Hey Shan what are we doing?

We're going on an adventure! This weekend brought wonderful weather and sunny skies. Friday night I went to the boys soccer game and watched them beat McKinney Boyd 5-1! I was so happy to cheer on Nick! After that we went to Nick's house and all talked and listened to some interesting music. Saturday started off with me having no idea what to do, but as the afternoon came around, me and Emily went to the park and walked the trails in the woods. It was so pretty to see all the trees and plants. Shortly after I got home, Bryce and Nick came over for grilled cheeses. (I make great ones if I do say so myself). We went to the CHS "Turnt Up Talent Show" to cheer on Ali, the other emcees and the talent. It was so funny to watch the skits that were poking fun at all the things we are obessed with here in Coppell. My favorite day was Sunday and there were just so many reasons, but I won't go in depth.

Because me and Emily went on a little adventure and I actually had a camera from school that films really well, I made a little video check it out! Love ya'll!

Andy Brown Adventures from Shannon Wilkinson on Vimeo.

Emily also made a video with some of the same footage! Check it out at emilyelizabethh.blogspot.com

Retreats & Friends: all I need

Helllllooo.

Sorry I am so late at getting around to posting this, but this past weekend I went on my LAST ever St. Ann church retreat (besdies the one I'm working next month). It was quite sad, but my days in the youth program at my church have been the best ever. I've made some of my best friends there, met really interesting people and of course, learned some of the coolest things about my faith.

This retreat was the L ST & FOUND retreat. The bible verse that this trip focused on was the story of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). I had heard that story so many times before, but we never really went into depth with it as much as we did this weekend. Not only did I learn things from the son's persepective, but from the brothers and the fathers as well. It was quite interesting to dig deeper into it.

Here is a quick briefing of what really struck me:

Prodigal Son: He wanted happiness and thought he would find it if he took his share of his fathers inheritence and set out for a better life. Pretty soon all his money was gone and he was forced to get a job feeding pigs which was a job that no one wanted to have. Today, we find things and want things that will bring us happiness only to get bored with them soon after. When we loose everything, we soon we realize everything that we had. At the end of the verse, the son comes back to the father and the father greats him with open arms. He turned away from his father, but came back. In our own lives, we turn away God because we think we know better. (WE DONT)

Older Brother: I've never loooked at the story from his perspective or really understood why his role in the story was so important, but I was amazed at how wrong I was. The older brother was so jealous of his younger brother because he left, came back and was celebrated. He didn't seem to understand why his dad was so happy. I am quite guilty of being just like the older brother. Being jealous of MY own brother or friends because of what they have. Sadly, in the world we live in, we take enjoyment in watching others fail. We have to ask ourselves, do we love the Lord by who He is?

The Father: After everything the prodigal son did wrong, the father welcomed him home with open arms and a party. This is something I am also quite bad at, forgiving others. I tend to hold a grudge with things that honestly do not matter. I learned that even though I may sometimes turn my back on God, he never turns his back on me because He is my father and will always be there to catch me when I fall.

Over all this weekend was amazing and I had a blast learning the things I did. While the trip was focused on me getting closer to God, I also spent it with an amazing group of people.  :-) LOVE YA'LL

appreciation post

I hope it is okay that I am making a blog post simply to say that I really do love my friends more than anything in the world. They make me happier than anyone or anything. Although they always fail to respect that fact that I hate hugs, cuddling and being touched I guess it is why I love them.

High school has taught me that friends really do come and go, but when you find the ones that God wants in your life, they are there to stay. As cliche as that sounds, it has really rung true for me these past four years. It seems as though I have had a new group of friends every year, but now that I am a senior and I have found people I really like and can relate to, I plan on growing up and staying in touch.

High school at Coppell High School has taught me that girls can be cruel, but so can boys and girls will ditch you in a heartbeat for a boy. I have also learned some positive things which outshine the negatives. There are some very creative people out there, when you find friends you love, they never leave your side, you can have a lot of fun while not being "sketchy"and the friends you make your senior year are the ones you love the most. All in all, as much as I have complained about Coppell and high school here, I wouldn't trade it for any other place. Nancy, Emily, Ali, Maci, Stacey, Bri, Alexa, Jay, Nick, Ric, Mil, Neal amd Bryce (and anyone else that my mind can't think of right now because I'm sick and tired) have all been fantastic friends this year. I wish you all the best in the rest of your year and may you find friends that are as great as mine.

-Shan

blast from the past

When I first started my blog I was going to post a picture every day, but that didnt happen.. This year I've made a memory jar and I plan on taking lots of pictures. Happy New Year Friends :)

1/1/14

 Me and Alexa right after the ball dropped

New Years Day I made a memory jar

1/2/14

Me, Emily, Maci and Stacey painted 

1/3/14

I attended the Cotton Bowl with Emily and her family as my Christmas gift. Despite OSU losing (those refs sucked) It was tons of fun. 

1/4/14

The last night to stay out late was spent with friends and a bonfire at Ali's house. 

1/5/14

Currently sitting in bed with my sweet Dodger, blogging and writing my book. Content to say the least.

New Year Same You

Once the clock strikes midnight and the day jumps from December 31st to January 1st, countless tweets are sent out with the saying "New Year New Me." Wheather it is a joke or not, I have been pondering why anyone would want to change who they are. God created us all in the way he wanted. We are all different in ways that make him proud. Totally changing your image or mindset isn't right. In my opinion the point of the new year is to improve yourself, while staying true to who you are and the morals you have set for yourself. Set goals for 2014 not rip yourself to pieces by changing everything YOU think is wrong about who you are.

For example:

• Pray as often as you can (on good days and bad)
• Don't complain when you're asked to do something (try not to)
• Present yourself better without completley changing who you are
• Learn to love yourself the way you are. You only get one body.

I saved the best one for last. I have really learned this throughout high school. So many people I know didn't love themselves before commiting to relationships (with friends and boyfriends/girlfriends). They were left broken and miserable. To love someone else, you must love yourself. Finding true happiness and peace with yourself is how you find happiness and joy in others. 

So before you go chaning yourself and everything you stand for, consider how things will end. Will you just ending up scratching what you said and not doing anything or at the end of the year will you feel accomplished? 

One more thing: HAPPY COTTON BOWL DAY AND GO POKES :)