Oct. 26, 2009 - The Church in the Wildwood
As the people entered the church yard, beautiful song wafted out through the open windows. It was a hymn, as the people of this church always sang. Hymns that even the smallest child could sing, albeit with a lisping accent. Hymns that had been sung by their ancestors for hundreds of years, and yet still held truth.
Many churches in the town had begun to integrate newer, more contemporary songs into their worship services. Gone were the sweet, beautiful tones of a church raising it's voice together. Now, churches had drums, and guitars, and all manner of noise makers, that served only to drown out the voice of it's brethren. Why bother singing if your voice cannot be heard?
The people heading to this church, however, had joy in their hearts. Even now, the organ was gently humming a song about that very thing; Joy to the World, the Lord has come. These people did not have their ears blasted by too-loud music. These people did not have a "worship" team, and yet their souls were soothed every Sunday.
Even the young people would remember all of their lives, with lovely fondness, the sweet songs that they had heard as children. Someday, those tuneful words would be more to them than just nostalgic memories.
There is a need for beautiful music to be played in church. My heart aches to hear a body of people raise their voices to sing Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, The Church's One Foundation, and other dear songs. I desperately want to hold a volume of hymns that has a well worn, but loved binding; to turn through it's pages simply taking in the titles.
Perhaps I am the one being nostalgic. Perhaps I don't really know what I'm talking about. However, there is one thing that I do know. I miss singing old hymns in church. I don't believe I have heard one, real, old hymn sung in church since last December.
I leave you with--a hymn. The Church in the Wildwood is the first song that came to mind when I thought about writing this post. Someday it would be nice to visit The Little Brown Church in the Vale, but for now, the song will do. You can listen to its loveliness HERE.
by Dr. William S. Pitts
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Chorus
Oh, come, come, come, come,
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Second Stanza
Oh, come to the church in the vale,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb.
Third Stanza
How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale.
Fourth Stanza
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
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Oct. 21, 2009 - Agreeable Friends
they pass no criticisms.
~ George Eliot
Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz
~Irish proverb
What greater gift than the love of a cat?
~Charles Dickens
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Aug. 31, 2009 - Living on Charity
Isn't it amazing how many book characters refuse to accept charity, right down to the slightest kindness? The haughty line, "We don't take charity" is found often enough in books.
There are even people today, everywhere around us, who are too proud to accept help when they need it. I have been with people like that, and it is hard to even offer your services as a gift, without them thinking it is charity.
However, most people don't stop to realize that every single person on this earth is living on charity.
Huh?
Every single person on this earth is living on charity.
God didn't HAVE provide a way for us to go to Heaven. He didn't have to send Jesus to die on the cross for us. He didn't even have to provide the Holy Spirit to help us in our day to day lives, but He did.
CharityThat sure sounds like what God did for us! Benevolent good will? Check. Love of humanity? Check. Generosity and helpfulness for needy sufferers? Check.
1 Benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 Generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering
The reason people don't take charity, is because they don't want to humble themselves and admit that they need help.
The reason people don't accept Jesus' sacrifice is because they don't want to humble themselves and admit that they can't handle things.
We're all living on charity, folks, whether we like it or not. Isn't it good to know that someone else is watching out for us?
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."
Proverbs 29:23
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Aug. 27, 2009 - Sitting in a Library and I have no Card
Here I sit in the public library. I have often seen people who bring laptops to the library, or use the computers that most libraries offer, but I have never before been one of them. However, after some recent internet troubles, we had to resort to using the internet at one of our all time favorite locations. The Library.
It's a funny thing that as I sit here, I don't even have a library card. In order to obtain one, you have to show the librarian either a bill or a drivers license that prove that you live in the area. We have neither as of yet. We only moved into our house last Sunday, and we haven't had a chance to get Kentucky drivers licenses.
My Mother said, aptly, "Very strange being surrounded by books and not being allowed to check any of them out because we still don't have library cards! It's very painful actually." I totally agree.
I suppose, eventually, we will acquire the much desired Card of Library Access. I just wanted to pout about not having it NOW!
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Aug. 20, 2009 - Sweetness is...
Sweetness is looking at the beautiful world around you.
Sweetness is walking leisurely along in the fading sunlight.
Sweetness is forgetting that computers exist, even for a few seconds.
Sweetness is discussing blog strategies with your sister.
Sweetness is watching your 12 year old brother learn to ride his bike.
Sweetness is laughing at your other brother, for his goofy witticisms.
Sweetness is being amazed at a frog the size of your hand.
Sweetness is knowing that the Heavenly Father is with me through all other sweetnesses.
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Jul. 28, 2009 - The Great Adventure
"Girls. I just wanted to let you know that this morning, Daddy got a call back for a job." In my half awakened state, I asked, "Where?"
"Kentucky"
I looked into my Mom's face, and she had a look like she was waiting for my reaction.
Wow. This was...big.
After waking up, Mommy and I got together and our excitement was almost out of control. We looked up all kinds of things about Kentucky. We discovered all kinds of neat things. The cost of housing was a big question, and we eagerly searched all around the area we would be moving to for homes.
I found one that I really liked, and I was prattling off all of it's features to Mommy, when I glanced at one of the pictures again. "Wait a minute. This house doesn't have electricity!" The oil lanterns hanging from the ceilings were a clue. It had been an old Amish home!
As the day wore on and we didn't hear anything, our adrenaline rush began to wear thin, and we became exhausted. You can only look up attractions in Kentucky for so long. Neither of us got any work done, because we were waiting on pins and needles.
Several days went by, and we still didn't hear anything. We began to think it had been yet another false alarm, and that the company didn't really want to hire Daddy after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day before we heard about the Kentucky job, the family had decided that we needed to put our house on the market. "Prepare for rain", from Facing the Giants, pretty much became our motto, and selling our house was our way of preparing for rain. Houses were selling at the rate of slugs, and we already knew that we were going to have to move anyway.
Daddy and Mommy made the decision to sell, and the next morning we got the call from Kentucky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several days after the call, Daddy got another call, another phone interview. As we listened into the conversation, thrills began to go up and down my back. We only got one-sided information, so when Daddy got off the phone, we almost overwhelmed him with questions.
Of course, other events transpired, and now, through an unbelievable train of events, we are in Colorado on our way to Kentucky. It has been an incredible adventure so far, and I can't wait to see what else the Lord has in store for us.
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Jun. 27, 2009 - Moving the Little Things
When I was little, I used to love moving. Not that we did it that often, but I loved running around in the stacks of boxes, and re-stacking the boxes to make hidey holes. At least, that's what I remember.
Then there came a point when I was old enough to start helping. I think I enjoyed it at first, but after moving several times more, I began to dread it several times more than before.
The worst bit is when you get down to the little bits and pieces that didn't go anywhere else. You finally just throw them all in a box, and forget it.
When you get to the other end, then you have to unpack. In one way, that isn't as bad as packing in the first place, because you mostly have time, and take as long as you want. Also, it is fun to decide in what new place do you want to put all of your belongings.
Then, you get down to that last box. You remember it, the one with all of the trinkets that didn't fit any other category. The box that you just threw everything into because you were fed up and wanted to be done!
Usually, what happens to me, is I find a new place for all of those bits and pieces, and they sit there for a very long time. Finally, one day I will approach them with a groan, and piece by piece find a new and hopefully permanent home for each item. It is painstaking work, but I usually survive.
So, why is it that the little things are harder to put away than big things? Little things like chapstick, safety pins, figurines, hair ties, and loose buttons. Miscellaneous items like, dreamcatchers, pushpins, handheld games, or a deck of cards. Ugg! Little things are the bane of my moving experience!
Ah, well. Like I said, I do survive, and it must be done. What an inspiring motto, is it not? It must be done. Or a meloncoly one. I like the first idea better! An inspiring motto it is!
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Jun. 23, 2009 - Food for Thought...
What a mighty God we serve!
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Jun. 12, 2009 - The Greatest Gift
I just finished memorizing a beautiful passage of scripture. I thought I would share it with you.
1 Corinthians 13Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up;does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues they will , they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
An now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
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Jun. 9, 2009 - Don't Waste Your Time!
Time is very important. The true importance of it, however, is only seen by Christians. Sometimes we don't even see it.
Actually, it is not even the actual time that is important. It is what we do with that time that makes the time itself so sought after.
The Bible tells us, plain as day, that our time needs to be spent with eternal value.
See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
Jesus tells a parable that talks about this subject.
Luke 12:16-21
Then He spoke a parable to them, saying:
"The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'
So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."'
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Movie stars only have their mind on things of this world. Vast amounts of time and money are spent on making them more beautiful, or comfortable, or happy.
Most teenagers are another group that waste copious amounts of time. Their entire life has been spent in wasting time. "You're only young once!", and, "Boys will be boys", are phrases that I hate, because they are so wrong! In history, kids our age were practically considered adults, and were mature and responsible.
Do Hard Things is all about this, and if you haven't already, I highly recommend that you read it. It is very inspirational in that it inspires the reader to do exactly what the title says.
I have been wasting my own time lately. I spend way to much time on the computer, hoping that I have a new e-mail, something interesting happened on Facebook, or maybe someone posted a new tweet. I check those over and over again, all day. Do you know how much time that wastes? I could be cleaning the house, crocheting, writing articles or my book, playing games with my family, or finding other ways I could bless and help those around me. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter. There is something wrong if you think it is the only thing worth your time.
One way I am choosing to not waste my time this summer, is to read books that will hopefully help me to grow spiritually and mentally. It is a really exciting list, so you should check it out!
Time is precious. I only have so much time on this earth. Do I want it to vanish, like a passing breath of wind, or do I want my time to count for something? Do I want to be "rich toward God", or have only earthly treasures? Do I want instant pleasure, or eternal bliss?
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May. 27, 2009 - Hardships of Friendships
Going from childhood, to adulthood is hard. At least for me. I am a major worrywart. I have gone from worrying who will get the last cookie (and sometimes I still worry about that!), to worrying about my friends and family. Friends and family grow up right alongside of you, and change, just like you do, but not all of them change in a way that encourages you.
Some change in subtle ways, ways that don't draw you apart. People do have differences, and that is okay. There are a lot of friends who don't think the same way, and yet have wonderful relationships. Some of my friends are very patriotic, or interested in politics, or don't read fantasy, or watch movies I am not interested in seeing. That is okay, though. I am never going to totally, 100%, agree with my friends. I don't even totally agree with my sister, sometimes! (But, we usually do. 
)
Still other friends change slowly, and then, WHAM, one day you realize that they are not who you thought they were, and it hurts. Or, you just didn't see something that was going on in their lives, and when you finally recognize it, or find out, that hurts too.
Bluejane wrote a post, not to long ago, about her friends. She is going through the same kind of struggles with people she has laughed with, played with, and talked with. It hurts really bad when someone you trusted becomes someone you wouldn't want to trust.
What I mean is, you can trust them to make right decisions, you can trust them to stand firm in their faith, you can trust them to always seek the truth. You know that they are human and can fail, but you also know that they yearn to follow Jesus with all of their heart.
One mistake that is not cleared up is enough to ruin a friendship, and yet, on my part, there is nothing I can do. No, that is not true. I can pray, and I will pray earnestly.
James 5:16
"...pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
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May. 12, 2009 - I Love My Cat!
What would I do without my friendly feline?
Ever since I can remember, he has always been there for me, whether I wanted him or not. I can cry on his gorgeous brown fur. I can lose myself his deep blue eyes. I can talk to him, and he looks like he totally understands what I am saying.
There was a time, that he could hear me crying, and would come to comfort me. He is getting old now, and does not hear well, but I know where to find him.
We put him through a lot. We dress him up, hold him like a baby in our arms, put things on his head and his paws, just to see his reaction. Yet, he still comes to us, and looks at us with adoring eyes. Boy, do I love that cat.
P.S. My this is not an obituary for my cat. He quite alive even if all he does is sleep. That's a cat for you.
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Mar. 6, 2009 - Lament of the Stars
Bluejane and I often discuss movies and actors. It is one of our favorite topics. To tell, you the truth, we tear movies apart and debate even the smallest points.
We look up movie mistakes, the facts and trivia about making the movie itself, and backgrounds on the actors.
One of the things that we often lament is the actor's lives. Their real lives, not their dazzling screen careers, but their everyday beliefs, actions, and attitudes.
The actor Sean Connery is one of the actors that got me to thinking on this subject. We really admire his distinctive acting, appearance, and voice. That is, we admire it in certain movies.
So, the other day, I wanted to learn a little more about Sean Connery, the movies he has acted in, and what he was like, and I was disappointed by what I found.
As I summed it up to Bluejane, it seemed to me that he was kind of a grown-up brat. Wait a minute, that description seems to fit a lot of actors!
Both Bluejane and I discuss the fact that we can't seem to find an actor who is an exceptional actor, (like Sean Connery) who we can respect as a person. It seems to me that most actors have been married multiple times, play in movies that I will never see or want to see, and have completely hay-wired ideas and beliefs.
We have also discussed Christian acting, and, although it is getting better (Facing the Giants was really good!) it seems to me that the acting still isn't as good as many acting legends. I am not saying that all Christian acting is like this, just most of it!
Maybe someday, Christian films and acting will reach Hollywood caliber. Maybe the acting won't be as tacky and uncomfortable. For now, I will just need to be less picky about acting ability, in Christian films!
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Jan. 24, 2009 - No Fishing Allowed!
I have been working on my latest knitting project quite a bit. It is a bag, and the style is supposed to look somewhat vintage, although I'm beginning to wonder if mine will turn out that way! One of the things that keeps me going when I am knitting long, boring, pieces, is the thought of what it will be like when I am done with it. The anticipation is what keeps me moving forward.
I jump ahead of myself, though. For this project, I went out and bought the fabric, ribbon, and interfacing that I will need to finish the bag. Then, I started thinking of doing the actual embroidery, sewing in the lining, folding down the handles, and wishing that I was at that part, instead of only halfway done with the first side!
Now, looking ahead isn't a bad thing. In fact, now that I re-read what I just wrote, I realize it isn't a bad thing at all! Phillipians 3:14 says,
"I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
That is doing nothing but looking ahead! If we didn't anticipate the coming of our Lord, or going to Heaven, then we would have no reason to do any of the things that we should be doing. By following what God wants for us, we are preparing ourselves for Heaven, and that is looking ahead. We wouldn't be preparing ourselves if we didn't know about Heaven.
This quote is attributed to Corrie Ten Boom
There is another side to this, too. We should be looking ahead, not looking back. In my knitting, I somehow came up short one stitch on one of my rows. This happened to me twice. So, finally, I just fudged it, and added a stitch. Now, I can either forget that I did that and keep looking ahead (like I did until now!), keep moaning and fretting about it, or eventually decide that I need to go back and fix it.
In our lives, often times we need to go back and fix the mistake. Other times, doing something was necessary and instead of fussing about it, we should just keep looking ahead. However, I don't think we should ever just keep moaning and fretting about something. That is only looking back.
I was also looking for another quote by Corrie Ten Boom, from her book, Tramp for the Lord. It said something about God throwing our sins into the deepest seas, and putting up a sign that says "No Fishing!"
This is something that I have been struggling with, and am still working on, and learning about. I have a problem with looking behind me, and fishing in a restricted area.
What it basically boils down to, and what it seems to always boil down to, is trust. I need to learn to truly trust that the Lord has taken care of my sins, and that they have been washed away.
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Nov. 26, 2008 - Thanksgiving List
I am into lists right now. Well, kind of. You can learn a lot by reading a list! Today, I am going to share my 2008 Thanksgiving; ten of the things I am thankful for.
- I am thankful for my salvation, and a God who loves me enough to save me.
- I am thankful for my fabulous family. Granted, they have their problems like anyone else, but I know them, they know me, and I can be myself around them.
- I am thankful for a lovely house to live in that keeps me warm, safe, and happy.
- I am thankful for food to eat, and good food, to boot!
- I am thankful for great friends who I can talk for hours with.
- I am thankful that we can worship the Lord freely.
- I am thankful for good, almost stylish, transportation!
- I am thankful for books and crafts. Where would we be without them?
- I am thankful for my Grandparents who let us come over and play croquet almost any time we want.
- I am thankful for high speed internet!
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Aug. 22, 2008 - Oh To Sing The Night Away!
A while back, my sister and I went to a really neat birthday part sleepover. It was neat because everyone there were Christians, and we had a rollicking good time riding 4-wheelers, building a large hay fort, and watching the birthday cake be lit by a blow torch. Slightly unusual, but extremely enjoyable!
However, I think that the best thing of all was that night, as we lay in the hay fort in our sleeping bags. A group of at least eleven girls singing their hearts out, is one of the neatest things that you can be a part of. We excitedly shared our favorite songs with one another. We sang until late into the night, simply enjoying and appreciating the words of each and every song.
That is a night that I hope I never forget, just because of that simple enjoyment. There was no TV, no movie, no entertainment whatsoever other than our voices. I often think of it still, and want to do it again. To be with those girls, to share the pleasure that most girls have of singing, with them, and to fellowship with them was very special.
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Jun. 13, 2008 - My Tribute to My Daddy
It was the Tribute to a Dad contest winners in the recent TOS magazine that got me to thinkin' about it. I have decided to post this in honor of Father's Day.
As sad as it may sound, I don't think that I am very close to my Daddy. I tell just about everything to my Mommy, and Bluejane. I love my Daddy fiercely, though. If I were to lose him...well.
I want to tell you some things that I admire and love about my Daddy. The first one is the one that is most obvious if you know him like we do. He is always cracking the corniest jokes. A couple of months ago he came to us kids and asked, "What is brown and sticky?" We all kind of stood there blankly, not quite sure what answer was expected of us. We finally said that we didn't know, and he gave us the answer, "A Stick!" Oh, he laughed so hard! We laughed with him, because he was laughing, not because of the corny joke. Now, whenever we ask him what is brown and sticky, he gives us a different answer every time. "A dog." "Your little brother after he has played in the mud." "Syrup." I love that about you Daddy.
I love my daddy because he works so hard to provide for us. My Daddy protects us. My Daddy protects us from the evils of this world. He agrees that homeschooling is one of the ways to do this. He wants us kids to do things together so that we will be safe. He protects us from poverty. He protects us from feeling hungry. He protects us from the cold. It is my Daddy going to work that makes it possible for us to have a house, clothes, animals, toys, crafts, hobbies, and play days. He works, and that means that we can travel, we can eat out when we need or want to, we can buy candy and snacks on a trip, we can buy souviners when we get there.
Now, all of that is great, but it gets better. My Dad isn't afraid of work. He is dilligent and gets things done. He doesn't complain about going to work, except on special occasions. My Dad goes to work, works hard all day, and then comes home. He would be a great example in dilligence for my brother, if only my brother would see it that way. If something needs to be done, my Dad gets up and does it. He doesn't really procrastinate. That is something to be proud of.
On the subject of dilligence, man, is my Dad dilligent. He has been working on building his own little t-bucket (a classic car, for those who don't know) for years. Of course we don't have the money for him to be constantly buying car parts for his car, and so he has dilligently done what he could. He has saved money to buy the parts he needs. He has made many of the parts himself. It will still be a while before the car is done, but I know that he will keep working on it, and someday, we will be able to ride through town together in his car.
Now, me, I gain and loose interest in my hobbies. A while back I was crazy about doll houses and miniatures. I still do enjoy stuff like that, but the interest has faded somewhat. My Daddy, however, still likes cars.
My Daddy likes to cook. Many guys don't, or don't think that they should, but my Daddy likes to cook. In fact, he watches cooking shows almost as much as he watches car shows! One of our absoute most favorite meals that he makes we call Sausage and Rice. Mommy cooks the rice, but Daddy makes the sausage. I honestly couldn't tell you what he puts in it, because he changes it every time. He seasons food like crazy. Flavor is important to him. The sausage is always loaded with flavor. Sometimes he even puts honey in it. Then we put the sausage over the rice and mix it up. We kids only did this to flavor the rice, then ate all of the rice first, saving the sausage for last.
Cookies is another one of my Daddy's favorite things. When he wants them, first he will come to one of us girls and ask, "Are you going to make cookies?" We kind of slyly look at him and say, "not really". Then he goes to the other girl and asks the same thing. If neither of us agree to make cookies (which doesn't usually happen!) then he will make them himself! His favorite ice cream is cookie dough.
My Daddy likes to do fun things. My Mommy likes to stay at home. I cross between the two sometimes. When Daddy is gone, everything seems to be in black & white. When he comes home, however, it is like going from black and white movies to VistaVision!
He almost always wants to be doing something, or going somewhere. A favorite family pasttime, it to go for drives. Daddy calls it "going for a nap", but not everybody naps! We try to drive ways that we have never been before, but trying to avoid Dead Ends. My Dad is the dead end king. Somehow, he always finds them.
My Daddy cares for us and loves us. When my sister starts to freak out about the required state test, my Daddy always reassures her. She always feels better when he is at home and not traveling for work, when testing comes around.
My Daddy is practical. Well, sometimes anyway. He always follows the logical steps. If something breaks, how are we going to fix it? If something spills, how are we going to clean it up? Then he does it. For him, "no use crying over spilled milk" is absolutely true.
I love you Daddy. I am so glad that you are with me. Sometimes I wish that I could just be a little girl again, laughing in my silly way while you tickled me. Small and carefree. Not burdened with the affairs of this life. Content to let you take care of me forever.
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Jun. 6, 2008 - Graduation Speech
This is the speech I read for my first graduation ceremony. Mommy, and several other people thought it was really good, so I thought I would share it with y'all.
This ceremony signifies the end of thirteen years of homeschooling for me. It is rather a startling thought that I have been through school, am now ending it, and am looking ahead to what God has in store for my future.
One special memory from my homeschooling years was when we did our medieval dinner, and invited our grandparents. The guests were greeted with a castle façade over the front door, and joyful shouts from a rather feminine looking King Arthur (me), and an adorable little Queen Guinevere (my little sister). We ate period food, or, at least as medieval as we could get, played games, recited essays, and displayed our handiwork. The Middle Ages is one of my favorite time periods, so that feast was very enjoyable to me.
I have had my good days, and my bad days of homeschooling, just like anyone else, but all in all, I am so thankful that I have been homeschooled. All of you are still homeschool students, pleas realize what a blessing your parents have given you.
For my graduation, we created a slide show with pictures from my life, and to tell you the truth, I cry almost every time I see the sweet, innocent face of a little girl that used to be me. I almost cry when I see my Mom crying. I am finding it hard to actually realize that I am done, and that, although I can still be learning, school isn't something that I will have to worry about everyday.
People are continually asking me the inevitable question, "What are your plans for after you graduate?" I answer with, "I do not legitimately sustain a conceptualization of my contiguous prospects!" How's that for a mouthful? Who else would say that they don't really have any plans in such a complicated manner except a homeschooler?
This fall, I will be helping my Aunt take care of her foster children for a few months. I am really looking forward to that as yet another learning experience. After that, I truly don't know what I will be doing.
Hopefully, I will always seek the Lord's will, guidance, and council. The future may look uncertain, but as long as one trusts in the Lord, it can never look bleak.
One of my favorite verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It says, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity". We need to be an example to the world, even though we are young. These next years of our lives will be one of the best times to focus on serving the Lord and others. The energy and enthusiasm in our youth are gifts from the Lord that we need to use to bring glory and honor to Him.
Copyright 2008 Defective Compositions
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May. 16, 2008 - Protecting Little Knees
How many of you are older siblings? I think that my subject may interest you.
We have an amazing responsibility as older siblings. It is a responsibility that sometimes we desperately wish that we didn't have, but one that we are stuck with nonetheless. You see, we are, in part, responsible for the way our little brothers and sisters behave, and for what they become as they grow older.
I am not saying that we share the resposibility of raising our siblings with our parents. No, ultimately, that is our parent's duty, but we do have a small part to play.
Everything that we do and say affects someone. If we invite the family for a game of croquet in the front yard, then that affects their plans for the day. If we consistantly ignore our chore of taking out the trash, then everyone else has to suffer the effects of an overflowing trash can. Thus the things that we do, also affect our siblings.
One big thing that sometimes can happen is NOT spending time with your siblings. You can never spend too much time with them, but not spending enough time can be disasterous. My sister and I are very close, but my brother and I have a rather strained relationship. One of the biggest reasons for this is that I didn't enjoy spending time with my brother. I didn't like the way he played. I didn't like the way he wanted to play. I didn't like how he talked, and I didn't like what he talked about. Now, because of that, we are not the best friends that we should be.
I didn't spend time with him, and because of that, I didn't really know him inside and out like I know Bluejane.
We are suffering because of my selfish actions, and now it is a very hard habit that I am trying to destroy, not to mention repair the damage that has been done.
So, again, what we do will affect our siblings, not just ourselves. What we do will also be reflected in our younger siblings.
I have a very sharp tounge. I wouldn't be surprised if no man wanted to marry me because of my mean and nagging speech. I have an awful history of making derogatory remarks, and putting my siblings down constantly. I have been very rude. Now, I can weep as I see the exact same thing in my oldest younger brother. All that my brother has seen out of me was rudenes, so he didn't have a good and kind example out of me to follow. Now he is going to have to struggle to bring HIS speech under control, just like me.
The biggest thing that we, as older siblings, have to deal with is the fact that our younger siblings look up to us. They want to do the things that we do, and be like us. Although that can be rather flattering, sometimes it can be a major stumbling block for our siblings.
Let's say that you go to camp, and while you are there, you pick up a couple of phrases that your camp pals used, and that your parents aren't pleased about. Of course, you come home saying those phrases. Eventually, your little sister starts to say them, too, and your parents reprimand her. Now they are having to deal with the problem in both you and your sister.
Here comes the revealing part. I have heard this so many times from my own siblings, that I ought to know.
Little sister now says, "But why can't I say that? Big sister does!"
Whenever I hear that phrase it makes me pause and examine myself. Do I really do that? How awful if I do! How can I stop?
Does this show you that we do have a resposibility to our siblings? We should love them, and if we love them, we should want to protect them, and if we want to protect them from sin and the evils of this world, then we need to look at our own selves. What things are we doing and saying that could cause our precious siblings to stumble?
Have you ever seen a toddler stumble as they are walking along? They trip, fall, scrape up their knees, and run to their comforter. Isn't it painful to watch? How much more painful to realize that it was your foot that they tripped over?!
The term to describe all of this is example. This is my one of my favorite verses. One of my youth pastors e-mailed it to me once. I think that I still have a copy of the e-mail, because it meant a lot to me.
~1 Timothy 4:12~
Let know man despise thy youth; but be thou
an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,
in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
We have to be good examples to our siblings. We have to protect their little knees from getting scraped up and scarred.
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Apr. 1, 2008 - It IS My Fault!
One of the things that my mother has always told me is that everything wrong that I do is my fault. For a long time, I didn't understand this, but I do now, and realize how true it is.
Now, there are lots of ways that people will try to reason out of this. One of which is probably used a LOT among brothers and sisters. When you blow up at one of your siblings, and then blame it on them, and your parents tell you that you could have handled the situation much better a different way, I am sure that some people say, "Well, Tony made me so mad! I couldn't help it. If he hadn't spilled the milk, then I wouldn't be mad." (pouty lips)
If this is the case, then you need to stop and look at something. Was Tony really the problem? It IS your fault for blowing up at your brother. Your parents are right when they tell you that there was a better way to handle things. YOU are the one who let the spilled milk rankle in your heart.
There are many other instances, all pretty much the same thing.
"The devil made me do it."
"Well, if my Mom wouldn't make me take out the garbage, then I wouldn't get this way."
"If I were an only child, I wouldn't have these problems."
In all of these cases the devil is winning as continue to make excuses. You are deceiving yourself. One trait that is often admired in people is when they take responsibility for their actions. This is very hard to do. People are proud and hate saying that they were wrong. They don't like accepting the consequences of the things they have done.
I am feeling kind of repetitive now, so I had better stop. Please, just remember, that whatever you do, YOU did it, for better or for worse. Take responsibility for your own actions; don't shirk them, or lay them on someone else.
By the way, I have not stopped Homemaker-In-Training Thursdays. I have just not been doing it. It is all my own fault that I haven't been doing it. :) Please feel free to post HITT's yourself. You don't' have to wait for me!
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