Just Life...

Ahh...feels good to be back at the keyboard! School has been back in full swing, which makes life a bit crazy! Here's an update on my life for any of you that care...

School: It's going well. Math has been much better so far this semester. For our science research paper I have chosen to do hurricanes and tornadoes! For our intoducotory philosophy course, I am doing a presentation on the Shakers at the end of the semester. I don't agree with their beliefs at all, but they are very interesting!

My book: AMAZING! I have talked with a self publisher who was extremely interested about it, he's calling back in a month to check with me again to see how far along I am. I am stinkin' excited! Once I get it done, I'll have an extra page on my blog so that you all can read the first chapter!

Sonia: So cute, as always! She is growing like a weed...well so am I, but I'm 14 so it's not very normal ;)

I believe that's all I have to tell you right at the moment...sorry if I bored you, but I thought you would appreciate something! Have a great(raining here) weekend!

~Bailey

There you'll find me

In the quiet and peace of my dad's office at church...I finished it.

I finished a new book- There You'll Find Me, by Jenny B. Jones.

Do you ever feel sad when you finish a good book? Like that feeling- man I wish this book weren't over, can't it just go on forever?

I felt like that with this book. I wish I could read on and on about the journey of 18 year old Finley Sinclair trying to find God through tragedy in Ireland, and 19 year old Beckett Rush thinking he wants to change from Hollywood bad boy, and chase a different dream. Can't it go on forever?

After a long day of classes, I finished the book, sad that I was finished, yet happy satisfied to know I had just read another book by one of my favorite authors.

I highly encourage you reading this book- I have a feeling you will enjoy it(even my mother loved it).

Here is where you can buy it: Barnes and Noble, There You'll Find Me

And Jenny B. Jones website: Jenny B. Jones

~Bailey

Surrender...Passion 2012

"We raise our white flag...

We surrender all to you...

All for you...

We raise our white flag...

Love has won...

Your love has won...

We life the cross

Lift it high

Lift it high

We lift the cross

Lift it high

Lift it high

We raise our white flag

We surrender all you...

Your love has won!"

Passion 2012.

live.268generation.com.

~Bailey

Dear 2012,

Dear 2012,

2011 has been great. I went to a Taylor Swift concert with my best friend in the whole world. Had an amazing time at camp. Got to go to the beach as a family. Spend a couple of days at the Great Wolf Lodge. I've learned so much, and started to enjoy piano. Most of all grown closer to my God and Savior. And whole lot more.

But 2011 has also been difficult. School has been very very challenging. But it's been good overall. Mom got sick, and is still struggling with it. William and I have been struggling with headaches, but they are getting better, much better.

It feels like this past year has flown by, and hopefully I will be able to do a year in pictures very soon. Parts of me don't want to grow up, or see 2012 start...but I can't help it.

2012, this year I hope to accomplish two things.

1. To learn to get along with my brothers- and most of all to learn to love them.

2. To be focused on God and trust in Him no matter what. To know that whatever happens...it's His will for me. Wherever He takes me, whether it be Kenya, or right here in North Carolina. I hope to grow closer in Him, and continue to strengthen our relationship.

So 2012, whatever you may bring, I pray that God will use this year to do remarkable things in my life and in those around me. And simply, I can't wait to see what God does this coming year.

Because with God, life from year to year, day to day, is an unending adventure.

Will you join me?

Love- Bailey

Oh- and Happy New Year!

Merry (late) Christmas!!!

I hope that you all had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Savior! We had a wonderful Christmas at our house, including many gifts, reading of the birth of Christmas in the Bible(Luke 2:1-20) and many fun times together.

Have a blessed week, and MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!!!

~Bailey

The Star

"Where is he who has been born king of the jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." Matthew 2:10

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them." Luke 2:20

Last night as we were driving home from Christmas celebration #1(which will later get a whole post dedicated to itself) I had my ipod earbuds in, and I was staring at the stars. And my heart ached...wouldn't it have been so amazing to have seen that star that night? The star shining in honor and glory of our Savior. How incredible would that have been?

Mary and Joseph had no idea how powerful their son was going to be. They didn't know what to expect. Shepherds and Magi came to worship their baby...can you imagine what was going through their heads?

But...this star, shining so brightly, led them to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

And how amazing would it have been to have seen that star that night?

~Bailey

Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news...

When we left to go pick up Sonia, we met an amazing couple- Chad and Heidi Spore. They had four kids at home, Hallie, Carter, Carly, Hayden...and were adopting Cooper. And we never expected that we would be such amazing friends to this day. Let's just put it this way- we all LOVE the Spore's...so so so much.

When we were in Ethiopia, getting visas for the children(it was that Friday, we had been gone 16 days, and were ready to be home), Heidi walked in our room and told us the most amazing thing. With tears in her eyes she said, "Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. We are leaving tonight." And we hugged and cried together.

At the beginning of this year Chad and Heidi began the adoption process out of Uganda, they wanted a boy around their son Cooper's age(They adopted him from Rwanda). They got a referral this summer- for a boy who was about 2 and a little girl almost a year. And they said yes. Why not, right? haha

Unexpectedly, they left December 2 for Uganda to pick up their two precious new children- who would be named Hannah and Caleb. As the weeks passed they prayed vividly that they would be able to make it home for Christmas- with their family complete- their family of 9. This week came closer...they needed to passports and two visas.

Our God is an awesome God. He can move the Mountains. He is Mighty to Save. Prayer is a powerful, powerful thing. Really powerful...

Because they are leaving tonight at 5:20...and will be home tomorrow to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with their family. And we(my family) could not be more thrilled for them.

Now you can't say snow is a Christmas miracle- this is. Praise God almighty!

~Bailey