Button Swap

Bree over at Tea & Bree is having a button swap, and happily I was invited to join. I'm so glad I did, because through it I got to meet a brand new blogging friend whose blog I had somehow missed in my time so far in the blogosphere. I'm still surprised that I didn't run across her blog before, seeing as her blog (not to mention her writing) is amazing. It was a lot of fun to interview her (as well as be interviewed by her), and I hope you all will hop over to her blog and see for yourself how beautiful her writing is.

So, I give you: Jenny, from The Penslayer.
(My questions are in bold, and her answers are directly after.)


Well, first off I have to ask: where did the title of Penslayer come from? How did you originally decide to start a blog?
You know that saying, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”  Everyone knows that saying.  Well, the story goes, on a forum of which I used to be a part I would post pieces of my work: snippets from large stories, one-shots, short stories, those kinds of things.  It really helped build my confidence because I would get sound criticism and, in general, people liked my work.  And one time a friend of mine liked a piece I had written so much that she said, “Jenny, you’ve penslain me!”  And suddenly I became The Penslayer and I made a name for myself slaying people with my prose.  (There must be a story in that…)  The name stuck, and when I made my writing blog I had a name ready to hand: The Penslayer.  As for why I had to start the blog, I started it right around the time my book The Shadow Things came out to help carve a niche for myself on the internet and get my name out there.  It seems to have done none too badly!

About you: if you could pick three words to describe yourself, what would they be?
Elemental.  Ginger.  Sehnsucht.

Describe the perfect day.
The perfect day is in autumn with clear air and only a few clouds, cool but not cold, with plenty of sun to make you warm again, the maples in full flaming foliage, and a bonfire somewhere filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

What would you say inspires you to write books? What do you do to ignite the spark or keep the words flowing?
Reading helps me most.  Sometimes music helps, if I already have an idea and just need the impetus to write it down, but reading helps the most.  When I am dry, when I can’t think of anything or (which happens more often) I simply don’t feel that I want to write, I find a good book of fiction, sit down, and read.  When I get caught up in the glory of the novel I find I am fighting the itch to go write myself, and I soon leave the book behind and am back at the computer, writing my own scrawling fire-ink on the page.  Jealousy in a woman is a powerful catalyst.  I cannot long stand to be outdone by the masters.  I must imitate them.

If you could wish for anything in the world, what would it be?
To do magic.  Really nice, instantaneous magic with pretty lighting.  But no one would let me do it because I would make River Tam look like a Girl Scout.  C’est la vie.

What kind of music do you most like to listen to, and why? Could you list a couple of your favorite songs?
I don’t know the music genres, so I can’t answer that.  I listen to music (I can answer this) because I must: there are some things in life, many things in life, some snatches of words, some emotions, many truths, which cannot be adequately communicated or received apart from music.  I am, as to that, keeping a rough list of the songs that seem to help me as I write Plenilune.  To date, they are the following:
You As You Were—Shearwater
Animal Life—Shearwater
Viva La Vida—Coldplay
Brother, Stand Beside Me—Heather Dale
Sherwood—Heather Dale
Dementia—Owl City
Take It All Away—Owl City
Lothlorien—Lord of the Rings Musical
Wonder—Lord of the Rings Musical
Now and For Always—Lord of the Rings Musical
Breaking Through—Audrey Assad
Show Me—Audrey Assad

Since you are a writer, I’m sure you are a reader as well. Can you name your top ten favorite books and why they resonate with you?
My train of thought wrecked.  There were no survivors.  I want to answer this question with the caveat that these titles are my favourites to date.  The more I read and the more I grow the more these books are replaced by better ones.  (And thank you for giving me ten titles, not just one.) 
The Gammage Cup—Carol Kendall
The Worm Ouroboros—E.R. Eddison
The Eagle of the Ninth—Rosemary Sutcliff
The Silver Branch—Rosemary Sutcliff
Simon—Rosemary Sutcliff
The Shield Ring—Rosemary Sutcliff
The Ballad of the White Horse—G.K. Chesterton
The Great Divorce—C.S. Lewis
Perelandra—C.S. Lewis
The Hobbit—J.R.R Tolkien

I see you have published a book! That is awesome (and I am quite jealous)! Can you tell me a bit about your book and the journey you had to publication?
I didn’t really think about why I was writing The Shadow Things while I was in the process; it was only when I had finished (or nearly finished) that I looked back and discovered I had explored the torment endured by a lonely Christian soul in a thoroughly anti-Christian environment—but more than that, many of us know what it is like to hurt and be lonely: I had written a character who knew how to live it, to rise to it, to walk almost joyfully through an oppressive life.  We know what it is like to be crushed: in Indi I discovered what it looked like to glory in this momentary light affliction.  It is, in a novel, a depiction of those in the Beatitudes.

The journey to the publication of The Shadow Things was unusually short, and two years and several subsequent stories have blurred my memory.  Somehow I wrote that odd critter called a query letter and, among the houses I contacted (unagented) I found one that took me.  We were on the verge of the Christmas market so it was really a rush to get The Shadow Things through so that it would be out on time.  That, too, makes it quite a blur.  We had book signings (very new experience) and a television interview (VERY new experience), and it really happened so quickly that it was really only in the past few months of this year (2012) that it really struck me: I’m an author. 

What other works in progress are you currently working on?
I have quite a number of ideas at varying stages.  We’ll focus on the core three.  Adamantine, for a long time my magnum opus, is a finished fantasy that I am currently in the process of finding an agent for.  (Ended that sentence with a preposition!  Oh yeah!)  To either baffle you or pique your interest, I will tell you that it combines Victorian England, Beowulf, Faerie, an ancient god, and a tip of the hat to the Roman Empire.  It makes sense.  You’ll just have to wait for the novel to come out to find out how.  It’s companion novel, Plenilune, is what I am writing now.  This deals with another Victorian girl placed as a pawn on the political chessboard of a confederacy bereft of a ruler and not liking the candidate for ruler that is lined up to govern them.  It deals with politics, magic, treachery, love, and war.  It is a full, red-blooded story and I am enjoying writing it.  The third book, which I have not begun to write but is also meant to be a companion to the other two, is Gingerune, about the product of a ruinous war between two powerful races and about the secret that slumbers, waiting to be discovered, that will turn the world upside down.

What is your favorite genre to write in? Are there any genres you haven’t attempted or tend to avoid?
My favourite genre to write is fantasy.  It gives you more room than historical fiction does simply because you’ve got to get your facts right in historical fiction: someone already came up with those.  In fantasy, however, though you are allowed to come up with your own facts, one is handicapped simply because fantasy has to make more sense than reality: the reader will suspend his disbelief only so long: you can’t just wildly break every physical and ethical law we all take for granted.  Fantasy really does demand a lot from the writer.  But I love it all the same: it allows me to best express my own imagination and communicate what I see and feel.  I have written a little science fiction, nothing worth mentioning (no really, don’t mention it), and I tend to steer clear of contemporary fiction.  I’m sure there are some great contemporary authors out there and I just haven’t found them yet, but my style suffers an almost fatal blow when I try to write contemporary.  Everyone notices it.  I notice it.  And so I avoid it.

I would love to see some excerpts of your work, if you are willing to share.

From Plenilune:

I spoke with Mark Roy this evening before coming up to my room.  Somehow he got out of me, in one of those moments in which politeness must disarm my tongue, that I am leaving tomorrow, and I was surprised to see that he seemed genuinely sorry.  Perhaps he believes Centurion and Lord Gro.  Perhaps my episode in the woods has helped prove to him that I am not willingly Rupert’s pawn, that I should wish better things for them—as if wishing had any weight.  He was sorry, and urged me to visit them in Orzelon-gang’s capital some day.  Of course I told him that I would—what else could I have said?—and he began to tell me of its beauty, a little like a man who is homesick, and the strange thing was that I felt he was painting a portrait of his wife as he spoke.  He talked of the black marble, that is native to Plenilune, with which his home is made, and of the many little streams and pools that run all through it, making music in the background, and the great red and gold fish that they keep which flicker like flames in the watery dark.  He spoke of the golden dragons which are the doorposts of the house, of the lotus gardens that make the grounds look as if the sky has come down among them when the plants are all in bloom.  I thought of strange, beautiful Romage and her harp-music, of the red-and-gold thread of her hair and song, and the huge orchestral dark behind her, and wondered if Mark Roy thought of that too when he spoke of his home, and if that was why he sounded homesick.

From Adamantine:

Everything seemed to come from far away to Adamant, drifting on the silver-rimmed rush of storm-sound from without: and herself, she fancied, in a hollow shell, cupped by timber walls as the storm surged around her, the warmth of fire and malt and small beer porridge fortifying her against the cold noise of the wind-surf.  But just at the moment sleep was stealing upon her, and she thought somewhere in the confusion of sounds that she heard a voice calling her name, a child shrieked with laughter, and the silver spell was broken.
Rhodri took her empty bowl from her and passed it to the fairy woman.  “I apologize; my conversation is boring you to sleep.”
She was too tired to even feel embarrassment.  “Small wonder she’s dropping asleep as she sits,” the woman remarked.  She was aware of a grey, bundly, mothy creature hustling over to her, and she was suddenly loathe to let go of the hand which Rhodri extended to her to help her up.  “After a long ride in the sleet-swale, small wonder—tsk! small wonder!”
“Eikin,” said Rhodri.
The familiar warm-smelling figure of the Catti loomed beside her.  “Come in-by, firur,” he murmuring to her, and she stumbled off Rhodri’s hand onto his arm, catching herself with a wave of self-consciousness in order to walk steadily.  But she was blind-weary, and confused with food and drink; yet even in her weariness, as one would be aware of a thing in a dream, she was aware of Rhodri’s sharp eyes on the back of her neck, watching her go, watching Eikin go.  Even as she passed out of sight into a long dark hall, with a softness of feather-stuffed mattress somewhere in the depths of the dark, she felt that awareness looking after her still. 
“Mind that I’ll be by the door,” she heard Eikin say, and she did not understand what he meant.  “Call if you need anything.”
Then he left, and she let her fingers slip on consciousness entirely, falling into a dreamless place where she heard the sough of the wind and the drumming of Andor’s breath, and someone from very far away—far away as years are far away—calling her name.

And that's it! Don't you love these excerpts? Even though I don't know anything of either of these stories, she's drawn me in where I'm left wondering what's next. I would highly recommend you check out her blog and read more of her writing for yourself. And head over to Bree's blog where she has listed the rest of the lovely ladies participating in her button swap!

An Unlikely Movie

I love to play the piano pieces I'm working on for my friends (especially non-music majors). It's surprising how often I'll learn new things about the piece or about how I play, just by performing it for them.

So one night a couple weeks ago, I was playing a Beethoven piano sonata that I had been working on for a group of friends. The piece is slow, dark, and very dramatic, just like a melodrama or tragedy. So I asked my friends to listen to it like the soundtrack to a story.

When I was done playing, the room burst into sound as my friends all began talking about the stories they had created in their minds from the music. At first they were talking about something like Les Miserables or something along those lines, and then we started modifying it to be about a princess. I don't remember who it was, but someone suggested, "Why don't we make a movie out of this?"

And we're going to do it. Yeah, we're college students with not much time, and yes, we're not theater majors or incredibly awesome actors (at least some of us aren't). But we do have imagination, some legit costumes, and lots of motivation. (And plus, we came up with a pretty awesome name for our "movie company:" ERRonious Productions. Like us on facebook!)

It shall be a silent film in black & white or sepia, with only the piano music as the soundtrack. And yes, it is a tragedy. It's about the trials of a princess who is faced with a dying father, an evil Aunt, and some poison.

Here's the piece, so you can hear for yourself. What kind of story do you hear from this?

Three Things

Number One:

Some of you may know my friend "Robin" from her guest post on my blog. Well, she has now officially entered the blog world as Edith, with her own photography blog titled "Observatory of the Quotidian."I highly recommend that you check it out - her photos are beautiful, her words are well-crafted, and she tells a story like no one else. 




Number Two:

It is of utmost importance that I direct your attention to this post. On it, you will find the most hilarious photos of yours truly, which in my opinion are not something you want to miss. ;)

Number Three:

I would like to have some new "blogolutions" for this year, and I would like your feedback! (This is what I wrote for them last year.) What about my blog would you like to see more of? Any suggestions for new things you'd like me to post about?

I hope you all are having a blessed Christmastime. May God richly bless you with His love and peace in this beautiful season.

Let me draw you hither...

I am feeling rather Medieval-ish or perhaps slightly British in my speech tonight, so be-warned and beware. ;)

This shall be a rather short post, as I have only a few items with which I would like to interest you. So here they are, for your perusal:

1. I have written a guest post for Bree from He Designs My Life. The post is on fall, and an analogy I like to draw from it. Head on over there and check it out (and be sure to leave a comment too - it's her birthday month and I know she would love to hear from you)!

2. I now know quite a number of people from college who have blogs. There's my hall-mate Emily who blogs at Emi's Bedtime Stories, my breakfast buddy who goes by Jo March, and just started a blog called Marginalia. And also my friend Violet, who some of you may know from her blog For the Love of Chaos, has started another blog detailing her college adventures and insights. It's called Epic's the Word. :)
I know each of these girls would love it if you checked out their blogs and left them some comments!

3. Remember my CD that I talked about in this post? Yes, it's still in the works, though by now I actually have it quite close to completion (insert screams of excitement and joy here). :D The only slight impediment to the culmination of this project is that I simply cannot make up my mind whether or not to make it be just an mp3 download, or to have it be a CD as well. So, I thought, what are readers for except to give their opinion? ;) Therefore, I have a poll up on the side kindly requesting your opinion on this subject quite near and dear to my heart. ;)

Alrighty, so I think that's probably enough to keep y'all busy for awhile, wot wot! Don't forget to pop by later as I almost have my other college post finished, as well as some pictures for my photography blog.

Cheerio!

Time and Tide Go Washing by...

Starfish (click to listen)

Hearing this song always stirs up deep feelings in me. A sense of peace, longing, lightness, and a sadness which is hard to find the reason for. These feelings are so different, yet they mix around inside me to form something completely new which I have no name for.

Usually when this song comes around on my mp3 player, I skip over it because I just don't want to think about all the memories and nostalgia that comes along with it. But tonight I let it continue. When I hear this song, I always am reminded of my friend who introduced the song to me. We were talking about the song, and she was sharing how she hates the feeling of life flying by. She wishes that she could have the attitude like the song says, "Tide and time go washing by... and you don't even care."

I'm sad when I hear this song, because it reminds me of how far away I am from her (locationally). Reminds me of things I feel that are ending; longings I have that I cannot explain.

Separation. Endings. Longing. All these words are painful. But they're a good kind of pain almost. Like the pain you get when you're getting a massage and the massage therapist is working on a particularily sore or stiff muscle. It hurts, but you know that's only because it's making it better.

Separation hurts, but the reason it hurts is because it's making it better. Do I really believe that? Can I truly say "Yes, this hurts, but I also know that it is serving a better purpose in my life?" Can I actually believe that the sadness I may feel is only temporary, and actually serves to highlight God's glory & meaning for my life?

These are the questions I was asking myself as I was writing this blog post. Thankfully, I was interrupted at this point by the strains of my cell phone's ringtone. It was that very same friend.

God has a way of putting things in your path just exactly when you need them, doesn't he? He guided my friend to call me at just that moment when I was asking myself those questions (and feeling like the only answer I could truly say to them was "no"). He nudged me to be real with her, and then gave her just the right words to say to me.

And you know what I find? It's okay to be sad. God meant for us to feel the pain of separation and loneliness and sorrow and heartache and whatever other pain that's in our life. But there's a purpose for it, and that's what I'm holding on to. How could God use our lives to glorify Him if they were all sunshine and roses? Only in the sorrow and sadness do we have real need to hold on to Him. Only then can we realize full dependence on Him.

And only after the night comes the morning - with the sunshine of overwhelming joy and delight.

This is what I'm holding on to -- no matter how time and tide go washing by.



Just to let you know, I am writing a post answering all of your interesting questions you asked in my last post, but this was just what was on my heart this evening and I thought I would share.

Peace

I've got too many feelings mixed up in my mind. I'm excited, nervous, overwhelmed, numb, responsible, sad, hopeful, teary-eyed, peaceful, joyful, and scared all at once.

But you know what's the most prevalant and powerful feeling? Peace.

I'm leaving for Cedarville tomorrow - yet through all the packing, all the last-minute preparation and worry, I have this overwhelming sense of peace.

Confidence.

This week I said goodbye to two of my closest friends and sisters in the Lord. Yet even though we were sad at the pain of separation, we know that God does have His hands on our lives. And He's got an even greater and more blessed plan for each of us than we can even imagine!

I know the road ahead is going to be tough, challenging, rocky, and overwhelming at times. But I also know it will be exciting, joyful, fulfilling, and blessed beyond belief. For who is my guide, but the Lord Almighty?

"God's got His hand on you so
Don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here."
~Sidewalk Prophets The Words I Would Say

I'm Pressing On (Guest Post)

Moving on.

Whatever the situation, it's one of the hardest things we must do. Friendships...ideas...dreams...our memories are steeped in the past while we forget about our lives in the present.

As of last November, I'd moved three times in the past year and a half. With my first move, I missed my old friends desperately and would have given anything to "go back home." And each time I visited my friends and family where I used to live, I got a little more distant, a little more detached--sometimes without my knowing it.

One year ago, all I wanted was to move back to where I used to live. I remember mistakenly wishing that I had never moved to the Midwest.

But I wouldn't trade anything in the whole world for the one year I spent out there. Not another year back in my old home, another year with my old friends, another year anywhere else. Because in each place I've been, God has given me friends and experiences that in my mind are worth far more than any worldly possession.

At the same time, He was slowly prying me apart from my old friends. I think of friendships that were, friendships that used to be so strong, and I want to cry because the girls are so different now, it's like I don't know them. And a part of my mind thinks, If I hadn't moved, if I had stayed here, maybe we would still be friends...I wouldn't have missed out all the things they did together, without me...

Yes, that's true. I'd have an entire year of memories with them, in my old home.

And an entire year in the Midwest wouldn't be in my memory. Those friends, the girls I became so close with, I wouldn't even know. The family vacations, the sleepovers, the youth group meetings, the freezing cold winter (well, that I'm not missing too much), the volleyball practices, the laughter. Something would be missing, a really big something, a huge part of my life.

It take me a long time to realize that that part of my life lives in my memory, but it's not who I am anymore. I love that part of my life... but I can't get it back. Rather, God has put me where I am for a reason.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

You're where you are now because God has planted you there. Yes, maybe you're missing your friends, your old home, your church. But would God have put you there if he didn't have a plan? Would he do anything without a plan? Is missing someone, or something, any reason to not live life fully? (which is something I struggle with hugely, so don't feel alone.)

At times I still regret my leaving. Old friends have grown close to each other while I've grown farther. But, my sisters in Christ, some of the best advice I can offer you, if you have similiar thoughts--move on! Yes, it's difficult, and I know from having done it myself. But there are friends, memories, places to go and things to see where you are right now, and if you sit back in the past and wish for what's gone, you'll miss it on the life God has given you.

Somewhere back there I left my worries all behind
My problems fell out of the back of my mind
We're going and I'm never knowing where we're going
To go back to where I was would just be wrong
I'm pressing on!

--I'm Pressing On by Relient K

Pressing on doesn't mean you have to forget your past. Keep your memories in your heart and don't let go of them...just don't let them blind you to the blessings and friends Jesus is placing in your life right now.

There's something else I've realized only recently--I don't want to go back. Even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm here now with amazing friends and fantastic oppurtunities, and wherever I am, life has to be lived!

So, my sisters, live it. Wherever you are, whatever the situation, whoever and wherever you're missing, live out your life fully for Jesus--with no regrets!

About the author:

My name is Caroline, and with my pen, camera, and Jesus, I intend to live every day to its fullest and honor God through the song that is my life. I have a passion for writing and stories, paired with a huge imagination. Thick novels, rosebuds, the ocean, summertime, raindrops, epic music, and fairytales are just a few of my favorite things. I blog over at A Writer's Life For Me. Thanks for reading, and God bless!

Learning to Live (Guest Post)

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.” —Ivan Panin

A little girl is on her knees by her bed. It was pitch dark around her, she is scared, but she won't get off her knees. She grips her hands together, as if trying to will herself to be brave by the pain she feels in her hands and her heart.

She bites her lower lip, fear is welling up inside her. It’s so very dark and…she tries switching off her imagination. Right now is not the time to think about monsters under the bed. She has to do this…she has to.

She clinched her eyes shut, rubbing her hands a little bit and blocking out the idea of hands reaching out from under the bed for her. And then she prays and she forgets all about monsters and darkness.

“God, please, I just want one friend. One friend, that’s all I’m asking. Please. I just want someone to love me. I want someone to talk to. I want someone to listen to me when I’m hurting. I’ll give up anything, God. I’ll be anything, I’ll do anything You want me to…Could it be that hard just to give me one friend? In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The little girl dives into bed, covering up with the blankets and thinking miserably about how lonely she feels…in a few moments, she rolls over and falls asleep…

***

That was me, a few years ago. And that didn’t happen just one night, it happened multiple nights. I was a little girl crying out to God for my greatest wish—a best friend. And God didn’t answer my prayer right away. Actually it was two or three years later after I prayed and prayed for a friend that God actually gave me one. At the time God finally blessed me with my best friend, I actually had stopped praying for one because I thought God didn’t want me to have one. I had mistaken God’s “Wait” for “No.”

Patience isn’t my virtue. If I lack anything it probably is patience. I want "Yes" or "No" answers. Telling me to wait is like asking me to go crazy. I live my life flying—I don't have "time" to wait. I’m running around, helping everyone, being everywhere, being everything, and I forget sometimes God just wants me to stand still and wait.

I know you seem to get behind on everything when you step out of the fast lane for a moment. It seems like you feel obsolete, outdated, no longer in the “know”. But sometimes we need to step out of the fast lane. We need to slow down and live.

Because if you didn’t slow down…

…You wouldn’t have seen that butterfly.
…You wouldn’t have felt that raindrop.
…You wouldn’t have said that prayer.
…You wouldn’t have seen that flower.
…You wouldn’t have felt that hand holding yours.
…You wouldn’t have seen that smile.
…You wouldn’t have written that note.
…You wouldn’t have known that love.

I want to fly and soar through life…but I also want to stand still and wait for God’s perfect plan. I have to learn patience…I have to learn to live.

I had given up on a friend…But God hadn’t given up on me.

It’s like what Ivan Panin says. There is beauty, truth, and love to find, we just have to be ready and waiting…and looking.

---

Awel Prince is the author of Shilah and the aspiring designer of blogs at Inspiré Designs Studio. She has a passion for knowing more of her glorious God and find beauty and meaning in a world satisfied with the mediocre. She is also in the process of writing one of the few true Christain sci-fis while keeping up with friends, family, and life.

Something I've Been Neglecting

Remember this? An Inspired Young Woman's Daybook?
I just checked, and the last time I did it was in May. Somehow summer slipped by without me remembering about my daybook! But I have decided to start it up again, possibly every other week on Saturday or Sunday. :)

But before I begin, I would like to direct your attention to two things:

1. I wrote another guest post today for Elizabeth Rose at Living on Literary Lane. It's called, When You Need a Little Humbling... I would love if you went over there and read it. :)

2. I have a friend in real life who started a blog not too long ago called My Musings and Other Profound (or not) Thoughts. She would be greatly encouraged if y'all went over there and checked her blog out!

Okay, now on to the daybook:

Find out how to do An Inspired Young Woman's Daybook here

Today the number one question I was asked by people at church was: "Are you all packed yet for college?" :P
I'm feeling contemplative from playing piano, and also a little stressed out from too much multitasking.
My outfit is a turquoise tee and light-colored shorts.
Outside my window it's overcast and dreary... the type of day where mosquitoes are having a party and everyone else wants to stay inside. ;)
A song that's stuck in my head is "Shine on Us" by Michael W. Smith, which I played an arrangement of for the offertory at church.
Something (a book, song, movie, person...) that's inspired me recently: the amazing, humbling love of my family and friends as I'm preparing for college.
A prayer of my heart this week is to trust in God for everything - knowing He has my life in His hands.
I am creating a CD of my compositions, which I'm trying to complete in the next couple of weeks before I go to college. (AAHHH!!)
I am reading Passion & Purity (yes, still), Start Here (almost finished), and I'm hopefully gonna start one of the many fiction books that have been on my shelves just waiting for me to read them!
I am thinking about all the different things I'm multitasking on at the moment - mainly just how I can use the rest of my day most productively.
A scripture verse or passage that's stuck out to me this week: 1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him [Christ], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
A spiritual lesson I'm learning is to trust God with ALL aspects of my life. Each new worry, new fear about college I'm having to lift up to God
An attribute of God I've seen this week is Father. He loves me like a child, and cares very much about all the details of my life that could easily seem insignificant. And unlike my earthly father, who cannot be with me everywhere I go, my God will be with me, even at college.
A picture I’d like to share: This is the picture I'm thinking of going with for the cover of my CD. What do you all think?

A creative goal for next week well... there are a few compositions I have left to work on and get totally complete. A couple of which I have to work out with the violinist. So my creative goal would be to get all my songs for the CD finalized and ready to record!
Did I complete my goal from last week hehe well... it's been a few months. ;) 


I hope you all are having a great Sunday! :D

Happiness In Every Direction

I decided to link up to Carlotta's blog hop about Happiness - because I truly have a whole lot to be happy for!

First off, Awel Prince asked me to be a guest poster on her blog, and I posted my blog post today! I felt very honored that she asked me to post on such a beautiful blog as hers. Click on the button she made to go and see what I posted:




Secondly, because of my birthday yesterday, I feel extremely happy, joyful, ecstatic, filled... and the adjectives could go on. I felt so loved and blessed it was beyond belief. :D

I had a small party with my good friends, and truly had a blast. We did everything that I love to do - had a photoshoot, ate a scrumptuous dinner of chicken pot pie (my favorite meal ever) with apple pie made by yours truly for dessert, did some writing, and sang & played music for each other. It was such a fun time - and I think the thing that made it the most special was that each of these girls that I love dearly got along so well! Though my friends are few, each of them is a treasure to me. God has brought each of them into my life for a reason, and I am so glad to have had this blessed time with them before going off to college!

We did something really special after dinner where my friends and family wrote little messages to me on long strips of paper, and then rolled them up and put them into little pill capsules. This will be such a blessing to me when I'm away at college and feeling homesick or lonely or just down. I can just take a "pill" and read a special message from a special person to cheer me up. :D

And the thoughtful, sweet post my friend wrote for me yesterday plus the birthday wishes you all posted for me were just the icing on my cake! Thank-you, my friends. You are all so sweet. :)

God really blessed me over and abundantly yesterday, to the point where I wondered how I could ever feel any more blessed and loved. And I know He will continue to bless me in the year to come as I seek His face.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~Psalm 23:6

Just... stop

I've been feeling overwhelmed with stuff to do recently. Somehow, though college was on the horizon, I didn't realize how fast it was approaching! It's like one of those things you stare at waiting for it to arrive, and then as soon as you take your attention off of it, it's upon you!

I've been juggling school shopping, backpacks, closet cleaning, class schedules, dorm rooms, medical forms, professors, meal plans, and everything in between. Not to mention planning for my birthday, the recording of my CD, getting quality time with my friends & family before college, and vacation plans. It reminds me of a poem I wrote awhile back in my senior year:

Fast Lane

I've spent all my life 

On the side of the freeway

Wondering what it'd be like 

To drive in the fast lane.

But now that I'm there,

I realize the grass isn't greener.

In fact, there is no grass.

And even if there were,

I'm going too fast to see it.

copyright Melody 2009

Yep, that just about sums up my feelings right now. And yet I know it shouldn't be that way! 

I need to stop. Stop and think, and reflect on how great my God is. He's really been doing awesome things lately, if only I will stop and realize it. 

For one thing, He matched me up with a roommate who has more in common with me than I ever could have asked for! I've been really anxious about my roommate, wondering what she'll be like and if we'll like each other and be able to get along. Well, my God sure showed me! When I talked with her on the phone yesterday, we found out that we're both homeschooled (or were, rather), we're both rather introverted, and we're both music majors! I felt so amazed and blessed that God orchestrated that for me. He cares about even the details I think are too impossible to ask Him for.  :)

And another thing: My friend Violet was going through a rough time with money issues for college, and really wondering if she would be able to go. My parents and I prayed with her about it, and the next morning, she called me up and told me that God had answered our prayer! Some people who owed her money were going to pay her so she would have enough for her first payment! Praise the Lord!

If only I stop and look around me - I realize just how good my God is. Whenever I feel discouraged or burned out, I need only to turn to Him. His love is what brings a smile to my face, what fills my heart with joy and peace and hope. And I know He's waiting with blessings in His arms. 

It is More Blessed

...to give than to receive.

Since I received this beautiful blog makeover for free, I decided I would give something away for free as well. Therefore, I am hosting - yes, you got it - a GIVEAWAY!

Edit: I will be picking three winners who will each receive 1 book, 1 lotion, and 1 necklace. So let me know (in one comment) which book, which lotion, and which necklace you're interested in. :) 
Also, I will ship only to USA and Canada (so I'm very sorry if you're not from there!)

Here are the items I'm giving away:


I will pick three winners who will each receive one out of these four Janette Oke books:

Each of them will also receive one of these three lotions:

And each of them will receive one out of these three necklaces:

Here's what you have to do:
1. Follow my blog (or let me know if you're already a follower) -1 entry
2. Follow my photography blog (or let me know if you're already a follower) - 1 entry
3. Comment on this post and let me know which of each of the items you'd like to win. - 1 entry
4. Put my button on your blog. - 1 entry
4. Post about the giveaway and let me know in a comment -2 entries

Now if you read my blog off of my facebook site or google buzz or through some kind of reader, this giveaway is still for you! This is what you have to do:
1. Post a comment letting me know you are a reader of my blog. (You can post by choosing "anonymous") -2 entries
2. Comment on this post and let me know which of each of the items you'd like to win. - 2 entries
3. Post a link to this blog post on google buzz, on your facebook status, or twitter (or another place I haven't mentioned) - 2 entries


Please leave a separate comment for each entry as that will make it much easier for me when tallying up the votes. (So for example if you're commenting that you posted about the giveaway, write two comments for me about it, since it is two entries.)

Ah, I'm really excited to be doing this! I've wanted to do a giveaway for a long time and this was the perfect excuse. Alright, so what are you waiting for? It's giveaway time! :D

Can I Get Some Ooh's and Aah's?

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to see the lovely work of Miss Awel Prince in designing my blog! Isn't it gorgeous?

I just can't get over how perfect it is - the colors are just right (I absolutely love the shades of purple that she chose!), the design is just the way I would have done it (if I knew how), and everything just fits together so perfectly! I am still in awe.

I would highly recommend her blog designs to any one of you who wants a blog makover, a header, or even just a signature. (She makes awesome signatures!) You should definitely check out her design blog if you haven't already done so!


In honor of this, I have a little surprise for you all! I am not going to post about it until tomorrow, but I will leave you with a hint. It has something to do with Acts 20:35b. ;)

Until tomorrow, my blogger friends!

Writing, Awards, and Sweet Friends

Caroline over at A Writer's Life For Me  is hosting something similar to NaNoWriMo: a 30,000 Words in 30 days challenge! Basically, like NaNoWriMo, you try to write 30,000 words in the month of June. But you can write in any story - one in progress, one you need to start, one you need to finish... whatever. Just write 30,000 words!

So what are you waiting for? Go on over and join up! This is the perfect opportunity for all you writers out there who (like me) need a bit more of a push to get started writing. I can't wait for it to begin - I only wish it started now because I'm feeling inspiration hitting me like the rush from a rollercoaster. ;)

Also, I want to shout out a HUGE thank-you to all of you who prayed for me about my Clep Test and who commented on my last post. I was touched by all of your sweet, uplifting comments, and encouragement for me. So I want to award all of you this sweet award I received from Ivorydancer and Lindsay. You are all very sweet friends! :)

The rules:

Tag at least five 'sweet friends,' on Blogger
Answer the tag (below) in your post
You may tag the person who gave you this award
Don't forget to comment on the post that awarded you! 

Now the tag....
You are _______ in your family. I am the oldest, and only girl.

Do you have your own camera? Yes, one that my friend gave me. :)

List three of your character qualities: Creative, indecisive, compassionate

What is your favorite thing to blog about? Analogies that I find in everyday life that relate to God & His Word.

How long have you had your blog? Since last October... so almost eight months!

I also would like to give out the Sunshine Award, which I received from Jessica. I tag any of you who have not received this award yet. All of my readers spread sunshine to me with your comments! :)

Rules:

1. Post the logo on your blog and/or within the post.
2. Pass it on to 12 other bloggers.
3. Add links to these 12 bloggers within your blog.
4. Let them know they are receiving the award.
5. Share the link of the person from whom you received the award.

I hope you all have a beautiful day, my friends. Oh, and keep an eye out for a new look on my blog soon - the makeover is almost done! :D

SQUEEEE!!!!

That is the sound I made when I heard the news about Awel Prince's blog party. But... I'm not going to tell you the news until after this tag for her party. So read on, and you shall see!

1) What's your all time favorite blog/blogger? Oh man, that's like saying what picture is my favorite! I love you all, in different ways. :)
 
2) How do you personally define forgiveness? Being willing to let go of past hurts and see the other person as God sees them.

3) What object of your possession has the most sentimental value in your eyes? Hmm, this is an interesting question. I actually don't have a lot of objects with sentimental value. I'd have to say my journals, I guess. ;)

4) What song do you consider your personal theme song? "And Now My Lifesong Sings" by Casting Crowns. It's just exactly what I want to say with my life!

5) Do the opinions of others about you really matter to you? Unfortunately, yes. It's so hard to remember that they shouldn't!

6) Do you ever make up words? Sometimes, when I'm in a hurry I mash words together. :P

7) Off the top of your head, do you know what your middle name means? (You can look it up though!) Yes, Ann means full of grace.

8) What's something that never fails to make you smile? Catching sight of one of my friends, even if they don't see me. :)

9) What person has touched your heart the most? Wow... so many people. God first and foremost, of course, and my family and friends. I guess if I had to pinpoint one person - it would have to be my best friend. :)

10) Give a scene in a book where you really understood what the author was trying to convey. Hmm... it would be harder to come up with a scene in a book where I really didn't understand what the author was trying to convey. ;)

11) What do you think of HTML? Is it the ENEMY or your friend? I only know a little bit, but what I do know has helped me tremendously!

12) What person comments the most consistently on your blog? I'm not sure, actually. I know I have a number of devoted followers, and I love you all very much!

13) Who is your personal hero/heroine (fiction or real, or both)? Why? Fictional: Jane Eyre. She goes through so much, and yet still remains unshaken in her faith and ability to love. Real life: My parents. They are my heroes every day. :) 

14) Are you curious or are you satisfied knowing that "that's just the way it is"? Oh, I'm curious to the last degree! I am rarely satisfied with such a lame excuse as "that's just the way it is". :P

15) List your top 5 favorite songs. Do they have anything in common? Why do you love them? Only 5? "And Now My Lifesong Sings" by Casting Crowns (because this is exactly the prayer I have for my life), "Let the Waters Rise" by Mikeschair (because it is so true, and so sing-able), "You are the Sun" by Sara Groves (echoes my heart), "The Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven (I've played it, and love the romantic sadness), "The Giving" by Michael W. Smith (also a very emotional song). I think the thing that ties all these songs together is that they are predominantly minor (not all of them are actually in a minor key, though). And I love minor songs!

16) Do you ever get into arguments with your characters? (that's if you write a book :). And if you don't write, do you think you would? Well, I don't usually argue with them, but I do talk to them and try to figure them out. Typically, they're pretty cooperative (unless they do something behind my back, like throw me a completely different plot twist!)

17) While reading a book or watching a movie, were you ever blown away by an unexpected plot twist? What was it and how did you react? Hmm... I can't think of any of the top of my head.

18) What's your personal opinion of i-designs? (orignal, I know, but I really want to know!) Absolutely beautiful and elegant. I love every one of her designs! :D

 
19) What's your favourite color combinations? Brown and pale pink or blue, or brown on brown. :)

20) What's your favourite comic book series? Tintin. 

21) What is the oldest book you've read? How old was it? (By old, I mean, like antique books...the manuscript doesn't have to be old, just the copy of it.) I think the oldest book I read is "Sherlock Holmes" - we have a copy of it that was my Grandma's I believe (I don't know how old exactly). It was about to fall apart

22) What character in any movie or book, would you say is the MOST like you? Rachel from "Regina Silsby's Secret War". I'm sure most of you have never heard of this book, but I love it because she and I really do think alike. ;)

23) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I think I answered this question recently... well, I guess I would say I'd rather be more confident.

24) As a child, what was one thing that always frightened you? This could be something real or imagined!) The dark. It's true! I would sing little songs when I had to go into a dark place so I wouldn't be afraid.

25) What's your life motto? I don't really have one... but my life verse is Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore brothers, in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will."

26) As you're sitting in a café, you're given a note: "It's in your best interests to meet me at 7 P.M. tonight, alone, at Pine and 4th." How would you react? I would probably call up my best friend so we could go and investigate together. (I'd never go alone!)

27) Name seven of your favourite books. LotR, Chronicles of Narnia, Inkheart, The Last Sin Eater, Regina Silsby's Secret War, Beauty, "The Blue Castle" by L. M. Montgomery

28) Name your absolute favourite font (you can have more than one though)! I'm not too into fonts... I love the fancy swirly ones though.

29) Have you ever cried over...a book or a movie? Oh yes, many times. All of my very favorite books and movies I've cried over some point.  

30) What's something that's brought you so much comfort? The Bible, and my church. Ultimately - God! 

31) Describe what you would call a perfect moment. Sitting besides someone I love and just enjoying being with them and not having to say anything, feeling at peace and joyful, and enjoying a beautiful day! 

32) What's the fastest you've ever read?  Hmm... I honestly don't know. I do pride myself in being a pretty fast reader, though. ;) 

33) What's your favorite book/movie genre? Fantasy, Christian (of course), Romance, Historical Fiction. 

34) Do you say one word a lot just because of the way it sounds? If so, what's the word? Well, I like to say shnack instead of snack. ;) It just sounds cool!

35) What's something you thought you'd hate, but ended up loving? Hmm... I can't think of anything at the moment.

36)Do you prefer British or American spellings of words (ex: the British favourite to the American  favorite) American, of course!

37) List a few of your favourite names. Ack, I have SO many. For girls: Cecelia, Sabrina, Gwendolynne, Cassandra, Carissa, Emelie, Kiera, Lilliana, For boys: Kyle, Connor, Joel, Evan, Joshua, Keith, Nathan, Sean, Tristan. I love Irish names, or names that sound really pretty when you say them.

38) What is your favourite movie? I am currently completely tied between Pride & Prejudice, Facing the Giants, and LotR. Can't chose one over the others because they're all so different!

39) Imagine you're writing a story, and one of your characters keeps something buried in a box where no one will find it. What's in the box and what's its significance? A secret book they are writing... which contains magic to get into another world.

40) Was this boring? (be honest! :) Nope - it was pretty awesome! I hope it wasn't too boring to my readers, though. ;)

Whew, that was a long (but fun) tag! Alright, if you're still with me (which I hope you are), I'll tell you why this post is titled "SQUEEE!!!". I won first place in Awel Prince's blog party! I get a complete blog makeover and everything!

And I'm leaving it up to YOU, my readers, to tell me which kit she should use. Here are the kits I'm considering (click on them to see them larger):

Which one do you think fits the name Vividry, fits my personality, just fits the feeling about this blog? Or better yet, let me know what kind of feeling this blog gives you. Is it cozy, cute, crazy, kooky, elegant, shabby.... what? What do you think of when you think of the word Vividry? Let me know!

edit: I realized there was one kit that I left out:

To the Brides of Christ

Violet at All For The Love Of Chaos posted this beautiful essay she has written. It is called, "The Window of Your Heart" and she wrote it specifically for Christian girls... the brides of Christ. It is one of the most beautiful things I have read about Christ's love for His own.
 

The Window of Your Heart

You sit there, against that Wailing Wall of your room, wondering if you are ever going to make it though this mess they call Life. Everywhere you turn someone puts you down, and the tears that stain your heart mark the pain and the burden of your rejection. Love… you are yearning for love.

But wait! Hope is coming like the Spring’s beauty after Winter’s frost. You have not been abandoned, you are not alone. There is a Lover who pursues you, and longs for you to notice Him. He is waiting.

He loves you so much that he knocks at the door of your heart, and stands in line patiently with the others. He longs for you to pick him & invite Him into your heart, and His heart shatters each time you choose someone or something else to be the love of your life.

He loves you so much He puts His strongest, fastest angels to take care of you, and watches your every move. Tears spring to His eyes when you don’t accept His angel’s help and protection, and instead accept the strength of some mortal protector, who, in the end, cannot shield you from the Enemy’s attacks.

He loves you so much He wants to give you the whole world and He does. He gives you the moon, and the stars, and lies in the grass with you, pointing out every little point of light, His heart soaring because you like it. He took so long to paint the sky so it would be beautiful for you, hoping, knowing, that it would touch your heart.

Flowers? He loves you so much He brings you flowers, millions of flowers, and shows you his sense of humor by bringing them even in the form of dandelions or ragweed. He beautifully packages His flowers in colors of green and yellow and red and purple, orange, pink, blue, white… all the colors of the rainbow. He knows you love them, and they are labeled “From your Secret Admirer. You’ve always longed for a Secret Admirer, someone who pursued you because you were beautiful, alluring, lovely… well, you do.

He is so much in love with you that he doesn’t care about your past. He gets down on His knees and begs you: “I love you, I have loved you for as long as I remember. Please tell me that you love me,” He pleads.

He is valiant. He fights the demons that hold you, the addictions, the obsessions, the sin that has you in chains, a phantom of fear cast around your heart. He hears your screams to be rescued, loves you so much to throw Himself at the dragon and fight for you. He could have left you to die, there are other girls who are easier to come by, who would love it if He even gave them a glance. But no… He gave them up for you. He loves you, and will go to all lengths, all risks, to get you, to prove to you His love.

He is close, and sensitive, embracing you when your heart weeps, when your life breaks apart into a million pieces. He carries you when you get scared in the storm, and comes looking for you, crying out your name, when the hurricane of your thinking separates you. He tears up about your pain when you open up to him, and with gentle hands He heals you.

He is thoughtful. In the morning He wakes you softly with the rays of the sun and the melodious songs of birds. He whispers you good morning and kisses you with the soft breeze coming in through the open window. Even on a gloomy day he has a special surprise only for your heart to know and understand. He tells you of His plans, of His purpose, and how much He desires to be with you within the pages of His love letters to you. And He is downcast and so dejected when you pass up reading His words to you for some other book or method of leisure. You allow someone or something else to romance and allure your heart, and it brings tears to His eyes and pain to His heart. He knows how weak that someone or something is, and how weak you are.

He cries out to you, longs for you to look at Him. But your gaze is fixed on someone else. The Enemy. The Enemy has captured the gaze of His beloved.

He loves you so much that He waits, even though you left Him. When you realize that the Enemy’s tune-less murmur in your ear is taking you away from He who cherishes you, you will cry out to Him. He will valiantly rescue you again. He loves you so much He will throw thousands of angels up against the Enemy, only to get you back. And he loves you so much, he will rescue you again, and again, and again, and again. Nothing you can do will make Him get angry with you enough to leave you. And He will never let the Enemy harm you. He will not leave you, He will not desert you. Although you might reject Him, He will wait patiently, pursuing your heart until you return to his arms, safe once more.

But He does not wait motionless; no. Every single moment you are away, in the Enemy’s lair, he is resless. He calls for you, runs to you, trying to make you notice Him. He does not rest until you are rescued, safe. He pleads with you, begs you, trying to gently tell you that the way you are going leads to destruction, and heartache. His heart breaks when you let the Enemy plug your ears. He screams in anguish when you let the Enemy lead you, knowing it is towards Destruction.

“Take anything else!” He cries. “Take anything else! My home, my creation, my crown, even myself, if only you would spare my beloved! Take me instead, not her! Please!”

He loves you so much He ran into the land of Shadow to bring you out. The Enemy tied Him up with the chains destined for you. He was blamed for your addictions; He felt the pain of your abuse; He cried out when the burden of your sin was thrown upon him, wrung around His throat. He looked at you, His starry eyes tearing, as His Enemy pushed Him into the abyss, instead of you.

He loves you so much he took your past from you: your impurity, your abuse, your pain, your ugliness, your infliction, your depression, your loss, your disability, your weakness, your arrogance, your ignorance, your poverty, your nakedness, your embarrassment, your unloveableness, your scorn, your hurt, and ultimately, ultimately… your brokenness.

But… He is powerful. He is strong. So powerful, He defeated the Enemy. He defeated your sin! No longer does the Enemy’s lairs have power over you. Your addictions have been taken away from you… you are free! Your anger has been vanquished… Smile: you are free! You are whole, perfect, pure- the scars of abuse have been taken away… you are free! The traces of darkness, ugliness and depression have been washed away… He is victorious; rejoice! You are free! The loss, the wounds of that which was ripped away from you by Death, by Poverty… by the forces of the Enemy, are restored… You are free!

And He runs, galliantly, towards you, arms open wide, ready to accept you into them. Tears streaming joyfully down His face, the light and beauty of His Kingdom filling the defeated darkness of the Enemy, He throws you up into the air, and catches you, embracing you. Finally you are together, free. And when you are with Him, you are who you were made to be. He completes you.

Hand in hand He walks you down a glorious path in the woods. Butterflies, wild flowers, a shimmering brook rushing over smooth rocks and stones and cascading over them into a deliciously cool pond… Rabbits scamper as you swim and bask in the sunlight.

Then He pulls you up, out of the Valleys and into the Clouds. Up over the trees and into the mountains. The sunset sets the rocks afire. A warm, crackling campfire, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs and talking softly… You lean your head against His chest and even the chill of the starry night air can't get to you, because He is holding you. With Him, you are whole. You are free. 

He shows you many things, talks to you. And He wants you to talk to Him, about everything. He wants you to let Him know you.

When you feel alone, head in your hands, back against a wall, He comes walking up the aisle with His hands shoved in His pockets. He gives you a small smile and squats next to you, eyes searching, asking you to tell Him what is wrong.

When you are happy, rejoicing over an accomplishment, He throws you a party. He breaks out a grin and invites all of your friends. “Look how fantastic she is… I don’t know what I’d do without her!” He exclaims.

When you are stressed, and cant seem to get anything right, His arms embrace your world and your heart, and just holds you. In His hands, you will be safe, and your heart will be healed. Your pain will soon go away, and in His hands you will be healed.

When the end seems to come too soon…
When you feel as if life is not worth living…
When you cant cope…
When you feel sick, or alone, or ugly…
When you cant do anything right…

He’s waiting. He’s longing for your voice. Restless He waits. In His hands He can heal. In His hands he can free.

When life is going right…
When you are encouraged…
When you are victorious…
When you look in the mirror and you are beautiful, and radiant…

He wants to know. He is waiting to rejoice with you. He’s the first one to pop open a bottle of champagne. He’s the first one with the party hat on. He dances with you.

You see, He wants you. Just like you want Him. He could do it without you, of course, but He loves you so much, there’s a special ache in His heart for you, that only you can fill.

He would look awkward dancing by Himself. You make the dance glorious, beautiful, graceful, and purposeful. He loves you, and you love Him. You are one. He would look strong paddling a canoe in the rapids alone. But with you… it looks like an adventure. A team. A fight between fear and valor. You help Him. He could do it alone, but together… ah, He would only do it with you. 

He shows you the sights, the smells, the sounds… together… you are one.

He loves you so much. He longs for you to love Him back. He throws pebbles at the window of your heart.

Wake up and let Him in…

Beloved.

Giveaways and Blog Parties!

Lots of my friends are hosting giveaways! Check out these awesome ones: 

Eden at Heirs of Promise is giving away some cute dishcloths she crocheted herself! Aren't they beautiful?

Rachel at Rachel's Blog is giving away three really cute things: jeweled bobby pins, note cards of scripture verses, and an apron she made.

Lindsay at Content in Christ is giving away a handmade bag and apron, both of which are reversible. Aren't they cute?

Eldarwen at Faithful Elven Princess is doing not only a givaway, but also a blog party! She's giving away Ocean Eyes by Owl City.

And here are the questions for her blog party:

1) How old are you? Old enough to think I'm an adult, yet young enough to still want to create fantasies and worlds all my own... :)
 

2) What name do you go by on blogger? Melody.

3) When is your birthday? I'd rather not say the exact date, but it's towards the end of July.

4) If you could live anywhere in the world, besides where you live now, where would it be? I guess it would be kind of cool to live near the ocean, but I really do love where I live now.

5) How did you find out about Blogger? I don't really remember how exactly... I think I was surfing through blogs and all of them were Blogger, so I thought I would start one.

6) Tell us something interesting about yourself: For some reason, though I love to read humorous books (think "At Home in Mitford" by Jan Karen), I never seem to be able to write them.

7) What was your favorite toy when you were little? I had a little reindeer stuffed animal named Pepper that I loved. I still have it, too. :)

8) What is your favorite meal? Have you ever cooked/helped cook that meal? My favorite meal is chicken pot pie, and only homemade. And I'm usually the one who makes it at our house!

9) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I've been asked this question so many times - and I really don't know. I'm pretty fine with my outward appearance, and God is changing and conforming my character to be more like Christ. So I guess I wouldn't change anything!

10) Are you an outside person, or an inside person? I really love the outdoors... but I also love the indoors because it contains my computer and piano. If I really had to chose one over the other, I would pick the outdoors, because I just love God's creation!

11) Are you a mommy's girl, or a daddy's girl? A mixture of both. I would say Mommy's girl in the morning, Daddy's girl in the evening. :)

12) In one word, describe the feeling you get when you stub your toe, after just being told by your parents that you are grounded for the next month: Overwhelmed.

13) Let's say you TP'd your friend's house (for those of you who don't know what TP'd stands for, it means toilet papered. As in, put toilet paper on their trees, cars, house, porch, etc.). If someone asked you why you TP'd your friends house, you would say: Well, in the first place, I would never do that! But if I did, I would say, "So-and-so made me do it!

14) Have you ever gone swimming in deep, dark, dirty water? Deep and dark, yes, but not dirty. The lake we swim at in the summer is actually one of the cleanest lakes in our area. It still can be pretty scary at times, especially if you are out in the middle without any floaties. 

15) Have you ever dreamed about getting ready to leave the house, and forgetting to get your pants on? lol - not exactly, though I have had dreams which were similar. :P

16) Have you ever done something so ridiculous, that you wish you'd never done it? If so, what? Haha so you want me to proclaim my ridiculousness to the world? Actually, I can' really think of something that ridiculous I've done. I bet if I asked my friends, though, they would have a lot to say on this question. ;)

17) Imagine that you saw a purse snatching. What would you do?

a. scream and run away

b. move out of the state/country

c. tackle the purse snatcher to the ground.

d. ignore it, start whistling, and turn the other direction.
 Um... how about none of the above? I would scream "Thief!" and point so others could go chase after the purse-snatcher. Then I would go about my business. :)

18) How many friends do you have on blogger? I'm friends with just about all of my followers. So - about 50 (which is a lot!)

19) What makes blogging so much fun for you? I love being able to share my thoughts, writings, things God's teaching me, triumphs, tough times, and everything in between with all of you! And every time I get a comment, it really makes my day!

20) You're a turtle, who has bet that you can win a race with a rabbit. How does it turn out? Well... though I've never been a turtle, I expect that they can really speed if they need to. So I would say the turtle wins the race. :)

Come Read...

...this story!

Violet from All For the Love of Chaos and I are writing a story together, which we have been posting on a private blog. There are about eight journal entries up right now, and we are continuing to add to them. We would love to have readers who can give us some feedback and let us know how the story affects them.

Here's the little "teaser" to pique your curiosity:

The story is told through the journal entries of Rosandra Seams and Diana Kelper, best friends in an unusual situation. After Diana lost her family in a fire that burned down their manor, Rosandra's family kindly offered to take Diana in, at least for a while. It seems like the perfect situation, right? I mean, who wouldn't want their best friend to come and live with them?

But though they believed they were "best friends," they soon come to realize how little they really knew each other. Their friendship is severely tested as they constantly work against instead of with each other. They will have to learn all over again what being a true friend really means.  Yet their road to trust is rockier than even they can imagine.

Interested? Post a comment with your email address (which I won't publish) and I can invite you to view the blog. Or, if you've already sent me your email for something else, just let me know and I can add you!