On Wednesday I applied for a job at the Briggs Animal Adoption Center and I really want this job. So if you could be ever so kind and pray that I might get this job. Thanks a bunch!

><>Tayva<><

    Lately I've been freaking out at the thought of growing up, I just shudder at the thought of getting older, going to college, moving out and living on my own. Last night was one of those nights that it felt very overwhelming and I think I've come up with a good way to understand my feelings on the whole thought.
    Right now I am on the Ladder of maturing, it's that area in between the safety of solid ground called Childhood and the Platform of Adulthood. I am building this ladder myself, making due with scraps of wood and other unidentifiable materials. Those scraps of wood and other materials are responsibilties, knowledge, and just pure will power. I am to the point that I feel like the simple slip of the foor or hand the whole ladder will crumble and then I'll have to start all over again. Sometimes I start feeling nauseated from being so high and I feel like my ladder is too fragile to support me that high up, so I have to take a few steps down to settle my stomach. I know that my 'Platform of Adulthood' will be much more wobbly and unsettling, so I just decided I will get to that when I reach that point, right now I'm still on the ladder.
    As I look down I see little people looking up to me watching my every move because I'm a cool teenager who still remembers what it's like to be their age, and they think it's amazing to be around someone who's older and is still fun to play with.
    Yet, at the same time, as I'm looking up I see my elders and people who have already been on the 'Maturing Ladder,' and I know that there are people on the 'Platform of Adulthood' who have made much bigger mistakes than I have, and yet have made it up there.
    I know that God is reaching out His hand and it's just a matter of me laying down my pride and grabbing it. Every time I do hold on though, He starts pulling up and then I get the idea that I've had a good enough boost and I let go thinking I can handle things myself. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lord with all my heart, I pick up my Bible and read it every day, I just like to take control of the wheel sometimes and I forget that I'm supposed to step back and let Him lead.
    Some of you are probably thinking "Oh, it's just another teenager afraid of growing up..." I am another teen afraid of the 'Platform of Adulthood.' But, you know what? I'm God's child, and He will never let me fall.
    I just need to keep my eyes focused on God and trust Him to keep me from falling off of my ladder. So, now I need to stop lingering on the past and continue putting my ladder together.

   Well, as my Grandma said 2006 ended with a bang. Suddam Hussein was executed... Former President Gerald Ford died (I actually did not know that until I read what my Grandma said just a couple minutes ago, lol)... My best friend moved to Texas... I turned 16... I got my license... I've been to Florida for 3 months and went to WDW... Very busy year, but now it's over and my slate is wiped clean for the year ahead and things to come. 

   I hope you all had a very happy New Year, and I hope that this upcoming year will bring many joyful memories to cherish for your own.

   Love y'all,

><>Tayva<><

   If you haven't noticed!?
   I'm back home! My family came for me on the 8th of last month, they stayed for a few days as my dad fell in love with the beach and then we left for Walt Disney World. WDW was INCREDIBLE!!! I loved it! We ate dinner with Pooh and friends, we had lunch at Cinderella's Castle and met Cinderella, The Fairy Godmother, Jasmine, Belle, and Snow White, but I think my favorite place to go and eat was The 50's Prime Time Cafe, the waitresses treated us as if they were our mothers yelling at us if we misbehaved, it was great. Other adventures were The Tower of Terror, The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Pirates of the Carribean, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Mount Everest, Dinosaur, Big Thunder Railroad, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Great Movie Ride, Mission Space, Test Track, Soarin', and so much more (but I don't think you would continue to read if I labeled them all, heehee), we all had so much fun.
   After WDW we started for home!, Oh my gosh, when I got home it felt sooooooooo good I was so full of energy that after everybody else went to bed Kameron and I unloaded the car at 4 o'clock in the morning, Kameron of course had some sleep in the car but for some reason I can't fall asleep in a moving vehicle unless I'm like drop dead tired, so I did all that on very little sleep. The next day was Justin's birthday party so just about everybody I knew was going to be there! I was so excited I was shaking, Kameron, Mommy and I were invited to come early, when I walked into the house Dillon was the first one to greet me of course but right behind him was Mrs. Tina. After I got there and said hi to everybody Mrs. Tina and my mom said I was like a Yo-yo sitting down then right back up again, sitting down then right back up again, and so on and so forth, I was constantly looking out the window bcause my best friend Kendra was back in WV from TX for a visit and she was coming to the party and before that I hadn't seen her since May 26th. When Kendra did get there finally Mrs. Tina said we ran into each other so hard that she was surprised we were still alive, lol! Willy was saying thatin the car as they were pulling up the driveway Kendra saw me standing there from a distance and she started saying "Is that my Tayva?! Is that my Tayva?! THAT'S MY TAYVA!!! THAT'S MY TAYVA!!!" I also had some other pretty extravagent greetings with other good friends like Rachel, Laura, Kaitlyn, Jessie, Sarah, Melissa, Mikaela, Jess and others (if I forgot your name I'm sorry). I had very much fun at the party with all my friends after 3 months and all.
   At church the next day I got to see Kelly, Angelina, Linsay, and Sean. After church I went over to Brenna's house for a slumber party with Kendra, Kaitlyn, Colleen, Jessie, and Laura, fun stuff. While the Forsythes were still here I saw them every day except Thanksgiving day, they left the day after Thanksgiving, Kameron, Mommy and I met them at the Daily Grind, for some reason it was easier this time to say good bye, maybe because there visit helped me a bit, knowing that I would see them again. I dunno but it was easier this time around.
   Since the Forsythes left I started falling back into the routine of my life back at home, doing my own chores, driving people around, doing school. In between all that stuff we started getting ready for CHRISTmas, and visiting with relatives who came by for a day or two as they went to Virginia Beach and back up to Maine. towards the beginning of December we kind of drpped school and went full swing for CHRISTmas, shopping, decorating, baking, gift exchanging, and of course parties all the time.
   Last night Dillon gave me his CHRISTmas gift. He totally surprised me! My mom and Mrs. Tine told me he had been planning this for weeks. He decorated the band room at his house he set a table for two and had all kinds of candles lit (it smelled very nice) CHRISTmas music in the backround.  On my plate was a card his CHRISTmas present to me (which was a Pirates of the Carribean calender) and two candy canes facing each other in the form of a heart. He pulled out my chair for me and when I sat down he gave me a bouquet of red roses. Then after a minute Mrs. Tina and Justin came up carying the food and the drink, it was Corned Beef with potatoes and carrots and rolls (my favorite meal)! He planned everything bought the items necessary and made it all himself! And guess what!!! He has never had Corned Beef before! He did a much better job then the first time I made Corned Beef, when I made it, it fell apart in the pot, Dillon made it perfectly! It was VERY nice!
   Well, I think now you have caught up on everything in my life! Hope I didn't put you to sleep or anything of the sort. I'm prttey tired now, it's like somewhere around 1 in the morning and I need to go to bed before I get in trouble! lol

Talk to y'all later,

><>Tayva<><

   Last night my mom and were talking about her the rest of the family coming out a bit earlier, like instead of friday maybe wednesday or something like that. So, I was talking to Christine about it and she was getting a bit upset she was saying that she needed to know earlier then that and all that jazz, later on after Christine, Kurt, and McKenna left to go to the doctor's office Christine called me and old me it would probably be better for my family to come out earlier because her and Kurt were thinking about heading out to Georgia next weekend. I called my mom and told her about it, so she told me that she would talk to my dad about last night. I called my mom this afternoon and asked for the specific day that they were going to be here, they are going to get here on Wednesday and stay until friday. So, that whole change of dates thing means that instead of going to visit Aunt Vonnie AFTER Disney World we are going to go see her BEFORE Disney World, we are going to leave here on friday and go see Aunt Vonnie then on sunday we are going to Disney World. Our last day in DW is wednesday, so straight from DW we are going home. YAY!!! So, instead of getting home late saturday night we will be getting home sometime that thursday! Exciting stuff!

   On another note... The church I've been going to here in FL has a youth group I've been going to also. Tonight the youth group went to a walk through drama and I went with them. It was incredible!!! What they did was gather you into a group of 10 people and lead you through a series of rooms and each room laying out a story. Here I'll just try to explain it through the scenes:

 

   Room 1/Scene 1:

You walk into a living room with a family celebrating they're daughter Jennifer's 18th birthday. She has her boyfriend Mike and his family over, Mike put together a photo shoot for Jennifer for her birthday. They spend a while just talking and hanging out, then Mike pruposes to Jennifer, she seys yes they all start to celebrate... End of scene.

 

   Room 2/Scene 2:

Jennifer, Mike, and Jennifer's parents are at the airport getting prepared to go to Jamaica. As Mike is showing off for Jennifer he accidently runs into a girl and it turns out to be one of their old friends named Sally, and it turns out Sally is going the same flight with a youth group going on a missions trip to Jamaica. They all get excited and go to board the plane... End of Scene.

 

   Room 3/Scene 3:

Jennifer, Sally and Mike are all talking on the plane and there is a bad storm going on. Mike and Jennifer are amazed at the transformation that Sally has gone through since she accepted Jesus into her heart. Mike gets all huffy and starts saying stuff like he doesn't need a relationship with God, his only relationship is with Jennifer and he's happy with just that. Jennifer on the other hand is very interested in what Sally has to say, so Mike walks off and Sally and Jennifer continue talking. Sally is saying how wonderful it is to have Jesus in your heart and Jennifer starts crying and asks Sally how she can receive Jesus into her own heart. The intercom comes on and says that they are having some technical difficulties with the storm and tells everybody to sit down. A girl looks out the window and screams saying she sees smoke and they're all going down!... End of scene.

 

   Room 4/Scene 4:

You are lead into Mikes living room where his family and Jennifer's little brother are eating dinner. The two boys get dinner all cleaned up and turn on the t.v and the news comes on. They are broadcasting a plane crash that just occured due to a storm, they see Jennifer's teddy bear and head off to the airport to get information... End of scene.

 

   Room 5/ Scene 5:

You are at the scene of the crash, bodies and blood everywhere, the Peramedics are there cleaning up. Sally, Jennifer, and Mike are all dead along with several others... End of Scene.

 

   Room 6/Scene 6:

You meet God on Judgement day. He calls up Sally and says "You have had a pretty messed up and sad life, but you turned to me and walked in my path, you may take the route to Heaven." He calls up Jennifer and says "You thought the only relationship you needed was with Mike, but then you met Sally again and accepted me into your heart, you may take the route to Heaven." He calls up Mike and says "You thought the only relationship you needed was with Jennifer and you lived a life of sin, I'm sorry but the only route for you is to Hell." And Mike starts screaming that he didn't think God was real just to give him a second chance, let him go with Jennifer he told he would spend the rest of his life with her. God said "I'm sorry but the only route for you is Hell..." End of scene.

 

   Room 7/Scene 7:

You are lead into a pitch black room, so dark that you couldn't even see your hand 1 inch from your face. Red lights come on and you see Hell, Demons everywhere. You are behind a gate so nothing can get you. A man walks out in an everyday business suit with a tie. He says in a loud menacing voice "You were expecting horns and a tail, or maybe a pitchfork and a pointed tail. But no, I'm too smart for that, I can look just like you if I wanted too. You see here? You will someday end up here if you continue in your evil ways, oh I'll see to that. Continue to sin and I'll be sure to save you a place here for you." And then Mike walks in and starts yelling for God and Jennifer, a demon takes him down... End of scene.

 

   Room 8/Scene 8:

You are lead behind a curtain where someone drapes a white robe on you, and you are lead to a white door that says 'Holy, Holy, Holy' written in gold letters. You go in the door and you're standing in Heaven where Jesus is giving all the kids hugs and several different ladies are holding newborn babies in rocking chairs. There is a long white table to your left with golden platters that has people's names on it. Jesus walks up to you and shakes you hand. God is sitting in a white throne and Jesus goes and sits at God's right hand and welcomes Sally and Jennifer into Heaven... End of Scene.

 

   Room 9:

You sit down while a speaker gives you a rief runthrough and gives you a few verses about how to except Jesus into your heart and a few verses about what it's like to be a christain... End of Drama.

 

 

   While we were in Hell a Demon jumped at us onto the gate, I screamed and jumped back whacking our guide in the stomach and a guy named Kyle in the side. And I would jump a few times when I would look around and see a Demon like RIGHT THERE!!! I would end up running into Kyle a few times because I was stupid enough to choose a spot right next to the gate! Lol...

   Anyway, I had a great time tonight! On our way home I was in the car that Mrs. Becky was driving, and she was taking somebody home when there was nobody else on the street she would slam on the brakes, just having fun. One time she did it really hard and I wasn't expecting it and I screamed really loud, I got a few comments like "Man, she has some lungs on her" lol. Embarresing, but funny.

   Okay it's getting really late now, and I need to get up in the morning for church. I'll talk to y'all later.

 

Love,

><>Tayva<><

   ONLY FIVE MORE WEEKS!!! I'll be home in five weeks! YAY!!! My family will be here in 26 days, they'll get here on the 10th of November they'll stay all day on the 11th to do random things, then on the 12th we leave for DISNEY WORLD!!! I am sooo excited! Anyway, I decided to say something on here because I just got done talking to people at a youth group I go to back at home. Today is my very good friend Jessie's birthday she just turned 13, she is now officialy a teenager! It's so good to hear from all of my friends on occasion, Brenna and Kelly Acly told me that it's a bit boring there without me and Kendra and Mrs. Jeanette said that it's just not the same without me! I can't wait to get home! The Forsythes are making plans to be in WV during Thanksgiving and if they do make it there we'll be getting there about the same time, YAY! So I think I ran out of things to say now, actually I don't think I really had anything to say in the first place other than I'll be home in 5 weeks. Okay I'll go now. Ttyl,

 

><>Tayva<><

   It's funny how much you learn about a sport just by watching movies about it. It seems to me that there are far more movies about football than any other sport that I can think of. Today I went to watch 'Gridiron Gang' all alone. It was a very good movie, it was a lot like 'The Longest Yard'  with Adam Sandler, but instead of adults for the team and a prison mate for the coach it's youth for the team and a guard for the coach. It starts out as the coach trying to convince the keeper to start a football team to help raise their self esteem and heir confidence, and to teach them how to work hard to earn their way into the world. I thought it was very good.

   Being at the theatre tonight braught back all kinds of memories. The entire time I was watching the movie I was expecting Kendra to lean over give me an opinion about the movie, or Willy to say something and the entire row of friends to giggle, or I was expecting Dillon to hold my hand or put his arm around, and I was even listening for Mrs. Julie, Mrs. Jeanette, Mrs. Tina, and my mom to whisper something and start cackling, lol. *sigh* As you can tell I'm having a little depressing moment feeling withdrawn from all my friends and family. I'm going to miss Willy's Octoberfest and Halloween party, I already missed the Awakening Fest with all kinds of bands that I love like Barlow Girl!

   Okay, I'm done whining, thinking that I'm miserable and all that. As a matter of fact I'm doing quite well here, I'm enjoying myself very much, take walks on the beach, go shopping in down town Amelia Island! So I'm getting pretty spoiled here, the only thing I have to complain about and that is I haven't gotten to drive since I've been here and I think I'm going to go crazy! Of course I haven't asked them if I could drive because I'm a new driver and I understand if they don't want me driving their car. So right now I'm just missing people, that's all. So I'll talk to y'all later!

 

 

><>Tayva<><

Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees;

a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called a student from the class. To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"

she heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one,"

another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher,

who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.

"Cause my daddy's always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart"


With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.


For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far

You see he was a firefighter

and died just this past year

When airplanes hit the towers

and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes,

and she saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,

she witnessed with surprise

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.


They say it takes a minute to find a special

person, an hour to appreciate them,

a day to love them, but then an entire

life to forget them.

   Hey everybody, sorry for the long interval. The second week I was here the internet was having some major problems and the third week I was in Georgia with no internet access.

   I've been doing fairly well, I'm taking it a day at a time right now. I seriously thought the time would go by faster than it is, it's only been three and a half weeks and feels like it's been two and a half months! As I said in the last paragraph the second week I was here the internet was having some problems that lasted for a week and two days, I was having a hard time with NO INTERNET for most of the day!!! Lol, and then two days after they got it fixed Christine, McKenna and I left for Goergia, with NO internet access! While I was in Goergia with no internet my phone ran out of minutes for THREE days!!! So you can only imagine how I was feeling those three days with no contact to WV or TX !

   Okay that's enough complaining for now. On sundays I've been going to a catholic church that I don't really like, it's really different from my church back at home, but this sunday we are going to a presbytarian church that has celtic music for worship, so we'll see how that goes. We went to a museum a couple weeks ago that had some pretty interesting things, but if you asked me now what was my favorite part was I wouldn't remember, lol.

   Georgia was cool. There were quite a few pine trees there! I didn't remember how few pine trees WV had. The landscape was beautiful! Gas prices went all the way down to $2.43 a gallon!!! I kept on telling Christine that if my parents ever decided to move but they didn't want to go back west then I would tell them to go to Georgia!

   I'm loving my Bible Study right now! Right now I'm reading Revalation and parts of Ezekiel. The other day I read a verse in Revaltion that was pretty cool, John was talking about when God takes His people up to heaven and they all fall to knees and praise God!!! I can't really remember how the whole thing went or what verse it was at the moment, but I thought it was prety cool, I have it written down in my Study notebook.

   Well, I think I'm starting to run out of things to say. I hope everyone's satisfied with the update, if you want to know more or you specifics about something just let me know.

   Talk to y'all later.

 

           ><>Tayva<><

 

P.S Who else wants to cry? I'm very saddened over the death of Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter!!!

   Hey everybody, I made it to Florida! The flight here was good I got through security just fine and found my shuttle bus and gate, got a Starbuck's coffee, waited for about and hour or so and got on the plane, got off the plane just fine found my baggage and found Christine without any problems. I've been here since Tuesday, and I've already done a few pretty cool things.

   So far I'm only taking it one step at a time, doing what Christine tells me to do, taking care of McKenna, doing the dishwasher, all that jazz. I have not been trying to think about home, I know that thoughts about home will start invading more and more frequent as the days and weeks go by, so for now I'm just trying to stay happy.

   The first day I got here we went to the beach for a nice relaxing time, McKenna and I got to go play in the waves, as the waves would come rolling in I would lift her up and she would giggle and I would put her back in the water, and then another wave would come in and the process would be repeated, lol. McKenna is sooo cute, she's almost 14 months old, she can walk, and she's in the process of being potty trained at the moment. Since McKenna can't talk yet Christine has been teaching her a bit of sign language, so far she knows the signs to drink, eat, milk, potty, and she can tell you where her heart is too. Sorry went off track there for a moment...

   On Wednesday night I got to see baby turtles (actually it was more like Thursday morning from like 12:00 to 3:30 AM lol), we watched them come up from the nest and migrate down into the ocean. It was SOOO COOL!!! They were so TINY and very cute! Oh, and the beach is beautiful at midnight as the moon is reflecting off of the water and there's a path of moonlight along the sand, and the stars are all out, nice cool breezy weather! Oh man, you just have to come and see it!

   Well I think it's just about time to say goodbye to y'all and I'll continue to update as the days, and weeks, and months drag by. I'll talk to y'all later.

 

><>Tayva<><

    Last night I was invited over to my friend Kelly's house to go swimming for the evening. When I got there there were more people than I thought would be there! People including my boyfrined Dillon and his family (plus 2 of his cousins), Mikaela and her sister, the Nicholsons, Devan, Brenna, and of course the Acly family (that's whose house we were at)! It was a surprise going away party for me! Lol, I was well surprised (although I did have a suspition that something was going to happen on friday, lol). Later on, after swimming, we were playing volleyball when Rachel arrived for 2 minutes to say goodbye before I left.
    As everyone was leaving, giving me all kinds of hugs and sad goodbyes, Aidan gave me a letter (he's only 7 years old and I could almost call him my brother) when I read the letter it almost made me cry! it said (in his sloppy kid's handwriting) "Good bye I'll miss you, I hope you have a good time!" And it has a smiley face on it. *WAAAAH* lol. Dillon really had a hard time saying goodbye (although I think I'm going to see him again before I leave) everytime he got in the car and was settled down he would jump out of the car again and come give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and get back in the car again, then the prosses would be repeated again, lol, then he had to leave .
    I have to go now, I went over my time limit! YIKES! Lol, I'll talk y'all later.

><>Tayva<><

P.S Please continue to pray for me, I have to leave in 3 days!

    On sunday my cousins and my Aunt and Uncle left, they were here for a littl over a week. I miss them already. It is soo nice seeing family I have so many memories with, I still miss spending all the holidays with them, I was talking to my grandma while she was visiting Idaho and she was saying that that weekend they were going to go camping, and I told her I wanted to go with them. When I hung up the phone I was near to tears. I miss them all soooooo much.
    But, now not only is it going to be extended family, it's also going to be immediate family and very close friends. On the 15th I'm leaving for Florida all by myself for 3 months!
    It's so exciting yet at the same time very scary. I'm going on a plane by myself and I'm going to be living with a family I barely know, I've met the Lady of the household and the little girl, I've never met the man of the household. I'm going to go and be a mothers helper or you could call me a nanny or maid... Whatever you like, they all fit into the same catagory.
    The date for me to leave is getting closer and closer! it went from being 15 days to 7 days VERY quickly, I'm starting to get a bit panicky! I still have to go through my entire wardrobe, start doing lots of laundry, write a list of things to bring, shop for the things I need, gather everything, pack it all in who knows how many suitcases, and inbetween all those things I still want to have all of my friends over for a quick get together so I can say goodbye to everyone! All of that in just 6 days!!! AAHHH!
    Well, I need to go now, I have an orthodontist appointment I need to get to. I'll talk to y'all later,

><>Tayva<><

P.S Please be praying!

    Just last week I went to an incredible summer camp with my youth group! So now I have to share with you guys my experience there!
    There were several people who accepted Christ that week even someone in my cabin recieved Christ that week! But, for people like me it was a major spiritual uplifting week, it's like my cup had long ago run empty and this week I went to get it refilled.
    The speaker this week was Angel Barrios (I don't know how to spell his last name so I spelled it the way it sounds), he was awesome. He accepted Christ when he was 14 years old, he said he walked into the church wanting to be someone that travels (I can't quite remember what it was that he wanted to be) and he walked out wanting to be an Evangalist. In the summer when he was 14 he earned lawn mowing cash and went and bought himself a leather bound $65.00 bible, and he still has that bible to this day 27 years later.
    I don't quite remember what he talked about the first day (Monday), but I do know that he had all the leaders go up front and all the youth had to go up and get prayed over by one of the leaders, he told the leaders that for every youth that came up they were supposed to ask that person if they had Christ in thier heart. And so far that I know 2 people came to know Christ that day, possibly more.
    On Tuesday we started our first full day at camp. We got up, went to Prayer Meeting, got breakfast, went to listen to a speaker, went to our sports events, and then went to eat lunch. After lunch we had Basketball tournaments and then we had free time. I don't quite remember what Angel spoke about that night, but I do remember that he had all the leaders come and stand up front, and then he had the youth all come up and choose a leader to pray over. I prayed over Donnie our youth pastor, everyone layed hands on him and said a silent prayer for our youth pastor.
    On Wednesday went back into the routine of the morning. We got up, went to Prayer Meeting, got breakfast, went to listen to a speaker, went to our sports events, and then went to eat lunch. After lunch we had the Running tournaments I got third place in the Softball Throw, and first place in the Obstacle Course! That evening Angel talked about Satan's lies, that even the tiniest lie is from Satan, like if you have problems with your family and you think it's all your mother's or father's fault that is a BIG FAT LIE from Satan, stop listening to his lies and start listening to God, he will help repair those patches that Satan has put in your family's life. I've never had a problem with my family but just seeing all those people up there sobbing and laying all thier hurts at His feet was enough to get me crying, just to watch all these people my age, you have to get this, there were people there my age and younger and some a little older that were hurting, these people were MY PEERS! I couldn't even imagine how bad it must hurt to live in the same household yet not feel in place! I love my family, even if we do get in the occasional squabble.
    Thursday came rolling on through to everyone's surprise! Lol. We got up went to Prayer Meeting, got breakfast, went to listen to a speaker, went to our sports events, and then went to eat lunch. After lunch we had Swimming tournaments, I got last place in The Belly Flop! Thursday night was the night that Angel reached to me the most. He was talking about speaking in tongues, he was able to speak in tongues when he was 15, not only could he speak english and spanish perfectly, he could also speak in some language that God had given him! And he spoke about how you can hear God just by reading the Bible and listening to Him through your heart. He called all youth that felt they were being called by God, don't go up because your best was going up or you just wanted to go up. I felt this strange pull in my heart, I felt like I had to go up there. Angel told the leaders to come up and lay thier hands on anyone they felt they needed to pray for, just like the youth felt like they needed to go up front. For the first couple minutes I just stood there while people milled around praying for others or being prayed over, I kneeled down on knees and put my elbows on the stage and started to pray. It's when Kelly came and layed her hands on my head and started to pray out loud for me that I just let it all out, I started bawling. After Kelly said her prayer and Carmen came and prayed over me I felt God telling me to go pray over Jessie, what for I have no idea, but I found Jessie I turned her around hugged her and said a prayer for her... Out loud! It's been a couple years since I've had the guts to pray out loud in front of anybody! (But, now that I think about it I did pray with Kendra a couple times, but she's different, she's my best friend, I can do almost anything in front of her and not feel embarresed!) Then I went back to my spot in the front of the stage, kneeled down put my elbows on the stage and started praying again, other people came and prayed over me, even people I don't know.
    The last day, Friday was very slow. My cabin didn't wake up in time for Prayer Meeting, and we barely made it to breakfast after breakfast they gave us time to go and pack up and say goodbye to people from other churches. After we all were packed and ready to go we all sat down in the sanctuary, and they handed out the prizes, as I said I got third place in the Softball Throw, and first place in the Obstacle Course! (They didn't hand out prizes to anyone who got fourth place, which was last place.) When all the prizes were handed out we put all of the suitcases and things into the back of the trucks and cars and stuff like that, and headed home. I think everybody fell asleep on the way home, even me, and I hate sleeping in the car! Lol.
    Well I hope everybody is satisfied with my update on Youth Camp. Talk to y'all later,

><>Tayva<><

Hey! I added some Blinkies and Icons, they are at the bottom of the side bar!

    Yesterday was when Sunday Obsession (that's the name of the band for now) went to D.C to play for awhile. We didn't open for 99+1 like we had thought we were, instead we played in the middle of the whole thing so that the people 99+1 had pulled in to listen to the music could hear us. 99+1 was awesome (as always), then when we came up the music was great but all the mirophones were going wacky, Cody's (the only male singer) mic was down just a bit low, Sarah's mic was up really high, and then my mic was doing weird things and in the middle of the song (before I even started singing) my mic turned off (I think there was a short in the wire or somthing like that), so you could hear Sarah and Cody just fine but you couldn't hear me at all!
    Anyway, it's over now, I'm stil pretty upset but I'll get over it eventually!
    Tomorrow is when I am going to Summer Camp with the Bridge, so I won't be on until friday or saturday or possibly sunday!
    Here are some pics from yesterday:




Here are some photos of the view, (I think the second one was supposed to be of the drum set, but you can still see the view)


Here are people setting up.


That's 99+1 playing, Frank the drummer is kinda hidden by Buster but you him in the last picture.






This is the band either getting ready to play or we are playing. Dillon (my boyfriend =D) is the drummer, Cody is the base player and male singer, Justin is the lead guitar player, Willy is the keyboard player, and Sarah and I are the female singers.


Kaermon fell asleep towards the begining of the day, when 99+1 was playing.


Here's Sarah, isn't she pretty?! Sorry guys... She already has a boyfriend! lol


Here's Dillon my very cute wonderful boyfriend! lol


And here I am, up on stage waiting for my turn to sing. It's the best picture I could find of me that day, there have been better pictures of me before!

    Well there you go, our day in D.C! lol, Hope you enjoyed!

><>Tayva<><

    For those of you who don't know what Kings Fest is, it's a 3 day concert thing at a really cool theme park called Paramount's Kings Dominion! The concerts are at night starting anywere between 6 and 7. In the mornings wwe would have fun in the park riding all the rides!
    anyway, just letting you know what I was talking about in my last entry! lol

><>Tayva<><

    Hey everybody! I'm back, I had an awesome time! There were all kinds of bands there like Kutless, Newsboys, TobyMac, Casting Crowns, Falling Up, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, and other bands I've never heard of! I had some AWESOME friends I got to hang out with for the weekend! The only time I remember getting irrittated was when I was trying to listen to a speaker and there were a few people who kept on talking so I couldn't hear very well, so I just got up and went to sit down beside my chaperone so I could listen with no distractions.

    I had a great time on the rides too! We didn't go on very many, we spent most of our time walking around the park, standing in line or just having a good time. Melissa, the Russian girl I talked about a few entries back, is doing really well! She did cry the first two nights because she didn't understand and everybody was jumping up and down and singing along.  One of the highlights of the days was getting my coffee for the morning and from then on I was happy! lol... (Can't go without the coffee!)

    This saturday the band I'm in is going to D.C to open for another band we know! I'm in a band with my boyfriend Dillon (the drummer) and his brother Justin is the lead guitar player, another friend Willy is the keyboard player, and Cody is the base player and singer, Sarah my very good friend and Cody's girlfriend is a singer, and last but not least is Kameron and he's in charge of the sound board! So if you all could say a quick prayer for us on saturday or pray for us all week for that day that would be great! I've already got butterflies! lol

    I think that's a good enough update and a needed prayer request!

><>Tayva<><

    I thought that this was soooo cute (and true), I got it from myspace and I decided to share it here too! lol


Guys:Put your hands around her waist firmly
girls: lay your headback on his shoulder and put your arms on his.


Guys:whisper in her ear
Girls: giggle


Girls:whenever he tries to kiss you, don't just let him, kiss him back. ........


Girls: When you want to cuddle with him, tell him you're cold
Guys: automatically move closer to her. (if your stupid then you'll either say "me too" or you'll give her your jacket... don't)


Girls: During a movie, if he puts his arm around you, tilt your head on his shoulder
Guys: lift her chin up and kiss her.


Guys: When she tells you she loves you, look deep into her eyes, give her a peck on the lips, and tell her you love her too... and mean it.


Girls:When you're both laying under the stars, put yourhead on his chest and close your eyes as you listen to his steady heart beat
Guys: whisper in her ear and link your hands with hers.



    My friend Rachel told me that one thing was not true... She said that if I was resting my head on Dillon's chest that his heart beat would not be steady! lol

   How do you like my new layout?! I did it all by myself too! I usually have help when I do this complicated computer stuff! lol... It took me about an hour or so to figure the whole thing out! But I'm so proud of myself, I DID IT!!! WOOHOO!!!

I was tagged by my mother, and it was rather short too, so I decided I would do it!


1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

He had better stir up some fresh corn cake.
'The Sign of the Beaver' by Elizabeth George Speare

If you happen to pass by my blog then you are tagged! And please leave a comment if you do post something!