...I love you so much.

More than words can ever say.

And my dear Sonia Grace- on (the day after) your 4th birthday...I don't know how time has gone by so fast. I love you so very much- we all do. Your love for Christ and church amaze me, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. I pray Christ will fill your heart with His love. I pray you will seek Him- not others on hard days, a mistake I've made plenty of times. I pray that you will guide and lead those younger than you in righteousness. I pray that God will guide your paths so you will see what He has in store for you. And even when I'm away at college, I'll be there for you. I will always be with you.

With love and joy filling my heart this day- Bailey

How Wonderful

This week has been fantastic. We're taking a (sort of) spring break.

And oh...how wonderful it's been. It's after 9, and I haven't eaten breakfast or started school or done anything productive. I've just watched icarly with Sonia and looked on Pinterest.

Since we have exams the week after spring break- cool, right(hint of sarcasm there)- I've had some studying to do, so everyday I work for about 2ish hours and then relax and do whatever the rest of the day.

Which mainly consists of playing babies with Sonia...writing a book(because that's what all 14 year olds do in their spare time, right?) and reading Little Women...again.

Yesterday Amanda came over and we did school and just talked and chilled...didn't do much of anything. It was quite fun actually. We watched Bedtime Stories...great movie by the way.

Monday we went to a friend's house and played by their creek and in the HUGE yard and just had fun!

Today...I have no idea what today...or tomorrow will bring...but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. And thank God that he has given us such beautiful weather and such a wonderful time to enjoy together.

Have a marvelous week- and I hope that you had a great Easter!

~Bailey

Oh- and if you're up for a good laugh, read this blog post by Jenny B. Jones. It's really, really funny. Jenny B. Jones Blog

Alive!

I can't say it any better than that.

He.

Is.

ALIVE!

Have a wonderful Easter celebrating what our Savior has done for each and every one of us!

~Bailey

For You, For Me

Mark 14:35-36 "And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Matthew 27:28-31 "And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail,King of the Jews!” ³⁰ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him."

John 19: 16-19 "So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

John 19:28-30 "After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said ( to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

He died.

For you.

For me.

Our sins have been forgiven.

He came to die for us.

The pain. The anguish. For us.

It. Is. Finished.

He died. And was buried.

But don't worry. Sunday is coming.

~Bailey~

There must be something special...

There must be something special going on right now somewhere....

Because today is my 300th post!!!!! Yay!

Thanks to all of my wonderful followers who have been with me through it all!

Anyway- spring is on it's way over here in NC. It has been magnificent these last few days- the weather that is. I have some very, very funny stories to share with you Friday. If I can remember ;).

Easter is coming too, which we are all thrilled about at our house! Our service(if I may say so myself) is going to be fantastic.

And one last thing- to welcome spring in the air, my dear friend Anna Gray(also known as Wanda Carleety-long story) is having a giveaway over at Bella Vita! Hop on over and win some amazingly cute stuff!

I hope that you all are having a wonderful week and thanks again for all of your support.

Wow. 300 posts. You people are loyal.

~Bailey