More Oldy Goldies

I started this post a while ago, and probably had the intention of adding more pictures, but I think it's good as is. 

I love this family portrait, especially Lydia kissing Gabriel. I just think that is real sweet. 

Reflections in bubbles kind of mesmerize me. 

Their faces: Extraordinary. 

I've always loved this epic picture of Lydia.

Silhouettes are cool, especially if you have hair like that. 

Roses

OK, then...

Practically cousins, practically adorable. 

The moon tight-roping across the power line. 

Reflections are really cool. 

Just to Clarify

This is a clarifying story to something I posted a while ago. I was going to post this right after my post about"becoming friends with the bad boy." But time got away, so I now present to you the whole story.



I accidentally short-changed the kid at the beginning of the week. It seriously was an accident, and I did discover the problem myself, but from then on he was watching out for me.

I turned it back on him and called him the bad boy. Yes, I know, I'm the worst camp counselor. (Now that it has been about 8 months or so since this actually occurred, I don't remember if I said that to his face or not. I sure hope I didn't. : (    )

For the rest of the week, he didn't give me high fives when he entered the dining hall or the worship hall, he constantly said that he didn't like me. ("But secretly, they was overjoyed!" Sorry, it just popped into my head.)

Every time I looked at him, he would say, "I'm watchin' you." He was also kind of a trouble maker, which is why I called him the bad boy. Interestingly, his younger brother was also there, and he was a precious young man. I was able to have a good conversation about testimonies with him. I don't remember it in great detail, but it felt like a mini counseling session. Those were my favorites.

I teased the bad boy kindly throughout the week, but when Friday came I knew I had to make sure we were on good terms. I didn't want a camper to have a bad experience because of me.

So after breakfast on Friday I went outside where several kids were gathered. I stood on the dining hall deck and waited for my young friend to come out. I honestly don't remember all that I said, but I told him to come over and I basically cleared up any problems. I did this in front of other campers, so I hope they could see an example of making amends with people you may have hurt.

Then I asked, "So, are we friends?" and I held up my hand for a high five. He said yes and gave me a high five.

It was a good feeling. For the rest of the day, we were friends, and then, of course, he left. I'll probably never see him again. That's OK, as long as I see him in the Kingdom. (I have been learning a lot about the Kingdom of God in school, so I have been tending to use the term more.)

So, there you have it. I'm sure I'm leaving out details because it has been a hot second since this happened, but it was a good story. A story of making a friend out of an enemy.

Making friends with rough people can sometimes get your hands a little dirty. 

Watching

Thanks to my mom replying to the last post, I decided to go with "Watching." I will probably post others as well, but this is a good place to start. 

Standing on the edge of the wall

Watching the people in the wide hall

Looking at their eyes and hair and smiles

Wondering in my soul all the whiles. 

Watching silently, smiling at passers-by

A brain turning and moving into a sigh

A deep inward sigh of many a thought

Confused, thankful, learning, taught.

Growing as I watch them all gathered there

In one place so many people to care

I care and carry in my heart

The burdens that tear us apart. 

I slowly leave my wall and make my way

I weave through the crowds and say, "Hey"

To a number of people I know and love.

Why am I shy and timid as a dove?

I know them, and many of them know me, 

But I see them among themselves happy

And I am a loner so I just pass through

I pass through a crowd of many of you. 

I finally find a person or two or three

And we talk and laugh happily

So I reach out to the quieter crowd

The others also on the wall less loud.

We laugh and talk, but sometimes I eye the rest

I think I wish I actually knew the best

Those people who are known to most

And people talk about and boast.

I slowly draw my attention off and away

And look at those popular people of our day

The ones the others talk about whether bad or good.

They've got the attention that they would.

But I am done with comparing my life

I'm ready to cut it up with the sharpest knife

Because it's a sickly disease that takes over

And crushes the humble, fragrant clover.

The clover of the field that grows in little clusters

And waves in the wind as it gently blusters

It stands tall on its stem not worried

It stands there in a group unhurried.

They are together and don't think of who's best

Because they are all different yet alike the rest

Each it's own particular shape and shade

But they are all still clover left in the hade. 

They are as their Maker put them and made them

They grumble not in their shallow hem

They worry not of who is known most

But shine in the sun who is their common boast.

There it lies, there message I would learn

They stand together neither do they turn

Against each other because they are all the same

All the same type of thing, clover, by name.

Also, they have the same love

The sun that shines above

Their Creator makes them grow

Satisfied, their seeds they sew.

So, I too want to be of a people who love

Each other and our God above

The Son that shines on each of us

And holds us fast like a truss.

We would have a common goal:

Our King majestic, never dole

He's got us and grows us together

In His love, no matter the weather. 

Which One Should I Do?

Hey, friends!

So, I have nearly 20 drafts on my blog. I would like to post a few before too long (some of them need to be finished), and I'm curious about which one sounds most interesting to you.

I'm not going to name all of them, but of these five, which one captures your attention most?

1. More Oldy Goldies (a bunch of old pictures)
2. Watching (A poem about community)
3. Pictures That Make Me Happy (pictures from myself and the internet)
4. Just to Clarify (a story from camp last summer)
5. A Certain Sunrise (some pictures I took of a sunrise a couple Novembers ago)

The choice is yours!

This is a picture I got from the internet of a guy roping down Kaieteur Falls in Guyana. It seems like a really stupid idea. 

A Long Walk

Last week during spring break, as I already told you, I enjoyed a lot of walking. On Saturday I took a long walk on the Stone Arch and other places. So many people were out, it was wonderful. I took my camera and took several shots. Hope you enjoy!

The city from 6th. I have wanted to take this shot for a while because I think it is cool. When I crossed the street and no cars were coming, I quickly snapped this picture of the nearly empty street. 

Look at all those people!

This little girl was walking her dog. I thought she looked pretty cute. 

These are some interesting looking people. One thing that I love about busy sunny days in early spring is watching all the people who are out and about. 

The river was pretty terrocious. 

I even wore sandals without socks because it was so warm. 

Those dancin' waves. ("Dancin' raisins." Sorry, just a family quote that came to mind. Haha!)

A man with a maid. 

I thought this picnic table was rather unique. 

The same table had some cool lichen growing on it. 

A man and his dogs.

The train tracks

This is such a cool vehicle. ("Excuse me, sir, step away from the vehicle." Not a family quote but it jumped into my mind.)

OK, people, this is the place to live. It's a house boat, and it's awesome. One of my dreams is to live in one of these things. 

Rushing calm.

Tenacity 

I am really fascinated with the St. Anthony Falls. They are so rushing and beautiful. 

Wrath

When I got home, I sat on my steps and watched these kids have fun on their roller blades. 

They were pretty good. 

Have fun in the springy weather. I got to go now. 

Walking On, Keep Moving

I decided to join something called Spring100 this year. It is basically a way to keep you moving. You are supposed to walk or run 100 miles in spring. It started on Wednesday, but there is still time to sign up if you're interested.

It is spring break for Bethlehem College and Seminary right now, so I have been taking advantage of extra time by going on long walks. Two days in a row I walked about 4.5 miles each day. It was so wonderful to be out and walking because when you're in school, you don't always have the time to get out as much as you might like to. Also, the weather has been splendid. Right now it is 43 degrees! It is officially spring.

I haven't done a whole lot during break, but I am staying fairly busy. Of course, the wedding was Monday, then I went to bake with a couple classmates (Daniel and Jack) on Tuesday afternoon, and I have spent a lot of time with Hannah and Tyler and Tyler's friend Mitchell from WI. We have played a lot of games. I am good at getting Mitchell very aggravated in a game of Splendor, but I still have not won.

Today the 4 of us went to Cardigan and hung out with Priscilla and Justus a little bit. Then we walked home in the beautiful sunshine.

I have also been reading for school next week. I'm not super excited about school starting up again, but we only have 2 months left after this.

I started spring break with a lot of letter-writing. 

One day I took a long walk and ended up at a park with lovely trees. You could even imagine you were in the country. 

I snapped a shot of these young skater boys. 

I tried on my dress an inordinate amount to make sure it still fit and see how to walk in it in high heels. Haha! 

Sorry about this gross picture. I took it because the sun was shining on my face in a such a way that I could see the cracks in my teethe, and I like to see those cracks. 

The sun feels warm on my roof in the mornings. 

This was my bouquet. 

It had such lovely roses. 

Spring has come, here is the sun. 

The living room fills up with light these days.

Barefoot days are coming. 

The snow in our yard is disappearing so quickly. 

So, I'm moving on in life and walking spring break away. 

God has been showering me with gifts in the shape of walks, sun, wedding, people, etc. 

Married!!

Yesterday was the big day.

I said "I do."

Just kidding.

Leuxie and Sam got married!

It was long and tiring and incandescently happy. I shall remember that day for a long time to come.
It was a very beautiful wedding. The ceremony took place in an old Gothic style church. There were 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen. The colors were olive green and gold, which gave a regal and splendid atmosphere.
The Gospel was presented, God was glorified, two became one. Marriage is a beautiful thing, especially when covenanted under God.

We laughed, joked, ate good food, enjoyed each others' company, and saw joy written all over their faces. Sam and Leuxie were very happy. Tired, but happy.

As I was leaving, I was saying something to one of the groomsmen about being tired. He said he was tired and excited, but mainly excited.

That pretty much sums it up.

(Sorry, no pictures. When you're in a wedding, you don't have the time for that.)