Never take advantage of Providence, I must humbly admit.
Right now I am continuing my study of the Reformation, which is including a study of the hymns written by Martin Luther. I’m always trying to learn new songs to play on the piano as it is, so I decided that now is a good time to start mastering hymns, one of which is A Mighty Fortress (A Mighty Fortress is our GOD…).
I’m also working on Beethoven’s Piano Sonata “Pathétique” and whatever else I happen to find (I’ll be studying Baroque music soon, so Bach and Handel are on my list). I’ve been playing Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca for six years now, probably much to the agitation of the surrounding listeners (too many notes! Calm down already!). I also enjoy playing Debussy’s La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin.
I’ve started working extra hard on Chemistry, so as to complete it before summer time (April is my ideal). I actually enjoy it. Though I am not keen on mathematical things, true Science really doesn’t aggravate me quite as much. It employs a sort of 3-dimensional math (if that makes any sense).
My chief flaw (one of them, anyway) is over complicating things. It is usually the simple concepts in math or music or whatever that throw me off balance more so than the complex things. I often overthink and overwrite, sometimes until I have gone nearly in circles. Just reviewing the essays and stories I wrote a few years ago humiliate me. I’m having to sort through a lot of them for my portfolio.
We are considering raising a heritage breed of chicken this year, most likely Dominiques. We will probably have to order some to arrive early next month so they will be laying well by summer.
I must stay optimistic about things. I must not over complicate and over think and over work until I turn frustrated and critical and bitter. Believe me, that is my natural tendency. The quest for perfection. But that often times turns into such a worthless ambition!
The Church before the Reformation had become so ridiculously pompous and worldly – John Wycliffe and John Hus and Martin Luther (to name only three men) looked past that at the time and saw that the WORD of GOD is not a giant book of complex and petty rules, but rather straightforward and pure truth. Sola Scriptura – The Scriptures Alone – that is all we truly need to dwell on.
I was reminded recently of the immense blessings we take for granted day by day. A good friend of mine from a homeschooling family, Grace (age 16) left on a Mission trip to Uganda on the 10th of this month. She won’t return to the States until the 7th of February. She is staying with a family that has four children. The family’s eldest daughter, Talitha (also 16) has been suffering from whooping cough. She also came down with 12 hour malaria but was miraculously healed from that.
Grace and the family she is staying with needs a lot of prayer. Sometimes I forget in the midst of the days in which I fall short of my ideals that in this nation, which has been remarkably blessed, we have often misconstrued success.
I remember seeing in the old gym at Marion Military Institute and handwritten banner on the wall which said, “Victory belongs to those who are willing to pay the price”. WHO paid the ultimate price? JESUS CHRIST. Thus, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.” {Proverbs 21:31}
HE is A Mighty Fortress – we need only to submit to HIM.
GOD BLESS,
~Amanda~
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Comments
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 – a note from Rose
Posted by Rose
Hello Amanda,
I noticed you were online and so I thought that I would stop by. I can relate. I often over think things! I’ll think so hard about stupid things like multiplying a fraction and then I still get it wrong. Then I try again and instantly get it correct!
Well, It’s snowing here so my school was “closed”,shall we say, today, It’s so pretty all white and fluffy. Except it is to dry to make a good snow man! Which is extremely unusual!
Oh thanks for the comment,
Love to hear from you,
Rose
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Monday, January 22, 2007 – Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Hello, just wanted to stop by… I was Melanie too!!
I’m gonna take the National Treasure one.
Love,
Jocelyn
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Wednesday, January 24, 2007 – Just wanted to…
Posted by SuperAngel
wish you a very Happy belated Birthday!! Hope it was awesome. LMK when you post about what you did!!
Come by and read my lastest article just published today: “Day to Remember”!!
God Bless and Keep You and Yours!!
Take Care!!
Love
Amanda ~ Siol Enal ~ SUPERANGEL
