What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than surrounded by so many good books you can't possibly choose just one? :sigh: I'm having a love affair with books. I could live in Barnes and Noble; or at the very least, visit everyday and get a book per visit. Saturday, I went in to get the Great Gatsby, and I emerged with it, along with The Guardian (Dee Henderson), Vivian: The "V" Spot (Sherrie Krantz), and a book from the biography section all about Henry VIII and his six wives. I'm so excited! Unfortunately, I must read the Great Gatsby first, but I'm hoping to fly through that so I can get started on my new collection. :)
Books are so amazing. They can bring such inspiration, or they can completely bring you down. I really enjoy reading in school, because its most likely the only time you are going to read the classic books. When there are so many other riveting books from new authors on the "New Release" shelf, why would you go and pick up The Crucible? However, it has really taught me to appreciate the classics and to observe how writing has changed throughout the years. (Allow me to quote Mark Twain: " 'Classic' A book which people praise but don't read." Haha. Couldn't have said it better myself.)
Honestly, literature is not what it used to be. I mean, who's to say that in 100 years people will still be reading the popular books today? Somehow, The DaVinci Code being read in schools doesn't sound right. But, who knows. Wouldn't it be cool if after we died we could observe the world and how it changes? I think that would be quite fascinating.
Anyway...I just had to share about my beloved books...school is going well. The year started off very awkwardly, and I wasn't sure what to make of it except that the year was going to be pretty bad. But, God has a sense of humor and everything I thought of as a bad thing He has showed me how its good. Now I am really looking forward to this year and everything that its going to bring. I don't have a teacher that I really dislike, although, I have a couple of teachers who think the best way of teaching is to stick notes on an overhead and read them as your student copies them. Sorry-not learning much. : blink: Whatever. As long as I pass the class, I could care less. ;)
I start dance classes today. I honestly hate taking a break from them during the summer. It's dreadful! Every year its the same routine. By May, I'm ready for a break. After about two weeks, I'm ready to go back to dance. I usually dance for two weeks during the summer and I'm ready for a break again, and then, by the time classes roll around again, I'm out of shape, out of touch, and thirsty for a ballet class. So, that time has come, and I'm quite excited...except for the way my ick body is going to look in tights and a leotard. Honestly, if I didn't dance, I would be a fat cow. Thank goodness I only stop dancing for two months! :-p
Before I go, I want to thank Melanie for her latest blog entry. It really spoke to me...silly I know, but it did. :hugs: Love you girl. :)
Oh, and, one more note: Due to my love of books, I began writing a story about a girl who...loves books. :sigh: It's a work in progress, but I'm really excited about it. Just wanted to share. ^_^
Love you all!
God bless,
lv
Title quote: Desiderius Erasmus
8.30.2004
8.21.2004
'lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire thee above all things. farewell'
I have taken an obsessive fascination to Henry VIII, his wives, his reign and all that that implies. It is, of course, with thanks to the book I told you about previously...The Other Boleyn Girl. It's funny, because I had always heard and thought of Henry VIII as this evil King who killed all his wives. But, it is much more complicated than that. Henry, like any king, longed for a legitimate son to take over his kingdom and a happy marraige. The problem was, he wanted them both. His first wife, Catherine (Catarina as some say) of Aragon, the Spanish Princess, was married to him for nearly twenty years and was with child six times. Unfortunately, only two of the children lived to be born, and only one lived past infancy. The prince borne to Henry and Catherine died when he was 53 days old. Princess Mary was their only child to live into adulthood. After years of no sons, Henry was anxious for an heir. He became infatuated with the Boleyns, first Mary who was his mistress and bore him two children (a son and a daughter) and then with her older sister, Anne, who he married after getting his marraige to Catherine anulled. He threw Catherine out of his life, banishing her to the coldest palaces in the country and separating her from her daughter. As a barren woman who had already reached menopause, Catherine was no good to him anymore. He took Anne as his wife, and three years later had her beheaded for adultery with her brother, among other men of his court. Anne Boleyn gave the King one daughter, Elizabeth, she gave birth to a still born son and miscarried two other children. Just as he did with Catherine, he threw Anne out of his life, only much quicker this time and with assurance that she was gone for good. He took Jane Seymour as his next wife, who brought him a son. However, she did not recover from childbirth and died several days after the birth of the Prince Edward. She is said to be the only wife who Henry truly loved, and probably greatly due to her gift of a healthy, living son. The next three wives he took were divorced (Anne of Cleves), beheaded (Kathryn Howard) and then he died shortly after his marraige to his third wife, Katharine Parr. After Edward, the King had no more children. He was fairly content after having a son, but he still longed for the perfect Queen. He died knowing that it was impossible.
I said all that to point out that King Henry VIII was not an evil man. He was merely a king with an empty soul, longing for a son to fill it and a loving wife. Who he really needed was the Lord, but I don't think anyone in that time period really understood that.
Due to my fascination with Henry, I found one of those stupid quizzes to find out which of Henry's wives I was most like...
I said all that to point out that King Henry VIII was not an evil man. He was merely a king with an empty soul, longing for a son to fill it and a loving wife. Who he really needed was the Lord, but I don't think anyone in that time period really understood that.
Due to my fascination with Henry, I found one of those stupid quizzes to find out which of Henry's wives I was most like...
Congratulations! You are Catarina of Aragon.
I am Catarina of Aragon. Loyal, loving and incurably romantic. I press flowers in romance novels and love unconditionally.
Catarina was Henry's first wife and was probably the only one of his six wives to truly love him. He tired of her, and she spent the last decade of her life in lonely exile. Yet when she was dying, alone and unloved, she wrote: "Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire thee above all things. Farewell."
I believe that Catherine truly loved the King, and if he had stayed married to her, he would have found the happiness he longed for. Even after he had casted her out of his life and country, she still proclaimed her love for him and found the strength to forgive him. She was a strong woman, and the Queen with the single most character of them all. King Henry did long for a son and a loving wife, and he was a fool to let the latter go.
I have learned a lesson from the story of Catherine of Aragon. When everything went bad for her, after she had given birth to dead children and sometimes not given birth at all, she persevered and tried again until her body wouldn't allow it anymore. She watched her husband flirt and bed the ladies of her court and still she did not waver. She continued to greet him with a smile on her face and be the loving wife that she was. She did not correct him; he was king, he could do as he pleased. For Catherine to ask him to stop his sinful ways would be to ask the king to lower himself to her position, and that could not happen. The point I'm trying to make is that although Catherine had a very unhappy life, she was never bitter and she never wearied. She died alone in a cold, small palace, banished from her home and ripped of her title as Queen. Yet, she was still the Queen in every sense of the word. She may have died with no one at her side, but she had happiness, joy and peace waiting for her in heaven. No other Queen was a queen like Catherine. She had no hidden agenda (i.e. Anne Boleyn). She loved and simply longed to be loved back.
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return. It's a shame she never learned this lesson...
God bless,
lv
8.16.2004
'I was born to be your rival...we're sisters aren't we?'
"I thought for a moment and went straight to the anxiety of my childhood. 'But what if he comes to like you best?'
Anne's smile was as sweet as poison. 'What matter? So long as it is a Boleyn girl?'
'Uncle Howard thinks this? Does he think nothing of me, in childbed, while my sister is set on to flirt with the father of my child?'
Anne nodded. 'Yes, exactly. He thinks nothing of you at all.'
'I didn't want you to come back to court to be my rival,' I said sulkily.
'I was born to be your rival,' she said simply. 'And you mine. We're sisters, aren't we?' "
:shivers: Anne Bolyen was a wicked girl. I'm reading this book by Philippa Gregory (Author of The Queen's Fool) called The Other Boleyn Girl, and its about Anne Boleyn's (Second wife of Henry VIII) sister Mary and her love affair with the king. It's quite interesting. Gregory has a way of making history very fascinating. She writes historical fiction, of course, so its not entirely true, but it makes me very interested in the different time periods and what the world was like during Henry VIII's reign. It's too bad our history books don't read like Gregory's books. ^_^
Speaking of history, school was quite dreadful today. Little things kept happening, like my binders not fitting in my locker, not having the lunch that all of my friends have, not having my leotard in my dance bag...I felt like crying. Certain times of the month have that affect. :sigh: But, I hope the school year doesn't remain this disheartening. I'm sure it won't. I just have to get used to the new routine, the new teachers and how to manipulate them (:-p), and the new kids (and the new/old kids). I'm ready for it to be the middle of the school year so I can be used to everything. I guess I'll just have to wait it out patiently. Although, I do miss some of my old teachers. Ninth grade was so fun. <_<
I asked my mom if I could go to Night of Joy and Rock the Universe with the greatest youth group ever. Without hesitation my mom says no. I was crushed. I would pay for it if I had some sort of an income. I have never been, and Casting Crowns will be there-I was not planning on missing it. I wish I hadn't gotten my expectations raised up so high. Now I have no chance of going, and frankly, for a valid reason. I completely understand my parents. But, I want to go so badly with every ache in my body. I can hardly bear the fact that I am going to miss it. I'm not entirely sure why. I have never gone before, so I have no attachment to it. I just really, really, really want to go. Something about a Christian concert at Universal with Casting Crowns singing their amazing praises out to my amazing God sounds like something I couldn't miss. Yet I am going to. Excuse me a moment while I cry a river of tears ... :'(
I feel as if the best way to leave you today is with the most spectacular Casting Crowns song, ever. :)
-- Who Am I --
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
--
God bless,
lv
Anne's smile was as sweet as poison. 'What matter? So long as it is a Boleyn girl?'
'Uncle Howard thinks this? Does he think nothing of me, in childbed, while my sister is set on to flirt with the father of my child?'
Anne nodded. 'Yes, exactly. He thinks nothing of you at all.'
'I didn't want you to come back to court to be my rival,' I said sulkily.
'I was born to be your rival,' she said simply. 'And you mine. We're sisters, aren't we?' "
:shivers: Anne Bolyen was a wicked girl. I'm reading this book by Philippa Gregory (Author of The Queen's Fool) called The Other Boleyn Girl, and its about Anne Boleyn's (Second wife of Henry VIII) sister Mary and her love affair with the king. It's quite interesting. Gregory has a way of making history very fascinating. She writes historical fiction, of course, so its not entirely true, but it makes me very interested in the different time periods and what the world was like during Henry VIII's reign. It's too bad our history books don't read like Gregory's books. ^_^
Speaking of history, school was quite dreadful today. Little things kept happening, like my binders not fitting in my locker, not having the lunch that all of my friends have, not having my leotard in my dance bag...I felt like crying. Certain times of the month have that affect. :sigh: But, I hope the school year doesn't remain this disheartening. I'm sure it won't. I just have to get used to the new routine, the new teachers and how to manipulate them (:-p), and the new kids (and the new/old kids). I'm ready for it to be the middle of the school year so I can be used to everything. I guess I'll just have to wait it out patiently. Although, I do miss some of my old teachers. Ninth grade was so fun. <_<
I asked my mom if I could go to Night of Joy and Rock the Universe with the greatest youth group ever. Without hesitation my mom says no. I was crushed. I would pay for it if I had some sort of an income. I have never been, and Casting Crowns will be there-I was not planning on missing it. I wish I hadn't gotten my expectations raised up so high. Now I have no chance of going, and frankly, for a valid reason. I completely understand my parents. But, I want to go so badly with every ache in my body. I can hardly bear the fact that I am going to miss it. I'm not entirely sure why. I have never gone before, so I have no attachment to it. I just really, really, really want to go. Something about a Christian concert at Universal with Casting Crowns singing their amazing praises out to my amazing God sounds like something I couldn't miss. Yet I am going to. Excuse me a moment while I cry a river of tears ... :'(
I feel as if the best way to leave you today is with the most spectacular Casting Crowns song, ever. :)
-- Who Am I --
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
--
God bless,
lv
8.11.2004
'we take our bug juice very seriously'
And, boy, they weren't kidding.
I just spent 4 days in Little St. Simons Island with my good friend Kristin and her parents. It was a wonderful vacation, in which you are completely cut off from the rest of the world. No television, no radio, no computer, no media whatsoever. The only committment you'll have is to sign in and out for activities, and that's just so that they can expect you to be in or out for lunch. It's so laid back, it's crazy. I didn't know a place like that existed. The staff is available whenever you need them, and you never ever go hungry. In fact, you hardly go un-stuffed.
There were endless activities, and we must have done almost all of them. We rode bikes (usually 2 miles to the beach), we walked (2 miles to the beach), we went horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, we played board games and card games, we did our summer reading on a wooden swing...It was paradise. You certainly never go bored, and you don't even realize that there aren't televisions in the rooms.
When we first got there, we went on a sort of indroductory tour that took us around parts of the island and showed us differnet wild life and nature elements of the island. We met this really nice family who had been there nearly a week, but were just going on the Northend Tour for the first time. It was a married couple with three kids: Lauren was 18 and completely hysterical, Phillip was 15 and although his family lives in Rome, Georgia, he is at school in New York at the New York Military Academy - by choice, and Richard (Who we fondly called Charlie) was 13 and apparently much quieter than he is at home. We hung out with them the whole time, and they proved to be very fascinating people. Their parents were actually both born in Switzerland, and all three of the kids have duel citizenship. They don't think it's such a cool thing, because they fear being drafted in the army and such, but I found it super cool. They lived in Zurich for 9 1/2 years, so they all speak fluent German, although they claim to be out of practice. :rolleyes: Whatever. They're certainly more in practice than I am.
When Phil left, Kristin and I found ourselves at a loss of activities, but it gave us plenty of time to do summer reading. Of course, we ended up talking most of that time, which was so amazing. This girl, Kristin, is just a phenominal person. She never ceases to amaze me with her daily life. And, it was so cool talking to her, because I honestly feel that God has brought us together at the perfect time...we are dealing with some of the exact same issues, and there's nothing more important than having someone to talk to who really understands. Spending four days together really bonded Kristin and me, and it was an awesome experience, and I have a feeling it wasn't the last.
As I embark on my sophomore year of highschool, I am entering it with great anticipation. After a busy traveling summer, I'm ready to be back on my own two feet and in a routine, and I'm even looking forward to the stress of finishing 5 hours of homework. :sigh: I saw one of my school friends today at the uniform store for the first time since the end of school, and it made my day. I am excited about not being the "fresh-man" anymore, and meeting new people, and sticking with old people. School brings such exciting adventures to my door step, and I will gladly greet them with an open heart. So, all I can say to my '04-'05 Sophomore year of high school is Bring It On! :D
God bless,
lv
I just spent 4 days in Little St. Simons Island with my good friend Kristin and her parents. It was a wonderful vacation, in which you are completely cut off from the rest of the world. No television, no radio, no computer, no media whatsoever. The only committment you'll have is to sign in and out for activities, and that's just so that they can expect you to be in or out for lunch. It's so laid back, it's crazy. I didn't know a place like that existed. The staff is available whenever you need them, and you never ever go hungry. In fact, you hardly go un-stuffed.
There were endless activities, and we must have done almost all of them. We rode bikes (usually 2 miles to the beach), we walked (2 miles to the beach), we went horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, we played board games and card games, we did our summer reading on a wooden swing...It was paradise. You certainly never go bored, and you don't even realize that there aren't televisions in the rooms.
When we first got there, we went on a sort of indroductory tour that took us around parts of the island and showed us differnet wild life and nature elements of the island. We met this really nice family who had been there nearly a week, but were just going on the Northend Tour for the first time. It was a married couple with three kids: Lauren was 18 and completely hysterical, Phillip was 15 and although his family lives in Rome, Georgia, he is at school in New York at the New York Military Academy - by choice, and Richard (Who we fondly called Charlie) was 13 and apparently much quieter than he is at home. We hung out with them the whole time, and they proved to be very fascinating people. Their parents were actually both born in Switzerland, and all three of the kids have duel citizenship. They don't think it's such a cool thing, because they fear being drafted in the army and such, but I found it super cool. They lived in Zurich for 9 1/2 years, so they all speak fluent German, although they claim to be out of practice. :rolleyes: Whatever. They're certainly more in practice than I am.
When Phil left, Kristin and I found ourselves at a loss of activities, but it gave us plenty of time to do summer reading. Of course, we ended up talking most of that time, which was so amazing. This girl, Kristin, is just a phenominal person. She never ceases to amaze me with her daily life. And, it was so cool talking to her, because I honestly feel that God has brought us together at the perfect time...we are dealing with some of the exact same issues, and there's nothing more important than having someone to talk to who really understands. Spending four days together really bonded Kristin and me, and it was an awesome experience, and I have a feeling it wasn't the last.
As I embark on my sophomore year of highschool, I am entering it with great anticipation. After a busy traveling summer, I'm ready to be back on my own two feet and in a routine, and I'm even looking forward to the stress of finishing 5 hours of homework. :sigh: I saw one of my school friends today at the uniform store for the first time since the end of school, and it made my day. I am excited about not being the "fresh-man" anymore, and meeting new people, and sticking with old people. School brings such exciting adventures to my door step, and I will gladly greet them with an open heart. So, all I can say to my '04-'05 Sophomore year of high school is Bring It On! :D
God bless,
lv
8.03.2004
psalm 149:3 . psalm 30:11
"Let them praise His name with dancing..." ~ "You turned my wailing into dancing..."
Most of us have a way of escape, where we can go or do something to forget about what's on our mind. Some of us escape through music, some of us escape through the beach...My escape is dance.
On Sunday, I was kind of distressed. I couldn't even tell you exactly what it was that was disturbing me, but it was a build up of situations that wasn't putting me in a very good mood. Monday morning, I had a choreography workshop at my school. It is amazing the way dance heals me. Whatever it was that was disturbing me was gone the instant I started warming up. While I'm dancing, I don't have to think about all the crap that's going on in the world, in my life, or in any body else's life. It's a moment that belongs completely to me and to God. No one else. And I was just so happy to be dancing again. The summer is the worst for me, because my dance schedule is very unregular, and I end up hardly dancing at all. Why I can't picture myself ever dancing professionally, I will always dance. To stop would be to take half of my life away. I am just so thankful for the gift of dancing. I cannot imagine my life without it.
On that same note, I'm very thankful that I am dancing this week. My friend Tim, who I am incredibly close to, was away in Kansas City, Missouri for 3 1/2 weeks. He was originally coming home on Sunday and leaving again to go to North Carolina and then Europe on Thursday. But, plans changed, and he left today. Which meant that I only got to spent a sliver of time with him on Monday. I found myself a bit upset, quite surprisingly. I even told him that while he was in KC, I didn't really miss him, per se, but I could already tell that I would be missing him while he was gone this time. I am just so happy that I will be dancing this week, and I will be able to get my mind away from missing him. And hopefully once school starts I will too busy to think about it. But, its just odd the way things happen in life and I the best way out for me is through dance...
My friend Amanda recommended I listen to a song, Broken, by Amy Lee (of Evanescence) and Seether. I did, and I immediately pictured a dance in my head...with Tim, nonetheless (he dances with me at my studio). So, in a lot of ways, dance reminds me of certain things, and takes me places I don't want to go, but it always will be a place where I can go and relax and enjoy the grace of God.
God Bless,
lv
Most of us have a way of escape, where we can go or do something to forget about what's on our mind. Some of us escape through music, some of us escape through the beach...My escape is dance.
On Sunday, I was kind of distressed. I couldn't even tell you exactly what it was that was disturbing me, but it was a build up of situations that wasn't putting me in a very good mood. Monday morning, I had a choreography workshop at my school. It is amazing the way dance heals me. Whatever it was that was disturbing me was gone the instant I started warming up. While I'm dancing, I don't have to think about all the crap that's going on in the world, in my life, or in any body else's life. It's a moment that belongs completely to me and to God. No one else. And I was just so happy to be dancing again. The summer is the worst for me, because my dance schedule is very unregular, and I end up hardly dancing at all. Why I can't picture myself ever dancing professionally, I will always dance. To stop would be to take half of my life away. I am just so thankful for the gift of dancing. I cannot imagine my life without it.
On that same note, I'm very thankful that I am dancing this week. My friend Tim, who I am incredibly close to, was away in Kansas City, Missouri for 3 1/2 weeks. He was originally coming home on Sunday and leaving again to go to North Carolina and then Europe on Thursday. But, plans changed, and he left today. Which meant that I only got to spent a sliver of time with him on Monday. I found myself a bit upset, quite surprisingly. I even told him that while he was in KC, I didn't really miss him, per se, but I could already tell that I would be missing him while he was gone this time. I am just so happy that I will be dancing this week, and I will be able to get my mind away from missing him. And hopefully once school starts I will too busy to think about it. But, its just odd the way things happen in life and I the best way out for me is through dance...
My friend Amanda recommended I listen to a song, Broken, by Amy Lee (of Evanescence) and Seether. I did, and I immediately pictured a dance in my head...with Tim, nonetheless (he dances with me at my studio). So, in a lot of ways, dance reminds me of certain things, and takes me places I don't want to go, but it always will be a place where I can go and relax and enjoy the grace of God.
God Bless,
lv
7.29.2004
friends are friends forever
Honestly, that song drives me crazy. But, when you really sit down and listen to the words, it's quite a pretty song. It's just overplayed and old. Maybe Michael should update it to a more...21st century sound, aye?
Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." I don't know how long I have known that verse. My whole life it seems. But, I think in high school, for me atleast, I have really learned to know the true definition of friend. When I was in 6th grade, I learned the hard way that just because you know someone and hang out with them doesn't mean they're your friend. And, I learned at the tender age of 11, that people will turn on you in the blink of an eye, and things will never be the same. Looking back on that situation that I went through, I thank God for it. Because, now, I look at my friendships with great appreciation. It is no matter to me what that person did to me years ago, because the friends I have now are of far more importance to me than she ever would have been. But, last year being my first time in a school with lockers, changing classes and all that that implies, I was a bit insecure to say that least. Thank God that my best friend had come to the school a semester before me, because I could not have survived without her. But, looking back over my freshman year of high school, I think the only thing I will remember are the encounters I had with friends and how easily I dealt with the conflict, no doubt due to the rough experiences I had had early on in my life.
My mom told me once that the friends you make in childhood will most likely not be around in highschool, and the friends you make in highschool not in college. She hardly even talks to the people she went to college with, anymore. And I took that to heart, but with a slight determination to prove her wrong. I don't doubt that I will lose touch with many if not most of my high school friends. But, even so, the friends you make in high school are the ones that are going to be there when you walk down in front of all your piers and receive your diploma. They're the ones who are going to share in your laughter and in your tears when you depart to go across the country to various colleges. And, chances are, in college, you won't be able to talk about those memories with anyone at college, because they didn't share them with you. So, why high school friends maybe just that - fleeing at the first chance of freedom - they are still vital to your health in high school, not to mention your GPA in some cases. For those who got through high school without friends, I applaud you. I cannot imagine it. I cannot imagine the first day of school without my best friend being there, much less 4 years of high school without anyone to rely on.
I said all of that to tell you about my best friend, Katie. I have a couple of best friends, but Katie is the one whom I have known since the age of 1, we have been in school together at the same schools every year except for seventh and eighth grade (during which we lost touch and I was devastated), there are pictures of us in ballet class wearing our tights and leotards and our butts look huge because of our apparently worthless Huggies, we had plans to get our ears pierced together since the time we were about 8 and our mom's told us we had to be 13 before we could have holes in our earlobes (Her mom ended up relenting and surprising her on her 12th birthday and the January before my May birthday, my mom relented as well), we used to take baths together and play with our naked barbies, we lived off of our American Girl Dolls, always "taking them to the mall" or "throwing a surprise birthday party", etc, etc...her older sister was just as much my enemy as she was hers and Katie and I would make evil plots against her, and when she still lived in her old house, Katie used to tell me stories about her neighbors that lived behind her who kidnapped little kids and would torture them until they screamed (I still wonder where she came up with that). There are countless memories between Katie and me. Katie and I wrote a song once (actually, she wrote it. I kind of butted in one afternoon and like to say I helped her write it :-p) and we performed it for our homeschool group. :eek: I can't believe I ever did that! Katie and I have been through a lot together, but after these 14 years of non stop laughter and evil plots and song writing, we have never had a serious conflict. I guess it's what Anne of Green Gables would refer to as "bosom buddies" but I think it may be something even deeper than that. I think having the love of God as the foundation of our friendship makes a difference, but on another note, it could just be the fact that our love for each other is unconditional and unintentional. After all, our parents hooked us up... :shrug:
Katie is my best friend. And once again, I have several best friends, but at the moment I am referring to Katie. She has touched my life in more ways than she knows. She's always smiling and always has something nice to say, even when she's thinking something mean. We have watched each other grow physically, mentally and spiritually and now we are to the point where we can just stay up late in deep conversation, spilling our guts with each other. For instance, night before last. Katie and I hadn't seen each other but one afternoon all summer, because I got home from Europe and she left for camp for a month two days later. I went over and talked to her while she was packing, but that just wasn't good enough. I was aching to see her. She came over and we literally stayed up into the late night chatting about random things, then talking seriously about our spiritual lives, our...boy...issues (Or, mine. Katie, lucky one she is, has not confessed to having boy issues just yet), and what really bothers us that no one else might know. And, talking with her, I couldn't help but realize that she is the defintion of a best friend. Someone you can openly talk to, someone who gives you a shoulder to cry on and that you in turn will gladly give yours back, someone who will always be there for you through thick and thing...and I realized at that moment as I have considered before but I felt a sense of peace and reassurance that Katie and I will always be friends. After high school, after college, after marraige, even if I'm living in China and she in Alaska, we will always be friends. And for our friendship, Michael's song just rings so true to me...
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends...
Thank you, Katie. I love you, tater tots! :D
And thank you to all of my friends who have stuck by me and have touched me in more ways that you can imagine. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.
God bless,
lv
Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." I don't know how long I have known that verse. My whole life it seems. But, I think in high school, for me atleast, I have really learned to know the true definition of friend. When I was in 6th grade, I learned the hard way that just because you know someone and hang out with them doesn't mean they're your friend. And, I learned at the tender age of 11, that people will turn on you in the blink of an eye, and things will never be the same. Looking back on that situation that I went through, I thank God for it. Because, now, I look at my friendships with great appreciation. It is no matter to me what that person did to me years ago, because the friends I have now are of far more importance to me than she ever would have been. But, last year being my first time in a school with lockers, changing classes and all that that implies, I was a bit insecure to say that least. Thank God that my best friend had come to the school a semester before me, because I could not have survived without her. But, looking back over my freshman year of high school, I think the only thing I will remember are the encounters I had with friends and how easily I dealt with the conflict, no doubt due to the rough experiences I had had early on in my life.
My mom told me once that the friends you make in childhood will most likely not be around in highschool, and the friends you make in highschool not in college. She hardly even talks to the people she went to college with, anymore. And I took that to heart, but with a slight determination to prove her wrong. I don't doubt that I will lose touch with many if not most of my high school friends. But, even so, the friends you make in high school are the ones that are going to be there when you walk down in front of all your piers and receive your diploma. They're the ones who are going to share in your laughter and in your tears when you depart to go across the country to various colleges. And, chances are, in college, you won't be able to talk about those memories with anyone at college, because they didn't share them with you. So, why high school friends maybe just that - fleeing at the first chance of freedom - they are still vital to your health in high school, not to mention your GPA in some cases. For those who got through high school without friends, I applaud you. I cannot imagine it. I cannot imagine the first day of school without my best friend being there, much less 4 years of high school without anyone to rely on.
I said all of that to tell you about my best friend, Katie. I have a couple of best friends, but Katie is the one whom I have known since the age of 1, we have been in school together at the same schools every year except for seventh and eighth grade (during which we lost touch and I was devastated), there are pictures of us in ballet class wearing our tights and leotards and our butts look huge because of our apparently worthless Huggies, we had plans to get our ears pierced together since the time we were about 8 and our mom's told us we had to be 13 before we could have holes in our earlobes (Her mom ended up relenting and surprising her on her 12th birthday and the January before my May birthday, my mom relented as well), we used to take baths together and play with our naked barbies, we lived off of our American Girl Dolls, always "taking them to the mall" or "throwing a surprise birthday party", etc, etc...her older sister was just as much my enemy as she was hers and Katie and I would make evil plots against her, and when she still lived in her old house, Katie used to tell me stories about her neighbors that lived behind her who kidnapped little kids and would torture them until they screamed (I still wonder where she came up with that). There are countless memories between Katie and me. Katie and I wrote a song once (actually, she wrote it. I kind of butted in one afternoon and like to say I helped her write it :-p) and we performed it for our homeschool group. :eek: I can't believe I ever did that! Katie and I have been through a lot together, but after these 14 years of non stop laughter and evil plots and song writing, we have never had a serious conflict. I guess it's what Anne of Green Gables would refer to as "bosom buddies" but I think it may be something even deeper than that. I think having the love of God as the foundation of our friendship makes a difference, but on another note, it could just be the fact that our love for each other is unconditional and unintentional. After all, our parents hooked us up... :shrug:
Katie is my best friend. And once again, I have several best friends, but at the moment I am referring to Katie. She has touched my life in more ways than she knows. She's always smiling and always has something nice to say, even when she's thinking something mean. We have watched each other grow physically, mentally and spiritually and now we are to the point where we can just stay up late in deep conversation, spilling our guts with each other. For instance, night before last. Katie and I hadn't seen each other but one afternoon all summer, because I got home from Europe and she left for camp for a month two days later. I went over and talked to her while she was packing, but that just wasn't good enough. I was aching to see her. She came over and we literally stayed up into the late night chatting about random things, then talking seriously about our spiritual lives, our...boy...issues (Or, mine. Katie, lucky one she is, has not confessed to having boy issues just yet), and what really bothers us that no one else might know. And, talking with her, I couldn't help but realize that she is the defintion of a best friend. Someone you can openly talk to, someone who gives you a shoulder to cry on and that you in turn will gladly give yours back, someone who will always be there for you through thick and thing...and I realized at that moment as I have considered before but I felt a sense of peace and reassurance that Katie and I will always be friends. After high school, after college, after marraige, even if I'm living in China and she in Alaska, we will always be friends. And for our friendship, Michael's song just rings so true to me...
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends...
Thank you, Katie. I love you, tater tots! :D
And thank you to all of my friends who have stuck by me and have touched me in more ways that you can imagine. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.
God bless,
lv
7.26.2004
a sister like no other
C-Kruis, pronounced, ceh-crraise (roll the R), is an artistic ministry based in South Africa, in which they travel all over the country spreading the word of God to the youth. Mary Ashley, my sister, is currently serving with them. Now, before I go any further, allow me to tell you about Mash.
In August of 2001, when Mash was 16, she came to our home to live with us from Alabama. I was 12 at the time. Mash came here so she could be a part of a dance program, that I was also involved in. It was a Christian program called Arts Triumphant, directed by Yvonne Salcedo Williams. The program was wonderful and amazing, while it lasted. By the time Mash left when she was nearly 18, her heart had been to hell and back along with a lot of the other participants. But for Mash, to think that she left home when she was 16, she had done an amazingly good job. She became the sister that I never had. With three brothers, it was just the thing I needed. Our family got incredibly close to her family (her mom, her dad and her older sister, Anna). We have kept in touch, even three years later and we still manage to see each other as often as possible.
Mash was an incredible blessing to me the year that she was here. I had been through a hard year before, with some friends and learning that not all friends are real friends. I had left the dance studio I had been at for 8 years to be a part of Arts Triumphant, and it was somewhat of a painful departure. Time healed those wounds, however, but that's another story. Anyway, it was hard for me to get established and find a home at AT. For the first few months, I was scared of everyone. They were all better than me, but Yvonne had put me in the highest level. By about 3 months or so, I could have fooled someone into thinking I had been there my whole life. I got close to several of the girls my age (which wasn't without its conflicts), and I got close to the older girls, who became like my family. Dancing 7 days a week, I couldn't have been happier. I was homeschooling, and naturally, dance became my first priority, over school, over family, and even over God. Mash confronted me on things when she knew I needed confrontation. She told me one day that I idolized Yvonne and Arts Triumphant. She recognized that I was putting dance first in my life and it shouldn't be first in my life when I'm only 12/13, still in school, still living at home, and still needing to strengthen my relationship with God. She was right, but it took me a while to realize that.
One of my greatest memories I have with Mash is when we came home one night after a late rehearsal and we sat and talked until late, all the while drawing all over each other's arms and legs. Call us crazy, I know. But, it was at that moment I realized God had truly given me a sister. Not just a sister, a best friend, a confidant, an accountability partner. He had given me the ultimate package. And that's why I was devastated when she announced she would be leaving. It shouldn't have come a shock, the idea had been entertained by her all along. Arts Triumphant was no longer where she needed to be. At first my devastation was heartbreak. I didn't want her to leave. I get a sister, and then she's gone? It didn't make sense. She was the most important person in my life and if she left, she would be taking a part of me with her. Then, the devastation turned to bitter hatred toward my mother when she told me I too would not be attending Arts Triupmhant. She explained it to me by saying that without Mash to drive me, there would be no way for me to get there 7 days a week (the studio was about 30 minutes from my house). But, as I look back on that, I know that my mom and Mash were much wiser than I was and they saw things I could have never seen at my young and tender age. I am so thankful to the both of them for telling me what to do, because if I didn't have them there to point me in the right direction, no matter what phony excuse they gave me, I'm not sure where I would be today. Caught up in a mess I don't want to be caught up in, that's for sure.
So, Mash left. She didn't go home, she went to Missouri for several months and she knew it wasn't where God wanted her. One November day, she called her mom and told her she was going to South Africa. Within two months, she had her Visa, her passport, her plane tickets, etc, etc... And by January first, she was there. She has been there for over a year now. It is not without it's trials, and she will tell you that openly. But she knows it is exactly where God wants her. She has finally found that place that she had been searching for since she was a child. As her younger sister, watching her grow has been profound for me. There are parts of me that say "I want to be just like her." And then I look at everything she's gone through, and how strong she has had to make herself, another part of me says "Not on your life!" I think for now I would rather observe someone do those amazing things than experience them myself. For the moment, anyway. I am only 15. ;-)
I told you all of that about Mary Ashley to explain to you my close connection with C-Kruis. Last night, Mash's mom came here along with 7 of C-Kruis's own members, the 7 who are part of the newly established America branch of C-Kruis. Sad that foreigners are sending missionaries to America now, isn't it? But what they're doing is amazing. C-Kruis ministers to the youth of the world through dance, music, drama, etc. Their goal in America is to travel to churches, schools (public, private, and Christian alike) and spread the Word of God in a way that teens can relate to and remember. The fabulous 7, Daniel, Pieter, Lennie, Burgert, Este, Elzette, and Charnette, came to my church last night and performed 2 dances and then sat and answered all of our many questions. They're staying at our beach condo until Wednesday, so we took them out there and showed them the ropes and ended up spending several hours with them. Wow. These guys are amazing. I mean, after spending 2 hours with them, I felt not only like I had known them forever, but like they were a part of my family. The last time I saw Mash was December 2003, and I have missed her more than I can say. But, seeing these people, meeting the people she has spent the last year of her life with, gave me a sense of peace and made me feel very close to her even though she is thousands of miles away.
Please check out C-Kruis at their website. It is truly an amazing ministry that needs to be supported financially, spiritually, physically and mentally. And while you're there, see if you can find my sister's Bio. Her picture is beautiful. :)
God bless,
lv
In August of 2001, when Mash was 16, she came to our home to live with us from Alabama. I was 12 at the time. Mash came here so she could be a part of a dance program, that I was also involved in. It was a Christian program called Arts Triumphant, directed by Yvonne Salcedo Williams. The program was wonderful and amazing, while it lasted. By the time Mash left when she was nearly 18, her heart had been to hell and back along with a lot of the other participants. But for Mash, to think that she left home when she was 16, she had done an amazingly good job. She became the sister that I never had. With three brothers, it was just the thing I needed. Our family got incredibly close to her family (her mom, her dad and her older sister, Anna). We have kept in touch, even three years later and we still manage to see each other as often as possible.
Mash was an incredible blessing to me the year that she was here. I had been through a hard year before, with some friends and learning that not all friends are real friends. I had left the dance studio I had been at for 8 years to be a part of Arts Triumphant, and it was somewhat of a painful departure. Time healed those wounds, however, but that's another story. Anyway, it was hard for me to get established and find a home at AT. For the first few months, I was scared of everyone. They were all better than me, but Yvonne had put me in the highest level. By about 3 months or so, I could have fooled someone into thinking I had been there my whole life. I got close to several of the girls my age (which wasn't without its conflicts), and I got close to the older girls, who became like my family. Dancing 7 days a week, I couldn't have been happier. I was homeschooling, and naturally, dance became my first priority, over school, over family, and even over God. Mash confronted me on things when she knew I needed confrontation. She told me one day that I idolized Yvonne and Arts Triumphant. She recognized that I was putting dance first in my life and it shouldn't be first in my life when I'm only 12/13, still in school, still living at home, and still needing to strengthen my relationship with God. She was right, but it took me a while to realize that.
One of my greatest memories I have with Mash is when we came home one night after a late rehearsal and we sat and talked until late, all the while drawing all over each other's arms and legs. Call us crazy, I know. But, it was at that moment I realized God had truly given me a sister. Not just a sister, a best friend, a confidant, an accountability partner. He had given me the ultimate package. And that's why I was devastated when she announced she would be leaving. It shouldn't have come a shock, the idea had been entertained by her all along. Arts Triumphant was no longer where she needed to be. At first my devastation was heartbreak. I didn't want her to leave. I get a sister, and then she's gone? It didn't make sense. She was the most important person in my life and if she left, she would be taking a part of me with her. Then, the devastation turned to bitter hatred toward my mother when she told me I too would not be attending Arts Triupmhant. She explained it to me by saying that without Mash to drive me, there would be no way for me to get there 7 days a week (the studio was about 30 minutes from my house). But, as I look back on that, I know that my mom and Mash were much wiser than I was and they saw things I could have never seen at my young and tender age. I am so thankful to the both of them for telling me what to do, because if I didn't have them there to point me in the right direction, no matter what phony excuse they gave me, I'm not sure where I would be today. Caught up in a mess I don't want to be caught up in, that's for sure.
So, Mash left. She didn't go home, she went to Missouri for several months and she knew it wasn't where God wanted her. One November day, she called her mom and told her she was going to South Africa. Within two months, she had her Visa, her passport, her plane tickets, etc, etc... And by January first, she was there. She has been there for over a year now. It is not without it's trials, and she will tell you that openly. But she knows it is exactly where God wants her. She has finally found that place that she had been searching for since she was a child. As her younger sister, watching her grow has been profound for me. There are parts of me that say "I want to be just like her." And then I look at everything she's gone through, and how strong she has had to make herself, another part of me says "Not on your life!" I think for now I would rather observe someone do those amazing things than experience them myself. For the moment, anyway. I am only 15. ;-)
I told you all of that about Mary Ashley to explain to you my close connection with C-Kruis. Last night, Mash's mom came here along with 7 of C-Kruis's own members, the 7 who are part of the newly established America branch of C-Kruis. Sad that foreigners are sending missionaries to America now, isn't it? But what they're doing is amazing. C-Kruis ministers to the youth of the world through dance, music, drama, etc. Their goal in America is to travel to churches, schools (public, private, and Christian alike) and spread the Word of God in a way that teens can relate to and remember. The fabulous 7, Daniel, Pieter, Lennie, Burgert, Este, Elzette, and Charnette, came to my church last night and performed 2 dances and then sat and answered all of our many questions. They're staying at our beach condo until Wednesday, so we took them out there and showed them the ropes and ended up spending several hours with them. Wow. These guys are amazing. I mean, after spending 2 hours with them, I felt not only like I had known them forever, but like they were a part of my family. The last time I saw Mash was December 2003, and I have missed her more than I can say. But, seeing these people, meeting the people she has spent the last year of her life with, gave me a sense of peace and made me feel very close to her even though she is thousands of miles away.
Please check out C-Kruis at their website. It is truly an amazing ministry that needs to be supported financially, spiritually, physically and mentally. And while you're there, see if you can find my sister's Bio. Her picture is beautiful. :)
God bless,
lv
7.24.2004
overview of an oxymoron
ox·y·mo·ron : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements.
Welcome to my life. The life of an oxymoron. I guess if you really consider that, I'm calling myself a hypocrite. But I prefer to think of it as being a well rounded person. Not to mention the fact that oxymoron is about the coolest word in Webster's dictionary, after onomatopoeia. The other reason I consider my life that of an oxymoron is because I am a moron. Oxy aside, I will always be a moron, in the truest sense of the word. Webster defines moron as a very stupid person. With straight A's and 4.0 GPA, I can't say I agree entirely with that. But, I think my friends and family would tell you that I am a moron, in some ways more than others. In Leslie's dictionary, moron is defined as someone who becomes a bit crazy when faced with stupid situations. Okay, so, I'm crazy! There's nothing wrong with that. I believe that we are all crazy in one way or another. :blink:
Enough of that. My life is an oxymoron for the simple fact that the world tells me to be one way and I try my absolute hardest to be the exact opposite. In other words, I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I do not conform to the world, but to the Truth of God.
I am a rambler, in case you haven't noticed, and I tend to ramble on the discussion of definitions of words. So, please, never ask me what something means. It will only get you a long complicated answer that you would have found better in Webster's. If you're too lazy to flip through some pages in a colossal book, try www.miriamwebster.com. It works wonders.
God bless,
lv
Welcome to my life. The life of an oxymoron. I guess if you really consider that, I'm calling myself a hypocrite. But I prefer to think of it as being a well rounded person. Not to mention the fact that oxymoron is about the coolest word in Webster's dictionary, after onomatopoeia. The other reason I consider my life that of an oxymoron is because I am a moron. Oxy aside, I will always be a moron, in the truest sense of the word. Webster defines moron as a very stupid person. With straight A's and 4.0 GPA, I can't say I agree entirely with that. But, I think my friends and family would tell you that I am a moron, in some ways more than others. In Leslie's dictionary, moron is defined as someone who becomes a bit crazy when faced with stupid situations. Okay, so, I'm crazy! There's nothing wrong with that. I believe that we are all crazy in one way or another. :blink:
Enough of that. My life is an oxymoron for the simple fact that the world tells me to be one way and I try my absolute hardest to be the exact opposite. In other words, I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I do not conform to the world, but to the Truth of God.
I am a rambler, in case you haven't noticed, and I tend to ramble on the discussion of definitions of words. So, please, never ask me what something means. It will only get you a long complicated answer that you would have found better in Webster's. If you're too lazy to flip through some pages in a colossal book, try www.miriamwebster.com. It works wonders.
God bless,
lv
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