Lets talk about love. I think that there are three kinds of love.
First, is the love that you share with your friends and family. This kind of love is fun! Its something you can share with girls or guys! It really means that this someone is someone you can trust and having fun with them is always great. Oftentimes, this is a special relationship that includes loyalty, friendship, trust, and compassion. You can be yourself around these people and not feel judged. You would do anything for them, even lay down your life. This kind of love is special and is often taken for granted. I love this kind of love. Especially with my friends! I adore hanging out with them and laughing. My sister is so much fun to have inside jokes with and even though my parents are goofy, they can have their cool moments too.
Second, is the love you share with your "soulmate"; your "one true love". Your spouse. This kind of love is everlasting. You can never "fall out of love" with the person you share this love with because it will never fade. You may have hard times, but you will be willing to work through them. This kind of love includes, work, passion, rational thinking, and lots of prayer. You would do anything for this person, even endure painful torture for years. This kind of love can be frightening. I'm scared to death of it! Personally, I've faced rejection and heartbreak (even with friends!) enough to know that it may just not be worth it. I have been told many times that it is, but no one can give me a good enough reason why it is. Sure, God tells us to populate the earth, but Paul also says that single women are blessed! Is this kind of love worth the pain and heartache? I would say, "no".
Finally, theres a kind of love that can only be found in one place: God. Our Savior, Redeemer, Lover, Father, and Friend. He is all the kinds of Love wrapped into one Awesome Being. He will never leave, nor forsake, and everything He does is for our good. He laughs with us and cries with us. This kind of love cannot be described in words. It cannot be put down in a simple blog post. No, only those who have experienced it can know what it feels like. This is a impossible relationship that includes giving up your life, soul, mind, strength, and being and placing everything in His hands. Jesus endured physical, mental, spiritual torture for us and let Himself be killed so that we could have this relationship. I know that no matter what happens to me, I will always have God to help me. I will always have Someone on whom I can rely. I will never be alone. Even if I am put in solitary confinement, God will always protect me. Now THAT is the best and most perfect kind of love there is.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Grace
Well, I just got home from the first tournament of the year. Literally! I just stepped in my door about thirty minutes ago. I have learned several things this tournament and met some great people.
First, I learned that talent makes up for lack of evidence! My debate partner and I only won 3 out of 6 of our debate rounds and yet we still advanced to Double-Octa-Finals and Octa-Finals! Usually, you have to win 4 to advance. However, my speaker points were so high that we "broke" to out-rounds. After we broke, we debated an excellent and BEAT them! We were so shocked and I was so grateful! We had no evidence, but an amazing case.
Second, I learned that God humbles the proud but gives grace to the humble. At our last tournament, the value of humility was revealed to me by another debater's actions and character. I have been trying since then to be more humble and give God the glory for my success. This tournament, my debate partner was not feeling well and it stressed me out greatly. I had to carry all the weight for both of us (telling her what to say, ask, point out, read, etc.). Since I was entered in 5 categories, I was running all the time and didn't have a lot of time to relax and breathe and prepare myself for our next debate round or another speech round. However, God gave me the grace and patience to be able to handle both my debate partner and other people on our team. He allowed me to focus and do well in ALL my speech categories as well as debate! I qualified to Regionals in debate. However, not only did I qualify, but we got 15th place out of 69 and I also got 23rd place speaker award out of 138! I also won 8th place in a speech category. When I humbled myself and did not complain about my partner's incompentecy, God rewarded me.
The third and final thing I learned is about the value of the verse that says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." Not all of our team did well. Even though I was thrilled to tears about my teammates that "broke" and qualified for Regional Competition, I was very aware that some of us became discouraged about their results. One of the other team's coaches commented on how close our team has become. We love each other so much and when one is contentious or sad, it hurts the entire team. Encouragement is a powerful tool. I have the responsibility as the official team "queen" to encourage EVERYONE! Even those who may have not done as well. It is hard when you are excited about your accomplishments to take time to try to feel how a team member does when they have gotten discouraged. It's difficult and not really fun, but necessary. In fact, my speech is about that. We need to focus on others and not ourselves. Until we do that, our culture will continue to disintegrate.
This is what I learned at the first tournament of the year. In a week and a half, we leave for another tournament. Please pray for me and my team as we try to become more ready for this next tournament.
First, I learned that talent makes up for lack of evidence! My debate partner and I only won 3 out of 6 of our debate rounds and yet we still advanced to Double-Octa-Finals and Octa-Finals! Usually, you have to win 4 to advance. However, my speaker points were so high that we "broke" to out-rounds. After we broke, we debated an excellent and BEAT them! We were so shocked and I was so grateful! We had no evidence, but an amazing case.
Second, I learned that God humbles the proud but gives grace to the humble. At our last tournament, the value of humility was revealed to me by another debater's actions and character. I have been trying since then to be more humble and give God the glory for my success. This tournament, my debate partner was not feeling well and it stressed me out greatly. I had to carry all the weight for both of us (telling her what to say, ask, point out, read, etc.). Since I was entered in 5 categories, I was running all the time and didn't have a lot of time to relax and breathe and prepare myself for our next debate round or another speech round. However, God gave me the grace and patience to be able to handle both my debate partner and other people on our team. He allowed me to focus and do well in ALL my speech categories as well as debate! I qualified to Regionals in debate. However, not only did I qualify, but we got 15th place out of 69 and I also got 23rd place speaker award out of 138! I also won 8th place in a speech category. When I humbled myself and did not complain about my partner's incompentecy, God rewarded me.
The third and final thing I learned is about the value of the verse that says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." Not all of our team did well. Even though I was thrilled to tears about my teammates that "broke" and qualified for Regional Competition, I was very aware that some of us became discouraged about their results. One of the other team's coaches commented on how close our team has become. We love each other so much and when one is contentious or sad, it hurts the entire team. Encouragement is a powerful tool. I have the responsibility as the official team "queen" to encourage EVERYONE! Even those who may have not done as well. It is hard when you are excited about your accomplishments to take time to try to feel how a team member does when they have gotten discouraged. It's difficult and not really fun, but necessary. In fact, my speech is about that. We need to focus on others and not ourselves. Until we do that, our culture will continue to disintegrate.
This is what I learned at the first tournament of the year. In a week and a half, we leave for another tournament. Please pray for me and my team as we try to become more ready for this next tournament.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Stress
I am almost always stressed. I don't know why...maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am a procrastinator. But I am always stressed. Today, for instance, was an INCREDIBLY busy day for me. I had three classes of school (my least favorites classes AND my hardest classes), an MRI to do (on my right wrist), a dentist's appointment (I chipped a tooth on Saturday) and a piano lesson! Not to mention all of my homework for my class tomorrow, AND work to do on my debate and speeches! I am leaving for a debate tournament on Wednesday. As you can imagine, I was incredibly stressed. My tooth was filed down this morning and I missed my Spanish class. I went through my other classes and then left for my MRI. After 35 minutes of sitting COMPLETELY still, my arm was sore and throbbing and I had a headache. I went back home, got my piano books and went straight to my piano lesson. By this time, it was about 5. I was done by 5:45 and my parents surprised me with a trip to Olive Garden with my sister. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. So, I wasn't so thrilled when I was told I would spend another hour with my extremely LOUD family!
But, as we started eating and laughing, I became more relaxed and was able to enjoy the time with them. I was reminded again what a blessing my sister is as we shared a couple of giggles over inside jokes. I am incredibly blessed with a sweet and loving sister who is tons of fun to be around! I love you dearly Emmy! :D
Also, tonight, I remembered my stress as I began to work on homework. I became overwhelmed with all the things I had to do before Wednesday and everything I needed to accomplish. As I sat for a second, looking at my vocabulary list, I remembered Psalm 46:10- "Be still and know that I am God." BE STILL. We all want to relax, but even when we do, we are always thinking about the next moment, the next to-do list, the next chore or assignment. We simply need to BE STILL occassionally and spend some time with our Creator. After all, that's what He created us to do, isn't it?
But, as we started eating and laughing, I became more relaxed and was able to enjoy the time with them. I was reminded again what a blessing my sister is as we shared a couple of giggles over inside jokes. I am incredibly blessed with a sweet and loving sister who is tons of fun to be around! I love you dearly Emmy! :D
Also, tonight, I remembered my stress as I began to work on homework. I became overwhelmed with all the things I had to do before Wednesday and everything I needed to accomplish. As I sat for a second, looking at my vocabulary list, I remembered Psalm 46:10- "Be still and know that I am God." BE STILL. We all want to relax, but even when we do, we are always thinking about the next moment, the next to-do list, the next chore or assignment. We simply need to BE STILL occassionally and spend some time with our Creator. After all, that's what He created us to do, isn't it?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I am a homeschool debate nerd......
And my life is highly interesting! I am a Christian who lives in Arkansas....I was born in Texas but moved to Nowhereville (just kidding!) when I was young. I'm just an average girl trying to navigate the teenage years! I'm pretty random and I love writing, debating, reading, and Ultimate Frisbee! I hope to become Senator for the state of Texas.
I live by this verse:
Philippians 2:1-2-
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
I hope that you will learn something as I post my learnings in these next years!
I live by this verse:
Philippians 2:1-2-
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
I hope that you will learn something as I post my learnings in these next years!
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