Kindergarten Troubles

Earlier today, my mom was working on kindergarten with my youngest brother, Nut-Nut.  (Whose name isn't really Nut-Nut, just like my little sister's name isn't really JellyBean.  But you all knew that.)

 

He's learning all about the seven days of creation, and they were working on Day Three this morning, when God separated the land from the sea.  I sat and watched while giving a bottle to Miss Bean.  Mom was trying to explain that the plants started growing, each to their own kind, just like it says in Genesis 1:11-12.

 

"The orange trees grew oranges," Mom told Nut-Nut, "and the tomato seeds grew tomatoes.  Do you understand?"  He nodded and she went on.  "Okay, what do cucumber seeds grow?"

 

"Um....  They grow....  Um...."  He fiddled around with his belt and said the same thing over and over – "They grow... um....  They grow... um....  They grow... um...."

 

I was sitting far enough away that I could hear every word they said, but since Nut-Nut was facing away, he wouldn't be able to see or hear that I was about to burst with laughter.  Seriously, it was the funniest thing in the world!!

It went on like this for about twenty minutes.  Seriously, guys.  Twenty minutes.  Finally, my mom said, "This is taking way too long.  We're going to stop right now and pray that God gives you the answer and clears away all the confusion from your mind about this simple, simple thing."  They did just that.

 

When they were done, Nut-Nut started crying, saying he didn't know why.  Mom asked him again – "What do cucumber seeds make?"

 

More of the same, "Ummmmm...."

 

Then I suggested to use something he knew, because I don't think the kid has ever seen an orange tree.  We have three blueberry bushes at the side of our house, and he loves picking the blueberries off it, so I suggested that.

 

Mom said, "What grows on blueberry bushes?  Like the blueberry bushes we have outside our house?"

 

"Um....  Blueberries?"

Much rejoicing happened.  : D  Then, Mom proceeded to ask him about tomatoes, oranges, cucumbers, and peas.  He replied, "Tomatoes make tomatoes, and oranges make oranges!"  (He also said, "Muffins make muffins."   We're still working on that.)

 

I finished feeding JellyBean her bottle, put her to bed, and started editing my novel.  A few minutes later, Mom came in and brought a whole new light on the previous event that I'd never thought about before.  She said, "The reason that it was so hard for him to understand all that was because of spiritual warfare.  The devil only wants to twist the truth in God's word, so evolution is the way he's twisting the truth about creation."  So true!

 

Mom suggested I write about this here, and I think it was a great idea.  An even better idea, though, is to pray for wisdom and for God to reveal truth for all of us as school starts up again.  I'm starting up again on August 5th, and will definitely need some help with a CLEP test I've been studying for for about a month now, not including all the breaks I've had to take because of needing to help finish out our basement.  I'd encourage you guys to do the same!

 

~Eowyn~

Don't Stop the Madness

There's a beggar down inside of me
Standing on the corner of the street
And my shame is my only company
Can use some cash, but can't admit my need
For what you've got and what I could receive
I need you love to come and break the silence

Don't stop the madness
Don't stop the chaos
Don't stop the pain surrounding me
Don't be afraid, Lord, to break my heart
Just bring me down to my knees, yeah

All I hear is what they're selling me
That God is love, He isn't suffering
And what you need's a "little faith and prosperity"
But, oh my God, I know there's more than this
If You promise pain it can't be meaningless
So make me poor if that's the price for freedom!

Don't stop the madness
Don't stop the chaos
Don't stop the pain surrounding me
Don't be afraid, Lord, to break my heart
If it brings me down to my knees, yeah

In a marriage lost
And the cry in the dark
Don't stop with Your love
And the mother's tear
For the child that starves
Don't stop with Your love
When we're breaking down
We're falling apart
Don't stop with Your love
And with new eyes to see
This is Your mercy
Don't stop with Your love

Don't stop the madness
Don't stop the chaos
Don't stop the pain inside of me
Do whatever it takes to give me Your heart
And bring me down to my knees, Lord!

 

'Don't Stop the Madness' by Tenth Avenue North

 

Amen.

~Eowyn~

Jesus of the Scars

Edward Shillito was a British minister who witnessed the devastation of WWI. In his attempts to reconcile what he had seen with his faith, he penned these words.

 

"If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;

Thine eyes burn through the dark, out only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow;

We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

 

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place;

Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

 

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near;

Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;

We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear;

Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

 

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak;

And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone."

 

-Edward Shillito, Jesus of the Scars-

Worldviews

I started CollegePlus about a month ago (woot!), and have been doing various beginning things with that, including writing synthesis that form the foundation of my belief system and where I want to go with my life, reading articles and watching lectures, listening to a few courses (including a speed reading course where the lecturer has a heavy Brooklyn accent and it always sounded like he was mad at me; SO glad to be done!), and developing my critical reasoning by doing various exercises.  It's been fun!  A few minutes ago, I was reading an essay on worldviews by Nancy Pearcy titled Total Truth that I'd like to share with you guys!

 

"As the concept of worldview becomes common currency, it can all too easily be misunderstood. Some treat it as merely another academic subject to master — a mental exercise or "how to" strategy. Others handle worldview as if it were a weapon in the culture war, a tool for more effective activism. Still others, alas, treat it as little more than a new buzzword or marketing gimmick to dazzle the public and attract donors.

Genuine worldview thinking is far more than a mental strategy or a new spin on current events. At the core, it is a deepening of our spiritual character and the character of our lives. It begins with the submission of our minds to the Lord of the universe - a willingness to be taught by Him. The driving force in worldview studies should be a commitment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind" (see Luke 10:27).

That's why the crucial condition for intellectual growth is spiritual growth, asking God for the grace to "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). God is not just the Savior of souls, He is also the Lord of creation. One way we acknowledge His Lordship is by interpreting every aspect of creation in the light of His truth. God's Word becomes a set of glasses offering a new perspective on all our thoughts and actions.

As with every aspect of sanctification, the renewal of the mind may be painful and difficult. It requires hard work and discipline, inspired by a sacrificial love for Christ and a burning desire to build up His Body, the Church. In order to have the mind of Christ, we must be willing to be crucified with Christ, following wherever He might lead - whatever the cost. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). As we undergo refining in the fires of suffering, our desires are purified and we find ourselves wanting nothing more than to bend every fiber of our being, including our mental powers, to fulfill the Lord's Prayer: "Thy Kingdom come." We yearn to lay all our talents and gifts at His feet in order to advance His purposes in the world. Developing a Christian worldview means submitting our entire self to God, in an act of devotion and service to Him."

 

Now I'm off to make a yummy chocolate something for myself as a prize for studying so hard today and motivation to study more!  C :

~Eowyn~

A Challenge For You

I read this in 2 Timothy this week and have been really convicted about how much I love to entertain myself.  I thought I'd share and challenge you to ask yourself the same hard question I had to ask myself....

 

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with such people."  (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

 

Are you a lover of pleasure?  Or are you a lover of God?

 

~Eowyn~

This guy is *right* on!!

This video isn't about how to get guys to like you - it's about how to get the right guy to like you.  There's a difference.  And Jordan is right on when he explains it!

Listen well, sister!
(And no, that was not a way of tweaking Thor's idiotic line from The Avengers.)



What do you think?  Do you agree with him?

Let the comment war begin!

~Eowyn~

Twenty-Five Things I'm Thankful For

• God, Who saved me and continues to mold me into who He wants me to be every single day
• My wonderful family, who loves me even when I make idiotic mistakes
• My sweetie-pie little brother, who never ceases to make me laugh!
• My church body, without whom I know I wouldn't be who I am today
• My loving friends, who accept me the way I am - with all of my faults and quirks  : )
• My awesome pen pal, Elinor  (Love ya, girly!!)
• All of my amazing bloggy friends - you guys are awesome!
• Sir Percy... just cuz.  (And, yes, I did just say that!)
• The makers of the Lord of the Rings LEGO video game who decided to keep Faramir in it.  Cuz he is amazing.  Nuff said.
• All of the authors whose works I read frequently - Wayne Thomas Batson, Robert Whitlow, J.R.R. Tolkien, Louisa May Alcott, and C.S. Lewis, to name a very few.  You worked hard to create something worth reading and you have done it!!
• The BBC for making such wonderful productions and for providing half of the quotes that I use on a regular basis, from "Easy peesy, squeeze the lemon," to "Sparker, be quiet!" to "No lace!" to "In vain I have struggled - my feelings will not be repressed.  You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you!" to "Really, Emma, it is better to be without wit at all then to apply it as you do!"  (And that's only half of the half!)
• Peter Jackson for making Lord of the Rings and sticking to The Hobbit
• To the Bored Shorts TV people, who provide the other half of the quotes I use on a regular basis!  ("Don't punch........our car." and "I am a Snackyvore.  It is liiiiike... a dinosoah that likes... snacks and treats!" are two of my bo-fuh... my bo-fa, my bo-faaaai....  Yeah.)
• Tenth Avenue North - your music makes me feel like I'm in church.  And I love it.  : )
• Alec and Nikki, who are two of my best friends even though they're only in my head  : )
• The old Hollywood, who made such awesome Christmas movies like Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, and the two that share the rank of my top favorite Christmas movie of all time, The Shop Around the Corner and It's a Wonderful Life!
• My piano and violin teachers, who inspire me to play more than they know!
• My good friend who inspired me to start writing again.  That was a good six years ago and, good gracious, I haven't gotten over it yet!
• The makers of all of the musicals I love - Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Little Women, and The Little Mermaid.  Most of my go-to songs are from those four musicals and I love them dearly!
• Mitt Romney, for sticking to it and running for president and defying the odds.  You would have been a great president!
• Milton Hershey for perfecting the modern version of chocolate - you are in my debt!
• The next-door neighbors and their adorable twins who I got to babysit all day today.  Not finishing my school was completely worth it!
• The NaNo people for inspiring so many writers to actually write and finish a goal and push them!
• The makers of all of the indie films that I love - October Baby, What If..., Fireproof, and To Save a Life being some of my favorites.  When you work hard to make a good movie, the story and character development make up for all of the acting slips!
• You guys, the readers of my blog.  You make my day whenever you read a post or comment or follow!  Thank you so much!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

~Eowyn~

On the Election...

After praying almost incessantly - very specifically - and listening to the radio almost as much (Sean Hannity is awesome...), I've finally reached the conclusion that whatever happens tonight is God's will and that I just need to trust Him with all of my heart.  I'd strongly encourage you guys to do the same!

Also, I'm just glad that it's almost over.  This campaign has been one of the worst in America's history, mainly because of all the lying, back-stabbing, and finger-pointing (mostly on one side, in my opinion... *cough* Obama! *cough*).  A lot of that one side's commercials have been, to say the least, immature and, considering the most recent one, almost scandelous.  (The other side, in my humble and honest opinion, has been presidential and mature and worthy of the presidency.  *cough* Romney!! *cough*  Just sayin'.)  I'm sick and tired of it and totally ready for it to be done!

And one last note on not voting....  (Before, though, if you're of age and have decided not to vote for one reason or another, I am not trying to condemn you or anything.  The last thing I'd want to do is offend you!  However, I have a very strong opinion on this, so I'd like to share it with everyone.  Please don't be offended if you've chosen not to vote!!)  I firmly believe that this is a right that we, as Americans, have that was given to us by the people that fought and died for our country.  It's not only our duty to vote, it's a freedom that was given to us at a very high price!  This is one of the most fantastic things about being an American - we have so many rights and freedoms and we take them all for granted.  And what makes my opinion even stronger is the fact that I'm missing voting by about thirty-two days....  *runs around in circles screaming bloody murder and tearing out hair*

As always, your opinion matters (*cough* just like your vote does *cough*).  Comment, pretty please with a cherry on top?

Well, I need to listen to the radio now.  (We don't get Fox News and everything else is Liberal....)

Praying that the initials of our 45th president start with MITT ROMNEY!!!!

~Eowyn~

Here's my attempt to tell you guys everything that's gone on this week...

I have had the craziest week ever.

(I could end this blog post there - that'd certainly be the easiest way of doing it....  But I'll attempt to tell you guys everything that's gone on this week, starting with Arwen's birthday last Sunday.  [Well, it wasn't last Sunday, it was, like, two Sundays ago.]  Anywhoz.)

(I should also mention that I'm listening to a Doctor Who soundtrack playlist on YouTube, so if I randomly start quoting David Tennant... my deepest apologies.  But not that deep.  I've only seen two episodes, so I don't have much to work with, but....  *evil laugh*)

We had Arwen's birthday party after everyone left after church.  A few of the kids from three families were there, totaling thirteen kids.  (I love big families....)  We played this awesome Bible game called Truth and Triumph - full of Bible questions that were insanely hard - and then ate a delicious lunch, cooked in the kitchen at the community center where we meet for church.  Afterwards, instead of cake and ice cream, we had caramel apples!!!  (Try this at home - use an apple slicer to cut an apple up, then dip it in caramel, mini chocolate chips, and pecans.  It's amazing and way easier to eat than a whole apple!)  After that, we went to see Finding Nemo in 3D.  : )

Monday morning, we left for the Passion for Jesus Retreat.  It. Was. Amazing.  I won't even attempt to write everything God taught me this week because it'd take you years to read it all.  No joke!  God used APJ in a very powerful way this past week, and I count myself very blessed to have been a part of it!

 APJ is different from other retreats or conferences because they have a lot of dramatic skits in between sessions.  This one was an analogy of what happens after you've become a Christian, but still have guilt over things you did before you were a Christian.

They also incorporate a lot of singing in the schedule, too.  Nearly every time our entire group got together, we sang amazing songs, such as 'Still, My Soul Be Still,' 'Wonderful, Merciful Savior,' 'Above All,' 'All I Have is Christ,' 'The Power of the Cross,' 'Revelation Song,' 'How Deep the Father's Love,' 'Before the Throne of God Above,' and I could probably list every song in the songbook they sent us home with because they're all amazing.  (If you haven't heard any of the songs I listed, go look them up.  Like, now.)

 In between sessions and small groups and hours upon hours of alone-time with God (what my small group leader liked to call dates with Him), we had plenty of time to goof off with the other campers.  We did a lot of volleyball games and swimming in the lake and all that jazz.  (We also played an awesome game where we ran around and hid and acted like idiots.  It was awesome.)

 One of my small group leaders - who was from Australia!  Her accent was amazing.  (I also discovered how hard an Australian accent is to pull off!  It's a cross between British and Irish and completely awesome.)

 Part of my small group trying to write a song about Starbursts.  (I told you we had time to goof off!)  It was a competition, too!  We didn't win, but had an absolute blast.  : )

 The train track at the camp where we stayed.  The conductor stopped the train here so that he could give a salvation message.

 A team while they were doing their Starburst song.  (The girl in the front is really nice and I think she acts exactly like Arwen!)

 Me and one of my small group leaders.  Loved her to death!

 Me and the girl from Australia - she was amazing!

Me and a speaker, who was so much fun to listen to!  I could sit there for hours and hours and listen to her speak.

I'll give you guys the highlights of what I learned.  Just the highlights, mind you, so this isn't going to look like much, but if you want more, just email me.  : )

On humbleness and pride - I learned that I had so much pride in more than one area of my life.  It was insane!  The night Laurie spoke on pride, it was like this huge wave of conviction came over me and I was like, "Oh, nuts."  We all got down on the floor in a big circle and prayed and cried for a few hours.  (Then watched Billy: The Early Years, which was the perfect movie to end all that crying because it was so funny!)  In our workbook, they put a list of prideful people and what they do and don't do versus broken people and what they do and don't do.  I found a few of them here, if you'd like to check them out.

On forgiveness and bitterness - Bitterness is a nasty word.  Some people don't like to admit they're bitter at others and instead say, "I'm just hurt."  But it's the same thing.

On guy friends - I need to be more than just a friend to my brothers in Christ.  I need to be a sister to them, helping and encouraging them along their walk with the Lord.  One thing I really liked about the retreat this year was that they had a guy speaker.  I know what you're thinking - a guy at an all-girls camp?!  Scandalous!!  No, not really.  I heard David to have been a little bit of a distraction, but, to me, what he said far outweighed any distraction he was, because to me, personally, subjects like this mean so much more coming from a guy.  Really.  (That, and he was funny, too!  Check out this awesome video I found yesterday!!)

On crushes - This was another thing David talked about.  He first defined a crush ("A crush is affection looking for somewhere to rest.  A crush is like a head cold.  It comes and it goes and the best thing you can do about it not to pass it on."), then talked about different things having to do with crushes.  The thing that I liked the most, though, was what he said about having a crush on God.  People say they love God, but if there's no relationship - they never read their Bible or pray or anything - they really only have a crush on God.  : )

And I'd better stop before this gets much longer.  Again, though, if you'd like any more of my notes or anything, just ask.  I'd be more than willing to email them to anyone because one of the things I heard at the retreat was that I have to many masks.  I have different masks - one for church, one for home, one for certain siblings, one for my friend, the list goes on and on.  Laurie talked about taking off the masks and being real.  "To be real is to be vulnerable" are her exact words.  So I'll be real with y'all.  No more masks.  : )

Friday, Arwen and I got up early-ish to go to work, then came home really tired.  Then, on Saturday, we went to another ball!  Yes, another ball!!  : )  I didn't take many pictures, so for the sake of this post not being any longer than it already is, I won't post any.  (Unless, that is, you riot and throw tomatoes.  But please stop because I am talking!!!  *gasps*  I didn't think I'd actually quote Doctor Who, and there it was.  And not even David Tennant!)

On Sunday, we had the most amazing worship time!  I think it was partially because Arwen and I had been at the APJ retreat all week, so our music was more focused on Christ.  Also, at our church, we have a time of sharing what the Lord has been teaching in your life, then we do prayer requests and praise reports, then we pray.  This week, everything seemed to connect together, like everyone was sharing in the same theme - trusting God, which, insanely, was something He had convicted me about at the retreat.  A friend shared the exact same verse God had brought to my mind as I was walking down the train track one day.  After everyone shared, I had to go outside and have a minute by myself.  I completely lost it.  It was great.  : )Afterwards, we had a fellowship meal and played football (which is my one weakness).  Monday was the standard school and et cetera, then orchestra practice.  As Arwen and I were driving home, we hit a huge deer.  Now the front of our car is all smashed up and we'll probably have to drive my mom's car to work tomorrow.  (Sigh.)

Thus is my life.  "One big stinking hunk of nothing!"  No, that's not it.  What's the quote...?  "My life is an open book, I see!"  Nope.  Oh, whatever.  What I'm trying to say is that my life is amazing right now.  (With no guy in it - imagine that!)  Anybody got a quote for that?  : )

~Eowyn~

Things I'll be doing...

Watching this movie tonight - and probably bawling my head off.... I can't even tell you guys how good it is. Story-wise, better than any indie flim I've ever seen (and, yes, that includes Fireproof and Courageous and maybe even To Save a Life because adoption hits very close to home with me!). Sure, there are a few moments where you're like, "Oh, yeah... this is an indie film!" - but they were few and far between!








Reading this book in the near future... after I read the first two to refresh my memory. (It came in the mail today after I ordered it Wednesday from Amazon. I nearly shrieked and said, "Amazon Prime is so handy!!!")

Majorly excited!!!! I can't wait to tell you guys all about it!!!







And I'll be going to this next week! I can't wait for everything - fellowshipping with friends, fasting, having alone-time with God, and getting to know Him better!!!

Oh, and here's a shout-out to Arwen, the second half of this blog (that never posts... ahem!), whose birthday is Sunday! Happy Birthday, girl! : )

See you guys in a week or so!
~Eowyn~

To Be Educated

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been taught how to communicate with the Designer of all language...
I have not been educated.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God's wisdom...
I have not been educated.

If I have read Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of books—the Bible—and have no knowledge of its personal importance...
I have not been educated.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God's Word in my heart...
I have not been educated.

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's Theory of Relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One who orders our universe...
I have not been educated.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation...
I have not been educated.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not learned about the hand of God in the history of our country...
I have not been educated.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves listeners to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him...
I have not been educated.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball, and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God's will...
I have not been educated.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of daVinci, and even paint a portrait that gains acclaim, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God...
I have not been educated.

If I graduate with perfect grades and am accepted at the finest university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me...
I have not been educated.

If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of humanities sinfulness and hopelessness without Christ...
I have not been educated.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me...
I have been educated!

- Carolyn Caines

Just a little something to keep in mind during your school year.... : ) Hope it helps you keep the right things in the forefront of your mind this year!

~Eowyn~

A Teenage Model... Infatuated with A Guy! (Part Two)

And here's part two: My advice to this Teenage Model At Home who's infatuated with Justin, taken word-for-word from the second part of It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin.

"When fantasies about Tom, Dick, or Harry start to set up house in our minds, all we have to do is to stop – but first, we have to want to stop. And that's the hard part. At heart, usually what we want is for the problem to go away, for the crush to stop bothering us and causing us pain. We hate the pain, but we don't hate the sin. And left to itself... it usually doesn't just go away. It often takes something shattering, like his marrying someone else, to end the fantasy.

"If you really want it to stop, you have to stop it yourself, right where it started – one thought, one fantasy, one feeling at a time. Intercepting each renegade emotion or imagination at the door. Every time temptation knocks, we are faced with a decision: to indulge in a few visions of a romantic movement with Brandon [or Justin], or to pray for Brandon's wife? To ruminate over every syllable of our last conversation with him, or to meditate on the Scripture passage we are memorizing (how's that coming, by the way)? To start dreaming up our perfect wedding dress, or to focus on learning a new skill that will actually make us a better wife?

"The purity of our thoughts and heart is something that we generate on a moment-by-moment, thought-by-thought basis. "Keep your heart with all vigilance," says Proverbs 4:23, "for from it flow the springs of life." The Webster's 1828 dictionary [my personal favorite!]'s definition of vigilance is, "Watchfully; with the attention to danger and the means of safety." [Can you tell why?]"

It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

The Botkin sisters end the section with a very good piece of advice:

Our hearts need to have their brains turned on."

What about you guys? I'm not trying to pry or say that you're so sinful if you've had thoughts like that – I have, too! It revolutionized my thinking when I read this section in the chapter titled "The Heart: Victim or Perpetrator? Getting Your Heart to Follow YOU." (No pun intended... heehee....) It was one of those "Well, duh!!" moments in my life – if I don't want my thoughts to dwell on this guy, I've got to stop them. So simple, it's almost complicated. But in the Botkin sisters' book, they take it from being That Complicated to being Not That Complicated. (That's why I looooove this book! I'm going to review it on here someday, too....)

I think that this Teenage Model At Home needs to have her heart's brain turned on, too.

Again - your thoughts?

Eowyn~

PS: Happy Birthday, Daddy!! I just realized that in the video I'm adding has Tom Bosley in it! : P

A Teenage Model... Infatuated with A Guy! (Part One)

If you've ever moved, you'll know what it feels like – the packing, the saying goodbye, the leaving. My family's done it thirteen times, seven that I can remember.

The absolute worst part about moving, in my opinion, is the unpacking of the boxes. (Leaving friends is more emotionally taxing, while unpacking boxes is physically and emotionally and even sometimes spiritually taxing. [Just kidding about the spiritually taxing part.... : P]) It's even worse if you move somewhere far, far away from your friends who'd love to help. Talk about sad! Hour after hour, unpacking belongings that remind you of the life you just left....

(You guys are probably saying right now, "This post is so much different than your others, Eowyn. What's up, girly?!" It is going to be different. This is a subject that is not to be taken lightly, so please don't expect this post to be light and funny. Sorry. It's just not that kind of day for me... after everything else that's been going on recently. Moving on....)

We "just" moved – a few years ago – and, like in The Incredibles, we're just finishing unpacking the boxes. ("We are now officially moved in." "And the last three years don't count because...?" "Because I just unpacked the last box. Now it's official! Ha, ha, ha! Why do we have so much junk?" My thoughts exactly....) Anyway, it's because we moved into a house with an unfinished basement. My uncle is finishing it, and lucky-ducky Arwen (whoops – I mean 'blessed') is going to move in down there whenever it's finished.

The other day, we were down there cleaning out the boxes and moving stuff so my uncle could work and I walked towards the stairs to get a drink. Then I froze and turned around. A coloring book was laying on a box. I walked closer and stared at the cover – a young blonde with sparkles in her hair holding a puppy. The thing that made me freeze and give it more than just a glance was the fact that it had my name on it. Not Eowyn, but my real name. "Cool!" I picked it up, grinning. I flipped through it and Mom came around the corner. "I found that while we were unpacking stuff." I looked through it some more. 'Wow!' I thought. 'This girl is into everything!'

The cover said that this girl was a Teenage Model At Home – a very evident fact upon perusal. Not only were there a few pictures (uncolored... guess I forgot about it even when I had it...) of her posing under big lights, but there were also pictures of her posing in a car, holding a cat, stretching before a run, playing basketball, eating cotton candy, playing piano, calling someone on the phone, eating sushi (eww... she must take after her dad...), ice skating, posing with two friends in swimsuits, surfing, going to a masquerade, bowling, playing the violin, and eating a hamburger. And I only scratched the surface – this book is 176 pages long! While I was flipping through this coloring book, I was thinking, 'Wow, she's kind of like me! Bowling, violin, piano, riding horses, reading a book.... She's pretty neat.'

Then, I turned the page and saw it. Page twelve. A guy. He wore a sports jacket with a big J on it and was holding a football. 'Okaaay....' A few pages later, there was a picture of this girl's desk. On the desk was a cute jar of pencils and pens, and a book and a heart-shaped clock sat beside it. A mirror was in the back, and on it were two pictures of this Teenage Model At Home and Her Guy. Two hearts were above the pictures and below, a sticky-note on the mirror that said, "Call Justin at 8pm" with a heart above it.

I just laughed and looked through the coloring book some more. Apparently, this girl was infatuated with this guy named Justin. There was one of those pictures that you attempt to copy in the grid of him, one of him in a swimsuit at the beach, then on the very next page, one of him in a tux with his hair flattened down very nicely with stars behind him, one of him giving The Cool Face to the 'camera', another of him running his fingers through his hair and the words COOL TEEN above him, one of him and this girl in front of an elephant at the zoo, and one of him smiling innocently at the camera while writing a note to this girl – who else?! (My personal favorites are one of him in a tux with the words Justin Is Dreamy! beneath it and one that says "Justin gave [this girl] a box of candy!" with his smiling face and a heart-shaped box of candy. [To which I say, "I prefer chocolate."])

While I was looking through this coloring book, numerous things came to my mind, mainly the fact that I don't personally know any Justins. I would be mortified if I did – and it would not be a pretty sight the next time I see him. (Okay, maybe one Justin, but he's younger than me and I've scarcely said three words together to him that don't have something to do with Airsoft guns. : P lol, Haley...)

But the thing that struck me while I read is the fact that this girl is simply infatuated with this guy named Justin. I know I just said that, but it's true! I kept saying it to myself as I looked through the book: "Wow, she's got issues! Oh, look – another picture of them with a million hearts around it. Girl, you need to find something else to do with your time besides thinking of this guy. But apparently skating and playing instruments and eating sushi isn't enough." It was as if this book was encouraging girls to think about guys they like – while they're still in the coloring stage!

For example, near the end was a picture of Justin smiling innocently into the colorer's face. Above, the words "What do you know about Justin?" with his name in bold letters on the bottom. Beside his face were questions with blocks under them for you to answer – probably either from a boy you know or making something up. Height, birthday, eye color, hair color, favorite color, favorite food, and favorite book were all on the list. I read this and just shook my head. Then, on one of the last pages was a picture of this girl, sitting on her bed in her pajamas with a dreamy look on her face, resting the side of her face on her palm. She'd been looking at a scrapbook – the picture it was open to was one of her posing in a dress at prom, and I said, "But where's Justin?!" – but she'd apparently gotten bored of that and was thinking of something else with a yearning look in her eyes and a slight smile. Above it was a huge thought bubble and below it were the words, "What is [this girl] dreaming about? Draw her thoughts in the bubble above." The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Probably Justin!"

I couldn't get the coloring book out of my mind for the rest of the day. I kept thinking, "This is not something to encourage! Girls should be thinking about guys less – not more!!" I kept remembering something I'd read in It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin about our thoughts concerning guys. Instead of murdering the passage and trying to summarize what they said, I'll just tell you exactly what they said.


"If we want to make these feelings [for guys] stop, then we need to trace our emotional footsteps back to where they started. Infatuation begins when we let a thought take root in our imaginations, and then feed and water those fantasies until our minds are overgrown. Love or infatuation is not a force of nature, swirling around us, breaking in from the outside. It's something that we are actually creating within ourselves, a seed we germinate with our own minds and hearts. We sometimes feel like the feelings are attacking us, but in fact, we are generating them within ourselves – one thought, one fantasy, one feeling at a time.


"We'll only win this battle if we recognize two things: first, that we are weak; and second, that we are not powerless. We sometimes cry, "He stole my heart!" as if he's a quarterback intercepting a pass. We like this illusion because it absolves us of personal responsibility and makes us feel like tragic, wronged, romantic heroines. Since when did he have access to our inner control panel? This isn't voodoo! What are we thinking – that he has a little model of our heart which he's sticking pins into?

"First, the bad news: your heart was under your own control. Now the good news: you heart is under your own control! Outside forces (e.g. Tom, Dick, Harry) are out of our control, but the controls to our own minds and hearts are built squarely into our own minds and hearts."

- It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

(Isn't that great? I love that book....)

My advice for this Teenage Model Infatuated with A Guy will be in Part Two... including an application for all of my dear readers.

What are your thoughts on this subject? I'd love to know!

~Eowyn~

You Love Me Anyway

I got the WOW 2012 CD for Christmas last year and have loved listening to it in my free time. (It's a must-buy if you like Christian music!)

Anyway, I have quite a few favorites and this 'You Love Me Anyway' one of them. I absolutely love this song!! It's so true and more theologically correct than a few other songs I've heard on the radio lately (such as the one that goes "I'm someone worth dying for..." I'm like, "Nope, you're not! It's called grace." That song drives me crazy....)

The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn't mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future's so far
My heart is so frail
I think I'd rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
Yes, You love me anyway
Oh, Lord, how You love me
How You love me!

It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die?

But You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
Yes, You love me anyway
Oh, Lord, how You love me!

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway
See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking
ground
Yes, then, I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life...
But You love me anyway!
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
Yes,You love me anyway
Oh, Lord, how You love me
You love me, yes, You love me

How You love me
How You love me
How You love me

*sigh* I love this song... Hope that blessed your day! Now go listen to it on YouTube. : )
~Eowyn~

The REASON for CHRISTmas...

I was going to write this post on all the Christmas movies I've watched in the past month or so, with a little blurb on what I thought of them, but decided there was a much more pressing issue I needed to discuss.

A few months ago, my family found out that some friends of ours didn't celebrate Christmas. It's given my family a lot to think about. Although I wasn't there when they gave their reasons, I can think of a few reasons why I wouldn't want "do Christmas" - in the modern way it's being celebrated, that is. Just look at how big Santa Claus has gotten over the past century or so, then add that with the big push for marketing. All that, plus the general selfishness surrounding December, makes me pretty angry. What must God think of how we've warped this holiday - one that's supposed to be sacred and set aside to celebrate Jesus' birth?

I encourage you to turn off the computer or cell phone or whatever and think about the reason you celebrate Christmas. Then wish Jesus a happy birthday. : )


Merry Christmas!

~Eowyn~