Ripples

We don't always know the impact we've made on someone's life, a simple smile, a decision made out of desperation. Each action we perform creates a series of ripples that touches one person, and then another...We don't necessarily choose where our ripples go but we do decide what type of ripple we want to make. It is our choice whether or not our actions will create soothing ripples, like the gentle breeze across a pond or the death waves of a hurricane that seeks destruction. It's amazing how far one kind gesture can go. One ripple, both good and bad, can touch hundreds of people. Never doubt your influence on people. One decision, big or small, affects everyone around you. If you could just stop for a second and look around you and see your ripple in action, put yourself in the strangers shoes that you just said hello to. Notice when people compliment you. The way that simple comment made you feel. How it brightens your day to the point where you smile at someone else. Maybe that person needed that smile. God created us, each, for a reason and for a season. There is never a time when our life becomes of no value. We were put here to help each other through this test we call life. We are designed to help each other. Never underestimate the power of a ripple.

That Special Place

I want to go to a special place. 

Where feelings don't matter. 

Where caring for someone won't kick you down and leave you hurting.

 A place with no disappointments.

 That ache in your heart when that special someone doesn't care? That doesn't exist in this special place.
Doesn't that sound like such a nice place?

 People can't get mad at you here. 

You can't be told you're a failure because you're in this special place.
No trying to please others and no fighting the way of the world.
No pressure that they won't approve.
No fake smiling. No running from your fears.

There is no room for tears. There is no way to hurt.

 Being alone? Can't happen. 

You see in this special place you can be what you want to be.

 Go anywhere and be free.

 Get a way from all that doubt, from that devil that lives inside you and tells you that you can't.

 Anything that tears you down vanishes once you come to this place. 

You don't have to worry. It's a very safe place.

 In fact I can't think of a better place.

 To never feel pain. To never know what a broken heart is.

 Oh how I wish I could go to that very special place.

Do You Know This Man?

He is led into the court room

With a smile upon his face

He is confident his actions have secured his resting place

God, the judge is seated

The bailiff says "All rise"

The prosecution call it’s witness

And his name is Jesus Christ.

The defendant looks uneasy

As he takes his solemn oath

Now the world can’t stand behind him

You see he’s suddenly alone

He would not have been convicted

By a jury of his peers

But all heaven knows the answer

To the question that he fears

Do you know this man?

Did he call your name?

When no one else could see did he call you king?

With nothing to gain did he take a stand?

Did he give you his love?

For all time to come

Do you know this man?

When we hear the question, what will we say

As we testify on judgment day?

Things I Have Learned

• A smile or a friendly hello can go a long way.
• It takes more than words to fall in love.
• You'll probably get your heart broken more than once.
• Just because someone says something doesn't make it true.
• There is A LOT of amazing people in the world.
• Crying doesn't mean you are weak. It just proves you care enough to feel.
• Letting others help you is just as important as helping others.
• You'll make mistakes everyday of your life. Don't beat yourself up over them. Learn from them and move on.
• Don't let other people run your life.
• Caring for people might hurt but doesn't mean you should stop.
• Keeping your standards is very important. Even when you stand alone.
• EVERYONE has feelings. Everyone can cry and everyone can smile.
• Sometimes trying gets you no where.
• You often have to choose between two evils but you often also have to choose between two goods.
• You don't know someones life story so don't judge them.
• The way someone treats you matters.
• Feelings are very real. Not just a state of mind.
• Music is more than sounds. It's its own language.
• The people you are closest to bug you the most.
• You never know what the future holds and the turns life can take.
• Love doesn't hurt. Losing love does.
• Not every moment can be a happy moment.
• Everyone needs to be told they are special.

More to Love Than Meets the Eye

No one had seen a darker day

As they watched him crucified

They were confused and so afraid

Why would God let his own son die

They thought their hopes and dreams were lost

They couldn’t see beyond despair

That God led Jesus to the cross

But didn’t plan to leave him there

There’s more to this love than meets the eye

It’s bigger than anything in life

It’s a love that has no boundaries, a love that will not die

There’s more to his heart than we can see

It’s greater than we can even dream

So remember, there’s more to love than meets the eye

It’s in those moments of defeat

When we’re fighting to hold on

That he allows us to be weak

So he may prove to us he’s strong

The way our lives fit in his plan

May be a picture we can’t see

So trust his heart and take his hand

There’s always hope if we’ll believe

I keep dreaming of a place

That waits behind a door

Where I will see for eternity

All that heaven has in store

By: Al Denson

Kira Daurene Turpin

Back in high school I took this amazingly fun class; Creative Writing. I'm no where near as good as the average person but sometimes I really get into it and put my whole heart into what I want to say. This is how I feel about Kira. My baby sister, my best friend, my other half.

To me you are an angel in disguise

Full of laughter and wise

Always helping through good times and bad

You are the best friend that i've ever had

If I had one wish it would surely be

To give as much as you've given me

Though I've put our relationship through some cloudy days,

You've been my sunshine in so many ways

Through trials and tests, right by me you stood,

And gave me your hand whenever you could

Thank you so much my sister, my friend

My gratitude for you has no end.

I don't know where I would be without Kira. She's always my number one person I go to when I have a problem. She knows all my secrets and every embarrassing moment. She's the sweetest girl you could ever meet. She sticks to her standards and doesn't let anyone get in the way of doing whats right. I look up to her in so many ways. I'm so happy, blessed and honored to call her my sister. God couldn't have made a better choice and stronger bond than what we have. Thank you Kira for loving me for who I am. I love you so much and you shall forever be my baby sister. <3

Just A Girl

What can I say? I'm just an ordinary girl. 

I get discouraged, make mistakes, cry, PMS,  over think things A LOT.

 I get mad, say things I don't mean and sometimes just need to get way. 

I like to be held, loved, complimented and know things will just be okay. 

I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in laughter. 

I believe kissing is healthy and smiling will brighten your day. 

I know you can get hurt and hurt others in return. 

I've learned that respect is way more important than being popular, love doesn't hurt, losing love does.

Family matters, friends matter. 

Judging others ultimately just judges yourself.
Being honest to others is important but more importantly is being honest to yourself.

I never said I was perfect but I do know that i'm worth it.

Lagoon

I hate this place. Every time I have ever gone I have never gone on any big rides. Roller coasters scare the living daylights out of me. Yes, I'm a baby. A whimp. Whatever you wanna say. That's cool. I'll be the first to admit it. This past weekend a couple wonderful friends basically forced me to go with them. And i'm glad they did. True I was forced to go on coasters, screamed A LOT, got soaked and died from heat but it was all worth it. Facing some fears and spending that time with people that I love...I would never take that back. Ever.

 So we kinda didn't fit all the way so these to wonderful men got to do a bit of cuddling. They're super cute:)

 Crazy people going on re-enrty. Glad they enjoyed themselves:)

 :) Had to hit up the swings:)

 WE ARE SO CUTE! The Rattle Snake Rapids group. We came off soaked. Of course.

Brothers....and Sisters...all dry...until we got in our log.

Come off drenched? Thanks boys for starting a water fight:) 

 My friends that I love so dearly:) They make my life complete.

 The day good not have gotten any better. We even had THE prettiest sunset ever. The sky was literally on fire.

Boating

After a month of trying to get my friends to go boating we finally were able to go. It was super last minute but totally worth it. Courtney, Kaela and I all wake boarded for the first time. Talk about new experiences. WE had some wild moments on the tube and the best ever water fight? Junior, Jared and Zack were all sleeping in the back of the boat and Kira threw water trying to get my Mom but ended up getting the sleeping boys. Obviously they weren't to happy. On the way back my Dad stopped and the boys went up and threw Kira in the lake. Then Jared and my Dad threw Zack in. Junior pushed me in. I pushed Zack in...again. Haeli pushed Josh. It was just to fun:) Basically this has been my favorite boating trip thus far.