July Highlights // My Vacation and Other Cool Stuff ;)

Heyyy August. I'm not superrrrr excited for you because school is starting and the weather is very hot and humid in August but I'm excited for a new month ;)

  I feel like July went by really slowly. Like was the fourth of July really only 4 weeks ago? And did I really get back from my vacation two weeks ago? Whattttt? July was reaaaaallly fun though. There was a lot of exciting things that happened so you should read on to find out what they are ;)

July Highlights

I hosted a waffle party at my house - haha so yeah I invited my friends over for blueberry waffles. They were delicious. (Sad to say I think ever since then I haven't made waffles since haha.) uhhh but they were so good with whip cream on top. *im drooling right now. aren't you?*

Fourth of July was the bomb. (ahahaha that's a pun I'm laughing so hard rn) The fireworks were pretty awesome but being there with my friends and family was better ;) We played a game of football before the firework show and it was really fun. Usually no one ever guards me (which idk why because I'm a good player and I can catch a ball real good and even after I show to them that I'm a threat, people still don't block me. weird right? or am I just weird. idk.  it's really fun when always get the ball and scores runs for the team ;)

I made really good soda popsicles hehe my dad got them for me since he knows I like popsicles so much. (Thanks Dad!) I also made yogurt flavored ones too and they were sooooo good. Mmmm I'm craving them now.

WE WENT TO THE BEACH - won't really go into big detail about it because I'm writing a post about it in full detail (and it's gonna be THE BOMB post jsyk. check it out when I post it ;P) but let me just say IT WAS AWESOME. and right now just thinking about it makes me want to go back in the salty blue ocean water and be pulled into the mighty waves that beat on me. *add some dramatic music to that sentence* anywho, stay tuned. we'll talk more about this later ;)

we made bracelets for our friends who will be going to Guatemala on a mission trip. They're going to give our bracelets to little kids. It's awesome to know that even though we can't go there we can still help a little :)

bubble tea - I drank bubble tea two times in one week like uhhhh... so awesome.

reunited with our friends after vacation - we hung out at the library while Sarah and her friend volunteered. we drank bubble tea (for the 2nd time that week haha) and took artistic photos with our plato creations. (haha and we had a white piece of paper that we set up for our backround.) #aestheticnessatitsbest

VBS - ahhhhhh this was so fun. I helped with the 1st and 2nd graders with one of my friends and it was soooo fun. The first day, we basically followed around the kids and didn't really do anything but after a couple days we were busy helping the kids. It was super fun. Especially the music. haha I'm just going to add the links to these awesome songs (check em out. they're the best) One of the funnest songs to dance too and one of my favorite songs ever, Say Yes to VBS. Another really cool song, Sin Messed Everything Up. And Over the Moon another favorite ;)

Our family set up a surprise party for our Grandma and it was soooo sweet. She was sooo surprised. It was very enjoyable getting to take a little trip up the visit our family. I played around with my little cousins a lot. They're the best ;P

The Bomb Stuff

we went to our friends house and got some vegetables from their garden and there were LOADS of tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, egg plant, and blackberries too!! they were sooo good.

I changed my bedside billboard pictures (finally) and I'm so happy with how they look now. eeek!

I just got two new sweaters and I can't describe how much I'm excited for winter. AHHH I WANT TO WEAR SWEATERS AND JEANS SOOO BAD. *I know I'm weird*

AHHH so the flowers are finally up and butterflies are coming. I can't describe how beautiful it is. I'm so overwhelmed every time I see it. I thank God about a million times for making flowers. (Don't you too?) and btw, I just made a new hashtag on my Instagram photography account #elliesflowerspam haha I love it.

we drove around my dad's hometown where he grew up and it was so enjoyable. it was very fun to drive around and hear him tell me stories about when he was young.

I'm obsessed with Running Home to You by Grant Gustin and I can play it on the guitar and it sounds THE BOMB. it's the best love song I've ever heard (which is saying a lot because I don't really like any kind of love songs.)

We're obsessed with The Flash right now. Does anybody else love that show? *looking out for any fan out there to talk too* btw, that picture up there^ of me that's all blurry hehe doesn't it look like the flash? haha

Goals

paint the cabinet in the kitchen

make my last weeks of summer really fun and awesome

sleep outside

stay off technology so much

Thanks for reading guys!!

Comment below what you did this month cause I'd love to hear from ya'll ;)

bouncing in to say bye,

                                   bernie

FCA camp stories + flower photography overload

  

GUYS I JUST WENT OUTSIDE FOR A NICE AFTERNOON WALK AND I REALIZED OUR FLOWERS HAVE BLOOMED...whhaaattt? Where has the time gone? It seems like we planted them yesterday?!?! I was soooo excited. As you know, I might get OVERLY BEYOND EXCITED about our flowers in the backyard and maybe spam your feed with LOADS of pictures of them. #unashamed
   This week my brother and I attended FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). We've attended for 5 years. This was my 2nd year being a huddle leader. During the 3 days of camp the kids play sports, but most of all learn about Jesus Christ. As a huddle leader, you help them understand how we should honor God in sports and life and get the privilege to get to know the kids.
    My favorite part of the camp is firstly, getting to see their progress. The first day I had quiet girls who wouldn't answer questions, didn't want to pray, and would forget everything I taught them. As the days went on I saw their progress. Suddenly, I had to ask the girls to raise their hand so we wouldn't be talking all at the same time. I saw the girls desire to WANT to be a better Christian. I got to hear them memorize their verse which I heard dozens of times that week. It made me so happy to enjoy learning about Jesus :)
    Another favorite part of the camp was (of course) the competition. I mean, who doesn't? It's a blast to see the hard work (even when it's super hot) we all contribute in to. I also like cheering them on ;) and giving them tips. The week of FCA is always usually the hottest week of the summer so it's super exhausting to play outside. After you come in, you look badddd. I mean I defs did. Like I was walking in with frizz everywhere, a red face, and a sweaty shirt. I like it though, cause it makes me feel proud ;P
    So, I'm walking around inside and one of the competition directors (who looks just like Robert Redfern) asks me, "So what soccer team are you on?" It was SOOO funny cause I NEVER play soccer and I don't even like it that much. So I tell him, "I don't play soccer. I'm horrible at it and I don't even like it." And he was sooooo shocked. He told me everybody knew for sure I played soccer. hahahahaha I was like nooooooo.
     He also told me I run like gazelle and I have natural abilities. and as we sadly said goodbye to the camp he told me, "Get into a sport okay?" and apparently he told my brother the same of me as well. He's got me thinking about possibly looking into a sport that involves more running, throwing, and catching. BUT. I don't like softball. I don't think I'm good enough at basketball. I like soccer kinda but I don't think I'm good enough. I love football but...you know you gotta tackle people...nah. I'd love to go for tag football or flag football :P but I'm too old to be in a league like that. So I'm stuck. Any suggestions?
   
     I think that's all in my life other than right now while you's reading this, I'm at d3 Youth Conference :D Don't worry, I won't get a concussion. (You'll get that last sentence if you read this post ;P)

How's summer treating you? 
What's the weather like? 
Do you know a sport I could play that involves at least running, throwing, and catching?

bouncing in to say bye,
                                  Bernie

Rejoice, He is Alive

Who has believed what we have heard?^[a]
And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to?
² He grew up before Him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at Him,
no appearance that we should desire Him.
³ He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;^[b]
He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.

⁴ Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses,
and He carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded Him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
⁵ But He was pierced because of our transgressions,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
⁶ We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished Him
for^[c] the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
He did not open His mouth.
⁸ He was taken away because of oppression and judgment;
and who considered His fate?^[d]
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
He was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
⁹ They^[e] made His grave with the wicked
and with a rich man at His death,
although He had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.

¹⁰ Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely.^[f]
When^[g] You make Him a restitution offering,
He will see His seed, He will prolong His days,
and by His hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.
¹¹ He will see it^[h] out of His anguish,
and He will be satisfied with His knowledge.
My righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will carry their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will give Him^[i] the many as a portion,
and He will receive^[j] the mighty as spoil,
because He submitted Himself to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet He bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels.

I guess since Spring is springing in (haha :P I'm so funny) when Easter comes we all think of flowers when it's Easter. At least I do. This Monday I was having a stressful day and while driving to the library we passed this church. Outside of it was a cross and tons of gorgeous tulips. There I looked at it and thought to myself, "Why am I mad? Why am I stressed out? REJOICE. Jesus has paid the punishment that YOU deserved. And he has rose again victoriously."

Please remember as these days go by to rejoice. Have a joyful heart. Love others. Praise the One who paid your debt.

"I can face tomorrow because he lives."

bouncing in to say bye,

                                   bernie

Hey April

it's april guysss. Let me something first. IM HORRIBLE. It's April 3 and I'm posting my March highlights. It's bad guys. Sorry. I'm going to try try try to post on time this month. So sorry. Okay back to happy things.  March was fun, but I'm excited for April. Anyway, on to my March.

Some Exciting Changes.
   The time changed. it was a little hard losing an hour of sleep but I'm really happy the sun is coming down later.
   Yup it's defs spring around here. been raining like crazy.
   Flowers are blooming!! Ahhhh I'm so excited. I can finally take pictures of flowers and trees with their pretty colors. Not dead trees. *sorry for the flower overload. ITS JUST SO PRETTYYYY AGH*

   The weather is actually consistent. It's not 30 one day and then 80 the next day. *gaspssss*

   Okay all these changes are about weather but who cares.

March Highlights
The warm weather
   Agh please don't get annoyed of me. Seriously though. I LOVE IT. you can still wear a sweater, but you would be fine if you wear shorts.  One thing I kinda don't like about it though is I'm starting to sweat when I do gymnastics outside. ehh it's not that big of a deal. ITS SO WARM AND I LOVE IT. okay I'm done with talking about the weather.

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt
   I was excited for St. Patrick's Day this year because I really like green hehe. and our youth group was doing a scavenger hunt for st Patrick's day. IT WAS SUPER FUN. we didn't win. Sarah's team won.  We had to solve a riddle and that would you give a clue to where you need to go and take a picture. Thankfully we had an expert who knew all about the town it was in so it wasn't super hard. Anywho, it was super fun and we had a lot of laughs!!

Motown
   WE WENT TO OUR FIRST BROADWAY MUSICAL. and it was AWESOME.  I'm not going to say anymore because I'm doing a post with more details about it. so be watching out ;)

Bowling
   We've been doing a lot of bowling lately. Usually we bowl 2 or 3 times a year but this year we've already bowled at least 5 times and it's April. WOAH. it's awesome though. I'm not really good, but ITS FUN. yeah there's not much to say except, YOU SHOULD GO BOWLING WITH YOUR FAMILY.

 Filming our Movie
   it's finally happening guys. My friends and I are making a new movie. Alice in Wonderland. I'm the Mad Hatter. AHHHHH I get makeup, a big hat, a long dress coat kinda thing, and I GET TO BE HIM IN OUR MOVIE. I'm so pumped about it. The Mad Hatter is weird and being weird isn't hard for me (especially when I'm on camera). This Tuesday we got to film the first part which was mainly Alice (Ellie the other one. not me) finding Wonderland. IM SO EXCITED FOR WHEN I MAKE MY APPERANCE. EEK

Sound of Music musical
   yeah another musical. just a high school one though. it was really fun. We went with our friends. There two sisters (and my best friends) were in it. It was really good too. It was interesting to watch a high school musical after watching a Broadway musical and seeing the differences. Obviously Broadway musicals are better but for how younger the kids are in a high school musical, they do very good. Before the musical we played on the trampoline at their house and went out to eat. It was a blast (as always).

Gymnastics
   well.....I've been doing vault. I'm not good at it because I haven't had much experience but it's still entertaining. I'm also nailing the front flip on the tumble track. My coach wanted me to try it on the floor. and I didn't do so good. But ehhh we'll get it next time ;)

March Goals 
write more letters - idk if I wrote a letter this month.

draw more -yeah I never did this. oops.

make a special St. Patrick's Day dinner - didn't do this either. ahh yeahhhh oopssss

April Goals

Post two times a week at least TWICE this month.

Do an aerial (no handed cartwheel) again. I just can't do it anymore. ugh

Happy April everyone!!

what's one of your march highlights?

any april goals you have?

are you enjoying the warm weather (if you're having it)?  

thanks for reading

bouncing in to say bye,

                                   bernie

Bernie's Random Ramblings // Photography

Welcome to Bernie's Random Ramblings

this is a picture of our grill. duh I really didn't have to say that.

I've been trying and trying to take a good picture of this flowers and it never turned out good.

Finally I got it.

when you're waiting for your mom to pick you up from piano so you just take a picture of their beautiful flowers.

this cobbler guys was awesome.

a picture of my hair.

so my friends had a party where we ate brownies and sprite and watched spider man.

those brownies were really good too.

most all of these pictures are of food. lol

this is a picture of my chair, but it had a really cool look to it.

and this was Rudo when he was terrified of the thunderstorms going on.

I hope you enjoyed my photography.

I really have nothing to say.

But yayyy!

bouncing in to say bye,

                                bernie