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So long for now
5:05 PM, Jan. 2, 2010
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Just in case anyone happens to stumble over this neglected blog, I'm making an announcement. School has gone very well during this past semester, but it has also kept me extremely busy. I've missed blogging, but, for now, I'm going to stay focused on school. Maybe during the summer, I'll resume blogging -- if I do, well, you'll see it here. :) Until then, I wish you all a blessed 2010! College -- for Real!So, I'm a bit tardy on this post. Apologies! I probably need to post a warning -- I'm starting online classes tomorrow, and I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog. Though I'll do my best, it might be a while before I'm able to post again.Online classes are a totally new thing for me. Not only do I have to get accustomed to the whole idea of "class", since I'm a homeschooler, I have to get used to the "online" part. I'm taking Music Theory, Music History and Literature, Aural Skills (aka ear training) and Pedagogy (a class where you are taught how to teach). It's not all been smooth. Take today, for example. I saw that a quiz on the course guide had been posted in the theory class site (note: there was no date posted with it saying when it should be taken). So, being the over-achieving homeschooler that I am, I thought, "Oh, I have time. I'll go ahead and take it." I printed out the course guide, read over it, and took the quiz. And then I read in another section that the quiz was the assignment for Wednesday. Oops. Does this mean that I lose points for not reading all of the information in the site first, or do I get bonus points for initative? Anyways, one verse has become my theme for this school year: "And he said unto me, 'My grace is suffiecient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9 His grace is sufficient even for my my embarrassing little weaknesses, like taking a quiz too soon, and it is more than enough for the challenges of this coming year. With that grace, I'm ready to tackle college -- for real. Mind FoodIt can be dangerous around our house when someone sinks their teeth into a new book. People suddenly disappear, holed away while devouring their tasty new mind meal. Take me, today, for example. My dad has helped me develop a taste for trial lawyer/mystery books, like those by Randy Singer (his less intense books) and Robert Whitlow. After a day of studying and struggling to pound out an essay as bland as unsalted Saltines, thoughtful, gripping fiction re-whets my appetite for writing and reading in general. It even makes me want to cook up something of my own. However, you probably won't be able to sample any of my concoctions soon, because I prefer to write at the speed a crockpot cooks. We both let things marinate for a while. And that's unfortunate since I'm planning on taking the CLEP English Composition with an essay -- which must be planned, written and edited in 45 minutes. Microwaved essay, anyone? I don't find it very appitizing. Most of my practice essays so far have been...hmm...undercooked. Or maybe overseasoned. Whatever it is, the receipe needs some work.But that's enough food for thought right now. I don't want anyone to feel overfed; isn't it better to leave readers hungry for more? What do you know?Have you ever heard that saying "write about what you know"? As I was sitting in front of a laptop screen that was void of inspiration, that phrase was flitting through my mind. "Write about what you know. Write about what you know." But what exactly does that mean? There's not a lot that I really know. There aren't many things of which I'm completely sure and have no doubts about. As I thought about it, though, I realized that I know a few more things than I thought. And I got a little excited about it.I know.... that in my flesh is no good thing (Rom. 7:18) that my old self was crucified with Him (Rom.6:6) that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) that my work for the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58) that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28) that my Redeemer lives and will stand again on the earth (Job:19:25) "Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." (2 Tim. 1:12) That's what I know for sure. What do you know? Busyness...What a busy week! There was a Bible conference at our church, I was studying for the Humanities CLEP test, we babysat three days this week,and now...I'm tired. Oh, yeah, and I'm getting ready to co-teach a Sunday School class with a friend, and we both have colds and croaky voices. Oh, dear.Plus, school starts on Monday! Of course, that doesn't really affect me, since I've graduated and have been doing CLEP tests all summer. I rather miss that sense of "beginning" -- the clean smell of new school books, the careful scheduling of every subject I'm working on. My school books are used and my year is pretty well planned out already; I feel like I'm in the middle of a school year instead of at the beginning. Accelerated distance learning is a different experience. I've already gotten 18 college credits, and that's just since June. I love the "work at your own pace" style, and it's nice to be able to chose what classes I want to take. Of course, it takes work. Lots of it. And it's interesting to see the reactions I get from people. They're similar to the reactions we get as homeschoolers -- you know, "Does that count? How does that work?" What's very funny to me is hearing homeschoolers ask those questions. Sure it works -- isn't that how you're getting your regular education? I'm doing the same thing, just at the college level. Okay, returning from my tangent, I am thankful for busyness. But I'm also thankful for quietness and being still. And after this hectic week, and a mind that is bouncing all over the place (can't you tell?) I think I need to go imitate Mary....leave the unimportant, sit before the Most Important, and listen. :) My Times Are in His HandsOne of my current favorite verses is Ps. 31:15, "My times are in thy hand..."It seems to sum up my week. I'd been having some trouble applying to the college I'm planning on taking some online music classes from, and there was the temptation to worry. "What if I can't take classes? What if this sets me back a whole year?" You probably know how your mind can zoom around in a million different directions when you're worried. But this verse was a huge comfort. If God wanted me to take classes, then He would make a way. If not, then He obviously had something in better in mind, because I know He wouldn't hold back any good thing from me. So, my part was to wait. Just wait...and pray. It's difficult to mentally stop rushing around and trying to concoct "Plan B", and instead trust for an unknown future. On Thursday, I got a call from the college, and the problem was worked out, allowing me to be accepted. I was so thankful! The Lord knew what would happen throughout the whole ordeal, and that was enough. I didn't have to know what would happen; it was enough to know that my times are in His hands, and that nothing was really out of control. I'm quite sure that this isn't the last time I'll face a situation like that, but maybe the lesson will stick. My times are not in my hands -- they're in His. Consider the Lilies..."Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."  "But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" Luke 12:27-28  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 (Day lily and hydrangea pictures taken by my sis, PinkPrecious. Daisy picture taken by me. :) Great American LiteratureWhat a week! Most of my time has been spent exploring the world of American Literature -- a place populated largely by people with mixed-up minds and questionable morals. True, there are a few bright spots, like Louisa May Alcott and some of the Puritan writers (believe it or not). But on the whole, I've been disappointed that most of the Great American Literature really isn't.After reading about affairs, suicides, people going insane, and murders, I have an urge to read something Nice. Jane Austen, anyone? My mind needs reminding that good literature does exist, even if it's not required reading to pass a CLEP test. :) It's a pity that we Americans didn't produce any Dickenses or C.S. Lewises. I'm suddenly feeling sadly unpatriotic. :( And as a dabbler in writing, I feel the urge to write something that could be called "literature"....but I am missing a few important elements: time, a subject, and just plain ol' inspiration. So, is anyone in the blogosphere sensing the call to be the next great author? Are you concoting a fabulous story in your spare time? Don't give it up! We need you! :) But seriously, we, as Christians, shouldn't shrink away from literature as being Bad and unreformable. We just need some truly good writers who will write great literature with equally great moral backbone. And, when you finish your masterpiece, let me read it, please. I'd love to read some great American Literature that is. Some favorite, must-read booksSince this is a post on books, I thought I'd find a clever quotation about books to start with -- but have you ever tried Googleing "quotations about books"? (Even better is "funny quotes about books.") There were so many, but I actually managed to only choose one." Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled 'This could change your life.'" ~Helen Exley You can apply that label to the following books. :) Don't Waste Your Life, by John Piper -- the main point is "live with a passion to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." It was so convicting and thought provoking that I couldn't read it quickly. The Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot -- this book contains true stories about relationships. The stories are widely varied, covering "just friends", dating, and courtship, with an arranged marriage thrown in for good measure. Mingled with the stories are Elisabeth Elliot's wise, honest, (and sometimes humorous) observations. Out of the Comfort Zone by Ray Comfort -- mostly autobiographical, it is a huge encouragement to anyone who wants to witness, but struggles with witnessing. It describes the beginning of Ray Comfort's ministry in evangelism and The Way of the Master, with plenty of his adventures sprinkled throughout. It's an easy-to-read, funny, and challenging book. I could go on, but these are the ones at the top of the list. They're well worth your time! Blogging PhilisophyWell, imagine that -- two posts in one month! I'm on a roll.I think I've finally solved the mystery of why I don't blog very often. It's found in Pride and Prejudice -- Elizabeth Bennett accuses Mr. Darcy of not speaking unless he expects to "say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the eclat of a proverb." Guilty as charged. So, recognizing that excuse for what it is, I've decided to make an effort to blog once a week, even if all I post is an encouraging verse. Because, in addition to blogging consistently, I don't want to blog about just anything. We're too busy for that. Good blogs must leave a little tidbit with you...a little something useful or encouraging or challenging. And, my "little something" for today.... Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Or maybe, blog about these things? :) { Last Page } { Page 1 of 6 } { Next Page } |
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