A Generous Offer

Some things will forever be plain weird, no matter how economically, politically, or socially sensible they are.

For an example, go to...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3778763

(copy this address and past it in the address bar)

P.S. Congratulations to the Red Sox for winning the 2007 World Series. Look forward to the Patriots getting to Arizona in February.

New Template

A lot of my blogger buddies have been getting new templates, so I decided I might as well get one. Be warned, it may not be permanent.

Misplacing Calculators

Everyone has idiosyncrasies . Unfortunately, I have discovered one of my own over the past few school weeks. I am infamous for...

... misplacing calculators .

*GASP* *INSERT SCARY MUSIC*

You wouldn't believe I was capable of such a heinous crime, would you?

Yesterday, I was happily ready to tackle physics problems when I realized that I had no idea where my calculator was. Which would have been no problem except for the fact that tackling physics problems without a calculator is like going to the plate in the World Series without a bat.

The last place I had seen the calculator was in jeans I wore the previous day--but, alas, when I checked the pockets of the jeans (flung over the hamper), there was no calculator to be found.

The solution? The "confiscation" of one of Eric's calculators (which he uses for sports statistics. DON'T WORRY--HE HAS ANOTHER ONE!!!)

Half an hour later I was done with physics and wanted to check algebra. And then, like a light-bulb going off in my head, I was struck with a deep revelation:

I had no idea where Eric's calculator was.

The solution? The "confiscation" of Bethany's calculator. (She doesn't have an extra one).

Immediately I began trying to tidy up the shelves in the dining room (where I was standing), because I was in the process of looking for something else and I hate looking for stuff in cluttered places. (I'm a wannabe neat freak). Ten seconds into the search, I was struck by yet another startling realization:

I had no idea where Bethany's calculator was.

Good thing that I happened to look down and see it lying on the shelf two feet below me.

P.S. This morning I moved my hamper while stuffing clothes inside it. Guess what was behind the hamper? (And had apparently fallen out of the pocket of my flung-over-the-hamper jeans...)

My calculator.

WOOTZORZ! (That's John's phrase, but I confiscated two calculators. Why can't I confiscate a trademark exclamation of happiness?)

ARGH!

Eric beat me on his blog template...

(Click on the link to the right. I'm posting on the Mac computer and it doesn't have the mechanism to add a hyperlink).

Marigold

Summer 2007

"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This verse applies very well to the lessons I learned this summer, the most exciting one of my life. God blessed me beyond measure by allowing to me to embark on three trips--to Texas, Germany and Austria in June and Egypt in August.

These trips were completely unexpected. I went to Texas for the National Tournament in my speech/debate league. The next week I went to Europe on the gracious invitation of the Caudills (Corey's family), who were going with their aunt/sister, a German language teacher (I've studied German and love history, so they invited me). And finally, I went to Egypt on the gracious invitation of my grandfather, who wanted some family company after traveling internationally alone for several years.

Before this summer, I was like most people, just sitting at home, bored. This summer illustrated to me that God does grant us unexpected blessings when if we just ask and follow Him (Ephesians 3:20-21).

It came a price, of course. Between these three trips, going to camp in July (look at previous post), and finishing schoolwork, this year was nothing short of hectic. But it was worth it.

Here are the links to photos of my trips:

Salzburg, Austria (June 20-22, 2007)

Germany (Bavaria) (June 23-26, 2007)

Egypt (August 4-19, 2007)

NCFCA Nationals, Belton, Texas (June 11-16, 2007)

3 of my pics

Other Nationals pics (on my debate friend Silas Hathaway's blog. I'm too lazy to upload my own pics. Look for the June 17 post.)

High Point Photos

Here's the link to photos from the Collinsville Teen Boys' trip to High Point Camp, 2007.