Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for..

.. my friends.

.. family.

.. birthdays.

.. trees.

.. Harry Potter.

.. Books.

.. music.

.. dance.

.. work.

.. the picture of trees in my room.

.. good grades in school.

.. grace.

.. Abigail.

.. Nutcracker.

.. my red fuzzy blanket.

.. Arlo.

.. candles.

.. internet.

.. the Bible.

.. and the list is never-ending. Isn't it amazing how many things there are to be thankful for?

This week was truly wonderful. The first few days were spent going to see Harry Potter.. twice, hanging out with friends, and reading books, but it all climaxed in the best Thanksgiving I've had for years! On Thursday morning Abigail and I woke up to mom asking us to help her cook. With fear and trepidation I began to cook bacon successfully for the first time in my seventeen years! In three hours we made rolls, green bean casserole, (Not the canned mushroom soup and frozen vegetables green bean casserole, but yummy homemade stuff), sweet potato casserole, pecan tassies, and apple crisp. Around 1 we were joined by Scott and Derek who were soon followed by the Babcocks who completed our group. With all ten of us squeezed around one table, we enjoyed the meal thoroughly, eating copious amounts of delectable food -- much more than our stomachs could comfortably handle.

We completed the day with much pleasure.. watching The Italian Job, singing songs with the piano, and whatever leisure activities that our overfed, lazy selves took pleasure in.

I love Thanksgiving because it reminds us to count our blessings. (Of course the excuse to eat tons of food and the time off of school are welcomed gladly.) There are so many things.. hot water, air conditioning, internet, electricity, etc. that we constantly take for granted, forgetting that they aren't just ordinary items that are automatically ours. The Lord gives us these things, knowing how unnecessary they are, because He delights in us and loves to bless us. I'm blessed.

A Reminder

 I've spoken a bit about life's monotony, how I tend to become discontent. What can keep me motivated?

I constantly have to remember that however futile studying for a math test may feel right now, if I study, I get a better grade, if I get a better grade, I get into a better college --  I get a better education, I get a better job..  this is just a small example. My decisions and actions now will effect my life forever even if it is hard to see right now.

Though school and work seem boring, I remind myself that I'm in the Lord's will and that this is where he wants me to be. I know the Lord can see the whole picture, he knows what is best -- thus, this is the best place for me to be. The Lord doesn't waste time. In reality, by having a bad attitude or procrastinating I'm just wasting His time.

These are the things I think about daily, among others of course.

It is so important to believe that God has your best interest at heart, and He knows what it best for you. 
Remember, He doesn't make mistakes.

Update!

I'm going to give you a bit of an update on my life! There are very many random things happening but I'll just pick a few to write about.. 

I’m content right now.  I had a fire this morning, daddy made it for me. I rolled out of bed at 7:45 with less than the usual lethargy,!... Much to my father's astonishment. After seeing the fire and becoming very happy I made pancakes for Abigail and I. Most of the morning, I was found by the fire reading my book. I’ve now finished a homework assignment and feel very accomplished. I now have the rest of the day to spend in leisure. 

I’ve been listening to the song Conversations, by Sarah Groves. 

I don't know how to say this,

I don't know where to stand,

I don't know where to put my feet,

Or where to put my hands.

I've got them in my pockets,

My fingers are freezing cold,

They're wrapped around a ticket stub

That's four weeks old,

And I don't know how to say this.

I think we've figured out 

This world is bigger than you and I.

We've exhausted our wealth of knowledge 

And have no more answers for mankind.

We've had every conversation in the world 

About what is right and what has all gone bad, 

But have I mentioned to you that this is all I am, 

This is all that I have.

I'm not trying to judge you. 

No that's not my job. 

I am just a seeker too, 

In search of God.

Somewhere somehow this subject became taboo. 

I have no other way to communicate to you. 

This is all that I am. 

This is all that I have.

And we've had every conversation in the world 

About what is right and what has all gone bad, 

But have I mentioned to you that this is all I am, 

This is all that I have.

I would like to share with you 

What makes me complete. 

I don't claim to have found the Truth, 

But I know it has found me.

The only thing that isn't meaningless to me 

Is Jesus Christ and the way he set me free. 

This is all that I have. This is all that I am. 

It’s all that I have, and it’s all 

The only thing that isn’t meaningless to me 

Is Jesus Christ and the way he set me free. 

And this is all that I have. This is all that I am 

It’s all that I have, and it’s all that I am 

It’s all that I have, and it’s all 

I don’t know how to say this 

I don’t know where to start 

Just know that I care for you 

And I’m speaking from my heart

Love it. 

==================================================================

A few weeks ago I finished The Count of Monte Cristo! It is most definitely the largest book I've ever read, being nearly 1500 pages long,  and also possibly the best I've ever read! I started it back in May when we were on vacation at the ocean, figuring that if there was anytime to start a book of such a magnitude it would be while on vacation with no other obligations. I read a good chunk of it, at least three hundred pages,  but had to return it to the library. fail. After a time of searching I found it at Barnes and Noble and started it up again! I read the remaining 1100 pages in three weeks. I’ve never been so satisfied by a book.

Most of you probably know that last month, in response to ankle pain, I went to a sports doctor where I found I have tendonitis. Though manageable, tendonitis doesn’t go away. The pain isn’t horrible, but it is enough to keep from dancing, like today and yesterday. It is also enough to take the joy away from dance, which makes my life somewhat miserable since I spend the majority of my time dancing. Immediately after going to the doctor I took a few days off, hoping the inflammation would go down so that dancing wouldn’t be painful.. I think it did get better for awhile, but now after having been dancing intensely everyday, it has kicked in again. With two Nutcracker performances coming up next month I’m not at a place where I can stop dance, class and rehearsal are both necessary.. but three weeks off of it is probably the only thing that could help it.  This morning it was throbbing. Before, it only hurt during and after dance, but the pain is here constantly now. It is discouraging. It is hard to know when to rest and when to push through. The doctor said that if I don't rest it enough I'll end up having to rest it, but she also said that the tendon won't snap if I continue to dance. So, that’s one prominent thing going on in my life.. I’ve had dreams of being a professional dancer for years, but now I have the question of it even being possible! I know it would be hard and that I’m not near good enough in my dancing yet, even without the tendonitis and this injury could be more evidence that I'm not meant to be a professional dancer.. but I'm trying to take life a day at a time and not worry. I can't deal with the future until it comes, so I'll deal with today instead!

Last Saturday I drove to Carthage all by myself! Haha, I feel so grown up going on a trip on my own, but my excitement probably shows just how young I am. I know it isn’t that great of an accomplishment. There were some stressful moments, such as the moment I realized that I'd left my phone at home, or when I took a wrong turning, but overall it was a wonderful trip! I listened to the audiobook of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix and it was very enjoyable. The purpose of that trip was to get to a dance rehearsal! I went to Rowe Performing Arts and Gym for a Nutcracker rehearsal. I've been hired to be the Sugar Plum Fairy! It was a good rehearsal. It is so odd to see the roles switched; I’m the guest artist now, and have kids asking me if I’m married! I'm so grateful for this opportunity and all the others that have come my way lately.. 

Overall, life is going well! I'm learning to be content.. school and work are very good at being tedious.. ;)

-Mal

Halloween

Let me describe my Halloween for you.

5:37 in the afternoon, seventy-nine degrees outside. Candles are burning in the kitchen, the TV is on in the den. I'm sitting on the couch in sweat pants and a U.S. Marines t-shirt that I got from who knows where. Arlo are Dapper are near, enjoying the quiet sound of typing and Emiliana Torrini singing from the computer speakers. 

Kathrine was over for a short three hours. We made milkshakes and cookies and talked about how healthy we are. We put on our dress up dresses, reminiscing about previous days.

I have approximately twenty pages left in the book A Wrinkle in Time which I intend to finish tonight. I'm hoping the weather will drop thirty degrees to justify a fire, though I'm planning on having one regardless. Chai tea, a good book, and a fire will perfect my enjoyable day. 

I suppose the simplicity of this holiday would be boring for most people, but I'm content and happy. :) 

I don't even remember what year this was!

 Halloween 2008

Halloween 2010

Doing Hard Things.

When first looking at this book by Alex and Brett Harris, the title Do Hard Things is confusing and maybe a bit intimidating. After opening the cover and digging into the first few chapters I realized what they're talking about.. Alex and Brett aren't telling you and me to do pointlessly hard things, but meaningful and good things that are sometimes difficult.

The kind of hard things they're talking about are things like doing what is right even when people aren't watching, things that are beyond what is expected of the average teenager, things that might not be comfortable or fun...  things that matter.

As Alex and Brett say, "If we launch into these opportunities now, we'll see powerful results - now and in our future." That is why I want to "do hard things." I want to be used by God to make an impact on the lives of others. I want to live my teen years to their fullest potential and fulfill God's plan for this time in my life. I do not want my time in high school years to pass me by, my greatest accomplishments having been making my bed almost everyday and flossing my teeth consistently.

The book talks about the words "teenager" and "adolescence." These words didn't even exist until the 1900s! Around that time there was a shift in how people my age were treated. We went from being adults to "teenagers".. this awkward state between child and adulthood. I feel like the invention of "adolescence" only hinders us young people from reaching our fullest potential. A few hundred years ago people were picked for jobs according to skill, competence, dependability, etc. rather than age. Nowadays, however, someone younger than twenty-five is looked at as too young.. sixteen year-olds not even being considered. We're rejected because of our age, not our lack of ability. 

In today's society it is easy to forget that we really are capable of doing great things. The effects of people's low expectations of teenagers keep us, (teenagers), from accomplishing things that have value and worth.  Being constantly told we aren't able to do hard things, we embrace our years of "adolescence" as a time to complain about school and watch TV.

If not a time to run around and waste, what is this period of life for? It is a time to do good things! To go beyond people's expectations in ways big and small. I believe that if we adjust our mindset and take the opportunities for hard things that come our way it will spur us on to lives of worth, as teenagers and as adults. 

   

 I just finished watching BBC’s Pride and Prejudice. Abigail and I started it last night, forty-five minutes from the beginning, knowing how long the TV miniseries is. We continued watching it tonight, but by the end Abby had left and Daddy had joined me. When Elizabeth declared that her feelings towards Mr. Darcy “were in fact, quite the opposite” of what they had been been, daddy and I were holding hands, both swelling with satisfaction in the climax of the fictional story. I love that I have a father who appreciates how wonderful Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, and Louisa May Alcott are. It is amazing to be able to share my enjoyment of such beloved stories with my father and I'm so grateful.

I'm now halfway through my second week of school! Yay!

Last week was especially long...

My four college classes swiftly became two. Mom and I realized that with multiple dance performances, one of which being an hour and half away, and four finals, the first few weeks of December would not be very fun for me. We decided that two would more than suffice and withdrew me from government and english. Even with the absence of those classes I'm still at TJC much more than I prefer to be. On Mondays I get there around 11:45 and don't leave until 6:15! Though I know it is a lot less time then some people have to spend there, it is is unpleasant for me-- being such an intense homebody. :)

The first day of school was so sad. After having the campus almost completely to myself all of July I'd forgotten what it was like mid-semester. It is crowded! I had only laughed at people's comments about spending half an hour to find a parking spot so I had a nice surprise when I showed up to TJC monday morning. 

Recent Readings: 

"It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God!" 

- Philippians 1:9-11

"Conduct yourselves wisely to outsiders making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

- Colossians 4:5-6

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

- Romans 15:5-7

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."  - Colossians 2:6

Alright.. dad is sending me to bed. Goodnight, friends!

- Mal

...and so the busyness begins.

Hello, friends of mine! 

I'm doing well, nearly in the beginning of the conclusion of my high school days. Haha! I'm looking forward to that part of it, but everything else regarding school sounds extremely unappealing to me at the moment! Longing thoughts of summer days at Rockin' C easily manage to taint my excitement for the weeks to come. I find myself wanting to go back in time instead of forward, but I know this year has great things ready to happen! Though unappealing, school doesn’t sound miserable. College Algebra should strike a chord of fear in me, but I actually feel somewhat excited! After trudging through geometry last year, algebra seems - for lack of a better word - fun! I must be crazy.

Nutcracker auditions happen in three weeks and my excitement about it has expanded overnight! I'm so ready for wintertime and the Nutcracker brings back wonderful memories from last year’s holiday season. Having snow on our opening night, riding with Sarah Nicholas and Hannah Lockard, spending an afternoon soaking our feet in painfully hot and then ice cold water at Julia’s house.. I'm looking forward to another year of crazy dancers, long rehearsals, extensive costume fittings, and hysterical memories. 

I can’t wait to have overcast days, with the more than occasional rain. The leaves, rather than being on the trees, will be flying around the sky and in piles on the ground that I will take great pleasure in jumping in. Yes, I know it is only August, which should be way too early for me to be looking forward to reading in front of a fire, but I’m excited all the same. I've discovered that many times it is the anticipation of an event rather than the actual happening of it that is best.. so I no longer attempt to stop my happy expectancy of things to come.

This year I'm a baby senior having skipped a grade.. benefits of being home-schooled. I'm also a freshman in college! Hopefully with two year's of dual-credit classes I will have at least completed my freshman year. My schedule at the junior college is pretty chill I guess, but with four dance classes to teach and many to take in addition to various other things I'll be very busy.

Thinking of the craziness to come sometimes overwhelms me, but verses from the Bible such as "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and knowing God wouldn't give me more than I can handle restores my confidence. I know that I am competent in most things, and where I am not, He is.

Now, as it is precisely 1:38 A.M. in the morning, I must stop writing. I've been sleepy for hours and yet here is where I've been the whole time; in the living room, sitting on the couch, with my head in a towel, my jammies on, and a Macbook in front of me. My bedtime has come and been gone for a long while now and I do believe it is time to get some rest before church in a few hours.

Goodnight!

- Malorie Grace

Busyness nearing.

Here I am, once again.. with the intention of writing, but of what? I'm not sure yet. We'll see!

It is so odd because though I want to say how crazy my life has been lately, it hasn't really! I've had an excessive amount of free time. I dread becoming busy but get tired of having nothing to do.

This will all change soon. The week of August 9th, my life will become crazy. 

That week Academy classes at TJC are starting, which means I will teach my first dance classes. I'm very excited to have this opportunity, once that I've been praying for and desiring for years. I'm nervous, excited, happy, and so many other things!

The Ballet Tyler summer intensive is all happening that week, which means that I will have dance class from 9:30 to 3:30 everyday. After ending those classes I will quickly run over to TJC to begin teaching at 4. 

It is unfortunate that they have to happen the same week.. I know I will want to spend all day preparing for new job, but instead I'll be exhausting myself in my own ballet classes! I'm depending on the Lord to guide in the the best of my time and give me strength to persevere through so much craziness!

Last Friday, after spending hours of Thursday deciding which classes to take, my mom and I went to the dual-credit office at TJC and registered for college classes! This semester I will be taking ballet, government, college algebra, and english 2. I have mixed feelings.. one minute excited, the other upset, and always nervous! Being a home-schooled sixteen year-old taking this many college classes on a non-christian campus is sort of intimidating! That is only one side of it of course.. I've been dancing at TJC for years so I'm comfortable on the campus and I took college classes at Teen Mania last year, so this isn't completely new for me. I have to continue to remind myself of that fact! :)

*I know I'm very delayed in posting this, but it was pretty much a completed note that had yet to be posted and I hate letting six paragraphs of writing go unreadable. :D

"a quick succession of busy-nothings"

I recently watched the movie Julie and Julia, which is what inspired me to resume blogging. Though I don't intend to become famous by cooking my way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking (I am NOT a cook.. I desperately need to work on my culinary skills) and I don't delude myself into believing many people are reading this, it is inspiring all the same.

"You are the butter to my bread, you are the breath to my life."

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in·ter·est·ing (-iŋ)

adjective

exciting curiosity or attention; of interest

This summer is interesting, (to say the least) as every season past has been.
I have come to expect all of my experiences to be interesting.

Yes, sometimes it is refreshing and relaxing to have a mundane, ordinary event, but generally I prefer spending my time doing things that cause me to learn something and be challenged to some extent.

Rockin' C, for example, was definitely not mundane OR ordinary!

As usual, I didn't seem to value it as much until it was finished. Now I think longingly of being back at the ranch. During my first week at home I was nowhere near content simply sitting at home, but unfortunately that was all there was for me. Now I've developed a taste for my home-life again.

Today, for instance, my day consisted of a "quick succession of busy-nothings."

I woke up to my father inviting me to an 11:30 lunch with himself and Abigail. I accepted and got up immediately.

After that delightful outing I read Mansfield Park for awhile. (Thanks to that book for the above quote)

Piano playing. Facebook-ing. Bible reading. Journal writing. Blogging.

That's it! Pretty nice, really.

What has happened since I last wrote here?

Eclipse with Kathrine. :)
A visit from Hannah and Darrell.
Dance class with Thereza, where I almost DIED. It was RIDICULOUS.
I've read:
Anne's House of Dreams
The Two Towers

Last Sunday I went back to Rockin' C for the first time in two weeks! Upon arriving I discovered that the gate was locked and there was no way for me to get in! Oh dear! I called and texted Jason, texted Richard, and texted Robert. After sitting there for fifteen to twenty minutes while trying desperately to get ahold of someone (and having terrible cell phone reception) Robert came to the rescue! Yay! I finally go through the gate and it was so good to be back! Brent greeted me by running out of the Lodge (slow motion) while singing Chariots of Fire. :) Haha, I participated in the normal sunday routine of pulling luggage and having a cookout on the hill.  It was a very fun time.

So that's about it for the evening! Just a small update on my life and the little rambles I like to make occasionally. I'm getting sleepy now..

Goodnight, friends!

"Rockin' C is the place to be!"

I just finished a five-week job at Rockin’ C Ranch! I was a counselor in training there, working with kids between 5 and 11 years old! It was an amazing experience, I learned and grew a great deal! It was a very stretching experience, seeing as just waking up at 6:15 every morning was difficult, not to mention having between five and twelve children constantly surrounding me. I survived however, more than that, I enjoyed it! I hope I was a blessing, I strived to act as Jesus did, as a servant.

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

These verses and many others challenged me while at Rockin' C and at home to deny my self and my own interests, as Jesus did, putting others first.

My Campers

A wonderfully spent summer, I'd say. :)

Living, loving, and learning.

I just got back from Rockin’ C. Leaving was a very bittersweet experience. I now have many good friends there and it was such a wonderful time! The memories made there will forever be cherished. It was hard to leave knowing that if I stayed the friendships would continue to grown and more memories would be made. At the same time, my family is so dear to me, and seeing them only once a week wasn’t my favorite thing. I missed playing the piano, drinking cappuccino, and being able to watch So You Think Can Dance or read The Green Mile whenever I pleased.

I’m so glad, however, that I was able to be there! I value everything, my time especially, so much more than I did before. It is such a blessing to be able to sit here, listen to music, and write.. what a luxury and joy this is after working nearly 24/7 for five weeks!

I do intend to do something with my summer. Even if it is just getting up at seven every morning, going to dance class, and spending time in the word, that will not be a waste of my time! I could read a lot of books, perfect a piece on the piano, or earn money by babysitting. Whatever it is, I will not let this summer leave without me having accomplished something!

Lately I’ve begun to enjoy the Bible immensely. I’m reading for pleasure, not out of obligation, which makes me so happy! The word’s of the apostle Paul continually bless and challenge me.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Colossians 1: 9-14

His words are beautiful and so full of wisdom and encouragement! The Father has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints of light so I may dwell eternally in the kingdom of Jesus rather than the domain of darkness! Phenomenal.

Alright, this is the end now. :)

Quotations..

Just a few quotes I enjoy. I hope you enjoy them too!

Some people, were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people, dance. - Benjamin Button

Stories don't always end where their authors intended. But there is joy in following them, wherever they take us. - Renee Zellweger/Beatrix Potter

There is some kind of bigger thing that we can all appreciate and it sounds to me you don't mind calling it God. But when you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines through you. - Into the Wild

"Good friends are always together in spirit" - Anne of Green Gables

"Have you any unfulfilled dreams, Anne?" asked Gilbert.

"Of course. Everybody has. It wouldn't do for us to have all our dreams fulfilled. We would be as good as dead if we had nothing left to dream about." - Anne Of The Island

She forgot lovelorn youths, and the cayenne speeches of malicious neighbors, and all the problems of her girlish existence. In imagination she sailed over storied seas that wash the distant shining shores of “faery lands forlorn,”… she was richer in those dreams than in realities; for things seen pass away, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows;

here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud,
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide;
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart:

I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.

-E. E. Cumming

It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.

Albus Dumbledore/J.K. Rowling

“The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and must therefore be treated with great caution.” - Albus Dumbledore

"Oh He answers, He doesn't always speak. What He does is His answer." - Abigail Forney

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" - Anne Shirley

Youth America Grand Prix

I keep trying to write something, and then giving up. Let us pray that I succeed in writing something semi-interesting and longer than just these two sentences.

With competition coming up in two weeks, my life is exceedingly busy.

Yesterday I had ballet class, variation class, jazz class/Lion King auditions, then rehearsal. All of that added up to more than four hours. Today’s five hours included, YAGP, Princess and The Pea, and Cats rehearsal.

While mom and dad were gone, my days were just as busy with dance, but on top of that, I had horses and dogs to feed. My life was ridiculously crazy. Ms. Shurrell was worried because she thought I should be getting more rehearsal time in, but it was utterly impossible. My day consisted of: horses, history, math, horses, dance, horses, worship practice, prayer meeting, sleep. There was barely enough time in the day to all of that, so adding more would not have worked.

In all of this, I’ve begun to lose the joy of dancing again. Anxious thoughts that my solos aren’t ready for competition yet and that my costume won’t get finished in time have been overriding positive emotions.

Today, though, was better. As I danced, I remembered that every costume that is made or dance that is choreographed is for me. If I didn’t want to do this, no one would be putting so much effort into working it out. Because this whole situation is hard, stressful, and tiring, its important for me to continue to remember and be thankful for such an awesome opportunity.

My goal for this competition is to be a light. Even if my technique isn’t always correct, I want the judges to be captivated by the dancing and story behind it.. to let God capture the audience through me.

Please be praying for me! I want to be anxiety and stress free so that I am open to whatever it is that God has prepared for me over the next, crazy two weeks.