Hello Again!

Hi there!
I realize it's been rather a long time since I've posted. But the truth is that I've really been quite busy! You see, I am now the proud completer of one whole semester of college! Yup! I now have 16 and 1/2 credits under my belt. It still amazes me sometimes when I realize I've actually done it. I know it may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but for me it's huge. I went to a school halfway across the country from my home. I didn't know a single person there except for some facebook friends who I 'met' online after making the decision to come. I had never even visited the school before I went, so I had no idea what the campus was like, where everything was, or what exactly I was getting myself into. It was incredibly intimidating at first to tell the truth, and I honestly wasn't sure I could do it.

But my God was so incredibly faithful this semester! 

Every time I felt alone, or scared, or just overwhelmed, He proved Himself real again and again. There were so many trials this semester, some of them completely unexpected. So many times when I absolutely had to rely on my God because there wasn't really any other choice. But time and again He was there! He carried me through each and every difficulty, and every time a new trial popped up, I would hear His still small voice saying

"Remember the last trial? I didn't fail you then, and I won't fail you now!"

It's so true. I don't think it's possible to live a life of fear when we are living with a constant remembrance of who our God is and what He has done. He has never, ever failed us in the past. Why do we think He will do so in the future??? 

Overall it was an amazing semester. I'm attending a Bible College and so I was able to take two Bible classes (Old Testament Survey and Christian Life 1: Personal Growth and Evangelism) as well as attend chapel five days a week. I loved it! God grew me in so many ways and it was wonderful to see Him work in my life through the different opportunities a Bible College offers. I was also blessed with two wonderful roommates, Annelies and Jenna, who were a huge encouragement to me last semester. And next semester we are beyond excited to welcome Gretta to our room as well, which will of course be amazing because she is such an awesome girl! God blessed me with many friends as well, far too many to tell you about all of them right now. I also had great teachers, the faculty at my school are so caring and I learned so much from them, both in the lecture time and from their life examples! 

Last semester was a great experience, and I can't wait to see what God will do in the next few months! 

Biology 2, General Psychology, New Testament Survey, Computer Applications Seminar, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, and British Literature, here I come!!!

P.S. I have decided to get all A's next semester. Yes.

Blog Party!

Aren't blog parties fun? Well, there is a lovely on going on over at this blog that you really should take a look at. Here are the questions for this week, along with my answers!

What is your favorite way to outwardly display your femininity?

One of my favorite ways to make an outfit look extra girly is to add a flower somewhere. I have several cloth flowers that can be used both as a clip and a pin. I usually stick one in my hair before running out the door, they look good with almost any hair style and are super chic!

What's your favorite color(s) to wear?

Well, I'm a pretty much a fan of color, period. So I tend to incorporate a lot of it into my wardrobe. I rarely have a black and white outfit without a pop of color somewhere =) That being said, some of my favorite colors to bring into outfits to shnazz them up a bit are Yellow, Red, Purple, and of course, Pink.

Who do you closely relate to in style and taste?

Audrey Hepburn, easily. I love her simple but elegant style, and I've been known to wear a straight sheath dress with some oversize pearls from time to time!

What fictional character (book, movie, etc.) do you think strongly presents herself as truly feminine? (or your favorite feminine character(s) at the very least. ;))

Hm.... this is a hard one! I like that Lady Blakeney is willing to seek out the help of men to save her husband, and is perfectly happy to allow her husband to save her in the end. I guess any heroine who is content being rescued by her husband/intended. I think it's more romantic than all the current stories where the woman saves herself and then chases down her man. Where's the chivalry in that?

(Completely random, but it's been bugging me.) Generally, do you think eye shadow should match/compliment skin tones or simply match your current outfit?

Both =) If a color looks bad on you, then don't wear it, even if it complements your outfit perfectly. And neutral styles will go with any outfit no matter what. Furthermore, you don't want to be too "matchy-matchy" with your makeup, that's just a bit odd. However, you should try to make sure nothing you are wearing clashes. For example, stick with brown palate shades for a brown toned outfit. And never, ever wear purple eyeshadow if you have on a red top or dress!

My Shocking Revelation....

I'm officially a card carrying nerd. There's no way around it anymore.
Sure, I always loved books and reading, writing stories, history, doing school, and cheesy BBC miniseries based on British Classics. But still, I had plausible deniability for most of my life so far.
Until I turned 18.
And became an Insta-Nerd.
I now have braces.
Braces! The metal-mouth bracket kind. With colored rubber bands. Granted, they will only be on for about another month. But still! Can you even imagine the trauma resulting from all pictures taken during this time?
And as if that wasn't enough...
I now also have glasses.
Oh yes, prescription, help your vision, eye glasses. Granted, they are super cute. I found them at Target and I kind of really love them.

See why? They are pink, but not a nasty bright neon kind of pink. they have scalloped, polka dot arms. And best of all, they have just the teensiest bit of cat eye going on. Enough to be fabulously vintage, not so much that they are ridiculously unflattering. All in all, they're a preeetty great find. But it's the principle of the thing! Today as I walked into work in my belted cardigan and flashed a smile with my braces on as I looked at the world through my slightly askew glasses (a la scattered librarian) and lugged my huge purse containing not one but two books.... It hit me. There'll be no more denying it.
I am a nerd.
Fortunately, I think I can live quite contentedly with that.

Write On Wednesdays

Well, hello there reading world! I found a blogging event while bloghopping that I think is preeetty neat, so I'm excited to see how it goes! This weeks prompt was to take the first line of a song and write for five minutes with that as your inspiration. I chose Higher Window by Josh Groban. It's not my favorite song exactly (because it's secular instead of sacred) but I like it a *lot* and I thought the first line could make for an interesting tidbit =) So here goes!

♫For all the times I've tried for this...♪

She laid her head down on her desk, her long thick hair spreading around her, protecting her from the pressures of the outside world.
"Am I really going to do this again?"
She talked to herself often, had since childhood. She supposed it was the result of all the reading she had done over the years. Sometimes it felt as though she was narrating her own life in her head.
She lifted her head up and picked up the pencil she had dropped in frustration. Why was she doing this? She loved books and plays and art and clothes, and she desteded all things math. Why, year after year, did she aspire to this same goal that always seemed just out of reach? She had applied for Medical School five times now, and the application sitting blank on her desk would make six. She just wasn't sure she had the willpower left in her to go through this again. The hope would always surge as she put the envelope in the mail, and the crashing reality of each rejection.... Why did she continue to put herself through this? She was a smart girl, she had the ability, but for one reason or another, medical schools just didn't seem to want her. She was always missing something, always coming up just a bit short. She tried and tried and tried.... and failed and failed and failed and failed. So why did she keep trying?
Because it was her only dream.

I'm Changing The Name To "LazyBlogger"

Well, I confess, I have been an absolutely horrible blogger recently. I don't even have any excuses. I had all sorts of great ideas for blogposts, but every time I'd get on to write I ended up reading other blogs instead. If by some small chance  there is anyone out there who is missing my blog posts, you have my deepest and most sincere apologies.

 But I doubt you exist.

Why is it so hard to be a consistent blogger? I've discovered the joy of the 'next blog' button, and ever since I've been blogsurfing like there's no tomorrow. And it seems like almost every blog I come to has a recent post just like this one about how they haven't blogged in so long .What's up with that? Am I part of a mini sub-culture of lazy bloggers? It does sound like a catchy title though, and at least it would warn people as soon as they visit not to expect much continuity of posting!

Well, I'd like to put at least one thing of substance into this post, so here goes.

The Denver Public Library is now offering free online language courses to all card holders.

How cool is that?!?

I recently discovered this, and needless to say I was pretty stinkin' excited. You may not have realized this but I am pretty much obsessed with the Italian language. I wanna learn it. All of it. More than the occasional Josh Groban song that I have no clue if I'm pronouncing correctly. And guess what one of the languages offered is?!?

That's right.

And since I realize that not everyone is awesome enough to love all things Italian like I do, you'll be glad to know that there are lots of other languages offered as well! 

Just click here and use your DPL account info to log in for free! Don't have a DPL card?

Hm.... bummer.

Sorry it's so small, click to enlarge.

This is a list of the courses they offer. There are a lot to choose from, but I'll be happy if I finish one this summer! They also have a translator like the one found on Google, so....

Avere un giorno meraviglioso miei amici bella! Addio!

P.S. I just noticed that I've now told everyone what city I live in. *gasp*
I cordially request that you don't stalk me.

Hello Readers!
There is a lovely little blog party going on over at Bramblewood Fashion that I'm very excited to be a part of!!! Here is the button, and below are my answers!





1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?Italy. Italy Italy Italy! I am longing to see Florence, Rome, and especially Venice! So much history and culture... and delicious food! I was *this* close to going there last year, but we went to England instead. London is a lovely city, but I am determined to make it to Italy someday!
2. What is the oldest item you own?
The books that my great grandma gave me after my great grandfather died. Some of them date back to the 1800's! I love them because of their age and because I love books, but they are particularly special to me because they are a connection to my Gramp who loved to read.
3. If you had to pick one hero, who would it be?
Oh dear, too many to count! I think I would have to go with Paul though. What an impact for Christ!
4. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead. Who would it be?
Hm.... do fictional people count? =) Not trying to sound "overly spiritual" but I think I would honestly choose Jesus first, and then the other two people really wouldn't matter much. I would so love to spend time talking to my savior face to face!!!
5. Which do you like better, Coke or Pepsi?
Actually I kind of detest pop, so I'd have to go with neither.
6. What would you rather have- chocolate or a cookie?
Any time that chocolate is an option, it will always be my answer
7. What is your favorite season?
Summer and Winter. I like extremes apparently!
8. What's your favorite thing about Spring?
The smell. I love the way you can smell the flowers and the sunshine and just.... yes, the smell =)
9. What's your favorite music?
Sacred mostly, with a bit of classical, soundtracks, and a teensy bit of old-timey music (Frank Sinatra, for example)
10. What's your fashion/personal style?
Hm..... Vintage, classic, feminine, and.... unique =D

Is It Well With My Soul?

One of my favorite hymns is It Is Well With My Soul, by Horatio G. Spafford. There is a lovely arrangement of it on this cd (one of my current favorite albums btw) and I've been listening to it almost nonstop lately. Add to that the fact that we just sang this song in church and... yeah, it's been on my mind lately.

There is so much truth in this song, so much comfort, and so much conviction as well. Because as I've listened to it over and over again, I've had to repeatedly ask myself:

Is it well with my soul?

The first verse makes me think about every day instances.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul

For example: when I'm late to work and my car is out of gas and someone cuts me off on the highway, is it well with my soul? Do I walk in the Spirit and keep a good attitude, or do I scream "OUTTA MY WAY YOU MORON!!!" I have to admit, there are  times of both. Why am I so easily ruffled? I have a big God who is in control of everything, even my daily commute! So why don't I trust Him more easily and just do right? Or, as Pastor Scott preached on a couple of weeks ago, why can't I exhibit more meekness?

The third verse gets me thinking a little more deeply.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

My sin, not in part but the whole!!! Wow!!! We have so many reasons to glory in Christ. He has taken all of my sin on Himself and set me free from the bondage I was in! He has sealed me with His Holy Spirit and will never, ever let me go!!! He WILL finish the work that was started in me at salvation! So why am I so weighed down by this life? Why do I allow myself to grow so weary, so busy trudging down here that I forget to look up? I think a big part of the problem is addressed in 2 Timothy 2:4

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Even after reading this verse again and again and again,
I get so entangled with this life.
I worry and stress and struggle and focus on things of this earth. With what I'm going to do here, where I'm going to go, how I'm going to get there. I have problems with this relationship. I won't be able to afford this need. I bury myself under a load of anxiety, and instead of casting my cares on Him, I try to carry them all by myself. Then, after living my day to day life barely acknowledging God because I'm so focused on the things of this world, I wonder why I continually fall into sin. Why can't I get the victory? Maybe it's because I'm not being a good soldier.

I heard an incredible message on Sunday night entitled He Is Able. It was based on what is quickly returning to a 'favorite verse spot'.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.          Jude 1:24

It was one of the best messages I've ever heard, and I'd suggest you listen to it here. (Sermon from 05/08/2011 Evening) I think the biggest encouragement is in the title itself. He IS able!!! He can keep me from falling! He can give me victory over sin! I just need to 'untangle' myself from this world and and focus on Him, and "the Only wise God" will take care of the rest.