tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24480652241415054512024-03-13T00:23:44.789-04:00Curious Thoughts of Lucy Littlefordcollecting wisdom, treasures, and dustLucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-37933568017750033792012-10-11T23:41:00.002-04:002012-10-11T23:43:55.976-04:00Autumn Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At long last, I find spare moments in which to gather my thoughts. I've reached the official halfway mark in my semester and now receive a four day weekend as a trophy for surviving to this point. Since it isn't enough time for me to drive home and see anyone, Dad graciously drove down to visit with me. The rest of the family was supposed to come, too, but unforeseen happenstance did not allow for that pleasure.<br />
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I've had several deep thoughts that would have made good entries here, but unfortunately they did not stay with me long and I did not record them anywhere. However, God has been teaching me a lot about my worth as of late, as found in Him and forgotten in circumstance. My devotional reading this morning continued along those lines in Revelation.<br />
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"...Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:11b)<br />
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I've always viewed this verse as giving me purpose--inspiring me to work hard to bring glory and honor to God. Today the Holy Spirit gently suggested it as a verse meant to give me rest. Christ already created me in a way that brings Him pleasure. He approves not of my sin and my foolishness, but of me as His workmanship. I'm acceptable to Him, clothed in His righteousness. I don't have to work at it, He has <br />delight in what He's made me apart from any puny effort I might put forth.<br /><br /> It's not an excuse to slack off, or a reason to compromise. It's a blessed comfort to know that no matter how badly I mess up, I'm still a joy to my Father.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-63926176983782941082012-09-09T21:22:00.002-04:002012-09-09T21:22:43.099-04:00The College Experience About three weeks ago, I watched my family drive away without me. Then I picked up my backpack and marched up the stairs to my dorm room where I will continue to reside until December 14th. I think it went against all of our natural inclinations for them to leave and me to stay. Yet, here I am.<br />
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I treaded water in a sea of freshman for the first few days until the other upperclassmen arrived. They're actually all great girls, freshmen included, I just never quite got along with other people "my age." My honey says it's because that's because nobody else acts their age--I feel socially retarded nonetheless. Finally classes started the following Monday, so I plunged headfirst into the deep end of the pool of knowledge.<br />
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Botany, earth science, statistics, Biblical worldview, psychology, and creation studies makes for a rather full week. The workload isn't the adjustment though, just all the newness of not being immediately part of my family unit. I don't think the other girls seem to deal with it as much, but when you're homeschooled transitioning out of the house is kind of a big deal--especially for us daughters.<br />
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Anyway, off to study bryophytes and gymnosperms and all of that good stuff. Happy weekend, here's to the college experience.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-86143594389712718112012-06-11T23:19:00.003-04:002012-06-11T23:19:59.744-04:00More of the Challenges of WritingDay Three -- A Great Writer Takes Initiative<br />
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Okay, so on this day I was to get up two hours early and dedicate that time to my writing. Well, due to a nasty cold that didn't quite happen. The general idea was explained as taking some time aside to write each day, however, and I am working on building that into my routine along with other healthy habits I've been meaning to implement. My routine should go something like this...<br />
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830am <i>Rise and shine.</i><br />
9am <i>Devos/prayer time along with breakfast.</i><br />
10am <i>Writing or Sketching. (I should vary day to day, but I need to practice both.)</i><br />
11am <i>Housework.</i><br />
1230pm <i>Luncheon.</i><br />
130pm <i>Study. (Biology, finances, history, Bible, whatever I've picked up at the moment.)</i><br />
230pm <i>Freetime.</i><br />
430pm <i>Dinner prep.</i><br />
530-6ish <i>Dinner.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My writing tools of choice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Day Four -- Practice Doesn't Make Perfect<i></i><br /><i></i><br />
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The challenge here was to practice writing in public, to make a pitch to a magazine or send something to be published [read: rejected]. One of the ideas was to share something on your blog that you never had before. I'm still working on a proper idea, but I should have something out by tomorrow. Ack. Behind again.<br />
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Day Five -- How Great Writers Prepare for Big Projects<br />
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Today Jeff encourages participants to "ship it." To finish the next chunk of a project, to do something. I was for my part--after a day of trying to help my mother get ready for her mission's trip--a little befuddled as to how I'm supposed to accomplish this before midnight tonight. With a little ingenuity, however, I've decided to progress with my secondary super secret blog idea. More to come on that, I may even launch it this month and link over to it. But I needs must work on it if it ever is to happen. Off I go!Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-70967557105200482922012-06-06T21:55:00.003-04:002012-06-06T21:55:35.921-04:00Writer's Challenge I had all sorts of big plans for this summer, one of which being to "get serious" about my writing. What exactly I meant by that, I'm not sure. I say it fairly often and rarely act on it. Thus, as my friend so kindly shared this with me, I'll be undertaking a fifteen day writing challenge offered by Jeff Goins on his website. I don't normally like to solicit, but I thought I'd include a badge at the bottom of my entry along with a little back work since I've come in a day late. Thus, without further ado...<br />
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<br />
Day One -- Declare You're a Writer <i>(Catch Up)</i><br />
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I am a writer. I am not a terribly good writer, nor as yet published, but I do in fact write. I journal, I blog, I invent (sort of) clever statuses, I compose letters, I jot ideas, and I even arrange the occasional poem. I'm supposed to tell this to an actual person or institution, boldly and without an overpowering fear of rejection. Since I'm sort of timid and also have a nasty cold in addition to my killer garlic breath, I opted for informing my sweetheart via IM. His response? "I know." That's promising, right?<br />
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Day Two -- Good Writers Believe In Themselves<br />
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Ok, so I'm not much for the whole "believe in yourself" movement, but I can see the man has a point. If I gripe and grump and groan about my lack of abilities, I'm not going to get anywhere. The attitude ought to be "just do it." Well, here it is. I've jumped into the midst of a mission/quest/thing and I'm confident I can complete it. All that's left is the action part. Haha... yeah... "all."<br />
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<a href="http://goinswriter.com/great-writers/" target="_blank"><img src="http://goinswriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/great-writers.jpg" /></a>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-23299048975149000382012-05-16T18:47:00.002-04:002012-05-17T00:09:01.003-04:00Seasons It's that time of year. Most of my friends are either graduating with college degrees, getting married, or their birthing second and third children. I, naturally, am watching all of this occur with mixed feelings as I fight with my college registrar over whether or not I did in fact take BIO 101 and which credits should indeed transfer. I'm sure if my situation was reversed with those of any of my companions, I would feel my circumstances equally inglorious. As it stands, however, the proverbial grass remains greener-- and just beyond my reach-- on the other side.<br />
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Now, if any of my previous posts have been read, it may sound like I'm gearing up for another talk about my/others' expectations for me. I'm not. I'm going to be talking about playing in the dirt. My newest occupation, since I quit my day job, is something I like to call philosophical gardening. Though I thought I was being quite original, I actually found out I was not alone in this practice. My pastor posted on facebook a couple of days ago, "<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Break up the fallow ground, break it up</span>" with the explanation that he'd been working in his garden and God had brought that verse to his mind. Consequently, he'd been meditating on it. The funny part was, I shared that experience not a day later before ever reading his post.<br />
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The main theme I've been dwelling on though is the seasons of life. The preacher in Ecclesiastes describes it thus (Ecc. 3:1-8):<br />
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<i>To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.</i><br />
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While the preacher is expressing the futility of life without God, I can only think of the richness of living in Him. He uses these seasons to teach me in the ways I'm ready to learn at the time and to prepare me for what's next. Each "act" in the play brings about new blessings and surprises. Psalm 81:16 speaks of the Lord, referring to His desire that Israel would live a rich life in surrender to Him, "He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee."<br />
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My own season is not marriage and children and a career. Maybe it will be, someday. Right now, it's for me to battle the registrar, plant the odd garden, but above all and in all to seek Him. That's the honey out of the Rock, and it is <i>very</i> sweet.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-69434838736103000392012-03-04T22:10:00.002-05:002012-03-04T22:14:15.632-05:00Autobiography (Part 2): [Un]Socialized Homeschooler Socialization is always a touchy subject when it comes to us home educated types. When I was younger, one of the first questions out of adults mouths was "Oh... do you have [m]any friends?" Even now, I still have professors and coworkers ask how my family arranged for me to meet other people. The question is so loaded, it's hard to know where to begin. The query assumes that in order to be socialized a child needs to spend a minimum of eight hours with people specifically his or her own age. It discounts relationships with siblings, parents, and adults outside the home entirely.<br />
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While I'm not a sociologist, I can tell you through my observation and personal experience that homeschooling better prepares a student for the post-high school world than public school does. Realistically, the workplace is going to require a person to be able to effectively communicate and build relationships with people beyond his or her age bracket. If you're planning at being a stay at home mother, this becomes even more vital. Whether you're dealing with an irate customer or a toddler a in full blown tantrum--which look remarkably similar in some cases--the skills are equally precious.<br />
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Stepping off of my soapbox, I'll admit that I've always been one of the more timid set of the homeschooling tribe. This, unfortunately, also led to a rash of antagonists who mistook the signs of mildness as indications of weakness. I cannot count the number of groups I was involved with--often Christian--that I learned to dread because of one kid who set out to make my life miserable.<br />
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I'm told these experiences build character. I suppose in a way these episodes did, but it was more in "bringing the dross to the top" to be skimmed away. I reacted badly many times, but slowly God did work in my heart to bring me around. I have learned to stay out of verbal sparring matches, at first through the broken pride at oft losing, and eventually through conviction of the Holy Spirit that my job is to build others up.<br />
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A few strong friendships growing up served to lift me out of the other mire sufficiently to get out of grade school and into Bible college without any serious mishap. All of those came through church and various other activities, no public school involved. Who knew highly educated teachers could sometimes be wrong? :)<br />
Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-35316469380919707062012-01-27T08:30:00.000-05:002012-01-27T22:07:26.801-05:00No Pressure I walked into my room a few evenings ago to find a workbook on my bed. I forget the exact title, but it was something along the lines of "Finding Purpose in Your Life." I leafed through it briefly to find various scripture in the margins, a lot of talk about discovering one's passion, and arbitrary fill-in-the-blank response sections. The writing was sort of geared for the high school junior or senior struggling to take the next step. A gift from my mother. Ouch.<br />
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Everyone will tell you--in my case, especially my parents--there's no pressure. I'm young, there's no time limit, I don't need to know exactly what I'm going to do. In fact, I hear that it doesn't matter what I choose in the end because my folks will love me no matter what and are already proud of me. I suspect what they tell me is all true. I think after the initial shock of me deciding I was going to take a year off from school to work, they're more or less prepared for anything. They're wrong though; there's a ton of pressure.<br />
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It's easy to get so worked up just watching ads on television, or hearing the latest accomplishments of my [extremely academic] friends. Even in the ideas I've always had for myself of what my life would be like when I got to be this age give me this sense that I'm already behind. Of course, there will always be that crushing feeling as long as I'm trying to squeeze myself into a little box of what or where I "should" be by now. There is such freedom in recognizing the only life goal for me to pursue is that of holiness before God, and that it doesn't come through striving in my own power.<br />
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In 1 Kings 3 Solomon sought wisdom before financial gain and was rewarded for valuing God's will so highly. Matthew 6 records Christ telling the disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and not to worry about their physical needs. I can't tell you how liberating it is to put all of my ambitions on an altar before the Lord and ask Him to everything up until only His desires remain. Only He knows how many times I've had to repeat that scene--it seems like new pictures of "success" crop up constantly. It's something I'd recommend to anyone though. Give up your own desires to Him.<br />
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<b>1 Corinthians 2:9</b><br />
<b> But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. </b>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-34364392843036887692012-01-25T08:35:00.000-05:002012-01-25T11:32:22.849-05:00The Textbook Scam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is a fact universally acknowledged that buying textbooks from your campus bookstore is comparable to an encounter with Ali Baba and his questionable compatriots. Most people are also aware that the big textbook publishers like to add "important" information and republish under the facade of a new edition... three months after its original release.
The result? <br />
<h4>
You need a new book for the second class in the sequence. Unsurprisingly, the book store doesn't want your old tome, either. So how does one avoid being up the proverbial creek, paddle-less?</h4>
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It shocks me that when the average full time student spends an average of $600 a semester on books alone, websites like Amazon and Half.com are so underutilized. Often there's an option to reading through the contents before the purchase is made, so you can determine how close an older edition is to the new one you're being asked to buy. Usually, the older model is significantly cheaper and its content virtually the same.<br />
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Other options exist, as well. There is a growing trend of students renting their textbooks out for a semester at a fraction of the retail price. In addition, it's possible to download digital versions of some books--easier on the back as well. <b> </b><br />
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<b>And don't forget...</b><br />
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<i>Start Early </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Starting early allows you to <b>consider all available routes</b>. You don't get pressured into
spending more money because you run out of time.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>You can <b>contact your professor</b> and ask if
they have any students from a previous class trying to get rid of books. He/she may even accommodate older editions by providing you with photo
copies of pages you might be missing.<br /> </li>
<li>Books will <b>arrive on time</b>... though I'll tell you a bit of a secret. You may not even need
it for the first week or two! Bit of a gamble though, so keep in touch
with your prof.</li>
</ul>
<i><br /></i><br />
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<i>Use Your Resources</i><br />
<ul>
<li>At college, the <b>internet </b>is your friend. Research, click around, compare! If you want to make or save a buck, you need to be informed as to what is out there and how much it costs. There are advantages and disadvantages to any decision you make.</li>
<li>See if you can borrow a book from a <b>friend</b>, or go in for one together and pass it back and forth on a schedule. This makes for an excellent opportunity to study together, as well.<br /> </li>
<li><b>Librarians </b>are fantastic. Your own can most likely lead you to a variety of in-library-use-only textbooks that have been kept specifically for student use.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Whether you choose to do this online or try to get the campus store to buy them back, pleasefortheloveofMike, <b><i>sell back your books</i></b>. Seriously. Unless you're a med student or have a legitimate reason to use them as reference material consistently, you don't need them after the final bell rings.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Remember, it's your money; take responsibility and make good decisions for yourself. Any options I failed to mention?</b>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-57582461371689982222012-01-22T18:47:00.000-05:002012-01-22T20:57:54.377-05:00Autobiography (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you had asked my dad twenty-five or so years ago if he intended to be the head of a homeschooling family, he would have responded in a now familiar Dad-ism, "that's nowhere on my radar." Then again, I think twenty-five years ago homeschooling hadn't really taken root just yet. My parents didn't exactly belong to the pioneers of home education in our state, but I think my mom definitely qualifies as "second generation" in the movement.<br />
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Though I wasn't really aware of it as I was growing up, I think Mom did a lot of experimenting to find out what worked for teaching me... and then had to start all over again when it came to my younger brother. I've never spent a day in public school and have loved the experience of having Mom one on one. We started before I was around three or four, playing word and thinking games. <br />
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I remember most clearly all the hands on sessions of science, exploring, field trips, and all the reading aloud she did for both me and my brother, John. There are few things more exciting than learning about the civil war by taking a weekend trip to a reenactment or reading Across Five Aprils in between "classes" on the living room floor. Math and home economics were setting up a grocery store in the school room and playing cashier while Mom was customer.<br />
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As an alumni homeschool student, I'd like encourage any homeschool moms who are in that deep mid-winter slump this week. Your kids will look back and remember. The little things you do and silly games you play that help them remember times tables or grammatical rules do matter. I know, because my mother invested in me, and her love has made an eternal impact on my life.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-12895752079156791452012-01-15T19:55:00.000-05:002012-01-15T19:55:55.773-05:00Repurposed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Student</i> by Maria Dixon</td></tr>
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In my e-wanderings, I have noticed a growing number of blogs offered by homeschool mothers full of sound Biblical advice on how to be a wife and a mother. It's fantastic to read. I've actually started compiling ideas and devotions in to a sort of "hope folder" in lieu of a hope chest. I look forward to, even long after, the myriad of "someday" experiences I'll have.<br />
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That said, I'm just not there yet. I'm not a mother, I'm not a wife. Frankly, I'm not even certain that I'm a proper adult at present. And, as much as I love reading the testimonies of God's faithfulness to His saints, it's a little painful when I'm still wrestling with the preliminaries. I nearly cringe as I hear wedding announcements of my friends now, as the enter into this other realm that I'm not part of. At nineteen I already feel like a late bloomer. If I really am a young lady, shouldn't I be ready for that?<br />
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The sentiment Bailey expressed recently in her article, "<a href="http://bighouseinthelittlewoodsblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-much-more-out-of-box-womanhood.html">So Much More: Out of the Box Womanhood</a>," struck a chord with me. Motherhood and womanhood are often practically addressed as one in the same by many well-meaning homeschool moms, but that's hardly true and entirely unfair. Motherhood is a beautiful medium of expression for all that womanhood is, certainly, yet it is not the means to femininity or even the only end. God calls me to be the best woman I can be right now, husband or no.<br />
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I keep looking for stories of girls in the same boat that I'm in--at the very beginnings of independence with a little experience and a lot of trepidation. There are some I've run across, few and far between. Lately I've taken to wondering if there are any other girls my age timidly searching for this sort of internet-camaraderie as well. Therefore, I am re-purposing this space. As a token of friendship, I offer forth in good faith my limited experience and great trepidation, tempered with Biblical truth and growing faith. <br />
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As I most enjoy reading the stories of others and learn best from their relations, I'm going to make an attempt to briefly chronicle my life leading up to this point. In between, I'm sincerely hoping I can generate slightly more focused articles that may be of assistance to high school students coming into their own and college students getting out on their own. Lord willing, <i>someone</i> will benefit.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-10078169364809698912011-12-27T20:42:00.000-05:002011-12-27T20:42:54.121-05:00God With Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrYhTBJNXkU/Tuv8qxP3EYI/AAAAAAAAADE/76QI28SARzc/s1600/christmasparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrYhTBJNXkU/Tuv8qxP3EYI/AAAAAAAAADE/76QI28SARzc/s320/christmasparty.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
I suppose after my last somewhat cynical post I ought to write something a trifle brighter. I've had lots of ideas--as usual--but very little time in which to write them. This stretch between Christmas and New Years, however, is providing me with a little extra time and ample fodder about which to scribble.<br />
<br />
Over the course of December, I've particularly loved the fact that all the radio stations, both Christian and secular, play real worship music. It isn't the cheap kind that could be referring to a boyfriend if I swapped out God for a different masculine name. It doesn't praise God for the things He does for the massive ME planted right in the middle of the chorus in neon-bold. Many of the words belonging to the old carols come straight from scripture, thanking God for who He is--for being Salvation.<br />
<br />
I've been reading through Leviticus as well. It occurred to me today that they shared a common theme with the hymns playing everywhere.<br />
<br />
Leviticus 26:1-2 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.<br />
<br />
<br />
As with the rest of the Bible, it reminds me that the LORD should be at the center of my life; the Rock of my salvation placed squarely in front of me daily with nothing else present. I ought to keep His sabbbaths not for the sake of legalism, but to put Him first in my week. I reverence His sanctuary because it represents a far greater throne room in my Father's house in eternity. I should love Him because He is so worthy of adoration.<br />
<br />
I greatly enjoy the imperfect practice of learning to worship here on earth. Moreso, however, I eagerly anticipate the constant "Christmas" of heaven in which I'll experience Emmanuel as just that--God with us--in a keener way than ever before. And of course, the brilliant praise music centuries of God-fanatical composers will have had infinite time to think up.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-13964517046023683082011-10-28T23:05:00.002-04:002011-10-28T23:17:30.240-04:00Dear Customer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkfsGPeHO8k/TqtvxxD6tyI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2F_MWK481zk/s1600/N-T0005-105-the-shop-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkfsGPeHO8k/TqtvxxD6tyI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2F_MWK481zk/s320/N-T0005-105-the-shop-girl.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Shop Girl</i> by James Tissot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Dear Customer,<br />
<br />
I would like you to know that I am a human being. Not a robot, not an angel, not a fixture on which you may scrape your boots. I'm aware of the nonverbal cues you are projecting. I detect tones, eye rolls, disgust, frustration, and a sense of superiority. I understand that you want what you want when you want it and that you are equally subject to having bad days, long days, and I-just-want-to-cry days. Please understand that for the most part, I really do have the utmost sympathy and when you mention that you've been up since four in the morning with a sick baby I do make it my mission to move things along more quickly. That said, there are a lot of other people at my place of work who all have to accomplish certain tasks before you receive the final product. And that takes time. There are also other customers that are waiting to be served. That takes time, too, and if they're in front of you I still have to wait on them first.<br />
<br />
In addition, please know that I am a person. I have a family and set of friends who love me. There are circles in which I have worth that is partially due to the gifts God has given me. I do not work behind this counter because I am too stupid or aim so low that I find myself here. I will not work in this place all my life, and I am not some sort of scum or idiot because I do right now. There's no shame in earning a living for oneself or saving until you can get to school. There's nothing to look down on in my youth. I don't pretend to know everything and am conscious of the fact that I make plenty of mistakes. If my mistakes affect your life, I truly am sorry. I sincerely do my best, but I too have my bad days, long days, and I-just-want-to-cry days.<br />
<br />
I am on the front lines representing my company to you and similarly in being your advocate to my superiors. Depending on the day and situation I may take heat from both sides. I am not the only one. Every sales clerk, service provider, rep, waitress, and telemarketer is in the same position. Absurd company policies annoy us just as much as you if not more so. Believe me.<br />
<br />
This message isn't for the purpose of procuring favors, thanks, or gratuity in any form. Just know that I have value, not because I think so or I demand you recognize it. I belong to God and this is where He has me in life at present. Therefore, I am content to serve.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
A Front Counter WorkerLucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-53902905347085345282011-10-18T20:44:00.001-04:002011-10-18T20:48:11.307-04:00Crossroads You'd think I'd know based on my own indecisiveness that being left to my own devices to choose a college would make for a long and painful process. As the saying goes, one step forward three steps back... or, in my case, one glorious moment of "this is it" whilst the heavens open up and angels are heard to sing to many, many evenings of despairing "I'd rather be incarcerated." And how does one choose, anyway?<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs7L67Zabk/Tp4ZG-f4TcI/AAAAAAAAACI/lXnsab28XNo/s1600/crossroads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs7L67Zabk/Tp4ZG-f4TcI/AAAAAAAAACI/lXnsab28XNo/s400/crossroads.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freehand touchpad artistry by yours truly</td></tr>
</tbody></table> It's a little frustrating, really. As a transfer student, I know what I want and don't have any misgivings regarding my calling. However, I'm also extremely picky when it comes to how schools view my subject of choice--namely, science education--and don't particularly want to put myself many hundreds of miles away from my family or my sweetheart. Bottom line, I have a short list of colleges that I'm interested in with no real desire to go and live on campus at any of them.<br />
<br />
Although, some useful things I have learned in my quest for perfection have been...<br />
<ul><li>I'm not going to find it [perfection]<br />
</li>
<li>it's really important to read the Student Handbook before you start applying anywhere<br />
</li>
<li>I should run everything by a few select persons, but no one else until I know what's going on<br />
</li>
<li>DON'T PANIC</li>
</ul> I'm not so good at the last one. With all the ways God has been faithful in my life, I know I'm being silly if I suspect He's going to leave me hanging in this area. And yet, there is a wide gap between knowing something and really truly knowing it. Kind of like the difference between having my best friend beside me and knowing he's there versus being side by side and holding hands. (Yes, we do on occasion! Bad, bad homeschooler...)<br />
<br />
In the end, I guess that's really what trusting God is though--taking His hand. At a crossroads like this, it makes sense more than ever. So, I suppose it's back to the spiritual discipline of waiting on Him. Much better than back to the drawing board, in any event.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-4071061904568833082011-10-06T22:19:00.001-04:002011-10-08T23:47:23.928-04:00My Father<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkVAQLA6ILs/To0a21RWCEI/AAAAAAAAAA8/sbQ5ipD1GXA/s1600/ShowerHead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkVAQLA6ILs/To0a21RWCEI/AAAAAAAAAA8/sbQ5ipD1GXA/s320/ShowerHead.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">(Copyright Lucy Littleford)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> A friend recently mused aloud to me, did God make us to be pleased by creation or make creation to please us? I replied that I thought when God created, He put elements of His character into every piece of matter and so naturally we would be pleased by it. That's why He could say when He looked over it at the end of each day, He saw that it was good. It follows then as a matter of course, many of man's highest thoughts and noblest feelings would be stirred by observing nature--God's nature.<br />
<br />
That's part of what has drawn me into my field of study, I think. While I want to learn science to teach it and be able to make a stand for Biblical creation, I have enjoyed exploring a subject that fills me with awe and reference for my Father. Maybe I'm geeky for feeling most worshipful when I've got my bio textbook on one knee and my Bible on the other. I love writing scripture references in the margin of my textbooks and thinking of what wonderful truth there is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's own image. Evolutionary ideas certainly cannot compare when it comes to having hope and purpose.<br />
<br />
With this all floating around in my head, I considered trying to hammer out a few lines of poetry. That used to be another pursuit of mine, but I've gotten a bit rusty of late. This is the raw concept that's been my meditation though...<br />
<br />
My Father is the one who whispers to the plants to grow and flourish. (Genesis 1:11)<br />
My Father is the one who chooses the garments of the lilies. (Matthew 6:29-30)<br />
My Father is the one who stores up the snow until its appointed time. (Job 38:22)<br />
My Father is the one who spoke light into existence and will banish darkness forever. (Genesis 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8)<br />
My Father is the one who carries healing in His wings. (Malachi 4:2)<br />
<br />
My Father emboldens the timid with His strength, makes low the proud, judges all peoples. None can stand before His awesome righteousness or see His glory and live. He is great enough to hold all the waters of the earth in the palm of His hand, to make the earth to tremble at His presence. Yet He has created a universe in such detail that with all of the intellect with which man has been gifted over several thousand years, we cannot come to the end of it either on a massive or a minute scale.<br />
<br />
And He, the one who is the Author of it all, entered into time and made Himself a servant for the fallen race He had created. This, so He could restore fellowship with mankind and call us His children, giving me the privilege to call Him Father by way of describing more of His grace. He is the God to whom I belong, the one whose finger prints I get to study when I look through a microscope at bacteria or cells or whathaveyou.<br />
<br />
<br />
"<i>Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.</i>" Psalm 139:3-6<br />
<br />
<br />
"<i>Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations</i>." Psalm 33:8-11</div>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-46938871546407416942011-09-07T23:33:00.002-04:002011-09-25T21:10:57.651-04:00You Never Know I thought I'd keep this blog a little more polished than my previous attempts, but it looks like I'll be writing raw from the heart tonight...<br />
<br />
I've spent the past couple of years working at a Christian summer camp. I try to go to the same "week" of camp routinely so that the kids get to know me and I get to know them. Since a lot of the kids come from unstable home situations, it's good for them to see the same faces consistently. My goal has been to share the gospel with as many of them as I can and encourage these precious ones in the Lord, but more than that to demonstrate Christ's love as best I can.<br />
<br />
There's one little girl I really connected with since I started working as a counselor. Noel was eight when I met her, witty and full of life. Like any kid that age she tended to be fidgety, impatient, and mouth off occasionally. She and I got on really well since we could both be very chatty. During craft times especially I made a point to sit with her and help her with her projects since she was prone to giving up easily. I was so proud of her when she finished her marble game a couple of years back. I think she even managed most of this years crafts by herself.<br />
<br />
We were pen-pals for a while, too, until her address changed. I got it again this year on the last full day of camp. Noel was practicing a magic trick one of the leaders had taught her, making me nervous the whole while that she would hurt herself getting it wrong. The next day I saw her off, hugging her before she got into the car with her dad, telling her that Lord willing I would see her next year.<br />
<br />
You just never know what the Lord's plan is...<br />
<br />
Noel was murdered by her father a couple of days ago. I don't have any connection with her family, I just found out because another camp worker saw it on the news. I didn't know that July 30th would be my last day to tell her that I loved her dearly, but Jesus loved her more. I had been telling someone that week that I wish I could take her home with me. I can't imagine what kind of heartache her mother must being going through, or any of the rest of her family that's left to cope with the mess.<br />
<br />
I don't know why God doesn't stop wickedness like this. I don't know why precious little lives are violently ended. I don't know why it is that God decided to call a ten year old girl and her three year old step-sister home to Him in heaven. I don't understand. I know that He is faithful. I know that He is the only wise God. I know that Noel is safe away from hurt now. I pray that her family comes to know God's peace in time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48nYHM21o2c/Tmg41Xy5yEI/AAAAAAAAAA0/AHJ9VhNhV0g/s1600/noel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48nYHM21o2c/Tmg41Xy5yEI/AAAAAAAAAA0/AHJ9VhNhV0g/s1600/noel.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Noel, sweetie, I'm going to miss you next year.</i></div>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-44924534243004458352011-08-28T20:14:00.001-04:002011-10-08T23:46:09.977-04:00Apples of Gold on a Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAzM2rHdZ_4/TlrRLobEcrI/AAAAAAAAAAw/ZUQ8FOnPvcM/s1600/sunday-afternoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAzM2rHdZ_4/TlrRLobEcrI/AAAAAAAAAAw/ZUQ8FOnPvcM/s320/sunday-afternoon.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>[Sunday Afternoon by Thomas Webster]</i> </div><br />
As today is a Sunday and my last research-blog idea is still bouncing around in the recesses of my mind, my entry shall revolve around an anecdote and a bit of scripture. As a side note, I sort of regret that I grew up long after the days when Sundays were still so strictly dedicated to God that afternoons were spent in silent contemplation of Him. There's certainly something to be said for meditation on the Psalms and the worshipful attitude it tends to produce.<br />
<br />
That said, the thought of the day was produced by a week of successive discouraging encounters at my workplace. I came home nightly feeling as if I could do nothing right, and wondering why on earth God had placed me in a setting where I couldn't even be a proper witness to those around me by working well. The Monday following, one of my co-workers addressed me in passing and said, "You received two compliments last week. Hazel and I were remarking how we thought you wouldn't work out when you first came here, because you're so quiet and the rest of us aren't. But you have a good sense of humor."<br />
<br />
Well, that brightened my day considerably, knowing that at least someone thought I belonged there. It led me to thinking about encouraging others and about all the verses in Proverbs that compare a wicked tongue and a bad attitude with the conduct of the godly man.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #990000;">Proverbs 17:22</b> A <b>merry heart</b> doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Proverbs 15:23</span></b> A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and <b>a word spoken in due season</b>, how good is it! <br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Proverbs 25:11</span></b> A <b>word fitly spoken</b> is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Psalm 15:1-3</span></b> A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that <b>backbiteth not</b> with his tongue, <b>nor doeth evil</b> to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. <br />
<br />
Webster's 1828 Dictionary explains encouragment as...<br />
<i>The act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive. We ought never to neglect the encouragement of youth in generous deeds. The praise of good men serves as an encouragement of virtue and heroism.</i><br />
<br />
The verse that especially gets me as a young woman is Proverbs 31:26, talking about how the virtuous woman has the law of kindness in her tongue. The idea is almost that of a natural law, like gravity. Her automatic setting is that she blesses people with her speech. That same chapter makes note of how her husband feels safe sharing his heart with her.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Goodness knows that in this world there are enough of the sort whose desire it is to tear down. I am so thankful for a Holy Spirit who checks my words that might do so much harm otherwise, who stills my heart and humbles me. Human encouragement falls so short, putting band-aids where people need their wounds fully dressed...<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: </i><i>(Jude 1:20-22 </i>)<br />
<i><br />
</i>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448065224141505451.post-30465538911970438062011-08-23T22:28:00.001-04:002011-10-08T23:45:11.923-04:00Blogging with Bated Breath Children collect rocks and bottle caps and bits of glass and other treasures. For lack of space in my small bedroom, I collect instead words and phrases and trivia knowledge. Naturally, I misplace most of them at one time or another and usually when they are wanted. My thought in keeping this log is that I might pose some of the ridiculous questions that come to me and answer them in a place I will be able to recall the information as quickly as my internet connection allows. (Does anyone else find it ironic that although the human brain processes information many millions of times faster than supercomputers, I still forget what year I'm in at college? Yeah. Me too.)<br />
<br />
<b>Question of the day</b>: Where did the phrase "bated breath" originate?<br />
<b>An example in context</b>: Madame, I await my next homework assignment with bated breath.<br />
<b>Not to be confused with</b>: "baited breath" (J. K. Rowling FAIL)<br />
"bait breath" (co-worker FAIL)<br />
<br />
After minimal digging, I was able to discover bated is actually short for abated. Simply defined, abate means to cease or stop. Thus, saying that you're waiting with bated breath infers that you are so overcome with emotion in regard to what you are waiting for, you stopped breathing. I might wait for news of a loved one with bated breath. Interestingly enough, I might also wait for a garbage truck to pass with bated breath for less dramatic reasons.<br />
<br />
This also led me to wonder, do we tell people "not to hold their breath" waiting for something as a result of the older aforementioned phrase? Hmm...<br />
<br />
According to Harry Oliver's <i>Flying by the Seat of Your Pants: Surprising Origins of Everyday Expressions</i>, one of the first known literary uses of the well-known idiom is found in one of my Shakespearean favourites, Merchant of Venice. An excellent verse delivered by the antagonist of the story, Shylock, as he is being asked a boon by one of his enemies reads as follows:<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> What should I say to you? Should I not say<br />
'Hath a dog money? is it possible<br />
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or<br />
Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,<br />
With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;<br />
'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;<br />
You spurn'd me such a day; another time<br />
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies<br />
I'll lend you thus much moneys'? </i><br />
<i> (Act 1, Scene 3)</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
I shall leave you, however, with a much more amusing verse I found in my studies that may be worth memorizing for the sake of humor. (Please note, this is a play on words and the poet Geoffrey Taylor used an intentional misspelling to his witty advantage.)<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Cruel, Clever Cat</i><br />
<i> Sally, having swallowed cheese<br />
Directs down holes the scented breeze<br />
Enticing thus with baited breath<br />
Nice mice to an untimely death.</i><br />
<br />
<u>References</u><i> </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> </i>Heacock, Paul. <span dir="ltr"><i>Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms.</i> Cambridge University Press, 2003.</span><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Oliver, Harry. <span dir="ltr"><i>Flying by the Seat of Your Pants: Surprising Origins of Everyday Expressions.</i> Penguin Publishers, 2011.</span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><br />
</span><br />
<span dir="ltr"> Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth M. </span><span dir="ltr"><i>Clichés: Over 1500 Phrases Explored and Explained</i>. MacMillan, 1999.</span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><br />
</span><br />
<span dir="ltr"> </span>Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838109621780712393noreply@blogger.com0