Travel

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

Only two more weeks till I board a plane headed to Japan! I'm getting so excited. We've pretty much packed everything already because we won't need our winter clothes until we get back anyway. Ben and I were looking at some old pictures he found from two trips ago. (We're cleaning out the closet that has all of the picture CD's because my grandparents are moving in.) We also found pictures from when we went to Washington D.C. in 2003. It's amazing how much those pictures and videos mean ten years later. There's a seven second long video of Ben and me rolling down a hill with the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool in the background. It's short, but somehow it brings back memories. We had Skittles in our pockets because Daddy bought some for us. We raced across the lawn to the Washington Monument. I now know he was trying to tire us out. It worked too. :)

 I'm really looking forward to this trip though, because I will be able to remember more. Unfortunately, this will probably be the last time Mommy, Ben, and I go together, and the last time my grandparents will be like they are now.

Two weeks. Fourteen days... By the way, the 30th, besides being our departure date, also happens to be Talk Like Jane Austen Day. It will be the 202nd anniversary of the publishing of Sense and Sensibility. You can bet I'll have a lot of fun with that. I will have Ben video me bumping into someone and saying with a British accent, "Oh, forgive me!" (from the 2007 adaptation of Persuasion). Maybe I'll act very emotional and then say, "I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself." (Sense and Sensibility, chapter 48). And when someone asks my opinion of something, I shall say, "It is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me." (Pride and Prejudice, chapter 3).

:D Leigha

VCBC Picnic

A few weeks ago, my church had our annual church picnic at Campbell Park in Deltona. It was awesome (as always).


Our friendly game of softball...

Fellowship with friends...

Fishing...

Yup. I went wading with my friends in the lake. I enjoyed it too.

Food. What we all live for. (Just kidding. I know we live for better things. lol)

Me

Victoria and Arryanna

Katelynn

Sergey caught a bass. I think it was 2 lbs or something like that.

Have a great day!

Hey

I just wanted to let you guys know I'm still online! I'm just so busy with school and other things (like I'm sure you guys are, too). I have so many things I want to post and so little time! I'll try to better manage my day.

 I have opened a new blog called "365 Project". The name pretty much gives away what it is. I'm taking a picture every day for a year. Today's theme was "freedom". I had a lot of fun thinking of the possibilities. :)

I'm also really excited about going to West Virginia (again!). The VoV are going to sing at the Southwide Independent Baptist Fellowship in Hurricane, WV and I am going with them (because I'm in the group . . . :) We leave the morning of my daddy's birthday (Oct 8) :( at 4am!

Ben and I are also dog sitting Aki and Kuma for the Sheffields when they go visit their daughter in CO. Here are some posts from the previous time we dog sat them. :) Here and here

Talk to y'all later!     -Leigha

Bridal Showers

Recently, I've had the privilege to photograph Stephanie Rule's (church friend) Surprise bridal showers. It was tons of fun! I put together a slide show if any of you want to watch. If you're in a hurry, just skip to the part where she walks in. It's at 3:40.

Credits:
Mrs. Laura Buchite for putting the event together
The Rogers family for the pretty decorations
And of course the photo and video credits are me. :)
The background music in the video is from Jennifer Hall's CD, Fairest Lord Jesus.

-Leigha

Journey Thru Christmas

I am glad I can say (as I can every year) that Journey was a success! We had almost 1,000 people turn in cards that said they got saved! I was acting in the market scene this year. It was a lot of fun until I got sick after 2 days. Satan was really working that week to make everyone sick. The stomach flu was going around. (The angel who told the shepherds about Jesus threw up, etc.) Thankfully, I didn't get the stomach flu. I got.. I don't know how to explain it. It was a throat/nose sickness instead of stomach sickness. I got to act the last day though.
The Deland Parade on Dec. 3rd was fun.

My friend, Isaac dressed up like an elf. Kids were shouting, "Buddy!"

My friend, Carly and her goat, Olive.

Guess what happened. :D Lane (left) butted his goat (named Shadow) in to the wise man (don't know his name)

Exercising the goats before the parade.

Special thanks to the ladies who did the soup and hot chocolate!

The wise men see the star!

Final touches

Mary and baby Jesus

The two wagon girls who had the tickets

The float driver, Mr. Besser

The very fun(ny) Mrs. Colleen Ingram!!

There were so many people on the bus that some of the boys had to "bus surf". :)

         -Leigha

Trip to the Beach

Okay, I know this happened quite a while ago but better late than never right? A few weeks ago I went to the beach with my friends Kasey and Madi (Kaseadia and lolmadii →). It was so fun!

To Kaseadia and lolmadii: Bet you didn't know I took this. lol

Kasey and Madi

That day there wasn't many waves so we just kept swimming farther and farther... Then we realized we probably went too far because the shore was pretty far away. LOL! Madi's like "I can't touch the bottom!" All in all, it was a fun and exciting day (in spite of Kasey feeding all my Sun Chips to the Seagulls).

Leigha

Fun stuff coming up!

Grandma and Grandpa are coming to spent the weekend! Whoo hoo!!! The Back-to-School Rally is tomorrow! Yeah!! So excited! I made Lemon-Cream cheese cookies to celebrate. I don't know if Grandma will be able to play Wii bowling with us this time though. She had surgery Thursday morning. Hopefully she's better. Maybe I'll take some pictures and make a post about the rally. We'll see. :D Bro. Adam says there's going to be food and games. 1 lucky person is going to have a chance to win $50 in a game of Deal or No Deal (like the TV show)!

I made it!!

Pastor held try-outs for the Voices of Victory teen ensemble tonight. After months of waiting and turning in 2 applications, I finally go to audition with my friend Melody R. and her brother Derek. I was sooo nervous! But everyone was really nice about it so I'm thankful for that. He made me sing scales, a random song from a hymn book, and Amazing Grace. I did horrible! He told me to sing a note and so I tried and he said it was a little flat. After all that, he called some of the ensemble members and we all sang as a group. I was so scared he was going to say "I have to think about it.." But he just said, "I expect you all to be there at practice next Sunday. Congratulations!" I was so relieved! So.. you wondering which part I got? He said he's going to switch me back and forth between soprano and alto but I'm mostly going to sing soprano. :D I'm so happy!

Healing Our Country

Since I won't be here tomorrow, think of this post as my post for tomorrow.
Today was the big God & Country Day at church and it was a blast! Anyone who had the opportunity to come and didn't sure missed out! You all surely know that I'm in the choir at church and we did a mini patriotic cantata. During the "Salute to the Armed Forces" I tried to pay attention to Brother Barry (the director) but it was literally impossible. There was so much cheering and clapping and whistling and someone even brought a air-horn!!! And at the end all the balloons dropped and it was amazing! I wish I could have taken some pictures.
After all the excitement, we sang the last song.. and if anything could touch me, it was that song. Here are some of the words.

"Turn the Tide"
Though the waves of immorality may beat upon the shore, and it seems that all ungodliness is knocking at our door. We must never give up hope; we must not let them win the war. We must plead with him who has the power to cleanse and to restore. Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of your power. Stem the flood of wickedness. Restore, revive, and bless. Turn the tide.           
        (From "This Is My America" by Bible Truth Music)

It makes me think how this country has gone downhill so fast. I heard that on the news they beeped out "One nation under God" in the "Pledge of Allegiance"! How sad can it get? I'd like to ask everyone who's reading this post to pray. Pray for the country. Pray for the president, the congress and all those in the government. Pray for the city mayor, your pastor.

The Bible says in 2 Choronicles 7:14 KJV
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Seeing old friends

On Saturday, the 25th of June (the day I posted last), I went to see the "Toy Box" put on by the Volusia Academy of Ballet. I've seen it every single year ever since I was five. Only this time, I was in the audience and not back stage. I danced under Ms. Nobuko's instruction for 9 years till I quit last year. It was nice seeing all my friends again. Learning about the things that have happened during my absence. One friend is moving to California; another one had a tumor in her head and is recovering well from surgery. I had a lot of fun watching and talking. LOL

L to R: Me, Joyclen, Sarah, Sydney, and Shannon.

Joyclen was the only one who actually performed in this picture. :D Sarah and Shannon switched schools last year and Syd quit. I didn't get a picture with Stephi but I will because I'm spending Independence Day with her.

The begining of summer

Wow! Do you guys realize that it's already summer? My piano recital was on the 5th and thankfully, I did my piece note-perfect! You don't know how many times I prayed "Please God, help me get this right!" and after-wards "Thank you, Lord!!!" I also started the Wilton Flowers and Gumpaste cake class (course 2) last Friday.

I found out recently that in August, my mom's cousin and his family are coming over from Japan. I suppose it will be like when Miyuu was here but not as near as long. Hopefully we will get them to come to church with us!

Father's day and God and Country day (July 4th) are just around the corner! We have a present for Daddy hidden in my closet! LOL On the 3rd, VCBC is having a mini patriotic cantata called "This Is My America". I like it actually. And after service, we are having dinner on the grounds with hot dogs and lots of apple pie! Hooray! One year ago on July 4th (Sunday) I was in Japan. Good memories at Yokosuka Baptist Church (YBC). :)

The best news!             (which I'm going to announce again and again till it actually happens!)
I'm getting my braces off on July 14th!!!!!!!!!!!! That's 4 weeks from tomorrow! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! I'm still planning on camo retainers! :D

I'm getting my braces off!

As you can probably guess, I'm so excited!!! Dr. Poppell (my orthodontist) said I can get my braces off and Mom set an appointment for July 14th!!!! (I'm planning on camouflage retainers!)  Yaaaaaay!  (^_^) Leigha

Piano Recital

My 1st piano recital is coming up on June 5th! Well it's not really my first piano recital. I had one in 2nd grade but that was 7 years ago. I will be playing Robert Schumann's Humming Song. It's a very formal occasion so yesterday Mom and I went shopping at the mall. We found a very pretty dress. I like it a lot. What do you think? It was $100 and 40% off! Great deal!

 Leigha