Meet my best friend! But wait she's more than just my best friend!

  Ladies and gentleman this post has been months in the making trying to think of how I truly want to put all the wording and how to describe my best friend and how special she truly is. I'm going to start out with a verse that really lives up to its meaning especially in Kendra and I's friendship and sisterhood! 

Proverbs 27:17New International Version (NIV)

17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

   Let's go back all the way back to my freshman year. Woah four years ago. Okay so it was at the beginning of winter and this girl she said her name was Kendra and she said I should try basketball cheer because she thought I'd love it. Well at first I was extremely scared like seriously I'm the quietest girl you've ever met but not anymore! I went to that cheer meeting and I decided to do Cheer! 

-Flashback to freshman year WOAH!-

  It was amazing,during that cheer season Kendra took me under her wing, now usually a senior doesn't hang out with a freshman but she wasn't just any ordinary girl we hung out. She dragged me to the Christmas dance my freshman year and we went and got our hair done and she did my makeup and it was so much fun! I'm so glad we met and became friends and that she practically drag me to the dance. 

- Kendra&I at the Christmas dance 2011

   Honestly when Kendra and I talk about how we became friends we say what I just said. Then she graduated which I cried as she walked across that stage to get her diploma, oh but I cried even more at graduation party because I had to say goodbye as she was leaving for college. That was so hard for me, now if you don't know me I'm an emotional person so I cry kind of a lot but don't worry I've gotten better! As I gave her a hug before I left  her party I didn't want let go, I didn't want to have to let go! But no worries we hung out before she left and then the true goodbye was picture day for sophomore year and I gave her hug trying to push the tears away because I truly was happy for her I was just scared we'd drift apart.. But oh contrary we are so so close even today! 

  So sophomore year came around and we did a lot of Skype FaceTime calls and a lot of texting! Also she came and watched me cheer with another one of our best friends Lauren Jackson! It was great to see them come cheer me on!

    Then near the end of sophomore year Kendra came home to stay and go to college in town and we ended up hanging out over spring break and just watching a terrible movie it was so terrible that it was funny! Then junior year we hung out a lot she did my hair for the Christmas dance, it was so pretty I loved how she curled it and did my makeup I was real fidgety and then I couldn't stop laughing so it was really hard for her to put it on my face but I finally calmed down per se and she could put the make up on my face!  Junior year she was really busy and so I was I with school and sports and homework and the ACT! Then spring break came and she told me some news that was pretty shocking. But you know what, I never left her side and I'm never going to she is more than my best friend she has become my sister. Best friends and sisters never leave eachother when things get tough you stick together forever!When she told everyone, yes I stood by her. No matter what decisions she makes for the rest of her life I'll stay by her and back her up 110%! Okay so prom came around about a month later and Lauren and her helped me get ready for prom it was an absolute blast having them get me ready for prom! 

  So this past August some of her closest friends came together and threw her a baby shower for her and sweet baby Peyton 

-Kendra&I at her&sweet Peyton's baby shower 

   We loved on her so much showing her that we are here for her and Peyton for the long hall!

But i didn't do it because I know it'd look good I did because she's my sister,my best friend. I stand behind her and her choices and she now is the best Momma to Peyton and it makes me so happy to see her show love to her sweet daughter! Seeing her begin motherhood was such a sweet moment when I got to meet Peyton for the first time it was such an amazing experience watching her do what only a mom can do, loving her daughter and just seeing her love on Peyton and even in feeding her the bottle. I was just in awe of seeing a mothers love, it was so so precious. 

   Kendra I am so blessed with you in my life our friendship and for being my sister! I'm so proud of all of your accomplishments and your being strong and never giving up! Your such an amazing mom to Peyton it's so sweet to see you mother her! You are amazing,shining star,bright light,beautiful,gorgeous ,funny,strong,courageous,beautiful,caring,sweet,best momma ever, fabulous,daughter of the most high King,loved by so many, sister,daughter,friend, loved,loving, a rock.You are amazing I love you Kendra Michelle Brown thank you for being my best friend and sister! You've helped me so much and been there for me and I'm so happy that I get to be on this journey with you and Peyton! I'm so blessed to do life with you, I was even more blessed when you said that Peyton would love her aunt Kayla that literally brought her to tears because you know that meant the world to me that you'd pick little ole me to be her adopted aunt! I love you and miss Peyton Michelle so much! I don't know who I'd be if you hadn't come into my life 4 years ago! You are loved and so special to me and to everyone else in your life! I love you bunches Kendra! So blessed by her and our friendship she's so amazing!

This woman that I just talked about she is my best friend and more than that my sister! Love you bunches Kendra! Can't wait to see where our friendship and sisterhood goes and to the heights it goes! I'm going to end with the verse I started this post with. Love you xoxo 

Proverbs 27:17New International Version (NIV)

17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

Speak Love&Lets all be Brave

These two things have something in common... The same author, her name is Annie F. Downs and goodness can she write and she has a huge heart for The Lord and she is absolutely funny, I spent a lot of time laughing in this book and a lot of crying not because it was bad but because it touched my heart so much!

   In speak love you hear Annie talk about how your words matter and how what you say is very powerful. Also that God loves us and He speaks love to us! Now if you want to know more y'all should go pick up Annie F. Downs book speak love at your local store! You won't regret it!

Okay one lets get to Let's all be brave oh my gosh, such an amazing book I am now more brace because I read this book, I let it and God speak to me in a way I had never felt before. You've known your whole life that your never alone but sometimes it just feels like that but reading this book and putting scripture to it, it meant a whole different thing. In Isaiah 41:10 " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I really like how the message it puts- it gives me chills, here it is " don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you." Hearing this and just speaking this over and telling myself that I'm not alone that God is always there for me! If you want to know more about how to let's all be brave. You should pick it up at your local store or order it online. Y'all should seriously read it!

  Y'all will love reading Annie F. Downs books you feel like your actually sitting at a coffee shop with her! 

Be brave my friends! 

Xoxo 

I was a Preemie & this is my NICU Story

Hello my name is Micaela Ryann Ziegler and I am 18 years old. I live in a little township within Kalamazoo County and I survived being a preemie and this is my story.

Almost 18 and a half years ago I was born, May 1st 1996 changed my parents lives forever. Little did they know that there little girl was going to make an appearance that day to be born none the less a preemie born at 26.4 weeks and to spend 84 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bronson Hospital. Now let's get to the nitty gritty details.

May 1,1996 at 1:35 p.m. A baby girl was born at 1 lb. o.7 oz. 13 3/8 in. As I was being whisked away my mom got a quick glance and then I was whisked right away my mom didn't get to really see me until that evening. I was hooked up to a breathing tube, venalator, IV's oxygen and pulseoux. Still that day of May 1 I almost lost my left leg because of a really bad blood clot. 

This picture was from the day I was born.

Then fast forward to Mothers Day it was my Moms first Mother's Day and she couldn't even haver her baby girl home with her and I almost died that day because my heart almost stopped. Then I almost died two other times because of water getting in one of my tubes and the other time I turned completely blue. 

Then slowly but surely I began to gain strength to where I was pulling out my breathing tubes apparently I was trying to tell the doctor I didn't need help anymore! 

Finally it came to the day I could come home so we thought.. I had been having problems with my eyes and I had, had many eye surgeries and low and behold the eye doctor whisked me right away and I went into surgery on the day I was supposed to come home. 

It finally came to the day where I actually did come home and my parents couldn't have been more happy to bring me home  the days were going on and I grew and grew and became a very active little girl you wouldn't have even thought I was in a fight for my life. 

Low and behold I started preschool and I did great in my classss. But today I am happy to say that I am a Senior in High School and I cheer on the varsity team and I throw shot put and disc for our track team! I survived being a preemie and the NICU.

From 1 lb 9.7 oz to 154.7 lbs. 

I live life with so much joy and happiness! I can do anything I put my mind to with hard work and determination!

Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

This is My NICU Story! 

Good luck to those running the 5k today for the Bronson Children's Hospital NICU. Thank you so much to those of you that are it means a lot to the families that your doing this to raise money for the NICU &families! It means a lot to me that people would do that for us NICU families,especially with us being a NICU family 18 and a half years ago! 

•college is approaching soon•

   Most people don't know where they want to go to college or they have this high fetched idea that there gonna go to some great college or university. I'm that one in a million person who knows where they want to go to college, what they want to major in and that they know they still want to play a sport in college. 

  I know that Grace College is the college for me it has all what I'm looking for in a college, with there academics (elementary education) and there athletic program (cheer program). I see myself growing great friendships in college and I can see myself growing spiritually so much! Now alls I have to do is one apply and get accepted and two tryout for there cheer team and hopefully make it. The verse that makes it even better is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

So alls I have to do is do great when I get ready for this tryout! 

  For one some of you may say, you seem really quite Micaela and I don't see you as a cheerleader. Well think again cheerleading has brought me out of my shell and made me less shy if that's how you want to put it. It's made me go for things, you can do something if you put your mind to it, work hard, and determination!  I love cheering and I really do see myself cheering in college! I can't wait to get accepted and get on the cheer team especially if and when it's Gods plan for my life! Soon I'll be a Lancer but until then I'll be a future Lancer! 

WAKE 2014

  In this blog post I'm going to tell you about camp, this year VOX summercamp things changed and changed for the better!
 We got there Monday morning, we got time to unpack and make our beds and everything, well its hard to do that when you lose your luggage. I knew right then it was going to be a great week because the devil was trying to do something in me to were I wouldn't get fed, or get what I came for. But no worries someone found my luggage so I had my Bible and journal for night one at summercamp. It may have been night one but Pastor Will didn't mess around he went straight to the Word. Which I really liked that, his messages in different ways were like boom boom boom to me.They were such effective messages that I was changed when I left that chapel every single time. But the week went on and Pastor Will kept talking about influence and how we can be an influence in our generation and that was one of the many things that happened that week. This quote that Pastor Will said really stuck with me all week at camp and it says this  "for those who know there God will do great exploits and do great things!"
  I always knew prayer was important and that week man I went up another notch with God in prayer it was the most amazing feeling ever. There were nights in pre service prayer that I didn't want it to end because God's presence was so thick, but that presence was still there even when we went into worship! It was absolutely beautiful seeing God change peoples lives including mine! Each night just got better and better and Friday night.. Oh Friday night we had a dance party, yes you read it right a dance party but this dance party was for Jesus! Oh it was so amazing!
  I could try and describe what it feels like to be in God's presence but its just so sweet and tangible that you never want to leave it. As the days went on I could just feel something stirring up in me and in my heart that something good and something big was going to happen and it did.  I learned that day to be bold, not timid. It's a thing I've dealt with and it feels great to be bold and confident. One thing I remember thinking is I'd rather have 1 true and real  friend than 100 fake friends who pretend to be my friends but leave me when I really need them.

  I grew as much as I learned this year at camp and I can't thank everyone enough the Pastors and all the volunteers that made WAKE 2014 happen. Thank you all so much for your endless hard work and countless hours. To help students like me get it and grow in our faith!

It was a life changing week for everyone, no one went home the way we came into camp!

Have a wonderful weekend!

•Thank you for all the support!•

  Good news! God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Within 2 days two couples have helped me raise the money for camp and I am eternally grateful for there help! Thank you all so much for the prayers! This really shows me that God wants me to go to camp this year! He is so faithful and amazing and just such a doer of His word! Psalms 37:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires."(Psalms 37:4 NLT)! Thank you all for your prayers and your support they are much appreciated! 

Hope you all have a blessed day! 

~Micaela  

Support Micaela to go to Summercamp

Hello my name is Micaela Ziegler, 

I would love to go to Summercamp this summer through my church and this is where you come in. I need help raising money I need $384 by July 6th and I'm really believing God for this money for camp. I strongly believe in the power of prayer. I also truly believe that God will meet you where you are at and will give you the desires of your heart! My verse for this is Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desires."Let me explain to you why I want to go to camp. Camp is a week full of God, friends fun, and just amazing encounters with God. I had the opportunity to go last year and my life radically changed and I got so much out of the worship sessions, the messages and everything. I'd really LOVE to experience that again! Through every message I sat through I got something out of it and God really showed up that week! I grew deeper with God through that week also I made lasting Godly friendships that will last a lifetime! I would really love and appreciate your help with raising this money, any amount is fine if you want to help, give what you feel led to give! It'd mean the world to me. you can make checks payable to Micaela Ziegler and you can send cash as well to the following address:

MIcaela Ziegler
3422 West Wembley Lane,
Kalamazoo, Mi 49009

Thank you for all your support! 

Micaela Ziegler

Have a great day!

POSTS

•Grandmas are extraordinary.•

  We all know that grandparents love to spoil there grandchildren. It's the Grandma's that you love to spend time with because you know you'll get something special to eat when you stay at their house. But today's blogpost is about my Grandma who means the world to me Bonnie Lou (Simonton) Harper. I love you Grams! 

  Grandma your more than just my Grandma you're my friend, partner in crime, sassy, hilarious, fun to be around. These past few years have been hard with her having Alheimzers but she is still funny as ever! We've shared so many laughs and there have been times I've almost cried because we were laughing so hard! 

   I'm the granddaughter who takes selfies with my Grandma, it's not to be annoying it's to keep record of all of memories we've shared, so that I can remember them for many years to come! 

I think she's got an inner fashionista in her, because she helped me pick out a cute dress! I'm telling ya she's a fashionista!! 

   I can't even start to tell you how much she means to me! She's the emerald to my necklace, diamond to my ring! I'm so blessed to have her as a Grandma! She's always been there for me! She took care of me as a little girl to when I was sick she would always know how to make me feel better! I love you Grams! Every Saturday we have lunch with her and my Grandpa and it's always such a fun time! She's diabetic so I help her with the glucose machine and I'm like her nurse! So we have this joke and when I have everything ready I'm like Grams your nurse is ready for you! We always laugh about that! Also I love getting to do her hair and I make it all pretty! 

I love you Grams! Xoxo love your miracle baby Micaela Ryann Ziegler 

Here are some pictures of Grams&I having fun! 

This is also an inside joke with her so she had to wear masks so she'd be able to breath outside so I was like your like Bonnie the Bandit! And we still laugh about this! So funny! I love you Bonnie Lou! 

I hope y'all have a great weekend and a great Fathers Day! 

•Every girls Dream•

Every girls dream is to get asked to the Prom. Here's the story of how I got asked to prom when I thought I'd just go with friends. April 16th changed my plans for prom for the better! 

Well I thought it was just a normal Wednsday at school until 4th hour in Choir. So what happened is we were about to start sight reading and all of a sudden Doug( a boy in my grade that I'm friends with) walks in with flowers and starts walking towards me and he comes up to me and we have a normal conversation and then he said he had a question and I was like yeah. Then he said "will you go to prom with me?" And I said "Yes!" It was seriously the sweetest thing ever! I'm super excited to go to Prom with Doug! 

 That is a day I'll never forget, I'm embarking in a new area of my life. It's really different when you get asked to go to prom, there are the details that you have to figure out which has had my mind spinning in circles but at the same time I'm excited and nervous. But one thing I know is we are going to have a great time at prom next weekend! 

  Just wanted to share this with my friends and family! I hope you all have a great weekend and a fabulous week! 😊 

These are the beautiful flowers that I got from Doug! 

•Bernie.fisherman.Great Uncle•

   This post is about a couple months late but it's been hard for me to deal with the loss of my Great Uncle Bernie.What a phenomenal guy, the cancer he had took him quick the last time I saw him I never imagined in a 100 years that not even a week later I'd lose the man who was my partner in crime with getting cookies at Grandmas and  made me laugh,would tell me fishing stories and even took me fishing once with him and my Grandpa. 

     I'll never forget that day I was so excited I was finally going fishing with Grandpa and Uncle Bernie well I out fished both of them and even caught a bullhead fish. I'll never forget us just laughing having a great time on the boat in the middle of Duck Lake. That is one of my fondest memories of him! It really hit me hard because I wasn't expecting to lose him neither was anyone else but the definition of Bernie Harper was he was a fighter! 

  The poem they put in the life pamphlet 

"God knew that you were suffering,that the hills were hard to climb,so He gently closed your eyelids, and whispered "peace be thine". In tears we watched you sinking, we watched you fade away. Our hearts were nearly broken,you fought so hard to stay. But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful, free from pain, we could not wish you back, to suffer that again. It broke our hearts to see you go, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home." You may say he was just your great uncle. But we had this special little bond that I will never forget! I love you Uncle Bernie and miss you so much! But just like it said in that poem I'd never wish him back in the pain he was in! I'll always keep the memories we shared near and dear to my heart! 1.24.14 forever in my heart! I've got a very special angel looking over me from Heaven! 

    He was the one who could get away with asking me if I had a boyfriend yet and we'd just start laughing hysterically and he could call me Kid and I wouldn't get mad. Oh the memories at Grandmas you'd always somehow know when we were eating so you'd eat with us. Oh and I will never forget the first time I called you Uncle Bernie instead of Uncle Bernard we were at Grandmas and I answered the door and came in the house and said it's just Uncle Bernie! For me that was monumental because I would just call you Uncle Bernard because I was taught to respect my elders! I think of you often especially when we are at Grandmas house! Love you lots! Xoxo

•my darling you are altogether beautiful•

 A few weeks ago, I was at youth group and we had our girl and guy break offs. That night specifically God really spoke to me, I've been having confidence issues and just other things that had been going on. That night I really realized that I have value and that I am beautiful. For years and years I've always cared of what others thought of me, the way I dressed, and especially the way that I'm on fire for God and no one seems to want to just talk about how amazing God is.
    And it really hit me that night at VOX that I had value as I sat that there as one of the leaders was talking about how you have value and you are Christ's bride. With tears rolling down my face it was then when I really realized how much I have value. You always here about it when your kids about how you have value and your opinion matters. But that night, it finally clicked. One of the verses she gave was Zechariah 2:8 NLT  "After a period of glory, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me[a] against the nations who plundered you. For he said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession." To be told that I'm God's most precious possession and in other versions it says that we are the Apple of His eye. WOW! like I don't know about you but that is so amazing. If you are having the same problem that I had been having just read that verse and you will just feel the abundance of God's love that He has for you! 
  The way I feel when I'm around my VOX family is very hard to describe, but I love them all so much and they do so much so students like me can get it! I want to say thank you to Pastor Hayden and Lindzi for everything they do for the H.S. group I can't say thank you enough and i can't say how blessed I am to have you both in my life! 
  I'm reading this book called Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy that a great friend of mine gave me for my 16th birthday and I highly recommend it, it talks about being a set apart young woman and how God is forever your prince. I was reading it one day and this verse really popped out at me Luke 14:33 Paraphrase "To be my disciple, to be a set-apart one, costs everything you have. Don't delude yourself into thinking it will only cost you a portion of your existence! The very essence of a disciple is one who has completely emptied her inner sanctuary of all other lovers to make room for me, her heavenly prince." This is just such an amazing verse for one it says you won't cost a little bit of you it costs everything and every being in your body and to be able to do that you have to empty your inner sanctuary and make room for your one true prince, who will never hurt you, who will always love you know matter the choices or decisions you make. 
 Sorry I've been all over the place in this post but I hope you understand what I'm trying to say and one of my passions is to encourage others and to help in the ways I can to the lost get saved. Whether it's with a smile or a gesture or just telling them how much Jesus really loves them!
  Always know that you are loved by so many people but one person who loves you a whole lot more than any human can is Jesus. He loves you so much and would do anything to stop the pain. He did 2,000 years ago by dying on the cross for us and for taking our problems and burdens with him because He loves us that much!
  Have a great Weekend everyone! and have a fabulous and blessed week!
-Kayla

•There is no I in Team.•

Last night our basketball team finished it's season. By far this was my favorite season as a cheerleader and as a spectator in the crowd. I've never seen a team who works well together and try's so hard. This year we lose some amazing Seniors who led the team! Thank you to Brennan, Jason, Clayton, Ryan and Cordell. 

  The Seniors really led the team this year you showed determination and that hard work pays off. You've shown with persistence and trying hard each and every game and giving it your all each time. 

 I've also never met a Coach like Coach Mastenbrook, these players are not just apart of his team. They are human beings who have feelings, who love life just like everyone.  

   It's been beyond a privilege to cheer for such an amazing team, who NEVER gives up and gives it there all with everything in there being! Thanks for a great season Comets! And once again thank you seniors! You will be missed, you made this season a season I'll never forget!

•Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know•

As I read Luke 2 which is Jesus' birth, whether you read it near Christmas time where He is the reason for the season, or in the middle of the year. 

   Luke 2:1-7says this "2 And it came to pass in those daysthat a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city,4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

  For me this gets me all excited knowing that God sent his son to save the world through a Virgin Mary. That alone just says so much and just reading about his birth or any of his parables it's just so amazing to read of what Jesus did then and what he does today! 

  Reading about his healings get me so pumped to know How Great our God is! There is a song called How Great Thou Art and we just praise Jesus for who he is! It gives me goosebumps just singing the words "O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art!" 

  The the ending of the song really just gets me! "Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great thou art!" I just love how we can come to God and just Worship His holy name and just knowing that he is always there for you no matter what! I hope you all know that you are loved by God so much! 

•Forever&Ever•

I was reading Revelation 4:8 " The four living creatures,each having six wings,were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night saying: Holy,holy,holy Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" I really love that verse it's saying so much about how God was and how he is and how He is to come. It makes me think of Kari Jobes song The Revelation Song and how in the song we are just worshipping His name, "Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lightning rolls of thunder, blessing and honor strength and glory and power be to you the only wise King." That just gets me so excited and pumped for the things that God is doing in everyone's life! Especially mine, God has always been a huge part of my life but definitely in high school I've just wanted to grow even closer to Him! I love spending time with God and knowing that he has an amazing plan for me. Also knowing that he thinks I'm beautiful, and He thinks you're beautiful and/handsome. You are His Child, he loves you so much more than you'll ever know! And for those of you are reading this blog, know that God loves you so much and he has such a great plan for your life! Jeremiah 29:11 really declares that he has a plan for everyone!