I had to do some major editing on my fairy story for the contest. It's a LOT better now. So check it out and let me know what you think!
Jars of Clay
In other news, Caleb is in the hospital right now, and can't eat all day (they're going to do some tests). He's having stomach problems again, so pray for him!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
It's past 12 PM over here...but I just have a couple things I need to get out before I go to bed! =)
It's been a very long day today...the first totally free day in a long time. I didn't know what to do with myself! So I checked some email...and got a message from Hudson! He said that I should check out this band called Leeland...so I did! And they're amazing. I LOVE their lyrics (and music too)! They're very thought provoking...especially one song, called Let It Out Now. Here's an excerpt:
Every once in a while I have a deep internal discussion about who I am and who I should or shouldn't be. I had another one a couple days ago... I've realized time and time again that I'm really different than other people. God has been teaching me that He has a big plan for me and my uniqueness, and He created me for a purpose - I don't have to conform to any other mold but His.
This song has just confirmed to me what I've know deep down for a long time: Everyone (including me!) has their own song, and we need to let it out (and use the gifts we've been given), and not be afraid to be ourselves. So thanks to God and Leeland for reminding me once again! =)
It's been a very long day today...the first totally free day in a long time. I didn't know what to do with myself! So I checked some email...and got a message from Hudson! He said that I should check out this band called Leeland...so I did! And they're amazing. I LOVE their lyrics (and music too)! They're very thought provoking...especially one song, called Let It Out Now. Here's an excerpt:
It’s like you got to walk like him
Got to talk like her
Got to be like them
Everybody knows you follow the crowd
Or get singled out
But God says who you are
Not the world or movie stars
Everyone has their own sound
Let it out now, let it out now
There’s nothing wrong with living loud
Let it out now, let it out now
Everyone has their own sound
Don’t you know all God’s children have their sound?
Every once in a while I have a deep internal discussion about who I am and who I should or shouldn't be. I had another one a couple days ago... I've realized time and time again that I'm really different than other people. God has been teaching me that He has a big plan for me and my uniqueness, and He created me for a purpose - I don't have to conform to any other mold but His.
This song has just confirmed to me what I've know deep down for a long time: Everyone (including me!) has their own song, and we need to let it out (and use the gifts we've been given), and not be afraid to be ourselves. So thanks to God and Leeland for reminding me once again! =)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
At our school we have a creative writing class where we discuss literature as well as bring and critique our own stories. Our teacher, Paul Till, however, decided to go in a little different direction for a couple weeks. He found a writing contest in Bratislava for English speakers in Czech or Slovakia, and each one of us had to write a story to submit. Every year there is a theme. This year's was Jars of Clay (it's a Christian school). I of course let me imagination wander, and came up with a story I really really like. It took me two days to write, and now I'm going to share it with all you faithful readers!
Just click here and read away. I would appreciate any feedback you might have!
I'm getting my cast off tomorrow!!! I'm so excited to play guitar again, as well as paint and do all the things I need my right hand for.
Hope you all have an awesome Easter holiday!
Just click here and read away. I would appreciate any feedback you might have!
I'm getting my cast off tomorrow!!! I'm so excited to play guitar again, as well as paint and do all the things I need my right hand for.
Hope you all have an awesome Easter holiday!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Well, eight days later, I'm still alive! Last Sunday after church I flew from Ostrava to Tel Aviv in Israel. I went there for the "post-conference tour" of a huge Global Youth Initiative conference (250 people)! A fifth of the people at the conference were people from Josiah Venture, so I felt quite at home! =)
Here are "a couple" pictures from my amazing trip! We saw SO MUCH it's hard for me to remember everything! I'll be processing it for a long time. But reading the Bible is so much more alive now that I saw the places where things occurred...it's awesome.
-------------------------
The Israel Museum - a model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period. Very cool!
The Wailing Wall.
2000 year-old olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Me and dad at the Garden Tomb (one of my favorite places)!
The Holocaust Museum outside of Jerusalem.
Caves carved out of limestone (3000 years old)! This was really cool...we walked through them for about a half hour.
On our way to the Dead Sea...the desert was amazing.
Masada - one of Herod the Great's fortresses.
Masada was taken over by the Zealots (radical Jews who were against the Romans) around 70 A.D. and this last stand of the Jews marked the end of the State of Israel. 1900 years later (and 60 years ago)...the state of Israel was formed again!
En Gedi - the place where David hid from Saul, and where he cut off the edge of Saul's robe. There are caves and natural springs everywhere (but it's in the middle of the desert)! And this is the very entertaining Dan Hash sneaking up on everyone!
The Dead Sea - 33% salt (a normal sea is 3%)!!! We had to tie a plastic bag around my cast...it was pretty funny.
Me and dad in Qumran - where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found!
In Beth-Shean. After Saul and his three sons were killed Saul's head was cut off and all four were hung on this city's walls.
The "Gates of Hell." A place of pagan worship (mostly of the Greek god Pan), and the place Jesus said "On this rock I will build my church."
Capernaum = the City of Jesus. Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law and taught in the synagogue here, among other things!
The Sea of Galilee!!! We had a little boat trip. This was really cool.
Me and my youth pastor and dear friend, Boža!!
Nazareth!
Ceasarea - another fortress built by Herod the Great, overlooking the Mediterranean. Paul was imprisoned here.
On a beach in Tel Aviv (where we flew in and out of - also happens to be the safest airport in the World).
I took probably 800 pictures (maybe more), so it was hard to pick out ones that would characterize the trip the best! I had an amazing time with my dad as well as so many other people I love and admire. I know it might be cheesy to say this, but it's true: I'll never forget this trip! =)
Here are "a couple" pictures from my amazing trip! We saw SO MUCH it's hard for me to remember everything! I'll be processing it for a long time. But reading the Bible is so much more alive now that I saw the places where things occurred...it's awesome.
-------------------------
The Israel Museum - a model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period. Very cool!
The Wailing Wall.
2000 year-old olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Me and dad at the Garden Tomb (one of my favorite places)!
The Holocaust Museum outside of Jerusalem.
Caves carved out of limestone (3000 years old)! This was really cool...we walked through them for about a half hour.
On our way to the Dead Sea...the desert was amazing.
Masada - one of Herod the Great's fortresses.
Masada was taken over by the Zealots (radical Jews who were against the Romans) around 70 A.D. and this last stand of the Jews marked the end of the State of Israel. 1900 years later (and 60 years ago)...the state of Israel was formed again!
En Gedi - the place where David hid from Saul, and where he cut off the edge of Saul's robe. There are caves and natural springs everywhere (but it's in the middle of the desert)! And this is the very entertaining Dan Hash sneaking up on everyone!
The Dead Sea - 33% salt (a normal sea is 3%)!!! We had to tie a plastic bag around my cast...it was pretty funny.
Me and dad in Qumran - where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found!
In Beth-Shean. After Saul and his three sons were killed Saul's head was cut off and all four were hung on this city's walls.
The "Gates of Hell." A place of pagan worship (mostly of the Greek god Pan), and the place Jesus said "On this rock I will build my church."
Capernaum = the City of Jesus. Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law and taught in the synagogue here, among other things!
The Sea of Galilee!!! We had a little boat trip. This was really cool.
Me and my youth pastor and dear friend, Boža!!
Nazareth!
Ceasarea - another fortress built by Herod the Great, overlooking the Mediterranean. Paul was imprisoned here.
On a beach in Tel Aviv (where we flew in and out of - also happens to be the safest airport in the World).
I took probably 800 pictures (maybe more), so it was hard to pick out ones that would characterize the trip the best! I had an amazing time with my dad as well as so many other people I love and admire. I know it might be cheesy to say this, but it's true: I'll never forget this trip! =)
Saturday, March 08, 2008
I came across this quote today:
There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.
Ernest Hemingway
This is SO true!!!! And I'm currently drilling and blasting away the rock. I'm so used to things going smoothly, and it's so weird =) As many of you know, I take an online writing course, and every week we have an assignment. I'm currently writing a campaign speech. I've never written a speech before, and it's tough putting myself out and showing people what would make me a good leader. But I'm about half way, and it's going good now. And the important part is that it's really stretching me!
I got a haircut today, I needed it shorter for my trip to Israel tomorrow. One of the best haircuts I've ever gotten! So I'm happy.
I've been looking for new music for a while now...and just hit the jackpot.
Okay, gotta go finish writing my speech.
There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.
Ernest Hemingway
This is SO true!!!! And I'm currently drilling and blasting away the rock. I'm so used to things going smoothly, and it's so weird =) As many of you know, I take an online writing course, and every week we have an assignment. I'm currently writing a campaign speech. I've never written a speech before, and it's tough putting myself out and showing people what would make me a good leader. But I'm about half way, and it's going good now. And the important part is that it's really stretching me!
I got a haircut today, I needed it shorter for my trip to Israel tomorrow. One of the best haircuts I've ever gotten! So I'm happy.
I've been looking for new music for a while now...and just hit the jackpot.
- Melee - a really great band from California, really happy and fun to listen to!! I've had one of their songs in my head all day.
- Until June - great writing music, very nice and melancholy. Without them I wouldn't be able to do my paper.
- Daphne Loves Derby - I just have a couple acoustic songs, and they're amazing. Very inspirational, makes me want to write a couple songs myself! (which I would do if it were not for my cast...)
Okay, gotta go finish writing my speech.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Wow! I want one of these!
In other news, I'm almost done with the monster book Les Miserables!!! Only 150 pages to go! I've really enjoyed it so far, it's definitely one of my most favorite books ever. I'm really glad I read the unabridged version, reading an abridged would be like cheating!! There's so much magic in the detailed descriptions that Hugo gives, it wouldn't be the same without it. At the moment I'm at a very interesting part - the history of the sewer system in Paris! =)
In other news, I'm almost done with the monster book Les Miserables!!! Only 150 pages to go! I've really enjoyed it so far, it's definitely one of my most favorite books ever. I'm really glad I read the unabridged version, reading an abridged would be like cheating!! There's so much magic in the detailed descriptions that Hugo gives, it wouldn't be the same without it. At the moment I'm at a very interesting part - the history of the sewer system in Paris! =)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Hey guys, me again! A couple posts ago I had pictures up of a project I did...anyway, I wrote an article on how I did it for an online community of guys who love doing the same stuff I do. And it just got published! If you want, go check it out HERE!
And also guess what? Had an orthodontist appointment today, and I'll be getting my braces off in TWO MONTHS!!! Woohoo! I've already had them for about 2 and a half years, so I'm really happy it's almost over.
And next Sunday I'm heading to Isreal!!!! I'll tell more about that later....
And also guess what? Had an orthodontist appointment today, and I'll be getting my braces off in TWO MONTHS!!! Woohoo! I've already had them for about 2 and a half years, so I'm really happy it's almost over.
And next Sunday I'm heading to Isreal!!!! I'll tell more about that later....
Sunday, March 02, 2008
For Spring Break we headed down to Slovenia to spend the week with our family! It's great having another Patty family in JV.
The first day we were there we drove up to the mountains to ski and snowboard. I was planning on just sitting and reading the whole time...
But it was too cool of a slope to pass up!!! Luckily dad brought my snowboard so even though I didn't have snow pants or a winter coat I got to have fun. I had to be pretty careful though not to fall on my right arm!!
Three hours away from Ljubljana (the capitol of Slovenia) is Venice! It was really cool (but kinda smelly). Caleb sure loved the pigeons (and they loved him)!
I was back at school for the first time with my arm...it's quite a challenge. I can't write (only type) so I've been doing a lot of reading (with permission from my teachers of course).
The first day we were there we drove up to the mountains to ski and snowboard. I was planning on just sitting and reading the whole time...
But it was too cool of a slope to pass up!!! Luckily dad brought my snowboard so even though I didn't have snow pants or a winter coat I got to have fun. I had to be pretty careful though not to fall on my right arm!!
Three hours away from Ljubljana (the capitol of Slovenia) is Venice! It was really cool (but kinda smelly). Caleb sure loved the pigeons (and they loved him)!
I was back at school for the first time with my arm...it's quite a challenge. I can't write (only type) so I've been doing a lot of reading (with permission from my teachers of course).
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