The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being recieved , for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

--Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Does anyone else think it interesting that the whole paragraph above is just one sentence? I just love Dickens! He has such an amazing vocabulary, and every time I read his work, I want to say it out loud. I have begun my traditional yearly perusing of A Christmas Carol (another favorite).

Thanksgiving Cont...

Grandma cooked while I played house (in other words--i did the fun job of decorating it for Christmas). Here's the fruit of our labor!

Thanksgiving

I had a nice weekend. Although I had hoped to go home to Michigan, things worked out well. I stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. It was just the three of us on Thursday, which I really enjoyed. She cooked the meal (of course, it was wonderful) and I decorated her house for Christmas.

Friday we all hung out at my uncle’s house and played games.

On Saturday, I spent some time with my cousin, Matthew (the one who shot his foot). We watched dumb movies and played cards and just had a random fun time.

Saturday night I put my Christmas tree up. It’s so cute. It’s 4 and ½ feet tall and has about 5 ornaments on it! (Yeah…I like mine sentimental—hence a shortage of tree trimmings). I made it look better by adding ribbon and candy canes.

I did all my Christmas shopping for my family in just one hour yesterday! (Beat that!)

I am now fighting a major sore throat, headache and earache. Ironically, Sarah decided to give me a Christmas present early-I found a bag of really good tea on my coffee table this morning. What a practical and timely gift!

Pslam 32:7

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

More Doodling

Whilst I drink my 3rd cup of coffee

I Will Glory

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgement tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I'm satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagles' wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I'll ever sing
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold

By Steve and Vikki Cook

A Child...

A Prayer
by George MacDonald, from Poetical Works

When I look back upon my life nigh spent,

Nigh spent, although the stream as yet flows on,

I more of follies than of sin repent,

Less for offence than Love’s shortcomings moan.

With self, O Father, leave me not alone –

Leave not with the beguiler the beguiled;

Besmirched and ragged, Lord, take back thine own:

A fool I bring thee, to be made a child.

Faith Like a Child

I am so thankful that we, as believers, have the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us understand Scripture and discern truth. God promises us wisdom if we have the faith to accept it. I pray that I will learn to have the faith of a small child.

A child does not doubt--but accepts.

By: Me

When the Pieces are Shattered

I was once a glass vase. We all were…like the vases in the craft section at Wal-Mart. All the vases are the same. All of them are plain and cheap: mass produced. Then Life picked up the vase that was me and threw it on the pavement. It shattered.

I have experienced every emotion, every confusion, every hurt of those shattered pieces. I’ve been angry, “God, why didn’t You protect me?” I’ve been scared of all the sharp pieces of glass. I’ve been confused: how do I put myself together again? I’ve been lost: what can I do in life if I’m not whole? I’ve been overwhelmed: there’s too many pieces. I’ve been hopeful: maybe I can fix it with super glue. I’ve tried to use the pieces to help in God’s work. I’ve also used the pieces to deepen my self-pity.

Even as I experience my questions and emotions in endless cycles, God is busy. One by one, He takes each little piece of glass and puts it in place. I question Him, “God, that isn’t where it goes…I’m not going to be a vase if you keep this up!” He continues to put pieces together. It looks odd. And it still hurts.

But eventually, there is my life…not glued with superglue and not a mass produced vase, but a unique sculpture. Each angle of glass reflects the light. The lines from the breaks create a diamond-like effect. No one else’s sculpture looks like mine. And it is beautiful.


Do we have to be shattered in order to be like Him? Does it take a lifetime to put us together? How much are we worth to God as a Wal-Mart vase? Who shatters the vase: the world? Satan? God? Myself? What can I do to serve God when I can't see the sculpture yet?

And, no, I'm not having a pity party. I saw an illustration of this in a movie the other night...and it was so cool and thought provoking that I just had to write about it.

Burrrrr...Continued

It's 20's and snowing. (Just when I thought Global Warming had done away with winter!) I guess I should start wearing a coat. Denial can no longer keep me warm.

Just for Fun!

Things I want to do:

Write and illustrate a children’s book
Hike in the hills of Scotland
Work at an archaeological dig
See flamenco dancing in Spain
Paint beautiful pictures
Run a small book shop/coffee/tea room
Pay off all my college debt
Buy and decorate a very old house and yard
Live in a cabin in the woods
Raise chickens, corgis, goats, and sheep like Tasha Tudor
Go horse-back riding out west
Wear cowboy boots and a hat (“country girl”)
Be 8 so I can play with my dollhouses again
Live in the English countryside
Be an aunt
Act in a musical
Marry Mr. Knightly
Eat authentic Spanish food
Show people God’s love
See British musical: The Secret Garden
Offer a home to orphans (like Patricia St. Johns)
Learn to sow, knit, weave baskets, etc (yeah right, as if I have the patience!)
Find more dishes to match my Christmas tea cup (or ask Vanessa to)
Learn to play tennis
Work for the CIA (espionage)
Go on a safari
Ride a camel and an elephant
blah blah blah

Ok, well, maybe I am silly. But isn't it amazing how all the things we do, read, play as children cultivate desires in us? I think I finally just realized that having to work all the time will enable me to do these things! (You all might have to make me eat my words later). Anyway, this is for you silly friends of mine who are thinking right now that you might never....(be an astronaught, go to Scotland, get married, live in your own place, etc etc etc).

Sorry Mom

I got mom a Jadite mug from an antique shop in Omaha.......and since she won't get it 'til I come home, I'm using it. Maybe I'll keep it! (Just kidding, Mom). Does anyone else buy gifts for people--then use them first? (Ex: Buy everyone a book for Christmas, and you'll have a ton of new books to read!)

Burrrrr...

It's not winter until I wear a winter coat! (And I'm gonna hold out as long as I can!)

I Have Tickets for The Lion King!!!!!!!

Things I wish would come back in style:

Hats, Cameos, Tea in china teacups, “Grunge” era baggy pants and sweatshirts, Overalls, Curly hair, Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, Apple-dunking, Pearls, Happy movies, Makeup that sparkles, Eating at home, Scarves, Singing around the piano for entertainment, Arranged marriages (ok…maybe not), chivalry, Priscilla curtains, 40's hair, cabbage patch kids…

T-shirts without Hawaiian flowers and glitter all over them, Sunday night movies, Long jeans with the legs rolled up, “Old-school” charm bracelets, Roller skating, Ankle-length wool coats, Bay windows, Double French braids, Street hockey, Hair ribbons, Basket weaving, Reversible rubber raincoats, 50’s swimsuits, Hope chests, Barn raisings, LEGOS (the cool kind...not just the movie stuff), Flannel shirts and pants…

Update on My Life

On friday I wrote a check for rent and was told that I didn't have the money in my checking account. That meant I was missing, like, hundreds of dollars! Today I went to the bank...and it's all there. In fact, the only mistake was that the teller read the numbers wrong. I worried all weekend for nothing!

I went to Omaha this weekend with Shawn and met his family. I asked him if we could go to an antique shop...and he took me to three. 100 points for Shawn! Okay, I admit, by the end, he was getting a little impatient--but at least he took me. I still have to call mom before I make any decision about buying junk. Does anyone else think that's funny?

My cousin shot himself in the foot last night. They did surgery on it for 2 1/2 hours, and will have to do several more surgeries. His 16th birthday is in 2 weeks...and he asked his family, "Can I still drive on my birthday?" Yeah, I'm thinking no.

Maybe no one else will think this funny, but I have an AMAZING knack for spoiling romantic moments...(or plans for romantic moments). I am like the Amelia Badelia of romance--Just can't get it right.

Last night I went to see Zoro with Shawn and Meany. Halfway through the movie, I heard LOUD snoring. It was Shawn. Needless to say, I may think twice before taking him to any more movies with me.

And, yeah, like Sara said...how about leaving me some fun memories in the "post a comment" section?

One of those days...

Anne of Green Gables called them Jonah Days…well whatever they are, I’m having one.

Jars of Clay

I went to a Jars of Clay concert last night. It rocked! They dressed up and came out singing Johnny Cash and Elton John songs. It was very funny. Sarah Groves and Chris Rice sang as well. I had some really good pictures...but I can't seem to get them on the blog. The audience was sortof lame, but I guess that's okay, because it meant that we got more attention! I had to take pictures of my pictures to get these on here!!!