Ardis

After having a long day yesterday, the last thing I wanted to do today was leave my house to go anywhere... I was tired, and I had stuff to do. But because I had won an award after entering a contest offered by the VFW, my mom was requiring me to go to a VFW post and give a speech that I had written about America for some veterans and some other teachers.... so I somewhat grudgingly went. I got there, gave my little speech thing (as did some other students), then my mom and I sat down at a table for lunch. A teacher walked over and asked if she could sit with us. We said "sure, of course". 

And that is how my mom and I met Ardis. I don't know her last name, but I do know that Ardis is her first name. She was probably in her mid-50's, had shoulder-length blonde hair, and was one of the sweetest people to talk to. We talked to her, and she gradually started to tell us about herself. Her husband died last year, she currently has two sons... and, oh, her dad was a WWII veteran. My mom asked, "Wow, that's interesting... where was he stationed?" Ardis replied, "Well, he was in Germany... he was actually one of the people who first went to start releasing people from concentration camps. He wouldn't talk about it until years later." <-- so that was cool/interesting.

Anyways, she kept telling us about her life and what she does, and she told us that she's a very dedicated Christian, and she teaches 3rd graders in a public school. She said, "I'm not really supposed to do this, but I try to include the Bible whenever I can in my class. I paraphrase the verses from Proverbs and call them 'thoughts for the day', and make the kids learn them. I encourage the kids to bring their Bibles for 'free-reading' time. And they do! Some of the teachers who know what I do joke about how I'll probably end up fired because I just CANNOT keep my mouth shut about Jesus!"

And then she wanted to know about me, and my plans, and where I wanted to go to college. I told her I was interested in a conservative college up in Michigan, because I wanted to study politics... either that or I would go to UNL. She said to me, "Oh, I LOVE conservative colleges. They give great opportunities at colleges like that. But you know what? I think you would do really well at UNL too. UNL has its flaws... but I think that YOU would shine there. I think you would change people... I think that you could show them Jesus. Just something to think about."

^^And that, right there, ladies and gentlemen... is why my heart is no longer completely set on Hillsdale.

I've been thinking all afternoon about what Ardis said. She was just a normal person who sat down with my mom and me. And yet... I learned so much from her, even in the short time we had with her. She was extraordinary, in her own way. And even though I originally didn't want to go to that event this afternoon... I am SO glad I did. Ardis made it worth it. I can honestly say that I was blessed by her today. :)

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We have to face our demons before we can conquer them.

December 1st

This morning in church, we sang Christmas songs with our pipe organ. So heart-warming. :)

This afternoon, we decorated our house with Christmas things....

.... and sang along to some Bing Crosby. (the holiday season isn't complete without Bing Crosby).

Christmas is approaching quickly, and I'm loving every moment. This is the most wonderful time of the year!

A short summary of my thoughts - November edition

I've decided that November is a good month for thinking. Well, every month is good for thinking, but this November has been especially good.

I've been thinking about a lot, but here's a short clip of what my main thoughts have been this month:

I don't like it when people say that they are a disaster. God doesn't make disasters. Yeah, okay, sometimes our lives are pretty messed up. We are BROKEN people, living in a BROKEN world, with our BROKEN lives. Our lives are a  complete mess, everything is in pieces. BUT-- if we let Him, God takes those pieces and He puts them together and forms something even more beautiful. And it's not a disaster, it's a masterpiece.

a thought from a wednesday afternoon

I was cleaning up some stuff in my room today, and I came across old notes and stories written with my friends from last year.

I stopped what I was doing and read through all of them. 

Ahhh, the feels. 

Stories written with John, Josh, Nate, and Natalie during Chemistry class. 

Notes with Natalie and Ellen. 

Quotes from debate tournaments. 

Little memories.

It's the little things, the little memories, the little words and actions that people say or do that make my life so memorable. There are big events that are certainly important, but it's the little events... like laughing so hard that I can't breathe... talking until really late with friends just 'cause we can... debate tournaments... that make this a good life.

Veterans' Day

I would like to give a big THANK YOU to all the veterans who have served the United States. Over the years, I have grown to appreciate more and more everything that they have done for this country. They have fought and defended this country, our Constitution, and our rights – and for that I will be eternally grateful. Because of what they have done, I am able to live here in America, a country where we can be free. Veterans have inspired me to stand up for my beliefs and to defend the rights that I have, because if we do not defend our Constitution and our rights, then the sacrifices that they all made will be for nothing.

I would like to give special thanks to my dad, who served as a navigator in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. My dad has been such a role model to me and hearing about his time in the navy has been inspiring and has made me more thankful for veterans. I’m proud to call him my hero.

(One of my favorite pictures of my dad... while on his ship in the Navy) 

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” —Elmer Davis

*SCREAMS*

Dear Huskers,

THANK YOU.

Four seconds left in the game, and the Huskers throw a Hail Mary and it's caught, and we win.

I am so proud to be a Husker fan right now, I think I might die.

GO BIG RED.