"I'm Thankful For..." Link-Up

It's that time of the year again. Thanksgiving is a little over a week from now. Schools are studying Plymouth Plantation, the cooks of the families are making the longest grocery lists known to man, and Macy's, once again, is planning the ultimate parade.

But what is Thanksgiving really about? Surely it's not only about eating twice as much as you really should one day per year, and watching football or parades.

No, it's about taking time to think about all of God's graces and blessings in our lives that we have to thank Him for.

Here are a few of my favorite things to be thankful for:

1. Interests and Talents
Imagine a world where humans were talent-less, had no inspiration or creativity, and no capability to do something great for God. I'm so thankful for that opportunity: to wake up every day and decide to glorify God with the talents He gave me and the interests that He has set in my heart.

2. Family
This is one of the obvious Sunday school answers, but at the same time, it's actually profound. I remember reading an article several months ago about a cause supporting orphans in Romania who were psychologically harmed. It was so sad to see some of the videos that were posted and how none of those children had any family that was willing to give them support to lead exceptional and extraordinary lives. That's why I'm especially thankful this year to be with my family every day. Thanks to them, I'll be able to truly celebrate Thanksgiving, and I think that's something that a lot of Americans often take for granted.

3. Education
Education is a bit more than being past the point of unintelligence, or just being able to say that we're smart, or have a bigger brain than an alligator. Education is the gift from God in which we learn how to think, not what to think. I'm grateful that I have so many wonderful educational opportunities that teach me how to think critically, follow Christ, and pursue the interests and talents that (again), God has given me to glorify Him.

4. Friends
I've had some bumpy roads this year with a couple of friendships of mine. But through those rough times, I've learned to be patient and loving, and even trusting the people who care about me, even when there's a risk of getting hurt in the end (but there's also a chance of wonderful things to happen as well). On top of that, I've learned that I have to love the Lord above all else, because He is the only one who gives me self-worth. 

5. Communication
Where would anyone be without the ability to communicate? For crying out loud, this blog would be non-existent. We'd all probably be swaying to and fro in the fetal position trying to figure out how to live life on our own since we would have no capability to get help from others. I think that loving our neighbors strongly connects to communication. It's so fascinating how a 6 word tweet can bring thousands of people to a concert, or 500 words can change minds when they are spoken on a podium. I've even seen people's hearts turned around over one Bible verse. I'm thankful for our ability to communicate. Without it, we'd likely be able to truly love one another.

Now it's your turn! I have created a link-up for all of you readers to share what you are thankful for. If you're having trouble thinking of some, don't worry! The link-up ends on Monday, December 2nd, so you have plenty of time.

Don't forget to comment on this post, invite your friends to follow this blog, and have fun linking-up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods." --Psalm 95:2-3

August Resolutions

I can't believe summer is almost over!!! And July has flown away with it. So a new month has begun, therefore it is time for a new post about monthly resolutions.

Finish Summer Bucket List

I don't expect to cross off absolutely everything, but I don't want to leave any more than 10 on the list.

Summer Reading

I still have one book to finish for required summer reading and then I need to continue to finish as much of the Omnibus list as possible before online classes start.

Start 11th Grade

Technically, online classes don't start until orientations at the end of this month, but I still get to take care of responsibilities at Rocky Mountain (brick and mortar school). 

Get a job?

I'm still thinking and praying about this, but I need to start raising some money so that I can responsibly take care of my parent's cars when I start driving them when I get my license, plus a few trips are coming around next summer which I'd really like to do, and my parents think it would be a good way to spice up my college résumé and practice for adult life. I have a few ideas as to where I would apply, but it's sort of a matter of whether I feel ready to take on that responsibility yet or not.

Publish more blog posts

I've been failing to post on here very often. I want to change that this month. 

Recurring Goals:

Music Practice

Scripture Reading

Exercise

Diary Writing

I'm sure this month will go very well. Best wishes to you all in ending the summer and starting the fall!

Question for the Reader: What has been the highlight of your summer so far?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." --2 Corinthians 5:17

More Blogs I'm Following!

As a blogger, I also love to read other bloggers's posts. It's so much fun to see what other people think, how they spend their time, and what they simply love doing. Here are some new blogs I've been following in the last month or so:

1. ShadowCat Literature by Andrea Bulthuis
This blog, written by a good friend of mine, is a lot of fun to read, mainly because Andrea is an excellent character developer and creates such good stories, and she chooses to make her blog circulate around her creativity in writing.

2. The Hill Country by Moriah Robinson
My sister just made her first post on her new video blog this week. She's very excited about making posts on her everyday life as an eighth grader in Colorado with her charm and wit. :)

3. 21 Empire Designs by Christi Sallard
Written by my good friend, Christi Sallard, this blog gives great advice on fashion tips, shopping, and reviews on the fashion surrounding American culture. 

4. Veritas Press Scholars Academy Griffin
Yes, indeed, online-schoolers can be involved in a journalism club, and the members proved it by creating a blog that doubles as the official VPSA Secondary School Journalism Newspaper, known as "The Griffin," which is our school mascot.

5. Back to Her Roots
This is a blog about a woman named Cassie living in Indiana who blogs about her grand attempt in creating a healthy lifestyle that others can imitate. She makes great healthy recipes and gives great tips in everyday healthy living.

6. Joy the Baker
This is a blog about a woman named Joy, and she's a baker. Now that I have stated the obvious, I'll only continue as far to say that while I haven't followed this blog for very long, the recipes are pretty amazing, and I admire the blog as a baker myself.

7. Reasons My Son Is Crying
This is a hilarious blog about a father who's young little boy cries all of the time, as most young children tend to do. The writer laughs at this fact by taking pictures of his son's so-called agony and makes brief funny captions about why his son is tearful. 

8. A Not-So-Ordinary Girl by Raven Layne
I just discovered this blog today, and it's fascinating. It's sort of a mysterious blog about a girl who blogs about who she is and what world she's a part of in her imagination. And here's the cherry on top: we don't know who she really is. In fact, Raven Layne is her pen name! 

(Note: To find the link for each blog, just click on its title!)

That's all for now, folks! If you would like to share your own blog feel free to link up to the last post, regardless on whether or not your topic is on your favorite books or not. :)

Questions for the Reader: What blogs are you following? Which ones are your favorites?

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." --Matthew 4:18-19

Favorite Books Link-up

Good afternoon, readers!

My last post on my summer reading list got me thinking about my favorite books. After following other blogs, I wanted to try my own link-up. The way it works is that I make a post on something like a list of my favorite books for example, and then you, reader, can post a link to the post of your own blog that contains your list of favorite blogs. So, fingers crossed hoping that this works out!

1. The Bible 
As a Christian, this is a bit of a no-brainer, but the more I dive into the Word of God, the more my soul feels at rest.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Ah, yes. The classic chick-flick on paper. :)

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is an awesome novel that reminds me of the importance of looking forward in life, instead of dwelling on the past. Things get messy when we do!

4. Epic: The Story God Is Telling and the Role That Is Yours to Play by John Eldredge
This is one of my all-time favorites, because it reminds me of how God made us with a special purpose, and that we have a role to play in His story.

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Sort of a chick-flick on paper as well, but also has a similar style of a book of virtues.

6. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Many theologians say that every Christian should read this book. I agree with them. This book is fantastic, and is a great reminder that life is like a journey in which we face multiple temptations, but have to keep our eyes focused on the faith.

7. The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms
I studied this book last year in school, and at first, I didn't see much significance in it, but after going through it again, it's incredible how much theology is based on simple truths that come from the Scriptures.

8. Animal Farm by George Orwell
I really enjoy this book because it's allegorical and also a story that can be easily enjoyed, even if the symbolism is set aside.

9. Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M. M. Blume 
I bought this book at a school book fair a few years back, and it lies on my top shelf in my bedroom, because every now and then I come back to it when I am in need of simple short and sweet story telling, which this book is chock full of. It's a fun read.

10. The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis
It would be foolish of me to not include this on my list. I love these classics.

(Note: These books are in no particular order on the list.)

Now it's your turn! Be sure to put your name and title of blog, e.g. Hayley @ Victorious Heroine, and in the URL box, please put the link to your post, not blog homepage. I look forward to seeing the results! :D

Question for the Reader: What books from your past, whether you have read them or they have been read to you, have been most influential for your life and/or faith?

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." --Psalm 119:105

April Resolutions

Excited to announce this month's resolutions! And heeeeeeeeerrrrreeeee they are! (Yes, this is a bit corny, but if Johnny Carson could get away with the "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" then I don't think that mine is so far off...)

April Resolutions

1. Omnibus reading
This is as simple as keeping up with the plan I made last week to help me catch up and then read the assignments on each Omnibus class homepage as the weeks go by.

2. Diary Writing
This is an attempt to redeem myself from March's F... :D

3. Read Judges and Proverbs
Because if at first you only halfway succeed, try try again to finish the other half. :)

4. Teach Youth Group
This one will be easy. My youth group leaders and I will be planning out a day for me to teach, I already have a topic together, so all I have to do is do some praying and thinking to make the lesson happen, and allow God to take care of the rest as He always does. :)

5. Music Practice: 30 minutes a week outside of rehearsals
This is a smaller goal than last month's in an attempt to start small and slowly grow the habit. 

6. Post at least 3 times this month
I'm very excited about the fact that I have a blog now, and I definitely do not want to give up on it right away.

(Link up to Kelli Taylor's She Learns As She Goes)

Questions for the Reader: What are your April Resolutions? What is the best April Fool's Day prank you have ever played on someone?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." --Hebrews 12:1-3

March Report Card

For those of you who have not read my resolutions post, this is the final result of how my month has been in terms of March Resolutions. Here goes...

March Report Card

1. Learn ASL: F

This one didn't happen. Even though last month, I practiced about 5 signs. Maybe I should aim for a lower, more reasonable goal and go back to 5 signs per month.

2. Classic Reader Project (Catching up on Omnibus reading): B-

I did well on making a plan to get Omnibus all caught up within the next few weeks and making a dent into it, but the goal was to get completely caught up, which didn't work.

3. Diary Writing Project: F

I'll admit, I'm embarrassed with this one. I completely forgot about diary writing. I'll try again this April to make it a habit.

4. Teach Youth Group: A

Finally a good grade! :) I hope to be teaching sometime in the near future. 

5. Bible Reading Project: C

I began reading some from Proverbs, and was reminded multiple times of stories from Judges. I haven't completely read through both books, but I got an excellent ESV Study Bible for Easter this year, so I will definitely do my best to follow through on it in April. 

6. Gluten Free/Sugar Free Cooking Project: A+

I tried multiple variations on the peanut butter cookie recipe, including Almond Mocha and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. As for cooking recipes, I found multiple things including gluten-free soups and sandwiches, rice, a chicken curry salad, and the many wonderful ways of the egg. :) It's not completely impressive, I know, but it's much better than where I was this time last year.

7. Fitness Project: C-

I did very well with gluten-free, and was diligent about finding ways to exercise outside of P.E., I just need to be willing to wake up early enough and find times during the day to follow through on them.

8. Music Goals (Practice): D-

Once again, I failed to practice very much outside of rehearsals at all, let alone 45 minutes per week. Perhaps I need to create a better system to keep myself better accountable about practicing.

Total Grade Average: C-

Yuck. I obviously didn't do very well this month. I learned a couple of things from this: first, I need to keep checking resolutions throughout the month to make sure that I am following through on each resolution as much as possible, and second, I should not make goals that in reality are not likely to be reached.

If you'd like, be sure to share your resolutions and report card for March.

(Note: Link up to Kelli Taylor's She Learns As She Goes)

Question for the reader: What were your monthly resolutions for March? Did you have a good report card?

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." --Proverbs 21:5