Chances and Choices

you never know unless you try, right?
So take that leap of faith, take a chance,
it might change your life but you will never know if you don't!
There will always be risks involved,
but look beyond them and try to see the reward,
it might just be the best decision you've ever made!
Choose truth AND dare,
be bold
and take those chances!
It's not easy,
but if it was,
you would have done it already.
Dig deep and find the true meaning of life
don't let other change you, conform you
be yourself, be strong, live your life
not everyone else's, not the life others want you to live

if you're unhappy
change it
do what you have to, appreciate what you have
never forget what it is to have nothing
be grateful, show your love, your appreciation

don't take others for granted,
you never know how long they'll be in your life
live in the moment
don't dwell in your past
your mistakes, your regrets
keep your chin up
and look forward
move on, grow, and learn

think about what you can do for others
not about how you can use others
be independent, be a free spirit
use caution and wisdom

the road is not easy
you'll get lost
you'll stumble and fall
don't lose your ambition
keep going
get up, move on
the journey is worth more than the destination

My Most Memorable Moment

        This is the essay I submitted for a scholarship essay, asking what my most memorable moment was:
         Life is composed of memories. Each memory is unique and irreplacable. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all there to stay. This can be both a good and bad thing. The good thing about always having memories at hand is that people can think back on the good times in their lives. One especially meaningful memory I have is from when I was eight years old.
I will never forget the mission trip my family and I took to Mexico to help at a children's orphanage. My family and I helped the orphans with their daily chores, helped clean up the orphanage, and did what the orphan kids did. The whole experience was eye-opening, even for an eight year old. It is difficult to pick just one memory from the multitudes that I made while staying there. However, my most meaningful memory from our stay would have to be seeing the orphans' faces light up when we bought a pinata for them. The orphans thought it was the best thing ever! This particular pinata was in the shape of a unicorn, and even I was enthralled by it. I was used to having many things, even though my family was considered "poor" in America. These kids rarely even got candy, they were so very excited and happy to have a pinata full of candy! The orphan kids, my family and I, and the orphanage workers all had a great time beating that majestic unicorn until candy rained down on us! The affair was filled with smiles, laughter, and of course, candy!
That was just one fun and memorable moment though, out of many. I also enjoyed going to church with the orphan kids, playing marbles with them, letting them do my "golden" hair, and other simple things. I learned so many valuable lessons from that trip that I will always remember. I learned to appreciate what I have, no matter how much that is. I learned that no matter where a kid is from, they all have similarities and have the same needs. I learned a few Spanish words, tried many new foods, and expanded my world as well as my heart. I was forever changed by that one month ten years ago.
Today, I still want to help people in need. I want to study Baking and Pastry Arts and Entrepreneurship. Although this doesn't seem significant, when I can open a bakery of my own I will donate day old food, and make monetary donations to charities whenever I am able to. I want to be a force for good in my community. I want to inspire others, help those in need, love deeply, and show compassion to everyone. Everything I learn I want to pass down to other people someday, whether they are family, friends, people who wish to learn about baking, or people who need a skill to survive off of.  

Interesting Homework Question

So I was working on my Business and Technical Communications 101 homework and I read this question...

2. Revising for Clarity

Business writers appreciate messages that are clear and understandable. Proofreading and evaluating your work will help you compose messages that are clear, concise, and direct. Revise for clarity by eliminating trite phrases, avoiding jargon and slang, and dropping cliché́s.

What can you do to express, not impress?

1. Make it long and complex.

2. Trust your writing skills to hide your lack of knowledge.

3. Keep it short and simple.   I'm thinking answer 2 is it!! :P haha! "To hide your lack of knowledge," wow that's nice!! At least they didn't use the word stupidity!

Video link

Kristin had this video on Facebook and I thought it was worth sharing. Too bad I didn't know how to Facebook share it... So here it is for all you bloggers to check out.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee has two powerful stories to tell -- of her own life's transformation, and of the untapped potential of girls around the world. Can we transform the world by unlocking the greatness of girls?

http://www.ted.com/talks/leymah_gbowee_unlock_the_intelligence_passion_greatness_of_girls.html

Update on My Life

Yeah, so here is an update!! :)

Well, I will begin with Thursday, that is when the excitement began!!

Thursday was Caleb's last game of this year. It was in Montague. It was cold, rainy, and windy!! At the end, me and mom started cheering, and jumping around to stay warm!! Yeah I was a little hyper and was yelling and cheering!! What made it worth it was Spanky's afterwards, and delivering it to Kristin at the Harrington Inn!! :)

Friday evening was another football game! This time the last Varsity game. I sat with my friend Cori. We played against Montague again. It was pretty cold and we ended up losing. At one point, a girl (kind of like a cheerleader) was hit by two football players, she was knocked out, brought to the hospital, and I guess she fractured her neck and had other injuries!! That was crazy and scary!! The girl was Cori's friend and I felt awful for the poor girl!!

Saturday was busy! I helped Chad with fixing the Nissan. It was shaking and stuff. I put a new rotor on the car, replaced a tire, and tightened the lug nuts!! :) I was pretty proud, it was fun!! Then, I headed to the mall with Kristin, that was pretty good! I saw a bunch of clothes I wanted but couldn't get which was sad! At 6:30 we had a birthday party for Jessica, she is turning 10!! As always, I had a good time!! :) I love my family!! While still at the party Caleb called saying that we could start moving in!! Chad was ready to leave then and pack everything up! He wanted to move everything by the end of Sunday! After we politely said goodbye to everyone we left to see the house for the first time! It is pretty awesome, I like it a lot!! :) Oh, yeah, I met the cat, Paws, who drools and has lots of front toes!!

Sunday we got up at 9, and went out to breakfast. I ordered a cinnamon roll and omelet. I was expecting an average size you know, but it was super huge!! I took a picture of it, it was so good and big I didn't even touch my omelet and toast!! I was pretty excited about it!! :P After our breakfast, we went to the house again. Our fun was over! We cleaned, took care of Chad's ex's clothes/stuff, and did other things before we would move in. Grandma and Grandpa helped us out for a lot of the day and Great Grandma toured the house. Okay, so the backyard is amazing!! Alyssa, Charlene, you will LOVE it!! I am so excited to explore it more!! There is so much forest, and it is so beautiful!! Oh, yeah, and I shot a rifle!! It was scary!! I screamed as I shot it and apparently I like moved my leg or something! Chad and Caleb were making fun of me!!

But this weekend was good overall!!

We will be working on moving this week and will be out of this apartment by this weekend!! :) yeah!

An Interesting Story

Well, do I have an interesting story for y'all today!! Hmm... Where to start! I guess I will start with today and work my way back.
So I was in my Culinary Arts Voc today...
We went into the kitchen to wash our hands, put on an apron and hair net, and watch a demonstration...
This guy, Josh, hangs out with these 2 other second year students, and one of them calls me over and says that Josh has something to ask me in private; they quickly walk away. Josh looks in their quickly retreating direction and says something like, "No I don't." or "No I'm alright."
He looks back at me. "Well- I was wondering if you wanted to go to Homecoming with me."
Me, shocked, embarrassed, and feeling really awkward, "Um, I was just going to go alone."
Josh said something like, "Oh."
Before I could say much else the instructor called us to attention and we started the demonstration.
I tried to concentrate the rest of the class. I was reminded that business and pleasure don't mix and thought how awful it could be the rest of the year. TGIF though!

I was super shocked but at the same time kind of knew it was coming. Just yesterday, for example, I read on Yahoo! a story about how to gracefully turn a guy down. I emailed it to myself and put in the comment box "Just say no to Josh." I was joking, and didn't really think I would have to...
I had this feeling he liked me though. In Culinary a few days ago we learned knife skills and Josh "hovered over" me and Shelby, not paying much attention to anyone else.
He was in my Algebra 2 class last year and I just got this feeling he liked me, but then dismissed it.
One day I was walking home and saw him drive by, he was staring at me.        

Yep, so that was interesting!!

Also today...
Our intern teacher said, "...Our program is all about sex." We all looked around with questioning glances, thinking what? He really said our program is all about cents, as in saving money!! Haha, that makes sense.
Oh, yeah, also the intern guy asked if I could get him several onions. I confirmed that they were in the fridge behind me, went in, grabbed two and tried to open the door. Our instructor already said that the door closes, and that you won't get trapped, so don't panic. I remembered all this, and I tried to open the door, I had no idea how to though. There was no doorknob or instructions on how to open the door. It sounds simple but it wasn't. There is a knob and a description that says not to worry you're not trapped. After a little while of me struggling the instructor let me out and made an example of me.
"Don't freak out like Valerie if you get locked out-"
Embarrassed, I mumbled "I wasn't freaking out..."
"I know, I'm just using you as an example. You just need to push the door open."

Lastly, part of our demonstration today was saute-ing. After he was almost done he told everyone to make a single file line and try it. When it was my turn I picked up the pan and tried it. The pan was surprisingly heavy. My attempt wasn't very good. I was walking away, and he made me try it again. That was also embarrassing....

Ooh, yeah, one more thing!!
Today, I went to 2nd Avenue Thrift Store downtown. I had seen that they need volunteers so I went to see if they still did. Turns out they do!! :) I am going to start volunteering the 21st, from 4-6:30!! I'm super excited!!! Hopefully it will be as good as Lean on Me!!

Bible Verses

I started writing down verses that I thought applied to my life, or that I really liked. Then, I decided to share them. So here are some...

1 Timothy 2:9-10

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."

2 Chronicles 1:11-12

"God said to Soloman, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches, or honor, nor for the death of you enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you..."

2 Corinthians 5:15, 17, 21

"And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."

21, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Ephesians 4:2, 4-6, 22

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

4, "There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. "

22, "You were taught with regard to former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 31, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Matthew 25: 40

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "

Words

Here I am laying on the couch with the laptop, and all the sudden the sun pops out and I decide I must take a walk. It is a beautiful day, sunny, blue sky, great temperature, and I know where I want to go. So, I'm walking along a pretty busy (usually) road, minding my own business, and I hear, "SLUT!!" as a black car cruises by. I'm shocked, nearly laugh, then think about why some girl would yell that at me. Definitely not the clothes: sweater, t-shirt underneath, pants, boots... Then I figure it's got to be the hair. Side part, blonde... Yep, blonde, guess that makes me a slut. So, that one word (slut) sabotages my entire walk. Now every car that goes by I just want to hide, soon I'll be on the quiet road though. Why did that girl even yell that at me? I don't understand, I'm pretty sure she didn't even know me, so why would you do something like that? A stranger's word completely changed my mood, so how much more could a friend's, a family member's?

That got me thinking about words and their affect, both positive and negative. The negative has already been explained. The positive affect? What if that girl had yelled, "You look nice!!" or something similar? My whole attitude would not have been changed, I would have continued on my happy walk. Then I had to wonder: how many times had I changed someone's attitude, for the better or worse? Was I no better than this accusatory girl? How many times have I complimented someone, said an encouraging word to someone in need? How often had I judged others, said my (negative) opinion when it wasn't wanted, or passed someone who was in need?

I guess my walk turned into a lesson on the affect of words.

So watch what you say...

You could change the way someone is feeling...

Sir Francis Drake

Today, our pastor quoted a prayer from Sir Francis Drake. I was reminded of it by Alyssa's blog. It reads:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, 

when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, 

when we arrive safely because we sailed too close to the shore. 


Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess,
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life, 
having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity, 
and in our efforts to build a new earth, 

we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim. 


Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas, 
where storms will show your mastery, 
where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. 
We ask you to push back the horizon of our hopes, 
and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love. 
This we ask in the name of our Captain, who is Jesus Christ.

I also found a quote by him while I was looking for the above prayer.

"There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory."

Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishmen (along with his crew) to circumnavigate- to sail around the globe from 1577-1580.

Anyway, there is a brief history lesson, and some good quotes.

My First Bible Study

Hey! This blog is specifically for Alyssa!! :) So, this was basicly what my first bible study was, minus some talking! :) I will put what we discussed in this color font beneath the verses. (Obviously none of this is exact, and I'm probably going to add a lot...)
I ended with a poem that I wrote January 3, 2009; that Alyssa found, and I thought would be a nice conclusion.
First, I passed out handwritten Colossians 4:5-6. (I read it aloud.)

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the
most of every oppurtunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone."

I mentioned how I had been reading that, and memorized that. (I forgot to mention that they should put their copies in their bible, or somewhere where they'll see it, and maybe they'll memorize it too. Perhaps you will do that though...) I also said how I really liked it. I think Kristin mentioned the "know how to answer everyone," part and how that was kind of neat.

Then, we opened our bibles to Psalms 8:3-9, and read that.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

I think I forgot to let people say anything after this one... I would like to mention now though that it is truly amazing that God could think of all the ideas for the creations he made, I mean, everything we "create" if modeled after something on Earth, or that we've seen. (At least that I can think of...) Circles, stars, squares, animals, plants, colors, planets, whatever else. Also, it is an incredible thought that the Creator of everything would LOVE us, pure, true, never forsaking love! He made us a little lower than ANGElS!! He entrusted us with his animals, and everything on earth! That would take trust, and faith in our abilities!

Skipping on over to chapter 34: 1-9 (of Psalms,) we obviously read that too... :)

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."

I think one of us said something about how those who fear the Lord lack nothing. That is pretty sweet! Kristin, (I think,) said that "those who look to him are radiant," stood out to her, and that was neat. To me, "this poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles." stood out, whenever we call out, He always listens, whether we think he is or not. He definately saves people from their troubles, for starters, think of all the wonderful testimonies, and how we never have to fear earthly things anymore, and ultimately, aren't (perhaps shouldn't,) be affected (permanentaly,) by this world, but look to our real lives, the one in Christ.

Lamentations 5:19 was next.

"You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation."

I said that He endures from generation to generation, and that was not only crucial, but pretty neat, because not a lot of things do! Hannah might have said that that made her think of how His love endures forever and ever.

Flipping back a little, to Ch. 3: 21-26, and 32-33.

21-26: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

32-33: "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

We focused on 32-33 mostly. We agreed that although, yes, there will be grief, the good times can't last forever. Also, that this verse helps show that God is like our fathers here, he loves us, but knows we need to be disciplined too; a father (or our Father,) does not want to make us sad, and burdened...

This is the last verse, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Sorry, you're going to have to look that one up yourself, it's pretty long...

I pointed out that there is definately a time for everything, and mentioned God's plan for us, and how that fits in with this. We can't always have only the good things in life. Sometimes we have to rise up to meet the challenges throw at us. (You might also want to read verses 15, 17, and 19.)

So, that was basicly it, I thought it went pretty well, and I know at least Kristin and Hannah liked it. (Eric VanDam, Violet, and Jeremy were also there.)

*But, let's not forget this poem!!!

The angels seated high above, looking down with deep love, longing for a chance to help those far below, knowing one day their time will come, meanwhile singing praises to their mighty Creator, and feasting to his greatness.

Listening with great care, straining to hear every word, their curiosity overflowing, to know what the children are doing in their humble homes so far away, knowing at one time they shall be seated at their small wooden table, sharing a meal and a few memories, to tell of their time when they return home. Oh to be with the children, (the princes, and princesses,) what a great honor, to be chosen from many, being brought down to Earth, just like their Master long ago had done. Getting a taste of the children's lives, then returning to Heaven, having problems and trouble no more. No longer bring condemned by the ways of the world, but returning to theirs.

The light in the darkness, leaving fright far behind, being hindered by nothing, for He has the power to cast aside all things, He brings help to the helpless, and sight to the blind, right to the wrong, for He is the Lord my God.

As the seed grows to seedling, and the gentle sprinkle to a mighty shower, so time goes on, and things grow old. Just as things are forgotten, things also are made new, and are being remembered. As something dies, something new will grow in it's place.

Surely you will be wounded, but you will also be healed. All of these things are done by the Creator, who has a plan, where everything happens for a reason.