It's hard to believe, but Christmas day is almost here. I love this time of year! It gives me a good excuse to buy all my friends and family special gifts, listen to Christmas music, bake cookies and all kinds of Holiday goodies, and (best of all) to wear jingle bells! The song is right when it says that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!
It is also the time of year to remember the night of Christ's birth. Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, came down to earth so that He could die and rise again to save us from our sins. I love talk to the kids I babysit about it--it's so sweet to hear them talk about "baby Jesus." I wish all of us could believe in Jesus as easily as small children do.
Something my family has done for as long as I can remember in order to remind us what Christmas is reallyabout is bake a sweet breakfast treat, stick a candle in it, and sing happy birthday to Jesus. We also read the Christmas story on the evening of Christmas Eve. It's probably one of my favorite passages in the Bible, right up there with Psalm 23 and Christ's resurrection.
This particular Christmas Eve, I find myself thinking about a lot of presences that are missing from our lives. Do Papa, Grandma Faye, and Uncle Michael hear me when I wish them a Merry Christmas? I like to think that they can. They even get to celebrate Christmas with Jesus in person. Imagine that! I wonder if they sing Christmas carols in Heaven?
On that note, I'll leave you with the lyrics of my favorite Christmas carol. It's "O Holy Night," and my favorite renditions of it are done by Celtic Woman and Josh Groban. Just so you know.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thank God It's Over!
Well, against all odds, I finished NaNoWriMo! It's been a long month, and yet it seems like just yesterday I was starting! A lot has happened in my story. Characters did things that I did not expect or approve, for one thing. You would thing that being the author I would have complete control over what happens when, but that is not the case. I merely write what is relayed to me. My main character has developed her own distinct personality separate from my own, and man is she stubborn! For two days this month, we did not speak to each other at all. Needless to say, my word count took a downturn and I worried that I would not be able to finish. But we reconciled, and now I am sitting pretty on 50,000 words!
But even though I have made the word count, I am still far from finished. In fact, I feel like I have only just begun! Around 47,000 words, my story developed this new level of intrigue that I must follow. It's amazing, like I'm having my very own adventure. I never know what will happen until I actually sit down and write it. I've never been this close to one of my own characters (they insist that I did not create them, I merely acknowledged their existence) before, and it is an odd experience. When they laugh, I laugh. When they cry, I cry too. Just today, a character died and I choked up, and even cried. I received no sympathy whatsoever from my mother, who says "Well you killed her!" I take umbrage at that statement.
As--dare I say it?--enjoyable as this month was, I am glad that it is over. Now I can get back to my normal balance of reading, music practice, schoolwork, and writing. I shall not give up on this story, though. It will not let me. Yes, even the story has taken a life of its own. When I have finally reached the end, wherever that will be, I shall begin the dreaded process of editing. Editing, my nemesis. A necessary evil, I am sorry to say. After that, who knows? If it's good enough, I'll do my best to publish it. If not, well, I have no idea what I'll do.
Thank you, my friends and family, for lending me your encouragement and support. I couldn't have done it without you!
But even though I have made the word count, I am still far from finished. In fact, I feel like I have only just begun! Around 47,000 words, my story developed this new level of intrigue that I must follow. It's amazing, like I'm having my very own adventure. I never know what will happen until I actually sit down and write it. I've never been this close to one of my own characters (they insist that I did not create them, I merely acknowledged their existence) before, and it is an odd experience. When they laugh, I laugh. When they cry, I cry too. Just today, a character died and I choked up, and even cried. I received no sympathy whatsoever from my mother, who says "Well you killed her!" I take umbrage at that statement.
As--dare I say it?--enjoyable as this month was, I am glad that it is over. Now I can get back to my normal balance of reading, music practice, schoolwork, and writing. I shall not give up on this story, though. It will not let me. Yes, even the story has taken a life of its own. When I have finally reached the end, wherever that will be, I shall begin the dreaded process of editing. Editing, my nemesis. A necessary evil, I am sorry to say. After that, who knows? If it's good enough, I'll do my best to publish it. If not, well, I have no idea what I'll do.
Thank you, my friends and family, for lending me your encouragement and support. I couldn't have done it without you!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starts in just a matter of hours and I'm rarin' to go! For those of you who don't know, November is National Novel Writing Month. I intend to write a 50,000 word "novel" in one month. I kind of doubt that I'll be able to do all 50,000 words this year, but I'm going to give it my best shot!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Random...
I feel bad for not blogging more often, but really I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to think! And I prefer for my blog posts to be coherent and concise, which requires thinking. But my friends have been pressuring me to update my blog, and they don't care what it's about just as long as it's something new. So I guess I'll post what I've been up to!
Like I said earlier, school and music has been keeping me rather busy. I just remembered that I still have to take that Physics test...I think Physics class was invented by Satan to torment us high schoolers. I've been arranging my own version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the harp though, and it's quite pretty if I may say so myself! Playing it makes me feel so at peace. Speaking of at peace, listen to Hayley Westenra's "Dark Waltz" sometime. I got Ashlea to listen to that song, and then she went and bought the cd.
Like I said earlier, school and music has been keeping me rather busy. I just remembered that I still have to take that Physics test...I think Physics class was invented by Satan to torment us high schoolers. I've been arranging my own version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the harp though, and it's quite pretty if I may say so myself! Playing it makes me feel so at peace. Speaking of at peace, listen to Hayley Westenra's "Dark Waltz" sometime. I got Ashlea to listen to that song, and then she went and bought the cd.
I also read my first manga--Fruits Basket. I'm hooked! my sister and I have been walking to the library almost every day to check out the next couple of volumes! Actually, usually I'd just make her go, but last time she made me come with her. I think tomorrow she's going to make me go by myself, because I complained the whole time. I know it sounds dorky, getting hooked on a manga, but it's hilarious! I've never laughed so much over a book. Just thinking about it makes me crack up! I'll be bringing a couple to the all-night youth activity this Friday so that maybe they'll help me stay awake! Not like I've ever fallen asleep during a lock-in, but there's a first time for everything.
Been reading a lot of Tolkien too. I'm currently reading about the poor Farmer Giles of Ham. Children of Hurin is still my favorite Tolkien story, tragic as it may be.
I can't wait until NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I already know what I'm going to write about--it's going to be a fantasy novel, of course! This time I get to indulge in my love of mythology and create my own.
Oh yes! And now we have more channels on our TV! Which means we have FOX news now, which means I can watch Glenn Beck right when he comes on. It's a novel experience...
Saturday, October 3, 2009
My Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
Last night I had nightmares, and when Bekah woke me up she scared me to death. That’s when I knew it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. When I got up, I found out that I had a million billion extra chores to do because Daniel and Mama were gone for the day and I could tell that it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Downstairs when I was eating breakfast, the fire alarm kept beeping every thirty minutes because the battery was dying and ADT couldn’t tell us what kind of batteries it needed and it was driving me crazy.
I think I’ll move to Australia.
When Daddy finally got the battery changed, the fire alarm went off and the siren grates on my nerves something awful. Afterwards, something still kept beeping and I thought I was going insane until Daddy heard it too but he had no idea what it was either.
I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Daddy finally figured out what was beeping this time, so he went downstairs to fix it and Bekah and I started to watch Monsters vs. Aliens. We didn’t get very far, though, because pretty soon the siren went off again. This time it was because Daddy saw that the light for the carbon monoxide alarm was blinking, so he pressed the “Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm” button like he was told to.
Then ADT called the fire department even though Daddy told them not to, so then the police came and Daddy had to tell them nothing was wrong. Then he went downstairs again so I had to answer the door when the fire department came and told me they were bringing a fire truck.
When the fire truck drove up a lot of firemen came into our house with a bunch of scanners and I had to give them our last name and home phone number because Daddy was busy trying to convince them that everything was fine.
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I could tell because after we finally finished the movie I tried to call Ashlea but I guess somebody was on the internet because the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and the answering machine didn’t even pick up. When I called later, she said they’ll be getting high speed internet next week.
“Next week,” I said, “I’m going to be in Australia.”
But instead, I had to go eat at the Chinese restaurant for dinner. Yuck, I hate Chinese. And on the way there we drove past a girl I haven’t seen in over a year and she scowled at me because she always scowls at me. And then when I actually found something I liked to eat at the restaurant I dropped it and made a huge sticky mess all over my clothes and then Bekah’s shrimp kept staring at me and it made me lose my appetite.
After dinner we went to Menard’s and Bekah made fun of me because I wanted some of the colorful light bulbs for my room and apparently I spin around in circles when I’m bored.
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Daddy says some days are like that.
Even in Australia.
Downstairs when I was eating breakfast, the fire alarm kept beeping every thirty minutes because the battery was dying and ADT couldn’t tell us what kind of batteries it needed and it was driving me crazy.
I think I’ll move to Australia.
When Daddy finally got the battery changed, the fire alarm went off and the siren grates on my nerves something awful. Afterwards, something still kept beeping and I thought I was going insane until Daddy heard it too but he had no idea what it was either.
I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Daddy finally figured out what was beeping this time, so he went downstairs to fix it and Bekah and I started to watch Monsters vs. Aliens. We didn’t get very far, though, because pretty soon the siren went off again. This time it was because Daddy saw that the light for the carbon monoxide alarm was blinking, so he pressed the “Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm” button like he was told to.
Then ADT called the fire department even though Daddy told them not to, so then the police came and Daddy had to tell them nothing was wrong. Then he went downstairs again so I had to answer the door when the fire department came and told me they were bringing a fire truck.
When the fire truck drove up a lot of firemen came into our house with a bunch of scanners and I had to give them our last name and home phone number because Daddy was busy trying to convince them that everything was fine.
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I could tell because after we finally finished the movie I tried to call Ashlea but I guess somebody was on the internet because the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and the answering machine didn’t even pick up. When I called later, she said they’ll be getting high speed internet next week.
“Next week,” I said, “I’m going to be in Australia.”
But instead, I had to go eat at the Chinese restaurant for dinner. Yuck, I hate Chinese. And on the way there we drove past a girl I haven’t seen in over a year and she scowled at me because she always scowls at me. And then when I actually found something I liked to eat at the restaurant I dropped it and made a huge sticky mess all over my clothes and then Bekah’s shrimp kept staring at me and it made me lose my appetite.
After dinner we went to Menard’s and Bekah made fun of me because I wanted some of the colorful light bulbs for my room and apparently I spin around in circles when I’m bored.
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Daddy says some days are like that.
Even in Australia.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
What is wrong with these people?
Recently, a 16 year old boy in Chicago was beaten to death. Two rival gangs were fighting, and he got caught in the crosshairs (he was not a part of either gang). He got hit on the head with a railroad tie, and once he went down he was kicked and punched until he died.
I saw this on Glenn Beck's show (some of the video was blotted out because it was too violent for public TV), because somebody couldn't put down his video camera and at least try to help the kid out. All he could say was "Damn," and zoom in on the "action."
There were plenty of people who could have stopped the brutal murder, but what were they doing? Just giving the scene a cursory glance before walking right on by. There was one girl screaming for someone to call for help, but that was it. Everyone else was either joining in the beating, or videotaping it.
I don't know how I sat through and watched the entire video, but I did. Later, I wept. How can people be so cruel to each other? How does mankind get so depraved? I honestly don't know. All I know is that a boy died needlessly, and nobody cared.
God help us.
I saw this on Glenn Beck's show (some of the video was blotted out because it was too violent for public TV), because somebody couldn't put down his video camera and at least try to help the kid out. All he could say was "Damn," and zoom in on the "action."
There were plenty of people who could have stopped the brutal murder, but what were they doing? Just giving the scene a cursory glance before walking right on by. There was one girl screaming for someone to call for help, but that was it. Everyone else was either joining in the beating, or videotaping it.
I don't know how I sat through and watched the entire video, but I did. Later, I wept. How can people be so cruel to each other? How does mankind get so depraved? I honestly don't know. All I know is that a boy died needlessly, and nobody cared.
God help us.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dry Tears
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I've had a busy week, what with music lessons, putting on a harp concert at the Christian bookstore, and several tests and quizzes coming at me at once. I'll try to blog more tomorrow, but right now I just want to share a website with my readers. http://drytears.org/ In order to understand what the site is all about, you should watch the full video. It touched my heart. I'll be purchasing some of their merchandise as soon as I'm able!
Monday, September 14, 2009
My Thoughts on I Corinthians 13
I Corinthians 13, most commonly referred to as the Love Chapter, is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I read it today in my devotions, and I decided to blog about it. I'll be using the KJV for this blog post because of how beautiful this passage is in that particular version.
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
So, no matter how good and selfless and smart and wide I am, if I don't love, then I am nothing? Then what is love?
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Suffereth long? Now that's where I know I'm in trouble! I love my brother so much, but more often than not, I find myself wanting to strangle him (which would be difficult, since my hands are no bigger than a second grader's). Of course, this is only the beginning of what love is.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Many people have the misconception that romantic relationships are all about selfish gain. "What can he do for me?" But this verse clearly states that that kind of thinking is wrong. Love "seeketh not her own."
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isn't that comforting? Even though man's wisdom and knowledge will fail or fade away, "charity never faileth."
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known.
Being human and finite, we can only understand things "in part." Thinking about God and eternity just about makes my head explode!
13. And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I hope this was a help and an encouragement to somebody. God bless you all who are reading this!
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
So, no matter how good and selfless and smart and wide I am, if I don't love, then I am nothing? Then what is love?
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Suffereth long? Now that's where I know I'm in trouble! I love my brother so much, but more often than not, I find myself wanting to strangle him (which would be difficult, since my hands are no bigger than a second grader's). Of course, this is only the beginning of what love is.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Many people have the misconception that romantic relationships are all about selfish gain. "What can he do for me?" But this verse clearly states that that kind of thinking is wrong. Love "seeketh not her own."
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isn't that comforting? Even though man's wisdom and knowledge will fail or fade away, "charity never faileth."
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known.
Being human and finite, we can only understand things "in part." Thinking about God and eternity just about makes my head explode!
13. And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I hope this was a help and an encouragement to somebody. God bless you all who are reading this!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9-11
Eight years ago today, we Americans were still reeling from the devastating attacks that had occured the day before. We were scared and confused. Are more attacks coming? How many are dead? How could this have happened to America? Those were things I remember thinking.
Even though I was only nine years old, the morning of 9-11 is one of my clearest childhood memories. My mom woke me up that morning, as she normally did. She was crying, and I thought that maybe a relative had died. I think I remember her telling me that I needed to see what was on TV. When I got to the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw on the screen. One of the Twin Towers was burning. A plane had crashed into it, the newscasters were saying. I asked my mom if it was an accident, and she didn't know. The people on the news didn't seem to know either. We got a call from Aunt Carol, and I got to talk to her. She told us we needed to turn on the TV right now. I told her we were already watching it, and asked her if she thought it was an accident. That was about the time the second plane crashed into the second tower. That's when we knew that it was no accident.
I remember spending that whole morning transfixed by what was happening on that TV, tears running down my face; and horrified when the first, then the second tower collapsed. It was only later that day that I found out that people had been jumping out of windows in order to escape the fire.
Even today, just thinking about that morning brings tears to my eyes. So many people died that day, and so many others lost their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and friends. I still pray for those families. I also pray that we will never forget that day, which started as a beautiful Tuesday morning, but ended up changing America as we knew it.
Even though I was only nine years old, the morning of 9-11 is one of my clearest childhood memories. My mom woke me up that morning, as she normally did. She was crying, and I thought that maybe a relative had died. I think I remember her telling me that I needed to see what was on TV. When I got to the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw on the screen. One of the Twin Towers was burning. A plane had crashed into it, the newscasters were saying. I asked my mom if it was an accident, and she didn't know. The people on the news didn't seem to know either. We got a call from Aunt Carol, and I got to talk to her. She told us we needed to turn on the TV right now. I told her we were already watching it, and asked her if she thought it was an accident. That was about the time the second plane crashed into the second tower. That's when we knew that it was no accident.
I remember spending that whole morning transfixed by what was happening on that TV, tears running down my face; and horrified when the first, then the second tower collapsed. It was only later that day that I found out that people had been jumping out of windows in order to escape the fire.
Even today, just thinking about that morning brings tears to my eyes. So many people died that day, and so many others lost their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and friends. I still pray for those families. I also pray that we will never forget that day, which started as a beautiful Tuesday morning, but ended up changing America as we knew it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Dating in the Teen Years--One of Last Year's English Assignments
I wrote this last year for an English assignment, so the writing's not as good as my more recent writings.
In modern times, the idea of being complete without a boyfriend or girlfriend is a foreign concept. This way of thinking has especially affected the teenagers, where multiple dating relationships are considered the norm. From a godly perspective, dating in the teen years is foolish and most of the time will lead to heartache.
One problem with dating is the fact that teenaged couples often spend too much time alone together. As a result, friendships fall by the wayside and feelings are hurt. All of this time alone can also lead to physical temptation and sexual sin, which could result in an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Time spent alone with the person’s boyfriend or girlfriend would also replace their time spent alone with God, and giving in to the physical temptation would weaken their Christian relationship with God even further.
Another problem is the vast majority of teens are too immature to handle a relationship. The real problem starts when they convince themselves that they are in love. After a while, that cannot continue their façade of love and they break off the relationship with nothing to show for it but bitterness and heartbreak.
Worrying about getting into a relationship and finding the perfect mate while still a teenager is shortsighted. Due to modern medicines and longer lifespans, people have plenty of time to enjoy being single. It is also a matter of God’s timing. If it is in His will for someone to get married, then He will do so according to His own plan. In the meantime, the best thing for a single person to do is to strengthen their relationship with God, and also to remember that Paul said it is better to remain single.
Dating in the Teen Years
In modern times, the idea of being complete without a boyfriend or girlfriend is a foreign concept. This way of thinking has especially affected the teenagers, where multiple dating relationships are considered the norm. From a godly perspective, dating in the teen years is foolish and most of the time will lead to heartache.
One problem with dating is the fact that teenaged couples often spend too much time alone together. As a result, friendships fall by the wayside and feelings are hurt. All of this time alone can also lead to physical temptation and sexual sin, which could result in an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Time spent alone with the person’s boyfriend or girlfriend would also replace their time spent alone with God, and giving in to the physical temptation would weaken their Christian relationship with God even further.
Another problem is the vast majority of teens are too immature to handle a relationship. The real problem starts when they convince themselves that they are in love. After a while, that cannot continue their façade of love and they break off the relationship with nothing to show for it but bitterness and heartbreak.
Worrying about getting into a relationship and finding the perfect mate while still a teenager is shortsighted. Due to modern medicines and longer lifespans, people have plenty of time to enjoy being single. It is also a matter of God’s timing. If it is in His will for someone to get married, then He will do so according to His own plan. In the meantime, the best thing for a single person to do is to strengthen their relationship with God, and also to remember that Paul said it is better to remain single.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Word Maiden?
I had planned to give this blog a longer title, but "Adventures of a Green-Eyed, Dragon-Riding, Harp-Playing, Enya-Loving Word Maiden" didn't fit in the title bar. As a result I had to go with the shorter, prettier-sounding "Musings of a Word Maiden."
Word maiden. Kind of looks like sword maiden, doesn't it? Sadly, I am no good at swordplay. I much prefer curling up and reading a good book and writing down random stories or poems than doing anything active. Words are my weapon of choice. Just as the swordmaster polishes and sharpens his swords, just as he practices forms and tecniques for hours on end, so do I with my words.
This blog is for my thoughts, my writings, my musings. I hope it's as fun for y'all to read it as it is for me to write. :)
Word maiden. Kind of looks like sword maiden, doesn't it? Sadly, I am no good at swordplay. I much prefer curling up and reading a good book and writing down random stories or poems than doing anything active. Words are my weapon of choice. Just as the swordmaster polishes and sharpens his swords, just as he practices forms and tecniques for hours on end, so do I with my words.
This blog is for my thoughts, my writings, my musings. I hope it's as fun for y'all to read it as it is for me to write. :)
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