Happy Birthday Lucas!

Tomorrow is one of my friends' birthday. His name is Lucas and I would like to share
with you what he has meant to me. He is such a great example of Jesus and an
inspiration to many. Many people who see his life think about his running. He has
such a fantastic history of running. God has given him many gifts, a few which are
running very fast and he also has a gift of leadership. He is very passionate about
what he does and sets an example for everyone to follow by choosing to do what's
right. He has made mistakes, but his heart and desire is for Jesus above all. He has
shined the light of Christ for many people. I have always been inspired and
encouraged when I think of what he does and is. Many teenagers and adults today
"ride the tide," but he "fights against the current." He is different than most teenagers
and even some adults. He runs to glorify Christ and He doesn't do the "average"
things that most people his age would do. He is truly amazing and I know God will
continue to use him mightily. If you read this Lucas: Happy Birthday Lucas! God is
so proud of you and so are many other people including me! Way to go!

Encouraging and Inspiring Verse

For quite some time now I have been so inspired and encouraged by these
verses. I just like and enjoy reading them over and over again. It is so
encouraging and uplifting. It makes me so happy to read them and meditate
on these verses. Our inheritance of Heaven will never fade and never go
away. Our hope is Jesus and the suffering and trials we have on this earth
is only for a short time. Our faith is what matters more than anything else
in all the world and beyond. Our faith glorifies God...and though we do
not see Him we do love Him with all that we are. and though we do not
see Him, we believe in Him and are filled with SO much joy. Our faith
produces salvation for us. Isn't God marvelous? He's so good to us!

1 Peter 1:3-9
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ In His great
mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the ressurection
of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish,
spoil or fade-kept in Heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's
power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the 
last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have
had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of
greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be 
proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is 
revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you
do not see Him now you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and
glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Thank you Jesus for all that you are and do for your children. I am nothing
without You and wouldn't want my life to be any other way. You are
King over all and I am just a simple yet growing to be a beautiful flower
in your garden of heaven. I grow by your word and wisdom. Thank you
Father, for all that You are! I give You all of me over and over and over
again! The reward to see your face is greater to me than anything else.
I desire You Jesus! Use me and make me into Your plan!
I love you Forever Wonderful Savior!

My Christmas!

I had a wonderful Christmas this year! It was such a wonderful time with family
and friends! As you can see I got my coat that I wanted and some $130 boots
that were on sale and so much more!!!!! It was so wonderful. There was a
special guest at our house this year though :)!!!! He was my sisters boyfriend!
It's a new season of life. It's really different though....seeing my sister possible
getting married to this guy, if things work out....I got to see some of my friends,
not all of them which is sad, but I miss them in my heart and think of them often!
We are going to have our fourth celebration of Christmas this evening with our
Grandpa Daly! On Christmas we had our "at home" Christmas, then that
evening we went to Nana and Pepa's, then yesterday we went to my other
grandma's Mema, and now tonight we are going to the Hideout restaurant with
our Grandpa Daly to celebrate Christmas and see him! I am so excited! I have
never been either! Amanda my sister is leaving with Tyler tomorrow morning.
Oh how I will miss them so!!! Our family is growing so much. Just this year I
saw many new faces. It's so wonderful to add, not subtract to family's!
How was your Christmas? What was your favorite part of this year?

Merry Christmas!

I hope this Christmas is the best Christmas ever!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Serena's Story

This is a video I found on godtube.com. I hope this inspires you, it did me.
Serena has much faith, I am so encouraged by her story and I hope you
are too. Each day is a gift. Let's use our gift wisely. Living our life to the
very fullest. Living each moment at it's best. Not taking advantage of the
moments God has given us. We need and have to want child-like faith.
Serena is a great example of a young girl who knows how valuable she
is to God and lives everyday to make a difference. As I looked in her
eyes, I notices and saw the light in her eyes. She is SO inspiring. Please
take this moment to watch Serena tell her story:

Here is Serena's story: 

I encourage you to pray after you watch this video about whatever God puts
on your heart. He's here to meet you where you are. You just need to have
faith. Put action to your faith and step out. Most of the time it's not easy to have
faith, but that's why Jesus is here. He is our faith, and our strength. Be inspired!

Jesus

As I was thinking about Christmas coming up, I was reminded of what I picture
Jesus as.There are so many pictures of what people see Jesus as in their life. As
you can tell, this person has pictured Jesus as a loving Shepherd. Jesus is
protecting and caring for this sheep. I just adore this picture because it shows
how gentle Jesus is when He cares for us. He loves us more than we know
and I think sometimes we forget How much He truly does care for each
and every one of us. Many people in this world see Jesus as just a teacher,
or a prophet, or maybe even...a fool. There are many people who, when
they think about Jesus, they don't get excited or inspired or hunger for
Him and His Life. There are many people who do get excited, inspired,
convicted, loved, etc...when they picture Jesus, but have you ever really
truly wanted to know for yourself what He looked like? Have you ever
wanted to just see Him face-to-face? To touch His hand? To talk to Him
"person-to-God"? Well, I know I have just wanted to sit in Jesus' lap and tell
Him all of my heart and thoughts and here his in return. A lot of times I will
cry out to Jesus, just wanting to be with Him, near Him, and touch Him.
I just want to be where He is!!! The hunger becomes so deep sometimes
I can hardly stand it. I cry so much I get a headache. Every time I do, I just
feel Him telling me that He loves me and one day when I get to heaven, I
will be able to do everything I desired to do with Him: sit on His lap, talk
to Him face-to-face, hear His gentle voice, dance with Him in the gardens
and on the prairie and in the mountains, hold His hands and Him guide
me and lead me and tell me what He wants me to know (I know that
was a VERY long sentence...sorry)!

I also am reminded that while I am here on this earth, He has a plan for
me and I can talk to Him and feel His presence near me. I don't have to
wait to know His plans for my life here, because He has revealed it in His
word and in each quiet time I give to Him. He will even speak when chaos
is all around me. He speaks even when I don't listen. He speaks and loves
me through it all. I am His treasure forever, as well as you are too! You
are HIS! Even when the storms come and the lightning strikes, you don't
have to be afraid. He is right there with you. If you do get afraid in this life,
remember all of His wonderful promises. Remember that He paid the price
and went through things much harder and much scarier than we ever could.
It's comforting to me when I think about His trial on the cross and my
disappointment that I am dealing with now. He cares about our lives and He is
holding our hand guiding us through this life. All we have to do is hold on to
Him and trust Him with everything we are!

There is so much more I could write on this, but for today I think this is
good. I hope you are encouraged. Thank you for even reading this far
if you have! You're a true champ! Merry CHRISTmas! Jesus truly
does love YOU!

Final for CNA class!

So yesterday I took my final exam for the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
program! I was nervous as can be when I started this class and each and
every time I took an exam. This final exam had to be the most stressful. There
were many questions! We had 2 hours to take the test. I took almost all of the
time I could and went over it several times. If we did not pass this test we would
not be able to keep our certificate and pin that we would receive at the pining
ceremony that was to follow. Well I had studied MANY hours for this test and
was very very thankful for the score I received. The teacher graded my exam in
the class and I received an 81%!!! Can you believe it?!? I passed!!!!
I am a CNA (sort of...)!!!

Well, I have a state final to take on January 13, 2011 and if I pass that test I
am really a CNA. As of right now though, I can get a job as a CNA about
100 days before the state test. I am so excited and thankful to God who helped
me the whole way when I was scared he encouraged me and build me up more
in Him. He truly deserves ALL of the glory and I am nothing without Him! Thank
You Jesus! I am also thankful to my family for supporting me and believing in
me and praying for me the whole way through the class! I am once again
thankful to all of my dear, dear friends who loved me and told me "You can
do it!" I am also thankful that they prayed for me and stood with me the
whole way! Thank you all so much, I know I couldn't have done it without
your encouragement and God's amazing grace and strength the whole way
through! Praise Jesus!

(Also my teacher was the best college teacher I could ever recommend to
anyone!) Thank You Mrs. Hampson as well! Your the best! :) Thanks God for
giving me such great people in my life! You make me so happy Jesus! I love you
so so so so much! Thanks!

Cute!

This is the cutest little girl! Watch as she describes IN DETAIL
the story of Jonah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4VrujheblY

Tell me what you think?!

JSYK

Just So You Know...You can post comments on my blog. It's much
appreciated and helpful! Thanks! :)

You Are Loved...

Have you ever wanted to be swept off your feet into the arms of your lover? Have
you ever desired to be loved and cherished? What about feeling desired? Have
you ever wanted to hear words of affection and admiration of how beautiful or
handsome you are? Have you guys ever wanted to know that the people in your
life think that you are strong and noble and brave? Ladies...Have you ever wanted
the people in your life to look you in the eye and say, "I love you and would do
anything in the world for you because I care. You matter to me more than
anyone else. You are the apple of my eye!"?

Well I have encouraging words for you! You are loved and cherished! You are
desired! You are beautiful and handsome! You are noble and brave! You are the
apple of someone's eye! You are God's child once you come to Jesus. You are
loved even though you have messed up. Just know that God loves you no
matter what, but He does desire and want you to chase after Him above every
other desire in this world. He wants a personal, one-on-one relationship with
YOU!!! He sees you as His FOREVER!

When I die...I hope the world doesn't remember ME, no...I want the world to
remember Him in me! I want others to see that Jesus is/was my everything!
Nothing matters but Him! After this world has passed away and everything in it,
the only place I will want to be would be in the presence of my Savior, my Prince,
my Knight in Shining Armor, my All in All!

I encourage you to truly trust Jesus with your life and know that the bad things
that happen in this world God did not intend. It was the consequence for sin that
we are paying the price of sickness, death, disease, etc...God is SOOOOO good
and even if I die (and I hope you believe the same) I will not ever forsake the lover
of my soul-Jesus!

Please be encouraged and know that You are royalty! Dance and sing and walk
with Him! Spin and fly and soar on the wings of eagles. Live for Him-FREE today!
He loves you SOOOOO much!!!!

His Servant,
Traci

Thank You Jesus!

Sooo, today in NAD 101 (CNA class) I had two tests and it was over the last
two units and I had to do a test over two different systems of the body as one
test. Well I for one was really nervous when I had to study for the tests
because they are sometimes really hard. So when the test came around I was
relieved to find that it wasn't as hard as what I had imagined it being. For the
unit test I made an 81% and for the test over the two systems I made a
100%!!! Praise Jesus! I am so thankful for that!

I talked to the teacher after class and in her opinion she says that I am doing
really good! I don't mean to brag if that's how it may appear, but I just wanted
to let you know and say "Thank you so much for praying for me if you did!"
If you didn't, at least you know how I am doing! I hope I can do well enough
to go on and hopefully get into the LPN and then the RN program, but if not
I might try to go into Childhood Development!

Keep praying! I believe I can pass! I will know on the last day if I did or didn't.
I will keep you posted. Until then, keep praying! Thanks!

Apples of Gold

I was looking through a book called "Apples of Gold" and it has many
quotes in it that I like and are very true. Here is a few that I like:

"The only wise speed at which to live is...Godspeed."

"Christian character is not an inheritance; each individual must build
it for himself."

"Creation of a woman from the rib: She was not made of his head to
top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of
his side to be equal with him; under his arm, to be protected; and near
his heart to be loved."

"A friend is one who knows all about you and still likes you."

"A friend is a present you give yourself."

"Mrs.-Do you love me still?
Mr.-Yes, better than any other way."

"The best way for a husband to clinch an argument is to take her
in his arms."

There are so many more really good ones in Apples of Gold. Who knows
I might post another one another day (knowing me, I probably will!)
I hope you like these quotes! If you know any other really good ones, go
ahead and tell us about them! I love quotes (that are good!)

Seasons

Wow! It is getting pretty cold outside! I am so thankful for warm weather though!
I like the sunshine and the flowers in the fields. I enjoy the beautiful sky and all
that it holds. The amazing stars that shoot across the sky (I have only really seen
one whole one before, but I saw the end of another one)! Just everything in God's
creation is too marvelous for me to behold. It just takes my breath away!!!

God is SOOOOOO good!!!!!

Winter is good as well. I enjoy seeing the clear soft snow fall to the ground and
create beautiful sheets of ice to play in and make snow men and snow angels!
I enjoy looking out the windows to see my little brothers have a snow ball fight
while I am inside drinking a hot cup of tea or chai. Sometimes I might get the
inspiration to go play with them because they are so cute!


All seasons are wonderful in their own special way.

Fall is great, for you can see the leaves change colors and the birds flying
south for the winter. You begin to see your breath when you blow into the cold
air. Which I enjoy doing a lot! I think it's very neat! Fall is a beautiful season
of change!

Summer is A LOT of fun. You can do so many things in the summer. You can
go swimming, have water gun fights, go to the park, go on long walks-have an
adventure of a lifetime, go on vacation to your favorite getaway, go rock climbing,
sky diving (which I have never done), golfing, etc...there is so many things. Just
dream of it and you might could do it.

Which season do you enjoy the most? and why?

My family

 
Just to give you a little background to who I am, I am a teenager (soon to be an
adult) with a VERY large family compared to most families. There is 11 people
in my family! I have seven brothers and one sister. I am a twin to my brother
Trevor who is 3 min. older than me. He thinks that's "ALOT" but It's not really!
lol

I am adopted along with 3 of my biological siblings into this wonderful home.
The age ranges from 23 to 3 years old. My sister Amanda is the oldest and
the youngest is the cute blondie in the picture! :)

This is a picture from our vacation that we took this year in Colorado Springs.
It is one of our most recent family pictures!

Your Reflection (poem)

Your Reflection

I stand on mountains

float on seas

stand in valleys and

walk on greens.

I am human it is true. 

Without God's love and grace

I can't live and breathe with you.

I am weak in all I do,

but strong through the eye's of You!

I am small compared to You.

I am big in all I do with You.

People see me as great

but I know I am nothing without 

Your smile, wisdom and grace.

You guide me in all of Your ways.

You comfort and love me to my last days.

If there was one place I

would want to be. It would be 

in the presence of Your ways.

Together, now and forever I

will love You till the end.

No matter where You lead me,

I say "yes" to Your command.

Your promise is my ultimate

wish. Your ways guide me

through all of my days.

Let the words I speak

and the desires in my heart

be everything You desire from

           the start.

This is who I am and this 

is who I desire to be-

A Reflection of You in me.

Oct. 23-flashback

                                               
 
I was just reminded of what I wrote in my journal a few weeks ago and wanted
to share it with you. Be inspired and feel loved today!

On October 23, 2010 I wrote in my journal based on this blog something that I
would like to share with you. I wrote: "The weather is just right in my opinion.
Just a slight breeze of fresh air-not too hot, not too cold.-Just Right! The leaves
have been changing and as I look around at the trees and their leaves, the colors
are so beautiful-brown, red, yellow, green, lime green. Just gorgeous! Only God
could create such a beautiful picture. The sky is light blue, with white, fluffy
clouds here and there. The leaves are falling all around. As they dance on
the ground, they move from place to place. Some stay and some go. It is
4:37 p.m. and the sun is going down, but right now there is just the right
amount of light and it's not too dark or too bright. Airplanes fly above as
some birds chirp in the background. This is God's way of speaking at times
I believe.

It's that still quiet voice that speaks in the stillness and beauty all around. He even
speaks in the movements and chaos of each and every day. He speaks when we
aren't listening. He speaks when we push our beautiful Savior away. He speaks in
the beauty and the ashes of our lives. He is ALWAYS there and is ALWAYS
speaking, because He is our Shepherd, thus we are His sheep."

I hope this inspires you and encourages you today as you remember how
wonderful our God is!

Where did the name come from?

Well, The name "Reflections of You" came from the thoughts and prayers of my
life. I have always wanted and desired to be a reflection of Jesus in all I say and
do. So I named one of my most precious journals (I have 30+) "Reflections of
You" and I thought I would sort of make an online one for others to see what
God has been doing in my life and what things go on in my small part of the
planet. So take an adventure with me and see the Reflection of Jesus in me
(to the best that I can be a light for all to see, by Jesus living through me)!!! :)
Please Enjoy!

"Change the weather?"

                                        

So here recently, God has been burning this deep deep passion inside of me, and I
just can't stand but tell you! Well, I went to church and the pastor has been
talking about the life of Ruth and how she was a woman who really knew
the heart of God. She is such a great example of a woman of God that I
would like to be like. Our youth pastor has also been speaking on the Proverbs
31 woman! Oh how I wish I could be even some what like her!

Well anyways, these things have just been leading up to one very important
detail. That is: what does God want me to do as a follower of Him? I desire
to be like these great women of the Bible, but what does God want me to
do for Him in this day and age? Well, we had a "Project Compassion"
meeting talking about the homeless and how we were going to reach
out to them as a church.

I have always had a heart for the lost, hurting and dieing, but I just have to do
something about it! I can't just say that I don't like it and then sit back and
watch it happen! There are many girls who are in terrible situations with Human
Trafficking and many girls have to/think they need to abort their very precious
baby's and there are the homeless! The true homeless need a home!
Wasn't that a command Jesus gave? To clothe the naked?

Well I really feel like I can do something about it. I am praying right now
about what I can/should do. If you have any ideas, please let me know by
posting your thoughts on my blog! We can work together to "change
the weather"-of what's going on! Please pray with me and help us
brainstorm together!

Thank you!

My Dear Friend-Congrats!

So, God is SOOO good isn't He?
He has placed many wonderful friends in my life. One of which is my dear friend
Abbi. She is so dear to me! I congratulate her for doing so well in her 10 mile run!
Thank you Jesus  for blessing my dear friend Abbi!

Welcome!

Hello There!


Welcome to my blog! This is my first post so let me tell you what Reflections of
You Journal is all about! Reflections of You Journal is all about my life. My
struggles and triumphs and interesting facts about me and my everyday life. I
will write in this blog, like it is a journal (because it is now!). Please feel free to
tag along and follow me as I start this adventure of my online journal! I will
explain where I got the name of Reflections of You Journal in a later post.