Sisters Three

I had a good laugh over this picture. It was completely unplanned and unposed... but I thought it was amusing.

October "Blizzard"

Happiness is being with Brethren to share in the excitement of the first snowfall of the season! Tonight was the first night of our gospel meeting (see Tabitha Smelser on the far left), and  it was so exciting when we came outside to discover that it was snowing. I'll post more pictures in the photo album. What a fortunate thing it was that I had my camera in the van!

Miss Sarah on Tattoos.

I'm taking a much-needed break until my next piano student arrives... breathe in, breathe out... ah it feels good to sit. 

Anyway. 

Yesterday in Composition class - yes this is your weekly update - we were suggesting different themes for our argumentative essays. One person suggested the subject of tattoos (she was complaining about her boss, who made her cover them up when she worked. She's a waitress.) We - or should I say, they - discussed whether it was reasonable or not. Our professor turned to me and said, grinning to let me know he was kidding, "Yeah, I bet Sarah's gonna get a big snake tattooed on her arm." I assured him that I had no intention of doing any such thing! But... I found it interesting that he knew someone like me wouldn't get a tattoo. He didn't associate Christians and tattoos. (He made another similar comment later about how I was going to muscle him into giving me some Halloween candy. Halloween and Christian didn't mesh.)

I know there are people who will argue that Leviticus 19:28 no longer applies since it was written under the old Law. But even the world can see that Christians have no business displaying "body graffiti". I could write a book on this sort of thing, but I suppose I need to get ready for my student. Just... think about it.

2006 - 2011

 I found a picture from a 2006 bike ride on the Bristol path and put it up next to this year's Bristol bike ride. (I've only been twice.) I think the only thing that hasn't changed in 5 years is that I'm still riding the same bicycle!

Feminine Barnabus

A boy named Barnabus told me to be a "daughter of encouragement".

It's so amazing to have brethren in other parts of the world.

Poor Dear...

...She gets all choked up just thinking about how far away I am!

Apple a Day

We had two apples left. One was green and hard, the other was brown in places and full of squishy spots. But we were finished our supper and those apples seemed to be calling my name... so I baked them up into 3 tiny apple pies! I made the recipe completely up from what I remembered to be in apple pie... crust and all, because I was too lazy to go dig out my cookbook. They were like little tarts, and we enjoyed them. It was a yummy way to use up those rejected apples!

"These Are the Days of Elijah".

I found this awhile ago... it was linked to the website where I buy my head coverings (Angel's website). I like the song, and I enjoyed this interpretation. I've never seen anybody sign that enthusiastically!

And... stay and watch the "special message" at the end. It has some good sentiments that I agree with. And *smile* it will answer the question I guess will pop into your head first off: "Is she a nun?" "Is she Amish?" I did not look up the "good test"... if you do end up following the link she gives then let me know what it was.

And fear ye not - the music is a Capella. Enjoy!

Do Not Put a Pastry in Your Mouth.

"Do not put a pastry in your mouth, for you shall choke when you hear what I must say!" I know I almost did. Tonight's composition class was the strangest moment I think I've ever had. Our professor has been telling us since the first class that we're the best class he has... that we're the strongest group he's taught, etc. etc. So when he came in today, I was sort of surprised to hear what he had to say. "I went through, looked at your grades, looked at your papers, and I ranked the top five of this class. And trust me, top of this class is accomplishment." 

I'd been wondering all week how he would respond to the essay I wrote on our last assignment on "chance". We had to write a few paragraphs explaining how we defined chance and whatnot. I didn't think he'd think very much of mine... I mean, I said right in there about how I believed in providence rather than chance. I used the story of Joseph to back up my argument. In fact, every single real essay I've written for the class mentions something spiritual if not God directly. He scorns religion, I know, and I was a little shaky handing in a paper like that to this atheist who was likely to give me a failing grade. 

Professor Yattaw turns to the whiteboard. "In fifth place, we have..." he wrote the name of one of the men in the class. Jah, that makes sense. The self-acclaimed evolutionist... but he is a really impressive writer. "In fourth place..." The woman who sits behind me... another really, really good writer, in my opinion. (We've gotten to be pretty friendly... but that's another story.) He went on through third and second, and with a little sigh I resigned myself to the fact that I was not in the top five. Ah, well, maybe I made the top ten. "And in first place is someone you wouldn't guess at first." Huh, I do fit that bill. "Any guesses, though?" A few fingers pointed around the room. I was curious to know who it was.. he kept us guessing for a few minutes at least. Finally Karen (the-woman-who-sits-behind-me) spoke up. "Is it Sarah?" 

I don't remember what exactly he said after that. It was something to the effect of "yes". All I remember is feeling a sense of shock, then... 

"What?!" 

Okay, so it wasn't my most brilliant speech, especially not after being awarded such an honor. I've never blushed that hard... I could feel my ears burning. The class was amused, and when they'd finished being amused, our professor made his little congratulatory speech. (Of which I don't remember a word.) But I almost wonder... maybe God put this experience in my life to sort of shake me out of the "ooh... maybe I shouldn't put in a reference to "divine providence" mindset. Ach, it all seems so surreal. Now I only have to keep my title. It'll be quite the challenge, judging from the previews of other folks' papers tonight.

Planning Ahead

  We went to Chili's with the Nelsons, after the Singing. I had some very amusing conversations with Hannah Mae. 

 Hannah: "When I grow up, I'm going to do things the right way and get married." 

Me: "Ah." 

Hannah: "I'll probably be a Christian before I get married." 

Me: "That's a good idea."

Hannah: "I'll have two kids. I'm gonna name one Christian." Suddenly, seized with a sense of all things virtuous, she begins fiercely scribbling over the girl on the front page (who was wearing a shirt that didn't quite meet her pants), declaring, "This is inappropriate. I'm gonna color all over all the inappropriate ones."

Me: "I like the way you think, Hannah!" 

Solo!!!

This is a video Hannah sneakily took of me. I don't think you can hear the music... all the better... but I've been wanting to post a picture of mei violin so I'll put it up anyhow! (I'm playing Danny Boy... still my favorite song to squeak out on it.) It's so much bigger than mei old one. I'm still getting used to having a bow as tall as me.