Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
It's December Twenty-Second
To tell the honest truth, (because that is something you want to hear, correct?) I don't know why I'm writing a blog this evening. Then again... I never really know what I'm going to write a blog post about; that is, not until I sit down and start writing.
This evening my family and I watched The Lion King. Disney. Classic. Oh, how I love Disney. Lately I've decided to re-watch all of the Disney classics (you know, the animated ones; I'm not talking Miley Cyrus, or any of that disappointing garbage [sorry, but it's true]) and I've realized they're just as fabulous now as they were when I was five years old. :) The same lovable characters, the same hand twisting situations, the same catchy music that you end up singing for weeks (and I do too, don't you think I don't)... It's all absolutely perfect. Sigh. It's really good to know that there are a few very pure, simple things from my childhood that will never change.
The funny thing? I saw some things (good things, of course) in the movie that I had never noticed as a child. For example, though this is very minor and not at all difficult to see, I noticed at the end of the movie when Nala, Simba, Timon, and Pumba are standing on Pride Rock above all of the animals, Timon has his hands clasped and raised in the air, rooting himself on. Hahahahaha. Sigh... *wipes a tear of laughter from her eyes*
Just a thought. Throughout this winter season I've realized how much I've been placing God in a box. Several times throughout this month Mom has had us read excerpts from books that talk about God in a BIG sense; not boxing him up. For example, when praying, I notice I say things like, "God help me with this, show me that, blah blah blah", instead of recognizing that he is so much bigger than those acts I'm asking him to complete. I know he uses acts such as the ones I'm asking of him, but I've become self-centered in my prayers and my relationship with him. Instead of saying "God you are great, I trust in You with all of my heart, do as you will with me" and then allow him to refine me through whatever way he chooses, I fit him in my little compartmentalized brain where I can fully comprehend him and his works.
Goal: to let God reign over me, not with the works that I desire to occur, but with the mind boggling, fearfully incredible, unexpected acts that He chooses for that specific moment.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white....
This evening my family and I watched The Lion King. Disney. Classic. Oh, how I love Disney. Lately I've decided to re-watch all of the Disney classics (you know, the animated ones; I'm not talking Miley Cyrus, or any of that disappointing garbage [sorry, but it's true]) and I've realized they're just as fabulous now as they were when I was five years old. :) The same lovable characters, the same hand twisting situations, the same catchy music that you end up singing for weeks (and I do too, don't you think I don't)... It's all absolutely perfect. Sigh. It's really good to know that there are a few very pure, simple things from my childhood that will never change.
The funny thing? I saw some things (good things, of course) in the movie that I had never noticed as a child. For example, though this is very minor and not at all difficult to see, I noticed at the end of the movie when Nala, Simba, Timon, and Pumba are standing on Pride Rock above all of the animals, Timon has his hands clasped and raised in the air, rooting himself on. Hahahahaha. Sigh... *wipes a tear of laughter from her eyes*
Just a thought. Throughout this winter season I've realized how much I've been placing God in a box. Several times throughout this month Mom has had us read excerpts from books that talk about God in a BIG sense; not boxing him up. For example, when praying, I notice I say things like, "God help me with this, show me that, blah blah blah", instead of recognizing that he is so much bigger than those acts I'm asking him to complete. I know he uses acts such as the ones I'm asking of him, but I've become self-centered in my prayers and my relationship with him. Instead of saying "God you are great, I trust in You with all of my heart, do as you will with me" and then allow him to refine me through whatever way he chooses, I fit him in my little compartmentalized brain where I can fully comprehend him and his works.
Goal: to let God reign over me, not with the works that I desire to occur, but with the mind boggling, fearfully incredible, unexpected acts that He chooses for that specific moment.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white....
Friday, December 18, 2009
In the ____
I lay silently under the Christmas tree. Not a sound can be heard, but the mute twinkle of the lights. It is a night of contemplation. A time to consider all that I have been given.
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." - Psalms 62:1
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation." - Psalms 62:1
Saturday, December 12, 2009
December Passes Quietly... Or So It Would Seem
It's so easy to be unsatisfied. Erg. One moment you're living life to the fullest and the next you're looking at pictures of other peoples lives and wondering "what am I missing?"
That's a bad thing, Ellie. None of that now.
Honestly though, I feel very lucky--no, blessed--to be right where I am with what I have. Perhaps I should just remind myself of that more often. It would be a good thing to do.
Today one of the first snows of the year came. It was fluffy and pure white and magnificently perfect; if there is indeed such a thing. Due to tradition--with an added twist, thanks to the Emards :)-- we watched White Christmas. Is it just me, or does that movie never ever ever get old? Every time I watch it, my smile gets bigger and my heart finds little details I wrap up and hold inside me. I'm starting to think I have an obsession with loyalty and traditions. Sigh. Oh well... :)Those aren't THE worst things to have an obsession with. Nothing like Twilight. AHH!
That's it. I can't stand it any longer. If I hear one more girl exclaim over how "hot Jacob is" or how "mysterious Edward is" I think I'll blow steam out of my ears and breath fire! Honestly girls, why? The obsession that Bella has with Edward is unhealthy. Did you hear me? UNHEALTHY. Yes, it's okay to like a guy, to think he's mysterious, even on occasion (though I honestly don't think it's the kind of compliment you should be giving someone) to call him hot, but to not be able to live your life without being by him every second of every day? That's unhealthy and obsessive; as I said before. Besides, how many times to you have to read "his skin sparkled and was cold like marble" before you get tired of it? Okay, I confess. I have read the series. And actually, at one point I did like certain aspects of it--yes, I do like adventure and a little romance--but ever since the movies came out my flickering "like" has been doused and replaced by an all-consuming "DISLIKE". I shouldn't even be talking about this. It's not worth it. I'm just mad. Or foolish. Or maybe I'm right to be mad. Heh. Maybe... What I do know, though, is that I can't stand to see a ten year old little girl wearing a Twilight shirt and obsessing night and day over a fictional character(!) and claiming she's "in love". It breaks my heart. First of all, at the age of ten you don't know what real love is--believe me, I'm seventeen and I don't even know. Second of all, it's no wonder little girls think that they're in love if the media is telling them Edward and Bella's relationship is what true love looks like! Bella's obsession over Edward=true love. Little girls obsess over Edward=they think they're in love.
Grr... As you can tell it frustrates me. A lot. But I think I should just cool down and chill out. Being a good influence is all I can do about it right now. Unfortunately I don't have an influence over what the media produces. FORTUNATELY, I do have an influence on my future children's lives and the kids around me now. I just pray I can give sound advice at the time it's needed and not just rant about how much today's media infuriates me. 'Cuz... I do that a lot. Sigh.
Heh. I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas break, you guys.
Remember the reason for Christmas: Jesus' birth; the coming of a great and mighty King; the arrival of our Light and Savior in dark and lost world.
On a positive note Isaiah 9:6 says,
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Goodnight one and all. May God bless you this Christmas and may you see those blessings in full.
That's a bad thing, Ellie. None of that now.
Honestly though, I feel very lucky--no, blessed--to be right where I am with what I have. Perhaps I should just remind myself of that more often. It would be a good thing to do.
Today one of the first snows of the year came. It was fluffy and pure white and magnificently perfect; if there is indeed such a thing. Due to tradition--with an added twist, thanks to the Emards :)-- we watched White Christmas. Is it just me, or does that movie never ever ever get old? Every time I watch it, my smile gets bigger and my heart finds little details I wrap up and hold inside me. I'm starting to think I have an obsession with loyalty and traditions. Sigh. Oh well... :)Those aren't THE worst things to have an obsession with. Nothing like Twilight. AHH!
That's it. I can't stand it any longer. If I hear one more girl exclaim over how "hot Jacob is" or how "mysterious Edward is" I think I'll blow steam out of my ears and breath fire! Honestly girls, why? The obsession that Bella has with Edward is unhealthy. Did you hear me? UNHEALTHY. Yes, it's okay to like a guy, to think he's mysterious, even on occasion (though I honestly don't think it's the kind of compliment you should be giving someone) to call him hot, but to not be able to live your life without being by him every second of every day? That's unhealthy and obsessive; as I said before. Besides, how many times to you have to read "his skin sparkled and was cold like marble" before you get tired of it? Okay, I confess. I have read the series. And actually, at one point I did like certain aspects of it--yes, I do like adventure and a little romance--but ever since the movies came out my flickering "like" has been doused and replaced by an all-consuming "DISLIKE". I shouldn't even be talking about this. It's not worth it. I'm just mad. Or foolish. Or maybe I'm right to be mad. Heh. Maybe... What I do know, though, is that I can't stand to see a ten year old little girl wearing a Twilight shirt and obsessing night and day over a fictional character(!) and claiming she's "in love". It breaks my heart. First of all, at the age of ten you don't know what real love is--believe me, I'm seventeen and I don't even know. Second of all, it's no wonder little girls think that they're in love if the media is telling them Edward and Bella's relationship is what true love looks like! Bella's obsession over Edward=true love. Little girls obsess over Edward=they think they're in love.
Grr... As you can tell it frustrates me. A lot. But I think I should just cool down and chill out. Being a good influence is all I can do about it right now. Unfortunately I don't have an influence over what the media produces. FORTUNATELY, I do have an influence on my future children's lives and the kids around me now. I just pray I can give sound advice at the time it's needed and not just rant about how much today's media infuriates me. 'Cuz... I do that a lot. Sigh.
Heh. I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas break, you guys.
Remember the reason for Christmas: Jesus' birth; the coming of a great and mighty King; the arrival of our Light and Savior in dark and lost world.
On a positive note Isaiah 9:6 says,
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Goodnight one and all. May God bless you this Christmas and may you see those blessings in full.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
It's Been A While...
As of today I am finished with finals. Boy am I happy about that, let me tell you... It's been a long--enjoyable--term, and it's ending just at the right time. There's nothing like a good long Christmas break.
Christmas break. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? There's nothing (and when I say nothing I almost mean it) compared to the Christmas season. Something about all of the lights and cheerful singing, the hot cocoa, sledding, decorating and eating icicles guarantees a nice, big, dorky, Ellie grin. :D Jesus knew what he was doing when he was born in the winter. Haha. That's not to say He wouldn't have known what he was doing if He had been born in the summer...
I'd like to bring up a nice random subject. Mostly because I feel splendidly random at the moment. My head is spinning with little thoughts and quirky ideas that should definitely not find their way out of my head, or they'll wreak havoc like no bodies business. Anyway, meet one of my most loyal friends: Madam Library
Picture this: You step up the solid concrete steps, pull open the door, and are sucked inside by a warm musty air. Inside everything is still and quiet; peaceful. A ceiling stretches with dome-like pride revealing room after room lined with shelves and weighted with thousands of books. Speckled throughout the green carpeted area, are people--they appear short when up next to the rising towers of books. Through the still air you hear a small whisper. At first it seems to be a fluttering of wings. You lean your ear into the sound and look for it's source. And then you remember. The pages are speaking; they're being flipped through, turned, flopped, passed by. A giggle punctures the silence, and though the librarian looks stern at it's source, you give a half smile. How can you not? This place makes you feel warm and secure. Running your hand over title after title you choose a classic. Settling down on a worn couch you begin to read; letting yourself sink into the words; finding your feet not on a rough carpet, but on a stone floor in the middle of a castle, or a wooden plank, wavering over a furious sea.
Christmas break. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? There's nothing (and when I say nothing I almost mean it) compared to the Christmas season. Something about all of the lights and cheerful singing, the hot cocoa, sledding, decorating and eating icicles guarantees a nice, big, dorky, Ellie grin. :D Jesus knew what he was doing when he was born in the winter. Haha. That's not to say He wouldn't have known what he was doing if He had been born in the summer...
I'd like to bring up a nice random subject. Mostly because I feel splendidly random at the moment. My head is spinning with little thoughts and quirky ideas that should definitely not find their way out of my head, or they'll wreak havoc like no bodies business. Anyway, meet one of my most loyal friends: Madam Library
Picture this: You step up the solid concrete steps, pull open the door, and are sucked inside by a warm musty air. Inside everything is still and quiet; peaceful. A ceiling stretches with dome-like pride revealing room after room lined with shelves and weighted with thousands of books. Speckled throughout the green carpeted area, are people--they appear short when up next to the rising towers of books. Through the still air you hear a small whisper. At first it seems to be a fluttering of wings. You lean your ear into the sound and look for it's source. And then you remember. The pages are speaking; they're being flipped through, turned, flopped, passed by. A giggle punctures the silence, and though the librarian looks stern at it's source, you give a half smile. How can you not? This place makes you feel warm and secure. Running your hand over title after title you choose a classic. Settling down on a worn couch you begin to read; letting yourself sink into the words; finding your feet not on a rough carpet, but on a stone floor in the middle of a castle, or a wooden plank, wavering over a furious sea.
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