With each year, seniors have stood before the high school and said, "Our class will be the one to help start a revival at San Jacinto. We will not let you down." And there have been individual seniors who have fulfilled their promises and helped bring SanJac into a new spiritual place to the best of their abilities. However, in many cases, the promises made have been nothing but words spilled from the lips of children that fell straight to the ground like shattered glass. It is very easy for words to remain only words.
This year is our legacy. We are the leaders of our school for the next nine months. It is our turn to take the step of leadership. Our year. We have two choices. One, to unite as a class that is strong in Jesus Christ and help to point our school in the right direction. Or two, to give the yearly promises like all seniors do, and then sit back and allow one or two individuals in our class to take the burden of leadership onto their shoulders alone. Which direction will you take? The choice is yours.
How will you be a leader this year?
Will you reach out to underclassmen to the best of your ability? Will you befriend them, fellowship with them, and mentor them in a way that shows both respect and friendship? Will you strive to make your words and your actions reflect maturity rather than foolishness? Will you continue to grow in a relationship with the Lord even when life feels too difficult and chaotic? Will you listen and allow God to mold this year into what He wants it to be?
Our class isn't perfect, and I don't think there ever will be a class that is. But I am saying right now that I will try to the best of my ability to make this year something meaningful and worthwhile. If you see me acting otherwise, do not be afraid to call me out. Ask me, and I will do the same for you. Sometimes it will be hard, but I know God has something big in store for our class and for our school this year.
It's time to stand up, seniors. Let's transform our words into action. Let's transform our wishes into true faith. Are you in?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
How to Survive High School
Are you an upcoming freshman? Do you feel a fluttering of your heart and twisting in your gut at the thought of starting high school for the first time? I gotta say, I've been there and done that. Starting a new school with new people is scary, especially when you'll be in the youngest age group. I empathize with you.
I was terrified when I began high school for the first time. In middle school, I was shy and awkward. I didn't have a lot of friends. I thought that everyone would hate me. I would have been saved a lot of trouble if someone had given me some kind of handbook for entering high school. Some sisterly advice. That's why I'm here.
I'm an upcoming senior in high school, and I'm not out to haze you. I'm here to help. I'll be posting five tips for new high schoolers every day for the next eight days, so be sure to check back here every day to get new advice for starting high school.
1. Don't worry yourself sick ahead of time. Like I said, I've been there and done that. You lay in bed at night and worry and worry and worry. Every time you think about high school, you want to throw up. You're scared. Remember that is normal. Also remember that there are a lot of kids in the same boat as you right now. Don't ruin the end of your summer by worrying about something inevitable. Hang out with friends while you can. Have a sleepover. Sleep in till noon. Stay up late. Enjoy yourself. Don't freak out. You can't know what it's like until you get into high school, so why worry? Believe me, it's wasted energy.
2. Be prepared with school supplies before school starts. Your first day of school is going to be stressful. That's another inevitable thing. It's a new place, new people, new part of your life. Don't make your first day any more stress-worthy by not bringing pencils, paper, and a few notebooks. Your teachers should give you a list of supplies to buy. Buy them. Bring them.
3. Actually go to orientation. If there is an orientation, fish camp, or school-wide meeting before school actually starts, go to it. You'll meet some potential friends, get a tour of where you'll be going to school, and get to know your teachers and classes. This way, you won't be completely lost and confused when school starts. You'll have an idea of what high school will actually be like ahead of time. And hopefully, you won't get lost on your first day.
4. Don't worry about what everybody else is going to wear. In middle school, fashion is all about being as cool as the coolest kid. In high school, individuality matters. Don't think, "I wonder what everybody else will be wearing!" Wear what you think is cute. Wear what you like. Start a trend. You want to be unique in high school.
5. Keep a positive mindset. If you enter high school thinking, "I'm going to hate this," you probably will hate it. You're setting yourself up for failure. In the same way, if you enter high school telling people, "I hate this school. I don't want to be here," they're going to think, "Man, this kid is a downer." and not want to be around you. Stay positive. Tell yourself that you're going to enjoy high school. These have the potential to be four of the best years of your life. Let them be fun.
I was terrified when I began high school for the first time. In middle school, I was shy and awkward. I didn't have a lot of friends. I thought that everyone would hate me. I would have been saved a lot of trouble if someone had given me some kind of handbook for entering high school. Some sisterly advice. That's why I'm here.
I'm an upcoming senior in high school, and I'm not out to haze you. I'm here to help. I'll be posting five tips for new high schoolers every day for the next eight days, so be sure to check back here every day to get new advice for starting high school.
1. Don't worry yourself sick ahead of time. Like I said, I've been there and done that. You lay in bed at night and worry and worry and worry. Every time you think about high school, you want to throw up. You're scared. Remember that is normal. Also remember that there are a lot of kids in the same boat as you right now. Don't ruin the end of your summer by worrying about something inevitable. Hang out with friends while you can. Have a sleepover. Sleep in till noon. Stay up late. Enjoy yourself. Don't freak out. You can't know what it's like until you get into high school, so why worry? Believe me, it's wasted energy.
2. Be prepared with school supplies before school starts. Your first day of school is going to be stressful. That's another inevitable thing. It's a new place, new people, new part of your life. Don't make your first day any more stress-worthy by not bringing pencils, paper, and a few notebooks. Your teachers should give you a list of supplies to buy. Buy them. Bring them.
3. Actually go to orientation. If there is an orientation, fish camp, or school-wide meeting before school actually starts, go to it. You'll meet some potential friends, get a tour of where you'll be going to school, and get to know your teachers and classes. This way, you won't be completely lost and confused when school starts. You'll have an idea of what high school will actually be like ahead of time. And hopefully, you won't get lost on your first day.
4. Don't worry about what everybody else is going to wear. In middle school, fashion is all about being as cool as the coolest kid. In high school, individuality matters. Don't think, "I wonder what everybody else will be wearing!" Wear what you think is cute. Wear what you like. Start a trend. You want to be unique in high school.
5. Keep a positive mindset. If you enter high school thinking, "I'm going to hate this," you probably will hate it. You're setting yourself up for failure. In the same way, if you enter high school telling people, "I hate this school. I don't want to be here," they're going to think, "Man, this kid is a downer." and not want to be around you. Stay positive. Tell yourself that you're going to enjoy high school. These have the potential to be four of the best years of your life. Let them be fun.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Flawed
My newest song... due to appear on YouTube in some days.
Flawed
I sit inside and stare at my reflection in the mirror:
Average hair, average clothes.
Why God made me, heaven knows.
How come every other girl is prettier than me?
People say that outer beauty doesn't really matter.
Thick or thin, short or tall,
Why do some girls have it all?
I just wish I could be prettier than me.
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
I can't help but criticize that girl in the mirror.
Counting every imperfection,
I see just a flawed reflection.
It is hard not to care what people think.
I try my best to grow into the girl that He created.
Godly life, friendly words,
It's not about a name brand shirt.
Is my style what brings glory to His Name?
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
And I will spend more time on my heart,
Than judging that girl in the mirror.
And I will shine Christ's love through my life,
Instead of living with self doubt and fear.
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
And even when I don't like what I see,
I am a pure child of God, beauty.
July 30, 2010
Emily Whelchel
Flawed
I sit inside and stare at my reflection in the mirror:
Average hair, average clothes.
Why God made me, heaven knows.
How come every other girl is prettier than me?
People say that outer beauty doesn't really matter.
Thick or thin, short or tall,
Why do some girls have it all?
I just wish I could be prettier than me.
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
I can't help but criticize that girl in the mirror.
Counting every imperfection,
I see just a flawed reflection.
It is hard not to care what people think.
I try my best to grow into the girl that He created.
Godly life, friendly words,
It's not about a name brand shirt.
Is my style what brings glory to His Name?
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
And I will spend more time on my heart,
Than judging that girl in the mirror.
And I will shine Christ's love through my life,
Instead of living with self doubt and fear.
I know God made my heart,
And He knows every thought.
He created me with His special plan.
I am cradled in His arms,
Even when I feel alone,
And I suppose I should see what He sees.
He sees a pure child of God, beauty.
And even when I don't like what I see,
I am a pure child of God, beauty.
July 30, 2010
Emily Whelchel
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