How great is our God.

Hello friends and family!

Long time since I last posted on my blog, and a lot has been happening in my life at the present moment!
Well, for one thing, I applied for my first job two weeks ago.  It was one of the most terrifying things I had ever done, let me tell you that.  I applied at Chick-Fil-A in Ventura.  It was a great interview, and less scary than I had made myself believe.  I didn't get the job, but it's OK because I know God must have something greater in store for me.
Also, I took my written test for a permit, and I passed!  It was (and is) a great thrill for me, being able to drive.  There is so much freedom, and yet so much more responsibility!  I feel...older, in a sense.  Job interviews, driving, turning 18 in four months..it's all insane, really.  But, I suppose each person has to start somewhere.
I have had an opportunity that I believe God is calling me to do, and that is to apply for a summer job at Hartland Christian Camp this summer.  It would be very hard for me, leaving my friends and family for two months to go live and work at a camp, but I feel it will be good for me.  I am praying extensively about this, because I do not want to go unless it's totally God asking me to go.  The job I'm applying to do is to be on the food service staff; cleaning, serving tables, washing dishes, etc.  It's exciting, and a little scary at the same time, but I have a huge desire to do what I enjoy doing; serving and loving God. I ask for prayer from all of you as well, and if you could be doing that I'd really appreciate it!
I didn't get into Comic Con this year, sadly, but I'm assuming God doesn't want me to go this year.  He's helping me cope with the sad news!
I also just got back from my youth group's winter camp at Lake Hughes, CA.  It was an amazing experiance, and I couldn't have had a better time!  God is so good, and He really shows up when we ask Him to.  He worked through my youth pastor to speak words and prayers to me that encouraged, uplifted and excited me tremendously!  I am so much more in love with God since then!
One last note, my prayers go out to the Merrick family, who just lost their baby girl after battling three years of cancer.  Praying hard for their family!

Well, that's all for now :) Hope you are all well and happy!

With love,
Cari Frantz

Christmas Time!

Well! It has been quite a long time since I last posted, as I have been so busy!  The Christmas season is upon us...

Speaking of the Christmas season, now is usually the time to start buying gifts for friends, family, and other people you appreciate.  From Black Friday sales, to the day before Christmas, people are scurrying to get what they want.
Well, what about us people over here, who have absolutely NO money to spend on gifts for friends or family, but are really wishing they could?  This year, I'm in that situation.  Last year, even though I didn't have a job, I could afford to buy many gifts, and received many gifts as well.  This year, it's different.  I STILL don't have a job.  So, what do you do when you have no money for Christmas?  HOPE that your friends and family will understand?  No, I still feel terrible not getting my friends a gift.  So, I'm narrowing it down this year.  I am making gifts for my family and CLOSEST friends.  And, making something that I know they'll enjoy.  It's really a heart process that I have to go through, because even though everyone says "oh, I NEED to get this person THAT gift, because they want it..." and such, I have to realize that gifts for each other are not the biggest Christmas deal.  Sure, it would be nice to get some gifts on Christmas day, but even if I don't, I have STILL received the greatest gift of all.  And, it is simply hard to think of Jesus coming to save us as a physical gift...but its an ETERNAL gift.  One that will last FOREVER if we choose to follow Him.  So, anyways, I am really trying to focus on the ONE gift, the GREATEST gift of all; The gift of LIFE, and the gift of Jesus coming down to become a baby, and to die for our sins.

THAT...is the greatest gift we can receive.

Love to all this Christmas season,

Cari

My YouTube account...

Hey,

So many people ask me what my YouTube account is.  Here's the link.  I post videos of me singing and such....Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/cgalwaysinging

Cari

San Diego

Last year, I visited San Diego for the first time I can really remember.  And I fell in love with the city.  Not only did I fall in love because it hosts one of the most epic, exciting, heart-racing and FUN events of the year {Comic Con}, but because of the history and beauty it contains.  I know, this will be a short post, but hey, whatev.  I didn't get to tour the city much, but from what I saw, I loved it.  I have always loved big cities, and this one just effected me in some way.  The ocean.  Oh, there are no words to describe it.  In Oceanside, the ocean was one of the most beautiful and fantastic oceans I had ever been to!  Blue water, perfect waves, peace all around you...amazing.  Yeh.  God must have just given me this crazy love for cities.  Someday I'll know why.

  I just wanted to express my extreme love for the city, and how I hope, no, I KNOW...I'll be coming back.

Downtown, the view from the convention center at night. GORGEOUS.

Wonderful. Beautiful. AMAZING CITY.

Disneyland, River Song's Journal....

Hello all,

Well, Disneyland trip went fantastic.  My mom has been having severe foot problems lately, so I pushed her all day in a wheelchair.  That alone destroyed the palms of my hands; they were bruised and burned.  To add to that, my knees have been acting up lately, so I could barley walk the day after Disneyland.  Strangely, my feet swelled up quite huge, for no apparent reason.  So, to sum it up, the day after Disneyland, I couldn't walk or hold anything with my hands.  Naturally, I was quite bored.  I had watched the first Doctor Who episode with River Song, and I highly admired her journal.  I decided, since I had nothing else special to do, to make one.  It took all day, but I did it, and am quite proud of it!  There are some pictures below:

START

The finished project!!!!

So, that's that!  I followed these online directions, if you wanted to try it!

http://snapguide.com/guides/make-river-songs-journal-doctor-who/

http://www.onecobble.com/2011/09/23/making-river-songs-journal/

http://katien22.deviantart.com/art/TARDIS-Journal-template-244104429?q=gallery%3Akatien22%20randomize%3A1&qo=2

Allons-Y!
Cari

Disneyland...what a great year.

Last year in October, our family was able to get Disneyland annual passports.  My Uncle had come down and wanted to see Disneyland, which he hadn't been to since he was 12 years old.  We figured, why not buy annual passes?  So we did, and little did we know, we'd be going to Disneyland over 10 times!  Throughout these amazing, fun experiences at Disneyland, I grew a deeper love for the wonderful worldwide attraction.

My sister Eliya, me, Katrin and my bestie, Hannah

 First of all, I have always loved Disneyland.  It is my favorite place (so far) to visit ON EARTH when you need somewhere to get away, somewhere where you KNOW you'll always have a fantastic time.  Ever since a young age, I have tried my hardest to figure out how the magic of Disneyland worked, and  I always wanted a job there.  We had passes when I was younger, but the last time I had been was around 2008.  So, I guess you could say I was ecstatic to find out we were going to Disneyland AND that we had gotten year passes.  I was also quite excited because we were able to buy my best friend Hannah a Disneyland pass as well, which thrilled me beyond compare.  So, the year of Disneyland began.  We went during all the holidays, with friends, with family and had a blast.  My best friend got to see the wonderful land of Disney, and enjoyed every minute.  It was an amazing year.  Well, sadly, our passes expire in a little under two weeks.  One last Disneyland trip before they expire.  We're headed out tomorrow, to enjoy the day and Disneyland.  I have to let it go, and say to myself that Disneyland will always be there, I just might not always have the money to go.


But, dear Disneyland, you've made my Junior year so enjoyable.  I WILL see you again...perhaps this time, for a job interview.

Best wishes,

Cari F.

Friendship

I had a chance to fellowship and pray with two of my best friends at youth group yesterday, and during that time, I thought about how wonderful my friends really are.  I used to think that friends were just people who you'd hang out with and talk, but it's become so much more than that for me.  I really realized how much I needed my friends to be able to cope with things.  For instance, when having family troubles, or I just need to get away, what do I do? I'll call my friends, it's a natural thing to do.  And I also realize how much trust I put in my friends' hands.  These two girls especially.  They know most everything about me, and I trust them to not tell anyone, and to keep my secrets safe.  I also know them well enough to know that they're there when I need prayer, a shoulder to hang on, or someone to talk to.  We're operating together in God, which makes things so much more fun and interesting.  I was able to talk to them, and we always have something to say such as "God did THIS in my life!" or "God is really showing me this!" and we're able to encourage each other.  This post is just to say how much I really do love these two dear friends of mine, and all my friends really :) Don't feel excluded!  You're included in this, too :)

Anyways, just food for thought.  Think about your friends and how you're impacting them.  Because you never know how it could change their lives, for the good or for the bad.

~=*Cari*=~

ME and my best friend,  Hannah G.

Me and my best friend, Kaila P