It's My Birthday!

This week Daniel turned 13.

Happy birthday Daniel! 

Just when I thought it wasn't possible, I like you more and more every year.

Are you scratching your head, wondering more about my transition from a sought-after corporate business analyst and project manager to a full-time stay-at-home mom?  Well more on that later...

GWL Waterpark! The Wave Pool!

Daniel riding the wave pool!

Daniel at GWL

Boys and the Beach

Local Missions

Today, we went to Open Door Ministries, which is a homeless shelter, and served food and cleaned up. I was the "dish man"! It was busy and it was good to serve others.

On Thursday, I went with my church to a nursing home. We ministered to seniors and gave them salvation bracelets with colored beads on them that represent different things.

I hope you enjoy these pictures.

Wednesday, we visited a battered women's home and helped with lawn work.

Challenge B Orientation

This week is my orientation for Challenge B with the noblest of tutors, Ms. Bailey!

This year I will be studying literature, writing comparative essays, examining current events, experiencing Mock Trial, learning formal logic, tackling Algebra 1, researching key historical scientists, recognizing current fallacies in the study of origins, and of course continuing my Latin studies.

Making Music...

I really like playing the guitar and hearing the sounds that different chords, notes, rhythms, etc... make when put together. In this video, you hear two songs that I have heard and I liked the sound, and have sought to learn to replicate their sound and the skills to play the song. In another portion of this video, you'll hear a couple of my own creations or compositions that I have synthesized...

My parents, like with so many life lessons (that's what they call them!), are always dialogue'ing with me about music and learning discernment. I enjoy the guitar and good music, and recognize there are ways to use music to uplift a person and honor the Lord, and there are also ways music can be used to destroy and tear down.

While I may not understand all the concerns my parents have, they have done pretty well by me for the last twelve years... So I listen and ask questions, and even respectfully challenge a few of their ideas when I feel that I have good point to make...

Our dialogue and discussions are always honoring and quite educational for everyone involved :)...

how do you like the cool video effects?:)

This is my guitar...

This is my guitar.

Her name is Sally.

Hey! I'm Daniel...

Sup people how are you doing. I have a test for you, can you spot the o

000000000000000000
000000000000000000
0000000000000o0000
000000000000000000
000000000000000000

Now how 'bout the l

11111111111111111111
11111111111111111111
11111l11111111111111
11111111111111111111

Responsibilities of Being a Christian

Being a Christian is not what many people think it is. Most of the world thinks that becoming a Christian is saying a prayer or just going to church. Many also think that after becoming a Christian nothing bad will ever happen to them. They think that they won’t have to endure anything; they won’t have to use discernment because they will be able to rely on their own limited understanding. This thinking is short-sighted. Being a Christian in many ways is actually a harder path to take. There are many responsibilities, and subsequent blessings, for Christians to consider. Jesus set the example. Sacrifice, submission to authority, and serving these are only a few responsibilities of being a Christian.
One of the many responsibilities of being a Christian is sacrifice. In the Bible God states, “Greater love hath no man that he should lay down his life for his friend.”1 This responsibility is extremely significant because Jesus sacrificed himself for us. Sacrifice is one of the many difficult, but powerful life-changing responsibilities of being a Christian.
Another very important responsibility is discernment. Many Christians today are in much need of discernment, because they are having a difficult time in distinguishing right from wrong and their long term consequences. Although discernment is difficult, it is a necessity for a healthy Christian life. If we learn and exercise discernment, we will walk a more responsible and victorious Christian life.
Probably the hardest responsibility is submission to authorities. God says that we are to obey those in authority over us, no matter what they do (unless it goes against His law). We still must listen even if we don’t actually care what the authority is saying. Submission is one of the most difficult responsibilities because it is hard to listen to anyone. Although submission is challenging it is a great achievement and allows us to gain favor in God’s eyes. This responsibility also prepares us well for the positions of authority the Lord may have us in one day.
One more responsibility is serving. One of the many ways to serve is to listen and do. Another way to serve is to serve without complaining. Still the greater way to serve is to look and see what needs to be done and do it. Serving is very significant because that is what Jesus did when He was on earth.
Still another responsibility that is most difficult, but most fruitful, is the responsibility of endurance. The reason endurance is so hard is because we choose to trust God even when difficult, or even dire, circumstances befall us. Even though you’re a Christian, difficult circumstances and people are part of this life. This is one thing many Christians often don’t realize. But one thing we do know is that if we endure, God meets us with grace when we need it most, and through endurance our personal strength and faith matures.
Sacrifice, discernment, serving, submission, and endurance are all necessities in a healthy Christian life. Sacrifice is when you go out of your way to help someone that also involves a personal loss. Discernment is when you can distinguish right from wrong. Serving enables us to think of others. Submission allows us to respect our authorities and endurance grants us the ability to hold on. These are only few of the responsibilities of a powerful and effective Christian life.

~ Challenge A Writing Assignment

2007/2008