There's not much going on... 7:14 PM

There's not much going on, otherwise, I would have written something sooner.

I've recently started a new devotional book, which is actually the book that my roommate Megan got me for my birthday. It's Keep A Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot.

It actually goes with what Mark at the BCM talked about tonight, which is being still and quiet and trying to listen to God instead of telling Him stuff all the time. Real communication is both ways, so we have to listen sometimes too. Actually, we should listen a lot more than we talk, which would give us more wisdom. God is just waiting to give us wisdom to know what's right and wrong and what to do. But a lot of times, we just don't listen.

So, that's what I'm working on - keeping a quiet heart and listening to God.

It also relates to "The Sound" by Switchfoot. It's actually a new song by them, and it's awesome. Here are the lyrics...
The Sound by Switchfoot
The Static comes in slow
You can feel it grow
Our stream of conscience flows
Under the streets below

Ooooh

Ooooh

The rivers made of sound
Still running underground
Runs like a silent flood
We run as thick as blood

Ooooh

Ooooh

Can you hear it rise
Up from the ground
Can't drown it out
Can you hear it now

This is the sound of a heartbeat
This is the sound from the discontented mouths
Of a haunted nation
We are the voice of breaking down

Can you hear me?
This is the sound of the desperation bound
By our own collision
We are the voice of breaking down

The static comes alive
Beneath the broken skies
John Perkins said it right
Love is the final fight

Let it rise above
Rise above
There is no song
Louder than love

This is the sound of a heartbeat
this is the sound from the discontented mouths
of a haunted nation
we are the voice of breaking down

Can you hear me?
This is the sound of the desperation bound
by our own collision
we are the voice of breaking down

Down

Down

Down

Can you hear it rise
Up from the ground
Can't drown it out
Can you hear it now

This is the sound of a heartbeat
This is the sound of the discontented mouths
Of a haunted nation, we are the voice of breaking down

Can you hear me
This is the sound of the desperation bound
by our collision, we are the voice of breaking down

This is the sound
This is the sound

Hmm... other things that are going on. Next weekend is the Praxis exam for me. I'm taking both the English Content and English essays tests. I'm nervous because the Praxis is different than just the ACT or SAT. But I guess I'll do okay. I certainly hope so.

I'm officially in the Teacher Education program, which is great. But I'm still working on the next steps: Praxis, classes, etc. However, I know that God is with me through this whole journey, and He will lead me to where I need to be. He'll take care of it. I'm so glad that I have Him. I wouldn't know what to do or anything without Him.

Okay, night night. Be safe! Happy Birthday today to my cousin, Chad.

Beautiful Dreamer 10:05 AM

Oh my goodness, I am so proud of my poem. We started writing "Where I'm from" poems, and I wrote mine. And it's so cute. I love it!

Title: Beautiful Dreamer
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009
By: Sarah Deringer

I’m the little girl
With glasses and a book.
I can read all day
And not give a care.

I’m from the small town library
Where they’re still learning technology.
My home is in the country
Where I dream I’ll find
Narnia, Hogwarts, or the Secret Garden.

The town is Paoli,
Where you can march in the band,
Like my brothers,
Or write in the newspaper,
Like me.
Or you can sit on the square,
But watch out for creepy guys on the corner!

I’m from John and Cathy,
Big dreams and hard work.
I’m Jewla,
The pride of my grandmothers
And the stubbornness of them too.
My Nana sings me to sleep sometimes,
And I dream beautifully of
Mermaids and magic in the moonlight.
My Mammaw tells me of when
I was younger in
Hopes of keeping me little.

The schools were small,
Where you never get lost
In the shuffle of the busy day,
Writing like grown-ups,
Solving math problems,
Exploring the world,
Or waiting for lunch and recess!

I’m from slowing down
And smiling when you see people you know.
I’m a Deringer,
Where you work to get where you are
And stay there.
I follow Christ and rely on Him alone.
He makes my dreams come true
And helps me fall asleep at night.
I’m from God’s Kingdom,
Where angels dance and lions lay peacefully beside lambs.
I’m a little princess of the Great and Mighty King.




P.S. "Beautiful Dreamer" is a song that my Nana sang to me a couple times when I was younger, and it's by Stephen Foster. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautiful_Dreamer

Latest things on my mind/heart/ whatever... 1:09 PM

A few days ago, I realized something about the guys that I have had crushes on throughout the past. They're all leaders in certain ways (student leaders ... as in MY age... don't get that confused!) But they each have a certain level of maturity and a sense of direction in their lives, and they help lead others in the right direction as well. Therefore, I feel that it's safe to say that God is telling me that I am going to marry a leader one day. Now, I'm not saying that it's a preacher because it most likely is NOT. But we'll see on that. I don't know where God is leading me yet, but that's part of the fun (and the worry that you have to admit to). But overall, I see that one of the things that God is leading me towards is a leader. lol... leading me towards a leader. (Sorry, I make myself laugh once in awhile.)

Here's something that should/maybe/hopefully with make you laugh because it made me laugh. Happy Hawkoween! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apwVRvmiAMM

My Next Step 5:58 AM

Guess what? It's coming soon. The Praxis Test will be on November 14, 2009. I have two tests to take on that day. And I'm going to start studying this weekend for it.

http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=48c05ee3d74f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

Any tips to study for it?

-Sarah

Another Monday... NO! 5:28 AM

Fall break is over, and now, it's back to homework and classes and not enough time to just sit down and enjoy life.

Events this week (so far)...

Tuesday
NCTE meeting @ 5 pm
Study Break at the BCM @ 6pm

Wednesday
URSA meeting with Kelley Wezner @ 2:30 pm
Tie dye party at the BCM @ 7:30 pm

Thursday
Lifeteam at _______ @ 5:30 - 7 pm
7:07 at the BCM @ 7:07 pm
URSA meeting at Hart Coffeeshop @ 8:45 pm

Friday
Princess Movie Night in Springer lobby @ ____ pm

So there are a few times when I can enjoy my time, but for the most part, I've got lots to do in little time.

-Sarah

RE: Christians are dorks. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2009/09/629-raising-dorks.html 2:29 PM

Here is an interesting article that was posted through Twitter that I got ahold of. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2009/09/629-raising-dorks.html

It talks about raising your children to not necessarily be into everything cool. And that's okay. But when the kids at school start talking about something, I know from experience that the child will want to know what they're talking about.

For example, I always and still to this day wanted to know what kind of music everyone else at school was listening to. I listen to mostly Christian rock with some pop (usually related to Disney). And for the longest time, I've wondered what they considered cool. I mean, I know what was on KISS FM, but I didn't know exactly what some of the other kids listened to. (especially the girls)

Or take the example of Napoleon Dynamite. Sure I was already in high school, but the first thing I did was hear about it from my friends. They were quoting lines from the movie. What did I do next? I rented it. Then, I bought it. But I didn't know about it until my friends were talking about it. (My parents didn't care that I watched it because I am selective about what I watch and listen to anyway. I was the kid that came with the skills to know what to select for myself.)

Therefore, sometimes in trying to protect your children from what's "cool" doesn't work because they'll still hear about it from their friends and classmates at school. So, if there is something that you would like to have them hold off on listening to or watching, figure out what the specific movies or music or television shows are. Then, explain those to your children if they come home and start asking you about it. Plus, make sure your reason why is NOT "Because I told you so." That seriously gives you no credit as a parent. Please try and give them a solid answer. Is it because there are bad words? Bad situations? Just explain it to your children. They learn fast, so don't underestimate them. But also don't make them end up trying to hide the fact that they've been watching Hannah Montana (a specific example raised in the article) behind your back. As my mother says, Keep the lines of communication open.

So, what do you guys think about this article?

Two posts in one day?! No way! 2:11 PM

Hey guys! I just decided to tweak the layout and background and everything. Change is good every once in awhile, and it gives me a reason to ignore my homework for a few more minutes. But seriously, I do need to get back to my homework.

Here is a poll that I created through Bloggeries Free Blog Polls (http://www.bloggeries.com/blog-polls/build/). I just would like to know how you feel about the new layout! Thanks!

- Sarah

P.S. If you have any suggestions for me, please just comment. I'd love to know how to improve. Thanks again!