• Jun. 16, 2007
Recital Day!

Hello all!

As I mentioned in my little PS. to the flute section of my last entry, I had a flute recital today!  It was so fun!  If you didn't read my previous post, and so don't know what I played, I performed the Syrinx, by Claude Debussy, and The theme and 5 variations from Les Folies D'Espagne, by Marais.  Wow!  Such beautiful pieces!  They are both unaccompanied, so I was free to stretch and pull wherever it felt good.  I love that!  I watched the videos after, and I sure move a lot, but I suppose that's just because I'm really into the music.  I think that's a good thing. ;)  There were a lot of other students, and a flute ensemble, and it was lovely to hear them!  It's so fun to realize that there are lots and lots of other flutes in the same room as you, and you're a part of it!  I'd love to post a video for you, but I'm not posting pictures of myself online for now.  I'm sorry!  Anyway, I just wanted to share how much fun I had! 

Thank you to everyone who was there and clapped and told me what a great job I did.  It really means a lot to hear that from people you respect.  I sometimes feel a little insecure after the performance unless somebody says it was good.  I mean, after all, you clap for a student even if it was yucky!  I don't usually get nervous, unless it's a really big thing, like an exam (I'm trying to convince myself that it's no different, but there's this thing in my head that says it is!), but I think I might get a little bit nervous sometimes wondering if I did a good job, because it's so easy to notice all of your own mistakes and think that it was a lot worse than it was.  That's why I love video taping and audio recording.  Then you can watch/listen to it, and see that it wasn't as bad as you thought!  All that to say thank you everyone for your kind words.  They go a very long way in making me a better musician. 

This is a list of who is currently helping me in my flutey endeavors!  I'd also just like to make mention of the the people at church who compliment me on my flutistic-ness on the rare occasion that I play there.  Thank you!

1.) I couldn't do it without my fabulous flute teacher who means the world to me.  Tuesday is my favourite day of the week!  Thanks so much!

2.) None of this would be possible without my Parents leading every step of the way.  Their continued financial support, emotional support, and undying love creates an environment in which I truly can learn about the subject I find most fascinating.  Thank you!!!

3.) My best friend and accountability partner, who keeps me in check whether I've practiced enough, and reminds me that she has accomplished a lot more that day than I did, and I should perhaps have spent less time blogging and more time making music.  The fact that I have a musical friend is so perfect, too.  I really appreciate you in everything.

4.) Last on the list, but first in my heart: Jesus.  If it wasn't for his incredible gift of music to me, and the other fantastic musicians around the world, our world would be a sorry, silent world.  How dull!  Thank you for this precious task you have put in my heart, Jesus!  You are so amazing!

Now I'm off to finish making my Father's Day card and wrapping the gift!  A new breadboard!  He really needs it! :)  Shhhhh...don't give it away! :P

I hope whoever reads this finds it interesting!  :)
Sheila

PS.  Why is it easier to be goofy and fun-like when you type than when you speak?  I want to be silly all the time!  Sometimes it's hard! :D

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• Jun. 6, 2007
Another lovely year in music!

Hello faithful readers!  Yes, I exist!

I apologize for my lack of posting.  I've been terribly busy!  I've been working, and taking my AWSI course (I'm totally overjoyed, because yesterday I passed with flying colours!), and doing school and music, and enjoying the sunshine, and setting up the pool (finally) and so many other things.  Needless to say, I really haven't had much chance to post. :)

I'm really here to post about Music things and such.  First off, I want to thank my flute teacher for reading my blog!  I appreciate the compliments!  After finding out that you'd read it, I noticed that I really haven't posted much about music lately!  I have, however, beeing thinking and doing a lot about music!  Where do I start? 

I guess I'll begin with flute.  First off, I have the best flute teacher in the world, and I feel sorry for all you other flute students who don't live near enough to me to have such an awesome flutey person as a mentor.  Add the awesome, flute-ish,goofiness that comes out at every lesson, and it's just so fun.  (A.K.A. making a Marais variation into a story about a rabbit hunter and his little wife and kids over the hill....haha!)  Thanks a billion!

I've learned tons this year.  I think I've taken a rather large leap with tone, thanks to some long tones every day as I wander the house reading whatever happens to be lying on the kitchen counter.  That has helped me immensely in creating the sounds I want in every piece.  It's not yet perfect, but it's getting there!  The flexibility in tone is marvelous when you start to really discover it!  I've played several 'big' pieces this year, including two three movement Concertos, one by Pergolesi, and one by Tartini.  I also played the first movement of the Andante Pastoral and Scherzettino by Taffanel (Of the Taff. and Gaubert book.)  Those, along with numerous studies and duets, plus the Syrinx, and much more, made up my repertoire this year.  I performed in Festival a few months ago, too, playing two movements of the Tartini Concerto, and the Andante Pastorale.  There were four flute classes, and two flutists.  One of them was me.  Ha!  I also won a little bursary with it!  It really was fun to do, and was an awesome day I'll never forget.  My flute teacher and piano accompanist were there, and so were my Mom and Dad and some homeschool people we knew, and we just had so many laughs.  I went to bed with overwhelming joy in my heart that night.  That's what music does to you, folks!  Thanks to everyone who made it an awesome day! 

Oh yes, and I participated in the a Chamber Orchestra's Concerto competition as well.  I didn't win, but I did my all out best, and I'm so glad I've now had the chance to experience an audition, even if on a small scale.  As I said, I didn't win (Hey, only one person could, and they were quite a bit older, I'm still thrilled with how I did!!!), but at their concert, recently, I was given 'honourable mention' and a round of applause, along with another flute student.  It was such a good feeling to know you worked hard at something and succeeded.  So that is a short little condensation of what I did with my shiny silver tube (A.K.A. Flute) this year.  Maybe sometime in the next few years, I shall join the 'Shrieking Twig Set'.  (In regular language: Maybe I'll get a piccolo.)

PS. June 15: Oh yes, and guess what?  Tomorrow I get to play at a little recital!  I'm really excited, as I love performing flute!  I'll be playing the Theme and 5 short variations, by Marais, and the Syrinx! :)

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NOTE: For all of you who don't live in Canada, we have 10 music Grades here.  There are two options: The Royal Conservatory of Music (www.rcmusic.ca) has a program that is hugely widespread and well-known, and the newer, less-known, in my opinion better option; Conservatory Canada (www.conservatorycanada.ca).  I am in the process of completing grade 9 in both instruments at the moment.  As you probably guessed, I use Conservatory Canada, and always have.  I love it, and think it's worth traveling an extra hour to get to exams!

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Now I shall get on to the black and white keyed end of things!  Piano is wonderful, finally.  It is such a blessing to have a teacher like I have.  After rather many trials with previous teachers, it's a huge relief.  As with flute, we have alot of fun at lessons, and have been working on catching me up with the theory I missed with the yucky teachers.  It was hard to get her as my teacher, in fact, I lost her once, but then was able to get her back a year later!  Boy was it worth it!!!  Thanks so much, you're fabulous!

I've done lots as well with Piano!  I was going to be in festival, but the festival people messed up a bit!  So I didn't, but I did take a piano exam in February!  I took my Grade 8, and passed with a nice, clean, 81.3 %  I was very excited about that, because I thought I'd done a lot worse on my technique etc.!  For my exam, I played some really lovely pieces.  I played 'Les Carillons', by Kirnberger, and the 'Moonlight Sonata' by Beethoven, and a rather famous Waltz by Brahms, and a rather interesting but quite different, more modern 'New Year Waltz for Ferdinand Eckhardt'!  I also played a Scarlatti Sonata, and a Lullaby by Grieg (studies) and my all time favourite: 'Milonga del Angel' by Astor Piazzolla.  Gorgeouss piece!

Now I'm into the Grade 9 stuff!  It's challenging, but really neat!  One of my pieces is called the 'Hymn to Freedom' by Oscar Peterson, and it's so fascinating, because it's obviously about black freedom, but it really applies to all of our hearts!  I'm now learning the 'Girl with the Flaxen Hair', and a Chopin Nocturne and a Fantasia by Mozart, along with a couple other things.  What a neat selection I have this year!

As you might already know by reading my posts, I've been teaching two little children piano.  They won't be returning next year, as they've decided it would be easier for all their kids to go to one teacher.  Oh well!  I really hope I can find some new students, though, and possibly for flute too, because it is such a joy.  I truly believe I've chosen the right profession.  I love teaching!  Whether it's flute, piano, or swimming, I just love helping children to learn new things, and making things that seemed awful, hard and un-interesting to be fun, exciting and fascinating!  It's pure delight to see their eyes sparkle as they perform a tast previously laborious to them!  They've been with me a year and a half now, and I really think they've learned a lot.  It's sad that I have to let them go, but I hope they do well.  They are brother and sister, and vastly different, yet both fantastic musicians.  It has been an almost magical task to teach these kids.  They are far from perfect (who of us isn't?), but it was still a real pleasure.  Teaching: Satisfaction Guaranteed!

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So all that to say that I am thriled to be a musician, and while I sometimes wish I could dance better, skate better, swim better, or even sing better; I am glad I have put my full effort into this thing which will last a lifetime and not just untill my leg muscles give way or my voice dips down and crackles.  Boy is it worth it.  If you have not yet picked up an instrument, or sat down at the piano, do so soon.  It's never to late if you can dedicate an hour or two a week.   Before you know it, however, you won't be able to stop at two hours a week, soon it will be five, and more!  What I say is pursue it to the best of your abilityt!  You never have to become a concert pianist, or professional teacher, but get to the point where you can make glorious sounds for Jesus, and fill your soul with joy on those sad, low-key evenings.  Take it far enough that you can play for your children, and sing with them, or just comfort yourself in your old age.  Whatever you do with the sounds you make, you will be glad you did it.  I hope somehow, my sharing what I've done with all of you will inspire someone, somewhere, someday, to pick up that instrument that has been lying in the closet for years, dust it off, and produce golden music. 

Thanks for listening to my passions!

In Christ,

Sheila

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• May. 22, 2007
Our Little Miracle! Meet Peep!

So, this morning my Mom was driving back from some errands, and found a little baby birdie sitting in the middle of the road!  She took him home, and we made him happy in a little cage for a while, and then we tried to let him free in the bush, but he kept trying to fly and then falling of a branch!  So later we took him and put him in a safer, flatter spot.  He was still 'cheep cheep-ing' then, so hopefully his Mommy found him!  Here are some pictures and two videos! :)

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• May. 21, 2007
How can I be really dedicated to God?

I've been feeling a bit like I'm not very strong in my Christian walk, lately.  I don't know, I guess it's just a feeling as if I just am not doing enough for God.  I mean, I read my Bible, pray, go to Church, 'be good', etc., but I felt a bit like I was missing a bit of the spark of life that we as Christians are meant to have.  I want that!

One of the things I really fight with is not have a place to commune with God.  I mean, a freshly cut lawn and a picture-perfect house accross the street, along with asphalt and street lights just don't create a very reverent environment.  Last summer when we were away and rented a little cottage in the middle of nowhere, I had a really amazing 'chat' with God.  I was actually crying!  Somehow being out in nature, especially if it's twilight, seeing the silouets of trees, and maybe the moon glistening on a lake, and the stars twinkling silently, each with their own little song, just helps me to listen to God.  It's different when you are sitting on your bed.  What did God tell me that evening?  He told me I needed to be a foot-washer.  He told me I needed to be humble, and through little acts of servanthood, that I was a leader.  Boy, I struggle with that!

For a while, I was fairly diligent in my foot-washing (not literally!!!), but after a while I kind of forgot.  It's easy to forget to be humble.  To be honest, sometimes I'm a little arrogant pig.  I want it my way now, I want everybody else to like it or if not to deal with it, and let me do my thing.  I want to be in control, I want to know what's going on, I want to be in charge!  God, however, says: "Be a servant, and I will make you a leader in my own way."  That thought--though I hadn't put it into words--has, I think, been scraping away at the little wall of self-satisfaction that I had built around my heart since I 'forgot'.  Sadly, it's not all gone yet, but with prayer and hard work, and hopefully a bit of self-sacrifice, I will make it come down!

I mentioned this to a friend when I told her, that all this sound so spiritual, and how could I make a blog post to the entire world, about my wanting to be humble?  It sounds a little ironic, but I just want all you to know what I struggle with, so you know that I feel like this too, even for all my articles on Godly relationships and all that.  To be honest, I have felt rather 'spiritually dead' lately.  So, when I read my Bible, I'm trying to think it through a bit more than I was, and I am trying to live out Greg Long's son: 'Fifteen'.  Here are the words:

I  was sitting at the table
As the waitress took our order
In her eyes I knew that something wasn't right
And before I saw it coming
I was caught up in her story
Of the storms that she had weathered in her life
My friend said can we pray for you
She said I think I'd like you to
She walked away, we bowed our heads
But then he turned to me and said


If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause, I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

Just a chapter in a story
With the ending still unwritten
Do they find the truth of Jesus after all
As I listen for the whispers
And I follow where they lead me
I pray that I'll be faithful to the call
I know that God can work through me
I may not understand it now
But I believe somehow

If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

God I don't want to miss the chances
When you open the door
What may seem so insignificant
You see so much more

If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third, may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

 

Can I make a difference?  I think so!  If I can just live my every day walk with Christ, just being a Christian, maybe I can change people's lives.  Maybe just being a servant for someone else will help me become the leader of their lives: Leading them to Christ's eternal kingdom. 

Now, I think there are some feet to be washed!  Let me be off!  Pray for me, and I will pray for you as your names become known!

Love in Christ,

Sheila

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• May. 17, 2007
Dating, Crushes, and Love (Teens; Part 2)

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• May. 13, 2007
Ooops...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I actually have two big posts I'm working on, but they take time.  So, I guess I'll just write a little bit about what life has been like. 

I started working at a local organic farm on Friday, and planted quite a lot of lettuce. :)  It's a fun job, and it's lovely getting out into the bright sunshine and clear air!  The lady who is my boss, I guess is a lot nicer than the lady at the place I worked last year.  Similar job, different place, nicer people.  I also got a hanging basket from there for my Mom for Mother's Day! It has tumbling tomatos and lettuce and a marigold, and while it doesn't look particularly beautiful now, I think it will be quite nice when the plants grow.  I asked how much she wanted for it, and she just gave it to me!  Very sweet lady.  She was also going to give me minimum wage ($8.50 per hour) for the first little while to 'see if I was good', but decided by the end of Friday (my first day there) that she liked me enough and I did a good enough job to get $10 an hour!  So, I'm really happy with that.  I won't work everyday, and I'll only work maybe 4-5 hours each time, but that's enough for me right now, and it's really awesome to have a bit of money to put away.

I also began my Assistant Water Safety Instructor (AWSI) course a week ago!  It was for 5 Saturdays, and I've done two, so only 3 left!  It's actually tons of fun, even though it's hard work.  We got to assist with some lower level classes yesterday, and that was really neat.  Little children are so sweet.  Mostly watching, but sometimes helping the children, I learned a lot about teaching through that 3 hour experience!  We will have 8 hours of assistant teaching experience by the end of the course, too!  TAfter this course I do another first aid course, (pobably in the fall) and I've already done Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross, the first two lifesaving courses, and then once I turn 16 I can get my NLS (National Lifesaving Service award) and my WSI (Water Safety Instructor award), and then I'm all set to go to be a lifeguard and swim/water safety teacher for the Canadian Red Cross!  Yessss!!!!  It's very exciting!  I love working with kids, and helping people, and being responsible for people's safety: leadership. 

So, I think that's all the exciting news I can think of, except that my cousin cut her finger off on a meat-slicer at her job at a deli.  They have sewn it back on though, and I think it's going to grow back.   We have yet to see whether she will have any feeling in the end of her right ring finger though.  Please pray for her, it must hurt incredibly, and they didn't perscribe any pain killer, and my Grandparents gave her some codeine and she is very allergic to it.  I'm not sure what she is using now.

I hope I'll hear from everyone soon!

Sheila

[EDIT: PS. Make that three posts I'm working on!  Oh yeah, I'm also making the RSS feed available.  I didn't know what it was before.  If you want it, there it is. :) ]

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• Apr. 29, 2007
Beautiful Walk in Nature!

Hello all! 

I just got back from a perfecty lovely walk with my family.  We got to walk through nature, see geese, ducks, baby birds, bunnies, all sorts of beautiful things!  In one way I wish I'd brought my camera so I could show you, but it was also nice not to have to constantly pull out my camera, and have to stop at every opportunity.  I can go back anytime, but it was lovely not having that constraint.  :)  Anyway, needless to say it was fabulous.  The flowers are all blooming, and once we even smelled honey, but couldn't figure out where it came from.  I'm actually glad of that!  I've only been stung once, and lightly, and I'd like it to stay that way. :P  Isn't God's creation simply spectacular?  Thank you Jesus!
Blessings all,
Sheila

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• Apr. 16, 2007
It's My Birthday!

Guess what?  I'm 15!  Wouldn't you know it, 15 years today there was just one more cute little pink thing wiggling around on the surface of our planet!  Me!

Here I am in all my glory:  (No, I'm not that chubby now!!! :P )

Sheila

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• Apr. 4, 2007
Special ways to capture who you are!

Quote:

Yes, thankyou so much for your responses! It is very encouraging to hear your sensitive thoughts and excitement! Oh, how I look forward to presenting my precious box to 'him', if only he will appreciate it. Thanks so much, Sheila

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• Mar. 31, 2007
A full ski report...

Skiing again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time ever, I post a pic of me...however, you can't see my face for the hat and goggles!!!  No, I don't ski with my arms in the air...


Yeah, we went skiing again yesterday, and it was really fun!  My Dad came with me and he hasn't skied for about 15 years!  Wow!  We had a lot of fun though, but he decided to stop a little earlier than me.  I also had a great lesson, and got to learn how to (sort of) do moguls and I went on the intermediate runs!  It was so fun!!!  I wish you all could have been there!!!


So I learned tons, and evidentally I'm a natural at skiing!  My instructor told me that I was doing stuff that "nobody does on their second time skiing".  So, I'm pretty happy about that. :D  It wasn't too cold, but it snowed most of the time.  It was supposed to just be light flurries in the late afternoon, but the flurries started around 10:00 am, and got heavier as the day went on.  So, we were soggy and happy and just all around had an awesome time. :D

Sheila

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• Mar. 28, 2007
What is a Teenager? (Teens; Part 1)

What words do you think of when you say 'teenager'?  Punk, Emo, Goth?  Young lady, young man, both?  Dating, high school, extreme sports?  What are the 'teenage years'?  Are they simply a time between childhood and adulthood, or does the name teenager pertain only to a group of people between young and old?  We are young adults, almost ready to face an uncertain world, and with God's help, you and I must discover who we are.

Many jokes are made about these years, parents say them in front of their kids, pastors say them from the pulpit, and many teens even laugh at the jokes themselves, but what is it that makes these jokes funny?  Is it reality, or is it a disappointing system?  Really, they are insults.  Why should someone assume that because I'm 14 I disrespect my parents?  The reason, simply put, is that the stereotypical 'teenager' has become a disrespectful, un-thoughtful, disobedient, dull, un-interested person, dressed in drab colours with hair hanging in their face and underwear hanging out of pants that--depending on gender--are falling off, or are much too tight.  Why?  Wait around to watch the majority of kids come out of the high school at lunch time, and just watch for a few minutes.  It's sickening.

We must raise the bar, and step out from the rest of our generation.  Unfortunately, that means separating ourselves from those who we often consider 'friends'.  When we spend time with stereotypical teens, it rubs off on us.  Now, that does not mean in any way that we shouldn't ever spend time with non-Christian youths, after all, we must shine as a witness of Christs's love and forgiveness.  If the school and their families don't inform them of God's glorious grace, who will?  You!  It's a tough thing to do, staying away from the cliques and trends.  Watching others be accepted for their immodest clothes can easily lead one to believe that that is what I should do.  After all, everyone wants love!  What I have been learning of late, however, is that God loves me, and accepts me, and I don't need the affection of dull teenagers to have a wonderful life.

Let us take a couple examples from God's Word of young people who were not afraid to do hard things.

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel.

Jacob, though faced with awful dissapointment at the end, was willing to work for 7 years to recieve a beautiful wife.  How many of us would be willing to do so?  We want everything immediately and as easily as possible, but we seldom end up with a worthwhile prize.  Being a seemingly long time, 7 years of working would not be welcomed heartily by many youngsters now.  Pursue the difficult, and reach high goals!

Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.

Ouch!  That's a tough one, and it's not just aimed at young men.  In this context, 'young man' means 'young person'.  I often find things in God's word that I do not live according to.  As set-apart young people, we need to try to step up to that level of life.  As we desire physical purity, so we must also strive for spiritual purity, and we see in this verse that we must live according to His word to attain that.  This, beloved, is who we are: Young people dedicated to a purposeful, pure life, by doing hard things, and living in accordance with the Bible.

If we can strive to go against our culture's expectations of teenagers, we can shine like 'a light set on a hill', and glorify our heavenly Father in so doing.  Do we not want to join forces and be Christ's hands?  Let us put aside the stereotypes, and be teenagers who are willing to be a rising generation that God can use!

Sheila

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• Mar. 16, 2007
Nobody loves me...

Why is it that people say they are going to do something with you, and then decide that something else that comes up is more important.  I know someone who was going to go up to where I ride with me and her Mom, and little brother, and we were going to help out etc., as we did before, but with her Mom and little brother.  I was really looking forward to it!  Of course, she goes to a sleepover, and decides that 'sleeping in' and going kayaking later is more important.  Good grief.   

My only friend lives far away!  I'd move in a second if it wasn't for...not being able to I guess.  I can't even go romp around outside!  There is nothing to romp around in!  Gah!!! 

Okay, now I've let out my steam. :P  Oh yeah, I never mentioned skiing!  It went fantastically!!!  I learned quickly, and twas much fun!  My Dad is probably going to ski with me on March 30.  And, there's a slim possibility I might go this week.  Muchly fun! 
The day is getting on, I'd better get going. :)
Sheila

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• Feb. 19, 2007
Pray for Jillian...

Please pray for Little 4 year old Jillian, who is going through a really hard time right now.  They found a football-sized tumour in her chest a few weeks ago, which was cancerous.  Fortunatley they have been able to shrink it, but she still needs a lot of prayer.  Visit their blog at: Team Bettendorf

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• Feb. 15, 2007
Modesty Survey Results!

For those of you who don't know, The Rebelution (www.therebelution.com) has released the results of the Modesty Survey, where thousands of men - young and not so young - answered girls' legitimate questions about modesty.  It is so encouraging to read the text responses and know that there are young men out there who care how we dress.  They notice and take the time to say 'Thanks!' through this awesome project!  Check it out! :)

http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/

Sheila

PS.  Guys!  You can still sign the modesty survey petition!  Go sign it and show the feminine side of the world that you really care! :)

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• Feb. 10, 2007
Two exciting things...

Well, guess what?  On March 5, I get to learn to fall over!  That is - to ski...  I got a fun jacket to ski in:

Pic courtesy of Google image search.

Yes, tis exciting!  So, I am really looking forward to that. 

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However...there is something even more wonderful about to happen!  A friend is coming to visit that I haven't seen in like, forever! ;)  Very exciting!!!!!!  This is the friend that I mentioned quite a while back that is so dear to my heart!   It will probably be sometime in July for about 3 weeks!  Amazing!!!  I am blessed, and excited, and jittery, and my cup is overflowing.  A silent prayer of Thanks to my Saviour is now being said from my corner of the world.  Thankyou Jesus!!!!!!!

God bless you all, and may your summer be as joy-filled as mine will be!
Sheila

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• Feb. 1, 2007
The Miracle of Life...

I can't say who, but someone I know just found out recently that they're going to have a baby!   I just got this pic (Of course, I got all of it.), to bring me the good news!

(This is their youngest!)

It really is amazing what the thought that a brand new life is coming into the world does to you!  I'm all jittery and excited, and I feel totally blessed.  The Lord is really amazing.  How beautiful it is to know that Jesus is excited too!  Babies are a gift from God, and I am so delighted to know that another of his gifts is on it's way!
Blessings,
Sheila

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• Jan. 23, 2007
Comtemplating Our Appearance (Do you have IDCS?)

It seems that in this world, we are so overtly - and overly - concerned with how we look.  Following is a short list of some of the primary ways we are concerned with outward appearance:

-Clothes
-Make up
-Hair
-Attitude
-Facial expression
-'Religion'

As it is the most often thought of example of outward appearance, clothes is first on my list.  It seems that the 'trends' and 'fashions' - though not by any stretch of the imagination a central point in my life - still reach me.  For instance, when I have that sneaking desire to wear jeans when I know there might be teens around - 'just cuz', or when you really 'want' to wear the little flouncy skirt instead of the long flowing dress that you really feel pretty in - 'cuz you know she won't wear that to church' - those are the toughest times to control our love of 'fitting in'.  I've been trying lately - when I have those urges to wear something that isn't bad in itself, but fosters a feeling of having to be fashionable - to wear something else.  The fuzzy blue pants that aren't quite so tight, while looking quite nice and neat and even pretty, and which perhaps aren't quite as trendy as the girl next door's, would be a better choice to keep our notorious feelings of 'fitting in' from getting out of hand.

For those of us who love prettiness - wear a dress!  Goodness knows they're extremely hard to find, but when you do find one (Like the one I got for $3 on E-bay!), and you put it on, brush your hair, pinch your lips and stand in front of the mirror to twirl around; you feel an immediate sense of beauty and loveliness and feel perfectly free and happy - at least I do.  I believe that when we  wear dresses and skirts, we  begin to comport ourselves with more grace and lady-like manners.  As Anna Naomi on Maidens of Worth (www.maidensofworth.blogspot.com) was mentioning, wearing dresses doesn't mean you can't romp around and have fun and be silly and 'childish', but you all-around feel better.  I often wear pants for a lack of dresses and a dislike of pantyhose, but I am learning to sew, and I have discovered the joy of knee-high socks!!!

The second on the list is Make-up.  Being a topic of much conversation between parent and daughter around 13, this must be addressed.  When I was 12, I began wearing a little mascara - without telling anyone the first time or two I must add, until my Mother noticed and told me it was alright for me to wear it once in a while.  Then I wanted 'just a little more'.  The eyeshadow was allowed for play, and then 'once in a while'.  Then I got a make-up kit from my Parents for my 14th birthday, which included some nail polish - which I'd always been allowed to wear, but rarely did - some mascara, eyeshadow, blush and some 'lip gunk' as I like to call it. :)  I wore most of it for a few months.  Then the blush came off, and then the eyeshadow, and then the mascara, and now, I only wear 'lip gunk' every so often, mostly using chapstick or the like to moisten my lips.  I can wear any make-up I want save skin toner, but I now wear practically nothing except for very very special occasions.  I must say it is extremely liberating.  I cry very easily and would often find myself choking back the tears simply because then I would have black streaks down my face, or I'd rub one eyelid only to realize I rubbed all the eyeshadow off, and end up rubbing it off the other eye to make it even.  I felt silly - and I must have looked silly too, a lot of the time.  Quickly taking up many minutes a day, and making me very self-concious, I began to feel as if I wasn't pretty without it.  When I eased it off, and started wearing virtually no make-up, I actually started to feel prettier.  I was letting my natural God-given beaty shine through, and I felt I could get closer to him, and I think he likes that.

Hair hasn't been too much of a concern for me, however I did think over getting it cut a little more 'trendy' a while back.  I now have my long hair slightly layered at the front to add a little 'flounce', and I really like it, but I  don't need anymore!  Purple hair looks silly on a pretty girl - why waste money on the bottle?  Feeling pretty and having one's hair set in a nice braid or hair-clip is quite nice, and sufficient for anyone.  If God gave you lovely red locks, why straighten them or cut it all off?  I'm all for fun short hair-dos, if they are not time-wasters - taking time away from things that need doing or a quiet time with Jesus - go for it and enjoy!  Please, though, consider letting it hang and be pretty, leaving it long so that when you run into the wind you can feel the lovely breeze pulling it off your face.  That is the most beautiful, pretty feeling.  Thank you Jesus for giving me a fine head of hair to enjoy and not obsess about!

One's attitude is most defineately part of their outward appearance.  We can be greatly influenced by the world around us as to what kind of attutude we should have.  Lately, the teen attitude has been saying: "Who cares?  I don't.  Let's be boring and un-interesting, and sullen."  Why?  Because that is what the media and the black butchy hair and the ragged jeans and tight slit tops are telling them.  I most certainly care if I have a hole in my pants, yet you can buy jeans premade like that.  If  "your attitude...[is]...like that of Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 2:5), you will shine for him, you will serve others for him, you will only 'not care' in the sense that you don't care if everyone in the whole world knows that you love Jesus and are going to serve him the rest of your life, and you don't care if that bothers someone.  That is an attitude that Christ holds dear. 

You may wonder what I mean when I say that facial expression is a matter of great importance in our society, but please; walk into a fashion clothing store and watch the dead, bored, sullen, un-interested faces of the teenagers within.  There is a message which is being given whether they know it or not.  "I don't care about anybody."   What an awful thought!  The many who call themselves part of this rising generation actually have no interest whatsoever in the fact that you or your friend, or their friend, or the entire world, might be hurting.  It simply doesn't matter to them.  As you might inadvertantly copy these faces, you demonstrate that message to the world too, even if you don't mean to say it.  Smiling and laughing or at least looking alert and interested will cause people to look twice and possibly to notice the different kind of person you are.  Here is a perfect springboard for witnessing!

The word 'Religion' is tossed about much in our modern society.  I've even heard someone deliberatley say: "Oh, I'm so glad I'm not tied down by religion, and that I can do whatever I want."  This is another direct link to the 'I don't care' syndrome.  (IDCS! :-)  If you can prove to the world by the way you dress, and your attidute, and the way you carry your person that the 'religion' that you are 'tied to' is a faith of great freedom and love and joy - you can glow like the first evening star and cause others to be interested in who and what you stand for.  On the other hand if you proclaim that your 'religion' is Christianity, and yet you dress immodestly, and look sullen and appear to have the IDCS (I Don't Care Syndrome), no one around you is going to be particularly drawn to this 'Jesus' that you speak of. 

Shine for your Saviour!  Shed the old ways of sullen faces and disrespectful attitudes to proclaim your love for Jesus without saying a word!  Prove to our sad world that there is a better way to live - something worth far more than 'fitting in' to the latest fashions and trends - and that that way is to follow Christ!
Sheila

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• Jan. 21, 2007
The Big Blogger Question...

Who uses Blogger.com???  I know you do, Maria, what's it like?  Why did you use blogger and not something like this?  See, I've got a toss-up. I'd get more traffic if I switched to blogger, but then again, I'd also have the added 'bonus' of dealing with accidentaly clicking 'next blog' and getting some bad stuff.  So you see, I have a dillemma.  HSB is also sometimes very slow, and it's a little awkward.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks,

Sheila

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• Jan. 17, 2007
French/Le Francais!

Bonjour ! J'ai décidé d'écrire blog dans aujourd'hui français. Avec espoir j'apprendrai quelque chose de lui. Que je tape maintenant est traduit avec un traducteur en ligne, mais j'écrirai un blog en français tout tout seul bientôt. Dieu bénit, Sheila

TRANSLATION...

Hello!  I decided to blog in French today.  Hopefully I will learn something from it.  What I am typing right now is being translated with an online translator, but I am going to write a blog in French all by myself soon.  God bless,
Sheila

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ALL BY MYSELF...

Bonjour!  Je suis Sheila, mais vous savez cela.  Je comprends un petit Francais, mais j'apprendrai Francais tres bien.  J'utilise le dictionnaire, mais que d'accord.  Allons!  Apprendre le Francais avec moi!

TRANSLATION...

Hello!  I am Sheila, but you know that.  I understand a little French, but I will learn French very well.  I use the dictionary, but that alright.  Let us go!  Learn French with me! 

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It's not essay speech, and the translation is a little too literal, but hey, it's a start! :D
Sheila

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• Jan. 10, 2007
No longer a lonely blog!

Thanks Mariah! :D

I was going to get a hit counter so I know whether my blog is lonely or not...even if nobody tiddles, but I can't find one that doesn't want my URL.  :)  Oh well! 

Crocheting is awesome, I now can do three stitches - single, half double, and double!  YAY!  Feeling happy. :)  I should practicimo some more.  God bless,
Sheila

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