I added a picture of me in blood donating gear. You can see the pink wrap around my elbow, and I'm wearing the free t-shirt they give away. Cute, no?

Clairien and I were the only two on the tennis team to give blood... and we could not exercise after giving blood so Clairien and I walked around the courts.... oh and Clairien had already taken her bandage off because she stopped bleeding quicker then I did...

much love,
Kynley Michal

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 1:10

shoot.... I don't understand why I struggle so much to keep my blog updated. Maybe its the fact that I have so many other things to do... hmm... yeah... that seems like a good excuse.

I gave blood yesterday... a pint of blood in fact. I really love the fact that the school gives us a chance to donate blood... I saved four lives yesterday... is that not way cool? I'm going to try really hard to give blood on a regular basis. It means a lot to me. I mean, my mother would probably have died if it were not for people who donated blood. Because one anonymous person donated blood I still have my mother. So donating blood has really left an impact on my life, and it feels invigorating to know that I can give back and touch someone else's life.

This is my second time donating blood. So I was in the Blood Mobile trying to relax everyone. I remember how nervous I was when I first went in and an another kid had helped me relax which I really appreciated. *shrug* I don't know. Donating means so much to me that I hope everyone would consider donating blood. Sure, it's not exactly painless, but it's not horrible at all. I'm deathly afraid of needles and donating blood has helped me overcome that. I mean, if you can face the needle they use when donating blood... you can face any needle.

Although, I think the worst part of the process is getting your finger pricked so they can test your iron levels and make sure you are not anemic. The tip of your finger is sore for a while. I might also mention that you feel kind of... delicate (that's a good word) afterward. You get light headed and dizzy easily. Your arm is a little tender. If you press on it or hit it, it will ache for a short second. But you get this cool wrap thing (both of mine are bright pink) that wraps around your arm afterward. It gets itchy after a while, but you only have to leave it on for about an hour... or until you stop bleeding. I bleed for a little while after and get a bruise around were the hole is. I also get a tiny little scar for several months.

But I really enjoy it. I know that probably sounds weird, but I honestly enjoy giving blood. I barely remember the uncomfortable feeling you have while you are actually giving blood. And the pain in your finger and arm fade rather quickly. And I'm rather proud of the little tiny scar I get afterward.

Blood donors are heros.

much love,
Kynley Michal

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13