2.15.2012

It is an ever-fixed mark

Amid all the candy hearts, pink balloons, and cheesy Hallmark cards of this over-marketed day of love, let's hear what Shakespeare has to say about real love in his 116th Sonnet.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved, 
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

1.30.2012

1.28.2012

Thankful

I'm currently listening to the Little Women soundtrack, which makes me feel all happy and nostalgic inside. I'm sitting at the computer. (Obviously.) I've been typing up a couple of papers, and trying to catch up from last week's absences. Last week, I flew to Oklahoma, saw old friends, met new friends, learned a lot, and had an all-around wonderful time. (Which I hope to post about soon...ish, but it will require more thought and effort, since I'd like to include pictures and whatnot.)
Life. It moves at an incredible rate. I still can't believe February is just around the corner.

Fast forward. One day later.

I've been thinking about my own ingratitude. I had to stop and make a list.
Thankful:
-I wrote a paper on God's love this week. (This is why I love my classical, Christian education.)
-I took my one Latin student to GiGi's for class today. It was very educational. Trust me.
-I have a car. (Granted, she's not in mint condition at the moment. But I'm working on that.)
-I'm taught from the Word and blessed with the fellowship of godly believers at Christ Church.
-I've had the privilege of attending the filming of the Behold Your God talks given by my pastor for about a week and a half.
-I have the best family in the whole wide world. (No, really.)
-I serve a faithful, kind, almighty, loving, holy God. I am His, and He is mine!

Sometimes I forget these things. Sometimes I focus on all the little things that don't go according to my plan. But He knows far better than I do. He is faithful. Give me a grateful heart that takes nothing for granted, O Lord.

 

12.25.2011

A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night



O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, Begotten not created.


Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, In the highest.


Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning;
Jesu, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing.



--John Francis Wade

12.21.2011

On life and hobbits

Christmas break is finally here. I'm reveling in doing absolutely nothing in the coming weeks.
Well, nothing as in, no homework to work, no papers to write, no tests to take, no lectures to listen to, and no Latin quizzes to grade! I do have a few projects I'd like to complete and books I'd like to read. But it makes all the difference in  the world simply because I want to and no is telling me to do it.
Isn't it funny how that makes a difference? We're stubborn creatures. Or at least I am.

Within the last couple of weeks, I've successfully taken the ACT (and am still anxiously awaiting my score), turned in my first college application (and barely made the early deadline), and completed my last midterm (my very last ever big test for that class). Sleep is a sweet, sweet thing, friends.

Although he's been my brother from the moment he stepped through that door, Jeremiah's adoption was officially finalized on Friday! And despite a "minor" incident that sent Jamie to the ER - he stepped on a pitchfork while playing hide-and-seek outside in the dark . . . barefoot - all is well at the Crampton house.  The whole family - all nine of us! - are finally under one roof. Joseph got in around 3:00 AM last night. The house is loud full again.

My house is filled to the brim with people, laughter, homemade goodies, and Christmas everything! There are so many reasons to be thankful.

As you hear/sing carols this Christmas season, it's easy to simply skip and skim over the words. Don't. There's a reason these old hymns are still being sung. Read the last verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing:

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

And on an entirely different note, The Hobbit comes out in December of next year and they just released the trailer!!! This makes me one excited fan girl.