Last year I participated in my youth group's all-nighter at church. It was around forty girls and boys in grades seven to twelve (plus around five youth group leaders), running around wild, locked in a church, intent upon staying up all night. It was fabulous! First we went bowling and had dinner, then after picking up some coffee, engergy drinks, and sugary snacks, we arrived at the church and were locked in.
My favorite thing we did that night was play the game "Underground Church". If you've never played it, I'll explain the game.
Our church's setting was a "foreign country". All of the youth group students were "persecuted Christians". The youth leaders were "the bad guys that catch the Christians". We had a jail located at the center of the church. The sanctuary was off-limits (actually, if you were too tired to stay up all night, they let you sleep in the sanctuary). The game started by giving everyone ten minutes to hide wherever they wanted to in the church, except room that were previously locked. When the lights went off, the "bad guys" searched through the complete darkness to find the "persecuted Christians". If you got caught you were taken to jail. You could be freed if no "bad guys" were watching the jail and a friend tagged you to escape.
Let me tell you... it was intense! I had very close calls to being captured, and some heart pumping moments when I attempted escape. I even was the last one to be caught once, which meant that I won! It was scary, running around in the dark, not knowing who you would bump into or if they were the "bad guys" or "fellow Christians".
After the game, which lasted at least four hours, many of us collapsed in a long hallway with blankets to tell stories. Some people watched movies or played video games upstairs. I played Apples to Apples with a bunch of friends. When our parents arrived the next morning, they met some very tired, blurry eyed, loopy teenagers.
It was one of my most favorite experiences being "locked in"!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Life's A Cup of Coffee
"Life's a Cup of Coffee," said my dad, as he stood, steaming coffee cup in hand, leaning against the kitchen counter.
I watched him walk away and contemplated his meaning, trying to fit the crazy, insane, sad, and completely wonderful thing we call life into an analogy with a cup of coffee.
Life, birth, death.
Coffee.
Not much to compare, right? But as I walked over to make my own self a cup of coffee, I thought about it some more. Coffee starts as a really plain, brown bean. Then it's harvested and sent to the USA to be brewed into the coffee we drink. We come into this world as a baby in a womb. We aren't really physically different, because, well, we're developing in a womb. But when we come out of the womb, we grow and change and develop features unique to each of us. Both the coffee bean and the baby will later become something impressive.
Coffee is flavorful. Life is flavorful! But you can have bitter coffee. And life can be bitter. We drink instant coffee sometimes, when we're rushed or camping or coffee is too expensive to buy. And sometimes in life we are short-changed. We don't get the full, freshly brewed cup we want, or the ideal cream, sugar, and designer Starbucks' cup. We get instant coffee. People give us the "short end of the stick" and we feel like we deserve more.
But then I think about my days when I get home from school or when I'm sad or when it's cold outside. I grab a book, a blanket, and a steaming cup of coffee. Why? Because coffee is comforting. It's warm and safe and a little something special. And life offers things that are safe and special: family, God, friends, knowing you have a house or a meal or simply a cup of water.
So maybe my dad's right. Even if it is far fetched, I can still see how life's a cup of coffee.
I watched him walk away and contemplated his meaning, trying to fit the crazy, insane, sad, and completely wonderful thing we call life into an analogy with a cup of coffee.
Life, birth, death.
Coffee.
Not much to compare, right? But as I walked over to make my own self a cup of coffee, I thought about it some more. Coffee starts as a really plain, brown bean. Then it's harvested and sent to the USA to be brewed into the coffee we drink. We come into this world as a baby in a womb. We aren't really physically different, because, well, we're developing in a womb. But when we come out of the womb, we grow and change and develop features unique to each of us. Both the coffee bean and the baby will later become something impressive.
Coffee is flavorful. Life is flavorful! But you can have bitter coffee. And life can be bitter. We drink instant coffee sometimes, when we're rushed or camping or coffee is too expensive to buy. And sometimes in life we are short-changed. We don't get the full, freshly brewed cup we want, or the ideal cream, sugar, and designer Starbucks' cup. We get instant coffee. People give us the "short end of the stick" and we feel like we deserve more.
But then I think about my days when I get home from school or when I'm sad or when it's cold outside. I grab a book, a blanket, and a steaming cup of coffee. Why? Because coffee is comforting. It's warm and safe and a little something special. And life offers things that are safe and special: family, God, friends, knowing you have a house or a meal or simply a cup of water.
So maybe my dad's right. Even if it is far fetched, I can still see how life's a cup of coffee.
Reading Shakespeare
Something I've come to enjoy very much is Shakespeare: his plays, his sonnets, and even him! (Well I don't know him personally, but I've written several reports on him. That has to count for something.)
That being said, I haven't read nearly enough of his work to satisfy my love for it. (Although I have read all 154 sonnets.) My favorite of his plays is Hamlet. I love picking out certain lines that I enjoy. The language is so beautiful, and in today's culture it's hard to imagine people talking like they used to. Take a few of these lines, for example:
"This above all: To thine own self be true." (From Hamlet) We say: Do what you want.
"Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure." (From, you guessed it... Macbeth!) We say: Is it cool if I stay with you?
"Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes." (From Romeo and Juliet) We say: Her eyes are shiny.
I personally believe that, although Shakespeare is beautiful when read silently, it is best experienced and written to be read aloud. It was made, after all, for the stage. I actually understand Shakespeare more when I hear it read aloud.
So here's a secret: Sometimes, when I'm alone at home, I'll read Shakespeare aloud in different voices for different characters. I'll wave my hands, gesture, fake sword fight. I've dueled with Mercutio and Tybalt and Romeo. I've climbed a balcony and stabbed Julius Caeasar and argued with Beatrice. Shakespeare was written to be performed and I've enjoyed every moment of reading it!
That being said, I haven't read nearly enough of his work to satisfy my love for it. (Although I have read all 154 sonnets.) My favorite of his plays is Hamlet. I love picking out certain lines that I enjoy. The language is so beautiful, and in today's culture it's hard to imagine people talking like they used to. Take a few of these lines, for example:
"This above all: To thine own self be true." (From Hamlet) We say: Do what you want.
"Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure." (From, you guessed it... Macbeth!) We say: Is it cool if I stay with you?
"Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes." (From Romeo and Juliet) We say: Her eyes are shiny.
I personally believe that, although Shakespeare is beautiful when read silently, it is best experienced and written to be read aloud. It was made, after all, for the stage. I actually understand Shakespeare more when I hear it read aloud.
So here's a secret: Sometimes, when I'm alone at home, I'll read Shakespeare aloud in different voices for different characters. I'll wave my hands, gesture, fake sword fight. I've dueled with Mercutio and Tybalt and Romeo. I've climbed a balcony and stabbed Julius Caeasar and argued with Beatrice. Shakespeare was written to be performed and I've enjoyed every moment of reading it!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Free Verse Poem about a Person
Sometimes I wonder
Why you chose to leave
And then I quietly
Whisper
You might not have wanted to go
But God chose to take you home.
I have to be okay with that,
Even if it's difficult
To understand.
You had bright eyes
Courage and strength
Stronger than me.
It hurts that you're no longer
Here to share
That love you had
That lovely compassion
With the world.
But I believe
Firmly, truly
That right now, in bright light
Surrounded by the glow
And flutter of white wings,
You share that lovely compassion
With heaven.
(Dedicated to my Aunt.)
Why you chose to leave
And then I quietly
Whisper
You might not have wanted to go
But God chose to take you home.
I have to be okay with that,
Even if it's difficult
To understand.
You had bright eyes
Courage and strength
Stronger than me.
It hurts that you're no longer
Here to share
That love you had
That lovely compassion
With the world.
But I believe
Firmly, truly
That right now, in bright light
Surrounded by the glow
And flutter of white wings,
You share that lovely compassion
With heaven.
(Dedicated to my Aunt.)
Jane Austen Books
My momma recently purchased a copy of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen for me. You can imagine what happened. She brought it home for me, placed it in my hands, and I fell over.... Okay, maybe I didn't fall over. But I was overjoyed.
This copy is actually an annotated copy, so the story is on the left hand page, and notes and pictures are on the right hand page. I've learned that twelve pence make a shilling, and twenty shillings make a pound! I've seen a picture of a barouche, which I would never have known what it looked like otherwise. If you're wondering, Edward Ferrars' mom wishes him to drive a barouche in the book. It's like a fancy carriage.
I just love Jane Austen books! (Okay Rebekah, if you read this... I know we are in a battle over whose better: Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, and I know you're winning with Jane Austen. I'll give you the fact that Jane Austen is awesome, but against Charles Dickens...)
I enjoy reading Jane Austen books while sipping tea. Good 'ole English breakfast black tea with some sugar and milk, served in a teacup, from a teapot, with a saucer and tea cookies (buscuits). Yes, it sounds rather extravagant. But if I have time I do go through the entire proper teapot process. Boiling water into the pot, for the pot. Swish water around and empty pot. Add one scoop looseleaf tea for each person drinking, and then one scoop for the pot. Add boiling water. Let brew. And one cup of fabulous tea awaits, even better with a friend!
I think I just love the culture of the Jane Austen books. Nineteenth century England, the vast countryside, the gossipy women whom the heroine sees right through, the drama which is always sorted out in the end, the lovely settings, the houses, the characters (Mr. Darcy)... I love all of it! I even love the language. (The words like felicity and mirth and Avignon!)
So go get a Jane Austen book! I hope you enjoy it. I know I do.
This copy is actually an annotated copy, so the story is on the left hand page, and notes and pictures are on the right hand page. I've learned that twelve pence make a shilling, and twenty shillings make a pound! I've seen a picture of a barouche, which I would never have known what it looked like otherwise. If you're wondering, Edward Ferrars' mom wishes him to drive a barouche in the book. It's like a fancy carriage.
I just love Jane Austen books! (Okay Rebekah, if you read this... I know we are in a battle over whose better: Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, and I know you're winning with Jane Austen. I'll give you the fact that Jane Austen is awesome, but against Charles Dickens...)
I enjoy reading Jane Austen books while sipping tea. Good 'ole English breakfast black tea with some sugar and milk, served in a teacup, from a teapot, with a saucer and tea cookies (buscuits). Yes, it sounds rather extravagant. But if I have time I do go through the entire proper teapot process. Boiling water into the pot, for the pot. Swish water around and empty pot. Add one scoop looseleaf tea for each person drinking, and then one scoop for the pot. Add boiling water. Let brew. And one cup of fabulous tea awaits, even better with a friend!
I think I just love the culture of the Jane Austen books. Nineteenth century England, the vast countryside, the gossipy women whom the heroine sees right through, the drama which is always sorted out in the end, the lovely settings, the houses, the characters (Mr. Darcy)... I love all of it! I even love the language. (The words like felicity and mirth and Avignon!)
So go get a Jane Austen book! I hope you enjoy it. I know I do.
Oceans of Emotions (A Free Verse Poem that Rhymes?!)
Emotions are
Like the ocean
Always flowing
Never ceasing
Churning
Tossing
Powerful as a wave
Anger
Fear
Jealously
Yet gentle enough to lap at the shore
Peace
Joy
Compassion
The ocean
Like emotions
Carry ships
Carry dreams
Dreams that always
Flow and ebb
Touch the shore
Touch your mind
Forevermore
Like the ocean
Always flowing
Never ceasing
Churning
Tossing
Powerful as a wave
Anger
Fear
Jealously
Yet gentle enough to lap at the shore
Peace
Joy
Compassion
The ocean
Like emotions
Carry ships
Carry dreams
Dreams that always
Flow and ebb
Touch the shore
Touch your mind
Forevermore
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Technology
Sometimes I really don't like technology. I find it helpful, but it just isn't my favorite thing in the world. Sadly, it seems that almost everything is now geared towards technology. You can connect to your I-Phone by scanning a code. You can upload photos. Maps are becoming extinct thanks to the GPS.
Technology takes you away from those around you. The Internet has bad Web sites, people get stalked, and it is a huge time consumer. Now don't get me wrong. There are good things about the Internet, too. It's wonderful to Google anything you want and, with a click of a botton, you have knowledge! I need the computer to work on school papers and powerpoints.
But sometimes I miss the good old fashioned book. The paper and pencil homework. Writing letters! Who writes letters anymore? I wish I knew what it felt like to write a five page, cursive letter, send it off by horseman, and wait three weeks to receive the answer. (Jane Austen, anyone?!) Receiving words would be more precious that way.
I think that, like with anything, we need to use discernment with technology. What are children seeing on TV? What would God sit down and type into Google? Is it good to spend so much time infront of a screen, whether its a TV screen, computer screen, or phone screen? It's so difficult not to! Even I wish I read more. That being said, I'm now going to watch a favorite TV show. It's a vicious cycle....
Technology takes you away from those around you. The Internet has bad Web sites, people get stalked, and it is a huge time consumer. Now don't get me wrong. There are good things about the Internet, too. It's wonderful to Google anything you want and, with a click of a botton, you have knowledge! I need the computer to work on school papers and powerpoints.
But sometimes I miss the good old fashioned book. The paper and pencil homework. Writing letters! Who writes letters anymore? I wish I knew what it felt like to write a five page, cursive letter, send it off by horseman, and wait three weeks to receive the answer. (Jane Austen, anyone?!) Receiving words would be more precious that way.
I think that, like with anything, we need to use discernment with technology. What are children seeing on TV? What would God sit down and type into Google? Is it good to spend so much time infront of a screen, whether its a TV screen, computer screen, or phone screen? It's so difficult not to! Even I wish I read more. That being said, I'm now going to watch a favorite TV show. It's a vicious cycle....
Survive Being Sick
1. Let your mom make you a huge glass of orange juice and tell you everything will be okay.
2. Eat some salty crackers and have some apple sauce.
3. Take your temperature, even if you don't think your head feels hot, because when you're sick you can't make accurate decisions for yourself.
4. Bring in a truck load of soft, durable tissues.
5. Tell your friends to not call you, hide the Internet (Facebook), and grab a book with an easy to understand plot, so you can drift in and out of sleep while reading.
6. Watch your favorite movies. Like Disney movies. (Or Lord of the Rings, which is what I always end up watching when I'm "under the weather".)
7. Drink liquids and liquids and more liquids.
8. Go close your door, crawl under your covers, and sleep until you can't sleep anymore.
9. Keep any medicine you need, along with a few bottles of water, by your bed. If you wake up with a headache, your Tylenol or Advil will be right there!
10. Try not to feel guilty about taking the rest time you need. Work, school, life... those things will be there when you recover. Take some time for yourself to get better.
2. Eat some salty crackers and have some apple sauce.
3. Take your temperature, even if you don't think your head feels hot, because when you're sick you can't make accurate decisions for yourself.
4. Bring in a truck load of soft, durable tissues.
5. Tell your friends to not call you, hide the Internet (Facebook), and grab a book with an easy to understand plot, so you can drift in and out of sleep while reading.
6. Watch your favorite movies. Like Disney movies. (Or Lord of the Rings, which is what I always end up watching when I'm "under the weather".)
7. Drink liquids and liquids and more liquids.
8. Go close your door, crawl under your covers, and sleep until you can't sleep anymore.
9. Keep any medicine you need, along with a few bottles of water, by your bed. If you wake up with a headache, your Tylenol or Advil will be right there!
10. Try not to feel guilty about taking the rest time you need. Work, school, life... those things will be there when you recover. Take some time for yourself to get better.
Free Verse Poem, About Being Sick
Tired eyes, red eyes
Blinking to stay open
The teacher says,
Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four
But instead
Your head crashes
To your desk, And
you sleep.
No! your teacher cries,
You must work
But you reply,
I am sick, And
Today could I just sleep
Instead.
Alright, says the
Teacher, You must go to the nurse
First, You drag your legs,
Wearily, heavily
D
o
w
n the long hall, And
Then home.
Blinking to stay open
The teacher says,
Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four
But instead
Your head crashes
To your desk, And
you sleep.
No! your teacher cries,
You must work
But you reply,
I am sick, And
Today could I just sleep
Instead.
Alright, says the
Teacher, You must go to the nurse
First, You drag your legs,
Wearily, heavily
D
o
w
n the long hall, And
Then home.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Water
I have recently realized the joys and benefits of water. Of course, I've always had water as a part of my daily routine. However, I'd only ever drink one cup or less each day. Not really beneficial. In fact, it's actually really harmful to drink so little water. I always brushed off my mom's advice, though, and assumed I'd be okay.
I happen to drink tea like it's about to disappear and be lost forever. I thought that was giving me the nutrients that water does, but it doesn't. So recently I've started to drink water... very copious amounts of water. (This was actually my New Year's resolution, even though I was already doing it before Christmas.)
Let me tell you... it's worth it! I have a glass of water when I get up in the morning, and that gives me early energy that I didn't have before. I have water throughout the day at school to keep me awake and energized, as well. And in the evening, I try to drink a glass of water every time I pass the refrigerator.
I've noticed some changes. I have clearer skin, my hair is growing faster, and I am not so tired. (Of course, I still need a good amount of sleep, which is my next New Year's resolution.) The downside is that I frequent the bathroom quite often, which, although it rids your body of toxins, it's bad when you're in the middle of a chemistry lab or an intense discussion in history class.
I think it's important to take care of our bodies. We only get one, and I want to make sure I try my best to respect my body. (For me and for God.) If my body is healthy, I know that I can help others better than if I were feeling run down. We are blessed in our culture to have easy access to clean drinking water, so if you want a simple pick-me-up, give it a try!
I happen to drink tea like it's about to disappear and be lost forever. I thought that was giving me the nutrients that water does, but it doesn't. So recently I've started to drink water... very copious amounts of water. (This was actually my New Year's resolution, even though I was already doing it before Christmas.)
Let me tell you... it's worth it! I have a glass of water when I get up in the morning, and that gives me early energy that I didn't have before. I have water throughout the day at school to keep me awake and energized, as well. And in the evening, I try to drink a glass of water every time I pass the refrigerator.
I've noticed some changes. I have clearer skin, my hair is growing faster, and I am not so tired. (Of course, I still need a good amount of sleep, which is my next New Year's resolution.) The downside is that I frequent the bathroom quite often, which, although it rids your body of toxins, it's bad when you're in the middle of a chemistry lab or an intense discussion in history class.
I think it's important to take care of our bodies. We only get one, and I want to make sure I try my best to respect my body. (For me and for God.) If my body is healthy, I know that I can help others better than if I were feeling run down. We are blessed in our culture to have easy access to clean drinking water, so if you want a simple pick-me-up, give it a try!
Things to Know (From Those who have Learned Them)
1. Stuffing your schedule impossibly full of things to do is not a good idea. (Female, age 18)
2. God always provides. (Female, age 30)
3. Everyone is different. (Male, age 17)
4. Family first, always. (Female, 49)
5. There are consequences for every action, and those consequences will be good, bad, or neutral. (Male, 49)
6. Chocolate labs will destroy whatever they have access to! (Female, 43)
7. When in doubt, ask! (Female, 40)
8. Trying your best in school is more important than aiming for perfection. (Me)
9. Eating chocolate bars when you are stressed is acceptable if you remember to exercise later. (Me)
10. Falling in love with fictional characters can be dangerous and disappointing. (Me)
11. When your parents tell you to get plenty hours of sleep, listen. If you don't, you'll burn out fast. (Me)
12. The relationships that you form with others, and ultimately God, are the most important things in your life. (Me and another Female, age 51)
2. God always provides. (Female, age 30)
3. Everyone is different. (Male, age 17)
4. Family first, always. (Female, 49)
5. There are consequences for every action, and those consequences will be good, bad, or neutral. (Male, 49)
6. Chocolate labs will destroy whatever they have access to! (Female, 43)
7. When in doubt, ask! (Female, 40)
8. Trying your best in school is more important than aiming for perfection. (Me)
9. Eating chocolate bars when you are stressed is acceptable if you remember to exercise later. (Me)
10. Falling in love with fictional characters can be dangerous and disappointing. (Me)
11. When your parents tell you to get plenty hours of sleep, listen. If you don't, you'll burn out fast. (Me)
12. The relationships that you form with others, and ultimately God, are the most important things in your life. (Me and another Female, age 51)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Making Decisions
I've made many decisons in my life so far. I'll wager that you have, too. Sometimes I wonder exactly how many decisions I have made. From answering questions on tests to picking a shirt to wear to deciding how to talk to someone about a loved one that is lost, all have taken much thought.
Often I ask for approval from friends before making a decision. Maybe I do this because I am afraid of what they think if my decision seems foolish. I wish I could be more assertive and not have to worry about what others think of my choices. Only God needs to be honored. And if I am honoring Him, I should be honoring others, too.
I have come to the conclusion that I make some of the most important decisions in the shower. Yup, in the shower. While washing my hair under the steamy hot water I contemplate some of life's greatest issues. When my dad makes decisions, he paces back and forth rapidly while drinking copious amounts of coffee. (The caffeine only inspires faster pacing.) This annoys my mom, who prefers sitting down and rationally drawing up a list of pros and cons. Personally, I think that they should both try my shower technique.
I try to remeber to include God in the important issues. No matter what advice the world, my friends, or my family give me, I have found God's advice to be the best, even if it seems crazy or not crazy enough. My Poppa in heaven has my best interests at heart, and even if I doubt Him sometimes, which I do, I know I need to trust Him to make the right decisions. He has promised to never let me down.
Often I ask for approval from friends before making a decision. Maybe I do this because I am afraid of what they think if my decision seems foolish. I wish I could be more assertive and not have to worry about what others think of my choices. Only God needs to be honored. And if I am honoring Him, I should be honoring others, too.
I have come to the conclusion that I make some of the most important decisions in the shower. Yup, in the shower. While washing my hair under the steamy hot water I contemplate some of life's greatest issues. When my dad makes decisions, he paces back and forth rapidly while drinking copious amounts of coffee. (The caffeine only inspires faster pacing.) This annoys my mom, who prefers sitting down and rationally drawing up a list of pros and cons. Personally, I think that they should both try my shower technique.
I try to remeber to include God in the important issues. No matter what advice the world, my friends, or my family give me, I have found God's advice to be the best, even if it seems crazy or not crazy enough. My Poppa in heaven has my best interests at heart, and even if I doubt Him sometimes, which I do, I know I need to trust Him to make the right decisions. He has promised to never let me down.
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