Hello Blogging World!

Wow! It has been way to long since I was typing in this little box.  I am still alive! In fact, my life is going great right now.  I am about to finish my first semester of college at John A. Logan, and I am really enjoying my classes.  Though I have come upon some difficulties, I know I am going in the right direction because I love the challenge.  I am really excited about where God is leading my life, and I pray that He will guide me every step of the journey.

Here are a few things I have been up to. (Besides all of my school endeavors)

I Hate Awkard and Embarassing Moments

The director of music at John A. Logan College was emailing me about a class schedule when he made the worst mistake possible. He mentioned that I was a scholarship recipient and raised my hopes to an immeasurable degree. I have been working very hard to receive any scholarship possible to pay my way through college.  I have spent hours of giving away my phone number only to be bombarded with sales calls.  To put it lightly, the director mistakenly sent that information to me instead of another student.  I am crushed, but even more so, I am embarassed.  The scholarship he was mentioning was decided by an audition where I performed horribly.  It rivaled with any other of my bad days. Every important teacher was at that audition, and for all but one of them, it was there first time to meet me. I so much wanted to make a good impression, but now I struggle with wanting to show my face there again.
Needless to say, I am trying to forget these trials and still be excited about my freshman year of college. 

Andy Griffith Tribute

This is a tribute to Andy Griffith who died this morning at age 86.  I cannot begin to express how much this fine man will be missed.

Off With The Old And On With The New

A season of my life has ended - high school.  I am sad that I won't be in that season ever again, but I am thrilled about the future.  However, I still am uncertain about my degree.  I wish I could come to a decision without second guessing myself.  I am debating between: an associates in Music Education, a double associates in Music education and Office Supervision and Management, and a bachelors in Music.  Oh well!  I know the decision will come soon enough.

I had a great time last Tuesday.  My family hosted a great graduation ceremony and reception for me at my church.  After the ceremony I felt like an official college student (even though I have been taking classes part time for two semesters).  I hope to post some pictures soon.

My Very Last Recital

Kind of a sad day for me. This was my last recital with my piano teacher, Donna Glaub. I am really going to miss her, and I won't know what to do with myself during my normal lesson time. However, this was a perfect song to end my career as her pupil. This seems to be a very moving song because I have never seen my teacher cry until my last lesson and after I played this song on Saturday. I know she is going to miss me, but this song added to everyones (including my) emotions.

Loves Enduring Promise

This is one of the best movies in the whole world.  It brings back very fond memories from years ago.  I will always remember the days I spent curled up on a couch, with two of my best friends in the world, watching this movie.

David After Dentist

Let Me Be A Vessel

This song has sparked another depth of meaning to me since Christmas. I feel the words in this song describe me just as they described Mary. No, I am not physically carrying Jesus, but I am Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally carrying Him. All I want to be is a vessel for Him to shine through. If that means I get trampled and He gets glorified, then I will be happy.

The Importance of Discipline

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:10-11

The most important thing to receive is discipline. Why? Because discipline builds character and shows what your heart is really made of. Though I hate the moment, the aftermath of discipline is sweet. I feel my spirit growing whenever I have had a good rebuking session. I feel like my life is open on a platter and it makes me feel stretched, yet in the right place.

It's a Boy!

At 3:36 am, on Wednesday morning, I become the proud aunt of another little boy. His name is Benjamin Judah Cherry. I have spent the whole night awaiting his arrival, and I am now going to bed. I can't wait to see him again tomorrow.

There will be pictures coming soon!

The End Of The Trail

For the first year I will be a registered voter, I am tempted to not even vote. Today, Rick Santorum suspended his presidential campaign. I understand his reasoning being that he needs to spend more time with his family, and I honor that he is not wasting time and money on a campaign that is out of his hands. However, I will truly miss him. I really, really hoped and prayed that he would win the presidential election. Just the same, I am very grateful he made it this far, and I am hopeful that he could run again in a future election. (I don't know if he is planning to or not) I have spent more time praying for this election than any other year, and I enjoyed the excitement of seeing Santorum cruise ahead of Mitt Romney for a couple of weeks. I pray that Rick and Karen Santorum will be blessed, and still make a great impact on our country in the future.

A Faithful Supporter,

Rebekah

A Tribute To My King

Without this day, where would I be?
The day that Jesus died for me
The day he was whipped and scorned
The day he was beaten and worn
What a horrendous, yet glorious day
A day of rejoicing and a day of despair
A day of deliverance and a day filled with care

How can I repay the one who hung there
Bleeding and bruised
With passion in His eyes
He gave up His life
He didn't look back, but answered the call
The call that was sent by the God of all.

There is nothing I can do
There is nothing that can be done
Other than giving up something
And that is, what I wanted to become
Before Jesus died on that cross filled with shame
Before He gave up His spirit and remembered my name

I don't know how clear this poem really is. But, it portrays what is in my heart; a desire to please and honor Jesus, The Christ.

If You Need To Laugh - Watch This

Several months ago I taped this video of myself playing Fur Elise. Let's just say, next time I will not be pointing the camera at my face. I have come to the realization that I am not very attractive while playing the piano. Also, there is a part when I turn the page and accidentally change keys. It only adds to the silliness of this video.

North and South - My New Favorite

This is my new favorite movie. I love it when I happen upon another romantic chick-flick. This video contains some of the amazing music and the last clip (my favorite part) of the movie, North and South.

I Have The Victory

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.     Isaiah 55:10-11

This scripture has brought me so much peace. I have a severe stronghold that tries to attach it's grip on me every day and this scripture has played a part in delivering me. The temptation that is always trying to fasten it's grip on me is fear. The dreaded four letter word has terrorized me for years. I have not gotten the victory to conquer it yet. However, I know I have been given the grace; therefore, all I have to do is take it. Today, I choose to take the gift of grace and walk by faith. I don't want to live in a bondage of fear any longer. Satan will not fasten his grip on me. Jesus has made me victorious!

He Is Faithful

I have never seen God's hand upon my life more than when I began classes at John A. Logan College. Every time I walk away from a quiz, test, or project I find myself praising God for helping me do so well. There have been tough times throughout the semester, but it always turns out incredibly. Today I did very well on a sight-singing test in Aural Skills. I was thrilled to have done so amazing. I know Jesus was right there, helping me all the way through the example. Yesterday I took a test in Anatomy and Physiology, and I don't know if it went well or not. However, even through this experience, I am at peace. I know everything will workout because I am in the covenant of Jesus Christ. I know His words are true, that He is my shield; He is my protector. I also feel that God is going to lead me through a time of great favor. I have already found amazing favor with my first music teacher, and I am not even in college yet. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me when I graduate.

My Response To The Topic Of Abortion

The following question was posted on a forum by a fellow student in my health class :

Abortion is constantly a subject for debate, due to the various opinions on this subject which vary from 'no abortions at all ever' to 'complete freedom of choice for a woman.' In your opinion, which methods of abortion are acceptable, if any? Explain your reasoning and support your claim.

I answered with the following:


I don't think any methods of abortion are acceptable. I believe that the moment sperm meets with the egg and implants in the woman's body that so called embryo or fetus, is a baby. No one believes killing a baby is okay.The reason I think the fetus is a baby is because there are really only four differences between a fetus and a newborn. The first difference is size. Do you think Michael Jordan is more of a person than a little baby. If you don't, then how is a newborn more of a person than a fetus because of it's size. The second difference between a fetus and a newborn is level of development. A four year old girl is not as developed as a fourteen year old girl. Does that make the fourteen year old more of a person than the four year old? In the same way, just because the fetus is not as developed as the newborn, that does not make the newborn more of a person. The third difference between a newborn and a fetus is environment. If you flew from Alaska to Hawaii do you change being yourself? No, of course not. Therefore, a fetus does not suddenly change from being itself by coming out of the womb. The fourth difference between a fetus and a newborn is Dependency. Just because the fetus is dependent upon it's mother doesn't mean it is less of a person than a newborn. Is someone who is living on kidney dialisis less off a person than someone who is not?

I found this technique through Summit Ministries: Understanding the times. It was very difficult to explain through writing. I do not know if my point came across well; however, I know this particular pro-life tactic is effective at least when talking to someone.

Why Anatomy And Physiology?

During my Junior year of high-school I tried my hand at Chemistry. Let's just say that it ended up being a survey course. I couldn't understand hardly anything. At that moment I knew I was not cut out for a Science major (not that I had been planning on it). I got through that experience with a few dictionary terms under my belt, but that was about it. When I was signing up for classes last semester at JALC, I came to the horrifying realization that I had to take a four hour lab science course. The course had to either be Chemistry or Physics. I was very fearful at this realization. However, I realized that Anatomy and Physiology would work for a four hour course as well. At that prospect, I was relieved. However, I still had fears. Now, three weeks into the course, I am trying to maintain hope. I ended up with a very interesting instructor who only gives grades from the tests. I am the kind of student that hates missing class, and I have found that attendance points benefit me well. So, when I found I would not receive any attendance points, I was quite upset. I am still hopeful, partly because I do not want to drop out, and partly because I have to pass this class. It is either A&P (anatomy and physiology) or Chemistry. I am choosing to have faith in God, and believe that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. After all, last semester I received all A's which was a complete shock and miracle.

Semester Number Two

So far my second semester at JALC is going pretty well. I am taking four classes totaling ten hours. Health, and keyboarding are online, while Aural skills II and Anatomy and Physiology are in the classroom. I am already enjoying my Anatomy and Physiology, but I don't know how much I am enjoying my instructor. Since he is a science teacher he lives in science land, and so when he explains things he forgets this class is for non-science majors.  I really hope he will become more understandable as time goes by. There are a couple things I am not looking forward to in this class. First, we have to dissect a cat, and second, we have to dissect a rat. Frankly, anytime I remotely think about this, I loose my appetite. I can handle dissecting a pig or a frog, but not a cat. I see cats all of the time and I don't care to see what is on the inside of them. My Health and keyboarding class are fairly simple right now. For this I am very grateful!

Michael W. Smith

This is a new album of all instrumental music. My favorite track is this one.

The Purpose Of Life

Was I called to accomplish something amazing, or be an average girl? I can't help but wonder what my future holds. I can't help but ask God, "Why was I born?" There has to be a purpose for my life. I know there is one, but sometimes I just can't see it. Sometimes it's because of fear, sometimes pride. And I am sure most of the time it is a mixture of both. I love the song Be Born In Me posted previously on my blog. The words continually play through my head. "I am not brave, I will never be. The only thing I have to offer is a vacancy". However, sometimes I even wonder if there is a vacancy in my heart for Him. I want there to be, but I feel something holding me back.

Jesus, would you break through the chains in my life. Make me a servant even when I don't feel like it. I want you to fill my life. Make your home in me.

You Are Amazing

Its was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert. It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name. Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Psalms 74:14-23

These verses speak for themselves. I opened my Bible and the words jumped off the pages at me. I love you, Jesus. Oh, how amazing you are. Don't forget your people! Keep me in you, forever, and ever!

Change Is Not Fun

I am not one to easily welcome change. In fact, I think I detest it. When my eldest brother got married, I went through a hard time getting adjusted to him leaving. Surprisingly, when my sister got married in 2010, I was very sad for one or two days, but then I was ok with it. I knew the time was right and my heart would heal. However, there are some things in life that take time to heal. They could be good things or they could be bad things. One of the most frustrating things about my life, is that I am reluctant when I hear of new plans, while others seem to grab life by the horns. I don't want my life to change to fast. I hate giving up things that bring me so much joy. Does anyone else feel the same way?