Beautiful Words #1

You might have noticed, but I don't blog as much as I usually do lately. I still check my Blogger Dashboard daily and have ideas, but.... School keeps killing me.

With that said, I have realized that I don't have time to blog as much as I would like. But one of reasons for that is because my posts are long.

Here's what I decided to do. Twice or more a week, if I don't have the time to write a normal post, I'll post a quote. If I think of something good, it can be from me but I'll try to focus on other beautiful words, like a Bible verse, lyric or quote from a favorite book. 

Maybe you can comment and tell me a good quote too, or what you think of it. 

By chance, I did to think of something good recently. I'm going to use it for a book in the future:)

"I have found that no matter what happens in our life, there is always something greater than us, greater than our whole world. And, like most things, we cannot truly know it until we open our minds to the possibility."

Hope you like it! Feel free to come and tell me if it's any good or not:)

Don't Give Up

Even when it hurts to keep going, sometimes it's the best option.

Or so I learned when went ice skating last weekend.

I'd only been skating once before, and honestly, I didn't like it too much. This time was a little better. I learned to enjoy it more. So, apparently, you have to tie the skates really tight, so tight that you can barely move your legs forward. While it kept me from falling, it wasn't the least bit compartable. And it hurt my feet. A lot.

I couldn't skate for long periods of time. In fact, I had to go take a two minute break every time I went twice around the huge skating rink. But every time when I got out again, I felt good. Minutes later, my feet would hurt again. To my dismay, I felt like I couldn't go on.

Isn't that just like life? Time after time, year after year, it's one cycle. We get hurt. We fail. We convince ourselves to get back again. Just when we've risen, when we think we can conquer the world, reality sets us again and pushes us down.

And then we hurt again.

But, through my ice skating experience, I learned that the best way to deal with the pain was to keep going. Keep kicking off on my foot. Keep moving forward. As cliché as that sounds, over the past few weeks, I've realized it's true.

Because what is the other option? Give up. Dwell in our sadness, even forget the light of life. That, in of it itself, does not any better. I think it will hurt worse if you give up. Because then, you will be forced to focus on your pain, the unfairness of life. That won't feel good either.

But there comes a time when we can't go on, one way or another. I know I've felt it. Then what do we do? If we trust in ourselves, we will only fail sooner or later. No one can endure forever. We fall and can't get up.

What do we do then?

We turn to the one who can pick us back up, the one who feels our pain, knows our sin, and loves us despite of it. Jesus. That week was tough for me. I felt like I couldn't deal with it anymore. But that's when I realized that I was never dealing with it. Jesus was keeping me breathing. Even in the depths of my sin, He still hears my prayer.

Please keep going.

"Come to me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

                                   



Worth the Pain

This year, I might have mentioned that I'm writing a fantasy series with one of my best friends. Well, unlike last year, I've practically obsessed with it now. But through writing it, and remembering some of my own recent experiences, I've come to realize something.

It is too often the ones that we love the most are the ones that will hurt us the most.

This is a sad thing to realize, even something to be afraid of. But too many times, I believe it is true. Because it is with the ones that we love that we open our hearts to them. We give them the key that can unlock our worst and best, our true feelings, our worst flaws, just as they do with us.

Even more than that, we put our trust in the ones that love us. We let ourselves become vulnerable in front of them.  Desperately, we desire them  to always be there, to do what it is best for us. Since no one is perfect, they leave us unsatisfied. Of course, we fail them as well. And the cycle continues as our relationship with them changes seasons.

Do you see what I mean? Maybe, if you think about it, you know what I'm talking about. For it is usually the people we trust that end up being the ones that cause us pain. It's not just them either---it's us too.

The question is: What do we do about it?

But another thing we forget to realize is that we can't control it. We can't force our loved ones to make the right choices, to not make mistakes, to spare us the pain. We really can't. It's a hard thing for us to see because we naturally don't like things we can't control.

Think about it more. Do you see what we can control?

While explaining the inspiration behind "Shake it Off", Taylor said, "I’ve learned a pretty tough lesson that people can say whatever they want about us at any time, and we cannot control that. The only thing we can control is our reaction to that." So what is our reaction? Do we harden our hearts and become unforgiving to the people who break? Do we shut the world out and make a decision not to become close to anyone to save ourselves the sorrow?

Or do we choose to forgive? Can we be brave enough to get over the pain? The more I live life, open my heart up and then get hurt needlessly, I see how much we need people. We need friends and family, even though we set ourselves up for heartbreak. It would be a terribly lonely life without them. In fact, it would almost not be worth it to live at all.

That's why we need to forgive. We need to accept that no one is perfect and we will endure a great deal of suffer--both physical and emotional--during our lives. But through it all, loving people  and receiving their love is worth that pain, despite the sacrifice, is worth that pain.

You might wonder what this has to do with a fantasy series that I'm writing with my friend. Well, a relationship in that story is a lot like the one I just described to you. Writing about it has really made me think about this.

So what do you say? Do you think that opening up your heart is worth the exposure?

Why?

No matter who you are, no matter what you believe, no matter what the circumstances are, there will always be sometime in your life when you're asking, Why?

You might not confess it aloud, just keep it inside. You might not even want to know the answer. In fact, sometimes we never find the answer. All I know is, that God knows everything. When I have no clue what's going on, He knows exactly where He's leading me. But lately, I've been struggling with letting him led.

And recently, the why questions have come in.

Why couldn't they have just made up? Why do we have to consider leaving? Why now?

These why questions have gotten in the way of my usual happiness. Which I hate. But I have to realize that no matter how hard I try, I will have bad days. Days when I don't want to be happy, days when I can't be happy.

And those are the days I forget to thank God for giving me words. Words that allow me to express myself, to create, to hear. Words that relate. Words that keep me going. Words that save me from depression.

So I will thank him right now. Thank you, Jesus, ever so much for words, their power, and their impact. Above all, thank you for giving me a love for them and for making the best words imaginable. Thank you for giving me them when I need them the most.

Thank you for reading.

Author Interview!: Aidyl Ewoh

Hello everyone! I am beyond excited to post my interview with Aidyl Ewoh, author of Action Kids Club. I am super overdue. I was so overjoyed when she emailed me back that I forgot why I interviewed in the first place! But now that I'm finally taking the time to do it, I hope you enjoy it. I know I did:)

About her: Lydia Howe (aka Aidyl Ewoh) is a twenty-something adventurous author who is partial to hiking in the mountains of Asia and South America, building life-size models of dinosaurs, taking a road trip across Europe, growing up in a barn and everything in-between. She was trained as a John Maxwell coach. Her passions include Christian apologetics and self-development. One of her life-long dreams was realized when her first book, “Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl”, was published by Answers in Genesis in 2013. Find her online at her Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Hi, Miss Howe! Thank you for being here again. Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your new book, Action Kids?

Hey Sarah, I would be delighted to! 

First off, about me: I’m a writing, traveling, goal-driven girl who’s passionate about life, words and God. I grew up in a barn, helped build a life-size model of a dinosaur for the Creation Museum and I’m currently getting ready to venture off to Africa for a few weeks. I blog over at Noveltea. 

Action Kids’ Club Back-cover Blurb: Twelve-year-old Olivia Hall’s dream of a friends' club ends when she finds out her family is moving. Her parents assure her it's a good thing, opening a new world of possibilities for the Halls. But going from ‘miss popular’ to ‘the new girl’ won’t be easy, and Olivia is not convinced.

Soon she begins to realize that although her life has suddenly changed, there's plenty of adventure to keep her on her toes. From making new friends at Forward Focus, to hanging out at the world-renowned Kids Zone, to meeting the curious head chef, she discovers that there's much more to life - and her new surroundings - than she ever imagined. How will she make the most of these new opportunities? Or will she let them slip away? 

Find out more at the Action Kids blog. 

Where did you get the idea for Action Kids?

I’ve wanted to write interesting books for kids that help teach them success principles ever since I went to a John Maxwell conference when I was 18. At night when I went up to my hotel room I’d type my ideas down. I’m not sure when the exact storyline came to me, though. 

Your book encourages  kids to work towards a higher goal in life. Why did you chose that as a theme? Why do you think that's an important message for children today?

That is a really great question, Sarah! In Luke 12:48 it tells us that to whom much has been given, much will be required. I think far too many kids today will never reach their full potential because they don’t have any clue what they’re capable of doing. Each one of us has a purpose and it’s really exciting to watch someone when they realize that they have meaning, that they can make a difference!

What are some of your inspirations for writing?

I basically always listen to music while writing and brainstorming. Music is very inspiring to me. I also enjoy going on walks, reading books and I work on viewing life in an unique way. There are basically stories everywhere I look. 

I understand you self published. Could you explain a little bit about the process? Why did you chose to self publish?

Yes, I did self-publish Action Kids’ Club, (I have another book, Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl that’s traditionally published, and another traditionally published book that’s being released in the spring of 2015). 

I decided to self-publish Action Kids’ Club because I’ve always wanted to try that route and see how it worked. My publisher doesn’t carry the genre that Action Kids’ Club is, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity. 

I wanted to make sure Action Kids’ Club was the best quality that it could be, so I worked with the same editor I had for my traditionally published books to get this book edited. I also did a lot of research to find a good illustrator (and, I must say, I’m extremely pleased with the results!), then my brother, who’s a graphic designer designed the cover and helped me get everything formatted correctly. It was a lot of work and very much of a learning curve!

I ordered the books from a website called Lulu.  

There are a few humorous traits about your characters in Action Kids (ex. Miss Aidyl having the pet skunk). Did you take those from personal experience? If not, what was your inspiration for these interesting ideas?

Well... I don’t have a skunk nor do I know anyone who has one, but I do have a dog, a cat, a bunny and a rat, and I’ve wanted a skunk for a long time now. Most of the quirks are things I would like to have, so I live virtually through my characters. 

How has Jesus impacted your writing?

I want to make sure everything I write brings Him glory. I sometimes imagine that He’s sitting next to me while I’m writing and I’ll think about it and make sure I’m not saying anything I’d be ashamed for Him to see. 

I believe that my writing, creativity and talent are all gifts from Jesus and I want to use them to the best of my ability to serve Him. 

What are a few tips you could give teen writers?

Write. You can call yourself a writer and you can learn about writing, but unless you actually write, than you’re not a writer. Makes sense, right? (This is my 838th day to write every single day on my story.) 

Enjoy the season you’re in. Before I was published I was so driven to get published that I didn’t enjoy the moments as much as I could have. Each season of writing brings unique feelings and I’m learning to relax a little bit and be happy where I am. 

Study the craft. Go Teen Writers is a great place to get encouragement, tips, and a lot of really good info. 

 

Thank you so much, Miss Howe, for interviewing me again! I was so happy to do it! Be sure to check out her blog and her most recent book, Action Kids Club, which is amazing:)

 

 

Live Forever in the Stars

Happy Monday! This is a poem I've been trying to post for a long time, but whenever I got around to it, I could never found the notebook I wrote it in. Finally, I found it though and decided to share it.

I got the title and main line of the poem from Rick Riodarian's The Titan's Curse, which is extraordinary. Over the past few years, the reality of the death's tragedy has come alive to me, epically through my grandpa dying two years ago.

But, I think, that a loved one is always alive in your mind, through the memories. I remember when I went to my deceased grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. My grandma still lives there. Even though he was gone, his memories seem to be everywhere, from the train tracks in furnace room to his old Lazy-Boy chair now in the basement. And one night, I just couldn't take it. Remembering him, I remembered all the people who had left purposely. I cried.

But then I remembered. I recalled all the memories I could think of at 11:00 at night of him. Some of them were good, some weren't so good. All of them, though, were relieving. They washed over me like water after the sun nearly burned me alive. It was sad, but it was a better kind of sad. Because even though he was gone, he was alive in my head. To this day, I am determine to keep him there.

I had written this poem long before that. God knew death would hurt us so he gave us our mind for us to remember. I thank him for the memories.

Our memories are like the sky. Sometimes you don't see them, sometimes it seems like they're gone, but they're always there. And they come back when you need them.

Live Forever in the Stars
I know you're gone, but you're still here.
Through all the pain, sadness, and tears.
You'll always be in my mind.
Like a promise, intertwined.
What you have made I will treasure.
Like antidote, an eternal pleasure
Though you aren't here to see me,
You live on in my memories.
They say, "Time will heal the scar."
I stay, "Live forever in the stars."

Hope you guys like it!

I'm Jamming To...

Once again, I am lacking inspiration, but there has been some amazing music that I loved so much. I decided to share it with you under my blogger's block stops. I should happen soon. I have a few posts up my shelve. I just need to take time and pull them out.

This song is by Jenny Simmons, former lead singer of Addison Road. They sang songs like, "What Do I Know of Holy" and "This Little Light of Mine." Mrs. Simmons has a great testimony and this song has amazing, inspiring lyrics. She's also a great writer.

all the things that you said about me
all the lies you made me believe
it's all over cause I'm finally free
it's not my name, not my name
all the fear I held before
all the pain that I couldn't ignore
i toss it out and I'm slamming the door
it's not my name, it's not my name

 

There's a new track on Carrie Underwood's greatest hits album that is a masterpiece. The meaning of this song is so true, heartbreaking and down to earth. Words really do hurt worse than physical pain does.

 

 

I wish words were like little toy guns
No sting, no hurt no one, Just a bang bang rollin' off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
No smoke, no bullets, no kick from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Just a bang bang rollin' off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)

 

The last one is a song that I have been obsessed with for quite some time now. I heard on the radio a few times and it really inspired me. It's the perfect song for a survivor and for the new year just beginning.

 

 Hope that you fall in love
And it hurts so bad
The only way you can know
You gave it all you had
And I hope that you don't suffer
But take the pain
Hope when the moment comes,
You'll say

I, I, I
I did it all
 I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
Yeah with every broken bone
I swear I lived

How was your first week of school? What's your favorite song? I finally watched Maleficent last night and it was awesome.
In Christ,
Sarah








Hello, 2015 Goals!

Hello everyone! This is the first week of school for this semester, so I apologize for the absence. Actually, the school part of the week is going pretty well. Only, I'm a little sick and the reality of some sad things have come upon me over the past few days. How is everyone's first week of school going?

Like what others have said, I think I would rather make goals for this year, rather than resolutions. One of my favorite authors, Stephanie Morrill, wrote an amazing post about writing goals earlier this week. It really inspired me. In favor of that, I thought I would get up and write a post about my goals this year.

This year I plan to.....

• Get a "Superior" rating at the annual piano festival we do.
• Pass Algebra 1 without completely frying my brain.
• Keep working and improving on both the piano and violin!
• Go see Jamie Grace in concert!!!:) She's coming somewhere super close to us. All the girls in my family are fans.
• Learn to play the acoustic guitar.
• Hopefully, see Taylor Swift or Francesca Battistelli in concert. (Fingers crossed:)
• Get my driver's permit.
• Start exercising on a regular basics.
• Spend a weekend at my best friend's house, who lives a few hours away from me.

And most importantly, grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ, and make him more of the focus in my music, writing, and reading.

I plan to read....

• Every part of the Bible I have not read yet. I'm so God has given me a desire to read His word. I do not possess that desire without Him
•  The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (reread)
• The Blood of Olympus, final book in The Heroes of Olympus Series. (Actually doing that right now. My mind is wired with excitement!)
• All of Jane Austen's books. (most all rereads, expect Emma)
• The Chronicles of Narnia (reread)
• Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink by Gail Carson Levine. (Gail's book, Writing Magic, was the first writing advice I ever came upon. Her book, Ella Enchanted, got me into writing)
• Some Shakespeare plays.
• All Fall Down by Ally Carter (I adore this author, can't read for the release!)
• THE HEIR (Super excited for this book!)
• Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer (Can't wait for this!)

Just to let you know, that is just a taste. I have so many things I want to read, it's kind of insane.

I plan to write.... (and other writing-related goals)

• The final draft of my NaNoWriMo novel, Sworn to Hate. I usually don't rewrite drafts completely, but over the past years, my writing has taken some unexpected turns.
• Complete edits for Sworn to Hate, and hopefully query someone about it.
• Start and finish a fantasy series I have plotted out pretty well in my head, but haven't put it on paper. Has that happened to you? Right I'm calling it, Rise.
• Finish a science fiction trilogy that, once again, I have in my head, but can't put it exactly the way I want it on paper.
• Finish an amazing fantasy trilogy I started with one of my best friends, Mila. The reason I call it amazing is because Mila has wrote the amazing parts. It's called The Secret of Winteress.
• Go to a writing conference.

What are some of your goals for the year? I've read some of your goal blog post and it sounds awesome! I hoped you've enjoyed reading my goals. How's your week been going?

Also, could you guys give me some advice? I'm contemplating changing my blog header. I ADORE this one with all my heart, but it might be nice for a change. What do you think?

Lyric Medley Tag

Hey, guys! This is my official first post of 2015! I was unsure of what to do for the first post and I found this tag and just had to do it. It's such a great idea:) It's the Lyric Medley Tag,

I was not specifically tagged for this, but Nicole Rose over at Self Known said anyone could do it. The original tag was created by O Williams at Life As a Young Lady.

The Rules:

Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.

Make a collage that represents your taste in music (or, if you don't feel like it, you can use mine) to along with your tag post

List 10 song lyrics (along with song titles and artists) and their genres to go with an emotion/scenario (you can come up with your own or use the ones that the person who tagged you used).

Tag at least 5 bloggers

1. Song that makes me want to cry: All of the Stars (Ed Sheeran)

Open your eyes and see/the way our horizons meet/And all of the lights will lead/Into the night with me/I know these scars will bleed/but both of our hearts will believe/that all of the stars will guide us come... I can see the stars from America/I wonder do you see them too?"

 

2. Song that makes me smile. Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran (Singer/Songwriter)
We are surrounded by all of these people who are talking way too much/But you got this look in your eyes like no one knows anything but us/And should this be the last thing I see/I want you to know it's enough for me/'Cuz you that you are is all I'll ever need/So in love.

3. Song that makes me want to live in the future: Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift (Pop)

Like any great love/It keeps you guessing/Like any real love/It's ever-changing/Like any true love/It drives you crazy/But you know you wouldn't change anything/Welcome to New York/It's been waiting for you... It's a new soundtrack/I could dance to this beat forevermore/The lights are so bright but they never blind me.

4. Song that makes you feel rebellious: Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel Broadway)
I'm through with accepting limits/'Cuz someone says they're so/Some things I'll never change/But till I try I'll never know/Too long I've been afraid of/Losing love I guess I've lost/Well, if that's love/It comes at much too high a cost

5. Songs that me feel like I'm in Cali: Style by Taylor Swift (Pop)
I said I heard/That you've been out and about/With some other girl/He said what you heard is true but I/Can't stop thinking about you and I/I said I've been there to a few times... When we go crashing down/We come back every time/'Cuz We never go out of style.

6. Song that Makes Me Feel "Fly":  Never Been Hurt by Demi Lovato (Pop)
You set fire to ashes/You came into the darkness and brought me back to life... I will love you like I've never been hurt/Run through fire for you/Like I've never been burned/I'm gonna risk it all like I've never lost.

7.  Songs that Make Me Feel Like I'm Traveling: A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton

Making my way down town/Walking fast/Faces past and I'm home bound/There are times like these when I think of you and I wonder if you ever think of me/You know I'll go a thousand miles/If I can just see you/Tonight

8. Song that Makes Me Wanna Dance:  Gold by Britt Nicole
Don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved/And don't let you anyone tell you that enough/Some days we feel like we're messed up/But the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough... You glow the moon/You shine like the stars/This is for you/Wherever you are."

9. Song that Makes Me Feel Sad: Dear John by Taylor Swift (Country)
And I look back and regret/How I ignored when they said/Run as fast as you can... You are an expert at sorry/And keeping lines blurry/Never impressed by me acing your tests... I took your matches/before fire could catch me/So don't look now/I'm shining like fireworks/Over your sad empty town.

10. Song that reminds me of summer: Classic by MKTO You're over my head/I'm out of my mind/Thinking I was born/In the wrong time/You're one of a kind/Living in a world gone plastic/You're out of league/Old school's sheek/Like a movie star from the silver screen/Baby, you're so classic.

I tag: Lauren

Maddie Jay

Jessica

M

Guinea Pig Lover