New Use of the Alphabet

rebecca is thankful for...

Apple pies.

Books; reading them and the way they smell.

Colors.

Dancing.

Engaging conversations.

Flowers.

Giving things to people when they least expect it.

Hugs; especially with my "perfect hug-height" friends.

Ingenuity.

Jokes and laughter.

Kodak moments.

Love.

Music...listening to it and trying to play it.

New things to see, learn, and do.

Orchestras, even though I was never in one.

Praying with people.

Quidditch, even though we can't really play it.

Red coats that are awesome.

Singing by myself and with other people.

Twirling in fun skirts.

Unexpected and happy surprises.

Vicissitudes.

Wine.

Xerox copies.

YHWH.

Zoology.

[thank you, Janine, for inspiring me to use the alphabet in this way.]

what is a holiday?

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dægday

Date:

before 12th century

1: holy day2: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically : a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event--
so really, what makes a holiday? what changed? we have moved from celebrating feast days in the Catholic tradition and simply enjoying the days when we don't have to do work (homework excepted, of course)...to something else entirely? why do we now have these fanciful ideals of what the holidays should look like, even though we know that the reality never lives up to it?I don't have a real answer necessarily. What I do know, however, is that the Lord made days like the Sabbath for us to enjoy for His glory ...and not our own. My thought is that the American tradition (dream, fantasy, ideal, what have you) has taken this notion and changed its purpose. Rather than look back on what the Lord has done for us and see how He has worked in our lives, we are encouraged to look back and see what we have done, what we have come through. This cultural vision is difficult to overcome, even by Christian families. It is difficult to not build our castles on the sand and then feel disappointment when they wash away--as they inevitably do. I confess to struggling with this every time a holiday rolls around. Somehow I am unable to keep my head on straight when I come home; oh, I might leave school with every intention of keeping Christ at the centre of all my doings and sayings. But let's face it--I am a sinner. I am inadequate, even for this task. So after every holiday I return to my respective home humbled at my woeful imperfections and in full awareness of my dependence on Jehovah Nissi. Thank Goodness I have Him for my Banner, my rallying point. He is much more worthy of thanks than I or anyone I know of is. He alone has the word that can truly encourage and inspire...and He is the one who righty receives all the credit. 

an update

here is more information, as Jayne's story unfolds...

please continue to pray, friends.

Jayne McGowan

1981-2007





her story

midterms

dear friends, I am praying for you.

cheer up

"cheer up, you are worse off than you figure
but you are loved anyway and I always see who you could be...

"All the stars are waiting for you to shine
and your heart is beating to find its home in mine.

"stand up, you are stronger than you figure
you just need to be surrounded by those who believe in you.

"All the stars are waiting for you to shine
and your heart is beating to find its home in mine.

"you've got to know I won't throw stones your way
All Creation waits...
oh, for you to take your place, take your place.

"wake up, it's time to dream bigger.
wake up, it's time."

I stumbled across this old 10 Shekel Shirt album, "Risk," and this song particularly stood out to me. I think because a bunch of us are in the same boat--not really knowing what the future holds, but knowing that the Lord holds it in the palm of His hand. I also remember visiting WTS last spring for the first time and a certain pair of roommates encouraging me by saying "cheer up, you're worse than you think!" counterintuitive, but very encouraging on second thought. really, if the Lord still accepts us even though He knows the depths of our sin--which we are not aware of--what is there to doubt? what is there to fear?
I am also struck by the finiteness of my imagination. He promises more than we could ask or even imagine--what does this look like? I don't even know! If He has plans for us that are better and bigger than what we imagine for ourselves, we have cause for some real excitement.

why I love fall

when else can you do fun things like this?