Hey y'all!! So there's this great website for sending letters to soldiers. i think its really important to support our troops, i know guys in the military and they LOVE letters from home. I'm gonna try to send at least 5 letters a month for the next year, anyone want to join me??
The info about letters is about halfway down the page.
http://www.opgratitude.com/howtohelp.php?page=individual
Sep 25, 2010
Sep 24, 2010
Wisdom
Phrases Of Wisdom
1. If you're too open minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
1. If you're too open minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
Sep 23, 2010
Success
What is Success?
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is
success?
To
laugh often and much;
To win
the respect of the intelligent
and the
affection of children;
To earn
the appreciation of honest critics
and
endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate
beauty;
To find
the Best in others;
To
leave the world a bit better, whether by
a
healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed
social condition;
To know
even one life has breathed
easier
because you have lived;
This is
to have succeeded.
Given A Choice
i believe in life, we have choices. Sometimes we are faced with a right option and a wrong option, and have to chose between them. But sometimes we are faced with choices that are merely different. Neither is better or worse, they just lead to different futures, different consequences. A little over a year ago i was given a choice. If i accepted this offer i would have to uproot my entire life. If i decided to decline the offer, i would lose my best friend, and a promising future would forever be out of reach. It was a life changing decision, one most people make (hopefully) only once in their lifetime. No matter what i decided, i would lose something. Would what i gained be worth the price? At first i thought it would be, but as time went on, i decided i wasn't ready.
i said no.
i sometimes wonder what would have happened... what my life would be like if i had accepted. i know what i gained by my choice: i had the opportunity to be in a choir, i met some amazing people, and now count them among my best friends. i found a great church, perfectly suited for me. i went to an awesome summer camp, went on a missions trip, grew closer to my siblings. i got to see my sister accept Christ as her Savior, if i hadn't been here that might not have even happened. i grew and changed as a person, in ways I'm sure i wouldn't have if i had chosen the other path.
But what did i give up by saying no? It's maddening to not know, to be ever wondering 'what if?' i know i would be living somewhere else, i would be working, and i would be in college. But what else? Where would that path have taken me? What could have been?
To Facebook? Or Not To Facebook?
But do i really need to know that someone had lasagna for dinner? Or that their second cousin on their mothers side is going to Disnyworld? Or what about the ever popular :) status? Really? that's all you can come up with?? Have you no original thoughts?? i personally think song lyrics are better then that. A song can say so much a smiley face can't.
And how about the friend request from people you've met once, or even not at all, but have 73 friends in common with? Do you accept and then immediately hide them? Ignore and risk making them mad enough to post nasty things about you in their status? (actually happened to me...)
i was under the impression that Facebook started as way for people to keep in touch. It has since evolved into almost a gaming website. There are so many games, apps, and quizzes that i don't think it's even possible to play them all. There are not enough hours in the day. i will admit that i love flair =) i am constantly wishing my flair board would magically come to 3D life and tack itself to my bedroom wall.
Despite all the problems i have with FB, I'm not planning on getting rid of mine anytime soon. i will still spend to much time on FB. i will prolly still 'friend' people i barely know and promptly hide them. i will most likely get caught up in playing a new game before to long. And all that is ok, because i have this great little option called logging out. Goodbye!
School
I've had many different types of schooling in my life. It's been a pretty interesting ride, and i've met a lot of different people. i've had some amazing teachers, and some not-so-amazing ones. To be clear, i've had five different types of schooling. i may be wrong, but that's pretty inconsistent. It has effected my learning, but not enough for me to blame any one specific person. Part was my fault, part was my parents, and part was just life happening. Here's a list of all the different kinds of schooling i've had, and what i thought of it. - Privet School, (Christian Schools of Springfield) 1st grade. My mom says i went into 1st grade able to read and write my name, and do basic addition. i finished 1st grade able to read and write my name, do basic addition, i knew several cuss words, had been in fights, been teased, and gotten 'engaged'. (if you want to know that story let me know) So we were finished with privet school.
- Homeschool, 2nd thru 8th grade. My mom is a great English teacher. i was at college level English before 11th grade. Math teacher? Not so much. While i liked being at home more, i didn't quite get the education i needed.
- Jubilee Academy (Internet school) 9th thru 11th. i like spending time on the net, so i thought "this will be fine." Wrong. Turns out i don't like being on the pc if i have to finish lessons. i spent 3 years avoiding the computer. Internet school is great, if you have the discipline to buckle down and finish lessons everyday. I'm not that disciplined, and while i learned a lot, it just didn't work for me.
- Public school, Hillcrest High, 12th grade. Loved it!! It's a great environment for me, i can easily learn in a classroom setting. i still wasn't very good at math, so i didn't' take any math classes. (it was my senior year! it's supposed to be fun!) i did take a lot of really great classes tho, especially Social Studies. Those were my fave =) It was a good year for me. i wish i had been able to spend a few more years at Hillcrest.
- Tutoring, math, current. You remember i said i wasn't good at math? Yea... I'm in a ged math class... enough said.
That has been my education!! Crazy as it sounds, i wouldn't change anything (except having my dad to teach me math years ago). i hope to start at a four-year liberal arts university next fall, so soon I'll be able to add that to my list!
Fear
Everyone has something they're afraid of. It might be spiders, or thunder storms, or fires. For a lot of people it's losing someone they love. For others, it's death itself.
im not afraid of spiders, i love thunder storms, and i think fire is fascinating. i've lost people i love, as hard as it is, i can bear it. i'm not afraid of death.
My fear is the fear of an unlived life. What i mean is a life that is never truly experienced, never fulfilled. i believe that you can live life, without every really living; without ever truly experiencing life's joy.
A full life isn't one that's filled with all the 'best' things, like travel, a prestigious career, expensive cars, or all the latest technological stuff. A full life can have those, but those things aren't what makes it full.
A fulfilled life is one that impacts the people around you. A fulfilled life is one that has experienced all the best that our world has to offer; it's a life filled with laughter, love, even tears. A life that has learned that the people are the most important, will always bring the most joy. A life that isn't afraid of sorrow, or sadness, but is willing to keep going till they get to the light.
i want a life that is truly lived. i'm afraid i won't have that kind of life. i'm in a good place now, i have people in my life that i love, that i can laugh with, cry with. i'm experiencing new things and learning so much. i'm afraid that all this will end, i'll lose my way and the rest of my life will be... well, boring.
This is my greatest fear.
im not afraid of spiders, i love thunder storms, and i think fire is fascinating. i've lost people i love, as hard as it is, i can bear it. i'm not afraid of death.
My fear is the fear of an unlived life. What i mean is a life that is never truly experienced, never fulfilled. i believe that you can live life, without every really living; without ever truly experiencing life's joy.
A full life isn't one that's filled with all the 'best' things, like travel, a prestigious career, expensive cars, or all the latest technological stuff. A full life can have those, but those things aren't what makes it full.
A fulfilled life is one that impacts the people around you. A fulfilled life is one that has experienced all the best that our world has to offer; it's a life filled with laughter, love, even tears. A life that has learned that the people are the most important, will always bring the most joy. A life that isn't afraid of sorrow, or sadness, but is willing to keep going till they get to the light.
i want a life that is truly lived. i'm afraid i won't have that kind of life. i'm in a good place now, i have people in my life that i love, that i can laugh with, cry with. i'm experiencing new things and learning so much. i'm afraid that all this will end, i'll lose my way and the rest of my life will be... well, boring.
This is my greatest fear.
Sep 22, 2010
Do Re Mi
Musicals. i have a passion for musicals. They're so magical. What could be better than living your life in song? i've seen very few musicals live, but i've spent many hours watching DVDs and youtube videos. i have over 55 hours of musicals on my computer, and i have a fair number of them memorized (whether i can actually sing them or not).
Last year in choir our last piece was a medley of Broadway musicals. i was ecstatic!! i loved that piece, it was by far the easiest of the whole year (i already knew all but two of the sections of the medley).
My first encounter with a 'musical' was when i was about 7. My parents bought me The Swan Princess, and The Swan Princess II. They are Richard Rich directed films, much like Disney animated princess movies. In typical animation fashion, the characters sing their way through most decisions, adventures, hardships, love, and daily life. The most silly of which is "Practice, Practice, Practice" a song based entirely on Derek's archery practice. My favorite song is, of course, the only love song in the film, "Far Longer Than Forever". Anyway, this was my first 'musical'. i played that video many, many times. i had all the songs memorized, even the tenor and bass parts. i literally wore the tape out watching it so much.
Before to long i started watching Disny animation, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Lady and the Tramp, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and all the others =) i still love Disny music, but i've since 'graduated' to more adult musicals, like The King & I, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, and of course the newest rage, Wicked. i still have fond memories of that first movie tho, it was 'the one that started it all' (sry, couldn't resist).
i sometimes wish my life could be a musical. i love singing, even about silly, random things, so what could be better than singing your way thru life? i often give my life a 'sountrack' (with the help of an mp3 player and a really great car stereo). It just makes everything so much more fun!
Do you like musicals? Which is your fave??
Sep 21, 2010
Fact? Or Fiction?
Have a history teacher explain this----- if they can.
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Now it gets really weird.
Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln .
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln , was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Now hang on to your seat.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford.'
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a
warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a
theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the kicker...
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
Creepy huh? Send this to as many people as you can cause, hey, this is one history lesson people don't mind reading!
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Now it gets really weird.
Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln .
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln , was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Now hang on to your seat.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford.'
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a
warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a
theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the kicker...
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
Creepy huh? Send this to as many people as you can cause, hey, this is one history lesson people don't mind reading!
Martin Luther & The Reformation
Here's a couple of papers i had to write for my Religon class. The first is about Martin Luther and the Reformation, and the second is about his wife, Katherina.
The Reformation was the renaissance for religion. It was brought on by people like Martin Luther, and turned one unified church into many different churches. Before the Reformation, the Christian majority in Western and Central Europe shared a common set of beliefs and practises, and one Central Church was a primary source for education, for getting medical help to the poor and for people's spiritual needs. None of these come cheaply. For centuries the churches had been imposing taxes and selling indulgences, but as the Renassaince monarchies became more powerful, they wanted the tax revenue for themselves, to build strong, unified kingdoms. The tension between the kings and the church would help to set the stage for the Reformation. According to the church, if a Christian died without fully paying penance for their sin, they could still go to heaven, after suffering in purgatory first; purgatory being a place between heaven and hell where dead souls were made to suffer to fulfill their penance. To shorten the time spent in purgatory, Christians could buy indulgences.
The Renaissance writings flourished because of the new invention, the printing press. Humaninsts, like Martin Luther and patriarchs began to study the Bible in its original language and found key differences in the original text and those in the Church's writings and teachings. It was obvious to them that the Church had lost touch with the ideas and values of the early Christians. In the year 1517, a 33 year old Friar and Professor of Theology named Martin Luther, who had been struggling with a profound inner doubt about his own salvation, began to question the Church's use of indulgences. His study of the Bible led him to believe in the doctrine of salvation by grace, not by works, thereby rendering the actions of priest or even a pope, unnecessary. Believing it his mission to share this theology with others who were deceived by the church, Luther drew up a list of 95 Theses, or debation points and nailed them to church doors and posts. It was, of course, the very kind of action any respected scholar would be expected to take. These questions raised by Luther were already in the minds of many others who were struggling with the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
Luther did not originally set out to break away from the church, but to "reform" it, hence the name given to this movement, The Reformation. Luther's challenge came at a time in the Renaissance when rulers had strong political reasons for wanting to weaken the authority of the Church, and when humanists of that time were trying (and had been for the past 100 years) to encourage people to study things for themselves. It was also a time when the printing press could flood Europe with printed arguments for and against Luther's challenge, and when the current passion for education helped create a population where more people could read than ever before. All these factors lead to things happening even faster than Luther or the Church could ever predict or control. The church would eventually make some of the reforms that Luther and others were calling for, but not before insisting Luther apologize and admit he was wrong in his statements against the Church. At a meeting of German Princes and other rulers, Luther said,
"Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and counsels. My consciense is captive to the World of God. I cannot and will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me, Amen!"
Withing the church, reformers made dramatic changes, but once Luther started to hammer at the bottom line of the Church authority, making a few reforms wasn't enough anymore. Luther's challenge to the church was the spark that started a Reformation movement known as Protestantism, because it began in protest against the established Church of that time and it's laws and practises. This movement provided a basis for many new protestant churches. By making the Bible the only source of truth, Luther had opened the door to all kinds of different interpretations of what the Bible really says. From then on, Christianity would be a religion of many different denominations, and no longer under the authority of one central church.
Katherina von Bora
(Martin Luther's wife)
Katherina was about 5 when her father left her at a convent after her mother's death, and was still there at age 18 when Martin Luther issued his 95 thesis from Whittenberg. Katherina and several of the other nuns heard of them, and began to study and believe what Luther was teaching. She and her friends at the convent contacted Luther, asking for help to escape from the convent. Luther arranged for the women to be smuggled out in a tradesman's wagon. If they were caught, both the women and the tradesman would have been executed.
Luther and his associates helped the women find homes with reformed families, and eventually arranged marriages for all but Katherina. She lived with a family for 2 years, and then she sent a message to Luther. Katherina said that she would marry either Luther or his associate, Dr. Amsdorf. Katherina was determined to marry not just the first avalible man, but a man she respected. Luther "accepted", and they were married soon after.
Luther's life changed drastically after his marriage. Katie, as he called her, was a force to be reconed with. She rose at 4:00 a.m. to oversee the workings of their large home and farm. Luther sometimes called her the morning star of Whittenberg. Luther and Katie had 6 children and adopted 11 more. Katie learned to do everything- paying the bills, gardening, raising livestock, running the houshold, and even brewing beer for the family's use. They moved into a former abby, and as it was usually full of guests, Katie took care of those visitors as well. Katie was called upon to care for the sick, as well as support her husband through both physical and spiritual difficulties. Katie helped
to cure Luther's reckless side, asking him to stay home instead of going on dangerous journeys. Katie's calming influence on the household allowed Luther the time to write, teach, travel and to preach.
Katherina's influence on the reformation was more behind the scenes- supporting and challenging her husband and caring for her family. Katherina provied a new example of what it means to be a woman dedicated to God - not cloistered in a convent, but unselfishly serving her family and the church. Katherina lived her life depending on Christ alone.
The Reformation was the renaissance for religion. It was brought on by people like Martin Luther, and turned one unified church into many different churches. Before the Reformation, the Christian majority in Western and Central Europe shared a common set of beliefs and practises, and one Central Church was a primary source for education, for getting medical help to the poor and for people's spiritual needs. None of these come cheaply. For centuries the churches had been imposing taxes and selling indulgences, but as the Renassaince monarchies became more powerful, they wanted the tax revenue for themselves, to build strong, unified kingdoms. The tension between the kings and the church would help to set the stage for the Reformation. According to the church, if a Christian died without fully paying penance for their sin, they could still go to heaven, after suffering in purgatory first; purgatory being a place between heaven and hell where dead souls were made to suffer to fulfill their penance. To shorten the time spent in purgatory, Christians could buy indulgences.
The Renaissance writings flourished because of the new invention, the printing press. Humaninsts, like Martin Luther and patriarchs began to study the Bible in its original language and found key differences in the original text and those in the Church's writings and teachings. It was obvious to them that the Church had lost touch with the ideas and values of the early Christians. In the year 1517, a 33 year old Friar and Professor of Theology named Martin Luther, who had been struggling with a profound inner doubt about his own salvation, began to question the Church's use of indulgences. His study of the Bible led him to believe in the doctrine of salvation by grace, not by works, thereby rendering the actions of priest or even a pope, unnecessary. Believing it his mission to share this theology with others who were deceived by the church, Luther drew up a list of 95 Theses, or debation points and nailed them to church doors and posts. It was, of course, the very kind of action any respected scholar would be expected to take. These questions raised by Luther were already in the minds of many others who were struggling with the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
Luther did not originally set out to break away from the church, but to "reform" it, hence the name given to this movement, The Reformation. Luther's challenge came at a time in the Renaissance when rulers had strong political reasons for wanting to weaken the authority of the Church, and when humanists of that time were trying (and had been for the past 100 years) to encourage people to study things for themselves. It was also a time when the printing press could flood Europe with printed arguments for and against Luther's challenge, and when the current passion for education helped create a population where more people could read than ever before. All these factors lead to things happening even faster than Luther or the Church could ever predict or control. The church would eventually make some of the reforms that Luther and others were calling for, but not before insisting Luther apologize and admit he was wrong in his statements against the Church. At a meeting of German Princes and other rulers, Luther said,
"Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and counsels. My consciense is captive to the World of God. I cannot and will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me, Amen!"
Withing the church, reformers made dramatic changes, but once Luther started to hammer at the bottom line of the Church authority, making a few reforms wasn't enough anymore. Luther's challenge to the church was the spark that started a Reformation movement known as Protestantism, because it began in protest against the established Church of that time and it's laws and practises. This movement provided a basis for many new protestant churches. By making the Bible the only source of truth, Luther had opened the door to all kinds of different interpretations of what the Bible really says. From then on, Christianity would be a religion of many different denominations, and no longer under the authority of one central church.
(Martin Luther's wife)
Katherina was about 5 when her father left her at a convent after her mother's death, and was still there at age 18 when Martin Luther issued his 95 thesis from Whittenberg. Katherina and several of the other nuns heard of them, and began to study and believe what Luther was teaching. She and her friends at the convent contacted Luther, asking for help to escape from the convent. Luther arranged for the women to be smuggled out in a tradesman's wagon. If they were caught, both the women and the tradesman would have been executed.
Luther and his associates helped the women find homes with reformed families, and eventually arranged marriages for all but Katherina. She lived with a family for 2 years, and then she sent a message to Luther. Katherina said that she would marry either Luther or his associate, Dr. Amsdorf. Katherina was determined to marry not just the first avalible man, but a man she respected. Luther "accepted", and they were married soon after.
Luther's life changed drastically after his marriage. Katie, as he called her, was a force to be reconed with. She rose at 4:00 a.m. to oversee the workings of their large home and farm. Luther sometimes called her the morning star of Whittenberg. Luther and Katie had 6 children and adopted 11 more. Katie learned to do everything- paying the bills, gardening, raising livestock, running the houshold, and even brewing beer for the family's use. They moved into a former abby, and as it was usually full of guests, Katie took care of those visitors as well. Katie was called upon to care for the sick, as well as support her husband through both physical and spiritual difficulties. Katie helped
to cure Luther's reckless side, asking him to stay home instead of going on dangerous journeys. Katie's calming influence on the household allowed Luther the time to write, teach, travel and to preach.
Katherina's influence on the reformation was more behind the scenes- supporting and challenging her husband and caring for her family. Katherina provied a new example of what it means to be a woman dedicated to God - not cloistered in a convent, but unselfishly serving her family and the church. Katherina lived her life depending on Christ alone.
500 Memories of Summer
Don't worry, i'm not actually gonna list 500 things, but there are at least that many memeories, thoughts, and feelings swirling through my head as i think of this past summer. i tried new things, i was taught, and was able to teach others. i laughed until i cried, and cried with a friend. i discovered there's more to people than first impressions, and someone you really trust can let you down. i grew, i healed, i changed. But mostly, i lived.
This past summer i found courage. Enough to leave a church, a group of friends, and step out on my own; not knowing what would happen, or where my life was going. God blessed me and i found a church, an amazing new group of friends, and my place in the world.
i was able to experience so many things this summer; like bible camp with my new church, and a missions trip with my old church. Those are prolly the biggest 'events' of the summer, but the times that meant to most to me were the times spent with a few people, just being together.
There are three nights that stand out the most when i think of this past summer:
The first is a sunday night, spent playing capture-the-flag and just hanging out with a group of kids. That night is special to me because that was the first night i felt like i belonged with those kids, who are now my best friends :)
The second night is the night my sister accepted Christ as her Saviour. God worked miracles that night, and answered so many prayers.
The third night is a Friday night, when 5 kids gathered together to to pray for a friend. Those prayers haven't been answered yet, but we know God is working in that life, and that our prayers and tears weren't in vain.
i thank God for everything he did for me this summer, i learned so much, and built relationships that, i pray, will last a lifetime.
This summer was life-changing.
This past summer i found courage. Enough to leave a church, a group of friends, and step out on my own; not knowing what would happen, or where my life was going. God blessed me and i found a church, an amazing new group of friends, and my place in the world.
i was able to experience so many things this summer; like bible camp with my new church, and a missions trip with my old church. Those are prolly the biggest 'events' of the summer, but the times that meant to most to me were the times spent with a few people, just being together.
There are three nights that stand out the most when i think of this past summer:
The first is a sunday night, spent playing capture-the-flag and just hanging out with a group of kids. That night is special to me because that was the first night i felt like i belonged with those kids, who are now my best friends :)
 |
| the girls after capture the flag :) |
The second night is the night my sister accepted Christ as her Saviour. God worked miracles that night, and answered so many prayers.
The third night is a Friday night, when 5 kids gathered together to to pray for a friend. Those prayers haven't been answered yet, but we know God is working in that life, and that our prayers and tears weren't in vain.
i thank God for everything he did for me this summer, i learned so much, and built relationships that, i pray, will last a lifetime.
This summer was life-changing.
Sep 20, 2010
Marshall Arts
A lot of my friends take Tang Su Do and Hapkido, two forms of Marshall arts. They suggested i try it, and i thought "Why not? i can't be that bad at it." Well, i was wrong. I'm terrible. Now if I'm terrible, but having fun, I'll stick with something. i didn't have fun. The teachers are great, don't get me wrong. And it isn't the other kids, they're great too (of course i have to say that, most have a link to this blog... jk!!!!).
It's me. I'm not good at it, and i don't like it. i learned a long time ago to try new things, if i like them, stick with it even if I'm not very good. If i don't enjoy it, quit. If I'm not happy doing whatever it is, i won't ever get any better at it. I'd rather spend my time focusing on learning things i like, then learning stuff i don't.
I think Tang Su Do and Hapkido are really cool, and if you like it that's great! i just don't. And you know what? That's ok! i don't have to like, or be good at, everything my friends like. i can find something else to try, and maybe this time it'll be me saying "Hey, you should try this, it's awesome!"
It's me. I'm not good at it, and i don't like it. i learned a long time ago to try new things, if i like them, stick with it even if I'm not very good. If i don't enjoy it, quit. If I'm not happy doing whatever it is, i won't ever get any better at it. I'd rather spend my time focusing on learning things i like, then learning stuff i don't.
I think Tang Su Do and Hapkido are really cool, and if you like it that's great! i just don't. And you know what? That's ok! i don't have to like, or be good at, everything my friends like. i can find something else to try, and maybe this time it'll be me saying "Hey, you should try this, it's awesome!"
Sep 14, 2010
Animals
Animals are great. They're cute, and fun, and great to have around... Except around me. i really do think animals are wonderful, i just don't want any for myself. i blame my mom (sry mom). She's a real animal lover. If it has fur, scales or feathers she loves it. She's always volunteering at a shelter or pound. We currently have 4 animals of our own, and are fostering another. i think it's really cool that my mom is so dedicated to her cause (to rid the world of bad pet owners, and give every animal a home). It's a great goal, i just sometimes wish we hadn't had so many pets growing up. There were always animals to take care of, and mom spent a lot of time trying to convince my dad we needed 'just one more'. Thankfully, he usually said no, otherwise we would have taken in every stray in Willard. i've been called an animal hater. i'm not! i like animals, in general, and i think all animals should be treated decently. However, i don't feel it's my responsibility to make sure that happens. My mom does, that's fine, and as long as she doesn't expect me to join her we get along great. All 3 of my siblings love animals as well, so im pretty outnumbered. Only my dad is on my side.... He's a pretty good person to be on the same side with tho.
Here's a list of all the animals we've had/have now: (these are just the ones i remember, it doesn't include the ones my mom had growing up, or the ones my parents had before i was born)
Do you like animals?? What kind is your favorite??
Here's a list of all the animals we've had/have now: (these are just the ones i remember, it doesn't include the ones my mom had growing up, or the ones my parents had before i was born)
- Dogs: Max, Bear, Micky, Mudball, Josie, Oneicantremeberthenameof, Prince, Holly, Peaches,
- Guinea Pigs: Lady, Scooter, Ranger, Ebby, Mr. B, Toby,
- cats: Katy, Scotty
- Rabbits: Bouncy
- a dozen or so turtles, a few random snakes, and some wild baby rabbits.
Do you like animals?? What kind is your favorite??
Food Facts
i'm picky about food. i pretty much always have been, i'm not sure why. No one else in my family is as picky as me. i like food as much as everyone else, i'm not obsessed with it tho. However, i love sugar of all kinds. Candy, cookies, pop, it's all good with me ;) i don't like the weirdest things tho, and i do like things most ppl don't: like sprouts, or spinach. i actually really like spinach (fresh, not cooked).
Here are things i don't like:
Here are things i don't like:
- Pork. i absolutely hate pork. i don't like the taste, and i have issues eating pigs. No idea why.
- Potatoes: Yes, really. i don't like the taste or texture of potatoes. No matter how they're cooked.
- Bread: i like bread ok, but i can live without it and not miss it at all.
- Turkey: i don't like the taste.
- Pasta: i don't like the texture, it feels almost slimy to me :p
- Rice: i'm not sure why i don't like rice, i just don't...
- Hot Dogs: They're just gross.
- Any kind of organ, like kidneys, liver, or tongue: No explanation needed. That's just gross.
Sep 3, 2010
Which College???
i live in a college town. There are like 12 or 13 colleges/universities. Now, you would think that with all those, at least one would offer a degree in what i want to major in, right? Wrong. Only one has a program that's close, and it's for fashion merchandising. Yea.... not what i want. At all. My chosen major isn't even that uncommon. i want to get a degree in fashion design with an emphasis on costuming. Not that hard, every liberal arts college in the country offers courses in that... except around here. Apparently, i live in a uncreative part of the country.
So i have to look outside my city for a college. For most kids this is actually a requirement, they want to go away to college. i don't. I'm finally getting settled, I've found a great church, i have awesome friends i can depend on, and my relationship with my parent is even improving. i don't want to move!!!!!
Unfortunately, to get the education i want, and need to succeed in my chosen field, i have to go away to school. I'm currently looking at...one school.
It's Linden-wood University in St. Charles, Mo. It has a great design program, scholarships, and it's affordable. It's also 4 hours away. On the other hand, it's only 4 hours away. Really, not too bad. A lot of things have to be worked out before i can even apply to this school, but it has everything i want: A great design program, it isn't to big, it's affordable, it's based on Christian principles (supposedly), and they have a study abroad program. From what i can tell by talking to a guidance counselor and looking at their academics, it's a pretty great school.
i don't know what's going to happen with this university. i won't be able to start till next fall anyway, so i have a year to figure it all out. Like i said, I'm just looking at this school, i haven't made any decisions yet.
This is where i am with all my college stuff :p
So, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?
So i have to look outside my city for a college. For most kids this is actually a requirement, they want to go away to college. i don't. I'm finally getting settled, I've found a great church, i have awesome friends i can depend on, and my relationship with my parent is even improving. i don't want to move!!!!!
Unfortunately, to get the education i want, and need to succeed in my chosen field, i have to go away to school. I'm currently looking at...one school.
It's Linden-wood University in St. Charles, Mo. It has a great design program, scholarships, and it's affordable. It's also 4 hours away. On the other hand, it's only 4 hours away. Really, not too bad. A lot of things have to be worked out before i can even apply to this school, but it has everything i want: A great design program, it isn't to big, it's affordable, it's based on Christian principles (supposedly), and they have a study abroad program. From what i can tell by talking to a guidance counselor and looking at their academics, it's a pretty great school.
i don't know what's going to happen with this university. i won't be able to start till next fall anyway, so i have a year to figure it all out. Like i said, I'm just looking at this school, i haven't made any decisions yet.
This is where i am with all my college stuff :p
So, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?
Sep 2, 2010
Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair, and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion, or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair, and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion, or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Rain
Rain is definitely my favorite weather, and March and September are my fave months, cause of all the rain. i'm glad i like rain, it's so beautiful and most people think its 'sad' or 'depressing'. i love watching it fall. i love being inside during a storm, it makes the whole day feel cozy and warm. i love waking up to the sound of rain on my window. i like driving in rain too; i know most people hate driving in it, but for me its... nice. i can't describe it, really. It's just nice.
Rain is calming for me. Maybe it's the steady sound of it falling, maybe it's the cooler temps, maybe it's the darkness that comes with all the clouds. i don't really know.
For some people rain is depressing; it makes them think of being lonely, and death, and all kinds of depressing things. i think that's sad cause rain isn't like that at all! It's renewing the earth, it's washing everything clean again. Everything is so green and beautiful after a storm, so fresh, so ready for a new day.
i love rain.
What about you? What do you like, or dislike, about the rain??
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