Just A Normal Post..... or is it?

This will just be a normal post... or will it? I really don't know what's a normal post exactly. Uhm... so what can I present to my viewers that will be of interest? Please bear with me if this post is a bit random and crazy in it's manner! I know I haven't posted anything lately, and p.l.e.a.s.e. don't expect regular posts either as I am trying to juggle a million activities in 24 hours... hahah.... (that's a bit of an exaggeration). Today is the last day of the holidays for Gracie and me, so I will be even busier later on. I'm not sure whether I'm glad or sad that the holidays are over. I really enjoyed the time off school as I got to actually start this blog and do a few other odd activities. I enjoy school though. So, I am going to look at this new term with renewed zeal and work-mindedness, hoping and determining to finish as much as I possibly can and NOT WASTE TIME!!!!!!!!! I'm going to remember a verse from Scripture: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13, when Math is screaming into my face again and feels beyond my reach, and when an enticing, unopened book beckons me to desert my PACE's in order 'to enjoy it's passing pleasure'! My duty in life at this time is to study and do my duty at home and learn, and that's what is pleasing to the Lord!

During these holidays, I didn't write as much as I wished.... yes, every day I edited a word or so, added a syllable in the sea of words on my novel.... but the blog has taken lots of my time I'm afraid. So, considering my disgusting procrastination, I shall be trying to devote as much free time as possible to my writing period, almost every evening!!!!! Hmmm.... a few random thoughts about writing, and writing a novel in particular.... One thing I can say about it is that it is dreadfully, awfully fun (makes sense, eh?... Not really, but...) You see those "Blank Page Syndromes" are just dreadful! But getting a sudden "Inspiration" is... is... is... FANTABULOUS (never heard that word? I got it from a friend who coined the word)! Writing... at least with me... is like riding on a roller-coaster! One moment I think I've got the stuff of a real writer... I think, "Mmmm, that sounds original and real... my huge fan of readers will fall in love with this!', (very puffed up and prideful I know...) the next moment I go, "Ugh! Disgusting!!!!!!!!! I'm simply not cut out to be a writer... who will care about this rubbish? Don't even start thinking of publishing... you'd get nothing but rejections all the way!!! Anyway, how will you find an agent interested even in the title? Stop dreaming away!" The fact is, I'm learning that I need to commit all this to the Lord. My duty is to do my best and WRITE. If the Lord wants my story to be published, He will open the way. If not, He'll close it. God has a plan, a wonderful plan, even if it isn't necessarily what I want or think is His will. I'm realizing that anything outside of His will, is dreadful misery, publishing or no. The Lord Jesus said, "Without Me you can do nothing"... how true that is! We can't do anything of worth without Him, everything is dross and worthless. Remember the quote by C.T. Studd? "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last!". Abiding in Christ--the vine--is the key. "Oh Lord, teach me to abide in You! Help me to cling to You, and You alone. Not to earthly ambitions and dreams, but to the eternal. I am Yours, save me!"

Jonathan Edwards once said, "The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music." Music is certainly a wonderful gift from God to humanity... imagine what the world would be like without music? I'm so glad that we can praise God with music, and worship Him with the song! Beautiful music, music that is God-glorifying always inspires me to worship!

When I was 11, I got a violin for my birthday. It was an exciting day... I had formally played piano... (I might tell my experiences of that another time, maybe) but the day I got that violin, it started me on a wonderful journey of violin learning, one that I have essentially enjoyed and thanked God for, and learnt a lot by, both musically and in my own walk with God (just take an exam and it makes you realize how much you need the Lord)!

My manual of study at the moment goes like this... around 8 different scales (in around 5 different variations... legato, spiccato, detache, and two types of hooked-bow)... around 7 arpeggios (in 3 different variations legato, detache and marcato)... three chromatic scales.... now let us see.... another two pages filled with weird technical exercises that include 'octaves, sixths and thirds'! All that is VITAL to becoming a virtuoso violinist one day and I believe it even if I don't like the idea. Of course I then have my 5 list pieces of music...the "Study", "Allegretto Moderato", "Humerisque" "Minuet and Trio" and "Greensleeves variation". They are all great fun, as well as challenging! I wasn't able to practice them all today. I just worked on the technical exercises/scales and on one of my 5 pieces for 45 minutes. I didn't get mad at my hooked-bows and spiccato... a rare event!

So! What else is there to talk about on this post? Oh yes, here are a two pictures I did from the 'Paint' on the P.C. which I'm putting up.... they are rather irregular and interesting; I did them while listening with my sisters to the Knights of Arrethtrae audio... a fun and enjoyable time!

Hope you enjoy...

Mountain Country...

(That's Nevalda Pool... a made up name)

Country Cottage

(That's Lady Felicity's home... a made up character)

Well, I really need to go now. Got heaps of stuff to do before the day is over. But I leave you with this verse.... "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Love in Him

-Joy.