Reading can really make you think

Hello there!

I'm overjoyed right now, because I just finished my Literature course for this year, which is just awesome!
I had to read some poetry and novels by some British authors, then write essays about my impressions of them.

Most of the poetry seemed to glorify creation over the Creator, which I found very humanistic. The Only Poet I remember actually enjoying was John Keats. He's pretty awesome isn't he? Then there were other poems that were written around the time of WWI that introduced new ideas, or at least voiced ideas that no one had dared speak aloud before, about the plain reality of war. But each poem presented it's point and the idea that the poet was trying to convey very nicely.

I was especially depressed by Matthew Arnold's Dover Beach, which is a poem about a man who struggles to reconcile his faith in God to Darwin's Evolutionary Theory. Darwin wins. It was so, so depressing. My heart went out to Arnold, who abandoned the truth in pursuit of lies.

The novels were well enough, but the only one that I actually enjoyed was Jane Austen's Emma. Though I admit I was a fan of hers long before this Lit. course. Yeah, I'm one of those girls, (Jane Austen fan).

The others were well written but each chilling in it's own way, so they were books that I would most definitely not re-read for pleasure. And hopefully will never have to re-read ever. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, was one of them. Honestly, it was well written and I enjoyed that part, but the whole taking dead people's body parts and sewing them together to create giant monster, was just gross. The story was a tragedy that played to human nature, saying that it is society that is the problem, and that people are inwardly good, but the Bible teaches otherwise.

I also read The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, which was the sad story of Darwinian Evolutionary Theory carried out to the extreme.

 And today I finished The Animal Farm By George Orwell (Eric Blair), about animals who over throw their oppressive owner and start their own republic with a pig named Napoleon at the helm. It is a story that was written to criticise Stalinistic Communism. Not communism all around, only Stalinistic communism. It shows how communism, instead of liberating the people only enslaves them to a greater degree than they ever were before. It was well written, but hard to read because of the injustice of the whole situation.

Many of these books and poems are considered classics because they changed people. This literature presented new radical (at the time) ideas that challenged people's thinking and basically changed cultures. That is the effect that literature can have on the public. And that is why I want to write Christian fiction that encourages people in their faith, instead of tearing it down. The written word can make a difference.

So write!

Let the Olympic games begin!

Hi, I bet you have noticed that I talk a lot about AWANA. That's probably because I love it and that's where I really started understand the Bible, and what Jesus did for me. Yes, for an awful person like me. So when I was old enough I started helping out with the SPARKS program at our church. And I love being able to help children learn more about God, and encourage them to hide God's word in their hearts.

Well, anyway this Saturday is the AWANA Olympics and I can't wait to see all the kids doing their best and engaging in good Christian competition. I have always been a fan of the games as a kid who was athletic, but never got pick for dodge ball or capture the flag games, these games were the times when I got to be included and encourage others. Something about it made me feel closer to the other kids if only for a month or so. I have so many fond memories of the games. So tomorrow, I will be there cheering on the Sparks. And the TNT. Most of them ex-Sparks.

My brother is assistant coaching this year. He is so proud of those kids. Not to mention how much they love him, he's just like this cool older kid who will play with them and he just has this coolness about him. He is so excited to see the kids he helped coach, do their very best. I will probably be helping with the judging or something.

The youth group will use this opportunity to fund raise by selling snacks to the spectators, kids and their parents. Mostly to the parents who have to pay. They will be going on something called B.U.M.P. this year. And many of the teens can work at the youth group's fund raisers to earn their way, which is really nice.

I have been trying to write some through all of this craziness going on in my life, but I guess sometimes the words don't come. Like now.

Their has been some stuff going on, divisions and the like, rumors are a' flying. That stuff is draining but there is hope that these things will be figured out. Hopefully soon.

I have been watching a very dramatic mini-series lately about this huge family feud, and how forgiveness and love can help to heal families like that. Though it wasn't a Christian drama, there was a lot of scripture quoted and read that was so meaning full and poignant, because they were deep passages that weren't just lightweight, I guess is how you would say it. Though I did watch it with a filter. I heard that it had some pretty bad scenes that I didn't really see. But the whole time I was thinking that they could have solved their problems faster than 60 years! With just a little less tradition, and a heap more understanding and forgiveness it would have been over in the first episode. But then there would be no drama!

So wish our team the best, and every other team the best as well!

Let the games begin!

Sorry if the randomness of this blog confused or lost you in anyway. I didn't mean to. I'm kinda hard to follow, so I apologize.

Thanks so much! Over and out!

My thoughts

I have been listening to the news non-stop almost, it is sad sad what happened with Japan and Hawaii. The earthquake and tsunami were devastating. I cannot help but think of my cousin, a marine stationed in Japan. Hopefully, he's okay.

    The pictures show so much just wiped away. Makes you stop and ponder God's power, like, that's nothing compared to what God can do.    

Random thoughts and goings on

My 4-H club meeting went well, I gave a demonstration on origami and how to make a Japanese Flapping Bird. And well, it flaps its wings when you pull its tail. That's pretty much it. In our club, the demos have to be somewhat short and to the point, considering that three-quarters of the club are not yet 10 years old. They want the demonstrations to be shorter, so they can eat the treats faster.
Today, I spent most of my time taking a Chemistry Module review test. Not my best subject.
I just got back from AWANA, my those girls in my group keep me busy, I have this theory that someday they will be Bible Quizzers too. One girl said 45 verses to me! And even though these are young kids, those verses are not that easy. They are so hard. I love how dedicated they are to learning God's word! I highly recommend the AWANA program to everyone who will listen.
I have a meeting tomorrow, and I am dreading it. I love the people, I really do, but when people gather to talk about how to do something hard, well... I can't say I am looking forward to it. I am a person who likes to avoid conflict at all costs. Like, I literally run from it. If I see someone that I may have a small conflict with, I apologize and then run (literally) as fast as I can the other way. In that way, I am really different than other people. I have a really hard time standing up for myself, really hard time. I could stand up for someone else in a heartbeat. But I get scared to death standing up for myself, I shake uncontrollably. I never thought, anyone ever did that when they got scared, until I noticed that I do that. Weird, huh? Like, that's why family is so good, they stand up with me, against the nay-sayers. I hope I can say what I have to.
I thank God for all the friends he has given me, that are fighters, because they pick up the pieces of the shattered me. When, I can't think straight, and all I can see is what someone said, and I can't remember what really happened, they stand with me and pray with me. I don't know what I would do without God and the friends that He sent me.
I have so many faults and by December you will probably know them all. I'm pretty much, an open book like that.
I haven't been watching reality TV much anymore. Actually never. It is a warm day in a Wyoming winter when I do.
I'm reading "A Pony Express Christmas," by Sigmund Brouwer, I felt like a little Christmas I guess.
Also stopped and started watching a strange mini-series that I don't understand, because all their problems are easy to solve.
But, anyway, hopefully tomorrow goes well, maybe I'll take a Chemistry test. Not a fan of moles. Neither kind. Though, I really haven't been exposed to enough of the animal kind to know...