Whew...and so the week before leaving for school begins! I am busily packing my life away in boxes, which is really weird. Today my mom and I went on what I hope is a final shopping trip...getting snacks for my dorm, acne cream, gum, the little things that don't make sense together but are vitally important on their own. After the shopping we went to Strickland's for Fresh Banana ice cream. To some of you that may be appalling, but to me it was heavenly. I am really enjoying time with my mom. She and I have become really close, almost like best friends. It is going to be really hard to leave her...but make it oh so sweet when we can see each other again.I'm kind of a mix of emotions now, excited and nervous...praying that the Lord gives me the wisdom of how to glorify His name in the next couple weeks.
Below are some pictures of the noys I have been babysitting for this summer. Andersen, the oldest at three years old asked me to ride his tricycle with him. I simply told him that I would love to ride with him, but I was too big. He, being of curious mind asked why. I explained that when you get older you get bigger too. Smiling, he said "If you are so old, are you a grandma?" These boys teach me to appreciate every moment the Lord gives you, to take joy in all His blessings!
Me with the boys! Andersen (3),Everett (1 1/2) and Lincoln (10 months) They are so fun!

A good pic of me and Lincoln..doesn't he have beautiful eyes!
A last family outing before Joe and Grace went back to school...We love put put!

Lenae face painting at the IOG service day. The youth group girls headed to Village Grace Mission Center today to help host a carnival. We got to face paint, serve food, play with chalk and bubbles, and just pour on God's love to the kids. So fun!

A cutie at the carnival

Some girls I got to know at the carnival...beautiful princesses of the King!

me and melissa after our goodbye breakfast with her me and Liz

me and hannah

Me and Emma at me and Hannah's going away party...we love oranges!

Here are some pictures of life as of late. I feel mighty proud of myself that I have been able to update more often. I am realy going to try and stick with it...honest! Like I said in the previous post, this has been a rough weekend because my friends are leaving. It is a mixed emotion and God is teaching me some things through it. I can't exactly explain the lessons I am learning, but I hope to at some point.
One thing I have really enjoyed lately is all the family time I am getting in. Before I go to school I am trying to do a "last harrah" thing with each member of my family. I had a great time shopping with my mom and going to dinner last week. I do want to brag..I found my Old Navy winter coat at Plato's Closet for $18. Yes, please be jealous. I also got Starbucks and walked Medina square with Grace..which turned out to be more of an adeventure than we had bargained for. Well, my cell phone decided to be fisty with me becuase it would ring, I would go to answer it and the person on the other line wasn't there. I couldn't make any calls and my mom was calling me like crazy trying to make sure we weren't dead in a ditch somewhere. After I finally found a pay phone I reassured my mom we were in one piece to which she said she was one step away from calling 911.......never a dull moment in the Marras family. This week is the Dad and Joe "last harrahs". I am taking Joe to take his drivers temp test! ah!! and for coffee. My dad, well...we are still trying to figure out something special to do. The Columbus Crew aren't in town and we are still deliberating on something special. Any suggestions?
T-Minus 2 weeks 1 day till Calvin!

Smiling Through the Tears
So, I am officially 3 weeks and 2 days till I leave for Calvin. But, my dear friends are leaving in about a week. The past couple days it has really hit me. I am going to college and so are they. We are all going to different schools. We won't be walking with each other from class to class, laughing with each other at soccer practice, or having sleepovers after youth group. I am incredibly saddened by the fact that we are all going to be so far from each other. However, God has been showing me some important truths. He has placed my four best buddies in different schools.....4 different schools that can be impacted by His love. We have to get over our nerves and share about the joy the Savior gives us. Between my four friends we can impact Northern and Southern Ohio and West Michigan with His grace. What an awesome opportunity we have! Also, God has been teaching me to be thankful for the friends HE has provided and the times we have shared together. For example, Melis, Liz, Rach and I went to see "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" on Wednesday night. We took our own pair of pants wrote "Our Very Own Sisterhood" on them and scribbled memories we have shared together on the legs and pockets. As I looked over the pants, I realized how blessed I am. The Lord has given me friends that have encouraged me in my walk with Him. He has so blessed me with friends that have never encouraged me to compromise my values, because we all feel that our testimonies are sacred. The times we have shared together are irreplaceable.Such as: eating an entire apple crisp with Melissa as we stressed out over the thought of college(that was last September, now we could probably take out a 3 tiered cake), throwing out our economics folder with Rachel, making smoothies with Liz and dancing to music in the car with Hannah. They are my friends, they are leaving, but I can smile through the tears.

Pictures from Vacation to Hershey, PA!
Thank you God for creating chocolate!

Pretty flowers in Hershey Garden

My new favorite picture of me and my dad!

Grace and I at Hershey Gardens

I love you Reeses

So yes, yes, I know it has been like 5 months since I have blogged anything. Also, I think that everyone has given up on me, so I'm not sure if anyone will see this. But, I just wanted to praise God and pray to Him for the things He has been doing in my life.
It's scary to think that I am done with high school and off to college in about a month. I will be 5 hours away from my family, friends and anything remotely familiar. Due to that, I have really been praying lately, asking the Lord for His protection and guidance. I want my life to be an offering to Him, but I need to hand it over. I feel that I have surrendered my life to Him......but I feel much more comfortable holding my goals in my hands. As I have given Him my desires to teach in the inner city, to be a wife and mother, to make friends at Calvin, to find a new church in Michigan, I wish I could say that my worries have completely disappeared. However, I can now move forward in what I call an "aggressive peace". Knowing He is directing my path and holds them dear to His heart I can have peace knowing the race I am running for Him is not in vain. I can aggressively take steps to work towards what I feel is His call on my life, without worry that I am not doing things perfectly.
In my devotions I have been going through the book of Isaiah.I have to admit, some parts a bit confusing especially when it goes into all the details about war strategies....I think this would be a good book for a guy to read. Anyways, there was a verse that particularly caught my attention. Isaiah 8:10 " Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; purpose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us" It's almost if God was telling me "HEY! I'm here with you...now give over your hopes and dreams...because they could never compare to the amazing, breathtaking plans I've got for ya!" So, pray for me as I give it up to Him.
The most exciting thing for me right now is that we are going on family vacation tomorrow to Hershey, PA! I think this is what every stressed out pre-college freshman needs....chocolate for 4 days. I many not come back home :)
me, joe and grace on my last day of high school!
me and matt in the limo before prom!
me and hannah at her graduation!
me and grace before my prom, taking pictures at the Brooker building

Yes,it has been forever since I have updatd. I feel terrible,I wish I had time on my hands to write something everyday!Well, this is what I have been up to:
* God is really teaching me how to find joy and an opportunity in the mundane. This is the time of year that I kind of feel stuck in the Janurary doldrums. It's nasty outside,and all I want to do is have sunshine and run through a sprinkler. Also, senioritis is kicking in ....I'm really trying to hold it back. However, now that I have been accepted to Calvin with a scholarship, it's hard to find motivation. Also, it doesn't help that my teachers are beginning to care less and less. However, the Lord has been knocking on my heart. He's been saying: "Beck, you aren't alone in this dry time of life, in fact there are others around you feeling the same blah. And the great thing is ......you have ME! The living water to refresh you! Sink into my word and refresh others!" Okay God, got the clue! However, the delivery isn't as easy as it sounds. Please pray for me as I seek to encourage others and point them to the living water,
* On January 19th, IOG (sr. and jr. high girls Bible study) put a princess party on for the 3-6th grade girls. Over the past several months we have been studying serivce. This was a great way that the girls to create relationships, and have a great time. It was so cute, the little girls came in princess otfits, Lenae and Emily B did their hair, we ate junk food, had a princess ice cream cake (yummy!),played limbo, wathcerd "Oone Night with the King", and had pink milk with our cereal in the morning. Most importantly I talked about Esther, and the qualities she represented. We can all learn lots from her life. I reminded the girls that they are all princesses of the king of kings, precious in his sight!
* I turn 18 on Monday! Woo hoo! I filled out my voter registation card yesterday, yes I feel very old. For my birthday party with friends, we titled it "the last little kid part ever" so, eveything was disney princess ish, we played pretty pretty princess, watched Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, and ate mac-n-cheese. I was lots of fun. I am so thankful for the people the Lord has put in my life. They are always there for me to laugh and cry with.

Above are some pictures from my life: hope you enjoyed the update :)

Hello one and all! It's amazing that Christmas is on;y five days away! These are my favorite things to do at Christmas time:
1. Celebrate the birth of the coming Savior with my church congregation
2. The singing of O Holy Night. This song is by far my favorite Christmas song ever! The words are so true,and shed light on the really meaning of Christmas! Such as the chorus : FALL ON YOUR KNEES! OH HEAR THE ANGEL VOICES! The truths presented in this Holiday tune make me smile from ear to ear. My joy was complete when last night I got to hear a 200 person choir sing those blessed words!
3. Making Christmas cookies with my mom. This year, my mom and I popped in Beauty and the Beast (my absolute favorite Disney movie) and sang very loud and out of tune versions to "Bonjour" and "
4. Shopping wtih friends. Amidst the chaos that this season brings, my friends and I seem to keep fairly level headed. So, shopping with them is fun and care free. As we watch kids frantically crawl onto Santa's lap, and shoppers hustling about, we can be tankful for the peace the Savior provides.
5. Studying the life of Mary: This season God has really revealed some important truths to me about the virgin Mary. In Luke 2 of the Message Mary says " I am dancing the song of my Savior God" It's amazing to me that during a time when people were pointing their fingers, speaking behind her back, and calling her names, that she was "dancing with joy". Wow! SHe was willing to be used as a vessel for Christ, and because of that God gave her favor. SHe was just an ordinary girl who was chosen to do big things for God. She ran with the call, and made a bold statement for Christ. What an example she is to you and me!
Well, my list could go on forever and ever..but I must end for now. I pray that your Holidays are filled with the joy and peace that only the Savior can bring!

Here's my april article! Hope you enjoy!

Brio Article- April 2008
Where are your scars?
I remember that day so clearly. I was just ten years old, trying to play a game with some friends at family camp. The game of the day was capture the flag……with bocce balls. The seemingly dangerous game was great fun until I collided, bocce ball in hand, with the enemy. The ball launched into my mouth, leaving me with half of a front tooth that pierced my bottom lip. To this day, I still have a mark from that accident. The scar tissue on my lip is a forever reminder of July 6, 2000. We all have scars or marks on our body that remind us of times in the past. My question for you is: what type of marks are you leaving? Are you leaving a scar for Christ in your home, church and school?
We are chosen to be scars for Him!
John 15:16 says “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” My fellow mark makers: Isn’t it awesome that God has chosen you and me to make a difference for Him in this world! He hasn’t picked names out of a hat, or interviewed people for positions. Instead, He chose you because of every intricate detail that makes you a beautiful testimony of His grace. He already trusts that you will obey his commands, and leave a scar for Christ everywhere you go. He wants us to bear fruit that leaves a permanent stamp of His goodness.
Leaving your mark
Because God chose us to bear that everlasting fruit- to leave His eternal scar, we must be bold in our actions. As you walk down the hallways of your school, church, or home make a conscious effort to display Christ in all your actions. Whether it is asking someone to not use profanity around you, writing an encouragement note to a younger sister in Christ, or even doing the dishes with out being asked, everything you do can leave a scar of the Savior’s love.
Different Scars
Ladies, all of you have many different gifts and talents that can be used to make a mark for Christ. 1 Peter 4:10 says” Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” To my musically gifted young girls, make a joyful noise to your Creator! You could administer God’s grace to your congregation by being part of the worship team. My friends that have a passion for children: you could leave a mark of Christ’s love on the children of your community by helping in after school activities, or summer camps.
My beautiful sisters, as you find ways to be scars for Christ let beautiful words from Nichole Nordemann ring in your head:
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?

Here are some recent pictures of what has been going on in my life!!

Hey everyone!! SOrry I haven't updated in awhile life has been pretty busy gettig ready for college stuff with applications and scholarships. Well, I don't have time for a full reoprt right now...but here is my first article for Brio. Let me knwo what you think! This is the article that will appear on the web in January. My first printed article will be in February.

Joy in the Pain : By Becky Marras

He was an honest man of great success. He had ten children and thousands of livestock. He was good at his profession, giving glory only to God. In fact, some people called him “the most influential man in all the east.” He as truly blessed by His Savior. Then, with out warning, disaster struck. In a matter of instant he lost all his worldly possessions. His family, land, livestock, and his good health were stripped from him. This man’s name was Job, and his world was completely turned upside down. Have you ever like you world was turned upside down? Have you ever felt that everything you held close was taken away? I have. Over the past several years my youth group has gone through many transitions. At one point in time my youth group went through two youth pastors in two years. When all the change was happening, I was so confused and I didn’t understand why God was putting us through that storm. Like Job, a lot of the things and people I trusted in were gone.
As I reflect today on what Job went through, he could have easily cursed God and died. But Job adopted the attitude that God calls us to have in the hardships. In James 1:2 God instructs us to: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” God wants us to consider it PURE joy when we face trials of many kinds. He doesn’t want half-hearted joy. Instead, He wants pure joy. He wants us to express our joy in him without holding anything back. I certainly didn’t have pure joy when my youth pastors packed their bags. Instead of looking at how Christ was going to cause me to grow closer to Him, I moped around, sulking in self misery. Now, you may be thinking: How does someone fight off depression and find joy in the midst of a trial? We have to understand and realize that God is in control of our every move. When Job was covered in leprous sores with nothing left to call his own, he still praised God! He understood that God put him through this misery in order to test his faith. My dear sisters, isn’t it comforting to know that He has planned each trial in our lives!!! God does everything for His glory and our good, so you can have joy in the fact that the creator of the universe is being glorified in your life! How awesome is that!
As Christians, we do know that God has a purpose. So, what do we do during the trial? What do we do in the middle of the storm when we are waiting for His purpose to be revealed? This isn’t the time to mope around in sweatpants eating mint chocolate chip ice cream out of the carton. In the middle of the rough times we need to be like Job!! Job knew that his father had a plan for him, and glorified Christ as he waited. I wasn’t patient as my youth group was falling apart. I wanted an immediate fix, and in my impatience I was very crabby! As you wait, listen to the words of Isaiah for encouragement. Isaiah 40:31 says: “But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” As I recognized that God controls everything that happens in my life, I had peace. Like Job, I was able to have peace knowing my Savior would provide for my needs. My precious sisters, as you wait joyfully on the Lord, adopt the attitude of Job and praise him through the pain.

Doubt- be- gone!
SO, for about the past month I have really been struggling with doubt. Now, if you know me very well, you know that I don't like to ask for help, or draw attention to myself. SO, I was just praying that God would take it away, and beat the devil down. I wanted to fix this problem myself, I didn't want to have to impose on someone else. Well, as with many things in life God said "hey beck.... i have surrounded you with people that love you, and care for you. please let them encourage you!" This is what I have been facing everyday: a little voice in my head saying that I wasn't good enough. A voice telling me that I was too much of a leader. A voice that said people think you a are a stupid senior because you are on j.v. soccer. A voice trying to convince me that I wasn't pretty or special. I felt like I was in a mental wrestling match. And today I here to tell you that GOD is the victor of the match. Last night I shared with my mom what I was struggling with. She was so encouraging to me, and I appreciated her wisdom and listening ear. Again, I should just be more open and willing to seek help. After I talked with my mom, I layed in bed and talked to my heavenly daddy for quite awhile. All throughout my conversation with my mom and with my savior I was reminded of this verse Philippians 4:13 : I can do alll things through Christ who gives me strength. As I talked with God he reminded me of His omniscient power, and how the devil is always going to lose. I cried tears of joy as he reminded me how special I was to Him, how i am a daughter of the King, how he is proud of me being a leader to the girls on my j.v. team, and how I was born to lead for Him. He left me with such peace. I have such a peace now in knowing that I will never have to doubt again, because I am a kid of the one who conquered death itslef! Today was a great day! I had such a confidence from above, and felt like dancing for Jesus with my every step.

"i want my life to be a reflection of the beauty of my Lord, 'cause you mean more to me than any earthly thing" These words were sung by my church this morning and really hit me. The phrase above is my mission statement for this school year. I want my last year at Highland to be one that people remember me for the legacy I left. Not a legacy of things I did on my own, but a legacy of standing up for my beliefs and shining for Christ, no matter the situation. My heart's desire is to be a beacon for him, please pray that God will give me the strength to shine bright, even when the world wants to snuff me out.

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My buddy Hannah :)

Me and the Hannah Banana! I love her

The three kids on the hammock at Mimi and Papa's house

Grace got to play for the Medina County Fair's Honor's band. She and her trombone, which I have named Tom, did very well!

Aww sisterly love. On the boat at Mimi's house.

Just some recent photos. I enjoyed my time with the siblings at my mimi and papa's house. As Grace gets older (Joe too), God is pulling a closer and closer together! It's so awesome!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of going to Geauga Lake with my family. This park has a huge water park attached to it. Grace, Joe and I quickly changed into our swimsuits when we saw the huge water slides! As we grabbed a tube to race each other down the slides, I noticed something. I had to be the only 17 year old girl in a one piece suit there. As I was drying off from the amazing water experience a verse came to mind. Song of Solomon 6:2 says "Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the maidens". As children of the King, we are to live set apart. Leslie Ludy and her husband Eric run a ministry that encourages girls (guys as well) to live as the lily (set apart). I heard an interview with Leslie on the radio recently. Her words were so encouraging to me. She explained that God knows the hardships of living set apart. In the verse in Song of Solomon he calls us "his darling".Because we live set apart we can be "darling" for Christ! What an awesome privilege! :) Back to my bathing suit experience...... As I looked around and saw that I looked different than everyone else, I realized the amazing opportunity I have!! As children of the King, we are born to stick out. When others see our actions, they are curious as to why we don't " blend in with the thorns". Our choice of actions demonstrate Christ. My choice of bathing suit is a demonstration of Christ. I want to be HIS lily so that I may spread HIS good news. I never thought that a trip to the water park could teach me such a valuable lesson. For that, I will be forever grateful to the gardener, who daily is shaping me into a lily for Him.

Well, my summer has been just delightful. It's fun to be home so often, since I don't get that privilege during the school picture. On Monday, it was time for IOG. For those of you who don't know IOG stands for Inside Out Girls. It's the senior girls Bible study that I help lead. We meet every other Monday night and talk about/do something different each time. This week we were at the Uveges house where we talked about modesty and ate ice cream sundaes. IOG has become one of the highlights of my week. It's awesome to see us (girls) growing closer to each other as we learn about Christ. It warms my heart how close we have become. 2 years ago, we never would have done something outside of youth group. Through the grace of God being used in Pastor Billy, we have united. I am so excited for the sr. high trip to West Virgina next week. We are taking a school bus...just like OB!! yay! OH!! Another cool thing God has done! I was really bummed that we couldn't go to BNYC this year, I won't be able to see a lot of my OB friends. But, what a way that God provides! One of my good friends from Maryland and almost all of the ohio OBers are coming to my house on August 13th. Chris and some possible others are going to stay at my house on the way to Grace College!! Woo Hoo!!

The crew in the van. I am so thankful for the way Christ has brought us together!

I love Sarabeth! She is getting married in less than a month! I am so excited for her!

Leah is like my second sister!

Lenae was impressed with the purple squares sprinkles that I found.

Everybody loved their ice cream sundaes!

So.....here are some fun pictures from Kids Camp that I counseled for a couple weeks ago. I was a counselor for Family 5. It is so mcuh fun with these kids. They are so excited to learn about God's Word. Also, being a counselor is an open door to share the Gospel with the campers. 41 kids accepted Christ at camp. I had the opportunity to pray with 2 girls. If you could pray for Robyn, she needs it. She came from Village Grace, in inner city Cleveland. She said that she is scared for her life when she walks down the street. The fact that a 12 year old girl has to be scared for her life is so sad. Please pray that angels guard her and her family. The five boys on the bench are the boys I did devotions with everyday. At random I was assigned these boys, and they were a fun bunch. After about a day, they started to open up and really let me see their hearts. Behind the giggly, squirmy, outer , inside was respectful, kind boys, a bunch that I was bummed to leave.
The highlight of the week was when one of my campers Joey (in the midle of the bench pick, black hat...he was my favorite!) and my sis Grace were picked the campers of the week. Out of 226 kids they were picked as the two that were good examples of Christ. I think I may have shed a tear or two :)

Here are the pictures from Prom 2007. I went with a kid from my OB team, BJ. Me and BJ met up with my friends Billy, Melissa, Emily and Brenton took pictures and headed off to the main event. By the way, the two girls with out pretty dresses on are Liz and Rachel, two of my buds who didn't go unfourtunately :(. Well, as several of you know at Prom I was crowned Junior queen, which is why I am wearing the enormous crown. After Prom was at Medina Rec, which was fun until my body started to shut down and I became utterly exhausted. Overall, all my planning came together by the Grace of God. With out his help I would have literally snapped.