2013 ~ 2014

Ok… Now that I’m in a super thankful state of mind, I think I’ll do something a little more lighthearted. Anyone up for cliche New Years Resolutions lists? ;) I actually really like lists, so I’m going to do two! I did not put a ton of thought into these, though. They are just off the top of my head. :)

First up is 13 things that I have really appreciated about 2013. Significant or otherwise. :)

1. My family. Always seems to be high on the list. ;) They have been so supportive through all of the things that I have been going through this year.
2. My dear fellow Muses. Thanks for picking up right where we left off. :)
3. Coffee. No question. I usually don’t go a day without it.
4. God’s super amazing faithfulness. I don’t even have words to describe it.
5. My weaknesses. God has taught me a lot through my weaknesses this year, and it’s been really hard for me. But I have learned more than I ever could have because of them.
6. New friends. Praise God for His provision of these wonderful and godly new friends. Young and old!
7. Inspiration. Through music, art, literature… I just have really been appreciative of beauty in these areas.
8. Simple pleasures. The beach. Puppies. Movie theaters and buttered popcorn. Random jam sessions. Kids. Classical music. Good books. Stargazing.
9. School. That’s right! I have really enjoyed school this year, and I’ve been learning more from it than ever before. :)
10. Music. Specifically this year, I am thankful for the opportunities to make music with other people. And not just to make music, but to express our hearts through music and use that expression to bless others. I am so thankful that God created music!!
11. Teachers and Mentors. This year I have been given numerous new teachers who have given of their time and personal experience to teach their students. I have also gained new spiritual and musical mentors, who have specifically honed in on my abilities and believed in me. Thank you to these amazing people! Also to the people from home who have continued to pray for me.
12. Reading. I’ve had to read a lot of theological books this year. Some by choice, and some for specific classes and such. I have really enjoyed them, even if some of them were read hurriedly to meet a deadline. ;)
13. Last, but not least… Technology. It seems like a very non-sentimental thing to be thankful for, but it has been very helpful in 2013. Facetime. Enough said. ;)

And now.. 14 things about 2014! Although, I probably should have been more clear. I definitely do not plan to make a list of 14 resolutions for 2014. However, I will make a list of 14 things that, if I did, would shape my life in a beneficial way. And maybe some things that I am looking forward to in 2014. :)

1. Communication. I would love to stay in better communication with my family and friends back home. I need to be more intentional about it. Can I also give a shout-out to Erato?? She sends me letters even though I never write back! She’s pretty much the greatest. :)
2. Practice. I really need to practice my musical instruments more. I have new teachers and new opportunities to use my musical gifts, and I would love to make the time to take advantage of those opportunities.
3. Write. It would be awesome if I could find the time to write. Journal, Blog posts, a novel - I don’t care! Just something. :)
4. Exercise. Oh, the cliche New Years Resolution. But ever so needed. ;)
5. Encouragement. I want to be a person of encouragement. I want to become one of those people that someone would come to when they need to talk.
6. Reading. I would love to read some really great books this year, on my own initiative.
7. Cleaning. Yep! I’d like to keep my room clean AND organized this next year. It would make things a lot easier and less stressful.
8. Time. With all of these goals, I need to learn to balance my time. It will not be easy. But it is possible to take small steps.
9. Prayer. I want to be a person of prayer. So many people have prayed for me and it has made a difference in my life. I want to be in constant communication with God so that my fellowship with Him is kept true and my relationship with Him is real.
10. Limited Technology. As much as technology is a blessing in communication, it really does hinder me with all it offers in the area of entertainment. Definitely takes away from the time I need to do all of these other things, for sure!
11. Relationships. I am so looking forward to the relationships that will be built this year! Some may begin, some may develop, and some may end. But I am so thankful for the people I am surrounded with.
12. Relax. With all of the things that I will be running around a doing, I need to take time to relax. Actually, a lot of the things on this list are designed to help me slow down and refocus on what is important.
13. Love. I want to love people without expecting anything back. I don’t do that very often. I want to be genuine with people.
14. Ministry. I am going to have so many amazing opportunities to serve God this year! I just want to take advantage of these opportunities. I also want to be sure to have good fellowship with God while serving Him, so that my service is flowing from thankfulness and is in His power. 

Here’s to 2014! It’s going to be great. :) Even with all of this to look forward to, Come Lord, Quickly.

Reflections ~ 2013

Hey all! I know it’s been much too long since I’ve posted. Honestly, the blog had completely slipped off of my radar this past semester. I’ve had some crazy life changes going on - the biggest being a 700-mile move away from my friends and family. It’s been tough, but can I just say that God has been incredibly faithful? He seriously has taught me so much in the past few months, even when I have not been willing to learn.

As so many bloggers are posting their 2014 resolutions and such, I am constantly reminded of each person’s desire for a fresh start. A second chance at success. A clean slate.

I’m here to tell you that there is not a restart button on life. Of course, there is transformation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15-17) and sanctification by the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for His work in my life! I am thankful that He has worked through the hard times, and used those times to teach me. But there have been specific events in my life that have shaped me, and also constant struggles and temptations that I face. These struggles are not meant to be forgotten. And the decisions that I make also affect my lifestyle and habits. It is in the everyday decisions that I learn, and in which I also make mistakes.

This song by Jonny Diaz has always made me reflect on these events and struggles, but has also always made me thankful that Christ does not hide His scars. He proclaims the most humbling time of His life and used that very experience to save mankind! That blows my mind when I think about it. He did not use His great and majestic power in the way we would use power - to make things easy. He chose to save us in such a unique and difficult way that no other religious system will ever understand.

Just some thoughts. Check in tomorrow for my personal “New Years Resolution” lists! :) I hope you all enjoy your last hours of 2013! :)

Interview - Andrew Joyce

Today we have an interview with a very special guest!! I have known Andrew for quite a few years, and would love for all of you to get to know him and what he does. Andrew is a web designer/entrepreneur, a rebelutionary, and is the founder and administrator of Into the Book. Into the Book is Andrew's first and longest-running project, and has always been full of solid content. I would encourage you all to check out Into the Book and take advantage of its resources! I'll let Andrew explain what Into the Book is, and hopefully you'll also get to know Andrew and his heart through this interview! :) 

The Waiting Room

I was sitting in the waiting room of the orthodontist’s office after my appointment, now waiting for my mom’s appointment to finish.  I pulled out my smartphone to check my emails, facebook, pinterest, my calendar, text a few people.... and then start the whole process all over again.  There must be something new on facebook since the last time I checked it 10 minutes ago, right? ;)   As I’m doing all of this, a family walked in and sat in the same area as I did.  I noticed right away the unusual family structure - a punk-ish looking teenage boy, and what looked like to be his grandparents.  I don’t know their ethnicity, but my first thought was Jamaican, which could be totally wrong.   Anyway, as their grandson walked to check in and went to his appointment, the grandparents had a very interesting conversation.  At first they joked in a reminiscent way about their grandson being old enough to handle his own appointments. Then, as I was checking my social media sites,  I caught snippets of conversation about receiving custody, a girl who was apparently bipolar, and even not having control over what girl their grandson would end up with.  They talked in a kind of wistful way; they were joking about some things, but you could tell that this conversation was rooted in deep concern.   

Side note:  I have to tell you that they were the cutest older couple I think I’ve ever seen.  The man was wearing as suit, large glasses, and a fedora.  The woman was dressed in a similar old-fashioned classy style.  And they seemed super sweet.  I totally would have loved to have had them as my grandparents. :)  

Anyway. ;)  As I was eavesdropping on their conversation (unintentionally, of course. :P) a thought struck me.  They really didn’t have control over their grandson or their various predicaments.  Now, I of course don’t know whether they were Christians or not.  If I see them in heaven, I’ll definitely have to tell them this story. :)  But....I had the feeling that they needed someone to trust these situations to.  They needed Him to trust their situations to.  

And I wanted to tell them.  I wanted to tell them about the One I know who has sustained me through hard times and the One to whom I have been able to trust my loved ones to.   But I didn’t know where to start.  

My mom’s appointment took long enough.  Almost 45 minutes after mine ended, actually.   When the grandson returned, the man made a joke about “Now he needs me. Now that he needs to pay for the appointment.” and winked to his wife, who sat chuckling.  

I had time.  I had the desire.  

But I didn’t know where to start.

How many opportunities am I missing?  I have the desire. I even know what to say. But I don’t know where to start, or how to approach them.  And as I sat behind my smartphone screen, I felt appalled.  Yes, I’m introverted.  Yes, I was finding a way to use up my time.  But I was also wasting time.  Precious time.  Time that could eternally impact others.  Life isn’t a waiting room, for me to just use up time until the next exciting thing happens.  

I need to be equipped.  Conversation starters - yes, I need to look some of those up from the multiple books on evangelism that I know are out there.  And yes, I need to conquer my fear of walking up to a stranger, much less talking to one.  ;)  

But more than all of that - I need to stop wasting time. I need to stop treating life as a waiting room.

Steppin' Up in the World

Well, we as the muses have a pretty exciting announcement to make....

We have reached more than 1,000 pageviews!!! :D  *throws confetti* A huge thank you to our few but faithful followers, and also to the bloggers who have inspired us!  We’ll just try to forget about all of the random spam websites that we apparently get pageviews from. ;)  

I just wanted to pop in here to let you know that although we have kind of gone AWOL (well besides Erato, of course) we still have very good intentions to continue with this blog!  I have some different ideas spinning around, and we’re also hoping to do some posts about our activities as a group... So stay tuned! ;)  

So one quick prayer request?  Yes, I think that’s in order. :)   I’m planning on taking a College Composition CLEP test sometime this week, and I have been kind of consumed with it recently.  Actually, I’m mostly just worrying about it. :P  So yes, please pray for me!!  

I am also leaving in about 6 weeks to move almost 700 miles away, so preparing for that has been kind of scary.  BUT I will have so many amazing opportunities while I’m there, and I plan to come back home to visit my muses very often.  

So yes!  Quick update, prayer request, celebration of our pageviews... and I think that’s all I’ve got!  Happy Monday all!! :)

~Calliope

A to Z

Well, I’ve been quite busy lately... so I apologize for my absence!! Now that I have some free time, I should be posting more. :) However, the posts I’m working on at the moment will take a bit more work than simply sitting down to write. So until then, here’s a quick and easy A to Z survey, so you can all get to know me better! :) 

 Thanks to Kelli at She Learns as She Goes for this survey! Also thank you to Claudia over at Lashes and Beard, where Kelli originally got it. ;)

 A // Available or Married?
…. How about neither?? :) 

 B // Book? 
Wait... you mean I’m only supposed to choose one?? :P Well, at the moment I’m reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Super interesting so far! The other books I have out from the library are Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn and Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert. (These are two of my FAVORITE authors! Super excited to start reading these.) I may or may not have also downloaded 14 free kindle books today. Here’s a link to Bethany Publisher House’s specials. 

 C // Cake or pie? 
I’ll eat any dessert... But I have to go with cake for this one. But not the store-bought birthday cakes... more like the blueberry coffee cake, or my mom’s gluten free chocolate cake. :) 

Currently

Well, I decided to try one of these "Currently" posts!  I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear what you are "Currently" enjoying! :)  

OBSESSING

Iced Coffee!  Starbucks Frappucinos were originally what introduced me to the coffee-drinking world, but being dairy free has ruled those out.  *sadface*  However, we now have a Keurig in the house, so my coffee cravings have been satisfied, although I still have not managed to drink a black cup of coffee. ;)   Anyway, enough of my coffee history!!  A couple of weeks ago, on our way home from a road trip, we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and a rest stop.  After glancing wistfully at the milk-laden choices, I realized I could still have a plain iced coffee without dairy.  I was doubtful that it would actually taste good without the usual dairy goodness, even if I was adding coconut syrup (Coconut is another obsession of mine)... but it did!  I have not yet had a chance to patronize a local coffee shop for another iced coffee... But I don’t think I can go much longer without one! ;)

ADORING

Yep!  My family has a new member!  It’s been quite an interesting few weeks.   Our new puppy is an English Shepherd, and his name is Louie. :)  He’s really adorable, and everyone we see loves him.  I love him, too, but I appreciate his obedient moments more and more!   Here’s a picture, because a picture says all there is to say!  :)  

He's now almost 11 weeks.  He's getting so big! :) 

Holy Cowl!

I’ve always been a very limited knitter, only knitting what I am familiar with.  But this time, I am so glad that I decided to give a new pattern a shot!  I found this on Ravelry, and although I had to tweak the pattern slightly to get around using circular needles, it worked better than I had anticipated!!

The finished product! :) 

*Carried* the Net

Part 2 of Carrying the Net

Well, I did it.  I volunteered to carry the net.   Actually, I wore the net most of the time as a scarf.  ‘Twas much more convenient when working, and I didn’t lose it or leave it somewhere quite so often.  ;)  I apologize now for not taking a picture of myself wearing the net, as I had planned to do. Anyway, it was an interesting week!  What was most interesting was how quickly it passed.  I worked three days, went to a school musical and a school play,  went to music lessons, and of course went to church and youth group.   

Less than two hours after I had the net, and before I had decided to wear the net, I walked in to Subway with my fellow muse Thalia, and the lady at the counter immediately asked “So, did you win the game?!”  I gave her a blank stare until she motioned to my net, and proceeded to chuckle and explain to her my purpose for carrying the net.  Because I chose to wear the net the rest of the week rather than carry it around, I think I got more comments.  One person thought I was excited about March Madness, and another very basketball-coach-looking guy commented on the net, saying “That’s a net! Is that a net?!”  Ok, the basketball coach part is just a hunch. ;)  Another sweet lady with whom I am acquainted commented saying, “Oh, did you make that?  Those types of scarves are coming into style now!”  Another somewhat outspoken girl at my library asked bluntly, “[My name], why are you wearing netting as a scarf?”   The weird looks I got were a little more amusing at times.  And of course my immediate and church families commented on the net, though they already knew full well why I was wearing it.  

Carrying the Net

    Would I have carried the net? Would I be willing to risk the questions? How practical would it really be? I kept telling myself that there was no way I could pull that off. And the only people I would really see would be my family. Well, and my co-workers, but I couldn’t really carry it while I worked, could I? The orthodontist’s office, my martial arts class, and the four day road trip I am going to be taking; I suddenly realized how many people I would interact with this week. 

     Allow me to explain the situation to you all. Our Sunday School class is held in a section of the gymnasium right under the basketball net. At the beginning of class, our teacher/youth pastor asked a couple of our taller guys to stand on one of the tables to take the net off the basketball hoop. He was going to buy a new basketball net the next day, so this one was disposable. But rather than throwing it away, our youth pastor asked for volunteers. I personally thought He was going to use someone as a demonstration and tie them up with the net, or something else equally ridiculous. A few raised their hands immediately, but our youth pastor smiled, and reminded them not to volunteer for something they knew nothing about. He then proceeded to explain his purpose. This week one volunteer would carry the net at all times. If anyone asked him about the net, he would be reminded of Jesus commissioning His disciples to be fishers of men. (Basketball net, fishing net, apparently it's the same difference.) Then the person would explain this, and would also explain the gospel. Even if no one asked about the net, it would still remind him to be looking for opportunities. 

   

Meet Calliope

Welcome to our blog!

    My chosen muse is Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, also known as the muse of eloquence, whose name means “Beautiful Voice.”  She is the eldest and chief of the muses, and was also said to be the wisest.  I am not particularly eloquent, and I do not claim to have a beautiful voice or to be wiser than my friends, but I somehow seem to have more similarities with her than I do with the other muses.  She was said to have been the mother of several, some of whom changed the musical realm.  She was also thought to have inspired Homer to write his Illiad and The Odyssey. (You’re welcome for that!)