A Claranut's World

A year has flown.......

2011-04-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my mind today that a year has flown by............I can't believe how fast it has gone. In the last year I've done many things that I never thought of doing. I turned into a plumber in my dorm and fixed our shower drain (one of the grossest things EVER). I've written a few songs. I've passed a soccer class that I thought was going to kill me. I've survived longer days than I ever thought were possible. God has done so much in my life in the last year and I can't believe that my freshman year in college is almost over. A more thought provoking blog post will appear at a later date, I promise! But for now I must depart again.......

These are a few of my Favorite things........

2011-01-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was partially spent in trying to make my bedroom look LESS like and explosion and more like a room where only 1 person lives and another has things neatly organized and stored........yeah right. lol But as I was going through things I was reminded of how I've changed.........somehow or another the past year has been the time of a lot of growing up on my part. Going through all of my stuff I remembered the things that were my favorite......perhaps they aren't anymore but a few are. So I thought I'd do a post on my favorite things.........this could take a while. ;D (they are NOT listed in order of favoritism.......that would be hard to do)

1) A well used Bible........I never know quite what notes I left for myself. =)
2) Sermon notes found in random notebooks that have gone with me to the Wilds. I wasn't aware I still had them!
3) Pictures. I have pictures in scrap books, in a camera yet to be developed, in photo books, randomly stuck different places........yes, pictures are one of my favorites. They remind you of the moment they were taken and the people they were taken with. =)
4) music stuff........I was cleaning off my desk and found stuff from All-State last year. It sounds so odd to say last year......lol My room has all kinds of music stuff though.....programs, music (for several different instruments), lyrics, a clarinet, a stand......the list could go on I'm sure.
5) Well worn cowboy boots. I've always loved cowboy boots since I was a little squirt and managed to get the ones that my brother had outgrown. We actually found some that fit (don't ask) at the beginning of last semester. My mother was rather surprised by the wear and tear I can put on a pair of boots in just one semester. Hoping that they last another.........
6) Piano. I've played since I was 5 and to not be able to play for longer than a week makes me sad. It's what I enjoy, what I'm (possibly) good at, and it happens to be my major in college.
7) Time with friends. It's invaluable and irreplaceable. God has blessed me with some of the most amazing friends EVER.
8) Dr Pepper. No debating, it just is lol
9) Passing grades. They're a wonderful thing to have. =D
10) Sleep. One never gets it at college, sadly.
11) A sense of Humor. To put up with me one is required.
12) Books. I love to read, but rarely have the time any more. To work in a building with over a quarter million books and not be able to read any of them.......is epically saddening.
13) Bright colors. Ignoring the fact that I love brown and wear a lot of it, I actually do love bright colors. Hence the bright purple shirt I am wearing currently.
14) Silver jewelry.........give me silver instead of gold. =)
15) Emails. B/c they are my link to the outside world while at school.
16) Mail in my box at school. What's not to love about it? It brings a smile to my face, always.
17) Letters in general. Old ones and new, they're amazing. When I read one I can imagine the person that wrote it talking to me.......plus, lots of times I just like being able to see what we were talking about all over again. An option that verbal communication doesn't have.
18) Late night conversations........they tend to cover the most interesting things!
19) An amazing church family worth missing while I'm at school.
20) Friends. Old and new, at home and away, crazy or mostly sane.
21) Scooby Doo. I still like watching it and I still like Scooby Doo things. =)

I think I'm done now..........though that is NOT all of my favorite things. Just a short list. Now what trouble shall I get into I wonder.............

First Christmas

2010-12-25T21:18:00.000-08:00

So when you see the title you think of a great many possibilities.......what you see most often is Baby's first Christmas, or a pet's first Christmas....something like that. Not what I had in mind. It's been my first Christmas without Nanny and Steven. I was kinda dreading Christmas this year. This Christmas was going to be different than every other Christmas I had known for my whole life. I suppose I was right..........it didn't exactly ever "feel" like Christmas is supposed to feel today. Perhaps b/c there was no one presiding over everything from a chair in the kitchen or living room.....or b/c there was no card game going on in the living room floor.......or much of anything going on in the living room actually. No pie making this year yet either.......Christmas tradition was normally for me to make a pie (more like 2) yesterday.....nope, didn't do that either. Sitting in the living room after everyone was gone I started thinking......so this was my first Christmas without them.....it was their first Christmas WITH God. So this Christmas was strange......it was still Christmas. On the very FIRST Christmas everything was changed. B/c of the FIRST Christmas I can handle my first Christmas without them......b/c I know I get to see them again. So I didn't get to tell either of them good bye the last time I saw them on earth......it'll be okay b/c I get to say hello in Heaven. Today was also the first White (okay white-ISH) Christmas I've ever had! And I enjoyed it. Snow is always nice......although it's nicer when it sticks. ;) But in so many ways all of this is beside the point..........the point is this is Jesus's birthday. The Savior of the world-MY SAVIOR-, well today is the day to celebrate Him. Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!! Thank you for giving me the best gift ever.........Yourself. My best friend, the one who loves me more than anyone else can, and the one who's always there.........thank you.

Meditation on the Attributes of God

2010-08-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Wisdom - Seeing and responding to life situations from God's frame of reference

Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the is understanding."

James 3:17 - "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

The definition and verses make you think don't they? Thinking about a situation purely and without partiality is hard when you're the one IN the situation. We think of some things as just something to try our patience. And we think "God, why is this happening to ME?" But if we look from His view point it's helping us learn to put our faith in Him. Do I have wisdom? Only when I'm willing to put all my trust in Him. Does that always happen? No, I'm human, and I have a stubbornness for wanting to try things my way first. Remembering His way is best AND should be FIRST is a big challenge. Are you willing to try it?

God's Amazing Power

power - to be able, ability to act or produce an effect, possession of control, authority or influence over others

The Power of God: God creates and controls everything. He is not only powerful, but all-powerful. There is not one created being more powerful than God. God wants the best for our lives and has the power to accomplish it. Isn't great to know that we serve a God who has the power to do anything? And that no situation is out of His control?

Mark 10:27 - And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Isaiah 40:28-29 - Hast thou not known? hast though not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.

Psalm 33:8-9 - 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.

When I don't trust God it's like saying I don't believe He has the power to do the things He said He would! I sometimes feel like it's too "little" of a matter to involve God in........but that's not true! God wants to be part of every part of my life........b/c it's not about how God fits into my world..........it's about how I fit into GOD'S WORLD!!!!

~CIT~ Digging Deeper

2010-08-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

CIT was absolutely AMAZING!! Knocked my socks off then knocked me over! God really worked in my heart. I went (like a dummy) thinking that I wouldn't have to change that much. Pshhhhh was I WRONG. I thought they were trying to kill me with my first assignment! lol 75 selfish things about me.......I wondered where in the world I was going to find them. Obviously I didn't know me very well. ;) I got stuck after 10.....then after 20 something......then after 50 something.......then I finished and realized that I had probably left one of the most selfish things about me off the list......and so I added the all important number 76: Refusing to pray for/forgive someone. Now that number took some digging.......probably b/c I wanted to deny it existed. And I should have been a bit more specific than that (I got there later). Specific would have been: I refuse to pray for/forgive Kris Kroger (the guy who murdered my cousin). So my whole first week interview with Mrs Berg was spent on number 76. I learned that it's painful when some head knowledge has to become heart knowledge.......boy is it. Lesson number 2: packing it up in a little box and shipping it off doesn't solve the problem....you have to take it out and deal with it. How I hated dealing with it. And of course my counselor found me after my interview and made sure I was thoroughly pounded (in a good way). I have never been made to think so much in my entire life! So I thought some more about it that evening. My head knew that hating someone was the same as murder in God's book......my heart tried to justify it. At which point in my thinking I have to come back to a verse that Mrs Berg gave my (Romans 2:1) Next day = CIT hike. Best part was testimony time (in which I totally broke down during mine and cried....a lot.) Worst part was.......the hike of course. Since I love hiking so much lol. Of course this was not the only thing I learned first week....just a major one. First week evaluation with my counselor equaled.......well, I certainly had no idea all that was in me. Or I probably did and chose to ignore it. Not the greatest scores on the planet there. 2nd week I thought would be simpler....how hard could it be?? (Remind me to never ask that question again) I discovered that balancing sessions, time with cabin mates, and everything else is easier said than done. And that having a servant's attitude is REALLY hard some days. I didn't realize until 2nd week what a demanding/hard job counselors have. And so the second week flew by as well. Colleen and I figured out how to sum up a large portion of camp: your days are long, your weeks are short, but the shortest things at camp are your sleep and showers. 2nd weekend I showed everybody what a nap on the office lounge couch looks like.....we were waiting until 3 on saturday to leave b/c we were going to the SPP banquet in Greenville. And it was pouring rain and I wasn't walking back to the cabin.......did I mention that there was this lovely picture taken of me while I was sleeping? ;) lol When I got home sunday night we were just in time for church. I had a differing opinion originally than God on what I thought I should share for testimony.......I didn't want to bring out the whole Kris thing with out even having talked to my parents about it yet........but God won out so talk about it I did. I managed to make it through without crying........but when the next call for testimony was given one of the girls that knew Steven really well stood up. She started speaking, and her whole time was spent talking about what I had just said. By listening to God I had said the things that needed saying for her to get on the road of forgiveness.....THEN I started crying....okay, bawling would be a more apt description. At the end she tried saying that it was b/c of me that she had come to this conclusion about needing to forgive.......I've never had a more wonderful opportunity to deflect praise from me to God. I gave God the praise and honor for it......and I must say that that was one of the most mixed emotion moments of my life......sad for what has happened, yet joyful to be able to give God glory. I had no idea that it was possible to feel like that. So began my time at home and I hadn't even technically made it back to my house yet. ;) Since all this……well, life has just gotten more interesting. More stuff has happened, and some days I feel like hiding………or yelling. I have to remember that God is in control and nothing happens with out him knowing it.

Shopping! ;)

2010-08-10T10:32:00.001-07:00

After this shopping trip (last friday)...........I have almost everything I need for PCC! Leaving in 26 days! **gulp**
Think I have enough school supplies in the buggy yet??? =)

With one of my favorite guys!! Think PCC is ready for us?

Kaybob!! Who was along for the shopping ride........;) Running commentary like "Yeah, you're gonna need that fist aid kit. We're klutzes."

HEEEY C-C-C-CIT!!!!!

2010-08-03T21:02:00.001-07:00

See??? I'm alive....even though I haven't posted since April (bad me). This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to do CIT at the Wilds, NC!! It was absolutely amazing!! I've never been as challenged to learn more about myself and about God! Surface answers don't get you by.......you've gotta dig deeper! I'm not gonna go real deep into CIT stuff right now.....I've got some thinking to do first. ;) But here's an overview in pictures! Enjoy!

With my Honduran friend Katia!! Who was also my bunkmate 1st week. =)

With Colleen on the CIT hike. "Put your blinkers on boys!" This amazing lady wound up being my interviewer 2nd week.

You can see South Carolina from here! lol

Beautiful view

With Mrs Traci! This wonderful lady somehow put up with me all the way to North Carolina.

Mr Woodfin deigned to let me take a picture with him lol

With Mrs Berg, my first week interviewer. God blessed me so much through her.

Borderland ladies with our amazing waitress Maddie!

Pretty

Christina!! I miss this girl!

With Em at Christian Life Seminar

With Anna, my second week CIT buddy! Fun times!

With Jess, my second week counselor. I miss her so much!

With my buddy Christopher! Who just happens to be Em's bro.

With Em on Pig Day!! (Where we look like major dorks on purpose) ;D

2nd falls!!

Bonfire at CIT testimony time.

The beautiful lake that is at the campsite.

Didn't Jess draw a lovely "G" on my forehead?? =D

With Jocelyn! Who claims I'm a cameraholic........she'd be right. ;) <3

REUNION!! After a week mostly apart we were very happy to see each other!

Borderland ladies hiding our faces with our diplomas!!

Ter-Bear and me!!!! Terrance was my brother counselor the first time I ever went to camp and was a CIT counselor this summer.

Me and Kate, my team's lead counselor. She's GREAT! <3

Our crazy faces. We definitely belong on the Calhoun Crazies!! Go Green!

First week cabin on the last day of the second week........before we had to say our good byes. Yeah Borderland!!!

With my first week counselor, Jocelyn. Did I mention she's amazing?? <3

Me and my buddy Riley! He's from one of my churches and did CIT during the same session as me. =)

Me and my friend Bethany before the SPP Banquet. Long weekend, but loved spending part of it with her!

Busy........but survivable! =)

2010-03-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

It appears that time keeps flying by........absolute free time with NOTHING at all to do.......well, there's not much of that anymore lol. So spring has sprung and I have what seems like a MILLION things to do! For instance (I'm gonna use this week as an example) I have school work to get done (usual), 2 Pops performances tomorrow, lots of piano practicing to do before next Saturday, work, deciding who all I'm inviting for senior recital, picking out invitations, AMTA District auditions next Saturday, work next Saturday, and (best thing on the list! lol) go hang out with Sam next Saturday after work so that she can take some decent pictures of me (b/c I need some senior pictures)! Oh and I almost forgot........Easter is next Sunday! =) So now that the world knows what I'm up to.......it's time to go play Claire de Lune for an hour (piano teacher's orders lol). ;)

Memories of my Nanny

2010-01-22T17:50:00.001-08:00

(Andrew and Nanny, the sunday before Veteran's day. That's how I'll always remember my Nanny.........smiling)

My Nanny went to be with God this week. She died on monday, her viewing was tuesday, and her funeral was wednesday. I miss her. She was my pie making partner/supervisor. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we made chocolate pie together. Mighty good pie it was too. ;) Advice like "You have NOT whipped that meringue long enough!" and "Well, taste test it and see! If it tastes okay we figured out the right amount of ingredients!" I'll hear every time I make it. And I'll feel like she should still be behind me at her kitchen table supervising. And fussing 'cause I wouldn't let her do the dishes. As if I would! A sign in her kitchen said "grand kids eat free" well, same principle applied to great-grand kids. But you were gonna pay for it with your parents if you didn't at least help with the dishes! Not that we wouldn't have done it anyway......we loved our Nanny, and she didn't need to be doing all our messy dishes from cooking when she didn't/couldn't even help cook it! Besides......it was more fun to make her complain. ;) Nanny took no nonsense from us........we loved to climb the holly tree in her front yard, but if she caught us up in it you'd hear "You kids get out of that tree before you fall and break your necks! I mean it!" Some of my favorite memories of Nanny are probably just sitting and eating breakfast with her and my grandmother at a certain cafe in Clanton. If I was with them on wednesday morning we were going to go eat breakfast, and then I'd help her with her grocery shopping. It feels odd that I'll never have another opportunity to sit down and eat breakfast with my Nanny. If I'm sitting here crying, it's not b/c I'm sad for her. She was so ready to go. At 91 she'd lived longer and seen more things than I can ever imagine. No I'm sad for me, that I won't get to see her again in this walk of life. But you know what the great thing is? I know I'll see her when I get to Heaven, just like Steven. I may miss them now......but eventually I'll get to see them again. And to all the friends that have been there in the past month with prayers, hugs, and words of encouragement, Thank you.

(Opening her Christmas present from Andrew. A pair of Auburn converses. She was a big Auburn fan, and loved to pick on us for being Bama fans)

(The Christmas present she took such pride in)

A lot has been going on.........

2010-01-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

The past........2 weeks? I guess it has been. So very strange, they've slid right past me. 2 weeks ago tomorrow my cousin was murdered. (that's a picture of him and his girlfriend on the left) You never think that someone whom you love, have grown up with, and is so close to your age would be gone from this life already, much less murdered. I miss him. Not that I've seen him real often lately.......but now I know I won't see him again until I get to heaven. It's an odd feeling. Out of my grandmother's 9 grandchildren 4 of us are Seniors this year. I'll be thinking about him when I graduate. B/c I'll feel like he should still be here to walk and accept his diploma. The past 2 weeks have been......rough. Rougher for a lot of people in my family than for me, but sleep has eluded me a LOT these past 2 weeks. Only in the last few days have I been going to bed before midnight. I came to the conclusion that I would never understand why all this happened........so I have to trust and lean on God's understanding. He has a plan, though I have NO idea what it is. But I do know without the words of encouragement, prayers, and hugs of so many friends it would have been so much harder for me to get through. Many thanks is owed to them. They already have my love (whether they want it or not lol). One day at a time, we can get through this. And I just have to remember that when I look at the picture at the very top of this page, Steven isn't in that box we call a coffin. He's in Heaven, and I'll see him when I get there. <3

God's Amazing Power

2009-10-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Best Friends

2009-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

I've come to the conclusion that best friends are one of the greatest things on earth. They act all kinds of crazy with you (you would not BELIEVE some of the looks we've gotten), they stay up until 4 in the morning with you when you're both supposed to be getting up a little before 6, we both laugh like crazy when our (okay, her's and my mom's) phones die at the same time at 10 something at night. But the thing that makes it the best? Knowing that she has a relationship with the awesome God that I serve, will pray for me if I ask her to, and we can talk about ANYTHING. I mean, how many friends do you come accross that your conversation can range from the many flavors in Dr Pepper to talking about what God has done for us that week, or what we've been learning about God? I'm blessed to have some amazing friends!

Pictures from the WILDS, Summer '09 (b/c I forgot, be warned that there's lots of them.)

2009-10-06T10:48:00.001-07:00

4 weeks in.....

2009-09-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

So I'm 4 weeks into my senior year........and absolutely loving it!! When I was little I never even thought I'd get to the 7th grade, much less be a senior. Now I'm wondering where all the time in between went........amazing how our thinking changes, isn't it? Although I was perfectly happy this year to change gears in math from geometry and algebra to business and refresher math. ;) And right now, I've already figured out one thing that I positively will NOT miss about school......my teachers dog barking his head off! (which he's doing at this exact moment in time lol). Other than that......I haven't really made up ,y mind on what I won't miss. Partially b/c when I go to college, I'll be going right back to doing english, math, and several other things........including some classes I really don't want to take! Like speech class......eww......lol You'd think that with as big a mouth as I have I'd have no problem making speeches, right? But no! I HATE making speeches. So that should be a wonderful class........listen to me....already annoyed about classes in college and I'm not even done with this year yet! Not that there's a whole lot to occupy me lol, I've got all easy classes this year! So there is a glimpse into my life of late, and my thinking.......you just really wanted to know these things right? ;)

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 KJV

(one of my favorite verses!)

Philippians 1

2009-08-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

A friends church (well, okay, it's a third mine! lol) Has been doing a teen bible study on wednesday nights. We worked our way through 2 Timothy and are now working on Philippians. :) And I was encouraged by someone to share this with other people......so here goes!

Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." (and here comes what I was thinking) It's not enough to just believe in Christ. In James 2:19 it talk about even the devils believe in Christ! Yes, we ARE called to believe in Christ, but we're also called to so much MORE! How much do you love someone if you're not willing to suffer, even a little bit, for them? The same rule applies here! Love is not JUST a feeling, but an action as well. And our actions b/c of our love for Christ might lead us to suffering. But as Paul put it in vs. 21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (see, I snuck in 2 verses from our chapter! lol) I was thinking (yes, it's dangerous, I might make my brain explode) that while I get something different from each of the verses I discuss (with myself or the group) they all lead back to how we live. So here comes rounds 2 and 3!

Philippians 1:27-28 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." What I got out of these is quite simple, live like and for Christ , no matter who's watching or what they might do. It brought to my mind Hebrews 13:5-6. Read it and you'll see why it did. :)

Philippians 1:14 "And many of the brethren of the Lord, waxing confident in my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." For me this verse was one of encouragement. Living our lives as Christ would have us to, especially when suffering, in pain, or faced with hard choices, can give others the strength, desire, and courage to live their lives for Christ and speak out for him as well. Aside from the obvious reason of it pleases God, it was giving me a reason to live my life well for others to see and be encouraged by. I hope anyway....... :)

Once again, I'm back

2009-07-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm REALLY, REALLY SORRY that I haven't posted lately. Part of it is due to my home computer being way too slow right now and the other part is totally laziness by me. ;) I got home Saturday from the Wilds, and I had an absolutely AMAZING week! God showed me so much that I need to do to grow in Him, but also showed me that He'll be there for every step of the way. I had the most amazing counselor in the world named Jana Matthews, who got sick on the last day but it doesn't matter b/c we love her anyway! She encouraged me so much this past week, if in no other things than to push me to do things I never thought I could or would do. So I finished last, and? I tried and did my best, and that's all that God asks. One of the things that I'm really working on now is letting God have control of my life. Now, I don't really like having someone else plan out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life, but when that someone else is God why should I object? He has things planned out more wonderfully than I can imagine! The other main thing I'm working on right now is doing my devo EVERY DAY before I get started doing everything else. I managed it today, and I plan on doing it tomorrow. One day at a time, and I'll get this! So that's an overview of some things that's been going on in the past week, more might come later with some pictures.....we'll see. ;)

16th Birthday!

2009-05-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

My 16th birthday was most definitely NOT the most planned out birthday ever, but ya know what? I enjoyed it anyway! I'm pretty sure it's impossible not to have fun at a table with Ms Barbara, Mrs Julie, Mr Duane, and SaraBeth and Ginny of course! My morning was spent helping my mom shelve books, but a good chunk of the afternoon was spent at the PAWS picnic (with the people mentioned above). I think that's as close to a birthday party as I've actually gotten.......this is going to be completely random, but I just remembered something. I forgot to get my mom to get the stuff for my birthday cake last night........oops. I'll get my cake later. :D And my brain is fried (being 16 definitely hasn't made me any wiser), so I'm off to go shelve books once more. Although I doubt it will help the condition of my brain..........

Oops.....

2009-04-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting lately......I've been a little busy......and my normal computer is being resurrected right now so it's not in working order. And the other computer is WAY to slow to work on a blog with (it's a Windows98 if that tells you anything.) I've created something else of late....a website! B/c I was bored and me and pictures don't always get along on here. AND I can have a forum, which I tend to enjoy more than just commenting on my blog or someone else's. I like having a common ground that everybody can annoy each other on......ANYWAY, if you're interested the web address for it it's http://claranut.webs.com And now I'm off to do my real job........and then a concert.

Breaking and Entering ;)

2009-04-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

I did something yesterday that I hope never to have to do again. I climbed through my bedroom window. Now to give some background the REASON for climbing through the window was b/c my mom had locked the keys in the house. My dad wasn't home yet. What's a girl to do but climb through the window? Now getting the window raised from outside is a task,, but getting up there is even more of a task for a short(ish) person. To top it all off I was in my Easter sunday clothes. Climbing through a window is now on my "Don't really care to do this again" list. But climbing through modestly should give me points against being booked with breaking and entering, right? Not that I really broke anything. ;) Just thought I'd share the most interesting part of my sunday with you. :) Or maybe just the most odd.........

Spiritual Definitions #5

2009-04-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Decisiveness - The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God

Hebrews 11:24-25 - "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"

James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Psalm 18:30 - "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust him."

Do we have decisiveness? Moses had enough to depart from EVERYTHING he had been raised to be. Imagine being part of the royal family, but to do what's right, you become a slave. Doesn't sound too great, but God honored Moses for it. And while he isn't mentioned in the verses above, I can think of someone else in the Old Testament who had decisiveness. Joseph! As an adult we see him go from slave to ruler of Egypt (kinda the reverse of Moses). But no matter where he was his decisions were based on God's will for his life. And even when his brothers sold him as a slave, or when he was put in prison on false accusations from Potiphar's wife, he still followed God's ways. Do we have the courage to live like these men of God and make decisive decisions?

My Photography

2009-04-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

Since I was kinda bored (and I've shelved all my books) I thought I'd share some of my photos. :)

Spiritual Definitions #4

2009-04-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Discretion - The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences.

Proverbs 21:23 - "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Proverbs 22:3 - "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."

Proverbs 2:11 - "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:"

Okay, answer this question honestly, how often has your mouth gotten you in trouble? For me, the list would be pretty extensive. And so often, if I had just thought about what I was going to say, I would have saved myself a LOT of trouble. As I've grown older, I've learned to keep more of a chain on my tongue (sometimes). But there are days when I just want to let certain people have a piece of my mind. Would it help my testimony? No. Would it make me feel better? Yes. Would it get me in lots of trouble? YES. One thing I've learned though is that to keep from blowing up on a person if a situation happens again (which would be a major LACK of discretion), I go find someone who understands the situation, and I vent. Good friends come in very handy when that happens. :) While having discretion is not ALL about watching you mouth, a lot of it is. Proverbs 21:23 refers specifically to your mouth and tongue. So I guess more people than just me have a problem with their mouths. :D

Once again, technically challenged bangs head

2009-04-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Why is it that every time I try to edit my blog I either (A) Mess it up, or (B) Can't get it to work AT ALL. I keep trying to add a playlist to my blog and every time I try it won't let me. Or I've stuck it in the wrong place or something. Plus I don't want to mess up the template I already have, b/c do you know how long it took me to get the maidens for modesty button on there again? And it still technically isn't in the right spot.......oh well. Any ideas for the technically challenged person? :)

Spiritual Definitions #3

2009-04-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Love- Giving to others' basic needs without expecting anything in return

John 15:12-13 - "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends."

1 Corinthians 13:3 - "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing."

John 13:35 - "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

It's a tall order to love others as God loves us, but that's what He asks. And He didn't specify it to say "That ye love the people you like and know", He said "One another." In essence, everybody! From your mom and dad to that person that really grates on your nerves. Love is our way of showing others we care. And if we're supposed to be representatives of Christ, why should they think God cares about them if we don't? Just some food for thought.......

Things that happen

2009-03-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Becky (one of my co-workers) is officially dubbed "Pizza Pirate". We were taking our break and I just happened to still have some pizza rolls in the freezer. Now Becky loves pizza, so I'm her bestest friend when I bring pizza and share. But last night she made this "arggh" noise at the pizza (b/c it was still very hot and she wanted to eat it) and it sounded so much like a pirate I couldn't resist. So now Becky's the Pizza Pirate. And one of these days she'll come up with a nick name for me. :S lol And I officially hate having to call out the names of the notes for all my inversions on piano. Especially in C flat (thank you Mrs Wilson). But she paid me a compliment that I've never had before yesterday. She told me that I play one of my pieces better than she could. Now if she practiced it, she'd sound better of course. But being able to play it better than her when she just sits down and plays is still pretty cool. :)

God's Timing (Spiritual Definitions #2)

2009-03-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Since these 2 both have to do with God's timing I thought I'd post them together. :)

Wisdom - Seeing and responding to life situations from God's frame of reference

Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the is understanding."

James 3:17 - "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

The definition and verses make you think don't they? Thinking about a situation purely and without partiality is hard when you're the one IN the situation. We think of some things as just something to try our patience. And we think "God, why is this happening to ME?" But if we look from His view point it's helping us learn to put our faith in Him. Do I have wisdom? Only when I'm willing to put all my trust in Him. Does that always happen? No, I'm human, and I have a stubbornness for wanting to try things my way first. Remembering His way is best AND should be FIRST is a big challenge. Are you willing to try it?

Patience - Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it

Romans 5:3-4 - "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"

James 1:3-4 - "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Psalm 37:7 - "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

So many times I find myself thinking "God, can you hurry this up? I'm tired of this." We all have difficult situations, but what do we do with them? Do we wait patiently for God's timing, or do we try to hurry it up? I have a situation right now that I would love if He "hurried it up", but that may not happen. My timing is "I want this fixed NOW!" Evidently His isn't. Therefore I'm learning to have some patience. He has His reasons for making me wait, but there are just some days I get so exasperated with it that I want it done and over NOW. Can you tell I need some more patience? :) While patience may be a virtue, I'm pretty sure it's one of the hardest to attain.

Spiritual Definitions

2009-03-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Joyfulness - The uninhibited expression of delight in what God has done for me

Proverbs 15:13 - "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

Proverbs 29:6 - "In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice."

Psalm 16:11 - "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasure's forever more."

I'm posting this as a reminder to have joy. Sometimes we look at our lives and all we see are the things gone wrong. But how often do we look and see the good things? Or just take some time to delight in the blessings God has given us? There sure are allot of them! :)

25 random things about yours truly

2009-03-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

1. My parents made my name up
2. I've been home schooled all my life
3. I've counted all the stairs that we have to climb at the WILDS everyday......and no longer remember EXACTLY how many there are
4. I've played piano since I was 5
5. I've run all the way around a large church in the rain to avoid playing a game
6. I'm not above popping people with a wet bandanna.....if they're the ones who soaked me to begin with :)
7. I throw things at Mr Bob
8. I've chased goats all over my grandparent's yard to try to get them back inside the fence
9. My cousin calls me Fred
10. I've quite a few great friends, but only a few BEST friends
11. I've gotten my permit recently.......VERY recently
12. No matter how much I "grow up".........I'll still throw things at Mr Bob
13. I'm a claranut!
14. I take goofy pictures of myself and my friends (poor Miriam lol)
15. I struggle to do my Quiet Time EVERY DAY
16. I have a boss who goofs off with me (she rocks)
don't let the flattery go to your head Ms Barbara! :D <3
17. I'm running out of random thing already.....
18. I'm planning on being bunk mates with Katherine again this year at camp. look out world!
19. I've been in more red clay/mud throwing wars with my cousins than I can remember
20. My favorite place on my grandparent's property is the waterfall and creek. But only when there aren't any snakes around......
21. I stink at playing pretty much any sport......unless music counts......
22. I've waited over a year to pull a prank back on someone before
23. I used to have hair down to my waist
24. I have more than one scar that's labeled a stupidity scar......there's at least 2.......
25. I've decided to name my possible future car "the Blue Behemoth" It's big and blue, why not?

For the Rendlemans

2009-03-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you tell Aubie "ROLL TIDE!" :)
Signing Autographs
Well......for an Auburn Tiger.........he's alright. :)

For all the Bama fans

2009-03-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Big Al was at the library last friday, so of course we took pictures. :) So I though I'd post a few of them. You Auburn fans will just have to deal with it! :P *grins* My job is NEVER boring. Until I get left to shelve books and sit behind the desk and have nothing else to do that is. :) lol

From wisdom teeth to Spring......welcome to my random mind :)

2009-03-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

I've now officially gotten my wisdom teeth out. And have the annoying stitches to remind me of it! You'd think after having that done my dad would keep an eye on me on the way out to the car, right? Think again!I may not have gone goofy from the stuff in the IV but my reflexes were still rather foggy. So here I am walking towards the car, when all of a sudden one of the nurses says "Watch out for that!......" She didn't get to finish. I started turning, but I only missed that concrete column by around 3 inches. It felt like a George-of-the-Jungle moment to me! And to top it all for things to laugh at I dropped by my piano teacher house the day after I had them out to give her something (she'd given me someone else's book) and she looks at me and goes "For someone who had her wisdom teeth out yesterday, you sure are chipper. Are you on drugs?" Once I was out of her house I was laughing. I thought it might be rude to laugh where she could hear me lol. Only three more days until I can play my clarinet again! And changing the subject, has anyone noticed how absolutely beautiful it is outside today? Spring is most definitely here. And so is my Spring Break!

The technically challenged

2009-01-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, evidently I am in the number of the people who are technically challenged. I changed the template on my blog and was pasting something into the html code...........and pasted it into not exactly the right place.........so The maidens for modesty button is now on the top of my page, and I'm just going to leave it there. It's not worth stretching this challenged brain even farther today to find exactly the right place. :) It's being stretched enough today with 2 music lessons, school, and work. And trying to figure out why All-State tryouts are at Tuscaloosa Highschool? I just gave up on that. XD

It's now 2009

2009-01-06T10:38:00.001-08:00

It's now 2009.......now I have to remember to change the year when I'm writing the date! lol And now school has started back, and most everything else too. :) And this brings us much closer to All-State. And no, I do NOT like my music for All-State. It doesn't like me either *snickers*. Andrew is ready to throw something at me. He's getting tired of me practicing my high notes......I don't LIKE having to pay the G above the staff either! I told him at least all he has to do is listen to it, not try to play it. Of course his main problem is it normally ends in a squeak.......but I'm trying! I think I finally got the fingering for it in my head.......I think I've rambled long enough now. So I'll leave you with a picture from New Year's Eve of one of my other favorite people........Mrs Diana!

Back for the moment

2008-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I haven't posted in awhile (shame on me) but I've been busy and my coputer has been malfunctioning so now at long last I am back. After taking forever and a day to download the newest flash player my computer almost likes me. And I will leave you with one picture b/c it is almost time for my lunch and I need to get off the computer. So here is a picture of me with one of my favorite people to get in trouble with, Mr Bob! I still owe him back for the church picninc thing........lol

Kentucky will never be the same

2008-10-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

We leave tomorrow to go to Kentucky for Andrew's graduation! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see him again! Although we won't get to see him until thursday, it's still that much closer. Sleep is definitely part of what I'll be doing on the trip down. We have to be gone from our house by 6:30 tomorrow morning and I still have to pack when I get home tonight. And when I don't get home til around 9:30 and I still have lots of stuff to do..........well, lets just say 6:30 is going to come awfully early b/c I have to get up early enough to have breakfast before we leave. At least I'll have a chance to catch up on my reading on the way there lol. And I've insisted on a picture taken in every state we pass through or go to while gone. and yes, I'll post at least some of the pictures. Well, it's getting time for me to finish up things here at work. I won't be around again until saturday so if there's mysterious silence or anything like that it's just b/c I'm gone. j/k

The Prattville Pops!

2008-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Well, this picture wouldn't go at the bottom so this is what the Pops looks like in semi-bad lighting and from far away lol.

The Prattville Pops is the band that I play in. Since they're a community band they're mostly adults but a few of us teenagers have invited ourselves in and been made welcome :) . So the picture below is of me and one of my favoritest peoples ever, Ms Barbara! She plays trombone in the Pops (and just happens to be my boss lol).

And Miriam, this might be your innocent look but it sure looks like you're trying to hide

something.

Pictures of Pops people without any instruments (except for the first picture). Shame on me lol. Either (A) We'd already put up our instruments, or (B) It was break time. Instrument pictures will just have to wait :)

Poetry

2008-10-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny that sometimes the things you're good at (or kinda good at) are things that you don't have that much interest in? So you couldn't get me to read a whole book of poetry to save my life but I like to write it. Sometimes anyway. Creativity comes in spurts, what can I say? So for no other reason then I like this one, I'm going to post the first poem I wrote. So here it is:

The Reason

*Angels tell the joyful tidings

Shepherds hear the declaration

Wise Men come from afar

They all came to see the Star*

*Jesus grew to be a man

Many were blessed by his hand

He traveled all across the land

Leaving footprints in the sand*

*Jesus hung on a cross

For the sins of the lost

When He died the curtain tore

There was no separation anymore*

*On the third day He rose from the grave

He died for mans sins and to save

For what earthly reason would He die

That reason my friend was you and I*

Somehow my first one is still my favorite, as far as ones that aren't goofy anyway. But keep in mind I wrote it at least 3 if not 4 years ago. Makes me feel old, and feel like time has really flown by. And the computers center alignment stinks. But me doing it myself isn't much better lol. An the asterisks mark where the stanzas are since it wouldn't let me separate them the stupid editor!

2008-10-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, some of you are probably wondering why I named my blog "A Claranuts World", so here is the definition of Claranut.

Claranut- Clarinet players are sometimes called clarinetists, but that is a mistake. The correct term is CLAR-A-NUT. Claranuts can easily be identified by their lack of a life.

I laugh at this definition b/c sometimes it really does describe some clarinet players I know (including me). But I really do have a life, I don't spend ALL my time at the library and school anymore. (Okay, I still spend a lot of time there but I work at the library now, and school is a must). And yes, if liking to read qualifies as geekiness then I am on the high end of the spectrum of geekiness lol. At the moment my life revolves around church, school, music, and waiting for the next letter from my brother. So see, I DO have a life. And I have technically managed not to say much about it lol. So until I decide to post pictures or tell more about my life, for the moment I am disappearing, just not for forever (which might be unfortunate for you) :) They need to have smileys around here. XD And I will eventually learn how to manage all this stuff. lol

A Claranut's World

A year has flown.......

These are a few of my Favorite things........

First Christmas

Meditation on the Attributes of God

God's Amazing Power

~CIT~ Digging Deeper

Shopping! ;)

HEEEY C-C-C-CIT!!!!!

Busy........but survivable! =)

Memories of my Nanny

A lot has been going on.........

God's Amazing Power

Best Friends

Pictures from the WILDS, Summer '09 (b/c I forgot, be warned that there's lots of them.)

4 weeks in.....

Philippians 1

Once again, I'm back

16th Birthday!

Oops.....

Breaking and Entering ;)

Spiritual Definitions #5

My Photography

Spiritual Definitions #4

Once again, technically challenged *bangs head*

Spiritual Definitions #3

Things that happen

God's Timing (Spiritual Definitions #2)

Spiritual Definitions

25 random things about yours truly

For the Rendlemans

For all the Bama fans

From wisdom teeth to Spring......welcome to my random mind :)

The technically challenged

It's now 2009

Back for the moment

Kentucky will never be the same

The Prattville Pops!

Poetry

Once again, technically challenged bangs head