rekindling the words

its kind of been awhile since i've wrote on my blog. so much has happened since january 2nd, 2012. so many memories. so many learning experiences. i have grown so much in the past year. i have grown in my relationship with God, with my family, with my friends. i have begun to realize more of who i am and what God is calling me to in NW Ohio. it hasnt always been easy. it hasnt always been fun. but i am stronger because of it. i came home yesterday after a short trip home to VA. i was able to surprise my friends in their musical The Sound of Music. so many emotions consumed me as i was able to be in the place i once called my literal home although i still think of it as home. feelings of anger were present as i realized how much i have missed home and how much i wish i could move back. and feelings of pure happiness as i reminisced with my friends i realized how no matter how far apart we are nothing will change. they still love me for who i am. all to say as i was experiencing these multiple emotions i was reminded of my blog. i wrote in it quite often when in VA. and now that volleyball is over and all that my life consists of as of now is school, i thought to myself "emily, start writing again." so i pledge from here till i find its impossible i will keep you updated with my journey. my journey with my friends, with my family, but ultimately the one who holds my everything--JESUS.  take care.

A Recap..

Wow, what a year it has been. One full of ups and downs transitions and huge changes. Life's not easy but one things for sure through everything God has been a constant source of strength and courage without Him I dont know what I would do. These past few weeks have been quite weird for me. Why? The memories and feelings of this time last year haunt me. I can't help but think and feel the memories and emotions. 

Some of the memories that come to mind as I think back are...

*I got a Facebook!! And wow, do I love it or what?! haha. With my bad memory this is how I am remembering these memories :)

* Went to my first homecoming dance at Pettisville High School 

*Saw NEVER SAY NEVER (The Beibs movie) with friends from school

*Enjoyed a fun filled weekend celebrating my Grandma and Grandpa Helmuth's 50th Wedding Anniversary with family

*Began Softball at Pville

*The dreaded experience of having our basement flood with all the rain :(

*Went to my first Detriot Tigers game to celebrate my dad's birthday

*Rode the Top Thrill Dragster (5th tallest roller coaster in the world) at Cedar Point

 *MENNONITE YOUTH CONVENTION!!! 

*Visited home (Kiara's house for a sleepover, Taste of Thai, visits with friends, and Ridgeway for church)

*Started volleyball at Pville!

*Began school after having a super long summer with the building of our new school

*Welcomed Monika into our home and then had to say goodbye after 3 months. Still miss her!

*Ended the volleyball season as tied 1st place champions 

*Celebrated my 16th birthday by going to Ann Arbor, Michigan where I was born. I took gifts that my close friends and family donated to the Ronald McDonald house where mom and dad stayed when I was in the hospital 

*Enjoyed the Holidays in Goshen and North Carolina with family

Amid the joys of this year I would be lying if I said it was all good. This year also had its share of downs. It was and still is a struggle to adjust to the many new surroundings and people. But one things for sure I am so blessed. With a family that deeply cares for me and loves me, and for people I would have never met if we hadn't have moved that I know call friends, and for a God who loves me unconditionally and cares for me so much. I look forward to a new year :) 

Take Care,

Looking Back....

Its hard for me to believe that almost a year ago the decision was being made that our family would move to Ohio. I find myself trying to relive the emotions that filled my body as I delt with the thoughts that entered my mind. But as I try to relive the emotions I realize I cannot truly feel the way I felt when I was in the midst of the process. The process/journey/transition is not over, the emotions and feelings of loss, sadness, and fear are still present. And as this journey has progressed the question that has played in my mind over and over again is "Who Am I?"  More specifically...Where do I fit in in this community? Where do I use the gifts God has given me? Who do I choose to connect with? Can I be myself? I'm struggling a bit as you can see.

I'm missing home the place where I felt connected, affirmed, and loved. I don't think you can ever realize what all you have until its not with you. Truth is its gonna take time for me to become connected here in Ohio..to feel affirmed for WHO I AM..

***

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Fireworks!

The main reason I love the month of July is because of the display fireworks shown each fourth of July. Last weekend our family enjoyed going to a Toledo Mudhens game and afterwords there was a fireworks show. They were probably the best I've seen ever :) So here are some shots I got (not the best but whatever)

Enjoy this next month whatever it brings for you!

Take Care

Pettisville Ohio...

As a follow up from the post before my friend asked if I could talk a bit more about Pettisville,OH (the town I live in). Pettisville is a very very small town. The towns main attractions are Sunday's Market which is a locally owned store/restaurant that has odds and ends..Kids like to go there and get candy after school and during the summer. Some also go there for lunch some days during school. Pettisville Meats is another store that is located in Pettisville. It sells meats, cheeses, and side dishes like potato saled (which is AMAZING). Right beside Pettisville Meats is a chocolate store called Stella Leona, where delicious chocolate, coffee, and hot chocolate is sold. Then there is Pettisville Garage and the Post office. Those are the shops in Pettisville. Then there is the school which is located sort of in the middle of the town and houses surround the school. Down the road from the school is the baseball and soccer fields and Pettisville Park. Close to the park is Pettisville Grains, where you will find big grain silos, and also a recycling center is located in the town.  

The atmosphere in Pettisville is much like in a smaller town. Everyone knows who everyone is and who there family is and so on. Which is nice at times but then also at times makes it a little less comfortable. In comparison to where we live and Pettisville. We live across the road from the town if that makes any sense. So our address is technically a Wauseon address. Another thing we've had to get used to is the sound of a train. Many trains come through the town each day.

So I don't know what kind of impression this leads you to have but I'm still getting familiar with the town as well. I'm really enjoying where we are living. We have our own space not in the town but it also feels like we live in the town as well. 

Thanks Evan for the request, I hope it answers your questions :)  

IT'S SUMMMMER!!!!

Hey Everyone! I hope you all are enjoying your summer as much as I am. No school, wonderful weather, relaxing, and being outside all day :) :) I'm lovin it...So I was just thinking that you might like to see some updated pics of our new home, so I took some for you!

View from the front door

Our favorite place to be these days..our campfire circle/cove within the trees :)

The new part of our school thats being built..this is the view from our house

Zoom in a little closer..

These are the BEAUTIFUL flowers in bloom here at our house...

I just LOVE this time of year! Ok so I'm gonna do something a little different now...If any of you reading this would like to see a picture of or video or want me to write a post about something you'd like to hear or see about life in Ohio right now...I'd love it if you would comment on this post or email me something..and I would be glad to show/tell you more about it...For example...my plans for the summer...our house....the school...our gardens....what it looks like around here...church....Pettisville...or really anything..I hope this is making sense :) Ok so just let me know and I will be glad to fill you in!

Take Care!

The Birthday Month

May for our family is a month of birthdays. With my dad's birthday starting the month May 1, then comes moms on May 9 and Kate's on May 10. It's nice though because it usually means some good food and new stuff :) The month of May here in OH is when this year the flowers are bursting. We have 3 bushes/trees in specific that in the past week have just bursted open with flowers. It's been so pretty and refreshing.

So first for dad's birthday his main gift was to take him to a Detroit Tigers Baseball Game.

 Here is the new stadium :)

 This best part though was that my dad got to talk with THE Willie Horton. Whom he had already met when Willie had come to Weavers Mennonite when he was pastoring there.

It was a lot of fun :)

Since Mom's birthday was the day after Mothers Day we had more of a two day celebration. Dad and us girls made her lunch on Sunday and we also went MUSHROOM HUNTING! Then on Monday (her birthday) her she purchased a new bike and spent time with dad on her day off.

For Kate's birthday she had some of her friends from school over and we had a special supper for her too. It was a great time celebrating for all.
  Another good thing is that school is done! Yesterday was our last day :) We got out so early because our school is being demolished and a new one is being built. So another nice thing is that we don't have to go back to school until September. I will keep you updated with all the things I am planning to do this summer. Here are some of the things I plan to do:
-Volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages
-Go to Convention in Pittsburgh with my youth group
-Take a trip to Harrisonburg for a couple days to visit with friends
-Take voice lessons..O that reminds me I auditioned for a singing group called Noteworthy at my school and made it!!! So I'm very happy about that.
-I also plan to do a Monday Night League for volleyball and maybe a camp in June.
So yeah, I am looking forward to this summer!
Take Care!