Moving on to better things in the New Year! Let's Go 2016!

First off, I would like to start off by saying, Happy New Year to you and your family! ❤️ I wish you lots of love and blessings in 2016!!

I know 2016 won't just be the easiest and sometimes you will be down and sad and mad and angry... but honestly hold on hope because there has to be one good thing in every day. I know sometimes I'm so stressed that I don't even focus on the good that happens during the day. But, I promise you there will be. If it's as little as a have a good day text or as big as having a new friend, I know there will be. I am graduating in 2016 and will start my college experience where ever I might go. So that is something I have to look forward to! 

Dear 2015,

You were great at some parts and you sucked at some parts. I've been sad and broken and stressed this year. I had to have some really hard conversations but, I've grown from them! But I've also been happy and excited for things I got to do this year. Even in your happiest memory, there is something or someone that wants to ruin it. Don't let them!
Another huge plus was, I became a Senior this year!! And Last year, at this time was so different. Little did I know that 4 months later, I would not be friends with my so called best friend anymore.  Just like Queen Taylor Swift says, "If I could go back and tell

myself what I know now..." These past 7 months would have been so so so much different. 

 But, this year was great because I joined Evergreen Young Life. I've leaned on God a whole lot more this year!! Shoutout to my leaders aka best friends for that! And I got the awesome opportunity to go to Buckeye Girls State, this summer, where I have meet some of my best friends in the entire world!! I got to go with one of my new closer friends, Eden. She has been such an inspiring person to me and helps me through a lot. I couldn't thank Eden enough for everything over this past year. I hope we will be friends forever!

The girls I met at Girls State, I have been friends with for not even 6 months and it feels like I've known them forever. They have been just a text away when I needed them the most. A huge shoutout to Lex, Annie, Justine, Mer, Emily, Michele, Lindsay, Elaina, Mykayla and Paula. I love you all so so so so much!! Maybe in 2016 there will be a reunion, but if not we have to hold on hope and really really appreciate that we know each other. Like I have said, "When one door slams shut, another one opens wide..." Crazy how much can change in a whole year. To be real honest, I  don't think a conversation with 2014 me and 2015 me would go all that well. I've became closer to some of my friends and distanced myself from others.  I've definitely changed and opened my eyes to the craziness that goes on in the world. Honestly, I wouldn't want to change anything in my life right now. I'm going into 2016 with some amazing friends and an even closer family. I want to thank everyone who made my 2015 great. I love you all so much!! Let's go 2016!❤️

What's Holding Me Back?

Today (Wednesday November 25th) I sat down at a coffee shop and talked to a friend. She said she thinks something is holding me back in my life. I got to thinking about it and maybe there are somethings that are stoping me from living life to the fullest. I've decided after thinking of it non stop for hours on end, that this blog would be more of a journal.


On Wednesday, I felt a lot of things were holding me back. Including embarrassment of what others think of me. I have always had somewhere deep down tell me that people always make fun of me. If that's right or not, you tell me. But sometimes I believe it. No telling how much I think about it at certain times. Yes, I've grown out of that thought but sometimes it comes back. It feels different but it might really be true. Raises up through my toes and straight to my brain. Maybe it's the people at school, maybe it's family, maybe it's not any of those things. Maybe I don't care what people think anymore. Maybe it's confidence but I know I'm strong and better than anyone who doesn't like me for genuinely me.


Thursday. Thanksgiving. November 26.
I am extremely thankful for my family, friends, young life, BGS2015. I am also thinking what's holding me back is my strength and fear. Strength that I have today and Fear that I don't know about every tomorrow. I don't know where in life I'm going or will end up basically, but I know if I keep my friends and family close I'll always know what to do.


On Friday November 27, I felt like my feelings were holding me back. When you're down and tired and broken. When you don't want to talk to anyone about anything or even watch tv and just sit in your blankets on a rainy day. I'm worn out. I don't know how I'm going to keep going. I really don't know what's next.


Then Saturday November 28 , I felt like being busy was holding me back. Stretching myself a hundred different ways. Being everywhere and doing everything at once. Keeping up at home, with friends, school, money and so much more. Believe me I love to be busy. I love to have things to do. I love to be involved at school and be in clubs. I love hanging out with friends so so very  much. I feel like my friends and YL leaders have grabbed my hand and pulled me through the rough times. And it's not that. Sometimes even though it's hard to admit, I don't live by God First, Others Second, I'm Third.. and that's really sad. I get caught up in my daily life and balancing high school and college, that I honestly don't continue a relationship with God but I need to and that's what young life is for. It's so easy to get caught up in your routine and not make time for yourself or God or anything else that matters to you.


Sunday November 29, I felt like being scared and nervous of certain places held me back. This week, I have seen a movie in theaters and been to the mall. With all the craziness going on in the world right now, I felt scared. I didn't know what to do without looking around like crazy. I have been raised in a small and very safe community. We don't have much media or too much hectic activity. We are secluded in our safe and plush neighborhood that we are so lucky to live in. Yes, we can go out of our town but like I have mentioned: You can take the girl out of the country, but not the country out of the girl. My heart is here and this is where I want to raise my family someday. We love our little village and don't want to give it up. I've always been scared of the big city.


On Monday November 30th, it felt like for most of the day I could be myself. Even though, I have piles of work and many upcoming tests and everything flipped upside down, today was a good day. Sometimes, change is good. Maybe I need to accept that and not try to control everything.


Well Tuesday December 1st, I feel like I am getting happier and happier each day as I do these. Today was a good day. Overwhelmingly busy, but good. It wasn't my normal routine at school today and I kind of appreciated it. Today was a different round about way of doing things and I liked it. It was cloudy outside, just like my thoughts. But, unlike the clouds, I'm confused. The clouds aren't. They snow and rain when it's supposed too. When God thinks it's a good day for rain or snow. The clouds keep moving and eventually leave just like people. I will leave high school, after graduation, I will walk out for the last time. Just like the clouds, I will disappear from the high school air and won't ever be in the same place again.


Wednesday December 2nd. My sisters birthday. Today was a gloomy day. Fog in the morning and clouds all day. Today was different. Today felt like I got back to my roots. We had pizza bob and tomato soup at lunch just like HTS and now we are having breakfast for dinner. Well, I realized this blog didn't get anywhere. I am smiling more and I am more happy after I talked to Layal. One week since I sat down and talked to my best friend, Layal. What is holding me back? I'm not 100% sure but I do know. I have a God who loves me unconditionally. He loves all of you. He loves my leaders and my friends from school. He loves you and me so much. What's holding me back may not be a perfectly planned life or no control over my future. But God knows. He created me and He loves me. He knows all the hairs on my head and what I'm going to be doing 6 years and 2 months from now. He has my life in His hands.

dear sixth grade self,

you've changed a lot and maybe it's for the better... 

you've grown taller and your hair has gotten longer... 

you've learned who to trust and who to stay away from... 

you've learned how to strive and get involved in high school... 

you'll feel broken and then you'll feel beautiful.. 

you'll feel like you're living in black and white and then you'll eyes will be open and you'll see in bright unimaginable color again... 

you'll join evergreen young life and have some of the best leaders you never knew existed...

 some friends will leave you empty and pushed aside... 

your favorite teacher is going to sadly pass away and your heart will be crushed... 

as much as you don't like your new school, you know deep down it's one of the best ones in the area... 

one door will slam shut on you and another will open wide... 

you'll get the most amazing experience of going to buckeye girls state 2015 and meet very sweet people... 

stress will eat you alive but you'll get through it... 

you'll return back to camp that you haven't been to in six years and be amazed with it even more than you thought you would... 

you'll finally become a senior... 

you're going to be faced with so many challenges but stay strong, I promise you, because you're going to love life. 

So quickly..

as I look around, I don't know if you're in the crowd.
I don't know if you can see me, I don't know if you're the key. I don't know if you are looking down on me and smiling from ear to ear.
These people are flooding my mind of how you are so proud of me.
Up in heaven, do you brag about your grandkids?
Do you love us just as much as you did down on Earth?
I get constant reminders that you see all my huge accomplishments and even small milestones in my life. But, it's not the same for you not to be here to hug and love. It's not the same when I look out and there is an open seat next to my family and you aren't sitting in it. It's not the same how I have to wear your jewelry for me to feel like you're with me. I don't know what I have done without you. You were my whole life.
 Should I move on and carry you with me? Or should I be angry at God? I find my comfort here, cause I know that you are near. God gave me such an amazing grandma and I am so happy to call you my Busi. It's been 3 years since your death and I still am shocked. I play the day you died over and over in my head. If I would have done something for you or with you, maybe the outcomes could have been different.
That day isn't just a normal one it's something that I look back on. I want to go back to where it all happened, the closet we were all shoved in, to the huge room we got to ourselves. Yes, the memories and the family time brought us a lot closer but the sad thing is, you had to leave us.
God was calling you home. So what am I doing sitting here writing this for?
 You are up in heaven enjoying every second of it with God and your loved ones right by your side. But again, I find myself here on Earth longing for you to be back.  I shouldn't be.
I should be happy you're in heaven- with colors I've never imagined before, and gardens for as far as you can see, you are in heaven being the best you can be. No, I will never understand why God took you so easily but I am so overjoyed you are with him now. He only takes the best.

One Day... it will be different

Enjoy it while it lasts, because one day it won't be the same anymore. It will change, people will change, everything won't be the same. It will slowly become different. Never how it was. One day, you will pick up your things and leave for the last time. One day you will be lost. One day it will feel as if the whole world is against you.
 You will feel every sad emotion and remember every single amazing memory you had there. One day, that place will Just be a memory. You won't be able to go back. It will just be something never your favorite thing. One day, life will be different with out that thing in it. One day, your life will be dramatically flipped upside down. 
No matter how crazy everything is, it will always be the best thing you have ever had in your life. You will remember it and cherish it for the rest of your life.
      You will grow old and the conversations about it will eventually stop. But One Day, you will get in your car, with your kids and even new dog, and drive. Drive to the place that made you so happy at one point in time. 
No matter how much it has changed, you will let your kids go explore.  You will sit in the grass and realize how much you personally have changed. You will remember all your thoughts and favorite spaces. 
You will walk down the road and say "and these are the stairs I ran down everyday." and "Here I met some of the most influential and nicest people still in my life" Your kids won't have the Same experience that you did, but you will get to show them around and then they will fall in love with the place as well. 
You tell them how many times you were there and how many people you met. They will get to stay there and have new friends. It will be amazing. You all will look around and You will get the opportunity to show them where you grew up. 
      One day will be a bad day, ending a chapter in your life. One day, will be a good day, opening a chapter in your life. Stay tuned, I'm just getting started, I promise! 

Room 217...

Alright Michele, government functioning is over, what time is lunch again? Oh yeah I should probably go check the schedule.

Packing up to go home was bittersweet. I wanted to go home I truly did but I wanted to be with all 45 of my  JUNGE city girls.  I love you all. Through all the amazing ups and all the stressful lows, this week has taught me so much. Junge City & Close County have been so welcoming to me. From the first hour we were there when we had no power to the rain storms to the cheer we weren't allowed to do in the cafeteria to the tornado warning to the mafia game and everything in between, I have had the BEST AND MOST AMAZING TIME!! This place means a lot a lot a lot to me and I don't want to leave. The campus was gorgeous. Coming Into this I did not know what to expect at all meaning 6 months ago I have never heard of this program. Wow my Junge city girls are great and super inspiring! My wonderful GA Michele and CC Shirley put so much into this week. Thanks again for everything. 

My life has changed for the better after this. I wouldn't have changed my experience at BGS for anything in the world. She is an amazing person and God put her in my life for a reason. He called me to sign up for Buckeye Girls State on the purple (hahaha) sheet of paper knowing 4 months later, He would put me in Junge City, Close County, McMaster Hall, Second Floor with the most incredible GA any delegate would be so lucky to have. I'm glad I called and still can call her my GA. I am seriously considering coming back and using Michele as my inspiration. She touched my life in the most amazing ways possible. Michele, you taught me to stay smiling, get my work done, have fun while doing so and most importantly WE BE GUCCII! 
As I was coming into this, I had no idea what to expect. I thought it would be a fun experience to learn more and meet new people. I did not expect all these wonderful people in my life I now call my Family. Shoutout to Paula, MYKayla, Emily x3, Elizabeth, Elania, Chloe, Morlan, Sarah my Roomie and all the other wonderful girls, I'll always remember!  Michele kept us under control even at 11 at night when we were all exhausted and sweaty or at 2a m and we were playing Uno with Alison (shoutout to the sleepover squad!)
Yes, there were some stressful parts and some hilarious parts but that's what happens in real life. I truly can't believe it's over. Leaving was the worst.  We survived and we are and always always always will be Junge City Family 2015. If you are ever up in  Toledo , hit me up!
I hope  next years group of girls will be amazing but not as GUCCI as us. I wish nothing but lots of luck and smiles in the future in and outside of BGS to everyone!  
Coming into Buckeye Girls State, I had no idea how well put together it was with amazing American Legion and BGS ladies in charge. My experience was incredible. 

So to tell you all it taught me, here's 15 things I learned at Buckeye Girls State 20 15..

1. A week with such inspiring girls will go extremely fast! 

2. I made friendships in just a short amount of time to last my whole life! 

3. The jokes and silly campaign slogans will always be cherished memories, I'll never forget! 

4. My phone filled up really quickly with my new best friends' phone numbers! 

5. The county & city pride I saw  at BGS was so awesome!! We were having a lot of fun! 

6. The University of Mount Union is a beautiful campus! 

7. My Advisor, Michele, was our older sister the whole week helping us through, with a smiling face no matter what.
8.  I had the privilege to be City Council President. It was such a surprise when the girls of Junge City nominated me for office!

9. Never drink and drive, Never text and drive and Always wear your seatbelt even if it's on sidewalks!! 

10. The process of voting was a lot more detailed than I thought. Government is very important in our daily lives. 

11. I now Make sure I'm on time, never late, but it didn't hurt to be early.

12. It is so important to work together, no matter what party you are in, to get things done in an efficient manner. 

13. BGS taught me so many public speaking and communication skills. I will use going into college trying for my major in Journalism.  

14. I learned how to budget money  for each and every department in my city. 

 15. I learned to calm down, relax, have fun and smile through it all. The closing ceremony on Saturday was bittersweet. I was happy to go home. But, on the other hand, I was extremely sad to leave government functioning, all my new friends that touched my life and made me so happy, the workshops that taught me how to be the best city council president to my abilities, the cafe runs during free times, the chants we did for our cities, counties and parties. I miss it all. This past month, Going back home into reality sadly, everything reminds me of my week in Alliance. I would give anything to go back! I am seriously considering coming back on staff, and using the staff and my GA this   year as my inspiration. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I loved it so much! Thank you! 
Thanks for everything Buckeye Girls State. You will be missed. 
 Love, Lauren Hite
Room 217

here's to you, junior year!

                  hey junior year, you were hard and depressing but also really enjoyable. junior year was the most difficult year of my high school journey so far. it's where I learned right from wrong, met some beautiful people inside and out, I grew in my faith intensely, I faced some incredibly difficult situations and some amazing opportunities.
I started going to  Evergreen Young Life this year. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! It has put some amazing people in my life and for that I'm so grateful! I would love to become a Young Life Leader!
Another Challenge this past year had for me, was Chicken Pox. Who gets chicken pox when they are 16 and have to take a week out of 11th grade?!?

Junior Year is when I took some challenging courses and I learned a lot more about responsiblity. I was a teachers aide 2nd semester. Every Morning, I would ask every teacher downstairs if they needed anything. I have had some strange jobs 1st block every morning I had to do like filling a huge bucket full of ice and pulling it through out the school (don't ask how I got back to the class). Or just making 88 copies on a colored piece of paper.
Another one of my classes, was Child Development. I learned a whole lot of stuff from this class. My mom is a preschool teacher and I have grown up around little kids. This class has strengthened my skills and knowledge. I will definitely keep that through out life.


Spanish 2. Oh how did I survive that class?? It was the worst class I have ever taken. I did very good in Spanish1 but this kicked my butt. I am so so thankful that it is now behind me.


This year wasn't just academically challenging, it was where I lost a friendship, and a whole new group of people welcomed me with open arms. Also, I went to youth group at my church through out the school year.  I have such a better understanding of God, the world around me and how He works.
I also got told to my face "Your religion is wrong." Um a thousand thoughts were running through my head. I know that I go to a public school, but are you allowed to say that to someone? That's just my personal opinion and everyone is entitled to their own but that was a very rude way of coming at it.

Hello Summer 2015…Please be the best!!
I am going to be at the lake a whole lot more this summer. That place is my home. It makes me so happy when I am there. I am unbelievably blessed to have such a perfect place to spend time with my family and a second home make so many memories. I would be so lost with out having the lake house and all the wonderful people in my life.
In a few weeks, I will be attending Buckeye Girls State. I will be 1 out of 900 girls in all of Ohio. It is a week packed full of political and leadership skills. We will learn responsibilities of citizenship and participate in actual government on the State, County and City levels. Have a great summer everyone.
xoxo, Lauren!