Don't you hate it when those two words are used in the same sentence? ...Especially the day before your two-page story is due? *sighs* Unfortunately, I am experiencing this dreadful problem right now. It's a disease beyond all others. Your creativity and imagination are cut off, expelling you from a life of happiness, while you simply sit and wait for an idea to come to you -- your patience is tried, and your self control is tested.
Who decided to call it writer's block, anyway? It makes me think of a butcher, taking all of his anger out on his meat.
Maybe it's just me, but I feel alot like that butcher right now... I just feel like punching something, and so that's what I'm doing. I'm punching the keys in hopes of getting my brain thinking of a topic to write about... a story that happened to me... a true story. Now that's the hard part. I could whip up a two-page fictional story in no time, but my life is just so boring... Maybe I'll write about the symphony concert and Amy's Ice Cream afterward... I don't know. Creativity has slipped between my fingers, and I am only capable of dwelling on my misfortune.
17 has been my favorite number for quite some time now. I recently asked myself why 17 is my favorite number, but I was unable to answer that question until yesterday.
2009 (the year Obama was elected president)
+ 4 (how long Obama's term lasts)
--------
=2013 (the year Obama's term ends)
-1996 (the year I was born)
--------
= 17 (how old I'll be when Obama's term is up!!)
There you have it, all spelled out in mathematical terms for you left-brained people like myself.
"Hurry up, girls -- we were supposed to leave ten minutes ago!!" Renee's father cried out as they rushed out to the car.
"Sorry, dad -- but I seriously think that we'll be okay time-wise," Renee replied as she was shaken by the cold.
Renee, Emma, and their friend Taylor threw their stuff into the trunk of the little white Toyota Corolla, and hopped in and buckled up. As Mr. C. put the car into reverse, he backed out of the driveway and zoomed off down the neighborhood's main street. Upon entering the parking lot where the other symphoniteers were supposed to be waiting, he noticed that the Harley Davidson guys were giving a motorcycle-driving lesson right where they were supposed to meet up. Shortly after they had found a parking spot close to the original meeting area, Renee received a call on her phone from Mr. F. She handed it off to her father who proceeded to tell him where they were parked.
"What kind of car does Mr. F. drive?" Taylor's question drifted on a curious wind from the backseat.
"A teal van -- kinda' like Micah's," came Renee's concisive reply.
Renee dove right back into Evil Genius as the younger girls continued to color. I figured it was Dr. Vee that was hacking into Cadel's computer... after all, they do call him "The Virus"... Renee's eyes flitted back and forth across the pages, while her mind tried to figure out what was written between the lines, and if Dr. Darkkon really did have good intentions for his son or not...
"There's his car!" Emma announced as Renee was quickly snatched from her reading.
So Mr. F. and Mr. C. discussed the route, and Renee waved at Emily (the cellist) whose dad had just pulled into the parking space beside Renee's.
When they finally did set out on their adventure to Six Flags, Renee (once again) had her nose in that book of hers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
... "Dad -- where are we supposed to turn?" ... "Are we there yet?" ... "This is a really nice road!" ... "Didn't Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs go to that snake farm?" ...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Man, it would stink to have that job. All you do is sit there, in the cold, take people's money, and give them permission to park." Renee said as Taylor agreed.
They drove around to the performers/staff/etc.'s parking lot, got out, put their instruments into Mr. F.'s car, and wished that it would warm up a little bit. Then they all piled back in and went to the regular parking lot, where they quickly bundled up and set out for a day of chilly enjoyment.
After they had been standing at the front gate, waiting for the park to open, for about ten minutes, they heard the National Anthem being played.
... They're going to open soon! ... I feel like a holiday black Friday shopper just waiting for the store to open! ... I don't think I can stand the cold much longer!
Then they heard the gates open, and that was when it started to sound like an amusement park. People were talking, and laughing, and The Goliath whizzed by as it carried its screaming passengers to their doom.
When it was finally their turn, they retrieved all of their metal items from their pockets so that they wouldn't beep. Then, the whole orchestra posed for a quick picture, and set off to enjoy their day! (though, personally, I think that they were all a bit apprehensive about the loop-dee-loops :) The older kids went together in a group of about ten, and the younger kids went off together.
The first ride that Renee rode was The Boomerang, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She related it much to The Flashback at the Six Flags up in Dallas. As their carts were being pulled backwards by the obviously-strong chains, she held her breath along with everyone else, and then let out a quick scream as she was dropped. She went through two loops, and many twists and turns. Her riding buddy, Emily (the cellist), had her eyes closed the whole time.
Then they were pulled up again, and dropped backwards right back the way they came.
So that's why they call it the Boomerang!
After riding many other roller coasters, it was finally time for the orchestra to play. They arrived at the "Sundance Theater" and were taken back around to retrieve their instruments, music, and stands.
As the two flutists, Suzanna and Renee, unpacked their instruments, they mentioned (quite a few times) that their flutes would "go despairingly flat in this kind of weather" and "that their fingers would be playing, but they wouldn't know it since their hands were so cold..." Luckily, Emily (the violinist) had some gloves that Renee wore while the intermediate symphony were playing their pieces.
Then it was time for the advanced orchestra. Oh, boy... Renee thought, This oughta' be fun! *wink, wink*
So they made their way up the six-or-so steps, and took their seats. All seven of them. Two first violins (Rachel & Liz), two seconds violins (Peter & Emily), two flutes (Suzanna & Renee), and one cello (Becca).
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the concert, Renee and Emily (the violinist) decided that for 'dinner', they would split a pretzel. And y'all know how those theme park pretzels are... HUGE!! It was probably ten inches in diameter. Renee, Suzanna, Peter, and Emily (the cellist) each ordered a hot chocolate which felt so good against their ice-chilled hands.
They returned to Sundance Theater where they sat and hungrily devoured their purchases as they listened to a junior high band play. And, much to Renee's dismay, you couldn't hear the flutes...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After 'dinner', they went to meet up with their friends at the restaurant. Then they walked over to the ferris wheel and boarded -- Renee, Emily, and Emily got their own cage/basket/thing.
As they were swinging back and forth, the conversation drifted between things such as how cold it was outside, and how the Six Flags people could improve their ferris wheel.
Once they had made eight-or-so revolutions, they got off and Renee, Emily, and Emily went to go ride, "Tony Hawk's Big Spin" while the others went to ride something else.
"It doesn't go too high, does it?" Emily (the cellist) questioned Renee.
"No -- this one's not bad at all," Renee answered in a calm tone.
"It looks like a lot of fun!" Emily (the violinist) remarked.
"That's because it is!" said Renee.
They made their way up the ramps to the where the 'line' was. But, due to the time of year, there was hardly a line at all. (which they were ever so thankful for!) Since each car could hold four people, Emily, Renee, and Emily all rode in the same one. As they were pulled up the incline, Emily (the cellist) closed her eyes and then there came the drop. It was quite sudden, and as it happened, the car began to spin. After many of these surprises, the ride was (sadly) over.
Walking over to catch up with Suzanna, her sister Virginia, and Peter, Renee made the accident of running.
"Hey, no running!" the Six Flags worker announced.
So Renee slowed her pace to a quick walk, and finally caught up with them.
"We're going to ride this one," Suzanna said as she pointed to the giant boat in front of them.
"Who wants to ride in the middle with me?" Virginia asked, and Suzanna volunteered.
Emily (the cellist) decided not to ride this one, so Renee and Emily (the violinist) sat down in the row behind Suzanna and Virginia.
The ride started out slow and not very high, but increased over the course of about a minute, and then once it was up to speed, it began to decrease, and then stop.
Once they were done on that ride, everyone went over to ride Tony Hawk's Big Spin. Renee was in a car with Suzanna, Peter, and Kira this time around. And they all had so much fun that they decided to do it again.
After that, they rode the Wave Breaker one last time, and Renee purchased a funnel cake (which actually wasn't a cake -- it tasted like it -- but it looked more like curly fries) that she was going to split with Emily (the violinist). But then the younger kids caught a glimpse and they all wanted a piece. Then they thought it was so good that they wanted another piece. And Peter and Daniel had a few bites, so Emily (the violinist) and Renee ended up not getting anywhere close to half of the funnel cake. (which was actually for the better, since they probably couldn't have eaten that whole thing, anyway :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And there you have it! My recap of Six Flags in too many sentences. :) I had a really good time, and if you were to ask me which ride was my favorite, I wouldn't be able to answer since they were all so amazing.
I am thinking…that we need to get my display board for my science fair project.
I am thankful for… my Savior
I am wearing...Jeans and a purple top that has black flowers on it
I am reading…Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
I am creating…(soon to be, anyway) a science fair project display board.
One of my favorite things…my kittens.
For education this week… Algebra 1, Biology, history, etc...
A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …cleaning.
A spiritual lesson I’m learning... patience
A godly character trait I plan to work on...patience
Scripture I am memorizing…Philippians 3:7-11
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
(it'll probably take me a while...)
I am praying for…my friend to come to church.
For the rest of the week…I am extremely busy with music. :)
I know for a fact that there are many prayer requests out there. All the time. But so is God. And He can help you with whatever your struggle may be. Whether it is math, your family member is sick, or you have an english test coming up. God is there for you -- all the time. He is your everlasting, ever-constant companion and friend.
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."
~Psalm 46:1-3
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
~Philippians 4:6
So do you have any prayer requests that you would like for us to pray for? If so, send them to us or post a comment telling us what it is. If you have a personal prayer request which you would like to keep private, just tell us that you have an "unspoken" prayer request.
And praising God is also important! The book of Psalms is filled completely with praises to God. How much does God appreciate a simple, "Thanks," for what He's done?
So if you have anything that you would like to praise our wonderful Lord for, please comment or PM us.
Now if you'll turn your attention to our sidebar, underneath the "Check Out..." section. You will see two sections, "Prayer Requests" and "I praise you because..." This is where y'all's prayers or praises will be displayed. Remember that if your prayer request is personal, then just tell us that it is "unspoken".
They scrolling boxes will be updated each week, and the prayer requests will be diligently prayed over, and we will thank God for the praises.
God bless~
~Renee
p.s. -- please included a link to your blog if you have one.
"Renee, can you get my cell phone and see who's calling me?" my mother asked while the hair stylist's scissors whizzed around her head.
"Sure thing, mom." I replied as I reached for my mother's purse and sat back down in the waiting area. Upon opening her phone, I recognized our home phone number and supposed that it was my dad. So I dialed it up and, just as I had suspected, heard my dad's voice on the other end.
"Hello?" my dad questioned.
"Hi, dad." I answered in a hushed tone so as not to disturb the other customers.
"I've called y'all twice, why won't your mother pick up?" he asked in a clearly-irritated tone.
"She's getting her haircut." came my simple reply.
"Well your friends, the Halls, called to ask if they could stop in for a visit this evening. Can you have your mom call me back as soon as she can?" Dad asked.
"Okay... bye"
"Bye."
I hung up the phone and flipped through my book of crosswords. I was fascinated when I came to a puzzle titled, "Crossnumbers". But I was whisked away to my turn in the stylist's chair and my fantasy was quickly set aside. Bummer, I thought. I would've liked to do that crossnumbers...
"So what do you want?" the stylist (Melanie) asked.
"I'd like my hair to be shoulder-length with some long layers." I replied with hesitation.
"Mmm-hmm... And I see these bangs here -- what do you want to do with those?" she sounded like she was not impressed with the condition of my hair... for good reason.
"I'm just going to let them grow out."
"Okay. Let's go on back and I'll wash your hair."
So after she had thoroughly washed and conditioned my hair, she set to work. I hadn't been in the torcher chair long before her two daughters came in. They talked about all the great deals that Walmart and Target had going on, and how the burnett had purchased all five seasons of "The Office" (whatever kind-of show that is) for $30.00! I must admit that it was a little intimidating having them sit there, but their conversation was very interesting.
All the time that I was getting my haircut, I was thinking about what we would do with the Halls that evening... We haven't had them over in a year and a half, because of their move to Washington. Should we play Apples to Apples or Squint Jr. or Clue... Then I heard it. Those words which brought happiness, and those that brought... the opposite of happiness.
"Alright, Renee -- I'm just going to style and blow dry your hair, and then you'll be done!"
As she walked over to get some "styling gel" I quickly turned to my mom and mouthed the words, "I don't want my hair styled!"while shaking my head furiously. I'm sure any girl would think I'm nuts, but, well... I am nuts, okay?
Anyhoo, as she rubbed that nasty stuff in my hair, powered up her blow dryer, then she grabbed her round brush and... Oh, no... here we go.
"Your friends are all gonna' think you look so good! Oh my goodness -- this cut looks so good on you!" the stylist praised her work as she continued...
Clenching my teeth, I probably looked real mean -- You better not mess with me!
But then she was finally done and I was able to leave. I loathe the hair salon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Now don't get me wrong -- I love my haircut, and the stylist did a great job. But it's just the overall experience that I despise...
Usually when people say that, it's a good thing. But not this time.
This time it's bad.
WE'VE BEEN TROLLED.
"Trolling" is to fish for or in with a moving line, working the line up or down with a rod, as in fishing for pike, or trailing the line behind a slow-moving boat.
I don't really understand this definition... maybe one of you 'fisher-folk' could enlighten me??
But I do know that two shoe companies have posted a comment with an ad in it. Shame.
So, yeah... that was my drama for the week. First the highschool, now this. :(
I've banned their IP's, though, so they shouldn't be back.
*looks around, and sees that no one is there*
MWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-
*deep breath*
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
...sorry...
....over-dramatic representations of not-very-dramatic situations makes me, well....
This is one of the songs that Tabby and I (along with Emiliy94) are playing in symphony this semester! Please note that our symphony only has two cellos, two flutes, four second violins, and five first violins, so we're much smaller than the one that played "Farandole" in the following video. :)
And here's one of Tabby and I's choir songs for this semester, Ose Shalom...
It was a bright and sunny morning, and I was on my way to my flute lesson. My mom was driving, I was riding shot-gun, and Emma was sitting in the back seat working on her school. There were a few butterflies taking flight in my stomach, since I knew that I hadn't practiced much the past week, so I took a deep breath... and exhaled.
We turned the corner, where my mom dropped me off at my destination... the local highschool. This was where I would have my flute lesson with my wonderful teacher, Mrs. G. So I grabbed my flute and my books, opened the door and hopped out of the car. I walked quickly up to the big red doors which stood before me. Taking one last look behind me, I opened them and stepped inside.
Walking over to the blue door that opens up to the stairway, I looked to my right and saw another flute teacher and her student diligently working on a piece of music. Opening the door, I let it close behind me and started up the stairs. Skipping up rather quickly, for I was running a little late, I went to the first practice room. No Mrs. G. Looked in the second practice room, just the trumpet teacher and his student who looks vaguely familiar. Looked in the third practice room where Mrs. G. and I usually meet... no Mrs. G. So I looked in a few more practice rooms down the hall, but to no avail. Mrs. G. was nowhere to be seen.
Walking ever so quickly back the way I had come, I scurried down the stairs, through the blue door, down the hall and out the ever-looming red doors to the outside, with only a glimmer of hope that my mom hadn't left for the park yet. I looked around the parking lot and saw no tan mini-van in which sat my mom and sister. None at all. I leaned back against the brick wall of the highschool in despair, where I stood for what seemed like eternity. Then I figured that I would be safer inside, where there were people.
So I very nervously went back through those now-awful red doors, down the hall, through the blue door, and up the stairs ever so slowly... taking my time, as I now still had at least twenty minutes to wait for my mother's return. I took one last semi-hopeful glance into those starch-white practice rooms that I now so fearfully dreaded, and after seeing that there was no Mrs. G., nor would there be any Mrs. G. today, almost dropped all of my hope altogether.
And then I remembered that lyrics of a song about hope and where it can truly be found...
"In Christ alone my hope is found - He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground - firm through the fiercest drought and storm... What heights of love! What depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand."
...and also this verse...
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
And I knew that I wasn't alone. I knew that God was with me. But still the shock of being 'stranded' in a public highschool was very nerveracking, and I was afraid. It was like I was stuck in a living nightmare, and I was almost in tears. But I managed to hold it together, and when the trumpet teacher came and asked me about my presence in the school, I explained - with a bit of a shaky voice - that I was simply here for a lesson with Mrs. G. I asked him if she was here or not, though I knew the answer. He replied that he'd go ask around to see where she is.
Whe he came back, he replied that she was home sick. When I asked him if there was a phone I could use to call my mom, he gestured down to one of the teachers who told us to come around to the office. There he called Mrs. G. and kindly asked why she wasn't there. He let me talk to her, and she explained that her eyelids were really hurting, and that they had some blister-type-things on them. Now I knew. But I was still at a public highschool... alone... by myself... but now I had a phone in my hand - the phone which was the answer to my prayer - the only way to freedom.
As I dailed my mom's phone number, I was deeply trying to control myself... I'm not gonna' cry... I'm not gonna' cry...
Then I heard it - heard the thing which spoke freedom - the thing which belonged to the person with the car. I heard my mom's voice...
The following is probably my very favorite poem that is not from the Bible. I had to memorize it a few years ago, and it was so nice to be reminded of the humor that is contained in these few lines of pure genius. This poem is derived from "The Old Man's Comforts and How He Gained Them" by Robert Southey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are old, Father William Lewis Carroll
‘You are old, Father William,’ the young man said,
‘And your hair has become very white;
And yet you incessantly stand on your head -
Do you think, at your age, it is right?’
‘In my youth,’ Father William replied to his son,
‘I feared it might injure the brain;
But, now that I’m perfectly sure I have none,
Why, I do it again and again.’
‘You are old,’ said the youth, ‘as I mentioned before,
And have grown most uncommonly fat;
Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door -
Pray, what is the reason of that?’
‘In my youth,’ said the sage, as he shook his grey locks,
‘I kept all my limbs very supple
By the use of this ointment - one shilling the box -
Allow me to sell you a couple?’
‘You are old,’ said the youth, ‘and your jaws are too weak
For anything tougher than suet;
Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak -
Pray how did you manage to do it?’
‘In my youth,’ said his father, ‘I took to the law,
And argued each case with my wife;
And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,
Has lasted the rest of my life.’
‘You are old,’ said the youth, ‘one would hardly suppose
That your eye was as steady as ever;
Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose -
What made you so awfully clever?’
‘I have answered three questions, and that is enough,’
Said his father; ‘don’t give yourself airs!
Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?
Be off, or I’ll kick you down stairs!’
1. I was born in March, 1996
2. Which makes me 13 years old
3. Though I try very hard not to act like it.
4. I've blogged for about 2 years
5. The first (and only) time I've flown in an airplane was when I was a baby
6. I've only been in one car crash
7. I play the flute
8. And the piano
9. And the piccolo :)
10. I have a mom
11. And a dad
12. And a sister
13. And a cat
14. Whose name is Precious
15. Precious has a sister (that lives with us) whose name is Hershey
16. Hershey's owner's name is Emma
17. Emma happens to be my sister
18. Who also owns a dog named Daisy
19. We got her on July 4th, 2009 :)
20. I've never broken any bones
21. I've sung in choir for 4 1/2 years
22. and in symphony for 1 1/2
23. I've been homeschooled since pre-K and before
24. And we plan to all the way 'til it's time for me to go to college
25. I hope to go to college at the University of Texas
26. (which is where my mom went)
27. I hope to start teaching piano when I'm 15 or 16
28. And continue to teach it during college
29. Where I'll get a degree in music teaching
30. I probably won't teach flute...
31. though it is highly possible. :)
32. I'd like to be a music teacher when I grow up.
33. I like to sew
34. I go to church
35. And enjoy it very much. :)
36. I've never been out of the United States
37. Though I want to visit my old Sunday School teacher
38. Who's a missionary in M.............
39. And next Spring Break, I hope to visit the other missionaries from our church
40. (they live in I............)
41. Micah, Tabby and I are best friends...
42. Though we usually act more like sisters
43. I like to read
44. Especially Madeleine L'Engle
45. Though I'm currently reading "Master Cornhill" by an author
46. it's pretty good. :)
47. I've only lived in 2 houses in my entire life
48. And they're both in the same city
49. Within a couple of miles from each other.
50. I'm halfway done!
51. I live in the United States
52. Texas to be more exact
53. But I can't be too exact... :)
54. because my mom (and myself) want me to stay alive. :)
55. Like I said before, I play in a symphony, but did I mention Tabby does too?
56. and we get to play at Six Flags this December!
57. I have light brown hair,
58. And dark (almost black) eyes
59. My current Bible is pink and brown
60. And is the New International Version
61. I stand at 5'8 1/2"
62. And I no longer have braces on my teeth!
63. It feels so good to floss with ease again.
64. And to eat apples without cutting them up!
65. My first HSB username was, "crochetcrazy"
66. And now it's "weheartmusic"
67. I'm my mom's "little" (see #61) secretary
68. I keep track of who's paid her for science classes that she teaches to homeschoolers
69. I like to mess around with HTML
70. And yet I don't even know what "HTML" stands for. :)
71. I just found out the other day that there is no more "FBI" :(
72. *is sad* They made so many interesting movies having to do with them!
73. Our country is 233 years old
74. My mom drives a Toyota Sienna
75. And my dad drives a Toyota Corolla
76. But he wants a Tacoma :)
77. And my mom wants a Ford Expedition, though she'll settle for a Toyota Highlander. :)
78. One of my friends is an Allison Legacy race'car' driver,
79. And his sister does barrel-racing
80. We've known them for almost 9 years
81. I'm currently taking piano lessons
82. ...and flute lessons
83. My teacher's amazing! Though I had a scary incident at the highschool where I take lessons a few weeks ago (more to come on that!).
84. I'm also in the symphonic band at our church
85. I play the flute in it
86. I had to quit the praise team, though, since I'm so busy. :(
87. I'm a year ahead in science
88. And a year ahead in math
89. I'm doing Biology 1
90. And Algebra 1 this year
91. My math and science teachers are really great (as is my English 3 teacher... by the way, I'm ahead in that also. :)
92. I like to take pictures
93. And I post them here.
94. I just now realized that our computer keyboard tells you the basic "Ctrl +" commands!
95. I find that cool.
96. Now I'll tell them to you...
97. "Ctrl + U" = Underline; "Ctrl + I" = Italic; "Ctrl + F" = Find; "Ctrl + A" = All; "Ctrl + B" = Bold; "Ctrl + V" = Paste; "Ctrl + C" = Copy; "Ctrl + X" = Cut
98. My dad's a draftsman and my mom teaches science and piano, and is the pianist at our church
99. I bet you're probably wondering how I managed to think up 100 things about myself?
100. Please don't ask; because I don't really know. :)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
~ Philippians 4:6 ~
"Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation."
~ Psalm 5:2-3 ~
"Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy."
~ Daniel 9:18 ~
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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
~ Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) ~
"In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."
~ Ephesians 6:18 (The Message) ~
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere"
~ Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) ~
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In case you were wondering why I put Ephesians 6:18 in three different translations, was because I was always a little confused as to why we would pray for 'saints'. I didn't understand that 'saints' just meant 'believers in Christ'... I thought it meant 'angels' or something like that.... just to clear that up. :)
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All of the verses listed above have one thing in common -- prayer requests. God tells us to present our requests to Him, and He will hear us, and answer us because we are His children. These are thre three answers to our prayers...
Yes
No
Wait
Depending on your question, you get a different answer.
I sure hope you enjoyed my 'short-and-sweet' post! God bless,
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
- John 6:51 -
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As I opened the loaf of bread to get out four slices for two sandwhiches, I took out the heel and went out to the backyard to throw it over the fence so that the birds could have a snack. Daisy (our puppy) saw me breaking up the bread and thrusting it with little gusto over the fence, and she came and sat down next to me - asking for a piece of the bread.
I fed her a piece, and she gobbled it down with much excitement as I continued to break and throw the heel over the fence. Having only done half of the heel, I fed her another piece: this time she ate it without timidity, because she remembered how good it had tasted! I threw the rest of the pieces of bread over the fence, but saved back another piece for Daisy. I fed it to her, and then walked back toward the house.
When I realized that she was not following close behind me like she normally does when I give her a treat, I turned around. She was trying to jump the fence to get the rest of the bread. She had observed me throwing it over, tasted it, and knew what was good, and where to get it.
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"Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
- Psalm 34:8 -
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We should be just like Daisy in our walks with Christ. We should crave the bread of life - we should remember how good it tasted when we first received it - how excited we were to eat of it! Then we should eat it with gusto, and tell others about how good it is! We should be willing to jump the fence to go and get some more of it.
How often we find ourselves throwing away the heel of bread, just because it has a little bit of the hard crust. All we find ourselves wanting is the soft part of the bread. Little children ask their parents all the time to 'cut off the crust'. But the crust is the part that is rich in antioxidants, and is actually healthier than the rest of the bread. (see Science Daily for more info on that) So the heel, then, would be the most healthiest slice of the bread. And what did I do this afternoon? I threw it over the fence. I threw the healthiest slice of the bread over the fence, just because it didn't taste as good.
We do this so much in life! We want what 'tastes good' or 'feels nice'. Not always what is best for us. Each time I see a heel of bread from now until I die, I will forever be reminded of this little tid-bit that God has shared with us in the simplest, most awesome way imaginable!
One of the hardest things for girls today is the topic of modesty. Everyone has a different opinion of modesty - a different opinion of what the 'rules' for it are. Below are some basic 'guidelines' for dressing modestly, starting from bottom to top...
Shoes:
There's really nothing here that would be a problem, except for maybe really high-heeled shoes with criss-crossing straps that go up the calf.
Pants:
For pants, I would suggest nothing too tight. If it takes you a lifetime just to put your jeans on, then that's a good sign that they're a little too tight. :) If the reason you wear these is you are currently uncapable of buying some new jeans, then that's fine - just try to wear a longer shirt that goes over the the seat.
Shorts:
Inside the house...
If you have any questionable pairs of shorts, stand up and place your hands down at your sides. Where do your fingertips fall? If your shorts are above your fingertips, then your pants are too short. If yoru shorts are below your fingertips (or right at them), then they are probably fine.
Outside the house...
Even if you're just going outside to get the newspaper or check the mail, please follow these guidelines! :)
Bermuda (or knee-length) shorts are what I wear outside the house. This is pretty self-explanitory, since they're "knee-lenth" shorts. Shorts are the knee, not above or below. Capris would be even better, though I don't really like them for some reason unbeknownst to me... :)
Please note that I do wear the shorter shorts for P.E. and stuff like that, since all of my pants are denim, which doesn't breath very well.
Skirts:
I usually wear knee-length skirts, that are either at or below the knee. I don't appreciate mini-skirts at all, even when they are worn with leggings, and frankly, I don't think many people do.
Shirts:
Sleeves...
Inside the house...
For shirts inside the house, I would reccomend nothing less than a tank-top. And even then, you should probably wear that only at night-time... especially if you've got brothers around. I am only seen in shirts that cover up my shoulders. I do not like tank tops, or even the shirts with the little cap sleeves - I need at least T-shirt-length sleeves. :)
Outside the house...
For shirts outside the house, I always wear shirts that cover up my shoulders. I understand that some people like to wear tank tops in the summer, but I don't - even down here in Texas - in the land of 106° weather! :)
Neckline...
1. Make a 'thumbs up' sign with your hand.
2. Take the tip of your thumb and put it in the little 'V' of your collarbone. (don't push too hard!)
3. See where your thumb attaches to your hand (you might have to use your other hand to mark the spot), and that is the line that your neckline shouldn't pass.
Also, try to avoid shirts that have a far-spread neckline, as they have a tendency to slip off your shoulder if you do too much physical activity.
Jewelry:
Jewelry is really not that big of an issue - all I can say is try not to overdo it! Try to stay away from the big earrings, especially the hoop kind, as they tend to make you look older than you are.
These are just my modesty basics that I try to abide by. Feel free to adapt them as your own, or if you have a different idea of modesty, I'd love to hear about it! :)
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...You were born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again the third day. ...I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
...You are on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ...You love me!
All of these books have been read by at least one of us, and are all highly reccomended!
A Wrinkle In Time :: Madeleine L'Engle
A Wind In the Door :: Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet :: Madeleine L'Engle
Many Waters :: Madeleine L'Engle
The Young Unicorns :: Madeleine L'Engle
Percy Jackson & The Olympians - The Lightning Thief :: Rick Riordan
The Great and Terrible Quest :: Margaret Lovett
Grace :: Richard Paul Evans
Jane Eyre :: Charlotte Bronte
The Mysterious Benedict Society :: Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey :: Trenton Lee Stewart
The Phantom Tollbooth :: Norton Juster
The Magician's Nephew :: C.S. Lewis
Peeled :: Joan Bauer
Hope Was Here :: Joan Bauer
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe :: C.S. Lewis
Little Pilgrim's Progress from John Bunyan's Classic :: Helen L. Taylor
Beyond the Desert Gate :: Mary Ray
Bridge to Terabithia :: Katherine Paterson
The Bronze Bow :: Elizabeth George Speare
Black Horses for the King :: Anne McCaffrey
A Series of Unfortunate Events :: Lemony Snicket
Evil Genius :: Catherine Jinks
[beware -- there is some language] A Single Thread :: Marie Bostwick
[again, beware of the language]
We Heart Movies...
All of these movies have been seen by at least one of us, and are all highly reccomended!
The Princess Bride Faith Like Potatoes Facing the Giants Up Kung Fu Panda Mary Poppins The Sound of Music Enchanted Ratatouille WALL-E Fireproof The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Race to Witch Mountain Bridge to Terabithia G-FORCE Aquamarine
