a quickie!

I was tired of pink so.....how about green?

Ok, so I was going to do this wonderful post about the latest with us, the long and some what dramatic episode of me getting my driver's liscense (YAY), the latest on my reading list, and our trip to Arkansas/ Tennessee.

Alas, time is not on my side and I must leave a quickie note here:

All is wonderful. Being is an adult has yet to bring any significant benefits. Sarah's an adult now, too!( YAY!) I'm not attending the Regional debate tournament *sadness* Oh yes, and I'm leaving Monday(the 23rd!) for a trip to my grandparents( on my mother's side) and other family in Arkansas and while we're there we'll be visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins( on my dad's side) in Memphis Tenn. Memphis is about and 1hr 1/2 from our grandparents house so some days will be traveling there. We should be back Sunday evening( the 29th), but I'd like to stay 'til Monday :c)
I'll be taking pictures and will post them here!!

I hope everybody has a wonderful week and good luck to all the competitors at the Region IV National Qualifier!!! Go WHSDC!!!!! and CHILE!!!( that's for you Grace!)

Love, Adrienne Renea

P.S. A quick note to Sarah........update your blog!!! :c)

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.



In Matthew 28:11-15, we see the Jewish Authorities attempt to suppress the Truth of Christ's resurrection:

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

But as we can read in Marks account:Mark 16:9-14 That He appears several times!
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Despite the evil intentions of the authorities to ignore and refuse the fact that Jesus rose on the third day, Jesus in all His glory revealed his resurrected body.

Hallelujah!!

Happy Easter and may God bless you as you reflect on His grace and mercy!

Love, Adrienne Renea

More Photos!!!

(read the post below first!)


Posing at the House of Pies

Allyson's amazingly clean pancake plate :c)

Allyson thought this house was cool

Sarah and I's wonderful "table salad" masterpiece

Cheesecake!!!!( with lots of whipped cream!!)

Another year.....

Today I turned 18! WOOT! I had a fabulous day, I woke up this morning, baked my cake, prayed with Kamyl, Kiana, and Tiara, then hung out with Sarah.

Sarah and I went to the Galleria and ate lunch at the Cheesescake Factory and acted soo mature....we then wandered the mall..and bought cool stuff.

Allyson and I took a bunch of random pictures today, so here they are!



Self-Portrait

House of Pie's Coffee is the best!

I love this picture of Allyson!

Allyson and her pancakes!

Table photograghy :c)

You won't see these Gators later!

Go Gators! I filled out a NCAA Final Four bracket this year, and most of it was really off....but when it came around with the final two: Ohio St. and Florida, I was right on target! I predicted Florida to win and was so happy to witness them beat Ohio State, which beat some of my favs in earlier rounds. The final score was 84-75. The game was exciting and I hope that alot of

the guys from these talented teams return to college ball and don't enter the NBA draft.

I enjoy college ball and the attitudes, these guys play with. In the NBA a lot of the players have been corrupted by big money deals and the media. In college ball, the guys play with pure love of the game and have a passion for basketball, unlike alot of NBA players.

So Congrats to the Florida Gators, ya'll made this year's March Madness fun!

My first National Open!

Whee!!!
The Texas National Open was this weekend! Allyson and Christopher participated in Team Policy debate(on the topic of NATO) and I participated in two speech events: Impromptu and Extemporaneous. We didn't win anything, but had a fabulous time!

I got to meet some amazing peeps from California, Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Colorado and from other parts of Texas. This tournament was herald as the biggest competition the NCFCA had ever held! It was amazing to see the vast amount of people who came from all over to compete! A big woot! to Anna and Joy Copple(from my club!Go WHSDC!!!) for breaking at their first National Open in Team Policy Debate and placing 29th, they were amazing and have improved vastly....go Anna and Joy!! Also congratulations to all Region 4 people who broke...you guys rock!

The tournament days were veeery long....we left the house a little before 7am every morning and didn't usually make it home before 9PM. On Saturday(an especially long day because of Finals and awards ceremony) we didn't make it home until 11:30 pm. I know there were many others who were later than that!

God always uses these tournaments to teaching me things about patience, servanthood, and continually reminding me why he put me on this earth.....To take up my cross and follow HIM and to glorify HIM!!
Today in church we read Matthew 10 and I love verse 39:
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
I pray that I will continue to surrender and lose my life for Christ, there is nothing in this world that could possibly compare with the reward for living for Christ.

I really got no sleep this past weekend and look forward to catching up on that. I have lots of school to catch up on too, which will most likely take the place of sleep catching up....oh well :o)

I'm sorta excited...because......on Friday......I'll be(by the U.S. Government's standards)......a full grown adult. *gets scared* That sounds so wrong....me, an adult? Oh well, may God be glorified! :c)

Oh yes, before I forget...here's some pictures from the tournament. Enjoy!

Our club sign :c)

Our out-of-state friends got a good taste of Texas!

Grace and Alexis, two fabulous, talented competitors and awesome friends!

Double Octas- Copple/Copple vs. ?/?

Allyson and Emily

Thank ya'll for reading another installment of "by the renewing of your mind"

Signing off with a awesome song by Chris Tomlin:

Your love has captured me,
Your grace has set me free
Your life, the air I breath
Be glorified in me

You set my feet to dancing
You set my heart on fire
In the presence of a thousand kings
You are my one desire
And I stand before you now
With trembling hands lifted high
Be glorified

Love, Adrienne Renea