“Play me some mountain music, like Grandma and Grandpa used to play…” -Alabama

You know, I have come to really love and appreciate “bluegrass” or “mountain” music. This morning, we ended our worship service with “I’ll Fly Away”; to add to the effect of the song, I played mandolin, and Jerry played banjo, along with the normal guitar, bass, drums, piano. SO FUN! It meant so much to me to play!

Why? A few reasons.

One–the mandolin I played belonged to Jerry’s father-in-law (Debbie’s father), who passed away earlier this year. He was such an incredible man! So playing his mandolin meant so much.

Two–my great-grandfather played many instruments, one of which was the mandolin, and one of my goals is to play everything he played.

Three–one of the songs I can remember him playing and singing was “I’ll Fly Away.” I really miss my great-grandparents, but feel privileged to have known them for the time I did.

People in my life have often called me a “redneck” because I like NASCAR, because I (now) enjoy bluegrass music, and because I come from Red Bluff (which is known for having the world’s largest three-day rodeo). And I used to take offense at that–because I do not consider myself to be a redneck. These things in and of themselves do not make me a “redneck.”

People have often been very blunt in their opinions of things such as these, trying to make me change who I am because they don’t happen to be that way. And, for awhile, I did. I became someone that I am not, just to please these people.

But something that I am realizing is that I am proud of my “mountain” heritage. My grandparents are from Arkansas and Oklahoma. They play instruments like the mandolin, the banjo, and yes, I’m sure even the jaw harp. And you know what? I love it! It is so fun to sit and jam with family members (like we did at our reunion this year) with so many fun instruments, playing songs that everyone can play–meaning generally old hymns and “mountain songs”. The younger and older generations can both participate…and it is seriously such a great time.

I am proud of the fact that my family enjoys NASCAR and various other types of racing together. I am proud that my father has taught my brother and I so much about automobiles and how to take care of them properly. Pretty much every Sunday after church was spent watching the race together, usually as a family. So when I think NASCAR, I think “family.” There is nothing wrong with racing, and I am glad that I have grown up with it!

Do these things make me a redneck? Perhaps. Do I care? NO! I am who I am, and I am proud of my roots. I am not going to hide my heritage just to please anyone else. 🙂

Sorry for the strange post…I just have been doing a lot of thinking today, and in the past few weeks, and I decided it was time to share these thoughts with the world. 🙂

Time to listen to some Nickel Creek…:)

Someone has a little too much time on their hands…LOL! If you have ever seen the movie “Office Space”, you’ll appreciate this. So funny!

Thursday: Was asked to sing the National Anthem at a women’s soccer game…gladly accepted. I will probably be singing next week at a game as well. I’m now hoping to sing at our basketball game against Biola in March…that would be awesome! (Biola is our “rival”, so that game is always packed and exciting…needless to say, I’ve never been able to attend a game vs. Biola because the game ALWAYS falls on Election Day.) The National Anthem is a song that is so dear to me…I absolutely love it, and it is such an honor to sing that song at events (one of my life goals is to sing that song at a NASCAR race…yes, I’m serious!).

Friday: Was asked at the last minute to go to an Angels’ game with 3 people from my Bible study group. They have season tickets, in great seats. It was awesome! I’m not really a fan of any particular baseball team, but the game is pretty fun. Great evening with awesome people. And the Angels won!!

Another highlight: I discovered (thanks to Chris and Jen Burgan last night) another alternative to milk! They are also lactose intolerant, like so many Americans, and they gave me tons of tips.

The product that they actually had me try was “Almond Milk.” It is SOOO good! Seriously, I know it may sound weird, and I am definitely not a fan of most milk substitutes (i.e. Rice Milk, Soy Milk, etc), but this one was good! I tried regular and chocolate. I am really excited! I am pretty much getting to the point of having to cut ALL dairy out of my diet, so I am searching for alternatives. EXCITING!

I have about 400 pages to read today, which is just a bit overwhelming…but that’s okay. That’s why I’m in college! It really was a great (and FAST) week…many adventures, with many more to come, I’m sure.

Have a great day!

Wow–I cannot believe that tomorrow will mark the end of my second week already…amazing.

I have been SO busy–which is normal–but what’s unique about this is that I have actually been READING for my classes…I don’t know what’s wrong with me!

*For those of you who don’t know me, the past year was difficult for me as

far as reading/studying were concerned–partly due to health problems that

greatly inhibited my mental clarity and retention of information. So, I tended

to not read if I didn’t have to (and I really didn’t read much at all!)

I have been reading everything assigned–and now that three more of my books have arrived, I am even playing “catch-up” from this past week. God has TRULY answered my prayer for motivation!

And, as well, He has granted my desire to actually apply what I have learned. In my International Relations class today I participated, and actually stood my ground in an informed way…and it felt so good!

I think that my senior year is going to be my best–which is wonderful! Now if only I can pull a 4.0 this semester, so that I can graduate cum laude…we’ll see!

Back to reading Plato and other “fun” works…:)

First of all, I’m about to hit 10,000 hits to my blog! As of now I have 9,949. SO exciting! 🙂 Thank you for reading!

I just wanted to say that I think this semester is going to be awesome…yes, I even mean my classes.

That must be shocking!! 🙂

But today, as I sat in three classes, I began to realize that the political philosophy and other stuff that has been stuffed in my brain for the past three years is actually becoming applicable. For instance, in my Revolution and the Republic history class, I was able to apply John Locke to what we were discussing…I was amazed that I could even remember that far back! 🙂

I am actually reading for my classes, and am excited about reading Plato. Something is terribly wrong with me! 🙂

My Bible study group last night was incredible…we didn’t even get to the Word, because we had three weeks of updating on prayer requests, etc. to do. And it was amazing. I am SO thankful for this group of individuals that the Lord has brought into my life!

This has the potential to be a very great semester–despite my annoyances with other things on campus…but this too shall pass. 🙂

More later…just wanted to give that quick update.

Today was my first Sunday spent NOT doing homework…I have decided that this year I am going to set aside Sundays to focus on ministry, God, and friends. I never set aside time for myself, and I have realized that this is really necessary….really necessary… Today I read (for pleasure) while listening to classical music…I reflected on the reading, which was all about becoming a more godly woman…boy do I have a long way to go! 🙂

I journaled a lot, and spent some quality time with God. I then had coffee with a dear friend of mine, Paige, who I haven’t seen in months…and we’ve decided to meet every Sunday. She is such an amazing person, and we are going through so much of the same stuff! I can’t wait to continue to get to know her better. It was a restful day, and I have realized that this is how I want to spend my Sabbath every week. So I am going to! No studying on Sundays. Period. I will study on Saturdays, but not Sundays.

Paige tonight also gave me the greatest analogy for what I’ve been learning over the past week or so. I’ve been realizing that as much as I’d love to be married, or even dating, I am far from ready. FAR. There are many issues that I have to work through (and will be going to counseling for, actually), and I really need to just focus on me for awhile…then I can be “whole” and more able to give myself fully to another person.

She said that her mom always says that we’re like a cupcake: you have to have certain ingredients, with just the right amount, in the mix before the cupcake can be “perfect.” With too little sugar, or too much flour, it just won’t taste right. Once all the ingredients are in there, the cupcake is ready to be frosted. The frosting is the men that we girls will marry someday…if you put the frosting on too soon, the cupcake will crumble. And even when the frosting is added, you are still able to stand on your own, because you are whole.

WOW! It was exactly what I needed to hear, to solidify in my mind what the Lord has been showing me. There are so many things I need to work on that I don’t even want to think about dating for a long time…I’m not ready.

My cupcake mix is not complete…And that is definitely hard to admit–but I am so thankful that I am able to accept this fact so that God can continue to work on me and mold me into the woman He desires for me to be.

So, my senior year is going to focus on reaching that goal…becoming whole. It could take longer than this year–and that’s okay. It is so important that I heal from these issues, and that I become who God wants me to be, before I become involved with the man I will marry someday–whoever that may be.

Praise the Lord for His patience and His unconditional love…

So, random thought I’d like to share.

I knew that two of the people on my worship team at church (a married couple) were in a band in the ’60s…I knew they had records, toured, etc.

A month ago, I put their name in Google and found out that they had a Billboard hit (maybe more than one) and that they are really well-known among that generation.

Well, today I found out that they have a Grammy! AND, I found out that the song for which they received the Grammy is one that I have known all my life (I grew up listening to oldies and classic rock, among other things…this song is ALWAYS on the oldies station!)

Do these lyrics look familiar?

“You Were On My Mind”

by “We Five”

Verse 1

When I woke up this morning

You were on my mind

And you were on my mind

I got troubles, whoa-oh

I got worries, whoa-oh

I got wounds to bind

Verse 2:

So I went to the corner

Just to ease my pains

Yeah, just to ease my pains

I got troubles, whoa-oh

I got worries, whoa-ohI came home again

Anyway, yeah, I was amazed that they wrote and sang that song! 🙂 So cool!

Just thought I’d share!

I’m sure that most people are posting about what today represents…

So I don’t want to repeat all that has been said.

The thing that I remember the most about that day was probably my devotional reading.

I read “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, and was blown away by the relevancy of the devotional. It is always so amazing to me how God puts things exactly where they are needed…it happens SO often with what I read, as I’m sure it does with you all as well.

The last line of this devotional is so incredibly true and relevant…and I wanted to share it with you all.

May we never forget what happened on that September day…

September 11

Missionary Weapons

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet —John 13:14

Ministering in Everyday Opportunities.

Ministering in everyday opportunities that surround us does not mean that we select our own surroundings—it means being God’s very special choice to be available for use in any of the seemingly random surroundings which He has engineered for us. The very character we exhibit in our present surroundings is an indication of what we will be like in other surroundings.

The things Jesus did were the most menial of everyday tasks, and this is an indication that it takes all of God’s power in me to accomplish even the most common tasks in His way. Can I use a towel as He did? Towels, dishes, sandals, and all the other ordinary things in our lives reveal what we are made of more quickly than anything else. It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the most menial duty as it ought to be done.

Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (13:15). Notice the kind of people that God brings around you, and you will be humiliated once you realize that this is actually His way of revealing to you the kind of person you have been to Him. Now He says we should exhibit to those around us exactly what He has exhibited to us.

Do you find yourself responding by saying, “Oh, I will do all that once I’m out on the mission field”? Talking in this way is like trying to produce the weapons of war while in the trenches of the battlefield–you will be killed while trying to do it. We have to go the “second mile” with God (see Matthew 5:41 ). Yet some of us become worn out in the first ten steps. Then we say, “Well, I’ll just wait until I get closer to the next big crisis in my life.”

But if we do not steadily minister in everyday opportunities, we will do nothing when the crisis comes.

Finally took a Myers/Briggs test today online, as well as an IQ test (I scored 129…but I don’t put much weight in an online test. I don’t even know if that is good!).

Here are my results from the Myers/Briggs. I agree to some point!

Extroverted (E) 57.89% Introverted (I) 42.11%

Sensing (S) 59.46% Intuitive (N) 40.54%

Feeling (F) 66.67% Thinking (T) 33.33%

Judging (J) 62.5% Perceiving (P) 37.5%

As I mentioned yesterday, a class that I need in order to graduate was cancelled this week, leaving me in a bind.

Today I went to the History/Political Science department, and I talked to the department secretary about the problem. She looked over my transcripts, and looked at the courses that I took in D.C., and told me that I am totally covered. She asked the dept. chair to verify her conclusion, and he did.

What does that mean?

The only class I have left to take is my Senior Seminar class in the Spring! After my two poli sci classes this semester, I will be done! 🙂

If that class hadn’t have been cancelled, I would have taken two unnecessary classes! This is awesome!

To fill my schedule for this semester (I need a minimum of 12 units and only have 9 currently), I added “The Revolution and the Republic” with my favorite History professor, Dr. Lamkin. That class will be awesome, especially since I just had him for Civil War and Reconstruction last Spring.

Romans 8:28…I really need to grasp the meaning of that verse and apply it in my life…it keeps being proved true!

So, all is well once more. 🙂