what is the point of spending hundreds of $ buying instruments when you can just make them out of vegetables?
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas (Eve)
This will be the first Christmas my family has spent without my older brother, Dan.
He got married in July and is spending the week with his wife's family in Fargo, North Dakota.
Dan, I'm going to miss you jumping on me and Marc at 3 a.m. telling us it's time to open presents.
This made my day today- Christmas Eve text message from Dan:
"Christmas eva! wall-eve! you're more fun than a fart propelled journey through space!"
....At least we can still communicate via cell phone and text messages! Bahaha! :)
Merry Christmas readers!!!!!!!!! Don't lose sight of the meaning of Christmas! If you have a chance, try to get ahold of the movie "The Nativity Story". It's the most powerful, wonderful movie about the birth of Christ I have ever seen!!!
He got married in July and is spending the week with his wife's family in Fargo, North Dakota.
Dan, I'm going to miss you jumping on me and Marc at 3 a.m. telling us it's time to open presents.
This made my day today- Christmas Eve text message from Dan:
"Christmas eva! wall-eve! you're more fun than a fart propelled journey through space!"
....At least we can still communicate via cell phone and text messages! Bahaha! :)
Merry Christmas readers!!!!!!!!! Don't lose sight of the meaning of Christmas! If you have a chance, try to get ahold of the movie "The Nativity Story". It's the most powerful, wonderful movie about the birth of Christ I have ever seen!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Summary of my 2008
1. what did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? voted in a presidential election, been in a wedding, eaten gelato, gotten a tattoo
2. did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any and no, I won't make any for this year.
3. did anyone close to you give birth? Jess Hibbing, Nancy Heerma and my cousin's wife Heather gave birth to set of twins #2!
4. did anyone close to you die? Uncle Sonny and Grandpa Lee
5. what countries did you visit? None in 2008
6. what would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? a stronger relationship with the Lord and for people to stop asking me what I'm doing with my life and why I have moved around so much
7. what date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? 7/19- Dan's Wedding and 11/11- Veteran's Day and the day Grandpa Lee passed away
8. what was your biggest achievement of the year? Building patience and learning to love the hard to love.
9. what was your biggest failure? Not setting my priorities straight.
10. did you suffer illness or injury? Pinkeye, Strep Throat (3 times), was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism
11. what was the best thing you bought? good books
12. whose behavior merited celebration? My dad, grandpa Ed and Alyssa Corbett
13. where did most of your money go? school and rent
14. what did you get really, really, really excited about? Honduras, Dan's wedding and Rachel's wedding
15. what song will always remind you of 2008? "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Jason Castro
16. compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner
iii. richer or poorer? poorer
17. what do you wish you'd done more of? building quality relationships, reading and serving people
18. how will you be spending Christmas? with my parents, brother Marc and grandparents
19. did you fall in love in 2008? nope- haven't fallen in love yet.
20. what was your favourite TV program? Lost, American Idol
21. what was the best book you read? Oh too many: Blue Like Jazz, Passion & Purity, Getting Serious About Getting Married, The Bible, My Utmost for His Highest
22. what was your greatest musical discovery? Phil Wickham, Derek Webb, Tenth Avenue North, re-discovery of Jennifer Knapp, Bethany Dillon, Travis, Leeland
23. what did you want and get? a year of trials and growth
24. what was your favorite film of this year? Prince Caspian, Fireproof, August Rush
25. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 20th birthday, spent with friends and family
26. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? ha! the cheap chic! goodwill, salvation army, and lots and lots of bargain shopping! having a very hip-dressing sister-in-law has definitely helped. :)
27. what kept you sane? my dad and tess ashley
28. what political issue stirred you the most? the election for sure
29. who did you miss? my mn peeps, Germany kids, jules
30. who are some of the neat new ppl you met? beth boal!, bethany, bettina, the peck siblings, daphne chelsea & brigitte (from drake), nikki, zach and jonathan
31. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: don't open up too quickly to people who haven't earned your trust, choose your close friends based on their character, as their character will rub off to become your character and don't live your life based off what other people might think!!!!!
32. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Just because I'm losing
Doesn't mean I'm lost
Doesn't mean I'll stop
Doesn't mean I'm in a cross
Just because I'm hurting
Doesn't mean I'm hurt
Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve
No better and no worse
I just got lost
Every river that I've tried to cross
And every door I ever tried was locked
Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off...
You might be a big fish
In a little pond
Doesn't mean you've won
'Cause along may come
A bigger one
And you'll be lost
Every river that you try to cross
Every gun you ever held went off
Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the firing stops"
-"Lost" by Coldplay
"Could I just sit here a while
Know that there’s nothing that I need to say
Safe in the knowledge that you know my ways
Love me completely no need to hide a thing
Could I just stay here a while
Letting you melt away all of my fears
I feel your comfort when you are so near
I’ll hide myself in this shelter you’ve made for me
Could I (x2)
Could I just kneel here a while
Doing what I was created to do
Bowing in reverence I long to adore you
Willingly giving all that I can surrender
Could I just rest here a while
Letting you whisper my burdens away
In all of my journeys there’s no other place
Where I find refuge strength for my weary heart
Could I"
-"Could I" by Kim Mcmechan
2. did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any and no, I won't make any for this year.
3. did anyone close to you give birth? Jess Hibbing, Nancy Heerma and my cousin's wife Heather gave birth to set of twins #2!
4. did anyone close to you die? Uncle Sonny and Grandpa Lee
5. what countries did you visit? None in 2008
6. what would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? a stronger relationship with the Lord and for people to stop asking me what I'm doing with my life and why I have moved around so much
7. what date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? 7/19- Dan's Wedding and 11/11- Veteran's Day and the day Grandpa Lee passed away
8. what was your biggest achievement of the year? Building patience and learning to love the hard to love.
9. what was your biggest failure? Not setting my priorities straight.
10. did you suffer illness or injury? Pinkeye, Strep Throat (3 times), was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism
11. what was the best thing you bought? good books
12. whose behavior merited celebration? My dad, grandpa Ed and Alyssa Corbett
13. where did most of your money go? school and rent
14. what did you get really, really, really excited about? Honduras, Dan's wedding and Rachel's wedding
15. what song will always remind you of 2008? "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Jason Castro
16. compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner
iii. richer or poorer? poorer
17. what do you wish you'd done more of? building quality relationships, reading and serving people
18. how will you be spending Christmas? with my parents, brother Marc and grandparents
19. did you fall in love in 2008? nope- haven't fallen in love yet.
20. what was your favourite TV program? Lost, American Idol
21. what was the best book you read? Oh too many: Blue Like Jazz, Passion & Purity, Getting Serious About Getting Married, The Bible, My Utmost for His Highest
22. what was your greatest musical discovery? Phil Wickham, Derek Webb, Tenth Avenue North, re-discovery of Jennifer Knapp, Bethany Dillon, Travis, Leeland
23. what did you want and get? a year of trials and growth
24. what was your favorite film of this year? Prince Caspian, Fireproof, August Rush
25. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 20th birthday, spent with friends and family
26. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? ha! the cheap chic! goodwill, salvation army, and lots and lots of bargain shopping! having a very hip-dressing sister-in-law has definitely helped. :)
27. what kept you sane? my dad and tess ashley
28. what political issue stirred you the most? the election for sure
29. who did you miss? my mn peeps, Germany kids, jules
30. who are some of the neat new ppl you met? beth boal!, bethany, bettina, the peck siblings, daphne chelsea & brigitte (from drake), nikki, zach and jonathan
31. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: don't open up too quickly to people who haven't earned your trust, choose your close friends based on their character, as their character will rub off to become your character and don't live your life based off what other people might think!!!!!
32. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Just because I'm losing
Doesn't mean I'm lost
Doesn't mean I'll stop
Doesn't mean I'm in a cross
Just because I'm hurting
Doesn't mean I'm hurt
Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve
No better and no worse
I just got lost
Every river that I've tried to cross
And every door I ever tried was locked
Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off...
You might be a big fish
In a little pond
Doesn't mean you've won
'Cause along may come
A bigger one
And you'll be lost
Every river that you try to cross
Every gun you ever held went off
Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the firing stops"
-"Lost" by Coldplay
"Could I just sit here a while
Know that there’s nothing that I need to say
Safe in the knowledge that you know my ways
Love me completely no need to hide a thing
Could I just stay here a while
Letting you melt away all of my fears
I feel your comfort when you are so near
I’ll hide myself in this shelter you’ve made for me
Could I (x2)
Could I just kneel here a while
Doing what I was created to do
Bowing in reverence I long to adore you
Willingly giving all that I can surrender
Could I just rest here a while
Letting you whisper my burdens away
In all of my journeys there’s no other place
Where I find refuge strength for my weary heart
Could I"
-"Could I" by Kim Mcmechan
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
An Unbiased Education? Ha- good joke!
Well, I'm sitting here studying for my Sociology final exam that I'm taking tomorrow. I've surprisingly somewhat enjoyed this class, despite the fact that my professor is extremely one-sided and sees no problem in incorporating his views in every lecture he gives. Everything is accepted by him except for anything involving conservativism, Christianity and especially Jesus. Oh, I should throw George W. in there too. Don't even mention that name around him.
Well anyways, while I'm studying the different slide series that he has online for us, I couldn't help but share just a nugget of the bias my professor has. These are from our slide series' entitled, "Power and Politics" and "Religion". I wish I could find a way to post all the slide series' on here, but I don't think it's possible. This is just a sample of the biased education I've received all semester in this class.
"Conservative and Progressive as Political Orientations
Conservatives seek to preserve and strengthen existing, unequal distribution of power and money in modern society. Current coalition of conservatives composed of:
a) Traditionalists (pure conservatism, anti-modern)
b) Capitalists (libertarianism, anti-regulation, anti-tax, anti-progressive policy)c) Religious Conservatives (anti-secular, anti-science, anti-reason)
d) Neo-Conservatives (pro-military, pro-empire, pro-domination, pro-corporate). Neo-cons currently dominant in American government.
Progressives seek to construct a fair society consistent with American ideals of equality, liberty, community.
Generally pro-science, pro-reform, pro-regulation, pro-tax (progressive tax especially), pro-social programs. Note that current leading progressives are pro-corporate neo-liberals, promoting economic globalization, free-trade and expanded corporate markets globally."
"European parliamentary multi-party democracies separate social and economic conservatives into separate parties. American two-party “democracy” does not. This means that economic elites (economic conservatives) can readily exploit mass attachment to existing institutions (social conservatism) to win elections and maintain power."
(Goes w/picture)
"Charisma is generated by fear and uncertainty: during times of crisis followers project extraordinary qualities onto leaders. The 9/11 attacks on America made GWB’s authority much more powerful: the charismatic situation increased the submission of American masses."
(Goes w/picture below)"The Authoritarian Quality of Traditional and Sect-like Religions is Nicely Illustrated in this Quote:
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Hebrews 13:17"
"In the late 20th century, capitalist conservatives launched a massive cultural assault upon scientific research by creating conservative “think tanks” that prepare science-like reports discounting global warming, tobacco health-effects, etc. Recently, religious conservatives have joined the anti-science attack, this time from a religious, neo-creationist perspective."
I usually try to avoid blogging about politics/religion in our society as it tends to cause more arguing and fighting than good, but I couldn't help but post these tid-bits from my "STUDY REVIEW" powerpoint from my Soc class. What a well-rounded, equal education I'm receiving! (Yes, that was 100% sarcasm.) I'm sorry, but how is this ok?
Well anyways, while I'm studying the different slide series that he has online for us, I couldn't help but share just a nugget of the bias my professor has. These are from our slide series' entitled, "Power and Politics" and "Religion". I wish I could find a way to post all the slide series' on here, but I don't think it's possible. This is just a sample of the biased education I've received all semester in this class.
"Conservative and Progressive as Political Orientations
Conservatives seek to preserve and strengthen existing, unequal distribution of power and money in modern society. Current coalition of conservatives composed of:
a) Traditionalists (pure conservatism, anti-modern)
b) Capitalists (libertarianism, anti-regulation, anti-tax, anti-progressive policy)c) Religious Conservatives (anti-secular, anti-science, anti-reason)
d) Neo-Conservatives (pro-military, pro-empire, pro-domination, pro-corporate). Neo-cons currently dominant in American government.
Progressives seek to construct a fair society consistent with American ideals of equality, liberty, community.
Generally pro-science, pro-reform, pro-regulation, pro-tax (progressive tax especially), pro-social programs. Note that current leading progressives are pro-corporate neo-liberals, promoting economic globalization, free-trade and expanded corporate markets globally."
"European parliamentary multi-party democracies separate social and economic conservatives into separate parties. American two-party “democracy” does not. This means that economic elites (economic conservatives) can readily exploit mass attachment to existing institutions (social conservatism) to win elections and maintain power."
(Goes w/picture)
"Charisma is generated by fear and uncertainty: during times of crisis followers project extraordinary qualities onto leaders. The 9/11 attacks on America made GWB’s authority much more powerful: the charismatic situation increased the submission of American masses."
(Goes w/picture below)"The Authoritarian Quality of Traditional and Sect-like Religions is Nicely Illustrated in this Quote:
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Hebrews 13:17"
"In the late 20th century, capitalist conservatives launched a massive cultural assault upon scientific research by creating conservative “think tanks” that prepare science-like reports discounting global warming, tobacco health-effects, etc. Recently, religious conservatives have joined the anti-science attack, this time from a religious, neo-creationist perspective."
I usually try to avoid blogging about politics/religion in our society as it tends to cause more arguing and fighting than good, but I couldn't help but post these tid-bits from my "STUDY REVIEW" powerpoint from my Soc class. What a well-rounded, equal education I'm receiving! (Yes, that was 100% sarcasm.) I'm sorry, but how is this ok?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wow
I've come to the conclusion that it's not possible for me to go two weeks without getting diseased. I just got over pink eye and strep throat and now I've moved onto "Raynaud's phenomenon". About 24 hours ago my left hand started to swell up at work and turned dark purple/red. The weird colors spread to my right hand this morning, so I went to the doctor today (being a music major, my hands are very important to me- especially since my jury final is on Monday and I'm playing in a recital tomorrow afternoon.....eek!) and low and behold, it's Raynaud's phenomenon. He put me on 2 medications, one to improve the blood circulation to my hands and the other to help with the swelling and joint pain.
::sigh::
Thank goodness I'm almost done with the semester. I'm thinking my body is in need of some hardcore rest.
::sigh::
Thank goodness I'm almost done with the semester. I'm thinking my body is in need of some hardcore rest.
Neat Quotes
Here are some neat music quotes my choir director emailed us after our holiday concert on Sunday:
"Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears - it is a remedy, a
tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neuroligical patients,
music is even more - it can provide access, even when no medication can, to
movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a
necessity" - Oliver Sacks
"God sent his singers upon earth with songs of sadness and of mirth, that they might touch the hearts of mankind and bring them back to heaven again." -Longfellow
"The feeling of singing and expressing one's own inmost thoughts through the words and music of two great artists, the poet and the composer, is a great thrill. Then, when you do it with other people, you become part of a group, so that literally what you produce is greater than the sum total of all the individual efforts. It's rather a great thing." -Howard Swan
For the common things of every day,
God gave us speech in the common way.
For deeper things we think and feel,
God gave the poets words to reveal.
But for the heights and depths no words can reach,
God gave us music, the soul's own speech.
- Anonymous
Here's another neat one I discovered recently:
"I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
that there is Somebody, who can save Anybody."
-Melvin Graham (Billy's brother)
"Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears - it is a remedy, a
tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neuroligical patients,
music is even more - it can provide access, even when no medication can, to
movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a
necessity" - Oliver Sacks
"God sent his singers upon earth with songs of sadness and of mirth, that they might touch the hearts of mankind and bring them back to heaven again." -Longfellow
"The feeling of singing and expressing one's own inmost thoughts through the words and music of two great artists, the poet and the composer, is a great thrill. Then, when you do it with other people, you become part of a group, so that literally what you produce is greater than the sum total of all the individual efforts. It's rather a great thing." -Howard Swan
For the common things of every day,
God gave us speech in the common way.
For deeper things we think and feel,
God gave the poets words to reveal.
But for the heights and depths no words can reach,
God gave us music, the soul's own speech.
- Anonymous
Here's another neat one I discovered recently:
"I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
that there is Somebody, who can save Anybody."
-Melvin Graham (Billy's brother)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Yellow Dress
I decided after a roadtrip my lifegroup took to Minneapolis a few weekends back, that I'd love to buy a pretty yellow dress sometime before I die. Or just being able to wear one in heaven would be nice too! (Wait, we won't have clothes, right? Hmm)
Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted a "Belle" dress (Beauty in the Beast reference). During a Mall of America excursion, while we were waiting our hour and a half to get into the Rainforest Cafe, we found a formal dress store. I found my yellow dress. It's pretty close to what I had in mind-- about a kazillion layers of poofiness and lots of sparkle. All of this loveliness for just $350 dollars! Ha!
Sometime before I die, I would like to find a (much cheapter-- maybe sale rack?) yellow "Belle" dress. And an occasion to wear it would be nice too. :-)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Top Songs for December
I slack again. Here we go for December!
1. Typical- We The Living
2. Lift Us Up To Fall- Tenth Avenue North
3. While I'm Waiting- John Waller
4. Hope Now- Addison Road
5. Brighter Days- Leeland
6. Make Me- The Great Upset
7. The Guide- Borne
8. I Celebrate the Day- Relient K
9. Times- Tenth Avenue North
10. Winter- Tori Amos
11. You Belong to Me- Grey Holiday
12. I Hate Christmas Parties- Relient K
And now for some Christmas favorites:
13. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
14. A Holly Jolly Christmas- Burl Ives
15. 12 Days of Christmas- Relient K
16. O Come, All Ye Faithful- Amy Grant
17. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee
18. Feliz Navidad- Davie Allan & The Arrows (THIS IS FOR YOU BETH, KIRK AND BERTHA!!)
19. Mele Kalikimaka- Bing Crosby
20. Away in a Manger/What Child Is This- Michael W. Smith
21. Let It Snow- Dean Martin
22. Skating- Vince Guaraldi (from Charlie Brown Christmas)
23. Sleigh Ride- Ella Fitzgerald
24. Jingle Bells- Frank Sinatra
25. Christmas Don't Be Late- Jaci Valasquez w/Alvin & the Chipmunks
26. Deck the Halls- Jingle Cats (check 'em out on iTunes. these cats are pros)
27. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Judy Garland
28. Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel- Michael W. Smith
29. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas- Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters
30. Silent Night/Away in a Manger/O Holy Night- Steven Curtis Chapman
31. Put the Lights on the Tree- Sufjan Stevens
32. Christmas Time is Here (Vocal)- Vince Guaraldi
33. Baby It's Cold Outside- Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
34. Home Alone Main Theme ("Somewhere In My Memory")- John Williams
35. Wonderful Christmastime- Paul McCartney (One of my top 3 favs!!)
1. Typical- We The Living
2. Lift Us Up To Fall- Tenth Avenue North
3. While I'm Waiting- John Waller
4. Hope Now- Addison Road
5. Brighter Days- Leeland
6. Make Me- The Great Upset
7. The Guide- Borne
8. I Celebrate the Day- Relient K
9. Times- Tenth Avenue North
10. Winter- Tori Amos
11. You Belong to Me- Grey Holiday
12. I Hate Christmas Parties- Relient K
And now for some Christmas favorites:
13. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
14. A Holly Jolly Christmas- Burl Ives
15. 12 Days of Christmas- Relient K
16. O Come, All Ye Faithful- Amy Grant
17. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee
18. Feliz Navidad- Davie Allan & The Arrows (THIS IS FOR YOU BETH, KIRK AND BERTHA!!)
19. Mele Kalikimaka- Bing Crosby
20. Away in a Manger/What Child Is This- Michael W. Smith
21. Let It Snow- Dean Martin
22. Skating- Vince Guaraldi (from Charlie Brown Christmas)
23. Sleigh Ride- Ella Fitzgerald
24. Jingle Bells- Frank Sinatra
25. Christmas Don't Be Late- Jaci Valasquez w/Alvin & the Chipmunks
26. Deck the Halls- Jingle Cats (check 'em out on iTunes. these cats are pros)
27. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Judy Garland
28. Sing We Now of Christmas/O Come O Come Emmanuel- Michael W. Smith
29. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas- Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters
30. Silent Night/Away in a Manger/O Holy Night- Steven Curtis Chapman
31. Put the Lights on the Tree- Sufjan Stevens
32. Christmas Time is Here (Vocal)- Vince Guaraldi
33. Baby It's Cold Outside- Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
34. Home Alone Main Theme ("Somewhere In My Memory")- John Williams
35. Wonderful Christmastime- Paul McCartney (One of my top 3 favs!!)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Gems From A Very Wise Woman
There's been a breakdown somewhere when men sit around waiting for the phone to ring and women get angry if a man holds a door open for them. The conduct of men and women in every society on earth up till now has always been seen as a fairly delicate and potentially explosive business. For that reason it has been surrounded with customs, taboos, rituals, prohibitions, protocol, courtesies. Have we been wise to discard them?
...does the story seem strange? Does it stretch to the breaking point an early twenty-first century credulity? If it does, perhaps it is because there is an idea of honor here that has largely been lost. (MODERNITY!!) Honor is fidelity to a system of fixed values and relations.... I write in the hope that those who know what honor means will be cheered to see that they are not entirely alone. It may strengthen them to find that, even in recent decades, there are those who recognize something far greater than their own passions, even though for the world at large there seems to be nothing else of any consequence.
If the yearnings went away, what would we have to offer up to the Lord? Aren't they given to us to offer? It is the control of passion, not its eradication, that is needed. How would we learn to submit to the authority of Christ if we had nothing to submit?
Resist the temptation to trifle with other people's feelings. It may be fun to "play with the fish," like a trout on a fly line, but it's cruel, it is dishonest, and it is dangerous.
The words "full of joy here and now" depend on the words "taken in the right spirit." You can't have one without the other. Taken in a spirit of trust, even loneliness contributes to the maturing of character, even the endurance of separation and silence and that hardest thing of all, uncertainty, can build in us a steady hope.
A woman's beauty should reside, according to the Apostle Peter, in the inmost center of her being, an "...imperishable ornament, a gentle, quiet spirit, which is of high value in the sight of God."
-Elisabeth Elliot
...does the story seem strange? Does it stretch to the breaking point an early twenty-first century credulity? If it does, perhaps it is because there is an idea of honor here that has largely been lost. (MODERNITY!!) Honor is fidelity to a system of fixed values and relations.... I write in the hope that those who know what honor means will be cheered to see that they are not entirely alone. It may strengthen them to find that, even in recent decades, there are those who recognize something far greater than their own passions, even though for the world at large there seems to be nothing else of any consequence.
If the yearnings went away, what would we have to offer up to the Lord? Aren't they given to us to offer? It is the control of passion, not its eradication, that is needed. How would we learn to submit to the authority of Christ if we had nothing to submit?
Resist the temptation to trifle with other people's feelings. It may be fun to "play with the fish," like a trout on a fly line, but it's cruel, it is dishonest, and it is dangerous.
The words "full of joy here and now" depend on the words "taken in the right spirit." You can't have one without the other. Taken in a spirit of trust, even loneliness contributes to the maturing of character, even the endurance of separation and silence and that hardest thing of all, uncertainty, can build in us a steady hope.
A woman's beauty should reside, according to the Apostle Peter, in the inmost center of her being, an "...imperishable ornament, a gentle, quiet spirit, which is of high value in the sight of God."
-Elisabeth Elliot
