http://hollystreetreach.blogspot.com/
Here's what you'll want to read this summer, instead of The Narrow Gate. It's about me working at Street Reach Ministries in Memphis, TN!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Majoring In Minors
Up until, my ideal plan on what to major/minor in during college has been to double major in music and psychology and minor in Spanish. But of course, as the school year has gone by, I've been doing a lot more research about the career path I want to take and what schools have to offer academically. I've learned a few things:
*EDIT: The statement I made after the list things I've learned is a little too limiting. Basically, I'm looking at the following areas of study to major or minor in:
- Though I am very interested in psychology, it just doesn't seem to correlate with what I want to do with my life.
- Sociology is probably the major that would help me in the way I thought psychology would.
- I would love to major in youth ministry.
- It's going to be difficult to fit in music.
- The same deal with Spanish; and I was wanting to major in it because it is very useful for working with inner city kids and working with children globally. So it makes sense, but I might want to simply continue to study it and have it as a skill without majoring/minoring in it.
*EDIT: The statement I made after the list things I've learned is a little too limiting. Basically, I'm looking at the following areas of study to major or minor in:
- Urban Studies
- Vocal Performance
- Sociology
- Social Policy
- Religion
- Music
- Spanish
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Plan your work, work your plan
That's something one of my good friend's dad says to her, and I find it humerous. But I definitely worked my plan this semester! Here are my final semester grades after taking my finals, which went EXTREMELY well.
Honors English Literature: 97.88%
Trigonometry: 91.45%
Honors Astronomy: 94.62%
Honors US History: 92.29%
Honors Spanish 3: 97.94%
My honors choir grade is not complete yet, we've been so busy with Madrigal until this week! But as of now, it's a 98.59%. I'm confident I aced the final and I think that my choral arrangement (one of the extra assignments I have to do for it to be an honors class) was really good, especially for my first one! It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I also feel like I can handle more activities next semester. I just have to stay driven!
Well, merry Christmas to all!
Honors English Literature: 97.88%
Trigonometry: 91.45%
Honors Astronomy: 94.62%
Honors US History: 92.29%
Honors Spanish 3: 97.94%
My honors choir grade is not complete yet, we've been so busy with Madrigal until this week! But as of now, it's a 98.59%. I'm confident I aced the final and I think that my choral arrangement (one of the extra assignments I have to do for it to be an honors class) was really good, especially for my first one! It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I also feel like I can handle more activities next semester. I just have to stay driven!
Well, merry Christmas to all!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Work, work, work!
No, the title of this post is not due to the fact that I am working my butt off in school right now (not that that isn't the case either). I actually have some very exciting news! Two pieces of new, in fact, both having to do with possible jobs in my future. I'll start with the less exciting one so you have to read the entire post. :)
I was walking down the staircase at school the other day when I suddenly noticed something odd. There was actually a flyer up on the Employment bulletin board! I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything there, especially in this economic climate. I walked up to it and it said that Papa Murphy's (which hasn't opened yet) was looking for about 15 part time employees. It was one of those flyers with the little tabs that you take off. I took one and emailed the owner of this alledged Papa Murphy's a few days later. She promptly replied with an application and information about the franchise--basically a Subway but with pizza--and I promptly sent the filled out application back to her! This afternoon she called me and we set up an interview! So naturally, I am quite excited. I've been wanting a job for a while.
Now, the even MORE exciting news. On Thanksgiving break I emailed the director of Street Reach, the organization that my mission trip was affiliated with, asking about how to apply for junior staff. Well, he recently sent me an enthusiastic reply, application attached, telling me all about what I'd have to do. It sounded like it was very possible for me to get a summer job there! Maybe it's just because he's a nice guy, but I think that this really is what God has planned for me. You see, he took a little while to email me back, and I was beginning to think of other summer activities I could be doing. Now get this; when I got that email, I was watching one of my favorite movies, Freedom Writers (also one of my favorite books), which is about a teacher who is working with inner city kids and changing their life. I do not cease to be amazed at how God sends messages to me through media! I was so excited, and I'm completely reinvigorated to spend my summer in Memphis. (By the way, in his email he explained that he thought he had already replied but it apparently hadn't gone through. So that also boosted my confidence!) I have the application filled out and I'm going to work on the personal sketch and essay over Christmas break.
I am feeling God's sunshine in my heart once more. Thank you for those who have been advising and praying for me. I love you all! God bless you!
P.S. I just reread the post I wrote after my mission trip, and I must say it brought tears to my eyes! Please pray that God continues to show me what His purpose for my life is! I honestly cannot wait to start His work.
I was walking down the staircase at school the other day when I suddenly noticed something odd. There was actually a flyer up on the Employment bulletin board! I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything there, especially in this economic climate. I walked up to it and it said that Papa Murphy's (which hasn't opened yet) was looking for about 15 part time employees. It was one of those flyers with the little tabs that you take off. I took one and emailed the owner of this alledged Papa Murphy's a few days later. She promptly replied with an application and information about the franchise--basically a Subway but with pizza--and I promptly sent the filled out application back to her! This afternoon she called me and we set up an interview! So naturally, I am quite excited. I've been wanting a job for a while.
Now, the even MORE exciting news. On Thanksgiving break I emailed the director of Street Reach, the organization that my mission trip was affiliated with, asking about how to apply for junior staff. Well, he recently sent me an enthusiastic reply, application attached, telling me all about what I'd have to do. It sounded like it was very possible for me to get a summer job there! Maybe it's just because he's a nice guy, but I think that this really is what God has planned for me. You see, he took a little while to email me back, and I was beginning to think of other summer activities I could be doing. Now get this; when I got that email, I was watching one of my favorite movies, Freedom Writers (also one of my favorite books), which is about a teacher who is working with inner city kids and changing their life. I do not cease to be amazed at how God sends messages to me through media! I was so excited, and I'm completely reinvigorated to spend my summer in Memphis. (By the way, in his email he explained that he thought he had already replied but it apparently hadn't gone through. So that also boosted my confidence!) I have the application filled out and I'm going to work on the personal sketch and essay over Christmas break.
I am feeling God's sunshine in my heart once more. Thank you for those who have been advising and praying for me. I love you all! God bless you!
P.S. I just reread the post I wrote after my mission trip, and I must say it brought tears to my eyes! Please pray that God continues to show me what His purpose for my life is! I honestly cannot wait to start His work.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A Hazy Shade of Winter
The cold of winter has again descended upon us. Well, probably not as much for most of my readers. But up here in Illinois, it's quite cold! It even snowed on Thanksgiving. Winter is pretty hard for me. I become much more depressed and tired, and keeping up with all my work has definitely become more challenging for me. This last week I had school off except for Monday, and I think it really helped rejuvenate me, but I'm definitely ready to get back into a routine! Even though I'm stressed with all the different commitments that come with the holidays, I'm going to try to rely completely on the Lord for my strength during December and strive to make it to Christmas in one piece.
So, again, I haven't been blogging not because I forgot, but because nothing too exciting is happening in my life. Next semester I will begin prepping for the ACTs (something I've been trying not to think about) and I think we've decided to hold off most college visits until next summer, although I will probably look into scheduling one or two. My grades are fabulous. I have all As and I couldn't be more pleased with how I'm doing. I guess I'm always afraid that they will start going downhill, though. Not auditioning for Starmites was a good choice, but it was hard once the show came around. I remembered how much fun I have in drama club, and everybody said they missed me. So I've decided I will audition for Hairspray. I mean, I've done so well this semester, I think I can handle the pressure of the show. There have been weeks where I had absolutely too much time on my hands after school. And I've already finished my research paper with an A. I think it will all work out fine. I really can't wait for auditions!
There are two main things I need to discuss, and I've already touched on the first one. My depression, tiredness, and business have inevitably had an effect on the passion and spark I felt for God and my purpose in life in the summer. I'm not having doubts or anything, it just really bums me out that I'm letting myself slip away from the intimate relationship I have with God. I know it happens to the best of people, but I am really wanting to throw myself into prayer and worship to have God show me what I need to do. This is somehow easier said than done, however. After all the things I have to do every day or in the early morning before I start getting ready, I'm usually too tired to really pay attention to the scriptures I'm reading or the prayers I'm saying. This will cause me to be unfocused on God throughout the whole day, which is not what I want. I simply want to get back to being completely devoted to God. As I said, this happens to everybody. Any tips on how I can always make my time for prayer and devotional reading during the day meaningful? I can't rely solely on Sundays and Wednesday nights. I am going to start using The Upper Room devotionals, which I really think will help me, to have a specific message and thought to muse on. But I'm open to anything!
The other thing I've been thinking about actually has to do with the vision God is giving me for my future (I'm not completely disconnected from Jesus, I don't want you to get the wrong idea! It's just been so different than this summer, which was life changing). I've been planning on possibly double majoring in music and psychology or whatever I think will best help me do God's work with children. I wanted at first to include music simply because I'm passionate about it and don't want to stop studying it, but I've been wondering if I shouldn't include music in my mission. It's just food for thought. But music has the ability to change lives, and it's definitely a gift the Lord has given me; why not use the gift to change the lives of children? I sure hope I can.
So, again, I haven't been blogging not because I forgot, but because nothing too exciting is happening in my life. Next semester I will begin prepping for the ACTs (something I've been trying not to think about) and I think we've decided to hold off most college visits until next summer, although I will probably look into scheduling one or two. My grades are fabulous. I have all As and I couldn't be more pleased with how I'm doing. I guess I'm always afraid that they will start going downhill, though. Not auditioning for Starmites was a good choice, but it was hard once the show came around. I remembered how much fun I have in drama club, and everybody said they missed me. So I've decided I will audition for Hairspray. I mean, I've done so well this semester, I think I can handle the pressure of the show. There have been weeks where I had absolutely too much time on my hands after school. And I've already finished my research paper with an A. I think it will all work out fine. I really can't wait for auditions!
There are two main things I need to discuss, and I've already touched on the first one. My depression, tiredness, and business have inevitably had an effect on the passion and spark I felt for God and my purpose in life in the summer. I'm not having doubts or anything, it just really bums me out that I'm letting myself slip away from the intimate relationship I have with God. I know it happens to the best of people, but I am really wanting to throw myself into prayer and worship to have God show me what I need to do. This is somehow easier said than done, however. After all the things I have to do every day or in the early morning before I start getting ready, I'm usually too tired to really pay attention to the scriptures I'm reading or the prayers I'm saying. This will cause me to be unfocused on God throughout the whole day, which is not what I want. I simply want to get back to being completely devoted to God. As I said, this happens to everybody. Any tips on how I can always make my time for prayer and devotional reading during the day meaningful? I can't rely solely on Sundays and Wednesday nights. I am going to start using The Upper Room devotionals, which I really think will help me, to have a specific message and thought to muse on. But I'm open to anything!
The other thing I've been thinking about actually has to do with the vision God is giving me for my future (I'm not completely disconnected from Jesus, I don't want you to get the wrong idea! It's just been so different than this summer, which was life changing). I've been planning on possibly double majoring in music and psychology or whatever I think will best help me do God's work with children. I wanted at first to include music simply because I'm passionate about it and don't want to stop studying it, but I've been wondering if I shouldn't include music in my mission. It's just food for thought. But music has the ability to change lives, and it's definitely a gift the Lord has given me; why not use the gift to change the lives of children? I sure hope I can.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Brave New World
You probably thought I forgot about blogging, but I DIDN'T! So there!
I just haven't had much to say, but I figure that I need to let everyone know how school has been going for the last month. I would probably sum it up in these two words: surprisingly well! I have fabulous teachers. They are all funny and talented, and I like them all as people. I am making friends in all of my classes and never feel lonely. And even though my workload is heavy, it really isn't too difficult. But that has a lot to do with the fact that I did not audition for Starmites. I'm doing publicity, and I am quite content. It's so incredibly wonderful to be able to do a few after school activities, work out, do homework, and still have a few hours of free time! I'm also getting the oppurtunity to try out a lot of new clubs, including Key Club, Interact (of which I am an officer), and possibly Global Ambassadors, which are all service oriented clubs; Spanish Club, which I did last year but didn't have any time for once Peter Pan came along second semester; and Project: Fashion, my best friend Paige's new fashion club that is starting tomorrow!
The hardest part about the last month has been my research paper. In Honors English Lit, we do it at the very beginning of the year because the class is mostly seniors, and my teacher knows they will only become less motivated as the year progresses. But I turned in my rough draft last Friday, which essentially means the work is over. Apparently, my teacher tears apart rough drafts; but this is good, because when I get it back, all I'll really have to do is make the corrections. My research paper is a literary analysis of the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The research wasn't that bad, because I found Huxley's life and his novel very
fascinating.
So, my loving family, thank you for your prayers. I was beyond worried about this year, but it has truly been going amazingly well. I am much happier right now than I ever was last year. So, I probably won't post for a while (this blog is focused on my future, afterall) but I'm always happy to email, Facebook, or write letters!
I just haven't had much to say, but I figure that I need to let everyone know how school has been going for the last month. I would probably sum it up in these two words: surprisingly well! I have fabulous teachers. They are all funny and talented, and I like them all as people. I am making friends in all of my classes and never feel lonely. And even though my workload is heavy, it really isn't too difficult. But that has a lot to do with the fact that I did not audition for Starmites. I'm doing publicity, and I am quite content. It's so incredibly wonderful to be able to do a few after school activities, work out, do homework, and still have a few hours of free time! I'm also getting the oppurtunity to try out a lot of new clubs, including Key Club, Interact (of which I am an officer), and possibly Global Ambassadors, which are all service oriented clubs; Spanish Club, which I did last year but didn't have any time for once Peter Pan came along second semester; and Project: Fashion, my best friend Paige's new fashion club that is starting tomorrow!
The hardest part about the last month has been my research paper. In Honors English Lit, we do it at the very beginning of the year because the class is mostly seniors, and my teacher knows they will only become less motivated as the year progresses. But I turned in my rough draft last Friday, which essentially means the work is over. Apparently, my teacher tears apart rough drafts; but this is good, because when I get it back, all I'll really have to do is make the corrections. My research paper is a literary analysis of the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The research wasn't that bad, because I found Huxley's life and his novel very
fascinating.
So, my loving family, thank you for your prayers. I was beyond worried about this year, but it has truly been going amazingly well. I am much happier right now than I ever was last year. So, I probably won't post for a while (this blog is focused on my future, afterall) but I'm always happy to email, Facebook, or write letters!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Junior Year
My summer is coming to an end. This has by far been the best summer I've had in my short 16 years. My heart has been touched by God in so many ways, and He has shown me His plan for me. So please, pray that I use the strength and confidence He gave me this summer, and all the good memories with my friends, to have a wonderful and successful school year. School starts on Tuesday, so this has been on my mind. This summer has been character shaping for me, and I don't want to fall back into the same routines I had before.
Here's my schedule, so you have an idea of what my classes are like! Although I don't want summer to end, I have to admit, I'm a little excited to be starting my junior year.
1st Honors Astronomy
2nd Honors English Literature
3rd Honors US History
4th Trigonometry (1st semester) Pre Calculus (2nd semester)
5th Honors MPS Chamber Singers :D
6th Honors Spanish 3
Again, please pray for me! Thanks and God bless you all!
Here's my schedule, so you have an idea of what my classes are like! Although I don't want summer to end, I have to admit, I'm a little excited to be starting my junior year.
1st Honors Astronomy
2nd Honors English Literature
3rd Honors US History
4th Trigonometry (1st semester) Pre Calculus (2nd semester)
5th Honors MPS Chamber Singers :D
6th Honors Spanish 3
Again, please pray for me! Thanks and God bless you all!
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