God Ordains

Research Paper: Finished!

2010-10-08T18:31:00.002-04:00

Soaring Above Our Minds

As he prepares to perform you can feel the excitement in the room increasing as each moment passes on. And as he draws his bow across the strings, you can see the instrument becoming a part of him, a mere extension of his arms. With the first note, you begin to immerse yourself into a unique universe, that is: Andrew Bird’s mind.

Who would have known that Andrew Bird, born in Chicago, Illinois on July 11, 1973, would become a violin playing, guitar strumming, whistling, musical genius of the 21^st century, releasing fifteen albums and performing for thousands? At the influential age of four, Andrew’s mother, who is an artist, sent him into learning the Suzuki teaching method, which required that he spend hours, days, and months listening to music and never playing (“Andrew”). Yet, once he lifted the violin to his shoulder it was obvious that he possessed not just talent but an extreme gift. As he continued in his studies and attended the Northwestern University Conservatory his gifting only continued to grow. Finally, he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance, almost simultaneously releasing his first album, The Music of Hair (Sacks).

In 1998, Andrew Bird released a series of albums with his band “Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire”. The band drove down to New Orleans to record the first of three albums in just five days (Mahler), Thrills, a heavily jazz and swing-influenced recording made the old-fashioned way, around a small, single ribbon microphone (Curry). Later, in August of 1999, Oh! The Grandeur was released to the public. He sent out his final album with the band on April 3, 2001, titled The Swimming Hour. These albums greatly featured Andrew’s talent in songs such as “Candy Shop”, “Why?” and “Way out West” (Sacks), the band collapsed without any public recognition or album sales. Andrew saw the collapse as an opportunity to start afresh and moved from his apartment in Chicago to his family’s barn in rural Illinois. During that time a local folk band requested that Bowl of Fire open for them at a gig in Chicago, but because none of the band members were available Andrew agreed to play alone. He walked up the stage, began to play and whistled for the first time on stage. “I was worried they were all thinking: Where’s the band?” Then he realized with surprise that the show went well, the audience was satisfied, and he left encouraged.

As Andrew morphed from bandleader to solo artist he continued writing, recording and performing. In a period of two years he released a number of albums which clearly display his changing styles as he went from writing to rewriting, rewriting to rehearsing, rehearsing to recording, and recording to performing. The whirlwind of music that swirled around Andrew never seemed to end but only gained momentum, as well as the touring he did throughout 2003 and 2004. It happened around this time that Andrew discovered a new instrument of sorts, a looping pedal. With this fantastic tool, he began to quickly play a short melody on his violin, loop it, and continue to add layers of violin, essentially giving him the ability to create a symphonic blend of melodies and harmonies that he often sings along with. When Andrew first started off as a soloist he went on several desperate attempts to create a following, often opening for bigger acts, playing for 30 minutes and then running out to man his own merchandise table. While this hectic and sometimes worthless effort exhausted him mentally and physically, he continued and it showed it’s worth as his second solo album, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, came into existence, receiving very high ratings and reviews from critics and popular audiences (Mahler).

If you meet Andrew Bird on the street he might appear as an awkward, eclectic yet shy man, but if you experience Andrew Bird in concert you would swear that you are seeing a completely different person. He comes to life for his audience, bringing bursts of energy and harmony to the stage (Curry). With all this talent, you must assume that he spends hours rehearsing, but he does just the opposite. He hates rehearsing and actually expects and relies on that feeling of hazard (Wilkinson). He says, “If everything was perfectly comfortable and executed, I’m afraid I would loose some edge.” Instead of rehearsing songs from his most recent album “Noble Beast” he decided to bring out the “edge” and play a surprise show at the Hideout, a bar in an industrial neighborhood in Chicago. It drew an extremely small crowd of about one hundred people and tickets were sold out before the pub even announced that Andrew Bird would perform (Mahler). Another night, at a gig in Chicago, Andrew dramatically lifted the violin from his shoulder as over 3,500 people watched it crash to the ground, breaking into several pieces. Despite the surprising turn of events, Andrew went on calmly as his unique, philosophical self. “The sound of the violin breaking got into one of the loops and kept cycling around, and part of me was like - that’s really cool.” With these examples of his unique personality, it seems that Andrew fights to live as normally as possible, not taking his popularity or gifting for granted (Wilkinson).

Andrew’s songwriting methods seem unconventional to most but prove to work and force creativity to flow. He constantly whistles new melodies and stores them in his mind. “I’m my own Top 40 radio station, playing the things that get under my skin,” he says, “The ones that really stick are the hits.” He hears a sound or feels a feeling, a slamming door, a child crying, or a dog barking, sadness, happiness, or anger, and he begins to formulate ideas and melodies (Mahler). Often the lyrics seem to be dumped out of a Scrabble set, randomly chose, and set to music. Really, they don’t matter to Bird as long as they fit with the rhythm. He does not care so much about the literal meaning but about the mood they create. As a whole, the music matters most, lyrics are secondary, but meaning wins over all (Wilkinson). He also fights to keep his music out of a genre. Andrew hates the restricting idea and fights to break out of the stereotyped musical themes.

Currently, Andrew continues to write and tour through Chicago and Washington D.C. He has even scheduled a few shows in Spain and Italy. Also, in a matter of weeks his instrumental album Useless Creatures will be sent out on LP and CD (Sacks). Bird’s slow trek to success, though unusual, is continuing as his popularity rises. Although he worries that he will fall into the mainstream of music and offend his “hard-core fans”, one his publicists states, “…mainstream no longer exists.” Hopes continue that a completely new album will arrive sometime in 2011 (Mahler).

Andrew Bird dares to do what other musicians wish they had the courage for. He goes out of the normal and comfortable and breaks in with his own innovative method. Through this approach he provides music that inspires and sparks new ideas in us. Along with this music and inspiration we get to see inside the idiosyncratic mind of Andrew Bird.

My "Family"

2010-09-30T01:01:00.000-04:00

Some of you have mocked me for my "family" that isn't really family, but I don't know if you truly understand my family - mainly my aunt and uncle and little cousins. They are the single, most amazing non-family-family that I could ever have.

Aunt Diana. Oh my goodness, what would I ever do without you? I wish I lived next door so that I could come over whenever just to stay up late and talk about anything and everything and watch sappy romance movies and eat junk food with Uncle Scott. :) I would if I could. - You guys, my aunt is the most amazing wife and mom, and a beautiful godly woman. She is my role model and someone I will always want to be like... Mmhmm, I know that's super cheesy, but hey, we like super cheesy. :) March was the best month of the year for me because I got to go see you and your family. I can't wait to come back - I'll be there for two weeks next time!! :) I love you, Aunt Di.
Uncle Scott. You're my favorite non-uncle ever. I can't believe some of the things you do to your nieces (me included.) ;) I really hope that you'll call my boyfriend (who ever he is) and be the totally crazy uncle that you are. If he can get through your I'm-going-to-embarrass-my-niece-as-much-as-possible routine, then he can get through anything. I'm gonna regret saying that someday... yeah. I love going to the "redneck auction" with you and talking about God and boys and family and church. I love it when I saw you walking out to the cabin every morning because I know you're going to be with God. I love the trees you planted in the backyard that used to be tiny little trees when I lived with you and now they're super huge. I love your jokes about everything... sometimes I laugh so hard I can't breathe. I love you, old pastor.
Alyssa. I hope you appreciate your parents. Lys, you're a young woman now. Whoa craziness. Time must stop. You are so much like your mom and so much like your dad! I wish I was closer so that we could be better friends... but you're still always going to be my little cousin. You were so cute when you were a baby!! You're beautiful now though and I can't wait to see you grow into a more beautiful and godly woman. I love you, sack-o'-potatoes.
Jessica. I barely know you, baby girl! You are so precious and crazy. You're definitely like your daddy but you're going to be so beautiful like your mom. You're a trickster too, you pretend to be all shy and quiet and then BOOM! you're hyper, crazy Jessie. You better remember me when you come and visit me. Tell mom and dad every day that you want to come see me. When you come I'm going to give you a big hug and we'll watch movies and play games and do all sorts of fun things together. I love you, princess.

This is my family you guys. :) I miss them. I love them. And you should be jealous that your family isn't as amazing as my family.

Research Paper Decided

2010-09-28T17:50:00.000-04:00

If you don't know who this is, I'm very disappointed, because he's only uber amazing.

Research Paper

2010-09-27T18:01:00.000-04:00

Due on October 17th and I need to have a draft by the 4th, which is a week from today.
Dilemma: I have no topic. Sooo, send suggestions in the comment box! :D

School

2010-08-20T19:35:00.000-04:00

Well, as of four days ago, I'm officially a college student...
Let me just say, college is a bit of a confidence booster. You know how people say that home-schoolers are "socially awkward" and all that? There's no one more socially awkward than the people at my school. It's kind of amusing. And I feel smarter. Maybe it's because I actually know what an ampersand and quotation marks are, but hey, maybe not.

Appology.

2010-08-05T10:26:00.000-04:00

So. I've been thinking lately about how I can be pretty harsh and sarcastic at times with my friends and family, so I just wanted to say, please forgive me for that! You have to know that so much of it is just me messin' with you because I love you guys, but I've gotten a couple comments from people and I really don't want you to think that I'm a harsh, rude, sarcastic person all the time or that I mean everything I say. So with that, I want to become a more gentle, kind and gracious person, so if you're hanging out with me and I'm just getting annoying then start glaring at me, or hold up a sign saying, "KAYLEE. SHUT UP." or whatever. :) I'll get the hint. :) Thank you guys soooo much!! Love you!

Fear: Moving On

2010-07-07T17:35:00.000-04:00

I'm sixteen. I'm starting college. I'm working at the Hospital. I'm looking for cars, jobs, and quarters underneath the couch cushions. The decisions I make are going to affect my future. I'm an airplane and these next few years are a runway, and I'm getting ready to start rumbling down the asphalt. Fortunately, God is my pilot. I am so glad that God is my pilot!! Because if He wasn't and I was in control I would end up crashed, 1,000 miles off-course, on a deserted island filled with polar bears and other monsters.

But even though God is in control of my life, I still am filled with apprehension about the future. What am I going to major in? What are my gifts? What's going to happen to my friendships? Am I going to finish my AA in time to graduate high school with it? How am I going to juggle school, work, friendships, and church-related stuff? Who does God want me to be?

God directly speaks to me about this fear though. He says, "Do not be anxious about anything." That's pretty clear. He's telling me not to be anxious. Then he adds, "...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Me. [God]" So, in everything I do or fear I should let God know and then let Him take care of me. My requests are for guidance and peace. I know that He will answer my prayers in his own timing. I have to put my fear aside and begin trusting that he will guide me through the choices I have to make. So that's my next step: Trusting God.

So now that I'm trusting God, I can just sit around and wait for Him to figure out my life, right? Wrong. I am trusting God and His plan for my life, but that doesn't give mean I've got a red light and I've just got to wait until He tells me to go. I need to get a move on my life. I'm in college, so I need to begin exploring majors, all the while, asking God to direct me. I'm volunteering at the Hospital, but I still need to begin looking for a real job that will begin to generate savings. I can't just sit around, I need to get up and begin doing things.

So, I'm asking for your prayers, support, suggestions, and wisdom. :) Thanks!
I love you guys, please let me know if there's any way I can pray for you!!

Happy Birthday Jean Marie! :-)

2010-06-28T09:55:00.002-04:00

In honor of our dear Jean Marie's Birthday, Mariah and I have made a video. So, without further ado....
Go to her blog! She'll have it posted sometime today. :)

http://sweetlifeunderthesavior.blogspot.com/

Fail.

2010-06-26T00:57:00.000-04:00

I've been a blogging failure, but on June 28th I'm going to direct ya'll over to my dear Jean Marie's blog for some happy birthday singing from me and Mariah. :) It's fun stuff. You'll probably laugh at us, and that's okay, we like making people laugh!! If you want a birthday video, comment and tell us and we'll make you one!!! :)
-K

A little bit of history.

2010-05-13T08:38:00.000-04:00

So apparently Merwin is Welsh, but Celtic in origin. Coming from the magician's name Merlin, and then morphing into Mervin, and finally Merwin. The motto on the top of the crest reads :De Dieu tout which translated means: From God Everything. At least that's what www.houseofnames.com says. I have absolutely no idea if these are just stupid scams to make you pay for your family crest which you really shouldn't have to pay for because they're your family crest! But, anyway... This is the Merwin coat of arms - pretty snazzy huh? What's your family's coat of arms? What's the origin? When people ask you "Are you Irish?" Do you say yes? :)

The Prodigal

2010-05-07T15:16:00.004-04:00

This is a really great song and a really talented animation of it! Really, you should watch it. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTK-mKxrAc&feature=player_embedded

Real joy and delight.

2010-04-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

It is true that we are able to bring real joy and delight to God. it is one of the most amazing facts in Scripture that God actually delights in his people and rejoices over them... God does not need us for anything, yet it is the amazing fact of our existence that he chooses to delight in us and to allow us to bring joy to his heart. This is the basis for personal significance in the lives of all God's people: to be significant to God is to be significant in the most ultimate sense. No greater personal significance can be imagined.

I was reading in Bible Doctrines (by Wayne Grudem) and I read the beautiful truth above, and then I read it again, overwhelmed by the love of our Savior. I am so glad that we are able to bring God delight and joy!

Good for you, better for your friends.

2010-04-06T13:21:00.001-04:00

Here I am, yet again, recommending another book.

I'm sorry if this gets old or redundant or--- wait. I'm not sorry at all, why am I apologizing?! Ridiculous. You need to read this book.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Most amazing book. Josh Harris said, "It [the book] is not about 'dating', it's about living your life for God."

I read this book about two years ago and while I enjoyed it, I didn't have what it took to think through and apply this book to my life so I read it, I liked it, and I moved on. There wasn't any real convictions because there wasn't any need for them then. Now there is and this book is so helpful in building convictions. I've begun reading it again, this time with pen in hand, ready to mark up the pages. This time with each turn of the page there's new information and things to think about that I'd never considered before. That's how a book should be.

"I've come to realize that while friendships with the opposite sex are great, I have no business asking for a girls heart and exclusive affections if I'm not ready to consider marriage. Until I can do that, I'd only be using that girl to meet my short-term needs, not seeking to bless her for the long term. Would I enjoy having a girlfriend right now? You bet! But I wouldn't truly be loving her and putting her interests first." -Joshua Harris

Isn't that great? I love it.

I really can't say any more, just read this book. Buy it, borrow it, see if the library has it. You can even borrow mine, once I finish it.

Sermon Link

2010-03-31T00:10:00.000-04:00

Hey. I realized that I didn't put in the link for Bob Kauflin's sermon: Listening to Music for God's Glory. Oooops. :) Here it is!

Music.

2010-03-27T19:22:00.000-04:00

Recently I've been thinking about my music choices. Are they good? Are they edifying? And so on. So I downloaded and listened to a message while I was running. It's by Bob Kauflin, titled Listening to Music for the God's Glory. Let me just say, it is amazing and I highly encourage you to listen to it.

Bob Kauflin uses this illustration: you all know the story of the trojan horse. The trojans brought a huge wooden horse full of soldiers to their enemies' gates and left it there. The enemies took the horse inside the castle walls and left it overnight. That night the soldiers came out and attacked the city from the inside. Music is like a trojan horse. It comes happily but it can destroy us from within.

He makes the point that (I'm paraphrasing here) music is rhythm, melody, and harmonies. So music isn't in itself, bad. There can be christian artists who write terrible music and there can be secular artists that write beautiful music.

He also says that our lives are not movies so we don't have to have music playing all the time. He encourages us to turn off our ipods and spend time thinking and praying and just living our lives, without music.

Finally, he says that secular music isn't bad... in moderation. If we spend all of our time listening to secular music then we will struggle.

I just wanted to ask: do you think your music is good? do you think it is edifying your soul? is it affecting your walk with god? even though you "don't listen to the lyrics" do you think that the music is so necessary that you have to listen to it, even if the lyrics aren't good?

Thanks for reading! :)
<3, K

Just Do Something.

2010-03-15T15:27:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to recommend these two things.

First is a book by Kevin DeYoung called Just Do Something. I LOVE this book! It's so great. Really. Buy it here and then read it.

Second is a message by Kevin DeYoung called... Just Do Something. I LOVE this message! It's from NEXT '09 and it seriously has changed my thinking. Kevin basically preaches through his book - it's so great. You can listen to it here or download it here. (Right-click and save the link as an MP3)

This is random. I'm sorry.

2010-03-11T23:46:00.000-05:00

Oh man... So I'm back home.

I got here, ate some yummy soup and then threw all my laundry into the washer. (Yeay for clean laundry!)

2 hours later ... folded the clothes and packed them up into my two suitcases.

I also successfully destroyed a clean room in three hours. Darn.

I have no idea what I'm doing tomorrow except the orthodontist wants to cause more pain and suffering and the Bodach is trying to get me. And the librarians want me to give them more money. But they won't get it! No way! I'm standing firm! No more fines!

Oh. And I have to make a cake. It's going to be beautiful. You should be excited. Except... you can't have any unless you're coming to our ladies event this Sunday. Sorry fellas.

Now I'm waiting for Mac to get home so I can tackle her with hugs and give her Balderdash.

G'night.

Boutique For A Week

2010-03-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

I'm back and working again! I came out with Mariah on Sunday and I've been working almost non-stop here. It's a blast. Mariah's mom came and picked her up today and I'll be here until Thursday or Friday.

It's so much fun and it got so packed last night. There was a 100ft. line yesterday from 3:00 to 8:30pm. It was insanity. :P But it was super fun.

Anyway. I'll be back home soon and I'll be flying out on Wednesday. :)

I love March.

I am prone...

2010-02-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

...to do rather random, stupid, or inexplicable things like...

Break out into song.
Read a book titled "How to Read a Book"
Take 500 pictures of Disney scenery and props and have about 10 pictures of actual, living and breathing people.
Listen to amazing Irish guys who sing American songs with an Irish accent.
Buy clocks.
Try to graffiti the inside of the shed.
Clean up your desk because it's a flippin' mess.
Make cheese soufflés.
Buy sunglasses that are ridiculously ugly.
Catch frogs and snakes.
Buy bright yellow nail polish that people *coughSidneycough* don't like. ;-)
Cut pictures out of magazines and tape them on my wall.
Write "blah" all over a piece of paper.
Get wedding and baby name books from the library.
Start reading 3 fantasy books at the same time and totally confuse the story lines and characters.
Wear glasses without any prescription in them.
Buy a $5 pen.
Buy 3 calendars for the same year.
Buy a violin in 2008 and then sell it in 2009.
Eat a whole bag of Swedish Fish. *Clarification: the candy, not actual fish from Sweden.*
Watch animated Disney movies.
Sit outside with my guitar at 10pm in 40° weather looking at the stars.
Save yellow origami swans.
Smile at you.

Housework.

2010-02-22T22:46:00.000-05:00

Thursday was mopping day. I woke up with two thoughts. One, I had to mop. And two, how the heck did I get nine hours of sleep and still feel so tired?
So, I dragged myself out of bed and did school for an hour. Then I found something to eat. Then I looked at my school again and decided that mopping was preferred over Geometry.

Therefore, I got my mopping paraphernalia out. (i.e. my flannel plaid shirt to wear with my ripped up jeans, my blue bucket, my junky rags, etc.)

I then proceeded to assess the situation. 5 rooms to mop. 1 Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 hallways and a laundry room. This was my mission.

The term "grin and bear it" came in to action as I cranked some tunes and began my task.

Now some background to why I dislike mopping so much.

First off, it's rather boring and there's quite a bit of it.

Second, I'm lazy and don't like to work.

(I'd much rather read a book or watch a movie or play some sort of music, which is really selfish of me and that's why I must make myself do the mopping.)

Third, my father dutifully installed all of the tile in the kitchen when we first moved into this house eight years ago. Being a Pastor and not a carpenter/handy-man/craftsman kind of person he did his best. But the tile is uneven which results in my hands and knees getting scraped and sore. (As to the real reason my hands and knees get scraped and sore is to be told in reason number four. Which you will get to read in 3, 2, 1... now.)

Fourth and finally, we do not and have never owned a decent mop in all of our eight years inhabiting this house. It's true. Maybe I'm just picky, but I do not like the sponge mops or the stringy-spaghetti mops or the shark mop. So, since I'm the one who does the mopping, mom eventually said that she would no longer look for mops (since we owned three) and that I could use one of those or do it on my hands and knees. Therefore, that has become my chosen method.

I do believe this has become a quite random (and stupid) post but I was wondering:

What kind of housework do you have to do at home?

Do you have a list of chores that you have to finish each week?

Or does your mom just tell you what to do as you go along?

What's your favorite and least favorite chore to do?

I'll leave a list of what I have to do in the comments box and you can do the same, if you like.

Much love,

-K

Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies

2010-02-06T22:00:00.001-05:00

Has anyone noticed how weird the nursery rhymes and lullabies were way back when? I'll list a few...

Ring Around the Rosie, pocket full of poesy, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

Basically this was about the Bubonic Plague. The first symptom was a pink-ish bump on your arm with a red ring around it... they carried flowers to make their decaying bodies smell better... and then they would burn all the dead people to kill the plague... and then they'd die. Okay, if that's not depressing, I don't know what is.

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home. Your house is on fire, your children are gone. All except one, her name is Nan. She crawled under a frying pan.

Okay, so this ladybug mother was out one day and some one came and told her her house was on fire and all her babybug kids died. Um, that's really sad.

One person said this, "My mom used to read me "Hansel and Gretel" A relaxing little tale about two children who are abandoned by their parents and fall into the clutches of a cannibalistic serial killer who lures her prey in with sweet treats, then imprisons them, cooks them alive, and eats them. Nice. For many years when I heard the Ice Cream Man coming I would run and hide under my bed."

I'm sorry but this kinda made me laugh. I loved the Brothers Grimm. They were pretty cool in my eyes.

Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top, when the wind blows the cradle will rock, when the bough breaks the cradle will fall, and down will come baby, cradle and all.

First. Who, in their right mind, sticks their kid in a tree? Hello!?!?! Wake up! Then the tree breaks because there's strong winds outside. EXCUSE ME? Yes, the tree BREAKS. Then the baby's cradle falls out of the tree with the poor innocent kid inside. Assuming this is a rather tall tree... the kid breaks his neck and lives with an intense fear of trees and wind for the rest of his life. #1 example of bad parenting.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again.

Alright. Who named the egg Humpty Dumpty? Poor guy, he probably has some sort of name complex. Then he falls and no one can put him together so he dies. On the side of the road. Watching the horses and men ride of into the distance.

Jack and Jill when up the hill to coast with fun and laughter. Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.

I actually read a book about Jack and Jill. It was way more drastic than this makes it sound. Jack fell down the hill and seriously injured his head, almost having severe brain damage. And poor Jill breaks her back and is almost paralyzed and has to spend over a year lying around in bed. That's a little more than a "tumble".

There's also that prayer we used to say...

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Does that scare anyone else? I mean, I don't want to go to sleep after praying about death, but maybe that's just me.

And I just have one more problem. The Barney song. Hang on...

I love you, you love me, we're a happy family with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won't you say you love me too?

WAIT! This giant purple dinosaur is singing love songs to me!! That should be a red flag, ya'll.

Alright. I'm done ranting and raving now. What do you think? :)

Hey guys, pay attention.

2010-02-01T23:06:00.001-05:00

Haha kidding...

This kid is awesome though... I mean, who writes a book like that at the age of 9??

It's official.

2010-01-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

Actually, several things are official. For one, I fail at blogging regularly. For two, I'm going to Maryland. For three, (why am I saying for one, for two, for three?)... For three, I am... nevermind... But, I have reasons for not blogging and they are good reasons, I think....

I am drowning in the midst of Harper Collins French Concise Dictionary, 2nd Edition, CLEP: The Official Study Guide, and A Tale of Two Cities... Cliffs Notes of course, because I don't have the time or desire to read that book again.
I am writing at least one paper a week, which goes towards my super-duper Irish research paper/notebook. (Speaking of which... I need to write 3 more. I fell a little behind...oops!) Actually, my Irish research paper/notebook is coming along quite nicely and I'm excited to see the finished product. I'm learning a lot about Ireland and the Irish people which is really fun. I get to read all about them and all about the history, the music, the culture, the food, the people, more history, the religion, the landscape, etc. It's just awesome. I love it... but it does take a LOT of time to write and research it all.
Not to mention the papers I write for my piano class monthly.

Awesome side note. My piano teacher, Mrs. Harris, has been teaching me Humanities for 5 years, and we didn't even know it until I went through the Humanities CLEP study guide. Oh-wowzers. How cool is that? All those composer pages I wrote and all the music I've listened to actually paid off. Huh, whaddya know.

I make dinner at least once a week, if not 2-3 times. I love cooking though, so this isn't tough for me. :)
My mom has ~~forced~~, I mean, started me on a new workout plan. It entails exercising. (Duh.) Not my favorite thing to do. I'd much rather be reading or playing guitar or writing, but hey, that's whatcha get. Basically, we're doing this so that when I go to the doctor in March I can say, "Hey, we've been working out for two months, so that's not the issue." :) Ha.
My new room-that-isn't-really-new-any-more is finally finished thanks to my amaaaazing uncle who put up the french doors in the big doorway. Now it has 4 walls and 3 doors and it's rad. We all call it my "Studio Apartment". Um, yeah... I pretty much LOVE it.

That's all that I can think of right now that's going on that would prevent me from jumping on here and taking a few minutes out of my day to update you. So... yeah. That's about it. I gotta run... literally, I'm off to go ~~torture myself,~~ erm, exercise. :)

Love ya'll
- o.O

Absolutely Good News.

2010-01-12T15:01:00.000-05:00

Guess what.

I'm booking my March tickets for my trip to Maryland. I am so excited!!!!!!!! OMG. :) hehe I'm super-duper-uber excited because I am going back to see my Aunt and Uncle and cousins, and as an added bonus, I get to see the Bowmans. For all you that don't know, we lived in Maryland when I was 5 while my Dad was in the Pastor's College. And we lived with the Hendricks' family... my adopted Aunt and Uncle and cousins. I love them like crazy and they are a help to me all the time. Anyway, I just wanted to share my happiness with ya'll... :) So excited!! =D

"Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know"

-Home, Michael Buble

I Have a Friend in Jesus

2010-01-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm off to a bad start because... this isn't a smart post. BUT it is a funny post... so ha.

This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, yet, I love it! =D

Hello, from the Negligent Blogger

2010-01-03T16:29:00.002-05:00

I do believe I have failed you. This blog was supposed to be about "smart stuff" like God and the Bible, but it hasn't been.

New Years Resolution #1: Blog about holy things, not about the boring stuff.

There. Now then. What else? Well, I suppose you should get an update.

School... starts in a measly 2 days. Need I say more? On the bright side, I only have 15-17 weeks left of this learning. Then, I shall learn what I want to learn not what they want me to learn.
God... is all around me filling me with His glory and grace. I love him.

That's about it for now. I'll try to be more intellectual and post smarter stuff.

Happy Wintertime, Everyone! (=

2010

2010-01-01T00:06:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

Ready?

2009-12-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

Here we go!

Something worth noting.

2009-12-17T21:04:00.001-05:00

My new music theory blog for all you music theory nerds... and anyone else who just likes to read my musical ramblings. :)

http://somethingworthnoting.blogspot.com

theoretically yours,

Kaylee ;)

My newest upgrade.

2009-12-08T16:01:00.001-05:00

Haha. Glasses!

Hurray! Haha :-) What do you think?

Our Future is going to be Interesting...

2009-12-03T15:11:00.002-05:00

WARNING: This is a post about government and politics. Please, we ask that you don't run in terror at another political talk. Thank you.

Before I start, you have to know, I respect our president and government and pray that they will make the correct decisions for the bettering of our country. America is our home and our country and we don’t deserve to have this life.

I find it astounding that politics has stayed the same through the years, although I’m not really too surprised. How can politicians and leaders not see through the illusion of a perfect government and a perfect America? Is this what a democracy is supposed to look like? I don’t think this is what the founding fathers had in mind when they began this free country – if they knew what was in the future for the country they have had different ideas!

Right now our country is on a perpetual downward spiral: very much perpetual, very much downward, very much out of control.

In the Renaissance times (1300-1650) the political leaders of Italy were the wealthy and influential families. The whole government was controlled by money and persuasive speech. The Medici family used their financial power to influence leaders. Pope Alexander VI was a member of the Borgia family – another influential family – he was known for his ruthlessness and immorality and had four illegitimate children before he was chosen as the pope of the Catholic Church. It is insanity to allow a man like that to be a religious leader for tens of thousands of people. Now, by definition a democracy is a system of government by the whole population. I just thought I’d throw that in… It’s always been a question of mine whether our politicians were actually elected by us. Obviously, the presidents have been and the major leaders of America, but the people in Congress… are they really representing us the way we need them to? They make most of the major decisions in America. I mean Congress holds a lot of power. They are able:

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States
To borrow money on the credit of the United States
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations
To declare war
To raise and support armies
To provide and maintain a navy
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia (Article 1, Section 8)

Obviously, that is a lot of control they hold. We are forced to put a lot of trust into these 435 individuals who decide whether we will declare war or collect taxes.

Recently I’ve been reading Glenn Beck’s blog which is updated once or twice a day. He’s providing major insight to our government. He recently posted here: I thought it was amazing and it definitely got me excited about our government.

Okay, I'm done... that’s my two-cents on the government.

Life is full of disappointments...

2009-11-24T19:48:00.007-05:00

...like finding out that I'm the 80th person in line at the library to get Glenn Beck's book Common Sense, or like discovering that there's a party you can't attend, or finding out something about someone you'd rather not know, or getting hot chocolate and only realizing after you've opened it that it does not contain the little artificial marshmallows that we all love...

These kind of disappointments frequently haunt my days and nights but I'm finding easy ways to fix them.

1. Cure for being the 80th person in line at the library to get Glenn Beck's book Common Sense: I realize that this means that 80 people are reading truth about our government and it's future and that helps soften the blow... I also realize that this means that I will not read the book until these 80 people are done... I realize that I need to borrow this book so I put a request on my blog for the book hoping someone else will realize how much I would like to read it... then I stop realizing things and begin complaining.

2. Cure for discovering that there's a party you can't attend: Get a good book (mentioned in previous point) or a good movie (mentioned in previous post) and sit down with a cup of hot chocolate (mentioned in final point) and either mope about it or throw a happy little party of your own with your siblings and/or uninvited friends.

3. Cure for finding out something about someone you'd rather not know:

Step 1 - pray for them

Step 2 - either talk to them about it (if it's any of your concern, if it isn't then don't)

Step 3 - pray for them again

Step 4 - as whoever told you not to tell you anything like that again because it extremely upset you and you'd rather keep a somewhat good memory of your friends

4. Cure for getting hot chocolate and only realizing after you've opened it that it does not contain the little artificial marshmallows that we all love: go to Publix and buy some more buy-one-get-one-free hot chocolate, this time with marshmallows.

And so it goes, on and on, life is full of disappointments, but life is full of joys.

"It's That Time of Year..."

2009-11-18T09:16:00.004-05:00

"...when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say 'Merry Christmas, may your New Year dreams come true!' and this song of mine, in three-quarter time, wishes you and yours the same thing too."

Signs that Christmas is coming:

It is getting colder
We've had our first bonfire in the backyard
We've been drinking hot chocolate and coffee... a lot
The air conditioning's off
I'm wearing above-the-knee argyle socks
There are more blankets on the couch than pillows
Lowe's Christmas Tree tent is set up
Thanksgiving is next week
I finished my Christmas shopping
I made a list of all the Christmas movies I want to watch this year. (Actually, I'd better get started...)
I got my first Christmas present of the year
I'm singing Christmas songs
Target put up their five-billion snowflakes hanging from the ceiling
Grandpa's started talking about canceling Christmas (he does it every year, without fail)
Everyone is wearing five-inch-thick sweaters even though we live...in...FLORIDA
The sun is brighter
I can see my breath at night
We're not going to the beach anymore
My Christmas countdown says "37 More Days until Christmas!"

Obviously, I get excited about Christmas... like, REALLY EXCITED. What do you love about Christmas?

Here's the list of movies for me to watch...

Elf
Eloise at Christmastime
Christmas in Connecticut
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
Polar Express
The Santa Claus
Holiday Affair
The Shop Around the Corner
Home Alone
A Christmas Story
Christmas with the Kranks
Love Actually
The Nativity Story
The Ultimate Gift
Saint Nicolas - VeggieTales!
____________________

Obviously, I need one more movie to make my life complete! Any suggestions?

I'm Thankful For...

2009-11-09T21:07:00.003-05:00

The fall weather
Elton O. Samuelson (my EOS DLSR camera :)
Calculators
Macbooks
Lists
Barnes and Noble and the nice people who work there
Cookies
The Sun!
Money (when I have it.)
My Family
11:11 pm
My friends not running into bushes and stop signs. Yeah, that would be good.
Butternut Squash Soup
The end of the school year
Post-it notes
Fridge (2 meanings here.)
Dr. Pepper
The stars
My friends
Encouragement
Music
S'mores and Bonfires
Airplane tickets (to bring certain people to and from Maryland)
the Mazda 3 - a beautiful car, if there ever was one.
Parties... go ahead, plan one!
God :)
McKenna. She has brought many new YouTube videos to my life. :D She's awesome.
Ham and Mashed Potatoes
Guitars, Pianos, Mandolins, Accordions, Standup Bass, etc.
Pizza. You can't beat it.

Photography, Blogs and other such nonsense...

2009-11-01T20:36:00.001-05:00

So I've recently posted on my other blog: http://kaylee-photography.blogspot.com and I wasn't sure if all (or any) of you were aware of it's existence.

So, um, be aware from this day forward.

The end.

Yeah, so.

2009-10-29T22:33:00.003-04:00

Well, I didn't die. That's a good thing.

In my month of "anti-computer-ism-ness" I got swine flu (and did not die, neither here nor there.) and I read 10 books (see http://kaylee-photography.blogspot.com) and I did boat loads of school and house work. Indeed. I nearly died from mere brain exhaustion.

And no... I don't ever exaggerate... at all... ever.

Driving...

2009-09-13T22:34:00.002-04:00

As most of you know, I got my permit about three months ago... and I LOVE driving. It's so much fun for me... :) But I have a story... and lemme tell ya, it's kinda crazy...

I was driving home from Ocala on the back roads with my dad. I had been driving for about an hour or so... I love going fast (hehe) and I was going down one road at around 60 mph. It was pitch black outside and I didn't have my brights on because there was a car coming towards me. As I wound around a corner at 55 mph I saw something walk/run out in front of my car... I slowed down (but I didn't hit the brakes because there was a car behind me) and went past a black and white sheepdog that was just on the inside of the yellow lines. As I went past it the other car did too at the same time. Thank God it didn't move because I totally would have swerved and probably hit a tree or something. But it just stood there, looking at me. It was the cutest dog ever and I would have been so upset if I'd hit it. Now let me clarify: If I wasn't a Christian, I'd totally be one of those crazy animal activists telling you not to use mosquito spray because it hurts the mosquitos... I'm not quite that radical, but I could be. This isn't really a normal "God Ordains" post, but I thought it was worth of posting. :)

But anyway, I'm glad I didn't get any target practice in that day... I'll save that for the stupid love-bugs that tend to fly in my face when I'm on the motorcycle.

Camera!

2009-09-08T23:05:00.002-04:00

HURRAYYYYYY!

I was in Ocala getting something that takes some pretty "shweet" pictures! :D Ohhh my, my, my. I have been overcome with excitement for the past three hours! This picture looks weird because I took it on my computer...... so, yeah.

Yeayyy!!!! Soooooooo - Specifics

It's a Canon 40D (the kind that Nicole Smith has)
It's beautiful, just like the pictures it takes.
I'm exhaustedI drove for over an hour and a half from Ocala along back roads to I-95
Driving... Dog in the road... OMG. Ask me for the story later... It's... OMG.
I wished upon an Irish star, ate skittles, and drank Gatorade :)
Goodnight. <3

Coming soon...

2009-09-08T10:02:00.001-04:00

Introducing the Best People in the World

2009-08-13T18:49:00.000-04:00

Your parents. =) Oooooooohhh wait. Before you start thinking about why the aren't the best in the world, start thinking about why they are. For starters, they love you like crazy.

This past summer has been a long, crazy roller coaster for me. A big, missed opportunity for me to spill my heart out to my parents. After all, they've been there longer than any of my friends, but why am I so reluctant to tell them about how I think and feel? It's easier for my to talk to my friends because normally they tell me what I want to hear, instead of what I desperately need to hear. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, that's how it is. I mean, think about it. Your parents are the ones...

- that love you even if you do something really stupid

- that encourage you when you need encouragement

- tell you when you're being retarded

- sit down and talk you through the difficulties in life

- etc.

I'm sure you've heard this 947,320,381 times, but I think you need to hear it again. I certainly did... Maybe this 947, 320, 382nd time will be the one that tips you over the edge. Here it is.

You need to trust your parents and tell them everything.

There you go. The most brilliant advice ever given.

So...

- Why do you find it hard to talk to your parents? What keeps you from sharing with them?

- When is the next time you think you're going to talk to your parents about your problems?

- Do you find that you talk to your friends about your life problems more than to your parents? Why or why not?

p.s. I actually wrote this a few days ago, but my dad was out of town, so he couldn't check it right away. :)

Video-oooh-ooohhh

2009-08-12T00:20:00.005-04:00

This is from Tanner to all of you. We laugh so hard when we're on my computer!! It's so much fun... I love my brothers!!!

The Unfinished Gift

2009-08-10T20:08:00.002-04:00

A Sovereign Grace pastor in Daytona Beach has written a book (a bestseller in my opinion) and it is now sold in Barnes and Noble!!! OMG!!! Yeayy! Mr. Walsh's book is really amazing. He's writing (or has written) the sequel which should be coming out within a year or so. =D If you can, buy the book! It's really amazing.

Here's the link to B&N - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Unfinished-Gift-The/Dan-Walsh/e/9780800719241/?itm=4

Haiti =)

2009-07-30T18:27:00.004-04:00

I thought that since everyone's posting about the Haiti trip, I oughtta go with the flow and post about it to. I'm so excited for my friends to be able to go on this trip! I can't wait to hear how God worked through their lives and the lives of the people in Haiti. Also, I've been praying so much for this trip... I feel like I'm almost going on it as well! I just wanted to ask you to pray too for the Mission:X trip and the people going on it.

I believe there will be a Mission:X Haiti blog. Once I get the link to it, I'll post it. Thanks!

A Gift for you. It's important.

2009-07-07T11:04:00.002-04:00

Hello. I have a gift for you today! :) It's a message by Kevin DeYoung that I cannot recommend enough. It's titled "Just Do Something" and it is one of THE BEST messages I have ever heard. Just so you know, I'm not the kind of person who just sits down and decides to listen to a sermon. I listened to this with my mom on the way to Orlando and it was just amazing. Kevin has the ability to mix humor and seriousness in a sermon perfectly and he really catches your attention with great illustrations and stories. This message is not optional... you must listen to it.
Now, there are two listening options...

Go to this link and listen to it online.

or you can...
Download it. and here's how that works...

go to http://www.thisisnext.org/resources/
Right click on the eighth message entitled Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Choose "Save Target as"
Save it in your documents as Just do Something or whatever.
It will begin to download... It should take 1-2 minutes. Make sure that when it's downloading you uncheck the box that says "Close this dialog box when download is complete."
When it is done downloading, click "Open" and it should open your iTunes
It is now in your iTunes library and can be sync'd to your iPod at any time

So, now that you have all the information, and have no option... download it and listen to it... and tell me what you think. It's the best. (Can you tell I love it?)

19 years.

2009-06-23T15:49:00.000-04:00

happy anniversary mom and daddy! i love you!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-20T21:40:00.002-04:00

Hey dad, oh yeah, this is for you. :) I know... you love public recognition. :P (Mwhahahaha)

Dad, you are the best dad ever. I've written "tributes" to you before and I've always loved you more than anybody in the whole world.

I'm going to post an old post from September and a letter I wrote in December... and then add my thoughts on the end.... Enjoy

Blog Post... September 27th, 2008

You know what is amazing? My dad and his attitude toward his sickness. He is constantly an awesome example of long-suffering. I remember when he first got sick, about 5 years ago in September. I was 8-9 when he first got sick. When September came, that meant going outside to throw the baseball and run around; fires and "cold" nights with hot chocolate and a good book. (I know - don't tell me - Floridian.) I loved hanging out with my dad. I was and am a total Daddy's Girl. No one was more fun than him. When he got sick, it devastated me. I couldn't do anything that I used to do. Mom was always helping dad, making soup for him or taking care of 2-3 year old Timmy. I don't know if she even slept at night. When dad got sick, I couldn't do anything that I used to do. No softball, no bike rides, no "Hi, daddy!" when he got home, because he didn't get home. He was always home, in bed or on the couch. He was always asleep or moaning. I didn't know what was happening. I thought he was dying or something. It took me about a year or two before I realized that this was God's weird way of blessing us. Uh, don't ask me what the blessing is - I'm not really sure. I know that it was a test for me, and it still is. I used to pray every night for him to get better, I still pray every night for him to get better. Nothing has really happened and everything has happened. I don't feel different and I feel totally different. I can't really explain it, except that God grew my faith since then. I have had to trust that Dad was going to be fine, trust that God was in control, trust the the doctors knew what they were talking about, trust that the medicine wasn't going to kill him, trust that all of this was for good. "for the good of those who love Him..." never was as confusing as it was then. Dad's unending faith in God was a great example to me of what a true man of God was. His sicknesses were trivial to what he deserved - and he knew that. He knew that he deserved eternal fire from Hell, yet he was given this gift of just Crohns Disease. Just a few years of sickness instead of an eternity. What is a few years of sickness when you have heaven staring you in the face - eternal happiness, eternal wellness, eternal worship to the Savior. This is just a blade of grass in a field. Trivial compared to what is around us....
We pray that God's will would be most important in our minds and lives. We know that whatever our holy, almighty, all-powerful God ordains is right.

The Letter... December 1, 2oo8

Daddy,
Sometimes, when I feel like I’m in so much pain, or I can’t finish something, I think of you. My pain is insignificant compared to yours. My trials are incomparable next to yours. I don’t know if you will ever understand that you inspire so many people with your long suffering. I am your living reminder of how many years you have lived without cancer. The past 5 or 6 years have been difficult, for you and our family. I, being the oldest child, felt the blow of your sickness more greatly than the others. I observed your sleepless nights and I counted the gallons of broth you consumed. I cried at night because my daddy wasn’t well. I wrote endless letters to you, I found about a quarter of them in your closet this morning. Some of them read, “Happy birthday dad, I love you so much” “Congratulations, you have won a free breakfast in bed, please expect French toast at 7 in the morning” “Are you ever going to give me the dollar for the tooth I lost 2 weeks ago?” “Can I please have a horse?” a list of questions about evolution and one that says “Daddy, I want to ask Jesus into my heart. I feel like I understand what he really did for me.” But the focal point of each note was “Daddy, please get better.” Every one of the letters that I wrote was proof of my love for you. It’s true; I’m daddy’s girl.
I was at a Sunday night prayer meeting earlier this year and everyone was praying for the sick people in the church, so I went up and prayed for you. I read Psalm 107:28-29, which reads, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” The bible says, “Pray and do not loose heart,” and, “So, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you.” And I, from the day you got sick 6 years ago, I haven’t stopped praying for you.
Dad, thank you for loving me. Every once in a while you tell me that you would die for me. That if we were on a sinking ship, and there was only one seat in the lifeboat, you would make me get in. And I cry every time you say it. But now, I just want to say, I’m gonna make room for you in that boat. Love you daddy.

My Thoughts... June 20th, 2oo9

Dad, you are an amazing example to all of us. I know people look up to you as someone they can follow... I look up to you as someone to follow... someone to hold my umbrella and yank me back under it when I go too far... someone to protect me... someone to watch Alfred Hitchcock with me... someone to laugh at... someone to talk to me when I'm wrong... someone to send stupid text messages to... someone to drive me around... someone to make fun of... someone to tell me to do stuff I don't really want to do... and someone to love me. I love you dad. Happy Fathers Day.

Quote

2009-06-16T08:48:00.002-04:00

This is a quote from an article I read by Carl Trueman on www.reformation21.org; it really struck me and I just wanted to share it with you.

"It is well-known that in his [Martin Luther's] writings in table conversation Luther would often refer to visits from the Devil, how the Devil would come to him and whisper in his ear, accusing him of all manner of filthy sin: "Martin, you are a liar, greedy, lecherous, a blasphemer, a hypocrite. You cannot stand before God." To which Luther would respond: "Well, yes, I am. And, indeed, Satan, you do not know the half of it. I have done much worse than that and if you care to give me your full list, I can no doubt add to it and help make it more complete. But you know what? My Saviour has died for all my sins - those you mention, those I could add and, indeed, those I have committed but am so wicked that I am unaware of having done so. It does not change the fact that Christ has died for all of them; his blood is sufficient; and on the Day of Judgment I shall be exonerated because he has taken all my sins on himself and clothed me in his own perfect righteousness.'"

STOP. Now, go back and read it again, and again, and again.

The Forgotten Values

2009-05-30T23:14:00.000-04:00

We forget a lot of things. Things like why we walked into the living room, what happened on our third birthday and how many books we read last month. We also forget things like chivalry, honesty, diligence, encouragement, selflessness and integrity. Integrity is what I'm going to be focusing on. Let's start with a definition. Integrity is doing what is right when no one is watching. Integrity is necessary everyday in some way, shape or form.

I'm finding that the hardest things to have integrity in are music, television, and computers. It's very easy to forget integrity in these moments of temptation; I'm just going to focus on music for today though.

Music is easy to get and easy to listen to. My first point on musical integrity is that we shouldn't steal music, which may seem obvious, but we've all done it in some way. I've done it by getting cds from the library and from my friends and just sticking them into my computer without a second thought. Now, I stop and think, "Oh yeah! That's breaking the law!"

My second point is that we can listen to music without our parents knowing that we are. Different internet programs help us with that, along with ipods and other things. So, when no one's watching our playlists, what do we listen to? Is it wholesome? Is it helping us? Is it making us dissatisfied with our life? What are the artists telling us? I'm not saying we all need to walk around listening to "Open the Eyes of My Heart"; secular music is fine to listen to in moderation and with parental permission and oversight. (Any amount of secular music that curses God or glorifies sin is NOT a good thing... even in moderation.) I listen to some great secular music, but it doesn't make up my entire "Musical Diet"... do you understand what I'm trying to say? I'm sorry if I seem scattered. :)

What are your thoughts?

Friends or Foes?

2009-05-07T11:11:00.012-04:00

Oh yes. It's that time. :) Facebook, MySpace, texting, email, Skype, IMing, and the list goes on. Our generation is growing up with all these extremely fun ways to communicate, but I am curious as to what kind of effect it's having on us. - In what ways do you find these things helpful?? In what ways have you found these things NOT helpful??

Here are some things I've observed:

Have you ever noticed that we can tend to change the way we talk on these modern conveniences? Sometimes it seems like it's hard for people to be nice on facebook. Whenever I have the chance to see facebook, I've noticed that people are always saying, "You're so stupid" or "That's retarded" and other negative remarks. I know that they don't really mean it, but when I see that a guy says "you're so stupid" to a girl, there's something wrong there. That's not the way a guy should act. I can understand guys joking with other guys and girls joking with other girls, but when a guy tells a girl that she's stupid, that's just rude.
It's hard for people to watch what they say on chat. It's so easy to talk to people on chat. I have gotten to talk to friends I never have the chance to talk to through chatting online, but I have to watch what I say because I can easily say things online that I would never say if I was talking to them in person. It's not just on facebook, its on AOL Instant Messaging, Skype, and Gmail Chat. I have to ask myself, "Would I say this to them in person?"

How can we use these things to communicate better? Should they all be thrown in the trash or do you think we can use them to encourage others, and bring glory to God?

I'd like to add, that it is so encouraging when people talk about how wonderful their life is, how much God has blessed them and how much they love their family. I love hearing that God has blessed their life, convicted them of sin, or helped them work through something. That is God glorifying and God honoring.

Well, I'm sure I could write much, much more about facebook, but I shall resist. Thanks for reading, and tell me what you think. =)

Serving with a Joyful Heart

2009-04-22T14:45:00.003-04:00

Lately, I've been challenged to serve in ways that I wouldn't normally volunteer for. For example, I was asked to serve in care group childcare, which is something I don't really do. I had been planning to go to care group and participate in the meeting but at the last minute…. “Kaylee, would you be willing to serve…..?” I was really tired that day, because I was working all day at church, but thankfully, God gave me the grace to say "Yes" to serving and I had a great time! I totally decided before I went in that I would love these kids and have a ton of fun just acting like one of them. It was such a blast. Blocks and puzzles have never been so cool. I guess what I'm trying to say is, God gave me the grace and JOY to go play with these kids when I really wanted to be in the meeting. It turned out to be one of the most fun times, but God totally surprised me with joy that night.

Can I have your attention please?

2009-04-13T12:04:00.002-04:00

I hereby declare today beautiful.

It is now official.

Kaylee needs...

2009-04-11T15:01:00.002-04:00

Okay... this is really fun. I did it after seeing Kayla's blog post about it. Here's what came up:

1. Kaylee needs our hugs. (amen!)

2. Kaylee needs a car (you said it, not me!)

3. Kalyee needs a new loving home (No I don't! I love my home.)

4. Kaylee needs your vote! (I'm gonna make t-shirts...)

5. Kaylee needs a little help. (A little?! I need a lot!)

6. Kaylee needs around the clock medical care. (Says who?)

7. Kaylee needs your prayers (Yes, please!)

8. Kaylee needs new gear (New music gear.)

9. Kaylee needs a new team of Rangers to fight and win. (No comment)

10. Kaylee needs a haircut (Actually...)

11. Kaylee needs to be Entertained (Yes. Please do something funny.)

12. Kaylee needs more vitamins (How did you know?)

Now you do it!

Google search the word "needs" with your first name in front of it... example... "Debbie needs" see what comes up and post it. :D

Listen.

2009-04-09T20:54:00.005-04:00

I love this song.

The one that is playing at this very minute.

It's amazing.

Just sit there...

..and listen

And then, after a few seconds of trying to hold in your joy, get up and dance around the way I want to every time I listen to it.

Books. A Faraway Land. Inspiration. Wandering.

2009-04-07T22:44:00.007-04:00

I'm back from the Land of No Computers But Lots of Good Books but I probably won't have a new post for a few days. I'm trying to get back into *ahem* intelligent thinking. (Something I don't do too often.)

I've had a lot of time to do school... read books - lots of books... do more school... hang with friends... and my family... watch movies... read more books... make cookies... read another book... play the piano a lot... write a song... learn a new chord (yes. that means 1... o-n-e new chord)... make $10... and $0.04... and just maybe read two or three more books.

If you have any post ideas - shoot them my way, but I have a couple ideas that I'm just too lazy (at the moment) to follow.

So... I leave you with that... and a debt... yeah... you owe me: a Dr. Pepper

Sorry if I'm rambling... I really don't like that word... let's call it wandering... I don't know why... Okay. Bye.

La la laa... hehehe, sorry... =)

2009-03-19T10:35:00.004-04:00

Hey.
1st... sorry for it being close to a month since my last post... My life has been rather crazy. :D
and... I won't be posting until April 8th because I am on the computer way to much and we decided that I am not going to be on the computer for a month... that was decided on March 8th... So...

a note from a crazy girl

2009-02-26T13:15:00.005-05:00

Alright homies. (hehe.) I miss you all like crazy. I'm in the Boutique for a week lobby, on a borrowed laptop, and I just wanted to say...

Hi.
I miss you people.
I can't wait for soccer.
I can't wait for church.
I can't wait to worship our God with you.
I can't beleive it's already Thursday.
I really want some Dr. Pepper.
I'm sick of listening to Carrie Underwood.
I love chocolate. It's good.
God has been so good to let me come here and work with Mrs. Sandie, Kelly and Kristen.
I'm having such a great time.
I love it here.
I can't wait for biology and history.
I can't wait to start school back up... oh wait. I did not just say that.
I really want to see my new cousin, Cole.
I love running the cash register.
It's really fun.
I get to press buttons and work with money.
Okay. I'll repeat something. I miss you all.
I'm still having a great time.

Okay. That's it. I'll see you all soon.

-Kaylee

Tim Hawkins

2009-02-21T00:28:00.003-05:00

Rules: You are not allowed to be prejudice against these. I've talked to some people (You know who you are...) who don't like Tim Hawkins because people quote him and think he's funny. *ahem* He's a comedian. That's his job. Anyway, you need to watch at least one of them.

Hint: Turn the music off at the bottom of the page. It makes it a little better. Just a little.

Angel Boy

2009-02-17T12:19:00.002-05:00

My new baby cousin, Cole.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

What do you believe?

2009-02-13T08:31:00.003-05:00

Is this what we are taught to believe? Are we to believe that this is what we came from?

These are from www.explorationfilms.com and are excellent. I have the complete 3-dvd set of Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution and they are so good. I love the argument that they set up. Dr. Jobe Martin is an amazing apologist and creationist; his story is described in the second video and it is amazing.

Thus, joyful laughter ensues...

2009-01-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

These struck me as amusing, so I thought I'd share them with you...

ONLY IN AMERICA

2. Only in America......are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.

3. Only in America......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

4. Only in America......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

5. Only in America......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

6. Only in America......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

7. Only in America......do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.

8. Only in America......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

9. Only in America......do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.

10. Only in America......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVER WONDER

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is it that to stop Windows, you have to click on 'Start'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Girl... Be a Woman!

2009-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Girls, I know something of the female mind - It's like a big ol' mansion that I get lost in sometimes... This post is going to be a little different from my last one, but with the same intent.

Girls, respect the men in your life. This is something I have learned over the past year. Especially respect your dad. If possible, arrange for a breakfast date or lunch. Dad and I had several breakfasts last year and it was a great chance to talk about whatever we wanted, like recent or upcoming events, guys, family struggles, etc. It's a great way to build the relationship between you and your dad.
Serve your mom in whatever way you can. I'm really bad at this. I'm very selfish and want to do my stuff first and don't even pay attention to her. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a younger sibling outside so that she can think clearly, cleaning the kitchen or making her a sandwich. Just ask yourself: What can I do to serve Mom today?
Clean your room. Oh, baby. It's a jungle in there. Sometimes mine is so messy I can't see the floor - seriously! The clothes pile up, books stacked around the desk, papers scattered, guitars are lying precariously on the ground, blankets, and seventeen cups on the nightstand. (oh, maybe not seventeen, but at least three...) I'm just a messy sort of person and I find things easily when it looks like a bomb detonated. I really do. But if I keep it clean for a few weeks in a row (*gasp* Is that possible?! *ahem* yes.) I find things much easier.
Do not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, instead, radiate cheerfulness and joy. Need I say more?
Finally, thank you for being such great friends to me.

Boy... be a Man!

2009-01-28T12:51:00.001-05:00

First off, I would like to say I know nothing about boyhood or guys' minds, therefore, my suggestions may be ridiculous, yet they are from my point of view and are truthful, from my standpoint...

Guys, I was so encouraged by Eddie in care group when he said that the guys at church were not growing up and needed to be men. I was not encouraged by what he said, but that he said it and recognized it. And the thing is, it's partly true. Unfortunately, I must be brutally honest with you guys and tell you what I think, but before I do that I want to ask you to be humble and ask yourself if you do these things regularly. Some of you do, but some don't... Either way, I respect you... So, for you Guys out there... here are some thoughts you may want to consider from "the girls!"

I'm going to do bullet points to make things simpler.

Guys, when a girl walks into a room, get up and give her your chair. Please, after we say "No" ask if we are sure. Normally, we're just being kind. (Girls, when a guy offers you his chair, it's nice and appropriate to take it.)
Guys, don't talk with your mouth full when there are girls in the room. It's gross. I don't care what you do when we're not there, but when we are...... well. figure it out. :)
Be respectful to you parents, especially your mom! When she asks you to do something (like taking the trash out, doing your chores or shutting up.) just do it. If you want, you can appeal before or ask questions afterwards. "Honor your mother and father..."
Guys, you should open the door for anyone. The girls, parents and even other guys. It is great to see you guys race to the door to see who can serve first. (Girls, walk through the door, say "thanks" and don't argue with him. Just let him open the door.)
Do all things with excellence. All things include chores, school, music, and all other things. The bible says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God."
Lastly, Thank you, guys, for walking in Christ and for setting a good example for the younger boys. This is something I see in you, here in Titusville and also in Daytona. As always, there is room to grow, but over all, I thank you for the good examples you are to the younger boys.

"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light,

whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen." 1 Timothy 6:11-16

P.S. This is an amazing chart from TheRebelution.com that defines "A Real Man" You can click on it to enlarge it...

P.P.S. Girls, there's one for us too! It's on the sidebar --------> (And a post for us is coming soon...)

The President, The Passengers and the Patience of God

2009-01-22T13:53:00.003-05:00

This Article is from John Piper's website Desiring God. It's a really great place, so check it out... And here is the article written yesterday by Pastor John Piper.

Sometimes we are so overwhelmed at being treated better than we deserve that we must exult in the all-sovereign God—the God of birds' flight and Obama’s rise. When King David pondered how many were God’s “wondrous deeds,” he said, “I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told” (Psalm 40:5). That’s the way I feel watching God’s public mercies in the last few days.
Have you considered how unlikely was the crash of USAir flight 1549 in the Hudson River on January 15—not just the rescue but the crash itself? Picture this: The Airbus A320 is taking off at an angle—maybe 30 degrees. It’s not flying horizontal with the earth. Not only that, it is flying fast—not full speed yet, but perhaps four times as fast as your car would go at top highway speeds.
The geese are flying horizontally with the ground, more or less. They are not flying in a cloud like a swarm of bees. They fly level with the ground, often shaped like a V. In view of all that, what are the odds that, traveling at this speed and at this angle, this airplane would intersect with the flight of those geese at that very millisecond which would put a bird not just in one of those engines, but both of them?
Two laser-guided missiles would not have been as amazingly effective as were those geese. It is incredible, statistically speaking. If God governs nature down to the fall (and the flight) of every bird, as Jesus says (Matthew 10:29), then the crash of flight 1549 was designed by God.
Which leads to the landing in the Hudson River—which is just as unlikely. The airbus now has no thrust in either engine. The flight attendants said it was as quiet as a library in the plane without the sound of engines. The plane is now a 77-ton glider with its belly full of fuel. Captain Sullenberger decides to land in the river. Anywhere else would mean one big fireball.
He banks and misses the George Washington Bridge by 900 feet and glides the plane into a perfect belly landing. A few degrees tilt to the front or back or the right or left and the plane would have done cartwheels down the river and broken up. On the water, the flight attendant does not let passengers open the rear door. That would have flooded the cabin too fast. The emergency doors and front doors provide exits for everyone and the plane floats long enough for all of them to climb out. Ferry boats are there almost instantly. The captain walks the aisle twice to make sure everyone is off. Then he leaves. Later the plane sinks.
If God guides geese so precisely, he also guides the captain’s hands. God knew that when he took the plane down, he would also give a spectacular deliverance. So why would he do that? If he means for all to live, why not just skip the crash?
Because he meant to give our nation a parable of his power and mercy the week before a new President takes office. God can take down a plane any time he pleases—and if he does, he wrongs no one. Apart from Christ, none of us deserves anything from God but judgment. We have belittled him so consistently that he would be perfectly just to take any of us any time in any way he chooses.
But God is longsuffering. He is slow to anger. He withholds wrath every day. This is what we saw in the parable. The crash of Flight 1549 illustrates God’s right and power to judge. The landing of the plane represents God’s mercy. It was God’s call to all the passengers and all their families and all who heard the story to repent and turn to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and receive forgiveness for sin.
I am writing these thoughts on the evening after the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States. I cried twice today. There were two points when I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all. Once was when I prayed with some brothers after Obama’s speech and was overcome with the sinfulness of my own racist background. The other was in trying to express my emotion to an African-American brother about what this must mean for him.
As much as I reject Obama’s stance on abortion, I am thankful to the bottom of my soul that an African-American can be President of United States. The enormousness of it all is unspeakable. This is God’s doing. The geese were God’s doing. The landing of Flight 1549 was God’s doing. And the Obama presidency is God’s doing. “He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21).
And I pray that President Obama has eyes to see. The “miracle on the Hudson” and the “miracle in the White House” are not unrelated. God has been merciful to us as a nation. Our racial sins deserved judgment a thousand times over. God does not owe America anything. We owe him everything. And instead of destruction, he has given us another soft landing. We are not dead at the bottom of the Hudson.
O that Barack Obama would see the mercies of God and look to the One whose blood bought everlasting life for all who trust him. The parables of God’s mercy are everywhere. The point of them is this: God is a just and patient Ruler, and Jesus Christ is a great Savior. Turn. Turn. Turn, O President of the United States and passengers of this planet.
Full of thanks for all God’s mercies,

Pastor John

Prayer for Today

2009-01-20T09:17:00.000-05:00

"Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Accept our thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes its continuance likely. Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: "Use power to help people." For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord. Amen."

This was George H. W. Bush's first act as President of the United States. His humility in this moment struck me. This isn't a prayer for just a president to speak; it's for all of us. I would add this:

"God bless Barak Obama today. Give him wisdom to do what is right in Your eyes. Bless America and show them yourself. Let us be a light to the world and salt to the earth. Amen."

We can talk. So why don't we?

2009-01-04T16:22:00.006-05:00

Disclaimer: My illustrations are lame sometimes. I'm still an amateur at this. I'm just glad that I'm back to writing my regular posts again. So let's get this started...

Timothy is eight years old. Timothy has only lost four of his baby teeth. Timothy does not like pain at all, so when ever Timmy has a loose tooth… Well, Timmy has that loose tooth for a minimum of two weeks. Mom pulled one of his teeth out with thread (because the floss broke) and he painfully pulled out two of his teeth and swallowed one with a bite of hot dog. But the main thing is, Timothy take an excruciatingly l-o-n-g time pulling his teeth out. (Now, I think in abstract ways, so this might not make sense to you at first, but hold on, it will. Erm, eventually…) I imagine that evangelizing can be the same way. Try to remember pulling out a tooth. It hurts really badly at first. You give it a few tester tugs, then, yank! Nothing happens. It’s still in there. Finally, after several seconds, minutes or hours, you decide to do it, no matter the costs. You count, “One. Two. Three!” You pull really hard and then, voila! You did it! You know what? It doesn’t hurt at all.

Now you’re on the streets of Cocoa Village. You walk past Ryan’s Irish Pizza and see some people on benches. You came out because God has been convicting you to evangelize. You’ve been walking for about half-an-hour and you still haven’t said anything. People are starting to look at you weirdly and you can only imagine what’s going through their heads. Finally, you see a bench with a nice-looking person sitting on it. You walk by it and look

around, trying to be nonchalant. You open your mouth but you vocal chords have a sudden bout of paralysis. This has happened six times already and it is not going to happen again. Finally, you decide that this is not going to beat you, when Satan comes in, “Hey! You want to do what?! Man, people don’t want to hear that kinda stuff. Just forget about it and go watch Jeopardy or something. No one wants to listen to you. They have their own lives and they have better things to do than sit around and hear you taking about your ‘God’” Then, another voice speaks up, it’s called the Holy Spirit, “No. You need to do this. God wants you to. Listen, I would know. And this is what you read about in the Bible and in Do Hard Things. I mean, this is what you’re supposed to do with your life. And the bible says, ‘What can it profit a man if he gain the world but loose his soul?’” So you listen to the Holy Spirit and step out in faith, “Hi, um… could I ask you some questions?” And there you go. Now. After you say, “Hi, um… could I ask you some questions?” you are going to need some questions, so I got these questions that were derived from the Ten Commandments.

1. Have you ever told a lie? Lies include white lies, lies told to protect your reputation, lies told so that you won’t hurt someone’s feelings or promises you never intended to keep.

a. What is someone who tells a lie called?

2. Have you ever stolen anything? Stealing includes leaving work early, taking a candy bar from a store when you were a kid, taking a pen or a paper clip that did not belong to you, cutting in line is stealing, copying music from a friends CD or the internet, or cheating on a test is stealing.

a. What is someone who has stolen something called?

3. Have you ever looked at another person with lust? (If they say no, ask if they are alive or if they have red blood in their veins.)

4. Have you ever used the name of God as a cuss word? The names of God include God, Jesus Christ and Son of Man.

5. Will you stand before God to be judged guilty or innocent of disobeying God?

6. Have you ever coveted something someone else had? (This does not include coffee.)

7. Have you ever-committed murder?

a. The bible says that if you have been angry you have murdered.

8. Have you ever dishonored your parents? This includes slander, doing things against their will, talking behind their back or represented them badly.

You don’t have to ask them all these questions. But ask some of them. (Numbers 1, 2, and 4 are really good because almost everyone in the world has done them.)

Now, that wasn’t so hard was it? You walk away from talking to the nice person on the bench and even though it was difficult, you got through it right? You’re alive. You didn’t drop dead. No one is sitting there rolling on the floor laughing. It was fine. And it doesn’t hurt now. All of that “pain” you went through in the beginning is gone. Next time you evangelize, it will be even easier; you’ll be a little more unaffected by the lies that Satan throws at you next time.

Just like pulling out a tooth. It hurts at first, but you get over it and a new one grows in. Let's imagine we're sharks for a minute now and imagine we have hundreds of teeth to pull ou and multiple sets of teeth and... eh. never mind...

So. You believe in Abortion?

2009-01-04T16:04:00.003-05:00

How would you respond in these situations?

1. A preacher and his wife are very, very poor. They already have 14 kids. Now she finds out she’s pregnant with the 15th. They’re living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty and the excessive world population, would you consider recommending she get an abortion?

2. The father is sick with sniffles, the mother has TB. Of their four children, the first is blind, the second has died, the third is deaf, the fourth has TB. She finds she’s pregnant again. Given this extreme situation, would you consider recommending abortion?

3. A white man raped a 13-year-old black girl and she’s now pregnant. If you were her parents, would you consider recommending abortion?

4. A teenage girl is pregnant. She’s not married. Her fiancé is not the father of the baby, and he’s upset. Would you recommend abortion?

In the first case, you would have killed John Wesley, one of the great evangelists in the 19th century. In the second case, you would have killed Beethoven. In the third case, you would have killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer. If you said yes to the fourth case, you would have declared the murder of Jesus Christ!

God is the author of life, and He has givenevery single individual supreme value. Each life—whether inside or outside the womb—should therefore be valued by us. God knows the plans He has for each individual and has written in His book all the days ordained for us before one of them came to be. When we presume to know better than God who should be given life, we are putting ourselves in the place of God and are guilty of idolatry.

2009

2009-01-01T00:09:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! I am so excited to see what God has in store for us. 2009 is finally here. Let's start the new year right. ;)

Me and Mariah

2008-12-31T18:50:00.000-05:00

Tyler Inhaled What?!?

2008-12-30T19:55:00.003-05:00

Helium folks, that's right. Grab the family (the whole family) and enjoy this little bit of humor brought right into your day...

Pictures-Pictures-Pictures

2008-12-20T09:49:00.005-05:00

Well... not really pictures exactly... Here's one slightly disturbing picture - if you like animals you might want to skip it...

*cough* ummm. well. this is a squirrel that Tyler killed with his BB Gun...

These are slightly more pleasant - they make me laugh...

Your Blog is Fabulous!

2008-12-18T11:19:00.003-05:00

Hey! What's up? Do you know why do people keep saying that "Your blog is fabulous!" when they're talking about addictions? Did I miss something?

So, I'm supposed to write about five addictions that I have... hhmm. only five. This could be difficult. Then, when I'm finished, I tag 3-5 other bloggers to do the same thing. It's kind of like the picture thing we did a few weeks ago - so here we go:

Books These are the most addicting things in the world. They are also the best things (on this earth) to be addicted to. I read like a maniac (as many of you know) and when I get going I just don't stop. I mean, just look at my bookshelf at the bottom of this page... I know that I've read three times that many books. So. There. I am addicted to books.
Music and Instruments This is the second best thing to be addicted to on this earth. And it's not just any music... it's my music. A very good balance of genres too: Starting in the 17th Century with Emma's soundtrack, going through the decades (20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's) and ending in the timeless Irish; throw in a very, very little bit of country, some worship, rap, a few soundtracks and Jazz and I'm set. Either I'm playing the music myself or I'm listening to it. It's so soothing - yet, when ever you want to, you can call you cousins and have a crazy dance party. How much better can it get?
Sour Watermelon Gummies and Dr. Pepper So this is a funny one. Lots of inside jokes come with this one... I love this stuff. Lyssa and I would live on Sour Watermelon gummies, Dr. Pepper for me and Mt. Dew for her. It's the best. Good times, good times.
Photography Yes, yes. Tanner and Timothy will testify that when I'm not reading, listening to music or drinking Dr. Pepper, I am taking pictures of them. I love to take pictures and our computer is stocked full with pictures of countless flowers and the bros. It's the best thing and it gets me outside.
My Savior Well, this is by far the best thing to be addicted to. I actually wrote a post about my addiction to Jesus, you can see it here...

Yeah. Ahem. So. I hereby tag these five people, in accordance with the prophecy: Katelyn, Lyssa, Katelyn S., Maria and Rayna... Love you!

Make it or Break it

2008-12-16T16:29:00.005-05:00

Earlier this year I wrote about habits and I just wanted to ask you all to remind me of these…

Make it

o Read my bible more often – I want to have more time with God, but so often my “lower class” priorities (like school, music or reading) become “first class” priorities and my devotions get bumped down to “lower class” priorities.

o Pray more often – Same as above…

o Go out of my comfort zone – like playing certain games, sharing in group settings (like care group…) or talking to people about the ways I struggle.

Break it

o Crossing my arms… I’ve heard that some people find this unapproachable or like you’re always angry or closed off, which is not the image I’m going for... J I always want to be approachable and I’m not angry at you or closed off

o Being selfish… It’s a sin more than a habit, but anyway… Unfortunately, I'm really good at being selfish.

o Saying things like “holy cow”… trivial though it seems, these little things make a difference in your attitude. My dad recently asked that I try not to say it, so I looked it up in my handy-dandy dictionary and it said:

§ Holy – dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred

§ Cow – large ruminant animal with horns and cloven hoofs

So, this means that this animal with horns and hoofs is dedicated and consecrated to God. This is like saying “Sacred Bovine!” I think the only time you could say that is if you lived in the time of the Old Testament, when they offered up calves as sacrifices to God in repentance for their sins; then that is a holy cow.