New Look

Yes. I was getting bored with polka dots... Hope the new template is agreeable to everyone.

Quote of the Day

"In and out. Like a shadow... Like a shadow in the night." - Hellboy

More weird art - "like a watercolor"

My weird art - featuring Jack

Winter Frolic '09

It's that time of year again! Winter Frolic with the college and career folks of the Ohio presbytery refreshes and encourages my soul. I made new friends, strengthened old friendships, and generally enjoyed my immensely.

Daniel and I

Friday night, we all enjoyed a meal at the Brejwo's house. We awoke early Saturday to make the trip to Hidden Valley ski resort. There was skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and studying done by everyone. :)

Sarah and Dee

Then it was back to the Semel's for pizza and more fellowship.

Garrett and Mandy

After a good night's rest, we worshiped together and ate lunch together. Sadly, then all our guests had to leave...

Steven, Nate, Garrett, Dee, Sarah, and Ben
I will pray for my friends in their callings, struggles, and triumphs. All these young people are my brethren in Christ. I thank God for them.

Homeschooled Again?

Sometime while doing my homework for my classes at WVU, I feel like I'm homeschooled again... This feels like one of those times. :-]

Two cats on my lap... and a ton a school books. Yep, living the good life.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

The Lord has certainly been good to us. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

JA Club Take 2

The 2nd edition of the JA Club has started again. I love this time of year because of it! Despite the cold, dreary weather, the Martinez ladies, the Kincell ladies, and the Powell ladies meet once a week to watch a classic novel brought to life on screen. Last year was filled with Jane Austen's novels (hence our title). But this year, we have perused Wuthering Heights... though none of us particularly cared for this story; however, I now hope to read the book. But the more agreeable Wives and Daughters & Oliver Twist have been our most recent viewings.

It is an absolute delight to fellowship over a meal, tea, or dessert... while viewing a film and analyzing it. What a blessing from God to have such friends. I can hardly wait till next Sunday night. :)

Valentine Song

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Last night, Grandpa, Daniel, and I enjoyed You've Got Mail. And after watching it, I needed to share this song. Valentine's Day seemed like the perfect excuse. :)

Funny how I feel more myself with you
Than anybody else that I ever knew
I hear it in your voice, see it in your face
You've become the memory I can't erase

You could have been anyone at all
A stranger falling out of blue
I'm so glad it was you

It wasn't in the plan not that I could see
Suddenly a miracle came to me
Safe within your arms I can say what's true
Nothing in the world I would keep from you

You could have been anyone at all
An old friend calling out of blue
I 'm so glad it was you

Words can hurt you if you let them
People say them and forget them
Words can promise words can lie
But your words make me feel like I can fly

You could have been anyone at all
The net that catches me when I fall
I'm so glad it was you

You could have been anyone at all
An old friend calling out of blue
I'm so glad it was you

You could have been anyone at all
You could have been anyone at all

I am so glad it was you.
- Anyone at All by Carole King

Open mouth insert foot

I know I have blogged on this subject before (see - Bite my Tongue), but the past few days seem to be nothing but a succession of empty nothings that exit my mouth. One thing I said turned out to have a very bad slang meaning -- sometimes I really hate modern culture! Another thing I said wasn't meant to be insulting -- but after thinking about it, I realized how awful it really was. Today, I said something in a class discussion that my classmates may not consider vulgar, but "crap" is not something that I want to go down in history for saying.

All these incidents play again and again in my mind... What can I do? I consider the words of the Apostle James:

James 3:8-10

But no one can tame the tongue; {it is} a restless evil {and} full of deadly poison. With it we bless {our} Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come {both} blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

My prayer echoes Paul's letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word proceed from [my] mouth, but only such {a word} as is good for edification according to the need {of the moment,} so that it will give grace to those who hear.

All quotations of scripture are NASB via blueletterbible.org

Tag You're it!

The rules are:
1. Go to your documents/pictures.
2. Go to your 5th file.
3. Go to your 5th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 5 people.

Here is my photo: It's a picture of Keely and Kelsie at the Moss' New Year's Ball.

During the intermission, Keely and Kelsie were serving punch... Hence the glass in Keely's hand. Don't they look like they are having fun?!

Most of my friends' blogs have already been tagged. So I am breaking rule 5 and only tagging Ben. :P

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I was watching some dear little children tonight, and some of their comments had me in stitches.

Noah asked me what I thought of Star Wars. I replied that I LOVE Star Wars. Evangelia then asked, "Is that love like marriage or do you just like it?" ;) :P

Later when we started "Free Willy", I told them that I had watched it as a little kid. Noah then replied, "So this movie is really old?" Yeah. I am ancient. 21 and never going back. :)

25 Randoms

Hi!
For those of you who don't have Facebook, I thought I would share this here. Feel free to comment on them, or comment with your own. This is just for fun!

1. I love comic lore.
2. No really, I have the Marvel Encyclopedia.
3. I want to attend NYC ComicCon next year.
4. I am a Computer Science 101 nerd.
5. I think football is the greatest sport ever. Period.
6. I think guys running up and down a field smashing each other is awesome. Hence #5.
7. I want to teach economics at my local homeschool coop one day.
8. I like video/computer games.
9. The Hobbit, Nancy Drew, and KOTOR are my favorites.
10. I really want to meet Moses someday. Weird, I know. But, I've always figured we would know everyone in heaven...
11. I think the field of linguistics is fascinating.
12. I am a coca-cola addict.
13. There was a period of time in my life where I could quote the Fellowship of the Ring with the movie.
14. I love movie/TV quotes!
15. My current fav: "Shut up you freak!"
16. I call my grandpa dude. And he likes it.
17. I wish I knew more.
18. I think the Civil War is a great era to study.
19. I am a staunch homeschooler.
20. I like Broadway musicals.
21. I LOVE historical balls.
22. My favorite television show is 24. But I call it "Jack."
23. I talk WAY too much.
24. I can't seem to remember what key I'm in when I play for church. Whoops!
25. I think Facebook is a societal evil. Yes, I know it is hypocritical.

Like Master, Like Dog

The Best Superbowl Ad

Who says guys can't be good with kids?