Well, I am trying to get my days to be days again. After another week at Louisiana Youth Camp, my days and nights are officially mixed up. Of course, tradition held, and every night after service, the cabin would fill up with soooo many great friends. My mom would have an incredible meal, hot and ready, for us all to enjoy. Occasionally, someone would bring out a guitar, strum, and sing along. Highlight: I got to meet some NEW people this year. We had a blast just hanging out and playing games, like Buzzword, Zoom, and Mafia until we could not hold our eyes open…which was usually around 4 a.m. Staying up all night only managed to induce sleep till 11 or so the next day. DID I have fun? YEP! WOULD I do it again? YEP! In fact, camp meeting is just ahead…and it will be no different than all the other camps…no time for SLEEP! I suppose the conclusion of the matter is that my days and nights will be shuffled back into place just in time for another great MiXuP! But for now, blessings and love from above. I think I am about to…zzzzzzzz…zzzzzzzzzzzz…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….
I am having such a blast singing with the Louisiana All State Youth Choir. It is really rockin’ this year under the direction of Kevin Howard, Simeon Strickland, and Tevia Guidroz. Recently we went to Lake Charles for a concert, and it was standing room only. We sang at Louisiana Junior Youth Camp and will be singing at Senior Youth Camp and Camp Meeting. After that, it is TOUR for ten days!
Just a couple of weeks ago, I bounded out of bed, got dressed, and headed out to the Theresa Marsala Memorial Walk where I was greeted by lovely elderly folks. Ms. Elspie Franklin had once again invited me to participate in this annual event. After singing the national anthem, I milled around the group and saw one of my mom’s favorite university professors, Dr. Smith. He and his wife joined all the others for a walk to honor the memory of Theresa Marsala who had unselfishly served our community. Balloons flying, some old-time boogie music, and door prizes brought sparkles to the wrinkled eyes of these precious people. I sang a few more tunes accompanied by Cody Smith and Thomas Culp. I’ll have to admit that spending the morning with these people, most of whom are retired, made my Friday most enjoyable and reflective 
The pop filter for my mic…now aren’t we classy!
A few Saturdays ago, my dad’s family got together. His brothers and sister and their spouses, along with the grands and great grands, spent the day eating, relaxing, and playing volleyball. A very serious game of horseshoes seemed to last all day. The big blowup water slide was a huge hit. Even though it was intended for all the little ones, guess who decided to join in!! That’s right, I did!!! And it was so much fun Of course, I wasn’t alone…my sister and my cousin, Summer, got in on the wet action. To top everything off, a chocolate ice cream cone was the perfect cool down Nothing like being with the family.
Decisions, decisions…that is what I have been making a lot of the past few days. I attended PREP at ULM and am officially registered as a Toxicology/pre-Pharmacy major. And, yes, I screamed very loudly during the spirit competition (shhh…don’t tell my producer) so much so that our group won! After wandering around the campus marketplace, I picked up an application for the campus activity board and scouts. I am keeping my fingers crossed to be a part of one of these groups. I was really impressed with the mission of the Wesley Foundation and hope to be a part. Of course, I stopped by the music booth and am very excited about being a part of the ULM chorale. Two free t-shirts, a great schedule with no 8 o’clock classes, and a little warhawk facepaint later, I am now a university student. Wish me luck!
Here are a few responses from a recent post on my Facebook page! I asked fans to write their own caption for this picture. Can you do better? Post your own caption in the comments
Yeeeeeeeeessssss!!!
no more taxes!
*Yaaawwnnn*
ARISE!
Snake!!!!!
OUCH!
WATCH ME!
If you are in doubt whether or not summer has officially arrived, you should visit the South. Temperatures are already sweltering, and the air conditioners are humming. I’ve been contemplating the next few months and have realized that youth camps are in view, choir tour is around the bend, and a trip to San Antonio is just ahead. I might even squeeze in another visit to Nashville. The summer will end with a trip to New York City just on the brink of my first semester at ULM. What happened to the lazy days of summer? Yep…good ole summertime is here!
Sitting here in my nice cool house…taking a break from the summer heat. I sit here studying my Bible and slurping down a tasty big red melon berry snow cone:)…which I’m sure is not the best thing for my vocal chords…but I won’t tell my producer if you won’t. hehe:)
The book of Acts is the book I’ve been studying quite a bit lately…I have come to the conclusion that the story of Paul and Silas is definitely my favorite…in this book at least:) Such brave men they were. Risking their lives and choosing to take a prison cell over freedom, all for Christ. But the Bible is full of these sorts of stories, right? Brave men and women who put their lives in danger for the name of the Lord. Hebrews 11 is a chapter that’s basically a list of these amazing people…I like to call it the Heroes of Faith chapter:)
But anyway…back to Paul and Silas. I am studying Acts chapter 19. This chapter mainly speaks of Paul. You see, he has come down to Ephesus and found certain disciples there. He begins asking them questions about their experience with the Lord…and before it’s over with he baptizes them all in the name of Jesus! amazing…right? But Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes to the synagogue, and verse 8 says he spake boldly concerning the kingdom of God. The chapter goes on to say that some of the people were hardened and spoke evil of the things he taught. But that didn’t stop Paul. Verses 10 and 11 are two verses that really stand out to me and make me think…really they are the whole reason for this post in the first place. Verse 10 says, “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Verse 11, ” And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.”
The reason these two verses amaze me so is because Paul let nothing hinder him from sharing the gospel of Jesus to a whole nation. It says ALL of Asia heard the word….and in just two years. So I started thinking…two years? wow. I’m 18 years old…has anything I’ve done in the past 18 years of my life really made a difference in anyone else’s life? Those of you reading this blog…younger or older than me, ask yourself this question. I know we hear it all the time…but it’s true. There really is a lost world out there full of people who are hungry, hopeless, hurting, and in dire need. And some of them don’t even know what it is they need…and it is our duty to tell them.
So the final word I leave with you is…You only have ONE life. MAKE IT MATTER.
***truly***
Hayley:)
