The Lake Isle of Innisfree

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

William Butler Yeats

Blessed

As I walked across campus this morning to take a final, I couldn't help but notice the frost.  This was the latest in the morning that it had stayed, so far.   You can see where the sun was beginning to melt the edges a bit.  The whole campus was shimmering, and the reflections on the pond (which is affectionately nicknamed Walden) were lovely.  I am so blessed to be here, studying in the shadow of the hills, close to home.

P.S.  I'm done with finals!

Round Like a Ball

     "...The world's round - I mean, round like a ball, not like a table."
     "Our world is," said Edmund. "But is this?"
     "Do you mean to say," asked Caspian, "that you three come from a round world (round like a ball) and you've never told me!  It's really too bad of you.  Because we have fairy-tales in which there are  round worlds and I always loved them.  I never believed there were any real ones.  But I've always wished there were and I've always longed to live in one.  Oh, I'd give anything - I wonder why you can get into our world and we never get into yours?  If only I had the chance!  It must be exciting to live on a thing like a ball....."

      C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

A new perspective makes life more interesting, don't you think?

Do The Next Right Thing

That's what the painting says.  My small-group leader's wife, Shari, a mother of seven, said that last year, and it has really stuck with me.  I haven't always done the next right thing (over and over again), but it's a good reminder, especially this semester, as my time is spread thinly between life and work and classes.  And the nest and feather just make me happy.

What have you been thinking about?

A Husking Bee

     "Oh, it doesn't seem like work when everyone does it together.  We all sing, and Jeb Whitney brings his fiddle, and there's cakes and apples and cider.  Oh, I always think autumn is the very best time of the year!"

- Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Convicting Words

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;

     to you, O LORD, I will make music.

I will ponder the way that is blameless.

     Oh when will you come to me?

I will walk with integrity of heart

     within my house;

I will not set before my eyes

     anything that is worthless.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

     it shall not cling to me.

A perverse hear shall be far from me;

     I will know nothing of evil.

(Psalm 101:1-4)

     Could I use this as a description of myself without lying?  Sadly, no.  For instance, how often do I ponder the way that is blameless, meditating on God's Word?  Nowhere near often enough.  How often do I set before my eyes something that is worthless by wasting time on the internet or reading books that have little eternal value?  Far too often. There is a Redeemer, and only through his mercy and grace can I ever hope to change.

On Bin Laden

(Two posts in one day.  I know!)

With all the talk of Osama Bin Laden and the destruction he caused, it's hard to know how to react to his death.  Do we rejoice that he's been stopped or mourn for his soul?  Here is a thoughtful article on how Christians should respond.

In Which February Comes Sweeping In

     The air outside is damp and cold, and a mixture of rain and snow has been steadily falling all day.  The house is gray and quiet inside, because half the family is very sick and two of the healthy people are away.  I left a still house this morning to go to class, and came back to a still house. I ventured out again to the post office to mail a package in the afternoon, and when I returned the house was still quiet.  This type of day makes me want to hunker down in a big chair with a book and some tea.  I think I will do that, as I feel sorry for my poor parents and brother (though he's recovering quickly).  I'm afraid the book will have to be about accounting, but that's ok.  I'll survive.

     Plans are brewing in my head.  Plans for lots of things, like traveling, watching birds, helping more at church, sewing, designing, and walking the dog.  Good plans. Plans that I hope will work and turn into something.  But I should remember these verses:"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" James 4:13-15 
  
     I'm glad life doesn't happen according to my plan, because I would mess. it. up.  God won't. 

...

Talk about a stream of consciousness post.

Happy New Year!

     Happy New Year!  I actually stayed up past midnight time. Minutes into 2001, I stood out on the front porch with Dad and watched a storm come in.  It was strange, thinking about how an entire year was over - gone.  It made me happy and sad.  It made me want to make this year count, and be worthwhile.  I've been thinking about these questions, asked by a man named Don Whitney:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

     Well, it's time to "wrap" up these Twelve Days of Christmas posts.  Let me end with some verses (you may have noticed some of them them at the beginning of previous posts) that briefly sum up the Good News of Christmas.

     "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

     "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:3-5

     "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

     "For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

     

     "She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and  laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

     'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6

     "And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him [Jesus], and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." Luke 23:33

     "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24: 5-7

     "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." John 4:14

    "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20

     If you have any questions or want to know more, just leave a comment with your email - I won't post it.  I'd love to share with you.  I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

• Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
• Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."' John 14:6

Christmas always makes me think about how much I have been given compared to how little people in other countries (or often, people in my own town) have.  While I may be disgruntled because I don't have this or that, these people are desperate for their basic needs, things to eat, a place to sleep.  I don't say this to guilt anyone into giving, but to remind you how much we have been given, that it was given to us out of love, and that when we share with those in need we show the love of Christ.  With that in mind, should you wish to make a donation this Christmas, here are several charities and organizations to consider

Compassion International - You can make a one time contribution, or sponsor a child, providing for their schooling and some of their basic needs as well as corresponding with them.

For His Glory Adoption Outreach - This organization supports Maison des Enfants de Dieu, a Christian orphanage in Haiti that is home to over 70 children, most of whom were either abandoned after the January earthquake or left by parents who could no longer care for them.  

National Right to Life - Fighting for the right to life of the everyone, but especially the unborn, elderly and disabled in America. 

Samaritan's Purse - Providing shelter, food, clean water, medicine, and other assistances to people around the globe.

Other Twelve Days of Christmas bloggers:

• Rachel at The Purple Pretzel
• Sarah and Madeline at Flame in the Darkness

P.S. I think it's time for a new header.  The marigolds have been gone from the garden a long time.

That Kind of Day

Yesterday was a good day.  The main object of the family was to prepare the house for Christmas.

It was a gingerbread and sugar cookie kind of day.

Green tea and old books.

Beef stew and sweaters.

Snow and Christmas lights.

I liked it.  December is upon us.

A Long List and a Revision

Over the past couple of months, I've been building up projects and ideas and planning to finish (and actually, for many, start) them over Christmas break.  I finally wrote up a list the other day so I could see what I'll be working on.  Here's what I came up with:

• Three paintings (one almost done)
• Two quilts (one mostly done, the other... not so much)
• One dress 
• One hat (half-way done)
• Two pair of mittens (A Norwegian honey-comb design, one pair in wool, one in something less itchy)
• Six dish towels (it's a set)
• One linoleum block design (for cards)

Hah!  In order to finish all those in the time I'll have, I'd have to be an extra industrious member of the Swiss Family Robinson!  They always seemed to finish large numbers of tasks in impossibly short periods of time, don't you think?  

What shouldn't I do?  I really want to do them all.  Sigh. 

Forget one of the paintings. The other two are promised to people. As is the almost-finished quilt. The mittens aren't necessary.  The dress is almost.  The block print won't take too long.  Adieu! to the dishtowels - they can wait.  The hat is almost done.  

So, new list:

• Two paintings (one is almost done)
• Finishing one quilt (probably two hours worth of work left)
• One dress
• One linoleum block (also almost done)
• Finishing one hat 

Maybe a non-itchy pair of mittens.  Maybe.  That list doesn't look as bad - I cut out ten items! I guess I can do more if I have time.

If.

Seasons of Music

     One of the things I look forward to each Fall is listening to jazz music.  I started thinking about this, and realized that each season has its own genre.  Here's the way I like it:

• Early Fall - fast jazz, like Keith Jarrett
• Late Fall (towards Thanksgiving) - Slow jazz, such as Vince Guaraldi
• Immediately following Thanksgiving - slow Christmas jazz (see above composer)
• Early December - it switches to completely Christmas music of any sort!  I love this part!
• After Christmas - instrumentals of the same style
• Late Winter - classical and Big Band.  Maybe some opera (not that I understand what they're saying...)
• Spring - some classical, some Big Band, some 60's, like Peter, Paul and Mary
• Summer - Anything goes! Fun Indie songs, or songs in different languages are good here (excepting the Czechoslovakian polka.  That doesn't fit in anywhere).  

Rinse and repeat.  

I think Sovereign Grace music is good at any time, as are Keith Green's songs. 

That's how I like it.  You?

A Topic!

One of my classes involves a research project.  This project includes a substantial paper and two semesters of reading, researching, writing, speech giving, drafting, etc. etc.  I'd rather not be stuck with a topic I don't like, or one I'm ambivalent about (such as "The Effects of Hollywood on the American Culture from 1962 to 1965.").  Last year Beth wrote on local foods, so I couldn't do that.  I threw around ideas like "The Effect of Federal Policies on Small Business" and "The Changing Roles of Women in the 1900's"  but they all seemed way too broad, and not really topics I want to research for the next nine months.

Then, out of the blue (almost - I was brain-storming on paper), the idea came to compare previous American recessions and depressions with our current recession.  It has since been narrowed down to just the Great Depression compared to now, and I may reduce it further to just those events in our state.  This is so exciting to me, since I like:

• American History
• The 1920-40's
• Economics 
• How people's actions and reactions affect their communities
• Knowing the history of where I live

I emailed the authors of one of my favorite books, A Patriot's History of the United States, and they sent me a list of resources to check on the topic.  Lesson learned - if you'd like to ask question of someone you admire, just do it.  They're probably very nice.

Thoughts on College

I started college the last half of August, and so far I really like it.   I'm taking Math, Honors English, Philosophy and Plant Biology.

Math is good for me - I'm not really into numbers, but I like it. It's been hard to follow the teacher, because she has so much material to go through in a short amount of time.   English is fun, because we do it around a large table and actually discuss things and get to know each other.  Philosophy is frustrating, because unless you go at it from a Biblical point of view (which the professor is not), it doesn't make sense, and you're left without any definite conclusions about anything.  Plant Biology is very fun, and we've done fun, dangerous things like boiling ethanol to remove chlorophyll from leaves.

It's difficult in that there are so many unsaved people there.  The campus is really open to hearing about the Gospel though.  Plus there are so many people-watching opportunities.  I think it's funny just how stereotypical people are sometimes, and I'm sure I am too, which makes it even funnier.  I'm really growing in how I relate to people, especially people with whom I disagree strongly (there are plenty of those).  It's been interesting to see the reactions of people when they find out I was home educated - most have never met a homeschooler before, but they have all expressed great interest in it.  I'm so, so glad my mom took the time to teach and raise us.

I'm hoping to post more pictures soon, as time allows.  Well, I need to go do math, math and more math!    Did I mention that I have lots of math homework?  Yes?  Well it's true.  

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

 

~William Cowper

Stillness

Cat and dog and sleeping (or pretending to).  Deep breaths.

Family gone to church (I'm sickish, staying here).

Beans sprouting in the garden, without saying anything.

Magnolia glowing in the evening sun.

Hot and lazy outdoors.

Cool and silent indoors.

Quiet morning at work (not so the afternoon, but busy was good in that case).

The gentle hum of the sewing machine.

The hushed sound of a steaming iron.

Summer evenings are so peaceful (even when we're all at home).

Don't you think so?

The School Year in Review

• Anatomy - wonderful!  I highly recommend Ms. Leah as a teacher, middle school, high school, college (if only) or otherwise. She. is. amazing.  So is the circulatory system (but I wouldn't have thought so if it wasn't for Ms. Leah).  She made highly confusing things easy to understand.
• Finishing Algebra II - at last!  It got derailed when we started competitive speech and debate (not something I love, by the way).
• Geography - fun, but I wish I'd cooked more ethnic foods.  If you take geography, do that.
• Intro to Computers at a community college - a good class to take online, and definitely one I'm glad to have out of the way.  It was really useful though, and introduced me to databases, which is what I do most of my work on at Dr. Wonderful's.
• CPR and First Aid from Red Cross as a health credit - great to know!  Just be sure you can attend the skills session at the end and get certified.  I can't, and they won't call me back for some reason.
• Teaching art classes - very fun, and a great learning experience.
• Studying hard for a college math placement test - not so good of an idea.  At least, not for the college I'm going to attend - the test turned out to be six questions long, and I accidentally clicked on the wrong answer, then couldn't change it.  Please learn from my experience, and go slowly.  Don't kill yourself studying, either.  If you can find some information about what the placement tests are like for your college, it would be a good idea.
• American History - read The Patriot's History of the United States.  It's such a well-written, clear, balanced book.  It's one of my favorites.

All in all, it was a wonderful, semi-laid back year, and a delightful way to finish high school.  I really, really love being home schooled, in case you can't tell.  I'm so thankful God gave me parents who wanted to teach me and my siblings at home, encourage us (but don't force us) to go to college, and point us to Him.

Wrapping Up and Fresh Starts

I hate change.  Almost always.  And there are a lot of chages that are happening/ about to happen.  Some I like, others, I do not.

Wrapping up:

• Ms. Anna at Pleasantview Schoolhouse is going to stop blogging.  I'm really going to miss reading her posts.
• I just taught my last in-home art classes for the semester, and after I finish teaching at the local cottage school in a couple of weeks, I probably won't teach art classes again for several years.   It may be nice to have a break, but I'm really going to miss the sweet kids!
• Beth is moving out next semester.  She'll still be close to home, but she won't be sleeping here, eating breakfast here, living here.  
• I'm finishing up my last home school classes.  I love being home schooled, and I'm really going to miss it.

Fresh Starts:

• I will probably have a job at Dr. Wonderful's office over the summer!  Definitely a change I'll enjoy.
• Beth is moving into the dorms at college.  Not a change I'll enjoy.
• Beth bought her own car car, so now, of course, she can be my chauffeur!  I do still need to convince her of that, though.
• I'll start college in August.  Scary and exciting, all at once.  I'll let you know whether or not I like it in about four years.

 Things that are coming up:

• Graduation. I chose not to have a ceremony (a ceremony for just one person is generally called either a coronation or a funeral, after all), but I will be having a party!
• My friend Kate is going to visit this summer!  Yes!
• Rachel and I are putting on an art and writing camp.  It's nature themed, which will provide plenty of inspiration!  And a good excuse to be outdoors.

I'm glad the secret to being content is in the Bible.  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil.4:13)."  So, so glad.