FYI: Posts will be sparse around here until I replace my laptop.... Coming back to work after Christmas break apparently was too hard and it quit on me!
Oh yes it is! That's why I'm linking up with Ara over at Shilah. =)
My life is sweet because of...
1.) maple syrup production. for it means spring is on it's way!
2.) chapstick that works. more specifically Nivea chapstick. *love*
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3.) notes from friends. for no reason at all except just to encourage you and ask you how you're doing. it so made my day!
4.) encouraging songs that make you stop. and praise God! more specifically Blessings by Laura Story.
What if trials of this life... Are your mercies in disguise
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5.) daydreaming something--then it happens...weird
6.) graphing calculators. how could I ever master algebra 2 without you.
7.) finally mastering a pirouette on pointe! I have a terrible habit of leaning backwards when turning on pointe...
(for you non ballet dancers, a pirouette is basically a turn)
8.) combinations, locks, and 'pesky' brothers =P
9.) successfully(meaning safely) parking in a parking garage for the first time ...scariest thing ever
10.) imaginations
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" --Anne of Green Gables
(edit: Sitting on the deck barefoot and in shorts and a t-shirt doing schoolwork makes life ten times sweeter! =D )
Joy. Something we all want/desire/long for in our lives. What is joy, anyways?
This is Merriam-Webster's definition:
Joynoun \ˈjȯi\
1: a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight
b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety
2: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss
3: a source or cause of delight
Well, okay. That's a fairly good definition.
However, I like to think of joy as this:
Joy: the sacrifice of praise
Why ever would you define joy as that, you ask? Well, let me explain...but bear with me as I go back to the beginning...
So a couple of weeks ago the toaster oven quit working. Well, that is to say that the 'toast' button quit working. It still works if you use the oven settings.
The ice maker in the freezer quit working also. The freezer still works, it just doesn't make ice cubes anymore.
Then two nights ago the microwave broke. As in it doesn't run the microwave part. The light still works, the buttons all work, and the fan works. (just let me tell you that the past couple meals have been very interesting, preparation wise, without the microwave =P)
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Now some of my family members reacted to this by focusing on all the negative aspects. "The toaster oven's 'toast' button doesn't work, the freezer won't make ice, the microwave doesn't heat up food!"
Others responded by focusing on the positive. "We can still make toast by just using the oven settings. Who needs ice in winter anyhow? Just go grab an icicle outside...or use the ice cube trays. We can still use the stove top. What did people do before microwaves were invented anyhow? Hey look! The fridge, dishwasher, oven, stove top, and freezer all work!"
You see, some of us were looking at the situation as a half-empty glass of water. While the rest were looking at the same situation but saw that the glass was half-full.
Joy--true joy--is when we stop. and praise God no matter what is going on in our lives.
In Philippians 4:4, Paul commands that we "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice!"
Yet how often do I slip into complaining instead of being grateful and rejoicing in what I have been given. I know that I can't rejoice in every situation, I need God's help. But oh, He is faithful and will help me in any and every situation I come across in life if I ask Him.
That is something I've really been challenged with lately and I thought I'd share. (and not just with the kitchen appliances either =P that was just the first illustration that came to mind)
I've found that going through my writing in and reading back through my 'blessings journal' (basically a journal where I write down all the things I'm thankful for--I got the idea from [here]) really helps me keep the mindset that my glass of life is half-full. =)
Another thing that encourages me is reading The Choice by Max Lucado. You can read my post on it [here] to read it. =)
This song by Chris Tomlin is one that comes immediately to my mind when I think of joy:
Joy, unspeakable joy An overflowing well, no tongue can tell Joy, unspeakable joy Rises in my soul, never lets me go
you can skip to 1:42 or 2:52 for this section
This definition was so much on my mind that I even made a Polyvore set to go with it. =P hehe!
I could go on to explain why; dress rehearsal was this week, school was busy, we got 18" in of snow that we had to scoop out of the way, life was busy, work, etc --but I'm sure you don't want to hear all that.
I'm sure that reading about me finding all my costumes, fake eyelashes, 'stickies', wigs, and adjusting all the straps, skirts, bows, hats, etc for my costumes would be very boring. Would you like to know that I got a new suitcase for competitions that is absolutely positively awesome?! It is like a closet on wheels! =D No? oh all right...
In the same way reading about what I'm learning in Algebra II, German II, World History, Digital Photography & Graphics, my SOAR project, etc would also be very dull. (I mean who wants to know that A.D. stands for "Anno Domini"--the year of our Lord-- not "After Death" =P ??? or that pressing the '[' and ']' keys will make the brush larger or smaller in GIMP ???)
I'm positively sure that reading about all the snow we got would be very boring since you yourselves might also be in the same predicament. (are any of you drowning in rain now too? Flooding warnings are all over my area...my dance studio even cleared out the studio because they are right next to a major river--they even took up the floor mats) Scooping snow by hand, having neighbors coming over to help, sledding, making jumps for the sled run, photographing the sledders--you should have seen their faces mid air!(maybe photos will follow, just maybe), would be very boring to read about, of course.
Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...
Sooo, because I have nothing to say that worth reading about, I'll stop rambling. =P I'm really just procrastinating all the work I have to do...cleaning the bathroom, german, writing something for a friend, german, etc...*sigh* I'd better get on it...
Anything exciting from your week?
Maybe I'll have something interesting this next week...maybe, just maybe...
Lovely \ˈləv-lē\ –adjective 1: charmingly or exquisitely beautiful: a lovely flower. 2: having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as to the eye, as a person or a face. 3: delightful; highly pleasing: to have a lovely time. 4: of a great moral or spiritual beauty: a lovely character.
- a smile
- an unexpected gift
- reading back through my 'blessings journal' and feeling incredibly grateful (basically a journal where I write down all the things I'm thankful for --I got the idea from [here])
- a mutual understanding --without having to say anything at all
- songs that match exactly what you're feeling
- laughing so hard your stomach hurts
- finally mastering a language concept in German after much hard work
- Bible verses that come to mind just when you need them
- a ray of sunshine through the dreary clouds
- the perfect ending to a not-so-perfect day
Ever wanted to hide that ugly navbar at the top of your blog without getting rid of the useful links it provides? Read on, my friend, for this very simple trick!
Sorry, but I don't have time today to dissect the code and show you how you can customize it. Maybe I'll come back later and include that.
Feel free to tinker with it yourself. =)
If you have any questions let me know and I'll get back to you asap.
The daffodils are just now daring to poke their green stems through the frosted mud.
I'm very excited, for daffodils are one of the first signs of spring!
Well, that and the sap starts flowing. (we make our own maple syrup each year =D) It is delicious stuff, let me tell you! =P We've had our taps in about a week now. This year we have around 70+ taps--according to my sister. =) The best part is sticking your finger as it is just coming out of the tree--cold and just slightly sweet and sticky.
Rain, mud, rain, flooding, and more rain are some of the other signs...=P
If you were to step outside my house right now...
Your feet would either sink in the never ending mud, slip on the hidden ice, or crunch over piles of forgotten snow.
The gentle breeze would lift your hair away from your face.
The drizzle would dampen you.
Sounds of the distant roaring creek would reach your ears.
The smell of spring would bring a smile to your face and a sparkle to your eyes.
You would see lines of light blue tubing criss-crossing through the gray woods as they make their way down to the large blue barrels collecting their contents.
What would happen if you stepped outside your house right now?
Spring, you're very welcome here!
for as the daffodils say
"Winter is dead!"
*edited note: I wrote this yesterday afternoon but decided today to make it a post--we just got 18" of snow...so yeah...oh hello winter, I thought *wished* you had gone...*sigh*...off to scoop our terribly long driveway...
1.) I got my purity ring back! (It was at the jewelers because the stone came loose.) Let me tell you my hand was feeling very strange not having it for several weeks--and I had only had it for two months. =) (To read the story of my ring and a few more photos go [here]. =D)
This was it before I had it shipped away--it is much shinier now, they must have cleaned it! =P
2.) Prayer request. Please pray for my friend, Kara. She is head of the barn staff at the camp where I worked last summer. This past week she was kicked in the face. She has 4 fractures on the right side of her face. She is having surgery this Monday at 5pm. She has to have 2-3 plates put in.
She is staying strong through it all and recently posted Psalms 121:7-8:
"The LORD will protect you from harm; He will protect your life. The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever."
3.) BIC Velocity pencils--one word: awesomely amazing! Okay, that was two, but they really are awesomely amazing and amazingly awesome. =P (now if only they would stop disappearing on me...do pencils ever disappear at your house? 'cause it is a very common, but terrible occurrence here...)
4.) Four Polyvore sets of mine from this past week =P
5.)
God of Wonders
by third day
Lord of Heaven and Earth
(Lord of all creation)
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of all creation
Of the water, earth and sky
The Heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory To the Lord on high
God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe
Declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And when I stumble into darkness
I will call your name by night
God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe
Declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Holy, holy
Holy, holy
God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord,
Reveal your heart to me
Father hold me, hold me
The Universe
Declares your majesty
You are Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth)
Now I'd better get back to work...
Have a wonderful day!
I came across this lovely collection of Bible verses over at Liberty's blog, Teenage Musings. =) Be encouraged!
When you are sad, call on John 14
When you don’t feel loved, call on Romans 8:38-39
When you have sinned, call on 1 John 1:8-9
When you are facing danger, call on Psalm 91
When people have failed you, call on Psalm 27
When God feel far from you, call on Psalm 139
When your faith needs encouraging, call on Hebrews 11
When you are scared, call on Psalm 23
When you are worried, call on Matthew 6:25-34
When you are hurt, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you feel no one is on your side, call on Romans 8:31-39
When you are seeking rest, call on Matthew 11:25-30
When you are suffering, call on Romans 8:18-30
When you feel you’re failing, call on Psalm 121
When you pray, call on Matthew 6:9-13
When you need courage, call on Joshua 1
When you are in need, call on Philippians 4:19
When you are hated because of your faith, call on John 15
When you are losing hope, call on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
When you are seeking peace, call on John 14:27
When you want to do good works, call on John 15
When you want to live a happy life, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you don’t understand what God is doing, call on Isaiah 55:8-9
When you want to get along with others, call on Romans 12:9-21
Have a lovely evening!
(p.s. I'm coming up with a pretty awesome new spring/summer design! =D)
if the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it. The joy of sincere work and worthy aspiration and congenial friendship were to be hers; nothing could rob her of her birthright of fancy or her ideal world of dreams. And there was always the bend in the road!
"God's in his heaven, all's right with the world," whispered Anne softly.
