"Life is either a daring adventure...or nothing."

I hate change. Okay, too strong of a word for you? Greatly dislike, do not prefer, detest, would rather not have to deal with, it is not my favorite thing in the world. In plain English?

Don't like it.

I just don't like it. I always knew I didn't like it, but yesterday I realized how utterly deep my hatre- excuse me, great dislike for it is. You see a very terrible thing happened.

I lost my hairbrush.

Yeah I know that isn't so unusual. Especially for me, I lose things very often. But you have to understand, I liked my hairbrush, I use it a lot, it was exactly the kind I like, I'd had it for a while, it fit my head and my hand, it was perfect.

Then I lost it. You're going to laugh at me because of this, but it's true, I seriously went through some mental distress when I couldn't find my hair brush. It's not like there wasn't a hairbrush around, I simply borrowed Susie's for a couple of days, but it wasn't MY hairbrush.

After finally deciding the hairbrush was officially LOST, I bought a new one.

Which didn't solve anything. The new one was... well it just didn't feel right, it was too big, it felt weird on my head and it... was just not my hairbrush.

Now you all officially think I'm the most trivial person in the world. I just spent. 1...2...3...227 words talking about my anguish over losing my hairbrush.

Pitiful, I know. I do have a point, I promise.

The point is, I was upset because something steady in the life- namely my hairbrush - changed. This made me realize how much I don't like change.

We were watching You've Got M@il last night, Kathleen Kelly said something I thought was interesting: "People are always telling you that change is a good thing, but all they're really saying is, that something you didn't want to happen at all, has happened."

In some ways I really agreed. Find me someone who truly LOVES change and I'll faint. What human wants what they like to change?

The again (I say that a lot, has anyone noticed that?) what would life be like without change? Change is life, change from a baby to a adult, and then to, you know, an old person. Change from a carefree teenager to a "young adult" with responsibilities and a job and weird feelings and and expectations thrust upon you. I fit into this last category. It seems like yesterday I was a child,(and I'm sure a great many people reading this blog believe I am still a child) now I have a job, and like it or not, and I'm graduating this spring, and I have to think about higher education.

I have to grow up.

I'm immature, I'll admit it, I still clutch my baby blanket to me when I'm upset, I dearly love to sleep in on Saturday mornings, and yes, I will purposely avoid work because I'd rather read my book. But deep down inside, I don't want to grow up. I don't want to have to worry about bills and the economy and gas prices, I don't want to go to bed at the same time every night, because I'll always have a full day tomorrow, I don't want to read only textbooks because I don't have time to read anything fun. I'm not ready to give up on childhood ignorance. I don't want to have to think about all the unborn babies that die everyday legally, I don't want to think about the fact that with the way the economy is going I could not have a job next year. I want to still pretend that Mommy and Daddy will always work things out.

But I can't do that anymore because, honestly (sorry mom and dad) they can't fix everything anymore. I have to think about these things. I have to grow up, I have to mature, I have to... well, I have to change. If I planted my feet in right now, locked my bedroom door for 5 years, and refused to grow-up I suppose I might accomplish it, then maybe I'd be happy.

Then again (there I said it again) I'm sure I would be miserable, I would be a idiot 23 year old who couldn't face life, and therefore I would have missed out on every wonderful thing life does have to offer. Now I'd have to be a real idiot to do that, because growing up is something we all have to do but would like to put off. We know eventually it's going to be good for us but we don't want to do it. It reminds me of when I was learning to read. Boy did I put up a fuss! Everyone told me I would like, nay, love reading! I agreed with them and I knew, someday I would have to learn. Still I put up a big fuss while mom tried to teach me. Why? Because It was HARD.

Hard.
That was my only reason.
I simply did not want to out any effort into it.
How more selfish and self-centered can a person get?

Yes, I was a yellow belied coward. Now, if there's anything I hate being called, it's a coward. So, yes, I learned to read, and yes, I'm going to become an adult one of these days, mainly because I don't have choice, but also because I know that I know that I also disagree wit this quote, "People are always telling you that change is a good thing, but all they're really saying is, that something you didn't want to happen at all, has happened." Because weather we realize it or not, we want change, it's hard but we want it because we would be miserable without it, so in that essence, change can be, and is a good thing, Why?

Because there's a God, who, strangely enough, cares about me.

Yeah, little ol' me.

And he's declared that: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(Rom 8:28)

Somehow all these things I greatly dislike will turn out okay because even though Mom and Dad can't fix everything anymore God still can. We won't always see how they worked out for good or understand, sometimes we do, I.E. learning to read was one of the best things that's ever happened to me, I understand that now. So if we understand it or not that promise is always there, it's a promise from God, and he doesn't break his promises. It's a nice thought.

Another thought I find comforting is that life is an adventure. Adventure means "an exciting or extraordinary event or series of events". Adventures consist of, for the most part, hard times, and fun. I like fun things, I don't like hard times. But hard times give us the fun, so if I do have to start worrying about the stock markets and gas prices I vow that I won't let those worry lines crease my face. I will make my way bravely through the hard times. If I do have to go to collage then I'm going to learn about something I like, something FUN! Because I think life is too short to live unfulfilled and God didn't create us to live life that way.

So even if I have to grow up I refuse, absolutely REFUSE to get somber and worried and old seeming. My life is going to be an adventure. I'm going to join Helen Keller in the belief that "Life is a daring adventure, or nothing."

The best part is? In my book adventures always have happy endings, because I have a God who cares about me.

You want to know what? I found my hairbrush (under a pile of clothes, where else?) Also, if you actually read this whole thing kudos for you! Thanks for listening.

Thankful Thursday

These people
a.)kiss me
b.)hug me
c.)take over my room
d.) stay longer than planed
e.) and tease me within an inch of my life

But I'm still thankful for them.
Ladies and Gents my Grandparents:

Just so you know, I'm their favorite granddaughter
(Who is 17.)

Thankful Thursday #24 Thanksgiving Edition

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

No contest.

I was trying to think of something deep, unique and poetic to say about Thanksgiving, but I guess I'm not in a uniquely deep poetic mood today.

So I'm going to do a very normal thing I'm going to make a list. 17 items for the 17 years I've been alive. There's some serious stuff, some random, and some normal stuff, Enjoy!!


1.) Family. My family is unusual, flawed and very imperfect, but I wouldn't even think about exchanging growing up with them for the most normal, flawless, perfect family in the world.
2.) Friends. I am very blessed to have a great circle of very close non-related friends, people I can trust my life with, people who laugh with me and cry with me. You know who you are and you people better get used to me, because I'm not giving you up for a long while!
3.)A great job. I love my job, it's awesome. God knew just what I wanted to do and he fixed it so I didn't even do anything to get it, it was all him. I have a wonderful group of co-workers who are really nice people, they need Jesus and I pray that I can be a witness to them.
4.) Being Homeschooled. People might disagree with me, but I honestly think I wouldn't have made it through public school. Without the dedicated teaching of my mom I would be no where with my school work. I'll be graduating this spring, something totally unbelievable to me right now.
5.) Living in Small Town Wisconsin. I truly love small town America. The friendliness, the laid-back atmosphere, where everybody knows everybody and life is muffins and jam. (Okay, so it's not quite that great, but I had to be poetic somehow!)
6.)Books. I love books. See yesterdays post to sum up my feelings on reading.
7.) This daring adventure that we call Life. I'm alive, I live, I breath, that's a miracle in it's self.
8.) Ice Cream.
9.) My church.
10.) Those ink pens that make my handwriting look good.
11.) A God who always cares, never gives up and has a sense of humor.
12.) Afternoon shopping sprees where you try on a lot and by little.
13.) Quotes. Can anyone say "My Mother is always in excellent health thank you."? LOL
14.) Skype. Skype is awesome, wonderful, stupendous, incredible, marvelous, the best invention of the 21 century.
15.)Moments of complete happiness.
16.) Strength for today and...
17.) A bright hope for tomorrow.


Note: Go HERE to look at most of my previous TT post.

Thankful Thursday #23 Be Still My Heart Part 3

You might remember my taking me drivers test and *faints* passing it.
I was shocked.
Mom was shocked.
Everybody couldn't believe it.

This is not too surprising, considering I'm an awful driver. The point is, I passed, and, thanks be to God, I got my license.

Pop Quiz #1:
What are you allowed to do after you get your license?
a.) Have a none-related person in the car with you.
b.) Drive by your self without an adult.
c.) Not have to have your family pick you up to and from work.
d.) All of the above

Answer: d.) All of the above.

Pop Quiz #2:

Which of the above have I done since getting my license more than a month ago?
A.) b & c
B.) b & a
C.) a b &c
D.) None

Answer: D.) None.

It's true, I haven't even been out by myself since I got my license. It was okay with me, but I really did feel bad with everybody else having to take me places. So yesterday I determined to take myself somewhere.

I went to the library, got a book for school, stopped by the flower shop to give Becca something, and came home.

ALIVE.

IN ONE PIECE.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

... and I'm thankful for them.

Thankful Thursday #22

I am so thankful (in a shocked, surprised sort of way) that I'm 13 days into November and I've posted something every single day!! I kind of set a bet with myself to see if I could do it, and now I'm (almost) half-way through. To boot I have at least one comment on all (but one) of the posts.
Sometimes I amaze myself. It must be a miracle, so this week I am thankful for miracles:-)

BTW Have my Thankful Thursdays been a little... ummm.. flat lately? Maybe not as thankful as they should be??

Thankful Thursday #21

I am Thankful for all my wonderful friends, and especially for that one friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ri sent me this forward, I thought it was interesting, if a bit sappy. I don't do forwards, but I thought I post it here for you all.

LEMONS and SUGAR

You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world

that would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world

love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you

is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,

even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you

before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to some one.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,

something good comes from it.

10.When you think the world has turned its back on you

take another look..

11. Always remember the compliments you received.

Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember.....

when life hands you Lemons,

ask for Sugar and call me over!

Good friends are like stars.

You don't always see them,

But you know they are always there.

I would rather have one rose and a kind word

from a friend while I'm here

than a whole truckload when I'm gone.

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Life keeps You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only

God Keeps You Going

I told you it was sappy, don't say I didn't warn you :-)

Thankful Thursday #20

I am thankful for...

CUTE NEW HEELS :-)
*squeals*




The best part is I bought them with a gift card, which is like free money,
which kinda means they're free shoes!!

Thankful Thursdays #19

I am thankful for my sight and my hearing.

Luke S.B. and I watched The Miracle Worker a few days ago. Yesterday I wikipedia'ed Helen Keller, and I was impressed once again by this amazing women. She was trapped in a cage of darkness and silence when Anne Sullivan reached through the darkness and gave her the understanding of the world that seemed forbidden to her.

You don't realize how important your sight and sound are until you're without them. It's really amazing. I really have to admire people who don't have hearing and/or sight. But I thank God for giving me my sight and hearing.

Thankful Thursday #13

I am thankful for Fruit.

I love fruit seriously, it's awesome, I could live on it. Grape, Orange, Apple, Pear, Kiwi, Cranberry,Nectarine, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Blueberry, oh sweet heaven, I love them all. In fact the only fruits, to my knowledge, that I don't like are grapefruit and starfruit.I can't even imagine living without fruit. Can you imagine 150 years ago when you only had fruit in season? *shudders* If you didn't already notice, I love my fruit.

The other day we tried a Prapple (A mix between Pear and Apple, it was good in a weird way.)

(My Gilligans Island touch to freash pineapple juice, YUMMY!)

Yes I changed my blog title again... what do you think of this one??

Thankful Thursdays #12

I love vacations! I'm thankful to be here so I can...Goof off...Sleep late (ha!)...Eat fun food.

I love being a sightseer complete with impulse buys, trying on weird clothes, and taking pictures.

And since we're at the Kalahari, there's swimming at the World's Largest Indoor Waterpark.

(Surfing makes me acknowledge muscles I never knew I had.)

(Note: It's a lot harder than it looks, and it looks really hard!)

*tries to pick up Sarah B. and groans in pain*

Best of all sitting on the tall stool by the mini-kitchen counter 's typing out a blog post on Dad's laptop while sipping a caramel cappuccino.

Thankful Thursday #11

I'M THANKFUL I'M ALIVE!!!

Just like I should be, every second of everyday.
Thank you God, for giving me life.
Thank you God for giving me parents who wanted me to have life.
Not everyone is blessed with the gift of life.
There are 1,000 of babies (yes babies)
all over the world are killed before they have a chance at life.

Thankful Thursday #10

This week I am also thankful for you, all the people who read my blog. You're such a blessing to me, and I really am blessed that you care enough to visit here and to care about my thoughts, what I'm up to, and all that. You can't possibly know how much that means to me!
If you read my blog could you please comment so I know you're out there? Just for your special entertainment, I will even include one of these quiz thingys. They don't have much meaning, but they sure are fun to do!

For the girls:

Jane Austen Female Quiz

For the Gentleman:

Jane Austen Gentleman Quiz

For Everybody:

Narnia Character Quiz

Thankful Thursday #9

Six years ago I was attending a local church's Kid's Night when
I found I anonymous note addressed to me.
The writer told me they admired me and that they wanted to be my friend.
A year later, a homeschool girl named Heather and I became friends.
She then confessed to writing the note and I was pleasantly shocked.

She won't see this because she doesn't have Internet

but this week I am thankful for my wonderful friend Heather.
We are often quite silly together.


We comfort each other when our brothers *sniff, sob* go off to war with out asking us first!


She even tolerates my messy hair!


Our friendship has had many ups and downs since the note writing, but I have always thanked the Lord for his faithfulness.

Happy Birthday Dear! I'm so thankful God made us friends!

Trials, Tribs, and Trying to be Thankful for Them

Most of you read the Bella and Bob story that I posted on The Blank Page. I wrote that story for a writing contest that was being sponsored by the Library. I entered this same contest last year and won 2nd place. (Not a big achievement, there were only 6 or so entries.) The contest went all summer but I just couldn't get an idea for the life of me. I was taking a writing class and I really felt my skill improve as the summer progressed. Finally the day after the last class, 4 days before the deadline for the contest, I had a flash of inspiration, and out of that came Bella and Bob. I worked very hard on the story to get in done in time, staying up late, e-mailing people for opinions. When I was done, and turned it in, I was happy. Bella and Bob was much better than the story I'd written for the previous contest and I was confident of winning something. Karina (the Librarian in charge of the contest) had even told me a couple weeks earlier that there were hardly any entries as it was. I even considered not entering, because it wouldn't seem fair to win just because there was no one to beat. But Mom convinced me to enter and I did, feeling quite confident.

Yesterday was the morning Karina said she was going call the winners. I stayed relatively close to the phone all morning. By the time 11:30 had rolled around I decided that Karina had known I was coming into work today and was going to save a phone call and tell me later. Unless I didn't win... I ended up having a debate with myself.

No Lydia, bad thought, bad thought! But hey, it could happen, you're not a sure-in or anything. But B&B was really good! Remember that Sara (friend of mine who won last year) entered something too. Maybe I should just keep my options open... Be prepared for both.

So I imagined what it would be like to lose, it was a very brief thought, imagining winning was much more fun. I had my post all written out in my head about how the Olympics having so many medals, but my writing contest ribbon being just as special to me. By the time I got to work I had everything but the punctuation worded out. After about half an hour I worked up the courage to ask Karina, a funny feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.

If you hadn't already guessed, I didn't place at all. They even added a third place because there were so many last minute entries.

My friend Sara won and the 2nd and 3rd place entries were written by high schoolers I recognized from the community. I seriously felt like I got hit with a pile of bricks.

I was somehow able to keep a fake smile on my face and act like it was fine and the contest meant absolutely nothing to me. I continued with my job trying hard not to cry and telling my self what an idiot I was for being so confident.

I hope you don't think I was being proudful when I thought I could win, I don't think I was, I was just being my optimistic hopeful self, with dire consequences.

Of course right after my dreadful news I stared to feel really sick, I hadn't felt well all week and have been having bouts of stomach trouble, and of course then it had to hit full force.

You know how sometimes you come out of a situation and you realize "Hey! That was a trial! I got through it! At least it's over now." Well this was different, The second I started to feel sick I knew this was a tribulation I was going to have to work through, I knew I had to keep a smile on my face, I knew I had to pretend I felt peachy-keen and be happy when all I wanted to do was go home and lay and my bed and cry on my Mommy's lap.

But I realized I'm 17 years old and I had to work through it like a woman. That next hour was pretty bad, I was feeling so sick I couldn't concentrate on the computer screen, partly because of blurred vision and partly because my brain refused to remember how to check a book out. Of course in that hour all the most annoying library patrons had to come in.

But I kept going, I refused to cry and I plastered on the fakest smile imaginable. After an hour my medicine started to kick in and I became so busy I didn't have time to be "woe is me"-ish.

On my break later that day I picked up People magazine to look at a article about Steven Curtis Chapman (that is the ONLY reason I would read that magazine, don't worry.) Mr. Chapman lost his 5 year old daughter a few months ago in a tragic accident. As I read the article I felt really guilty, this poor family is morning the lose of a little girl and I'm blubbering about a contest. I should be thankful I'm alive. At the same time I felt special that God cared about my little disappointment, even if it was silly.

So I'm not quite sure were this is going, I'm still not as happy as I should be. But I'm peaceful and submitted to God's will. Who knows, maybe my losing this contest is some great test, and someday I'll look back and realize this was a turning point in my life. I don't know. But I am able to say this:

I'm thankful I lost the contest because it gave me an opportunity to submit to God's will and be happy about it, even when I really really didn't want to.

Thankful Thursday #7

Today I am thankful for two girls who are two of the best friends a girl could have.

They also (conveniently) have their birthdays on the 6th and 7th of August.

I love you girls and I am so thankful God gave you to me!


"From this day forth Elizabeth you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your Mother will never speak to you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never speak to if you do."

Thankful Thursday #6

This week I am thankful for...

My Two Funny (and Wonderful) Brothers.



They will do weird things with me.
I.E. Getting soaking wet running around in the rain.
I.E. Sliding down a hill and getting mud down our backs.
I.E. Having a good old-fashioned mud-ball fight.
I.E. Letting Mom take pictures of us in all of all our wet/muddy glory.




Brothers are great, they just are.
I don't admitted it often, but I just love these guys.

Thankful Thursday #4

A couple of days ago I was taking one of those endless blogthings quizzes that are uncannily know you so well, and have the weirdest questions. One of questions, "What would you rather live without, a)music or b)laughter" I answered quickly enough, but it had me thinking later. I said I would rather live without music based on a) I love to laugh b) the world would be awful without laughter.

But...

This week I am thankful for Music.

Generally, I guess you could say I'm not as into music as the average teenager, but I still love it.

Music is mentioned in the Bible in Gen 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Way back in the beginning of world God gave us music to praise him and give him glory.

So here's a sample of some of my favorite music:

Thankful Thursday #3

This is probably what everyone else is doing this week. But, hey, it's what I'm thankful for!

Freedom

I live in the U.S.A. and while we have our problems, I do believe since God was at the base of our country (aka "In God we trust") there are things in this country that are an amazing blessing from God. In this country we do not have a dictator telling us what to do or killing us for his own amusement. We (for the present time) have a Godly man in the oval office, who cares about the American people and who loves God. I have religious freedom. I can own a Bible, I can go to church. I can share my faith in public and I won't get imprisoned and beaten.

I can travel acrossed two states and not be stopped at borders and questioned.

Which is nice, because I don't want to wait any longer the necessary to see these smiling faces:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

MAY GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!

Thankful Thursday #2

This week I am thankful for my parents "second family".

After Joe was born I guess everyone assumed that, since we finally had a boy, our family was complete. I think we all thought so too... then Lukie Boy came along.

I remember after he was born we would all just sit there watching him. He didn't have to do anything, we were just amazed at him being him. This time our family was really complete, Joe had a play-mate. No more surprises. Right?

I couldn't even begin to express how much this sweetie-pie means to us. She has us wrapped around her little finger, and our lives literally revolve around her. The other day we played "Mommy and Baby" I was the baby and she was the mommy. Considering the fact that I was a very whiny baby she did quite the remarkable job. She tried to carry me, but then gave up and told me I was old enough to walk!

I love her to peices and she's my Hona-Buna!

Thankful Thursday #1

So I'm starting Thankful Thursdays on my blog! I think it will help to remind me every week how great my life really is, and how good God is to me. Even though I'm always thankful for my family and my other day-to-day blessings I think I'll concentrate on a different thing I'm thankful for every week.

This week I am especially thankful for... A Wonderful Job
It''s been almost a years since my boss called me into "the office" and offered me my dream job. Helping at an actual front desk at an actual Library with actual factual books!!! I love the contact I have with people there. Although I haven't done much out-right witnessing, I do hope just being myself is a testimony of the Lord in my life. I'm also blessed to have two Christian co-workers, I think it's funny how Molly and I talk about church and such right up-front while anyone in the library could listen to us! I know complain sometimes about shelving and some of the grittier tasks I have to do as the rookie librarian, but I really love my job and I'm ever so thankful for it.