A Reflection in Latin

After 12 years of school, I've graduated! In the past 12 years, I've learned many things in which I'll go into detail below in Latin.

Dancing: As of now, I've been dancing for 15 years! Dancing has become an important part of me as I use it for ministry. I'm thankful for a talent I can use to glorify God! On my email signature, I have the saying:

Semper Saltantem! Always Dancing!

Perseverance: I've learned to keep working at things, and to not give up. Countless times, I gave up on math or some other hard assignment. But when I picked it up again, if I kept at it, I was able to conquer it!

Vene vidi vici! I came; I saw; I conquered!

Thinking: I learned how to think outside the box. Whether with schoolwork, dancing, or teaching, I've learned that there isn't just one way to do things. So why not be creative?! 

Creativum cogitandi magnam habet remunerationem! Creative thinking has a great reward!

Life: It will have many roads, many choices, and many opportunities. God's way, is obviously the best one to take, but quite often it isn't the most popular or a well-worn route. Nevertheless, it's the way to go!

Ambulate in via iter minus! Walk on the road less traveled!

And finally:

Non scholae sed vitae discimus! We learn not for school but for life!

Even though I'm done, I won't stop learning! There are still adventures, and things to learn in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead!

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Join me in this adventure ahead!!!

God is Sovereign...this is not our Kingdom

Our country is doomed, there is no doubt. The perfect America is fading (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Yet we panic because we think this is our kingdom, our place, our purpose. It isnt! We can not change the way people think, but we can remember what God tells us to do. We must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)! There is a purpose for everything, and God is still good in the midst of the miserable ways of men! Read Isaiah 40...God is sovereign over us all! He brings rulers down (40:23); He is higher than all we can imagine (all of chp 40 shows this)! I truly dont know why I was suddenly burdened to write this, but I was. Keep your eyes on JESUS (Hebrews 12:1-3!)!! I watched "The Hiding Place" put out in 1975 tonight, and Corrie ten Boom herself made a cameo at the end. She said, "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still". So do not look at the world! The world is corrupt! Instead remember Romans 12:2! (I am purposefully making yall look these verses up because I want you to truly read God's word for yourself). Let God transform you, and work in you! Let His light shine before men, so they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)! We are a chosen people, so do not worry about what a day may bring (Matthew 6:34), but proclaim God's excellencies (1 Peter 2:9-11)! God has a plan for you, and its gonna be hard and its gonna be rough. We are going to experience things we dont want to, but that is when we need to remember that God is in control! 

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me, 

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord;

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

There is no pit so deep, in which God's love is not deeper still! -- Corrie ten Boom

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 
― Corrie ten Boom

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” 
― Corrie ten Boom

Hats for the Holidays! Day 18

Completely random: the hat has nothing to do with what Im gonna say, but I needed a hat for today so voila! (Its pretty though! I havent worn it to work yet as they gave me it!) Anywho, "A Charlie Brown Christmas'' is such a sweet relaxing movie to watch! Ive got a migraine tonight, hence the "stock photo" so I curled up and watched that with Mom. Mmmm....

Patty: Try to catch snowflakes on your tongue. It's fun.

Linus: Mmm. Needs sugar.

Lucy: It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January.

Linus: They sure look ripe to me.

Beautiful Blessings - 10/8/15

There is no place like home! ~ The Wizard of Oz

~ Watching L-Jo wear these around!

I have to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. Have courage, and be kind. ~ Cinderella (2015)

~ Watching this again with T-bug seeing it for the first time! She was in awe of the carriage when the "Hairy Dogfather....er...Fairy Godmother" made it!

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. ~ C.S. Lewis

~ A cup of jasmine tea that was inspired by a friend!

So the small things came into their own: small acts of helping others, if one could; small ways of making one's own life better: acts of love, acts of tea, acts of laughter. Clever people might laugh at such simplicity, but, she asked herself, what was their own solution? ~ Alexander McCall Smith

~ Being able to help Mom out today!

When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way. ~ Fred Rogers

~ Seeing everything my Mom does for my Great Grandma! <3

Beautiful Blessings - 7/16/15

Long post ahead just to warn ya ;~)

~ Seeing the view from the park where we had a picnic lunch! This snippet of song from Mary Poppins came to mind (Chim-Chim Cher-ee):

"Up where the smoke is
All billowed and curled
'Tween pavement and stars
Is the chimney-sweep world

When there's hardly no day
Nor hardly no night
There's things half in shadow
And half way in light
On the rooftops of London
Coo, what a sight"

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~ Listening to the chimes of a church when it is noon! The Hills are Alive came to mind:

The hills are alive, 

With the sound of music 

With songs they have sung 

For a thousand years

The hills fill my heart,

With the sound of music

My heart wants to sing

Every song it hears

My heart wants to beat

Like the wings of the birds

That rise from the lake to the trees

My heart wants to sigh

Like a chime that flies

From a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook

When it trips and falls

Over stones on its way

To sing through the night

Like a lark

Who is learning to pray

I go to the hills

When my heart is lonely

I know I will hear

What I've heard before

My heart will be blessed,

With the sound of music

And I'll sing once more.

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~ Discovering where the sidewalk ends!

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rest from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know,

The place where the sidewalk ends.

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~ Imagining my sisters are Betsy, Tacy, and Tib!

"Holding the plate in one hand and a glass of milk in the other, each little girl would walk carefully out of her house and down the porch steps and out to the middle of the road. Then they would walk up the hill to that bench where Tacy had stood the first night she came. And they would eat supper together." - Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

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~ Spotting the beautiful heart on the dragonfly's wings! To continue with the literary theme:

The Dragon-fly

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Today I saw the dragon-fly
Come from the wells where he did lie.
An inner impulse rent the veil
Of his old husk: from head to tail
Came out clear plates of sapphire mail.
He dried his wings: like gauze they grew;
Thro' crofts and pastures wet with dew
A living flash of light he flew.

------------------------------------

Twas a beautiful day! :~D

Venerable Vintage Hats: Not Seen Everyday!

Minerva: What do you think, Mother?

Stepmother: Uh, it's certainly not the sort of thing you see everyday.

Calliope: I saw it first. How do you think it looks on me, Mother?

Minerva: Ech, awful.

Calliope: I didn't ask you.

Stepmother: How can a mother choose between two such extraordinary daughters!

Calliope: Cinderella. Cinderella!

Cinderella: Yes?

Calliope: Does it look better on me?

Minerva: Or me?

Cinderella: Well, I don't know much about hats, but I don't think it flatters either one of you.

(Stepsisters gasp!)

Minerva: What did you ask her for?

Calliope: She doesn't know anything about hats, she said so herself!

~ Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella 1997

Venerable Vintage Hats: A Jaunty Plume!

I've never had a hat like this before! It's such a daring jaunty hat! The white band makes it quite striking. I must admit though, it reminds me the milliner, Irene Molloy, in the movie "Hello Dolly".

Irene Molloy: What's this? A return from Miss Mortimer again?

Minnie Fay: Same old story, cherries and feathers, cherries and feathers. To catch a beau I suppose.

Irene Molloy: If you ask me, she'd do better with a heavy veil.

Heehee!

Throwback Tuesday: Princess Leia

So, I must admit, I've only see the original Star Wars......and that was several years ago! ;~D

Princess Leia: I don't know who you are or where you came from, but from now on you'll do as I tell you, okay? 

I really liked it though! :~D

I was fascinated with her hair for weeks......

I even did a post with her before!! Heehee! You have to read it!

Okay, so my cinnamon buns aren't as big...........but hey! ;~D

"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope."

Please help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.....my hair is in serious need of help.........

Friendships Forged with Time

I like 2 of the definitions of the New Webster's Dictionary, one says to form by heating or hammering, and the other says to move forward slowly = Forge.

Friendships are so special to me. Some friends I've known since I was knee-high, others for the past few years, and yet others I've met with in the past year. Each friend is special, and each friendship is different, but a common is that no matter how long I've known them, they've been forged with time. When I read about heating and hammering, my thoughts immediately flew to Proverbs 27:17.

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.

How true! My one friend and I constantly keep each other on our toes. She knows how to tell me truthfully what's best, and I do the same for her. We keep each other sharp, and focused. By doing so, our friendship has been forged, sharpened, and grown. In fact for my birthday, she gave me a plaque that says: 

"Friendship is like sunshine. It keeps us warm and helps us grow."

The definition of friend (according to the New Webster's Dictionary) is a person known and well liked by another. My personal definition of a friend is someone who appreciates you for who you are; who will stand by you, and you for them; never leaving for frivolous things; and who is always honest with you.

Recently, I noticed another friend was online, so I messaged him to find out how he was, as I hadn't heard much from him. To be honest, at the time, I was bone-tired, yet when he said he was exhausted, it gave me a boost. Though I was exhausted, I was able to show empathy. I have a quote I keep in my Bible that says it best:

"You need people to hold you up emotionally and encourage you. By doing this, you will be strengthened, and they will be strengthened."

 I have a friend, who compared to my first-mentioned friend, I haven't known as long. She's battled many health problems, yet is always ready to pray for you, even if she needs prayer more. She has unknowingly showed me the verse below in tangible ways.

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 

but also to the interests of others.

Many many friendships have been forged and strengthened. Each one is special because each one has been forged in different ways. In order to have a deep and meaningful friendship, you need to invest in others. Find out how they are doing, what they've been up to, and how you can pray for them. This goes both ways. You also need to be open about what is going on in your life, things you are struggling with, etc. Quite often my friends have struggled with something similar, so they are able to reach out to for pray and comfort me, and I for them. Friendships are very important to me, and as they are forged, strengthened, and withstand the passing of time, then I know I have special friendships indeed!

Throwback Tuesday: Kay Thompson

 

Kay Thompson, (picture from the musical Funny Face ), was a charming actress, author, and singer. I absolutely LOVE her in Funny Face! Her comedic expressions and classic style of acting make it highly enjoyable! She, Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn were great co-stars. She is also the author of the Eloise books!

"Let's give 'em the old pizazz!"

 

"Lettie, take an editorial! "To the women of America...!" No, make it to the women everywhere. "Banish the black, burn the blue, and bury the beige. From now on, girls, think pink!""

Throwback Tuesday: Coco Chanel

 

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, also known as, Coco Chanel, is well known for one of the most popular perfumes, Chanel No. 5. She also started the love and popularity for the LBD (Little Black Dress). It was during the time of the Depression when women wanted affordable fashionable dresses. Coco Chanel created a black dress that was comfortable, stylish, and practical. Women fell in love with it, and they are still in style today. Chanel was a leading woman in fashion and was the only fashion designer in the 

Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century.

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” 
― Coco Chanel

“Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside.” 
― Coco Chanel

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”

― Coco Chanel

Throwback Tuesday: Belle

Belle is one of my favorite Disney characters of all time! 

She loves to read! She's also fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She is sweet, kind, gentle, and always ready to sing! She can find good in anyone, even the Beast! 

Gaston: How can you read this? There's no pictures!

Belle: Well, some people use their imagination.

 Gaston: It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting *ideas*, and *thinking*...

Sitting on the Front Porch

"No front porches. My uncle says there used to be front porches. And people sat there sometimes at night, talking when they wanted to talk, rocking, and not talking when they didn't want to talk. Sometimes they just sat there and thought about things, turned things over. My uncle says the architects got rid of the front porches because they didn't look well. But my uncle says that was merely rationalizing it; the real reason, hidden underneath, might be they didn't want people sitting like that, doing nothing, rocking, talking; that was the wrong KIND of social life. People talked too much. And they had time to think. So they ran off with the porches." Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Let's bring back the front porches. :~)

Throwback Tuesday: Anne Shirley

"That's Anne with an E"

Her spunky carefree gentle nature makes everyone love her. Even Marilla, though some days she won't admit it. 

"Plain, old, unromantic Anne Shirley."

Except for when Gilbert came to call. ;~)

Throwback Tuesday: Mary Ann

I already did Gilligan, so I decided I needed to do Mary Ann! :~D

Her bright smile and warm heart is completely lovable!

Except when Gilligan steals her coconut cream pies. ;~) Then you better watch out!

(Side note: Ansel, my cat, likes coconut cream pie. He is so weird!)

My Favorite Quotes:

"Oh Gilligan!"

"Just a poor cockney flower girl, that's all Ah is! But Ah owes *everything* to Doctor Gilligan. 'E taught me to *walk*, and to *talk*, and to *dress*, like a regular LADY! 'E give me real CLASS 'e did!" 

- From a dream sequence in "And then there were None" Season 3, Episode 13

A Goal, a Dream, to soon be a Reality

Louisa May Alcott

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” 

My birthday is April 13th, a little over a month away. 

Since January, I have been more diligent in stretching. I don't always remember to stretch at home, but I have exceed anything I could hope or imagine. I am not the most flexible person, but I can reach farther and bend father than anything before.

I have a goal, a dream, and soon to be a reality, of doing my splits by my birthday. Center, I may never get, as it is the hardest to do, but the others will be realities. 

Yesterday at ballet class, between exercises, I slid into my right split.

3 inches to go.  Just 3 measly inches. So close I wish I could go the rest of the way, but I can't. 

Inspired I went to my left split, 4 inches, just 4. I could barely contain my excitement! 

I figured since my teacher was still working with someone or music (I can't remember which) I would do my center split. I'd say about 12-15 inches to go.

Now you are probably wondering why my goal is my Birthday. I will do my splits on my birthday I just know it. 

In January I had at least 8 inches to go, at least. And my center split was atrocious. Diligence and a passion to get my splits led me to practice, and practice, and PRACTICE! 

I may never be a prima ballerina, dance with a famous company or even meet a star, but I will be able to say:

"I had a goal and I met it!"

C.S. Lewis
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Audrey Hepburn

Proverbs 31:25

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

Happy Valentines day!

My Valentine sayings on my wall!

And for my lovey dovey kitty:

Heart shaped pepperoni! :~D

A way to a cat's heart is through his stomach!

Happy Valentines day!