Church Camp Chaos 💒

Years past

I started going to church camp with my aunt and cousins when I was 5 (I think)! And I fell in love with it! I am now 19 and have only missed 2 days of church camp, ever!

Sand Springs

I was a member of and attending church camp with my old church until October 2015. When I was 7 at church camp, we had gone to Camp Woodmen of the World in Choctaw. The second night of being there, Bro. Myron Milholland was bringing the message. At the end of the service he simply said “Please don’t leave here tonight with anything on your heart” and I knew I needed to talk to somebody! I went to my cousin and told her I needed to be saved! She talked to me and I prayed and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.

First Baptist Damascus

In 2016 I started going to a new church! I fell in love with where I was. I love the people, I love the atmosphere, I loved everything about it! I joined the church 4 months after being there! That year was the the one and only year I missed 2 days of church camp. And I have never felt more like a piece of me was missing in my life! I went to services at night and realized how much I was missing and bawled my eyes out. And I have not missed since then!

Camper to Counselor

When I was younger I adored everybody from church camp that would become counselors. To this day, A few of the people who were at one time or another counselors for me, are some of the people I am closest to. Growing up and growing spiritually as well as maturing, it was always my goal to be a counselor and try to make a difference in youths lives as my counselors from my youth made in mine.

Decisions

I have seen MANY of my friends come to a saving relationship with Jesus at church camp. I have been blessed with the opportunity to witness to and pray with/for many of my own friends at camp. I have seen friends surrender to different ministries. I have been given counsel to others in making decisions. Seeing and being a part of this process is a blessing indescribably with my limited vocabulary.

I hope to have MANY more years as a sponsor/counselor. I can’t wait to take my future children and hope they have the same amazing experiences as I have had!

P.S. I have included some awesome and very true memes I relate with!

Aunt Antics

Always loved

As I imagine you can tell by the title this is about one of my very favorite name given to me by 3 little monkeys! Nieces and nephews bring a type of love to my life I never would have imagined I needed! This is the closest feeling of parenthood I have felt to this point. I would do ANYTHING to keep my babies safe! I wasn’t SUPER close with any of my aunts, but now being an aunt, I understand the love they had even though we weren’t and aren’t close!

A monkey

At 11 years old I met the baby that would eventually become family. He was loved as ours from day one! He spent every weekend at our house, I LOVED IT! Because even then if I could I always had a baby on my hip (some things never change)! My Blane was such a sweet boy! Hearing him say my name for the first time is a heart melting experience I can’t express! I knew he was always ours but when his mom and my brother got married, my brother adopted him and now not only is he ours at heart, he’s ours by name! He will always be my baby. But this baby will be 9! *Hold back the sappy tears*! To this day, he gave me the title of “aunt”! He is the only one who no matter where we are or who is around, he will come sit in my lap or lay on me! The love I have for that boy is indescribable!

A Firey Red-Headed Princess

When I found out I was going to be an aunt again, I was ECSTATIC! When I found out it was a girl I was even more excited! Now I would have a nephew and a niece! We should have known from the day she was born she was going to do things her way! Because after HOURS on waiting in a hospital to make her appearance, my mom and I went to get coffee before the cafeteria closed on this COLD November night! By the time we walked across the hospital and came back she was already born! And she has certainly done things her way since then! She had strawberry blonde hair at birth but it didn’t take long to come in full on RED HAIR! And boy it didn’t take long to figure out she had the temper to go with it! Our Braelynn Aurora, She sure is a spit fire! Having (now) 2 brothers, she is TOUGH. But she will knock them out, dressed as a princess with her make up and nails done. She gave me a side kick! Aunt Sissy has probably gotten her into things mom and dad wouldn’t likely recommend! 😉

Baby Bug

The last of my babies! To find out I was going to be an aunt to 3! I was happier to have another kiddo to love! Realizing sister would probably rule the roost if she had a sister I was voting boy, and I was right! Our little Rowan Tucker! He made a fairly quick appearance and ironically completely the opposite from Sister, as a baby he would NOT let me hold him, but later on he has decided I’m okay! Lol! He’s the sleep fighter but he is a snuggle bunny when he sleeps! It’s so sweet o hold sleeping babes! His personality is far different that both of his siblings! He reminds me of Eyore! He just does his own thing, he’s pretty quiet, and does things kinda slow! 💖

Aunt Sissy

Well my sister in law has a sister name Danielle, as well so I am Aunt Sissy! And hearing my babies say my name for the first time is so heart melting! The youngest two I have been able to get one of their first times saying my name on video! Aunt Sissy loves all 3 of them with my whole heart! If you didn’t notice, the titles about each kiddo, is their nickname from me! Blane is “Monkey”, Braelynn is “Princess”, and Rowan is “Bugs”! Odd but they are fitting! I love being an Aunt more than words could ever say!

Blane at 8 months old

Braelynn at 1 year old

Rowan as a New Born

Favorite Fall Feeling

All Things Fall

I love Fall. I love everything about Fall! Cooler temperatures, days get shorter, and it is time for my favorite things!

I love Fall bonfires. Cold weather, comfortable clothes, late nights, sitting around a bonfire with great friends is my FAVORITE way to spend any fall night.

List of Fall Activities to do:

BONFIRE
Pumpkin Patch
Hay Rides
Bake Home Made desserts
Roast Marshmallows
Carve (or paint) Pumpkins
Star Gaze in a field with lots of blankets
Decorate for Fall
Go to a school/church Fall Festival
Decorate a vehicle for Trunk-or-Treat
Go to a Haunted House
Drink Hot Cocoa
Watch scary movies
Burn fall scented candles
Take Fall pictures
Go Hiking
Jump in a pile of Leaves
Navigate a corn maze
Make Fall meals
Go for a scenic drive
Have a Picnic
Go to a Football Game
Make Caramel apples
Make Pumpkin flavored Everything
Wear all things Flannel

Enjoy my favorite time of year!

Of love and loss

My Best Friend

This guy, oh where to begin! To say I loved him and he loved me would be such an understatement! The love we had was much deeper than worldly matters. We had a Christ-like love that will last for eternity! Shane was one of my best friends starting in third grade! We had been in the same class since kindergarten! In 5th grade my mom started working in the school cafeteria with his mom! Which meant by default he, his brother, and myself would be at school at 6:45 a.m. every day! We spent countless hours being rebellious children. Such rebels we were, when nobody was around we would bounce a basketball in the hallway, throw a paper wad ball back and forth, and on really wild days, we would listen to music on his phone (without headphones)! This friend became my best friend! We get to high school in 7th grade and at that point girls were gross in his friends’ minds! So when he was with them they stayed away. But as soon as they left we were attached at the hip! We did EVERYTHING together! I did most of his homework so he would pass classes! He was the best!

Homecoming

I was never popular! I was the outcast. But in my group I was deeply loved! In 9th grade we had a class meeting at X-period. My Shane, jokingly says “I’ve campaigned for you. You’re going to be homecoming maid for our class” the reply with an eye roll, “yeah right, and when I do you have to walk me!” immediate response! He says “you’ll see” I didn’t give it another thought we went to our meeting, to which the votes astonished me! Only 5 votes weren’t for me! He DID indeed ask people to vote for me! He hugged me and said “I told you so” I went to my mom and told her I had won. His mom hugged me. I told her what he had done, I told her he needed a tux because he was walking me! And he did! I had never felt more amazing. Having your best friend by your side tends to take all the nerves away! He always brought peace and calm to my world!

Faith

Shane and I both grew up in church! But we did not grow up in the same denomination of church! I had gotten saved when I was about 8 and he got saved when we were about 13! He had a fire about him that consumed him. He wanted nothing less that to be assured I was saved and going to Heaven with him if either of us were to pass away! We spent HOURS every weekend just talking and praying through scripture because he just needed to be sure! There is no deeper love that I have ever experienced than the love he had for me in being 100% sure of my salvation! He was the BEST!

Growing up and apart!

Our 11th grade year Shane ended up going to homeschool at their church while I stayed in the school we had been in since kindergarten! He had surrendered to the ministry, and I was focused on getting out of high school, doing what I was supposed to at church, and being a good moral person! As we got older we never doubted our friendship but we weren’t as close. Adulthood does this and it really stinks! We still talked but there was far more time in between! But the love we always had for the other was always evident! He ended up graduating early, and I surprised him at his ceremony (picture above).

Losing a Legacy

It has snowed real bad one weekend in January of my senior year. I was concurrent so I didn’t attend high school. But school was dismissed for snow. About 1 p.m. my mom came in my room crying. To inform me my best friend, through all these years. Had passed away. And so had his mother! The heartbreak that over came my heart was like none other! But to this day I always know Shane is waiting on me in Heaven, he loves me. I love him! And we will see each other again!

I’m loving Memory

Shane!

Mrs. Amanda!

Encouragement

I just want to bring a little sunshine! First of all God love’s you! He loved you so much he sent his son to die on a cross to pay the debts we owe, so we might spend eternity with him! Secondly, I want to remind you He hears our prayers, he knows our hearts, and he knows our hearts and desires better than we do! He is writing our story perfectly to fit us! Third, be patient! You don’t want to rush things. When you rush it’s sloppy work (in the words of my 6th grade science teacher) do you want your life to be a sloppy mess? Then don’t rush God or yourself! It will all happen how it’s supposed to in HIS timing! Third he will never leave you nor forsake you as the scripture tells us. We can trust his faithfulness! I hope this encourages you even a little bit! To trust him. And wait on his timing! His plans are perfect!

Strange Facts of my life

1. I had a blood disorder when I was born. They had to remove my blood and split it.

2. I had my tonsils removed for the first time when I was 6! (Yes first time)

3. I had plastic surgery when I was 7! Not kidding. That’s always my fact that nobody believes but I have the scar to prove it! I had a birth mark on and right below the tear duct on my right eye. It ended up growing a lot in a couple years so had to have it removed before it affected my vision. I had it removed and they pulled skin from below my eye to make it “look normal”

4. When I was almost 8 my tonsils grew back and I had to have them removed again.

5. My tonsils get back AGAIN when I was 13! (Less than 1 in 250,000 chance)

6. When I got my wisdom teeth removed all 4 of my wisdoms teeth were horizontal.

7. I have broken 6 bones in my life

8. I have vertigo. Which is typically not something young people get. But my brother also has had it since he was a teenager. So he and I both have to always have motion sickness medicine with us!

9. I have worn glasses since I was 3! And I had horrible eyesight since then! It has only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older!

10. I have migraines that literally make me pass out!

So Yes I understand these are weird. As unbelievable as these may seem I can promise this is 100% accurate! My medical history is odd!

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Hunting

Hunting-wallpapers-and-quotes-Spain-10 In honor of this past weekend being the open weekend of bow hunting in Arkansas I chose to write about hunting! There have only been 2 years I wasn’t hunting on the opening weekend of bow hunting of deer season. Unfortunately it was this year and last! Hunting builds character. It has taught me patience, dedication, steadiness, gratitude, how to overcome obstacles, and observation! You have to be patient after you’ve put in the work to get a good stand, camouflaged, in a good spot you’ve scouted out, and have fed deer! You just have to wait until by chance a legal deer comes out while you’re there. It is possible to hunt one time and kill a deer, but very unlikely. You have to have a steady shot , this requires a lot of practice shooting (bow, gun, or muzzleloader). Hunting teaches gratitude. When you see where dinner comes from, and you know you worked hard to get that harvest, you tend to be grateful for the chance to harvest that animal. You will face make obstacles while hunting. EVERYBODY goes through periods or maybe even a full season (or more) where you just don’t get anything. Being willing to change location, change feeding (what you’re feeding, how much of it, what you’re planting, where you’re planting, when you’re planting) all of these play into changing things to try to have a better chance at that harvest. Observation is the number one key to hunting! It isn’t about how much money you spend, where you hunt, or even how you hunt. If you are observing the resources you do have. As far as looking for sign of deer, scouting out a good place to hunt once you’ve found sign of deer, and setting up game cameras of some kind to see when deer come through that area, where would be the best shot, this would be the place to put a feeder or to plant. I have hunted since I was 5. Being in the woods has always brought me a peace, and contentment! I will always love to fish!

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Random Answers to Random Questions

How often do you play sports?

Believe it or not I love love love playing basketball and volleyball. I have zero coordination and it looks like a hot mess, but I love to play. I play probably once a month or so at our church gym with some of my friends.

What fictional place would you want to visit?

HOG WARTS!!!!!! I hate reading but I have read almost all of the HP books and I have seen all the movies.

Are you usually early or late?

I am early unless something major has happened delaying me. Being late is my number one pet peeve!

What are your favorite shows?

I have an unhealthy obsession with watching cult-like religious documentaries. Those are my absolute favorite. Some Examples of series of this are Escaping the Faith, Breaking Faith, and Escaping Polygamy. I also love family shows, in true female fashion I love kids and shows about kids and families. Some of these are Outdaughtered, Counting On, Bringing up Bates ( I have followed the Duggar family since 14 kids and pregnant again, 15 kids and moving, 17 kids and counting, 18 kids and counting, 19 kids and Counting, and now to Counting On) and through the Duggars is how the Bates were introduced to the world! I also love Duck Dynasty and The Cowboy Way.

What is something you would want to do the “Old-Fashioned way”?

DATING. You know back when face to face interaction was communication. Instead of not knowing how to connect without technology in front of you.

What could you give a 40 minute presentation about with absolutely no preparation?

Ha my life is a random presentation so I could cover many topics. First I would say over my faith/church with scriptural reference. I teach kids at church you have to be prepared to answer random questions and be able to back it up with Bible.

Something Else I could Probably present on is the FLDS Faith under the religious leader of Warren Jeffs. Again, I have an unhealthy obsession with this stuff!

Hunting is possibly the easiest for me to present about with less thought going into wording, because I know hunting in and out. I have hunted since I was 6. I could present on looking for sign of deer, things to plant or feed to attract deer, or even how to dress a deer after it has been harvested.

Exploration

Small Town Life

In many cases small town people get a stigma for not wanting to leave. They are stuck in their “small town mindset”. However that is not the case for some. While yes I will always love living in a small, I also love exploring and traveling.

Beach, Please!

I have never loved another destination more than the beach. ANY BEACH! I have been to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Tybee Island beaches. I love the feel of walking in sand, hearing the waves crash on the shore, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the view, the “beach smell” I love it all! I am 100% calm at the beach.

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While out West

Before summer 2017 I had never been west of Arkansas. However in one summer, I made 3 trips out of Arkansas. The First trip was family vacation to Colorado Springs. We drove straight through. Left our house, went through Oklahoma, across the panhandle of Texas, corner of New Mexico, and up into Colorado. This was BEAUTIFUL however my family learned quickly elevation sickness was a real thing! The second trip was to Pawhuska, Oklahoma to the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and the Lodge. My third trip was to Dallas, Texas to a youth conference.

I just love traveling! I have a bucket list of potential future travel destinations.

Surviving College and maintaining a Thriving Faith!

coffee If you read my introductory blog post, found at A Little About A Lot you will know how important my faith is to my life. My entire life surrounds my faith. College is no different. However, college poses many challenges that could become an excuse for faith to weaken in this phase of life. I chose to let this be my driving force. I will never say it is easy, but it is possible! The fact of the matter is I could write books (and others, who more grammatically correct than myself, have done so) on this subject. I am simply going to talk about aspects that have helped me. P.S. The coffee is just a delicious added bonus, it doesn’t determine success!

Most Important

bible study “You get out what you put in. If you want more, give more” ~ Jeanette Jenkins

Prayer and Bible Study! Time spent praying, and in Bible study, has never been time wasted. Dedicating time to dig into God’s word is definitely an obvious choice, but typically overlooked. This is why I love the quote above. You can’t get out more than you’re willing to put in. The bible is our “answer book” and acronym I learned years ago is the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). The Bible is our guideline, as 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. God gave us His words, to guide our lives, through anything. Seeking biblical wisdom to carry out day to day life, is so important. I am thankful to have that scriptural encouragement, for every situation. Another very important detail is being a part of a church. Follow wherever God leads, but absolutely find a church. This provides Biblical instruction, and fellowship with fellow believers, leading me to my next point…

Keep a Strong Support System

May it be your family, friends, people from your church, etc. You need people willing to love you, encourage you, search scripture with you and pray for/ with you, listen to you, whatever you need! I am blessed to have an amazing support from family as well as my church, which happens to be where many of my friends are! My Sunday School class is a college/ young adults class, so we are all going through the same things or just recently have! At any time day or night I know I could get ahold of at very least one of them, for any need! This is the kind of support to have! I also have a couple of friends that are fellow classmates, and they happen to be dual position, they are that support system, accountability partners, as well as a distraction when we all need a break!

Stay Distracted Enough, to Focus!

I have a semi-short attention span, if you follow this journey long enough, you’ll see what I mean! I have change what I am focused frequently, or I won’t retain, ANYTHING! I focus my attention in spurts. I try really hard to be present, listening, and taking notes for classes, but as soon as class is over, I avoid thinking about that class for a little while, and I typically listen to music. I always have music available to escape! I love K-Love radio station, or a plethora of Pandora stations I have that are Christian music. I doodle the lyrics I am listening to, usually! I have friends who will take time to reflect in prayer during breaks when they aren’t required to pay close attention to homework or a lecture. Get organized! Schedule school time and work, but also schedule BREAKS! Take time to do things you love between classes, lectures, labs, and homework. If you don’t take time to relax, you will burn yourself out. I am an education Major, I 100% believe in the power of education, in every form, but mental health/wellbeing is more important. I personally love being outdoors and any activity that takes place outdoors when I have free time! You have to take care of yourself before drowning in school! These methods will not work for everybody, but they seem to help me.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog! I hope this encouraged you, to spend specific time caring for and strengthening your faith.

God Bless you,

Danielle Carpenter