A good deal of things have happened since I last posted. (Isn't that always how it is?) But I'm going to try to keep this short. No promises, though: I write novels. : )
This weekend held the tell-tale signs that the school year was about to start: Jamie was going back to college. My mom had to drive her there, since all her things would only fit in the van, and only my parents can legally drive it. I had been roped (okay, not roped. I just can't say no.) into dogsitting again this weekend, so it looked like Rosey was going to be left alone by herself for the whole day. My mom just wasn't comfortable leaving her all alone in our big, empty house, so she came with me and helped me dogsit. Oh, and what a blessing that was! They had someone who actually likes dogs (as of right now, she wants to be a dog trainer) to jump on! She also had to come to work (volunteering) with me Saturday morning. Mrs. Haynes lives very close so we decided to walk. But as we were on our way, maybe half a mile left to go, this guy leans his head out a car window and shouts: "I love you! I love you...so much!" Oh, we got a kick out of that! That's not something I'm going to forget for awhile! Rosey was actually very helpful at the shop, and we walked back to the house at around 2:30. We then went to see the Dark Knight (which was incredible, but I wouldn't recommend it for very young kids), and ordered a pizza. It was altogether a nice sister-bonding time weekend.
Sunday was...well, Sunday. : ) Rosey and I walked to the church (which is also very close to the Haynes's house), and enjoyed a very deep message about anger from Pastor Wayne. The worship team led us in some very powerful songs, but it was strange for me, not being on it: I'm back on this week, though. *sigh of relief* I have two days out of the week that keep me going: Sundays and Wednesdays, and both of them because of CCF.
I also had a very pleasant surprise on Sunday: Kelsey called me! I hardly ever talk on the phone (I mean I will, but you have to call me first if you want a good conversation.), so I was startled but extremely pleased. The more I talk to Kelsey, the more I absolutely adore her. She's such a God-honoring, purehearted girl, and she always challenges me to be a better person and a better Christian.
Meli, Lauren, and I met before Youth Group to discuss options for fundraisers and events, and we have some pretty good ideas. Generation is going to be such a blessing in the lives of the teenagers that attend it, let me tell you! Thanks for good fellowship, good ideas, and good ice cream at King Kone, girls!
At Generation, it was one of those unwinding nights. We didn't have a lesson: we made some progress on the comercial and played a few games. Youth Group is as hyper as I get (unless I'm given Mountain Dew, but we won't go there), so it's always nice to let loose just a little bit. I know I still some uptight most of the time, but it does make me feel a whole lot younger to be with you guys...even if I do almost have an aneurism playing spoons. Ugh, one of these days I will extract my revenge on Spencer!
And today, Monday was the beginning of my double life. School. Sometimes, it really does feel that way. I have one set of people and schedules at school, and then an entirely different set at home and church, and I love them both. But I'll tell you what, I took one look at my Trig, Spanish III, and Physics books and moaned: it's going to mean a whole lot of in depth homework that I don't always understand. It's the first day and I really had trouble in Trig! Okay, granted, I haven't used distance or midpoint formula since last year, so I can have a little leeway on getting back into the swing of things for that, but it was very VERY frustrating. And time consuming. But after Mrs. Hillman explains the obvious and preventable error (which I always seem to make and can't figure out what I've done wrong), it'll all click into place in my brain.
Well, I'd better get to bed so I can give my poor confused mind a rest.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Generation 8/17/08
Well, tonight was really bittersweet. Being Sunday, Youth Group was tonight, and there were many fun things about it, but also one huge disappointment.
The disappointment is because Generation will no longer be doing the Truth Project. I was really challenged by Dr. Tackett and I enjoyed the fresh, Christ-centered worldview he offered. It was helping me to grow as a daughter of God, and I'm saddened that I won't be able to go any further with it. My schedule during the school year is too hectic for me to continue with it, no matter what night they choose.
There were many good things about tonight, though. First and foremost, Kelsey was there! She is such a sweet, God-honoring girl, and it lifts my heart every time I see her. And don't worry Kelsey/Chelsea: we'll get Mr. Rogers straightened out about your name. : )
Aaron also brought a friend named Theresa. She was a very nice, gentle-spirited girl who seemed to enjoy Generation and who genuinely seemed to care about God. I hope we'll be able to see her again.
Starting tonight, Mrs. Rogers decided that Generation will be focusing more on prayer. So, at the very beginning (after we were all done with Taco Bell), we paired up and went outside to take prayer requests from each other and pray. (And for you concerned parents, it was guys with guys; girls with girls.) It was a wonderful idea because not only were we strengthened and blessed by praying for each other, but we also learned about one another. I, for instance, discovered things I had in common with Theresa that I would never have known if we hadn't taken each other's prayer requests. Understanding each other certainly helps us to know what to pray for.
Generation is also starting a new project. We will be interviewing different people from the church, seeking wisdom and advice. The Bible says that those older and more experienced are to instruct the younger generation, and we're really taking that to heart. And don't worry, those of you who will be interviewed (yes, some of you reading this blog will most likely be interviewed): it's going to be video-recorded. Pressure's off. : ) I think it will be a great way for Generation to prepare ourselves for our futures, so that we can avoid the mistakes others may have made when they were our age. It will also strengthen our faith to learn how God has worked in other people's lives: it will be an awesome testimony to His faithfulness and love.
Generation also has a new blog: www.generationccf.blogspot.com (Thank you, Hanna, for setting that up. You've done an awesome job, and we all missed you tonight.) If you get a chance, check it out. Leave some comments! : )
Alright, well, I'd better get to bed. It's past 11, and it's been clinically proven that the sleep you get before midnight is the most important. Good night, and God bless!
The disappointment is because Generation will no longer be doing the Truth Project. I was really challenged by Dr. Tackett and I enjoyed the fresh, Christ-centered worldview he offered. It was helping me to grow as a daughter of God, and I'm saddened that I won't be able to go any further with it. My schedule during the school year is too hectic for me to continue with it, no matter what night they choose.
There were many good things about tonight, though. First and foremost, Kelsey was there! She is such a sweet, God-honoring girl, and it lifts my heart every time I see her. And don't worry Kelsey/Chelsea: we'll get Mr. Rogers straightened out about your name. : )
Aaron also brought a friend named Theresa. She was a very nice, gentle-spirited girl who seemed to enjoy Generation and who genuinely seemed to care about God. I hope we'll be able to see her again.
Starting tonight, Mrs. Rogers decided that Generation will be focusing more on prayer. So, at the very beginning (after we were all done with Taco Bell), we paired up and went outside to take prayer requests from each other and pray. (And for you concerned parents, it was guys with guys; girls with girls.) It was a wonderful idea because not only were we strengthened and blessed by praying for each other, but we also learned about one another. I, for instance, discovered things I had in common with Theresa that I would never have known if we hadn't taken each other's prayer requests. Understanding each other certainly helps us to know what to pray for.
Generation is also starting a new project. We will be interviewing different people from the church, seeking wisdom and advice. The Bible says that those older and more experienced are to instruct the younger generation, and we're really taking that to heart. And don't worry, those of you who will be interviewed (yes, some of you reading this blog will most likely be interviewed): it's going to be video-recorded. Pressure's off. : ) I think it will be a great way for Generation to prepare ourselves for our futures, so that we can avoid the mistakes others may have made when they were our age. It will also strengthen our faith to learn how God has worked in other people's lives: it will be an awesome testimony to His faithfulness and love.
Generation also has a new blog: www.generationccf.blogspot.com (Thank you, Hanna, for setting that up. You've done an awesome job, and we all missed you tonight.) If you get a chance, check it out. Leave some comments! : )
Alright, well, I'd better get to bed. It's past 11, and it's been clinically proven that the sleep you get before midnight is the most important. Good night, and God bless!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Vacation is Over
Well, we got back from vacation yesterday evening at about 9:30. After being on the road for a week and a half, it was nice to be back home. It also feels good to have time to get on the computer! We'd been keeping pretty busy on our road trip. I'm going to try to organize this by the places we stopped and their highlights, but it's probably going to be kind-of long.
1. Cincinnati, Ohio
The day we arrived, we went to the Cincinnati Zoo, which was a nice change for me from the Cleveland Zoo. The Cleveland Zoo is bigger, but there are pros and cons to both zoos (like sharks for the Cleveland and Manatees & Penguins for the Cincinnati).
The second day we went to the Creation museum, which is always incredible. They'd added a few very intricate exhibits to the area dedicated to Noah and the Flood since my first visit, which was a nice surprise. There was a speaker there whose presentation was called "Why Can't a Day Mean a Day?" Rosey didn't care for it (actually, I think she daydreamed through most of it) and my dad didn't even bother to go in with us, but it cleared up some things for me about Theistic Evolution vs. Six-Day Creationism. I took notes, of course, and I plan to go through them soon.
2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
We technically stayed in Sevierville, but Gatlinburg was the intended destination. The entire area was the worst tourist trap I'd ever seen! All the factory outlet malls, restaurants (mostly pancake houses for some reason), hotels, Dolly Parton attractions, miniature golf courses, and trolleys quickly became overwhelming.
Our first night here, we took a suggestion from Rosey: blacklight mini golf. Rosey and I had done it before with our volleyball team (this was when I was still statiscian), but it a whole new experience for Mom and Dad and we all enjoyed it.
The second day we went to the place that was the whole reason we were there: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. It had caught my attention when I was browsing through the internet because of their 13-foot sharks. I'm absolutely fascinated by sharks (if I didn't love books more, I would love to become a shark research biologist), so I wanted to go immediately. I was disappointed, though: the large sharks turned out to be only sand tigers (the shark which is most commonly kept in aquariums because of its placid nature), but the trip was still rewarding. I've got lots of pictures, so I'll try to post some.
Our third and final day there, we went to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We took a hike to see Laurel Falls (gorgeous: lots of pictures) and on the way back, we saw a black bear with three cubs! My dad was convinced Rosey and I were going to be eaten (even though the bear was 30 feet away and we had two park rangers with loaded guns with us), so we left before I got to get a very good picture.
3. Boone, North Carolina
We decided not to do anything too big our first day here, so just had some great seafood and Rosey went swimming. (She went swimming wherever there was a pool, and the only place there wasn't one was Cincinnati.) We stayed one night in a Holiday Inn and two in a Fairfield Inn here. (This'll come into play later.)
We spent the next day checking out the area, touring some of the attractions (including Grandfather Mountain and the Blowing Rock) and got lots of souvenirs and pictures. The driving was the only bad part: my dad went so fast through the windy roads that I lost any sense of equilibrium. At the Blowing Rock (named so because of the winds that blow vertically, causing snow and light objects to defy gravity), there was a very good Bluegrass band which enjoyed listening to. There other surprises here, such as a butterfly who held still for photo after photo and a blue-tailed salamander, that made it one of the most fun trips of the vacation.
That night, back at the new hotel, Rosey again decided to go swimming. Unlike the other hotels, this pool was indoor, and there was so much chlorine in it you could smell it from the lobby. My mom had to buy eyewash for Rosey because her eyes burned and watered so bad. Needless to say, she didn't swim there again.
The next day, we drove to Asheville intending to visit Biltmore Manor (the largest house in America...more like a castle, really), but found that it was too expensive and spent some time in the gift shop, instead. My dad bought Rosey and me each a beautiful music box for $75 each. I felt like it was a little too much, but they were so pretty I didn't protest being spoiled for very long.
4. Huntington, West Virginia
We stayed at my Uncle Kenny's house for two nights to visit my dad's family. It was great to see me second cousin Amanda, who's about my age, and her friend Lauren, who might as well be family. We didn't get to hang out like we did the last time I went down to West Virginia, but we did get to sit down and catch up. We also got to see my Uncle Buck, who has unfortunately been having some health issues, and who had a very large part in raising my dad.
On the way back home, we stopped to visit my Uncle Pete, who lives in Ravenswood, WV. My dad has a lot of siblings, but Uncle Pete is the only younger one still alive. You can tell they're my dad's brothers because they all have the same blue-gray eyes, as well as the same nose.
It was great to finally get back home after all that, but of course, there were surprises waiting. The first was that the kitchen faucet had been broken while we were away. By broken, I mean snapped completely off. My dad's fixing it right now, but it was certainly unexpected. The second was that Enoch had been relieving himself on my mom's towels. He's now permanently an outdoor cat because of that, but he seems to be doing alright. We've been giving him lots of love and attention, so he's getting along fine. And he grew so much! The third wasn't much compared to the other two: just a dead housefly on my bedroom floor that I looked at and thought "How did that happen?"
So that was it for my vacation. I have lots of things to catch up on around the house (it's actually taken me an hour and a half to write this because I have to keep getting up to do things) so I'll see most of you Sunday. God bless!
- Becca
1. Cincinnati, Ohio
The day we arrived, we went to the Cincinnati Zoo, which was a nice change for me from the Cleveland Zoo. The Cleveland Zoo is bigger, but there are pros and cons to both zoos (like sharks for the Cleveland and Manatees & Penguins for the Cincinnati).
The second day we went to the Creation museum, which is always incredible. They'd added a few very intricate exhibits to the area dedicated to Noah and the Flood since my first visit, which was a nice surprise. There was a speaker there whose presentation was called "Why Can't a Day Mean a Day?" Rosey didn't care for it (actually, I think she daydreamed through most of it) and my dad didn't even bother to go in with us, but it cleared up some things for me about Theistic Evolution vs. Six-Day Creationism. I took notes, of course, and I plan to go through them soon.
2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
We technically stayed in Sevierville, but Gatlinburg was the intended destination. The entire area was the worst tourist trap I'd ever seen! All the factory outlet malls, restaurants (mostly pancake houses for some reason), hotels, Dolly Parton attractions, miniature golf courses, and trolleys quickly became overwhelming.
Our first night here, we took a suggestion from Rosey: blacklight mini golf. Rosey and I had done it before with our volleyball team (this was when I was still statiscian), but it a whole new experience for Mom and Dad and we all enjoyed it.
The second day we went to the place that was the whole reason we were there: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. It had caught my attention when I was browsing through the internet because of their 13-foot sharks. I'm absolutely fascinated by sharks (if I didn't love books more, I would love to become a shark research biologist), so I wanted to go immediately. I was disappointed, though: the large sharks turned out to be only sand tigers (the shark which is most commonly kept in aquariums because of its placid nature), but the trip was still rewarding. I've got lots of pictures, so I'll try to post some.
Our third and final day there, we went to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We took a hike to see Laurel Falls (gorgeous: lots of pictures) and on the way back, we saw a black bear with three cubs! My dad was convinced Rosey and I were going to be eaten (even though the bear was 30 feet away and we had two park rangers with loaded guns with us), so we left before I got to get a very good picture.
3. Boone, North Carolina
We decided not to do anything too big our first day here, so just had some great seafood and Rosey went swimming. (She went swimming wherever there was a pool, and the only place there wasn't one was Cincinnati.) We stayed one night in a Holiday Inn and two in a Fairfield Inn here. (This'll come into play later.)
We spent the next day checking out the area, touring some of the attractions (including Grandfather Mountain and the Blowing Rock) and got lots of souvenirs and pictures. The driving was the only bad part: my dad went so fast through the windy roads that I lost any sense of equilibrium. At the Blowing Rock (named so because of the winds that blow vertically, causing snow and light objects to defy gravity), there was a very good Bluegrass band which enjoyed listening to. There other surprises here, such as a butterfly who held still for photo after photo and a blue-tailed salamander, that made it one of the most fun trips of the vacation.
That night, back at the new hotel, Rosey again decided to go swimming. Unlike the other hotels, this pool was indoor, and there was so much chlorine in it you could smell it from the lobby. My mom had to buy eyewash for Rosey because her eyes burned and watered so bad. Needless to say, she didn't swim there again.
The next day, we drove to Asheville intending to visit Biltmore Manor (the largest house in America...more like a castle, really), but found that it was too expensive and spent some time in the gift shop, instead. My dad bought Rosey and me each a beautiful music box for $75 each. I felt like it was a little too much, but they were so pretty I didn't protest being spoiled for very long.
4. Huntington, West Virginia
We stayed at my Uncle Kenny's house for two nights to visit my dad's family. It was great to see me second cousin Amanda, who's about my age, and her friend Lauren, who might as well be family. We didn't get to hang out like we did the last time I went down to West Virginia, but we did get to sit down and catch up. We also got to see my Uncle Buck, who has unfortunately been having some health issues, and who had a very large part in raising my dad.
On the way back home, we stopped to visit my Uncle Pete, who lives in Ravenswood, WV. My dad has a lot of siblings, but Uncle Pete is the only younger one still alive. You can tell they're my dad's brothers because they all have the same blue-gray eyes, as well as the same nose.
It was great to finally get back home after all that, but of course, there were surprises waiting. The first was that the kitchen faucet had been broken while we were away. By broken, I mean snapped completely off. My dad's fixing it right now, but it was certainly unexpected. The second was that Enoch had been relieving himself on my mom's towels. He's now permanently an outdoor cat because of that, but he seems to be doing alright. We've been giving him lots of love and attention, so he's getting along fine. And he grew so much! The third wasn't much compared to the other two: just a dead housefly on my bedroom floor that I looked at and thought "How did that happen?"
So that was it for my vacation. I have lots of things to catch up on around the house (it's actually taken me an hour and a half to write this because I have to keep getting up to do things) so I'll see most of you Sunday. God bless!
- Becca
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Driver's Ed and Dust Bunnies
I'm sorry I've been away for so long. It's been kind-of crazy around this house. : ) I'm not really sure how to sum up what's been happening this week. Actually, I don't even remember when the last time I was on was, so I'm just going to begin with Monday.
Monday was my first drivers-ed class. Normally, first time experiences don't bother me, but this was that awful first-day-of-school feeling. It's just being around so many other teenagers that I don't know, really. I'm fine with adults (because their conversations are actually about something and are not hindered by mind-encumbering hormones), but I have a hard time identifying with people my own age. And the chairs! The awful, tailbone bruising chairs! Try sitting for three hours straight on one of those things! OUCH! The classes really are as boring as they say they are, too. The teacher seems to really care (even if he is a little harsh), but I don't think there's much he could do that would help with the curriculum. Still, as a force of habit, I've been taking notes to help me pay attention.
Wednesday was one of those days when everything just seemed to go wrong. We got into Chardon fifteen minutes early for drivers-ed, only for me to realize that my papers were still at home. So we dropped Rosey off at the church for her CAT meeting, and rushed back home. By the time we got back (it was only ten after six, at the latest), I had been locked out of the class. I pounded on the door, twisted the handle every which way, and wracked my mind for possible ways of getting in, but after 5-10 minutes of it, I was ready to go home and cry. This, however, was not in God's plans. My mother, seeing how dismally affected I was, took me to Dairy Queen (I love my mom!), where we met up with the Praxes. Mrs. Prax is leading worship this week, and told me she could use another singer! At the time, when I was locked out of the class, I felt horrible, but God clearly had other plans, and I'll be singing on the worship team tomorrow. :)
This week, I've also managed to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. To my surprise, it wasn't such a bad read. The mindset of the time period irritates me (the point of life before marriage is not just to find someone to get marrried to!), I liked the fact that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were humbled after meeting each other, and that they were dynamic and characters. The way in which they were clearly destined for each other reminded me that my Savior has someone just as perfect for me waiting, too, and he'll come into my life when God intends him to.
Enoch has been doing well. The only problem seems to be that Misty, Rosey's cat, absolutely abhors him! She's been seen chasing him around the house, breathing down his back, hissing at him in a very menacing way. Luckily for Enoch, though, she's put on quite a few pounds in recent months, and there are places he can escape to which she can't reach.
Cleaning out my room turned out to be one of the best, and most worthwhile projects I could have given myself this summer. There was so much stuff to get rid of and to rediscover, and I'm not even done yet! I still have to clean out everything from underneath my bed and my dresser, but everything other than that is now organized and in a rightful place.
I'll see most of you tomorrow morning, and to those I don't, I hope to see you in the near future. God bless!
- Becca
Monday was my first drivers-ed class. Normally, first time experiences don't bother me, but this was that awful first-day-of-school feeling. It's just being around so many other teenagers that I don't know, really. I'm fine with adults (because their conversations are actually about something and are not hindered by mind-encumbering hormones), but I have a hard time identifying with people my own age. And the chairs! The awful, tailbone bruising chairs! Try sitting for three hours straight on one of those things! OUCH! The classes really are as boring as they say they are, too. The teacher seems to really care (even if he is a little harsh), but I don't think there's much he could do that would help with the curriculum. Still, as a force of habit, I've been taking notes to help me pay attention.
Wednesday was one of those days when everything just seemed to go wrong. We got into Chardon fifteen minutes early for drivers-ed, only for me to realize that my papers were still at home. So we dropped Rosey off at the church for her CAT meeting, and rushed back home. By the time we got back (it was only ten after six, at the latest), I had been locked out of the class. I pounded on the door, twisted the handle every which way, and wracked my mind for possible ways of getting in, but after 5-10 minutes of it, I was ready to go home and cry. This, however, was not in God's plans. My mother, seeing how dismally affected I was, took me to Dairy Queen (I love my mom!), where we met up with the Praxes. Mrs. Prax is leading worship this week, and told me she could use another singer! At the time, when I was locked out of the class, I felt horrible, but God clearly had other plans, and I'll be singing on the worship team tomorrow. :)
This week, I've also managed to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. To my surprise, it wasn't such a bad read. The mindset of the time period irritates me (the point of life before marriage is not just to find someone to get marrried to!), I liked the fact that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were humbled after meeting each other, and that they were dynamic and characters. The way in which they were clearly destined for each other reminded me that my Savior has someone just as perfect for me waiting, too, and he'll come into my life when God intends him to.
Enoch has been doing well. The only problem seems to be that Misty, Rosey's cat, absolutely abhors him! She's been seen chasing him around the house, breathing down his back, hissing at him in a very menacing way. Luckily for Enoch, though, she's put on quite a few pounds in recent months, and there are places he can escape to which she can't reach.
Cleaning out my room turned out to be one of the best, and most worthwhile projects I could have given myself this summer. There was so much stuff to get rid of and to rediscover, and I'm not even done yet! I still have to clean out everything from underneath my bed and my dresser, but everything other than that is now organized and in a rightful place.
I'll see most of you tomorrow morning, and to those I don't, I hope to see you in the near future. God bless!
- Becca
Monday, July 14, 2008
Dog Sitting and Food Poisoning
I realize I'm posting twice in one day, but as that doesn't seem to be against the rules, I'm going to go ahead and do it. I figured I'd better explain about my weekend. : )
I spent most of Friday just reading before I went to the Hayne's house, so not much to report there other than that I forgot to pack pajamas. So...yeah. That wasn't a very comfortable night. Okay, actually, it was pretty miserable, but I got through it.
Saturday was pretty busy. I got up earlier than I normally would have because I was spending the night in a bed other than my own, and I never sleep well in a different bed. I was walking from the Hayne's house to the shop where I volunteer, so I left at about 9:25 to get there by 10:00. However, about halfway to the square, I realized I'd forgotten to put on deodorant! Talk about stopping in mid-step! Normally, I wouldn't have been bothered; I don't typically sweat. But I was going to walking in very hot weather under the blazing sun, so I turned around and went back. After the day at the shop, which went smoother than usual, I went to Casey C.'s wedding shower. I'm so happy for her! She and Jaymee are going to have such a wonderful life together. I went home after that to get my pajamas and to see my kitties (I miss them when I'm watching dogs), and then went back to the Haynes's house to spend the night in a little more comfort.
Sunday started out pretty uneventful. I got up, realized it was raining, and called Mrs. G. to see if she could give me a ride to the church. (I had intended to walk, but this was out of the question because of the rain.) She didn't have room, but called Mrs. W., who did. I decided to eat a little something before she got there, even though breakfast is something I don't often have, and about three minutes later, I was incapacitated. Apparently, the piece of chicken ring was a little too old, because I had food poisoning. I don't think I've ever had pain that bad! It made me wonder how I could ever think of getting through labor pains, when I was writhing and unable to get up because of food poisoning! Mr. and Mrs. W. came to the house about five minutes later, but I couldn't get to the door, so Mr. W. left to take Mrs. W. to the church and came back to discover me on the couch. I was so grateful he was there! Well, to put it mildly, I upchucked and miraculously felt a lot better. My mom came for me shortly afterward and I went home for a little bit, but I was feeling well enough to go to church by 10:00.
Youth Group was great. We're still watching the Truth Project, and I absolutely love it! I'm learning so much and it really makes you think. I tried not to answer all the questions this time - and I promise I did really try - but it's like an insuppressible reflex. I told them to to bring out the duct tape next time. But you'll all be rid of me and my big mouth for the first couple weeks of August: I'm going on vacation. Enjoy it! lol
I spent most of Friday just reading before I went to the Hayne's house, so not much to report there other than that I forgot to pack pajamas. So...yeah. That wasn't a very comfortable night. Okay, actually, it was pretty miserable, but I got through it.
Saturday was pretty busy. I got up earlier than I normally would have because I was spending the night in a bed other than my own, and I never sleep well in a different bed. I was walking from the Hayne's house to the shop where I volunteer, so I left at about 9:25 to get there by 10:00. However, about halfway to the square, I realized I'd forgotten to put on deodorant! Talk about stopping in mid-step! Normally, I wouldn't have been bothered; I don't typically sweat. But I was going to walking in very hot weather under the blazing sun, so I turned around and went back. After the day at the shop, which went smoother than usual, I went to Casey C.'s wedding shower. I'm so happy for her! She and Jaymee are going to have such a wonderful life together. I went home after that to get my pajamas and to see my kitties (I miss them when I'm watching dogs), and then went back to the Haynes's house to spend the night in a little more comfort.
Sunday started out pretty uneventful. I got up, realized it was raining, and called Mrs. G. to see if she could give me a ride to the church. (I had intended to walk, but this was out of the question because of the rain.) She didn't have room, but called Mrs. W., who did. I decided to eat a little something before she got there, even though breakfast is something I don't often have, and about three minutes later, I was incapacitated. Apparently, the piece of chicken ring was a little too old, because I had food poisoning. I don't think I've ever had pain that bad! It made me wonder how I could ever think of getting through labor pains, when I was writhing and unable to get up because of food poisoning! Mr. and Mrs. W. came to the house about five minutes later, but I couldn't get to the door, so Mr. W. left to take Mrs. W. to the church and came back to discover me on the couch. I was so grateful he was there! Well, to put it mildly, I upchucked and miraculously felt a lot better. My mom came for me shortly afterward and I went home for a little bit, but I was feeling well enough to go to church by 10:00.
Youth Group was great. We're still watching the Truth Project, and I absolutely love it! I'm learning so much and it really makes you think. I tried not to answer all the questions this time - and I promise I did really try - but it's like an insuppressible reflex. I told them to to bring out the duct tape next time. But you'll all be rid of me and my big mouth for the first couple weeks of August: I'm going on vacation. Enjoy it! lol
Tears to Roses
I promised Mrs. G. and Mrs. K that I would post this, so I will. It's a narrative of something that I struggled with, and God brought me through. And it's about something every teenage girl will inevitably struggle with at some point: a boy. I hope it bring you hope and encouragement. It made me realize that God, the author of the universe, is writing my story, and that the right man will come at the right time. What an awesome truth! I originally meant for this to be personal, but I think it will tell you a lot about me. So without further ado, here is a narration about a struggle I faced that I've decided to call Tears to Roses.
It’s odd how just when you think you have everything together, the rug gets pulled out from beneath your feet. In your mind, everything is under control, nothing can surprise you. You’re so confident you think you could walk through a furnace and not get burned. Instead, you get plunged into an ocean.
I thought I was doing fine, that there were no boys that could tempt me more than I could bear. Of course, a wayward smile at the mall or a close friend trying to get closer would make me blush, but I stood firm: I would not date, I would not even consider it. I never thought I’d second guess myself.
I don’t know when it started, because it was so gradual. It began with castaway thoughts in my head. I’d find my mind flitting to him when it should have been busy focused on other things. It thrilled me to be around him, even though it was uncomfortable. Before long, I was drawing hearts around the first letter of his name, something I’d never done with any boy, even during my flirtatious, scatter-brained preteen years. I couldn’t keep myself from looking at him, delighting in his very presence, before I would mentally reprimand myself for doing so. Having him talk to me was incredible, especially since during the majority of the years we’ve known each other, he hardly ever said a word to me.
One thing built upon another, escalating until I had to admit it to myself; I had a crush on him, and I was too far gone to deny it. I spent that night, and many other nights since then, sobbing into my pillows with loneliness and demanding to know why I felt this way. I’d never wanted so badly to be held! Seeing Michael with my best friend Katie only made it worse; the way he’d sweetly wrap his arms around her waist and hold her from behind. It made me realize I wanted someone who would do that with me, and I wanted it badly. It must have started sometime in February, but by the time May arrived, I couldn’t enjoy Spring Formal. I went alone, and I spent every minute of it wishing he was there.
But none of that was the worst part. Not the aching loneliness, not the untamed thoughts, not even the dreadful and yet amazing feeling I got being around him. No, the worst part was that I knew he didn’t think of me at all. And why should he? He could have some girl ten times prettier than me wrapped around his finger, so why would he waste his thoughts on me? Except I knew that wasn’t true. Sure, he could be taking his gorgeous girlfriend on a picturesque night out, but I didn’t really think that little of him to assume he would. The reason I’d fallen for him wasn’t because he was handsome, or because he’d suddenly begun to talk to me, it was because he takes care of his family. He makes sure his mother is looked after and he takes care of his siblings. He stays home the nights when he could be out doing more enjoyable things because he knows how much his family needs him. And, more importantly, he cares about God. He’s not your average teenage guy, and that’s the problem.
He still makes me cry at night, and of course, he doesn’t even know it. And he never will. It made me angry at first. Why had God allowed me to have these feelings if they couldn’t be satisfied? But then I realized, God can even use my raging teenage hormones to teach me things.
The truth?
Every girl wants someone to give her roses, to hold her when she’s sad, to sneak up and give her a hug from behind, to take her on long walks away from everyone else, to want her back. And a lot of the time, a girl can become impatient and accept these things from a boy who admires nothing more than her body. But if we’re willing to wait, and give these desires over to God, He can provide us with someone so perfect for us we realize we didn’t even know what to ask for. He’s so faithful, and so loving, and He’ll provide for our every need. Because sometimes, a woman does indeed need a man. That’s why God made things called hormones; so that a loving, godly man can someday wipe away the tears they’ve caused, and give her a rose instead.
It’s odd how just when you think you have everything together, the rug gets pulled out from beneath your feet. In your mind, everything is under control, nothing can surprise you. You’re so confident you think you could walk through a furnace and not get burned. Instead, you get plunged into an ocean.
I thought I was doing fine, that there were no boys that could tempt me more than I could bear. Of course, a wayward smile at the mall or a close friend trying to get closer would make me blush, but I stood firm: I would not date, I would not even consider it. I never thought I’d second guess myself.
I don’t know when it started, because it was so gradual. It began with castaway thoughts in my head. I’d find my mind flitting to him when it should have been busy focused on other things. It thrilled me to be around him, even though it was uncomfortable. Before long, I was drawing hearts around the first letter of his name, something I’d never done with any boy, even during my flirtatious, scatter-brained preteen years. I couldn’t keep myself from looking at him, delighting in his very presence, before I would mentally reprimand myself for doing so. Having him talk to me was incredible, especially since during the majority of the years we’ve known each other, he hardly ever said a word to me.
One thing built upon another, escalating until I had to admit it to myself; I had a crush on him, and I was too far gone to deny it. I spent that night, and many other nights since then, sobbing into my pillows with loneliness and demanding to know why I felt this way. I’d never wanted so badly to be held! Seeing Michael with my best friend Katie only made it worse; the way he’d sweetly wrap his arms around her waist and hold her from behind. It made me realize I wanted someone who would do that with me, and I wanted it badly. It must have started sometime in February, but by the time May arrived, I couldn’t enjoy Spring Formal. I went alone, and I spent every minute of it wishing he was there.
But none of that was the worst part. Not the aching loneliness, not the untamed thoughts, not even the dreadful and yet amazing feeling I got being around him. No, the worst part was that I knew he didn’t think of me at all. And why should he? He could have some girl ten times prettier than me wrapped around his finger, so why would he waste his thoughts on me? Except I knew that wasn’t true. Sure, he could be taking his gorgeous girlfriend on a picturesque night out, but I didn’t really think that little of him to assume he would. The reason I’d fallen for him wasn’t because he was handsome, or because he’d suddenly begun to talk to me, it was because he takes care of his family. He makes sure his mother is looked after and he takes care of his siblings. He stays home the nights when he could be out doing more enjoyable things because he knows how much his family needs him. And, more importantly, he cares about God. He’s not your average teenage guy, and that’s the problem.
He still makes me cry at night, and of course, he doesn’t even know it. And he never will. It made me angry at first. Why had God allowed me to have these feelings if they couldn’t be satisfied? But then I realized, God can even use my raging teenage hormones to teach me things.
The truth?
Every girl wants someone to give her roses, to hold her when she’s sad, to sneak up and give her a hug from behind, to take her on long walks away from everyone else, to want her back. And a lot of the time, a girl can become impatient and accept these things from a boy who admires nothing more than her body. But if we’re willing to wait, and give these desires over to God, He can provide us with someone so perfect for us we realize we didn’t even know what to ask for. He’s so faithful, and so loving, and He’ll provide for our every need. Because sometimes, a woman does indeed need a man. That’s why God made things called hormones; so that a loving, godly man can someday wipe away the tears they’ve caused, and give her a rose instead.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
This Week
It's been a long week. It seems like I'm alternately doing tons and then nothing day by day! I love summer break, but every once-in-awhile, I get frustrated with it. But I guess that happens to the best of us.
Sunday was church, of course, and I was in the back with the kids. (Mrs. List and Stephen had to swap weeks with my mother and me because they're both very ill, so keep them in your prayers. Hopefully, they're better by now.) I helped Mr. Patterson, who seems like a very good teacher. All the kids love him, and they're learning a lot, but he's still very nervous every time he has to speak, so be praying that God would give him confidence! He also seems like the type of speaker who would do very well talking to teenagers. The way he delivers his message just seems geared that way.
After church, we had to rush home and then rush to the calling hours for Aunt Esther. It was a very somber affair; lots of hugs and tears, and I saw many cousins I very rarely see more than once or twice a year. Afterwards, my family and my grandparents went to Covered Bridge Pizza, and I was in one of those moods when I was hungry, but just didn't feel like eating. It was frustrating for my family, and probably for the waitress, who had just started, and I felt horrible, but after looking over the menu several times I managed to pick something I thought looked good.
Monday was the funeral. I got all dressed-up in black only to come out to find both Rosey and Mom wearing pink! My mom told me what I had on would be too hot and that I really didn't have to wear black(it was supposed to be almost 90, the church didn't have air conditioning, and I was in long sleeves), and I went and changed into my signature blue. When I came back out, it was to find Jamie wearing jeans! Oh, I could have strangled her! I'm going to be very honest and admit that I'm frequently irritated by her these days, when she's even home or not locked up in her room chatting on the phone. But I'll stop there. Anyway, my mom made her go change into something more respectful, and we went to breakfast and then the funeral. It was a nice service, full of hope for salvation and good things to say about Aunt Esther, and after the luncheon across the street, we went home.
Tuesday wound up being one of those days when I do nothing. My dad was planning on cooking chicken on the grill, but the rain didn't let up in time, so we ordered from Georgio's again. When my mom finally got fed up with waiting, she gave me my present, and I opened it with her and my dad flitting in and out of the room. (Rosey and Jamie were in their rooms respectively.) I got the Holman Student Study Bible (which I had pointed out to her at Borders). It's very cool, it has quotes from famous Christian philosophers, lots of map, charts, and tables, and my name embossed on the leather cover. She also got me a cd by Laura Story, a necklace, and a keychain. The reason she didn't give them to me during the joint birthday party was because she didn't have anything to wrap them in. All in all, it wasn't a bad birthday.
Yesterday wound up being busier than I expected. I made enough filling for two chicken rings (I got the recipe from Fair Maidens), which took a couple hours, and we took the one I had time to bake to Mrs. Haynes. My mom bought me a picture from her, one of the Square's gazebo at Christmas time, and we discussed the times when I would be watching Sweetpea and Delilah, her two dogs. Mrs. Haynes is truly a wonderful photographer; I love looking at her work. After that, it was to Dr. K. for a chiropractic check-up. My dad cooked on the grill last night after failing to on Tuesday, but he started too late, and I wound up being late to worship practice again! (I was late last week because I lost track of time when I was doing chores)
Today, I've finally gotten to check my email and various other things, and I'm surprised I found it vacated. Rosey very considerately lets me on when she knows I haven't been able to check my email in awhile, but other people have been occupying it lately.
Tomorrow evening, I go to dogsit for Mrs. Haynes again, so I won't be on for the weekend.
I'll see most of you Sunday! God Bless!
- Becca
Sunday was church, of course, and I was in the back with the kids. (Mrs. List and Stephen had to swap weeks with my mother and me because they're both very ill, so keep them in your prayers. Hopefully, they're better by now.) I helped Mr. Patterson, who seems like a very good teacher. All the kids love him, and they're learning a lot, but he's still very nervous every time he has to speak, so be praying that God would give him confidence! He also seems like the type of speaker who would do very well talking to teenagers. The way he delivers his message just seems geared that way.
After church, we had to rush home and then rush to the calling hours for Aunt Esther. It was a very somber affair; lots of hugs and tears, and I saw many cousins I very rarely see more than once or twice a year. Afterwards, my family and my grandparents went to Covered Bridge Pizza, and I was in one of those moods when I was hungry, but just didn't feel like eating. It was frustrating for my family, and probably for the waitress, who had just started, and I felt horrible, but after looking over the menu several times I managed to pick something I thought looked good.
Monday was the funeral. I got all dressed-up in black only to come out to find both Rosey and Mom wearing pink! My mom told me what I had on would be too hot and that I really didn't have to wear black(it was supposed to be almost 90, the church didn't have air conditioning, and I was in long sleeves), and I went and changed into my signature blue. When I came back out, it was to find Jamie wearing jeans! Oh, I could have strangled her! I'm going to be very honest and admit that I'm frequently irritated by her these days, when she's even home or not locked up in her room chatting on the phone. But I'll stop there. Anyway, my mom made her go change into something more respectful, and we went to breakfast and then the funeral. It was a nice service, full of hope for salvation and good things to say about Aunt Esther, and after the luncheon across the street, we went home.
Tuesday wound up being one of those days when I do nothing. My dad was planning on cooking chicken on the grill, but the rain didn't let up in time, so we ordered from Georgio's again. When my mom finally got fed up with waiting, she gave me my present, and I opened it with her and my dad flitting in and out of the room. (Rosey and Jamie were in their rooms respectively.) I got the Holman Student Study Bible (which I had pointed out to her at Borders). It's very cool, it has quotes from famous Christian philosophers, lots of map, charts, and tables, and my name embossed on the leather cover. She also got me a cd by Laura Story, a necklace, and a keychain. The reason she didn't give them to me during the joint birthday party was because she didn't have anything to wrap them in. All in all, it wasn't a bad birthday.
Yesterday wound up being busier than I expected. I made enough filling for two chicken rings (I got the recipe from Fair Maidens), which took a couple hours, and we took the one I had time to bake to Mrs. Haynes. My mom bought me a picture from her, one of the Square's gazebo at Christmas time, and we discussed the times when I would be watching Sweetpea and Delilah, her two dogs. Mrs. Haynes is truly a wonderful photographer; I love looking at her work. After that, it was to Dr. K. for a chiropractic check-up. My dad cooked on the grill last night after failing to on Tuesday, but he started too late, and I wound up being late to worship practice again! (I was late last week because I lost track of time when I was doing chores)
Today, I've finally gotten to check my email and various other things, and I'm surprised I found it vacated. Rosey very considerately lets me on when she knows I haven't been able to check my email in awhile, but other people have been occupying it lately.
Tomorrow evening, I go to dogsit for Mrs. Haynes again, so I won't be on for the weekend.
I'll see most of you Sunday! God Bless!
- Becca
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
