I think its strange that there are some things in history that no one can officially document or prove. Like, I was reading a book today (The Bar Code Rebellion by Suzanne Weyn) and it said something about a guy who invented the fortune cookie, David Jung. So, I looked it up to see if this was a real fact.
David Jung is one of the ones who claims to have invented the fortune cookie, however, there are like five other people who claim the same thing. Were there no witnesses? Who should we believe? In the book, it says that David Jung used the fortune cookies as a method to give bible verses and hope to the homeless in his area. As a christian, I like to believe this story, because I feel that fortune cookies would be an effective way to do such a thing. I am also against the ideas that buddhism or taoism or some other asian religion were the inspiration for such a food.
Something that bothers me about fortune cookies and other fortune-telling devices is when people take them so seriously. Even some Christians believe in them. It says in the bible, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:31) Are not those who write horoscopes or fortunes acting as mediums? Did not the mediums and fortune-tellers of the new testament have demons that were driven out by Jesus and his apostles, thereby taking away their fortune-telling abilities?
People should be more careful as to what they believe in and trust in.
Back to the fortune cookie story of David Jung. I was thinking about how fortune cookies were used in order to give the scripture to people who might not have access to it. Then I thought, why can't I do something similar and get the scripture and the message of the bible out to people who might never open a bible or step into a church otherwise?
Last school year, around valentines day, there was a thing that went on, started by a local Christian radio station. People would take post-it notes and write short sayings of encouragement or bible verses on them. Then, they would take and stick them on walls or lockers or mirrors or wherever people might see them. I heard so many stories about people whose days were improved, just by those post-it notes. The administrators got mad and started taking them off of the walls, saying that things could not be put on the walls without permission. All it did was inspire more post-it notes to be put up.
I have thought many times about going through the FCA group to do such a thing again at random times of the year. We could impact peoples lives in such a big way. And we wouldn't have to just put them in the school, we could put them in our homes and our local businesses. Anywhere where people wouldn't expect them. That way, we could anonymously spread the love of Christ, giving the glory to him and not us. Letting him use the post-it notes in whatever way that he wanted, letting the right people see them.
And thus begins the Post-it project. All I need to do now is get some post-its and bring them to FCA next week. I also have to write the lesson for next week. I planned on doing the message of salvation, but I wanted to invite a bunch of people who may or may not be Christians. I guess I could text Shelby and other people and ask them to invite people to FCA. Now, do I want to do the post-it project this week or the next time I teach? Well, I feel like it should be done before Christmas. However, I'm not sure when I can get the post-its and if I will be able to give them out in FCA if we have invited people there... Would that make it awkward for them? I'm conflicted. I guess if I remember to invite people and to bring the post-it notes, I'll do both in one week.
Thanks for reading my blabberings.
Love,
Elizabeth W.
November 30, 2012
November 29, 2012
Frustrations! But Christmas parties are coming!
So, as far as scholarships go right now, I am not a winner. I have applied to at least 100 scholarships online, and I have not gotten word back from any of them. I check their websites and I am not listed in the winners for thost that have posted results. I'm not the only one to have this problem either, all of my friends say the same thing has happened to them. I had someone tell me that institutional and essay scholarships are your best bet for winning, so I guess I should start applying for more of those. I just hate when you have to print things out and mail them off.
I really want to get some scholarships so that I can go to the uniersity that I want to go to. My parents don't have enough money to send me there and pay for everything I need.
I am also very frustrated with the website of the school I applied to and plan on going to. There is a way to log on and find out if your application has been processed and accepted yet. I haven't gotten an acceptance letter in the mail yet, but I check every day. I should be accepted, since I am ranked fourth in my class. But I cannot log on to the website because I cannot remember my username! Ugh!
I am happy and excited, however, for next weekend. On Friday, I have a get-together to go to with the girls from my church. Its with our sunday school leader from a while back. We're gonna have food and cookie decorating and a bunch of fun stuff and fellowship. Then, on saturday, there is a cookie exchange at my friend's house which I hope to get to go to. I've never been to a cookie exchange, but it should be fun. Then, on the last day of school (the 21st of December) my spanish class is having a gift exchange. We did a secret santa thing this year. It should all be really fun and Christmas-y.
Something that really bothers me about Christmas time is people who say "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas. Oh, I can't offend anyone if I say Happy Holidays. Who cares if you offend anyone!? Do you really think it would hurt people's feelings if you told them happy birthday when it wasn't their birthday? And if it really offends them that much that you told them indirectly that you are a Christian and believe in celebrating Christian holidays, then tell them," PUT YO BIG GIRL PANTIES ON AND DEAL WITH IT!" People are soooooooooo afraid to step on anyone's toes. I think that sometimes toes need to be stepped on, especially when they were purposely put underneath the foot!
Filth.
Garbage.
Lies.
Christ died on the cross and roes from the dead three days later all to pay for your sins, buddy. If you think that he wouldn't want you to celebrate his birthday just because some Bhuddist thought differently, you're wrong. Merry CHRISTmas, and to all a good night.
Question of the day:
I really want to get some scholarships so that I can go to the uniersity that I want to go to. My parents don't have enough money to send me there and pay for everything I need.
I am also very frustrated with the website of the school I applied to and plan on going to. There is a way to log on and find out if your application has been processed and accepted yet. I haven't gotten an acceptance letter in the mail yet, but I check every day. I should be accepted, since I am ranked fourth in my class. But I cannot log on to the website because I cannot remember my username! Ugh!
I am happy and excited, however, for next weekend. On Friday, I have a get-together to go to with the girls from my church. Its with our sunday school leader from a while back. We're gonna have food and cookie decorating and a bunch of fun stuff and fellowship. Then, on saturday, there is a cookie exchange at my friend's house which I hope to get to go to. I've never been to a cookie exchange, but it should be fun. Then, on the last day of school (the 21st of December) my spanish class is having a gift exchange. We did a secret santa thing this year. It should all be really fun and Christmas-y.
Something that really bothers me about Christmas time is people who say "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas. Oh, I can't offend anyone if I say Happy Holidays. Who cares if you offend anyone!? Do you really think it would hurt people's feelings if you told them happy birthday when it wasn't their birthday? And if it really offends them that much that you told them indirectly that you are a Christian and believe in celebrating Christian holidays, then tell them," PUT YO BIG GIRL PANTIES ON AND DEAL WITH IT!" People are soooooooooo afraid to step on anyone's toes. I think that sometimes toes need to be stepped on, especially when they were purposely put underneath the foot!
Filth.
Garbage.
Lies.
Christ died on the cross and roes from the dead three days later all to pay for your sins, buddy. If you think that he wouldn't want you to celebrate his birthday just because some Bhuddist thought differently, you're wrong. Merry CHRISTmas, and to all a good night.
Question of the day:
Do you get offended when people say Merry Christmas, or when they say Happy Holidays?
Love,
Elizabeth W.
November 28, 2012
Boredom Busting
Apparently, I am equipped with the ability to finish all of my school work super fast. This is really annoying in some cases. Like, right now. I came into class, got started on work, had to wait for the teacher to explain what else we were doing, then did the rest of the work. Now, I look like a slacker because the teacher doesn't see me working on an assignment. Little does he know that I have already finished it.
This is why I take advanced classes. Regular classes move too slowly and I become bored soon. However, some classes lack an advanced version, so I am stuck in situations like this. Sometimes I can find something to entertain myself. Occasionally, I'll sit and read a book or, if I am in a computer class, play spider solitare on the computer. Otherwise I might update my blog or write a story. But, as of this moment, the teacher keeps yelling out, telling us to make sure we finish the second part of our work. But I have finished it!
Before I got back into blogging, I would write stories about the kid who sits next to me in this class. It would normally consist of him being tired of being in school so he blows up the classrom and runs away. He would steal the principal's car and fight off a pack of wolves while robbing a bank. The only reason I would do it is to make him laugh and to waste time.
Today in theatre class we had a free day (a break from all of that rehearsing) and I found a new boredom buster. It involves two people. You take a piece of paper and draw a stick person on it. The other person then draws something trying to kill/destroy it. Then you go back and forth saving and destroying the stick figure. I found it to be rather entertaining, especially when both people are very imaginative.
Our drawing war, as it is called, included references to many things. First, there was Doctor Who, the sonic screwdriver, and the Tardis, along with several Daleks. There was also Ursula from the little mermaid and flounder and a mermaid. There was the Titanic and the Iceberg. However, the drawing is not finished. When it is, I shall most likely take a picture of it and show you all how epic it was.
Yes, my friends and I are nerds and 90's kids. But the best part of being a nerd is that you can almost always find people like you.
Pokemon
Doctor Who
Disney Movies
Old Nickelodeon Shows
Star Wars
Converse
Glasses
Yep, that pretty much sums up most of us. Okay, so maybe not the converse and glasses for all of us, but you get the idea. And each of us is a slightly different kind of nerd. Some of us are video game nerds, others are drama nerds. Only, I think drama nerds sounds strange. Probably drama geeks.
Love,
Elizabeth W.
This is why I take advanced classes. Regular classes move too slowly and I become bored soon. However, some classes lack an advanced version, so I am stuck in situations like this. Sometimes I can find something to entertain myself. Occasionally, I'll sit and read a book or, if I am in a computer class, play spider solitare on the computer. Otherwise I might update my blog or write a story. But, as of this moment, the teacher keeps yelling out, telling us to make sure we finish the second part of our work. But I have finished it!
Before I got back into blogging, I would write stories about the kid who sits next to me in this class. It would normally consist of him being tired of being in school so he blows up the classrom and runs away. He would steal the principal's car and fight off a pack of wolves while robbing a bank. The only reason I would do it is to make him laugh and to waste time.
Today in theatre class we had a free day (a break from all of that rehearsing) and I found a new boredom buster. It involves two people. You take a piece of paper and draw a stick person on it. The other person then draws something trying to kill/destroy it. Then you go back and forth saving and destroying the stick figure. I found it to be rather entertaining, especially when both people are very imaginative.
Our drawing war, as it is called, included references to many things. First, there was Doctor Who, the sonic screwdriver, and the Tardis, along with several Daleks. There was also Ursula from the little mermaid and flounder and a mermaid. There was the Titanic and the Iceberg. However, the drawing is not finished. When it is, I shall most likely take a picture of it and show you all how epic it was.
Yes, my friends and I are nerds and 90's kids. But the best part of being a nerd is that you can almost always find people like you.
Pokemon
Doctor Who
Disney Movies
Old Nickelodeon Shows
Star Wars
Converse
Glasses
Yep, that pretty much sums up most of us. Okay, so maybe not the converse and glasses for all of us, but you get the idea. And each of us is a slightly different kind of nerd. Some of us are video game nerds, others are drama nerds. Only, I think drama nerds sounds strange. Probably drama geeks.
Love,
Elizabeth W.
Scarred for life... Maybe
This morning, I had an embarrassing experience that I think might have scarred me for life. I certainly won't forget it anytime soon, nonetheless. I was just sitting at a table during breakfast time at school, minding my own business. Suddenly, one of my friends appears and starts up a conversation. We discuss various things, such as why we are tired, how much sleep we have lost, and dreams we have had recently. Then, as I was explaining a dream that I had the other day, a person who had joined us at the table commented that a word that I had used could be interpreted to mean something sexual. Then, my friend joined in and stated that I could very well be meaning these rude and perverted things. Then, they laughed at me, despite my refusals that I did NOT mean such things. Finally, I got up and stated that I was going to FCA, since the time had just come, and promptly left the table, clinging to what was left of my dignity.
I find that things like this are occurring more often. These are more than just bathroom jokes, they are rude, perverted comments that really bother me. Why does the world have to be so uncivilized?!?! I shouldn't have to re-think everything that I am going to say so that people don't make perverted jokes out of my statements.
On a much happier note, FCA was very enjoyable this morning. My friend, Shelby, who teaches FCA every other week, taught the lesson this morning. Then, our sponsor brought up the fact that people wanted to do a Christmas food drive. All I can say is that God's timing is absolutely perfect.
I had planned on doing a toy drive type thing through FCA for the Christmas gifts that our church does for underprivileged Navajo children in New Mexico. However, I was told by the person that organizes said operation that this year there would be no need to collect via the school due to time constraints and whatnot. I had just discussed this with Shelby before FCA began, and we were wondering what kind of drive we could do to get people involved in helping others around Christmas time. Then, as if answering a prayer, our sponsor brought up the food drive idea.
I have no real specifics yet as far as deadlines. All I can say is that (for those who go to the same school) we will be collecting the food most likely during second period and there will probably be a prize for the class who collects the most. This should start next week some time.
I think that people aren't always creative enough when they donate food for food drives. Yes, the food needs to be non-perishable, but it doesn't ALL have to be canned corn. Think of things that you yourself might eat.
Corn
Beans
Peas
Fruit
Ramen noodles
chili
soup
all of thees things would be perfect. Remember that just because people don't have the ability to purchase food for themselves doesn't mean that they don't have taste buds. Buy for them as if you were buying for yourself or a friend. True, the other things are good to give, but don't limit yourself. Personally, I plan to dig into my personal stock of ramen noodles in order to donate. Nonetheless, give from your heart, and may the odds be ever in your class's favor.
I think I've figured out my problem of spiritual lackingness. I think I have simply been relying too heavily on the leadership of other people in my faith. Humans make mistakes and get distracted. I need to focus less on the human factor and more on the God factor. Pastors and Sunday School Teachers are just people, and people make mistakes. God, however, does everything for a reason, and does it with perfect timing. I need to focus more on the master of creation than the creation itself. He has obviously put me here for a purpose, I just need to find it and work with it. I now that I will never see the big picture as to what God plans for me, but I can at least take what I have and do something with it.
God created me as a teacher and a person whose heart breaks for children and those in need. In which case, it is time for me to further my actions in these areas of ministry. I teach in FCA and I volunteer in Children's Church every few Sundays, but I need to be doing more, it seems. I have a dream of using my talents to touch the lives of people around the world. I think film making might be the road that God is leading me down in order to accomplish this. I think I want to start showing God through the videos I put on YouTube, I'm just not sure how yet. I know this is an important part of my spiritual journey, a kind of discovering who I am and how God wants to use me. I just have to start by letting him use me.
Question of the day:
I find that things like this are occurring more often. These are more than just bathroom jokes, they are rude, perverted comments that really bother me. Why does the world have to be so uncivilized?!?! I shouldn't have to re-think everything that I am going to say so that people don't make perverted jokes out of my statements.
On a much happier note, FCA was very enjoyable this morning. My friend, Shelby, who teaches FCA every other week, taught the lesson this morning. Then, our sponsor brought up the fact that people wanted to do a Christmas food drive. All I can say is that God's timing is absolutely perfect.
I had planned on doing a toy drive type thing through FCA for the Christmas gifts that our church does for underprivileged Navajo children in New Mexico. However, I was told by the person that organizes said operation that this year there would be no need to collect via the school due to time constraints and whatnot. I had just discussed this with Shelby before FCA began, and we were wondering what kind of drive we could do to get people involved in helping others around Christmas time. Then, as if answering a prayer, our sponsor brought up the food drive idea.
I have no real specifics yet as far as deadlines. All I can say is that (for those who go to the same school) we will be collecting the food most likely during second period and there will probably be a prize for the class who collects the most. This should start next week some time.
I think that people aren't always creative enough when they donate food for food drives. Yes, the food needs to be non-perishable, but it doesn't ALL have to be canned corn. Think of things that you yourself might eat.
Corn
Beans
Peas
Fruit
Ramen noodles
chili
soup
all of thees things would be perfect. Remember that just because people don't have the ability to purchase food for themselves doesn't mean that they don't have taste buds. Buy for them as if you were buying for yourself or a friend. True, the other things are good to give, but don't limit yourself. Personally, I plan to dig into my personal stock of ramen noodles in order to donate. Nonetheless, give from your heart, and may the odds be ever in your class's favor.
I think I've figured out my problem of spiritual lackingness. I think I have simply been relying too heavily on the leadership of other people in my faith. Humans make mistakes and get distracted. I need to focus less on the human factor and more on the God factor. Pastors and Sunday School Teachers are just people, and people make mistakes. God, however, does everything for a reason, and does it with perfect timing. I need to focus more on the master of creation than the creation itself. He has obviously put me here for a purpose, I just need to find it and work with it. I now that I will never see the big picture as to what God plans for me, but I can at least take what I have and do something with it.
God created me as a teacher and a person whose heart breaks for children and those in need. In which case, it is time for me to further my actions in these areas of ministry. I teach in FCA and I volunteer in Children's Church every few Sundays, but I need to be doing more, it seems. I have a dream of using my talents to touch the lives of people around the world. I think film making might be the road that God is leading me down in order to accomplish this. I think I want to start showing God through the videos I put on YouTube, I'm just not sure how yet. I know this is an important part of my spiritual journey, a kind of discovering who I am and how God wants to use me. I just have to start by letting him use me.
Question of the day:
What Charitable giving, if any, do you plan to do this Christmas season?
Ta Ta For Now!
Love,
Elizabeth W.
November 27, 2012
Procrastination? Ehhh... I'll do it tomorrow.
Lately, I have become the queen of procrastination. Its not that I don't want to do things, its just that I don't want to do them right now. Eventually, that right now turns into a two weeks later and I have to hurry and finish things before there are consequences.
One of the things that I wish I could procrastinate on right now is theatre. Our class play, which I have been co-directing with another student, was originally scheduled to happen this thursday and friday. However, we are very far from being ready. We put off the performance until the week after next, but I'm still very nervous. There are so many actors who don't know their lines and lack the ability to improv, and its driving me crazy!
Last year, I was in One Act Play, basically the part of drama where the really deticated theatre kids get to work together and show their stuff. I really loved it. We practiced what seemed like a billion hours and we didn't advance when we went to contest, but we still did an amazing job. There was no improvising of lines because we all knew them by heart. We had to. And we all were deticated to making it awesome because we had invested so much of our time.
Then, we get back to the world of the semi-deticated drama kids. They don't find it necesary to memorize their lines or know the scenes well enough to improvise. It really bothers me. And I'm afraid that if the play simply flops that everyone will blame it on the student directors. After all, this is the first time we've ever had student directors that I know of. Hopefully everyone will pull together so that we can perform and get it over with. I guess procrastination is really bad in theatre, especially in learning lines.
I have also been very confused about where I am spiritually right now. It seems that I was riding on a spiritual high all summer and for the past couple of months. I have just run out of steam. I think maybe I need a kind of personal revival. I still have faith and whatnot, I just don't feel as alive anymore. Its as if the fire that I had in me is about to go out, and I need to stir it up again. I love the feeling of a spiritual high and I want to get back to that place again, but I don't know how. Youth camp only happens in the summer.
Maybe I just need a break from the normal things I do. I just need to get out there and find a cause that will get me motivated. It seems that everything in my life that should bring me up spiritually is just in turmoil right now. It says in the bible, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened, ask and it will be given to you. Right now, I'm asking, but I just can't get my voice heard. I'm knocking, but the door isn't there. I want to be back to that point where I was before in my relationship with Christ.
I feel like maybe there are so many things going on in my life right now that God is getting choked out. And I've been trying to teach my peers about Christ and being a Christian, when I need to be taught a little myself. I can't seem to find what I need at my church, at least not right now. The lessons in sunday school don't touch my soul like ones I've had before, and the sermons just seem like words. I need to find a new passion for Christ, and you would think it wouldn't be that hard during the Christmas season. But I feel like the world is the only thing celebratingChristmas right now, not the church.
Its almost like I'm backsliding. I hate when that happens. Its scary because you think, will I ever climb back up the mountain again? Is this the highest I will ever reach? I'm praying that God will fix all of these things that man has messed up. There are so many things that seem to prevent me from growing spiritually anymore. So many things have changed, not all for the better. Maybe I can find something to bring me back to God, whether it be music or a sermon or a concert or an event. Its the Christmas season. My soul should be on fire for God, and I want it to be, I just have to find a way to get there.
By the way, I didn't get to do any Christmas music this last weekend, because a) I haven't learned any and b) I was busy. Please watch the videos I did post though. I should be able to post some this weekend, possibly featuring my little brothers.
I really don't feel like having a question of the day today. Not that anyone answers them anyway.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth W.
One of the things that I wish I could procrastinate on right now is theatre. Our class play, which I have been co-directing with another student, was originally scheduled to happen this thursday and friday. However, we are very far from being ready. We put off the performance until the week after next, but I'm still very nervous. There are so many actors who don't know their lines and lack the ability to improv, and its driving me crazy!
Last year, I was in One Act Play, basically the part of drama where the really deticated theatre kids get to work together and show their stuff. I really loved it. We practiced what seemed like a billion hours and we didn't advance when we went to contest, but we still did an amazing job. There was no improvising of lines because we all knew them by heart. We had to. And we all were deticated to making it awesome because we had invested so much of our time.
Then, we get back to the world of the semi-deticated drama kids. They don't find it necesary to memorize their lines or know the scenes well enough to improvise. It really bothers me. And I'm afraid that if the play simply flops that everyone will blame it on the student directors. After all, this is the first time we've ever had student directors that I know of. Hopefully everyone will pull together so that we can perform and get it over with. I guess procrastination is really bad in theatre, especially in learning lines.
I have also been very confused about where I am spiritually right now. It seems that I was riding on a spiritual high all summer and for the past couple of months. I have just run out of steam. I think maybe I need a kind of personal revival. I still have faith and whatnot, I just don't feel as alive anymore. Its as if the fire that I had in me is about to go out, and I need to stir it up again. I love the feeling of a spiritual high and I want to get back to that place again, but I don't know how. Youth camp only happens in the summer.
Maybe I just need a break from the normal things I do. I just need to get out there and find a cause that will get me motivated. It seems that everything in my life that should bring me up spiritually is just in turmoil right now. It says in the bible, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened, ask and it will be given to you. Right now, I'm asking, but I just can't get my voice heard. I'm knocking, but the door isn't there. I want to be back to that point where I was before in my relationship with Christ.
I feel like maybe there are so many things going on in my life right now that God is getting choked out. And I've been trying to teach my peers about Christ and being a Christian, when I need to be taught a little myself. I can't seem to find what I need at my church, at least not right now. The lessons in sunday school don't touch my soul like ones I've had before, and the sermons just seem like words. I need to find a new passion for Christ, and you would think it wouldn't be that hard during the Christmas season. But I feel like the world is the only thing celebratingChristmas right now, not the church.
Its almost like I'm backsliding. I hate when that happens. Its scary because you think, will I ever climb back up the mountain again? Is this the highest I will ever reach? I'm praying that God will fix all of these things that man has messed up. There are so many things that seem to prevent me from growing spiritually anymore. So many things have changed, not all for the better. Maybe I can find something to bring me back to God, whether it be music or a sermon or a concert or an event. Its the Christmas season. My soul should be on fire for God, and I want it to be, I just have to find a way to get there.
By the way, I didn't get to do any Christmas music this last weekend, because a) I haven't learned any and b) I was busy. Please watch the videos I did post though. I should be able to post some this weekend, possibly featuring my little brothers.
I really don't feel like having a question of the day today. Not that anyone answers them anyway.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth W.
November 26, 2012
Love is... (A poem in progress)
Last night I had a dream. It inspired a poem. Its not finished yet. Heres a preview...
Love is...
Love is...
Love is a hand to hold
Bare feet and sunshine and summer
Love is climbing higher than you ever have before
and not being afraid to fall
Love is the fingers that intertwine with yours
Its okay
Dont be afraid
Love is jumping, a leap of faith
falling
flying...
And, thats all I have so far.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth W.
November 24, 2012
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