Kaboom!

Hey Y'all!

Yeah, I'm bad, I'm just now posting the fireworks photos I took on the fourth of July. Hey, give me a break, we had VBS this week. Anyways, here are some of my faves. Some are pretty wild looking! I LOVE 'em!

Ok, yeah, that was more than a few, but they were all so different and beautifully unique! Hope you enjoyed looking at them!

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

Happy Resurrection day, everyone! All praise to the King who died for us, conquered death, rose again, and conquered the grave! Alleluia!

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

*lyrics taken from http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh302.sht*

Wishing you all...

...a very happy Valentine's day!

On this day, I encourage you to not only think of all those who love you and who you love, but also, who loves you way more than anyone else ever could! Jesus Christ!

No greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

He loved us so much that He died for us. He loved YOU so much that He died for YOU.

True love is an emotion that can't stay contained. True love proves itself through actions. Follow Christ's example: This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. - John 15:12

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

Forgotten Christmas

Dear readers, I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas time and break off of school! I sure am! Anyways, I was looking back at the comments I received from a recent post, and came across one I had forgotten about. Cari, someone who works with Gospel for Asia, left a comment telling me about a site they made - Forgotten Christmas. I encourage you to go to their website and look around, it is definitely worth the time! I know it is after Christmas, and I'm sorry I didn't post this weeks ago, but you can still make a difference! Hop over there and check it out!

Here is one of the videos:

Love in Christ,

Buttercup

P.s. the December issue of Go Ye Therefore is coming out on Friday! Shoot us an email if you want to receive it! :) (helpnm@embarqmail.com)

Absolutely Nothing Compares...

No doubt you've heard this story...

This 2000 year old tale...

Of the birth of a little baby...

That was the Son of God.

How precious was this gift...
So undeservedly given...
That would change the course of the future...
For all that would believe.
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2000 years ago, in the country of Israel, in the town of Bethlehem, a child was born. His parents could not find an inn that was not already full, but they were offered a stable that they could stay in. This stable, because of the time and place, was probably a cave or large outcropping in the rock, and it was used to house animals. In this place, on that night, Jesus was born. Our Lord came into the world. If you met him, you would soon know that he was no ordinary child. He was different - he was perfect; he never lied, he never cheated, he never teased, he never disobeyed, he never sinned at all. This was weird and very unusually to those he came in contact with who did not know who he was, for they knew that everyone sins, and no one is perfect, but God.
This special and unique child who never sinned, this perfect human being, was the Son of God. God sent Him down to earth for a reason, to complete His plan, to fulfill His mission. This plan was also special, it involved a one time occurrence that would save the souls of all who would believe.
2000 years ago, this perfect child, now become a man, took upon Himself the sins of the world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." This amazing man, the Son of God died a horrific death so that you and I could live. Gives new meaning to "amazing love, how can it be? that you my King should die for me!" doesn't it?
But that is not the end of the story! This amazing story does not end with the cross, or even the grave, for He rose again! And He is alive today, sitting at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, intervening on our behalf. He was born for us. He lived for us. He died for us. He rose again for us. Why? Because He loves us, His most special creation.
Jesus lived the life I could not live. Jesus died the death I should have died.Jesus gives the gift I could never earn.-Mark Driscoll
I know I that this is a Christmas post, and that I went far beyond just the Christmas story; but how can you end with His birth? For that miraculous occurrence was only the beginning! His birth alone is a wonderful thing - God sent His one and only Son down to a sin-filled world! But, why? To know that we must know the whole story! When put together - His birth, life, death, and resurrection - they paint an amazing picture, the picture of God saving His people. This Christmas, I challenge you to think more of Christ and His Gift more than of the perishable gifts that you will be given by friends and family. For absolutely nothing compares with this wonderful gift that was offered to us! This amazing gift, so freely offered - will you believe? Merry Christmas!Buttercup

To our Veterans...

Dear Veterans,

I don't know what you've gone through, I don't know where you went, I don't know much about you at all, but I do know this: you fought for the USA and for me, so we could be free. Thank you.

Love in Christ,

Buttercup

Happy Independence Day!

Dear readers, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Independence Day! I hope you have all had fun today playing with fireworks, eating watermelon, and having fun with family and friends! Well, I didn't play with fireworks, or eat watermelon, but I did get to play football with my Youth Group for close to two hours! It was SO much fun! But it was SO hot! And it doesn't really help when you're scared of the football...I wonder who that would be...yeah, it's me. I don't know why, but while we're playing, I just can't catch it. And that fear has given me a pretty bad reputation when it comes to football, no one wants me on their team. haha. So, I've been the last one picked for the last few times we've played. Oh well, what can you expect? I probably wouldn't pick the only person in the Youth Group who can't catch, and can hardly throw. Would you? All in all, no one got hurt except my sister, Poppy, she got bumped into, fell, and got kinda scraped up...but that's to be expected since we were playing on the church parking lot, which is asphalt. My friend Jeremy fell at the same time, but I don't think he was hurt, but you never can tell with boys...

Okay, so I kinda started in the middle of the day...let's start from the beginning, shall we? I got up, didn't want to, don't know why I did...maybe because I had too...haha. Anyways, got up, made chocolate drop cookies, forced Poppy to make the cold salad, got ready for church, checked my email, did my hair, etc. We left for church, got there early for Sunday School (YES!!! I try every week to be early, but somehow, every week, we're late. If you don't know me very well, I hate being late! It drives me nuts! ), after Sunday School, we went in the Sanctuary, had the service, then had Agape Feast. Our church does an Agape Feast the first Sunday of every month, and they're so much fun! Most of the teens sit in the youth room and chat and eat, then, if the weather is nice (or even if it isn't, it just can't be raining...) we go outside and play football. For a long time, we played ultimate football, but we have lately proceeded to regular football, of which I understand very, very little. Which is one reason no one wants me on they're team. Oh well, I was still picked...Thanks Chris! :D

Christian friends are so great. My dear brothers and sisters in my youth group encourage and lift me up, teach and correct me, pray for me, and so much more; I wonder often whether I am doing that for them. If I encourage and lift them up as much as they do me, if I teach and correct them as much as they do me, if I pray for them as much as they pray for me. I kind of doubt it, they're pretty hard to beat. As a teen, I realize how important they are to me, and what an impact they've made on my life. I am the oldest child in my family, and most of my friends in my youth group are older than me, so I look up to them a lot. I am so thankful for them. ---Sorry for getting so off subject, but I can't help but talk about my youth group...haha.

After everyone was too hot and sweaty (gross) to play anymore, we came inside. After cooling off, the VBS drama team (along with a few people who just had to distract us) went in the teen room and practiced for VBS. Oh no! I think that I've failed to post about VBS...sorry! I'll be sure to post about it sometime this week! Anyways, so that was my 4th of July. :) Hope I didn't bore you.

As a final note:

Remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, from the time of the birth of the USA, through all the wars and troubles we've been through, up to this day. Remember the millions of soldiers that are in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting for our freedom. My Dad was overseas two years ago on the fourth of July, and so were many others. My Dad, thank God, came back; but many don't. Pray for the families of those who gave their lives. Thank God for bringing home those that did. Pray for the soldiers who are overseas as you read this. And finally, thank God for allowing us to live in a country so free as the United States of America.

God bless!

Buttercup

Happy Late Mothers Day!

oops. I missed it...

But....

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, MOM! I LOVE YOU!!!

I got beat up...

Just wanted to let y'all know that I have a black eye, scraped knee, busted up hand, scraped elbow, skinned shoulder, and a bunch of bruises. Yeah. I got beat up on Tuesday...
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April Fools!

I didn't get beat up. But I look like I did. I simply had a bicycle crash, and I did do it on Tuesday. lol. So, please pray for me, it really hurts. (especially when someone accidentally touches it...Poppy...lol)

Sorry if I scared you...couldn't resist. lol. Muahahahaha!

Later I'll tell you about the really hilarious trick I played on my friends that have email...hehehe....I LOVE APRIL FOOLS!!!

Buttercup

P.S. now go post on your blog! *hint hint* *wink* lol.

Happy Valentines Day!

Hey! Just wanted to with you all a very, very, very...

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Buttercup

Happy New Years!

Hello all! I just wanted to wish you a very happy new year! I pray that you would all come closer to the Lord this next year!

God bless!
Buttercup

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my readers! Thank you all for reading my blog!

Love in Christ,
Buttercup

Thanksgiving - second post :)

Hey Y'all! Happy Thanksgiving, again. (See my other post.) Now, I'm going to do one thing I'm thankful for, for every one of the posts I've done. =D In NO certain order!!! I mostly just listed them as I thought of them!

1. God
2. Jesus
3. Holy Spirit
4. the Bible
5. Dad
6. Mom
7. Sisters
8. brothers
9. cousins
10. aunts
11. uncles
12. grandmas
13. grandpas
14. Friends
15. Teachers
16. my church
17. my body
18. the air
19. the water
20. the land
21. hills
22. mountains
23. plains
24. our house
25. our car
26. gas
27. trees
28. leaves
29. autumn
30. spring
31. winter
32. summer
33. snow
34. sun
35. moon
36. stars
37. doctors
38. school
39. books
40. time
41. paper
42. bikes
43. roller skates
44. grocery stores
45. clothes
46. the mall
47. cameras
48. computers
49. Internet
50. blogger
51. healthy food
52. non-healthy food. :P
53. thanksgiving
54. Christmas
55. Valentines Day
56. birthdays
57. new years eve/day
58. shoes
59. tape measures
60. games
61. phone
62. email
63. an American
64. a daughter
65. a friend
66. a Christian
67. chores
68. printer
69. languages
70. watches
71. clocks
72. bed
73. dresser
74. that the earth is round
75. space
76. space (both kinds! LOL)
77. paint
78. that I don't look like Gollum (mom's idea! lol)
79. that I don't have to go of to fight
80. I've been out of the country once
81. volleyball
82. soccer
83. baseball
84. Lord of the Rings hehehe.
85. stuffed animals
86. Giraffes
87. Lions (sometimes)
88. fish
89. dogs
90. cats
91. hamsters
92. all other animals
93. soda
94. wallet
95. chocolate
96. pillow
97. blanket
98. knives
99. Nancy Drew books
100. Lord of the Rings books
101. boats
102. houses
103. apartments
104. ice skates
105. tennis shoes
106. socks
107. smiles :)
108. DVDs
109. Microsoft PowerPoint
110. The Rebelution
111. Do Hard Things
112. lotion
113. shampoo
114. hand sanitizer
115. flags
116. pencils
117. the ability to draw
118. the ability to crochet
119. medicine
120. oven
121. blender
122. microwave
123. money
124. the desire to give
125. the desire to help
126. the desire to raise money to help others
127. nail polish
128. photo albums
129. Photoshop
130. Photobucket
131. music
132. musical instruments
133. cement
134. grass (I don't know why I didn't say this earlier)
135. rain (see above)
136. refrigerator
137. wind chimes
138. light
139. dark (when sleeping! :))
140. stairs
141. carpet
142. vacuum
143. wood
144. nails
145. broom
146. mop
147. dustpan
148. plants
149. flowers
150. bugs (the ones that don't bite, and aren't annoying)
151. door mats
152. table
153. chairs
154. lamps
155. fans
156. sticks
157. rocks
158. tools
159. names
160. diapers :P
161. days
162. weeks
163. months
164. years
165. hair clips
166. search bars
167. calculators
168. herbs
169. juice
170. milk
171. outlets
172. parks
173. swings
174. merry-go-rounds
175. other park things
176. quotation marks """"""""" hehehe.
177. exclamation points!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!
178. question marks???? lol.
179. questions
180. answers
181. statements
182. kind words
183. words of encouragement
184. words of sympathy
185. words in general
186. erasers!
187. roads
188. pavement
189. wheels
190. recipes
191. feelings
192. singers
193. Cd's
194. conferences
195. voices
196. shoe laces
197. climates
198. sand
199. letters
200. people to talk to/with
201. mute button :P
202. baggies
203. baskets
204. picnics
205. shade
206. heroes
207. cards
208. playing cards
209. save button :P
210. nicknames
211. super macro
212. canning jars
213. craft supplies
214. fabric
215. CD players
216. colors
217. sky

There! 217 things!!! For every post I've posted, oh, wait! One for this post....

218. Missions

Now, I tag YOU to do the same! It doesn't matter how many posts you've done, just do that many things! Come on! I dare you! I would appreciate it if you leave a comment here to tell me what you think, and tell me if you do it! :) thanks!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving, and always remember to thank our heavenly Father for all He has given us!

Love in Christ,

Buttercup

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I don't have much time, but I just wanted to wish all of my readers a....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Remember how much you have to be thankful for! And thank God for all he has done for you!!!!

~Buttercup

Independence Day

I just want to begin by saying, Happy Independence Day!

The 4th of July is the day that we not only play with and/or watch fireworks, eat watermelon, and have fun; it is a day to remember the our forefathers, and when the United States broke away from the rule of Great Britain/England. On July 4th 1776, we, the United States of America, declared our independence! We were one nation under God! Independent from England. Free to worship our God!

Why did we want to be independent? So we could freely worship God. Who came to America? Only English? No. America is made up of English, Polish, Germans, Italians, Africans, Indians, Norwegian, Russian, etc, etc, etc. But, even though American is made up of people from all ends of the earth, we became one people....


What are we free to do that some people are not? Well, there are a ton of answers to that question. We are free to decide for ourselves, chose our own education, raise our own families the way we feel right, decide our own futures, free to express our own opinions, to live where we want, and most importantly, free to worship God, read and study the Bible, and tell others about Him. In most countries, you can't build/go to a church, you can't own a Bible, you can't witness freely to others, without going to jail or getting killed. In America, we are free to go to church, there are churches everywhere here! In America, we are not only free to own a Bible, we can own as many as we want! In America, we are free to witness to others, without getting killed or thrown in jail, but do we use that freedom? Do we fellowship with other believers on other days than just Sunday? Do we read and study our Bibles daily, or even weekly? I know I can't say yes to those questions truthfully. Can you?


Independence Day, the 4th of July, in 1776 we declared our indepenence, we were independent from England, we wanted to be independent so we could worship God, but do we? Do we use the freedom that our fore fathers fought with their lives for? They said "In God we Trust," but do we? In my opinion, God should not only be in the center of our lives, our homes, and our schools, but God should be in the center of the hearts of Americans.

Mother's Day

Today, the tenth of May, a day when we remember to be super nice to our super special moms. We are doing a bunch of stuff for Mommy! Especially Dad. The kids made cards, we all cleaned up when she was not looking, and Dad made Pancakes for breakfast and he is grilling burgers and hotdogs right now for lunch, we are also having a special dinner for Mom. :) Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! To all of my readers!!! This is a day to love, not only friends and family, but to love and enjoy God! We should say "I love you" more often, all year round. My challenge for you, is to tell ten people today, "I love you". Ten different people, tell friends and family just how much you care. I love you!!!