Alexa Weber
155 Spohn Rd.
Freeport, PA 16229
(412) 295-0628 (Home)
Education
1988 - 1998
High School Student, 9th Grade, Grace Homeschool
Awards received
1998 - Girl Scout Silver Award for doing the KTTGSC Website
1997 - Duquesne Computer Academy, Best Camper
1997 - Written and Illustrated By... “Little Sister” placed in the top 100
1997 - Homeschooler’s Art Contest, 2nd Place
1997 - Homeschooler’s Science Fair, 2nd Place for “Orbitz” project
1996 - Written and Illustrated by... “The Forsythia Bush” placed in the top 100
1995 - National Busch Gardens Physics Essay Contest, 2nd Place
Activities
Pittsburgh’s SIGGRAPH group for students, Telecommunity
College Psychology course at Transylvania Bible School
Girl Scouting (9th year)
Piano lessons (8th year)
Non-competitive Gymnastics
Duquesne University Computer Academy
Languages
French, 2 years
Latin, 1/2 year
Hobbies
Website programming and design
Graphics arts, Graphics design
Working with digital video
Drawing and art
Computer Software, Hardware
Creative and non-fiction writing
Work experience
Began 1996
SaySoSites, est. 1996
Home business
My first prestigious site was for Natl’ Christian recording artist, Point of Grace.
(http://www.nauticom.net/www/catspaw/pog/)
Designed Graffiti Showcase website (1997)
(http://www.graffiti.com)
Acme Scale and Supply Website (1997-98)
(http://www.acmescale.com)
Am currently working with Dorn Checkley on the Pittsburgh Coalition Against Pornography (PCAP) website. (Not yet online)
Computer Experience
Familiar with a number of major software programs including:
Adobe Photoshop 4.0, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Office, Fractal Painter 5.0, Macromedia Director 6.0, Macromedia Flash, Asymetrix DVP 4.0, HomeSite 3
(References Availible on Request)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Brio Girl 2001 Contest Entry
B r i o G i r l E n t r y F o r m
Name: Alexa Nicole Weber Age: 16
Hobbies and Interests: Since my Teen Mania trips, missions and evangelism has been my biggest interest, both here and around the world. I enjoy learning American Sign Language and worshipping/leading worship through signing. I love praise and worship music, leading and participating (that’s what we were created for). Foreign language intrigues me and I’m looking at the possibility of study-abroad (or working with a missions organization) for a year after high school. I enjoy graphics arts/design and designing professional websites for businesses and for myself; past sites include the definitive Point of Grace Newsstand and my Teen Mania webpage (http://members.xoom.com/teenmaniac/). I also enjoy playing piano and keyboard, writing, non-competitive gymnastics, drama, being an encourager/counselor to my friends, ministering online, and sharing God’s love in every way that I can.
Church Attending: Christ Community Fellowship Evangelical Free
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell Church Phone:
Favorite Scripture and Why: Psalm 37. God gives us the desires of our heart. I’ve often heard this interpreted, “God will give us what we desire” but I think that perhaps what God gives us IS the desires themselves. I find it awesome that God puts His desires in our hearts so that we might yearn for the things He yearns for -- to bring the unsaved into his arms, to see lives changed -- and that we might passionately hunger to know Him more and to worship Him. This is the heart of worship, the heart of ministry, the heart of prayer: that our thoughts might be God’s thoughts, our desires the desires that He has placed into our hearts. What an awesome promise!
School Attending: Grace Homeschool School Activities: Pennsylvania Homeschoolers “Excelsior” magazine staff, online AP US History, American Sign Language, Shakespeare Sleepover Society (Homeschoolers Shakespeare Club), French, Grand Concours National French Exam, instructing at Flo’s Gymnastics, piano lessons (10th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (4th year), American High School Math Exam (3rd year), Written and Illustrated By... creative writing/art competition (5th year), Girl Scouts (working towards Gold Award, 11th year) Much of my time and energy goes into my youth group: Leadership/Planning team, leading worship, cell group leader, prayer meeting coordinator/facilitator.
Favorite Musical Artist: Sonic Flood; because of their call to come back to the heart of worship: it’s all about Jesus. We were created to be worshippers.
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In: Teen Mania missions trips to the Dominican Republic (‘98) and Haiti (Christmas ‘98), Youth Group mission trip to Haiti (Summer ‘99), leading/organizing “Breakout” events for my youth group (“breaking out of ourselves and into the community with random acts of kindness”), church set up and tear down team (we meet in the YMCA so we have to set up chairs and tables and so on every week), “greeter” at church, outreach and evangelism team, leading Sunday morning worship periodically, crew leader at VBS, Agape Farm’s (home of Creation CCM festival) work weekends throughout the year, volunteer staff and setup team at Creation, Carnegie Science Center teen volunteer, participating in food drives, serving meals, and putting on services at Light of Life ministries (homeless shelter), , Compassion International child sponsor, participating in Habitat for Humanity projects
Career or Domestic Ambition: I’m interested in industrial design, but after going on missions, I find it hard to pursue any career that is not fulfilling the Great Commission, and most of all I want whatever I do to somehow be a ministry.
Favorite Family Activity and Why: Going out to dinner! We have fun sharing, laughing, and eating together.
B r i o G i r l P e r s o n a l E s s a y s
If Jesus was coming to speak at your school assembly, what topic would you want Him to address and why?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”[1] Far from guarding their hearts, teenagers today are anxious to give their hearts away. The media’s message is that something is terribly wrong if you don’t have a “special someone.” Even Christian magazines are filled with comfort and counsel on “how to live without a date . . . if you must.” In their quest for security, people desperately tear off pieces of their hearts and give them away, leaving them lifeless and empty.
Jesus’ request is bold: “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart.” Essentially he is saying, “forget these other things, give your heart to me.” This requires renouncing all else, gathering up the broken pieces, dying to self, and surrendering their whole hearts to God. Only then can he consume their hearts with his love. Instead, after giving most of their hearts away, they offer God mangled scraps. And they wonder why they’re so insecure! Anything less than God alone will never produce true security. His message is radical: You don’t need anyone else! His love is sufficient! “Love God. With ALL your heart.” This is the topic Jesus died to address.
Share with us when you became a Christian and how you’ve seen God at work in your life.
Although I’ve been a Christian since I can remember, I encountered God’s grace face-to-face and truly committed my life to him on 1-1-96, when I realized that Jesus died so that I could let go of my failures and burdens.
Since then, God’s been continually revealing that even when I am faithless, he remains faithful. When I was determined NOT to go with my church to Haiti because I wanted to go with Teen Mania and because the trip seemed so disorganized, He was faithful: when we had to teach English with almost no preparation, God revealed clearly that it was His work, not ours. When I feel alone, He reminds me of my utter dependence on Him. When I’m ready to throw up my hands in frustration with my youth group, He is faithful: He says “throw them up to me -- I have a plan.”[2] His faithfulness continues to flow through my life. In homeschooling, things that once seemed impossible, from SATs to staying organized, have become perfectly possible in God’s time. As I begin my college search, I know that worrying is futile: God has already found one for me. God is always faithful to complete what He begins.[3]
__________________
[1] Proverbs 4:23
[2] Quote from Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
[3] Philippians 1:6
Name: Alexa Nicole Weber Age: 16
Hobbies and Interests: Since my Teen Mania trips, missions and evangelism has been my biggest interest, both here and around the world. I enjoy learning American Sign Language and worshipping/leading worship through signing. I love praise and worship music, leading and participating (that’s what we were created for). Foreign language intrigues me and I’m looking at the possibility of study-abroad (or working with a missions organization) for a year after high school. I enjoy graphics arts/design and designing professional websites for businesses and for myself; past sites include the definitive Point of Grace Newsstand and my Teen Mania webpage (http://members.xoom.com/teenmaniac/). I also enjoy playing piano and keyboard, writing, non-competitive gymnastics, drama, being an encourager/counselor to my friends, ministering online, and sharing God’s love in every way that I can.
Church Attending: Christ Community Fellowship Evangelical Free
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell Church Phone:
Favorite Scripture and Why: Psalm 37. God gives us the desires of our heart. I’ve often heard this interpreted, “God will give us what we desire” but I think that perhaps what God gives us IS the desires themselves. I find it awesome that God puts His desires in our hearts so that we might yearn for the things He yearns for -- to bring the unsaved into his arms, to see lives changed -- and that we might passionately hunger to know Him more and to worship Him. This is the heart of worship, the heart of ministry, the heart of prayer: that our thoughts might be God’s thoughts, our desires the desires that He has placed into our hearts. What an awesome promise!
School Attending: Grace Homeschool School Activities: Pennsylvania Homeschoolers “Excelsior” magazine staff, online AP US History, American Sign Language, Shakespeare Sleepover Society (Homeschoolers Shakespeare Club), French, Grand Concours National French Exam, instructing at Flo’s Gymnastics, piano lessons (10th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (4th year), American High School Math Exam (3rd year), Written and Illustrated By... creative writing/art competition (5th year), Girl Scouts (working towards Gold Award, 11th year) Much of my time and energy goes into my youth group: Leadership/Planning team, leading worship, cell group leader, prayer meeting coordinator/facilitator.
Favorite Musical Artist: Sonic Flood; because of their call to come back to the heart of worship: it’s all about Jesus. We were created to be worshippers.
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In: Teen Mania missions trips to the Dominican Republic (‘98) and Haiti (Christmas ‘98), Youth Group mission trip to Haiti (Summer ‘99), leading/organizing “Breakout” events for my youth group (“breaking out of ourselves and into the community with random acts of kindness”), church set up and tear down team (we meet in the YMCA so we have to set up chairs and tables and so on every week), “greeter” at church, outreach and evangelism team, leading Sunday morning worship periodically, crew leader at VBS, Agape Farm’s (home of Creation CCM festival) work weekends throughout the year, volunteer staff and setup team at Creation, Carnegie Science Center teen volunteer, participating in food drives, serving meals, and putting on services at Light of Life ministries (homeless shelter), , Compassion International child sponsor, participating in Habitat for Humanity projects
Career or Domestic Ambition: I’m interested in industrial design, but after going on missions, I find it hard to pursue any career that is not fulfilling the Great Commission, and most of all I want whatever I do to somehow be a ministry.
Favorite Family Activity and Why: Going out to dinner! We have fun sharing, laughing, and eating together.
B r i o G i r l P e r s o n a l E s s a y s
If Jesus was coming to speak at your school assembly, what topic would you want Him to address and why?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”[1] Far from guarding their hearts, teenagers today are anxious to give their hearts away. The media’s message is that something is terribly wrong if you don’t have a “special someone.” Even Christian magazines are filled with comfort and counsel on “how to live without a date . . . if you must.” In their quest for security, people desperately tear off pieces of their hearts and give them away, leaving them lifeless and empty.
Jesus’ request is bold: “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart.” Essentially he is saying, “forget these other things, give your heart to me.” This requires renouncing all else, gathering up the broken pieces, dying to self, and surrendering their whole hearts to God. Only then can he consume their hearts with his love. Instead, after giving most of their hearts away, they offer God mangled scraps. And they wonder why they’re so insecure! Anything less than God alone will never produce true security. His message is radical: You don’t need anyone else! His love is sufficient! “Love God. With ALL your heart.” This is the topic Jesus died to address.
Share with us when you became a Christian and how you’ve seen God at work in your life.
Although I’ve been a Christian since I can remember, I encountered God’s grace face-to-face and truly committed my life to him on 1-1-96, when I realized that Jesus died so that I could let go of my failures and burdens.
Since then, God’s been continually revealing that even when I am faithless, he remains faithful. When I was determined NOT to go with my church to Haiti because I wanted to go with Teen Mania and because the trip seemed so disorganized, He was faithful: when we had to teach English with almost no preparation, God revealed clearly that it was His work, not ours. When I feel alone, He reminds me of my utter dependence on Him. When I’m ready to throw up my hands in frustration with my youth group, He is faithful: He says “throw them up to me -- I have a plan.”[2] His faithfulness continues to flow through my life. In homeschooling, things that once seemed impossible, from SATs to staying organized, have become perfectly possible in God’s time. As I begin my college search, I know that worrying is futile: God has already found one for me. God is always faithful to complete what He begins.[3]
__________________
[1] Proverbs 4:23
[2] Quote from Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
[3] Philippians 1:6
2004 Ltrs About Lit contest entry re "The Cay" by T. Taylor
November 11, 2004
Mr. Theodore Taylor
1856 Catalina Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92615
Dear Mr. Taylor:
Your book, The Cay, made me want to play. When I knew I had to write a piece for the “Letters about Literature” contest, I’d just finished your book. I thought I might need to find another book to respond to because I didn’t think the fact that the book made me want to play was very significant. When my mother read me your article, “Exploding the Literary Canon,” including “A Wish for My Grandson,” I discovered several things that made me change my mind.
First of all, I found that you value play a great deal. I don’t know if you intended The Cay to be a catalyst for children’s imaginative playtimes, but that was what it was for me. It came along at just the right time too. You see I'm 12 years old and I'm “… at the threshold of my adult life” just like your grandson was in 1981! Just as he was watching the spaceship take off and land, I was watching the 2004 presidential election coverage on TV; I was even watching Hannity and Colmes! If I wasn’t doing that, I was at soccer practice or playing computer games and talking on IM or working on school. When I finished the book, that all changed because I wanted to be Phillip, marooned on an island and having to set up my own survival camp.
We live in the country and our property is surrounded by woods. I went into the woods and cleared a place under some big maples. I had some bricks that I used to make a fireplace. For my shelter, I dug a hole – a really large hole that took a long time to dig. I gathered branches and made a roof with them over the hole. I scavenged some logs from my dad’s log pile for a table. I set them on end and then laid a part of a 2 x 4 across them and nailed it down. My survival camp looked nice, but I wasn’t done. I found an old glass jar nearby and filled it with water and set it on my newly finished table. I made a garden plot by digging up the grass from under some of the trees and planting some old pumpkin and carrot seeds I found in our basement. Then I called “Stewdog” (my large boxer-lab-shepherd dog) to get into the hole with me. As I sat there petting him, I wondered what it must have been like for Phillip to have had to try and rebuild his camp after Timothy had died.
I thought that if I’d been Phillip I would have been incredibly sad, depressed, and guilty. Maybe I would have died because I wouldn’t have tried to save myself, but what would have made the difference would be the fact that Timothy’s dying had given my life value. Personally, I know my life has value because the Bible says so. It says the Son of God died for me. How much more value can there be than that? And, wasn’t Timothy being just like Jesus! By making this connection I think I’m doing what you wanted your grandson to do with relating the ghetto to the slave ship and connecting what he read in books with social issues.
I read in your article that you were criticized for having Timothy die in The Cay. I would like you to know that I am very pleased that you didn’t change that for the people who wanted your book to be “politically correct.” As I sat in the hole with “Stewdog,” I thought about how much respect I have for Timothy because he sacrificed his life for a selfish, prejudiced, white boy who was blind. Today, many adults can hardly be bothered with children. For example, I know so many children, younger than I am, who watch horror movies and I think they watch these because there’s no one to stop them. I don’t think Timothy would have let Phillip watch horror movies. Then there are all the abortions. I’m encouraged to know that there was a patient, loyal adult that gave his life for a young person; Timothy is a hero to me.
Reading The Cay has changed me in many different ways: like realizing the value of life, thinking about sacrifices people make and don’t make, making connections between books and life, and, of course, having the joy of pretend play again even though I am almost 13! Thank you Mr. Taylor for making me think about all of these important issues NOW before I go "blind" like Philip did
Sincerely yours,
Samantha Weber
Mr. Theodore Taylor
1856 Catalina Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92615
Dear Mr. Taylor:
Your book, The Cay, made me want to play. When I knew I had to write a piece for the “Letters about Literature” contest, I’d just finished your book. I thought I might need to find another book to respond to because I didn’t think the fact that the book made me want to play was very significant. When my mother read me your article, “Exploding the Literary Canon,” including “A Wish for My Grandson,” I discovered several things that made me change my mind.
First of all, I found that you value play a great deal. I don’t know if you intended The Cay to be a catalyst for children’s imaginative playtimes, but that was what it was for me. It came along at just the right time too. You see I'm 12 years old and I'm “… at the threshold of my adult life” just like your grandson was in 1981! Just as he was watching the spaceship take off and land, I was watching the 2004 presidential election coverage on TV; I was even watching Hannity and Colmes! If I wasn’t doing that, I was at soccer practice or playing computer games and talking on IM or working on school. When I finished the book, that all changed because I wanted to be Phillip, marooned on an island and having to set up my own survival camp.
We live in the country and our property is surrounded by woods. I went into the woods and cleared a place under some big maples. I had some bricks that I used to make a fireplace. For my shelter, I dug a hole – a really large hole that took a long time to dig. I gathered branches and made a roof with them over the hole. I scavenged some logs from my dad’s log pile for a table. I set them on end and then laid a part of a 2 x 4 across them and nailed it down. My survival camp looked nice, but I wasn’t done. I found an old glass jar nearby and filled it with water and set it on my newly finished table. I made a garden plot by digging up the grass from under some of the trees and planting some old pumpkin and carrot seeds I found in our basement. Then I called “Stewdog” (my large boxer-lab-shepherd dog) to get into the hole with me. As I sat there petting him, I wondered what it must have been like for Phillip to have had to try and rebuild his camp after Timothy had died.
I thought that if I’d been Phillip I would have been incredibly sad, depressed, and guilty. Maybe I would have died because I wouldn’t have tried to save myself, but what would have made the difference would be the fact that Timothy’s dying had given my life value. Personally, I know my life has value because the Bible says so. It says the Son of God died for me. How much more value can there be than that? And, wasn’t Timothy being just like Jesus! By making this connection I think I’m doing what you wanted your grandson to do with relating the ghetto to the slave ship and connecting what he read in books with social issues.
I read in your article that you were criticized for having Timothy die in The Cay. I would like you to know that I am very pleased that you didn’t change that for the people who wanted your book to be “politically correct.” As I sat in the hole with “Stewdog,” I thought about how much respect I have for Timothy because he sacrificed his life for a selfish, prejudiced, white boy who was blind. Today, many adults can hardly be bothered with children. For example, I know so many children, younger than I am, who watch horror movies and I think they watch these because there’s no one to stop them. I don’t think Timothy would have let Phillip watch horror movies. Then there are all the abortions. I’m encouraged to know that there was a patient, loyal adult that gave his life for a young person; Timothy is a hero to me.
Reading The Cay has changed me in many different ways: like realizing the value of life, thinking about sacrifices people make and don’t make, making connections between books and life, and, of course, having the joy of pretend play again even though I am almost 13! Thank you Mr. Taylor for making me think about all of these important issues NOW before I go "blind" like Philip did
Sincerely yours,
Samantha Weber
Name: Alexa Nicole Weber
Hobbies and Interests:
Besides working as a professional web designer (SaySoSites), I am a Contemporary Christian Music enthusiast and maintain the definitive web site for my role-models, Point of Grace. I also enjoy graphics arts/design, drawing and sketching, non-fiction writing, especially Christian articles, gymnastics, being an encourager/counselor to my friends, and just soaking up the little things that life is made of
Church Attending:
Christ Community Evangelical Free in Natrona Heights
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell
Phone: (724) 226-8082
Favorite Scripture and Why: Philipians 3:12-15
So many times I find myself looking back over all the times I fail at being mature in Christ and become discouraged or looking back and seeing how “good” I’ve been doing and become proud. This scripture reminds me to stop looking back and dwelling in the past, but to start pressing on towards what is ahead. No matter how weary I may be, I’ve got to press on and on with my eyes fixed on the goal. Let us run with perserverance.
School Attending: Homeschool
School Activities: College-level Intro to Psychology course at Transylvania Bible School, Young Life, Girl Scouts (9th year), Written and Illustrated By... competion (4th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (2nd year), American High School Math Exam, Alle-Kiski Science Show (3rd year), Telecommunity (SIGGRAPH students group), Duquesne University Multicultural Computer Academy, PA Homeschooler’s Writing Club (4th year), I am currently preparing for a Teen Mania mission trip I am taking this summer to the Dominican Republic.
Favorite Musical Artist: Carolyn Arends because her lyrics are so down-to-earth and real; it really speaks to me in the everyday troubles and triumphs of life. “I’m not afraid to live this life, you see it’s not like you’re rolling dice, it’s in the hands of God.”
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In:
Goodwill clothing drive, creating favors residents of a local Hospice Care center, writing and directing the church’s Christmas and Easter plays, sending postcards for the American Cancer Society, organizing and directing Kiski Valley PCA’s sponsorship of a child through Compassion International
Career or Domestic Ambition:
I would love to work as an art director or in some other field of Christian music graphics design/video production, as a Christian counselor, or wherever God has in mind for me.
Favorite Family Activity and Why:
Going to Christian concerts with my entire family, including my little sister Samantha. It is so much fun just to be there all together worshipping God, watching my sis dancing and going nuts, meeting the artists, and talking about the concert all the way home.
As a Christian teen, what is one thing you’d change about today’s youths and why?
“Hope and love make life worth living, lack thereof makes a man grow old.” Without hope, what is there to live for? Without hope, life is meaningless. Without hope, there is no future. Today hosts a generation without purpose, without anything to hope in. Today hosts a generation that has strayed from God. After all, without God, there is nothing to hope for, no reason to live. There is a void in every person that can only be filled with God. Teens today are constantly searching for something to fill that void, but often look in all the wrong places, trying to fill it with drugs, alcohol, or "love" at any cost. The truth is that these things only sink them deeper into hopelessness and despair which often leads to tragic suicide and violent behavior. If I could change one thing about today's youths, it would be that they would find hope. Even if it is simply a hope that comes from knowing that there IS something REAL that can fill that void, and that they might someday, somehow, find it.
What’s been a significant moment in your personal walk with Christ?
God isn’t looking for “dead” Christians. He is looking for Christians who are passionate and serious, those with FIRE in their eyes. When I returned from Teen Mania’s “Acquire the Fire” (ATF) youth conference, my eyes were opened to realize what it means to be MATURE in Christ. A lot of times I have been a dedicated but “passive” Christian, simply “letting go and letting God.” It is true that salvation is all God’s work and that I can not earn it or deserve it, but I now know that MATURITY is something I’ve got to work for and perservere at. I’m not perfect, but by relying on God’s strength I want to start fighting in a way to win the prize. Fighting against temptation in my life, fighting against my selfish will, fighting to “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil. 3:12) I now want to be “infatuated with God” and to live every little aspect of my life for Him. ATF challenged me to dedicate myself more completely to striving towards perfection til the day that He returns.
Hobbies and Interests:
Besides working as a professional web designer (SaySoSites), I am a Contemporary Christian Music enthusiast and maintain the definitive web site for my role-models, Point of Grace. I also enjoy graphics arts/design, drawing and sketching, non-fiction writing, especially Christian articles, gymnastics, being an encourager/counselor to my friends, and just soaking up the little things that life is made of
Church Attending:
Christ Community Evangelical Free in Natrona Heights
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell
Phone: (724) 226-8082
Favorite Scripture and Why: Philipians 3:12-15
So many times I find myself looking back over all the times I fail at being mature in Christ and become discouraged or looking back and seeing how “good” I’ve been doing and become proud. This scripture reminds me to stop looking back and dwelling in the past, but to start pressing on towards what is ahead. No matter how weary I may be, I’ve got to press on and on with my eyes fixed on the goal. Let us run with perserverance.
School Attending: Homeschool
School Activities: College-level Intro to Psychology course at Transylvania Bible School, Young Life, Girl Scouts (9th year), Written and Illustrated By... competion (4th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (2nd year), American High School Math Exam, Alle-Kiski Science Show (3rd year), Telecommunity (SIGGRAPH students group), Duquesne University Multicultural Computer Academy, PA Homeschooler’s Writing Club (4th year), I am currently preparing for a Teen Mania mission trip I am taking this summer to the Dominican Republic.
Favorite Musical Artist: Carolyn Arends because her lyrics are so down-to-earth and real; it really speaks to me in the everyday troubles and triumphs of life. “I’m not afraid to live this life, you see it’s not like you’re rolling dice, it’s in the hands of God.”
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In:
Goodwill clothing drive, creating favors residents of a local Hospice Care center, writing and directing the church’s Christmas and Easter plays, sending postcards for the American Cancer Society, organizing and directing Kiski Valley PCA’s sponsorship of a child through Compassion International
Career or Domestic Ambition:
I would love to work as an art director or in some other field of Christian music graphics design/video production, as a Christian counselor, or wherever God has in mind for me.
Favorite Family Activity and Why:
Going to Christian concerts with my entire family, including my little sister Samantha. It is so much fun just to be there all together worshipping God, watching my sis dancing and going nuts, meeting the artists, and talking about the concert all the way home.
As a Christian teen, what is one thing you’d change about today’s youths and why?
“Hope and love make life worth living, lack thereof makes a man grow old.” Without hope, what is there to live for? Without hope, life is meaningless. Without hope, there is no future. Today hosts a generation without purpose, without anything to hope in. Today hosts a generation that has strayed from God. After all, without God, there is nothing to hope for, no reason to live. There is a void in every person that can only be filled with God. Teens today are constantly searching for something to fill that void, but often look in all the wrong places, trying to fill it with drugs, alcohol, or "love" at any cost. The truth is that these things only sink them deeper into hopelessness and despair which often leads to tragic suicide and violent behavior. If I could change one thing about today's youths, it would be that they would find hope. Even if it is simply a hope that comes from knowing that there IS something REAL that can fill that void, and that they might someday, somehow, find it.
What’s been a significant moment in your personal walk with Christ?
God isn’t looking for “dead” Christians. He is looking for Christians who are passionate and serious, those with FIRE in their eyes. When I returned from Teen Mania’s “Acquire the Fire” (ATF) youth conference, my eyes were opened to realize what it means to be MATURE in Christ. A lot of times I have been a dedicated but “passive” Christian, simply “letting go and letting God.” It is true that salvation is all God’s work and that I can not earn it or deserve it, but I now know that MATURITY is something I’ve got to work for and perservere at. I’m not perfect, but by relying on God’s strength I want to start fighting in a way to win the prize. Fighting against temptation in my life, fighting against my selfish will, fighting to “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil. 3:12) I now want to be “infatuated with God” and to live every little aspect of my life for Him. ATF challenged me to dedicate myself more completely to striving towards perfection til the day that He returns.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Brio Girl Contest 2000
B r i o G i r l E n t r y F o r m 2000
Name: Alexa Nicole Weber Age: 15 Birth Date: 11/20/83
Address: 155 Spohn Rd. City: Freeport State: PA Zip: 16229
Phone: (724) 295-0628
Hobbies and Interests: Since this past summer when I went to the Dominican Republic with Teen Mania, I’ve been turned on to missions and world cultures. Evangelism and the following the Great Commission is my biggest interest, both here and around the world. I enjoy graphics arts/design and designing professional websites for buisnesses and for myself, past sites include the definitive Point of Grace Newsstand and my Teen Mania webpage (http://members.xoom.com/teenmaniac/). I love to worship God and I love praise and worship music. I also enjoy drawing and sketching, playing piano and keyboard, writing Christian articles, non-competitive gymnastics, drama, being an encourager/counselor to my friends and ministering online, and sharing God’s love in every way that I can.
Church Attending: Christ Community Evangelical Free
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell
Favorite Scripture and Why: 2 Corinthians 4:7
Although I am nothing but a simple clay vessel, fragile and easily broken, God has chosen to put His great treasure in me, which is so humbling. This verse reminds me that my life should be a reflection of GOD’S power and GOD’S glory, that when people look at me they do not see ME, a cracked up pot, but they should see God in all His glory. I should not seek my own glory in anything that I do, but rather let Christ shine through me.
School Attending: Homeschool School Activities: Youth Group Leadership/Planning team, accountability/discipleship group mentor in Sunday AM youth, writing for our church newsletter, “The Sower,” ThinkQuest web design competition project entitled “Culture Shock - an interactive Exploration of World Cultures,” Written and Illustrated By... creative writing/art competition (5th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (4th year), American High School Math Exam (2nd year), PA Homeschooler’s Writing Club (5th year), Girl Scouts (working towards Gold Award, 10th year), Homeschoolers French Club. Although I have resigned from my Point of Grace website after realizing that I needed to refocus more completely on God, I still write Bible studies for Grace Notes, my Point of Grace Unofficial Email Newsletter, sharing with over 1,000 subscribers insights on “living as points of God’s grace.”
Favorite Musical Artist: the Newsboys because they challenge teens to get serious for God and their music serves as a reminder to me to “look up, cause the world looks on”
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In: Teen Mania missions trips to the Dominican Republic (‘98) and Haiti (Christmas ‘98), Agape Farm’s (home of Creation festival) work weekends throughout the year as well as setup and teardown at Creation CCM festival, Compassion International child sponsor, Carnegie Science Center teen voulenteer, church set up and tear down team (we meet in the YMCA and set up chairs and tables and so on every week), leading Sunday morning worship, food drives for Light of Life ministries, Sunday School teen assistant, Random Acts of Kindness “Blitz” day,
Career or Domestic Ambition: I’d like to work in some field of graphics arts, but God knows the plans He has for me and my desire is to go wherever He leads and do whatever He calls me to do.
Favorite Family Activity and Why:
As a Christian teen, what is one thing you’d change about today’s youths and why?
Everything was created for a reason. As the Sunday School song says, “God made birds to fill the skies . . . but we were made to love the Lord.” Today hosts a generation of young people who have lost their purpose and their vision. This generation has even been termed, “Generation X,” a generation that doesn’t stand for anything. They have turned away from Jesus and have lost sight of the Savior. Until you find a cause worth dying for, you’re not really living. Life without purpose is more tragic than death. Everyone hungers to find the meaning of life. Teens try to quench their purpose- hunger with drugs, alcohol, “love” at any cost, sinking them deeper into despair which often leads to tragic suicide and violent behavior. After all, without purpose, life loses the precious, priceless worth that God made it to have; life becomes cheap. If I could change one thing about today’s youths, it would be that they would once again find hope, purpose and meaning in life. Ultimately, it would be that they would find Jesus. We were made to love the Lord.
What’s been a significant moment in your personal walk with Christ?
Love the Lord Your God with ALL your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH. A year ago, I was really into Christian music. I talked about it, did websites about it, thought about it, read about it -- you get the idea. I was in over my head, yet I did not want to admit it. Following an Acquire the Fire youth conference, my youth group got together and had a bonfire. On this fire we were to lay down a symbol of anything that captured our hearts more than God, as if laying it down for God to consume. I lay down my love for CCM. Little did I know that I was preparing my heart for a radical life-change. When I surrended my heart COMPLETELY to God, He filled my life like never before. The day after laying down my heart on that “alter,” I felt renewed. I realized what it meant to give God my WHOLE heart. Now, God’s love has become everything to me, He is my life. My time, my all belongs to Him and I want to commit everything to Him -- all my heart, strength, mind, and soul. My heart belongs to Jesus.
If Jesus was coming to speak at your school assembly, what topic would you want Him to address and why?
Having been homeschooled my entire life, I don’t exactly HAVE a school assembly and have been somewhat sheltered from seeing the struggles that my peers face. Yet there is one thing that I do see in the eyes of my peers, in myself, and in everyone. We all want to be loved. We all want to feel like we belong.
Share with us when you became a Christian and how you’ve seen God at work in your life.
Though I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 3, it was not until I entered my teen years that what Jesus did became a reality to me. We had just moved and I was lonely and worn out by school and somewhat visionless. Then, I read in Brio’s “God said, I said” that God wants “even ONE girl” who is willing to follow Him no matter what the cost. I wanted to be that girl! I tried hard to obey God in everything, but the harder I tried, the more I realized how often I failed. Desparation set in. One evening, while sitting on my bed crying, the song, “I’ll Lead You Home” came on my radio. “Let it go and turn it over to the One who chose to give His life for you.” I suddenly realized that Jesus didn’t want me to hold onto my sins and burdens. HE DIED SO THAT I COULD LET THEM GO. I felt as though a burden had been lifted right off of my shoulders. I was free. God has blessed me so much and has become my life’s foundation. I see a little more of Him day by day.
“We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of God - 2 Cor. 10:5
Grace Homeschool (since 1989)
TRANSCRIPT FOR 1997-98 SCHOOL YEAR
STUDENT: Alexa Weber GRADE: 9th
GPA (estimate based on records): 3.98
Name: Alexa Nicole Weber Age: 15 Birth Date: 11/20/83
Address: 155 Spohn Rd. City: Freeport State: PA Zip: 16229
Phone: (724) 295-0628
Hobbies and Interests: Since this past summer when I went to the Dominican Republic with Teen Mania, I’ve been turned on to missions and world cultures. Evangelism and the following the Great Commission is my biggest interest, both here and around the world. I enjoy graphics arts/design and designing professional websites for buisnesses and for myself, past sites include the definitive Point of Grace Newsstand and my Teen Mania webpage (http://members.xoom.com/teenmaniac/). I love to worship God and I love praise and worship music. I also enjoy drawing and sketching, playing piano and keyboard, writing Christian articles, non-competitive gymnastics, drama, being an encourager/counselor to my friends and ministering online, and sharing God’s love in every way that I can.
Church Attending: Christ Community Evangelical Free
Pastor’s Name: Jeff Youell
Favorite Scripture and Why: 2 Corinthians 4:7
Although I am nothing but a simple clay vessel, fragile and easily broken, God has chosen to put His great treasure in me, which is so humbling. This verse reminds me that my life should be a reflection of GOD’S power and GOD’S glory, that when people look at me they do not see ME, a cracked up pot, but they should see God in all His glory. I should not seek my own glory in anything that I do, but rather let Christ shine through me.
School Attending: Homeschool School Activities: Youth Group Leadership/Planning team, accountability/discipleship group mentor in Sunday AM youth, writing for our church newsletter, “The Sower,” ThinkQuest web design competition project entitled “Culture Shock - an interactive Exploration of World Cultures,” Written and Illustrated By... creative writing/art competition (5th year), Holocaust Seminar/Art Competition (4th year), American High School Math Exam (2nd year), PA Homeschooler’s Writing Club (5th year), Girl Scouts (working towards Gold Award, 10th year), Homeschoolers French Club. Although I have resigned from my Point of Grace website after realizing that I needed to refocus more completely on God, I still write Bible studies for Grace Notes, my Point of Grace Unofficial Email Newsletter, sharing with over 1,000 subscribers insights on “living as points of God’s grace.”
Favorite Musical Artist: the Newsboys because they challenge teens to get serious for God and their music serves as a reminder to me to “look up, cause the world looks on”
Community Service Projects You’ve Participated In: Teen Mania missions trips to the Dominican Republic (‘98) and Haiti (Christmas ‘98), Agape Farm’s (home of Creation festival) work weekends throughout the year as well as setup and teardown at Creation CCM festival, Compassion International child sponsor, Carnegie Science Center teen voulenteer, church set up and tear down team (we meet in the YMCA and set up chairs and tables and so on every week), leading Sunday morning worship, food drives for Light of Life ministries, Sunday School teen assistant, Random Acts of Kindness “Blitz” day,
Career or Domestic Ambition: I’d like to work in some field of graphics arts, but God knows the plans He has for me and my desire is to go wherever He leads and do whatever He calls me to do.
Favorite Family Activity and Why:
As a Christian teen, what is one thing you’d change about today’s youths and why?
Everything was created for a reason. As the Sunday School song says, “God made birds to fill the skies . . . but we were made to love the Lord.” Today hosts a generation of young people who have lost their purpose and their vision. This generation has even been termed, “Generation X,” a generation that doesn’t stand for anything. They have turned away from Jesus and have lost sight of the Savior. Until you find a cause worth dying for, you’re not really living. Life without purpose is more tragic than death. Everyone hungers to find the meaning of life. Teens try to quench their purpose- hunger with drugs, alcohol, “love” at any cost, sinking them deeper into despair which often leads to tragic suicide and violent behavior. After all, without purpose, life loses the precious, priceless worth that God made it to have; life becomes cheap. If I could change one thing about today’s youths, it would be that they would once again find hope, purpose and meaning in life. Ultimately, it would be that they would find Jesus. We were made to love the Lord.
What’s been a significant moment in your personal walk with Christ?
Love the Lord Your God with ALL your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH. A year ago, I was really into Christian music. I talked about it, did websites about it, thought about it, read about it -- you get the idea. I was in over my head, yet I did not want to admit it. Following an Acquire the Fire youth conference, my youth group got together and had a bonfire. On this fire we were to lay down a symbol of anything that captured our hearts more than God, as if laying it down for God to consume. I lay down my love for CCM. Little did I know that I was preparing my heart for a radical life-change. When I surrended my heart COMPLETELY to God, He filled my life like never before. The day after laying down my heart on that “alter,” I felt renewed. I realized what it meant to give God my WHOLE heart. Now, God’s love has become everything to me, He is my life. My time, my all belongs to Him and I want to commit everything to Him -- all my heart, strength, mind, and soul. My heart belongs to Jesus.
If Jesus was coming to speak at your school assembly, what topic would you want Him to address and why?
Having been homeschooled my entire life, I don’t exactly HAVE a school assembly and have been somewhat sheltered from seeing the struggles that my peers face. Yet there is one thing that I do see in the eyes of my peers, in myself, and in everyone. We all want to be loved. We all want to feel like we belong.
Share with us when you became a Christian and how you’ve seen God at work in your life.
Though I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 3, it was not until I entered my teen years that what Jesus did became a reality to me. We had just moved and I was lonely and worn out by school and somewhat visionless. Then, I read in Brio’s “God said, I said” that God wants “even ONE girl” who is willing to follow Him no matter what the cost. I wanted to be that girl! I tried hard to obey God in everything, but the harder I tried, the more I realized how often I failed. Desparation set in. One evening, while sitting on my bed crying, the song, “I’ll Lead You Home” came on my radio. “Let it go and turn it over to the One who chose to give His life for you.” I suddenly realized that Jesus didn’t want me to hold onto my sins and burdens. HE DIED SO THAT I COULD LET THEM GO. I felt as though a burden had been lifted right off of my shoulders. I was free. God has blessed me so much and has become my life’s foundation. I see a little more of Him day by day.
“We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of God - 2 Cor. 10:5
Grace Homeschool (since 1989)
TRANSCRIPT FOR 1997-98 SCHOOL YEAR
STUDENT: Alexa Weber GRADE: 9th
GPA (estimate based on records): 3.98
Friday, May 2, 2008
Reverse Psychology
A Writing Club Assignment from Winter 2004. The assignment was to retell in the first person a personal story involving one of your parents.
By Samantha Weber
"Is that all you want?" the clerk asked.
"Yes, that will be all," I calmly answered (although on the inside I was shaking).
It was a Saturday afternoon and my friend, Jerri Lee, and I were buying cigarettes for the first time. We had gone across town so that no one would recognize us. Being only 12 years old, we both knew that what we were doing what was against the law and our parents would definitely not approve either; so we hid the package of cigarettes in a Q-Tip box and put that in the deepest pocket of our identical, soft black leather purses. As we nervously walked down the sidewalk, we started to jibber jabber about how easy it was to buy the cigarettes ,how the clerk was so clueless, and, of course, how we acted like 18 year olds. When we reached her house I said goodbye so I could go home and watch my favorite shows, Pinky Lee, I Love Lucy, and Jackie Gleason, on TV. Once I was finished watching TV, I ate a quick dinner and went upstairs to bed because I had to get up for church in the morning.
I woke up to the sun shining in my face and got out of bed. Dressed in a blue straight skirt and a red cardigan sweater, plus my cool bobby socks and penny loafers, I walked downstairs, out the door, and down the street to Jerri Lee's house to walk to church with her. After singing in the choir and listening to the pastor preach about loving your neighbors, we walked back with our black purses hanging on our shoulders. We both went inside her house to listen to a new 45 of You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog on Jerri Lee's new pink High Fi. On the way upstairs we heard her mother doing dishes in the kitchen as we unthinkingly dropped our purses on her couch. Jerri Lee's little sister, Darlene, out of the clear blue, grabbed my purse, stuck her chubby little hand down in it, and pulled out the Q-Tip box and ran and gave it to her mother. Her mother was shocked to find: Cigarettes! Angrily, she chased me out of the house and told me that I better "hot-foot it get home" and tell my mother that I was smoking before the phone rang and she told her!. Huffing and puffing, I ran up my stairs, flung open my mother's bedroom door, jumped onto the bed, woke her up, and told her the sad truth: I smoked cigarettes! Much to my surprise, she calmly answered that if I wanted to smoke, that was fine, and to just stay away from Mary Janes (marijuana). Although I had the approval of my mother, I never smoked again! That was when I was first introduced to reverse psychology.
By Samantha Weber
"Is that all you want?" the clerk asked.
"Yes, that will be all," I calmly answered (although on the inside I was shaking).
It was a Saturday afternoon and my friend, Jerri Lee, and I were buying cigarettes for the first time. We had gone across town so that no one would recognize us. Being only 12 years old, we both knew that what we were doing what was against the law and our parents would definitely not approve either; so we hid the package of cigarettes in a Q-Tip box and put that in the deepest pocket of our identical, soft black leather purses. As we nervously walked down the sidewalk, we started to jibber jabber about how easy it was to buy the cigarettes ,how the clerk was so clueless, and, of course, how we acted like 18 year olds. When we reached her house I said goodbye so I could go home and watch my favorite shows, Pinky Lee, I Love Lucy, and Jackie Gleason, on TV. Once I was finished watching TV, I ate a quick dinner and went upstairs to bed because I had to get up for church in the morning.
I woke up to the sun shining in my face and got out of bed. Dressed in a blue straight skirt and a red cardigan sweater, plus my cool bobby socks and penny loafers, I walked downstairs, out the door, and down the street to Jerri Lee's house to walk to church with her. After singing in the choir and listening to the pastor preach about loving your neighbors, we walked back with our black purses hanging on our shoulders. We both went inside her house to listen to a new 45 of You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog on Jerri Lee's new pink High Fi. On the way upstairs we heard her mother doing dishes in the kitchen as we unthinkingly dropped our purses on her couch. Jerri Lee's little sister, Darlene, out of the clear blue, grabbed my purse, stuck her chubby little hand down in it, and pulled out the Q-Tip box and ran and gave it to her mother. Her mother was shocked to find: Cigarettes! Angrily, she chased me out of the house and told me that I better "hot-foot it get home" and tell my mother that I was smoking before the phone rang and she told her!. Huffing and puffing, I ran up my stairs, flung open my mother's bedroom door, jumped onto the bed, woke her up, and told her the sad truth: I smoked cigarettes! Much to my surprise, she calmly answered that if I wanted to smoke, that was fine, and to just stay away from Mary Janes (marijuana). Although I had the approval of my mother, I never smoked again! That was when I was first introduced to reverse psychology.
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