Musical expression

I just love music. Music is how I can express my feelings, other than writing. It's a form of poetry that just speaks to me whatever I'm feeling, and helps me express my thoughts and emotions. Songs like "There is sunshine in my soul today" that express how I can be happy even when it's a gray day outside. Instrumentals like the Forrest Gump or Chariots of Fire themes make me want to run or to move and the music is so beautiful. Favorite Things from The Sound of Music helps me to remember to think of all my blessings and the things that make me happy and this will help me to keep a cheerful spirit. Songs such as All Things Bright and Beautiful or This is my Father's World remind me of the beauty of this earth and what an artist God is who created all this wonder for us to enjoy and revel upon. And On Jordan's Stormy Banks keeps me thinking of the greater country to come, while This World is not my Home helps me to maintain the attitude of a traveler to the better country, and Seeking the Lost shows me that I have a responsibility to point others to the right path and therefore help us all to reach the kingdom of God sooner. There are so many other songs.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up in a musical family, and many people in my family play piano or some other musical instrument. Singing is also an important activity in my family. I began playing the piano when I was in middle school, and in high school I was privileged to be apart of a choir for three years and a small church choir my junior year and a select choir my senior year.
When I was at ARISE last year we sang a LOT. It was so fun. At worships, at church, at vespers, in the hallways and probably several other places. Here at college music is my lifeline. If I didn't have the joy of music and writing, my life would be quite boring. I am quite seriously thinking of joining the university choir next quarter so that should be fun. I am so glad God is an artist. He creates beauty in all of our lives through music, nature, and the people who we love and who love us.
Anyway, have a good day, and keep singing!!!
Sara

How do you give 101%?

***Disclaimer***I did not write this but I thought it was so good it had to be shared. 

In life what equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? 

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.

How about achieving 101%? Here's a mathematical formula that might help

you answer these questions:

  

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

Is represented as: 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And: K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But: A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 =100%

Look how far the love of God will take you---

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top. 

The Little Things in Life

I got this off the back of the bulletin and I am going to adapt it a little because not everything applied to me, but if you would like the original list let me know.


-Laughing so hard your face hurts                        -getting mail
-A hot shower                                                    -walking on a pretty path
-No lines at Wal-Mart/other grocery store/restaurant or cafeteria
-listening to your favorite song(s)                    -finding the (item of clothing) you want is on sale                                                                                                      for half price
-lying in bed listening to the rain outside
-hot towels out of the dryer                                              -peach smoothie (the SAC makes                                                                                                                them amazingly tasty)
-a great conversation with someone you love
    -giggling                      -the beach                         -finding money you forgot you had
           -laughing at yourself                                -running through sprinklers         
                                  -laughing for absolutely no reason at all
-having someone tell you you're beautiful                -laughing at an inside joke
                 -friends               -accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you
-waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep
                                -making new friends or spending time with old ones
-playing with a puppy or kitten
                                             -having someone play with your hair
-sweet dreams                                        -hot chocolate or tea           -road trips with friends
          -swinging on swings              -finding the lyrics to the song so you can sing along
-going to a really good concert                -winning a really competitive game
          -making cookies            -friends sending you cookies        -spending time with
                                                                                                          close friends
                                    -giving a gift          -watching the sunrise or sunset

-Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.

Now maybe this will inspire you! What things make you happy? Let me know!!!

Sara

The art of doing "nothing"

This is something I think about occasionally, and that I wrote in my diary about this summer after reading Christopher Robin again (yes my family still owns the complete collection). It reminded me how important it is to "do nothing". Yes, we aren't children any longer, but that doesn't mean we can't go gaze at the stars sometimes, or lay in the grass and think and dream, with the sun on your face. Or to look at the ocean, or sit in the warm sand with the waves lapping at your toes.
I think our society puts pressure on us to grow up too soon and get a career and all that. It shouldn't be a rush through life. We should be able to sit and relax and enjoy each moment. Children shouldn't be pushed to be too grown up, they should be allowed to be children because it won't last forever. And even when you are grown up, that doesn't mean that you should stop enjoying life. After all, you are still human. You have dreams and passions and you should keep those in sight. Don't get a job for the sake of having a job. Don't go into a career field you don't enjoy. Sure, you may have to do some jobs that aren't your favorite on the way to getting where you want to be, but make sure you follow your dreams and passions, because that's the best way to keep enjoying life.
And while you're working your way through life and finding your passion, make sure you take a walk and smell the roses, and dream, and "do nothing".

These Little Miracles

So I have been thinking a lot lately about babies recently. I have several friends or acquaintances who have been having babies or have small children or are pregnant. Even Meghan Markle is now expecting! I also have several young cousins, and considering that I am the oldest, and my eldest(younger) sister is the next oldest, of all our cousins on both sides of the family, we have a lot of younger children in our family who look up to us, and it is fun to be with them. My sisters and I currently have a total of 13 cousins, ranging from 15 all the way down to nearly a year old. I am nearly 19 and a half years older than the youngest of the lot. I also have a few young friends who are anywhere from 1st to 3rd grade.
I enjoy children because they are so innocent and so easy to love. I have several good memories from the summer that included children. When I first went home, I spent a week with cousins and it was a blast. My twin cousins Mandy and Macy were wanting to be with us every second. My cousin Enoch, whose family I lived with for a year in high school, wanted to be with me and hold my hand. Isn't it cool how children see you as their hero and love you no matter what? No matter what you have done, children are quick to forgive.
Enoch was talking so well. He is three and a half. The last time that I had seen him before the summer was August 2017. His vocabulary had much improved and we were able to have a complete conversation. It was surreal, how much he had grown in those months. His little brother was starting to crawl, and it was the first time I had ever seen him due to my long absence from home. I had missed out on so much. Treasure the moments because they grow so fast!
Children are such miracles. Think about the chances of a child being conceived, then surviving until birth, and then somehow surviving to adulthood. So much could go wrong. Life is a miracle. God is the one who keeps us alive and gives us the blessings of children.
Jesus once said that we should become like little children if we wish to enter the kingdom of heaven someday. What does that mean? I think we just have to look at the children in our lives to know the answer. May I be more trusting and rest in God's arms, free of cares. May I be loving and kind to everyone I meet. May I be more easy to forgive and quick to forgive others. May I become like a little child. This is my prayer. Amen.