it's coming... or maybe it's already here.

I finished my American Lit book today! It's now forward on to British. I wish I could think of some quote about marching on, Britain, troops...

I threw a baseball a few minutes ago. The boys are playing outside. 

Walking out to get the mail as become a habit; it's origin points straight to waiting for college acceptance letters. But even before that, at the old house, it was great fun to stand right inside the door, lean out and lift the lid to the metal mailbox. It was a familiar sound, a comfortable normal detail of life. Since we've moved, walking down the driveway to get the mail has served as five minutes to inhale, to step away for perspective and generally say hello to the neighboring houses and outside world. 

Today, I donned my blue Adidas sandals and worn grey sweatshirt for the venture. Old clothes are good friends. I grabbed a letter from one of the two universities I applied and am accepted. It's probably just another student-to-student letter. I laughed when I opened it standing in the kitchen; it was another acceptance letter. I laughed. It was the third or fourth acceptance letter they've sent me. I get it--you like me, I'm in, yes we can, okeydokey. 

A new hair cut has added interest to my day. I probably won't be wearing my hair in a bun so frequently. I woke up, let my hair down, and it was all over the place. Six inches disappeared with the stroke of Mom's comb and scissors. 

Have you smelled spring yet? The great February thaw occurred this week. I'm not sure that it's really all that "great," but it sounded official and annual. The sky is bright. The grass is muddy beyond muddy. I stuffed my scarf in my backpack this afternoon because I didn't need it; it was warm. A breeze races through your hair when you go out. Spring is riding on that breeze; it's coming. The lightness of nature is making me attitude light too or at least lighter.

I've gotten an atrociously small amount of schoolwork done today. As much as I see responsibilities calling in my thoughts for attention, I'm not wrapped up in the work. It is possible to enjoy something you are not consumed with. At least I would say and keeping hoping so from where I currently sit. My schoolwork is not overpowering, and I am still fighting to enjoy it. But today, there's a settled feeling that's right alongside of it all. Is this peace?

Chinese Rice. The Kennedys & One Precious 'I love You'

I had a slight skip in my walk and I was humming around the kitchen from the refrigerator to counter to the other counter space. Rice left over from chinese takeout two night ago went right into the microwave, set for 1 minute. Thoughts during the above procession included calculating how much of my first draft I had left to type out, how many hours it would take me, whether I might be able to go to softball practice and oh, ya, how am I going to fit in the math test I have to take? Amazing how rapidly the brain travels from one thing to the next. I peered around the cabinets and through the window of the kitchen and back room- hey it's spring out there! I could see that irresistable sunshine that I knew I had to resist. Soon enough... summer.

I remembered a friend recently remembering how in elementary school she would be finished with schoolwork at 11am and go "trampling" and exploring outside all day. "It was like two and a half years of vacation." Hmm. Ya, those years were great for me too- all the field trips, we went everywhere. All the art projects- art was transcendent throughout every other subject. Oh those projects where we painted to classical music... The littlest came out of the bedroom and with that same skip in his step I had moments before, came into the kitchen. "Hey, did you guys buy that outfit (new swimming trunks and a surf shirt) yesterday?" I got a huge hug and heard, "I love you. I love you so much." 

The moment passed. The microwave had gone off in the midst of it and so I got out my rice and headed back to my laptop and paper on the Kennedy family. 

Homeschooling's my thing. And all the why in the world is in this story.

Delay no Longer

Every blossoming flower warns you that it is time to seek the Lord; be not out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires. Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? I entreat you, give your vigour to the Lord. It was my unspeakable happiness to be called in early youth, and I could fain praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless... but oh! an early salvation has a double value in it. Young men and maidens, since you may perish ere you reach your prime, "It is time to seek the Lord." ...Let me entreat and implore you to delay no longer. "It is time to seek the Lord." ...Slight not that work, it may be your last call from destruction, the final syllable from your lips.

- Charles Spurgeon 

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness upon you. 

-Hosea 10:12

This Post Should Have a Picture In it But Doesnt

I missed an amazing, and I mean amazing sunset a few nights ago. Didn't see a hint of it. And our yard has such a perfect view too. Thinking about it now sorta made me sad... Am I missing other things? Maybe I'm just seeing different events with a different perspective and not actually missing out.

Spring came so fast. I was completely unprepared for Easter. I heard that it came "as early as possible" this year though and that was a comfort- there was actually science behind my feeling behind.

I'm mentally gearing up for this week and seriously need to stop talking about it and just do what I need to do. I've gotten myself in a schoolwork hole (more like canyon but looking on the bright side never hurt anyone) and it's either climb out or, well, climb out. The consequences seem too big, mean and bad right now to spend any more than 10 seconds thinking about them. Inconceivable. 

AHHHHHH!

This too shall pass. This week will soon be over. 

May 9th will soon be history. hah. bad pun, not on purpose. May 9th is the APUSH exam day.

 It's getting there that's gonna be interesting. I know it'll all be over before I know it, but how is getting there gonna look? What is life if its not interesting though?

But I am so frequently looking towards the end of an assignment, the end of school, the end of this so that can start. And I dislike so much what that does to all the process, the middle, the good stuff. 

Expression of Experiencing Spring

I stepped outside the front door for the first time today just a few minutes ago.
I felt this rush of warmth. It was the same sensation of having a snowflake or the outdoor atmosphere temperature at below freezing first touch your skin.
I felt uplifted.
The sun has been down for awhile now.
I heard inaudible voices of little kids. dogs barking. birds chirping in a mysterious, unrepeatable, distinctly harmonious conversation.
I saw several fresh green growing plants. Perenials. They show the sovereignty and omnipotence of their Creator simply by blooming. They do what they were made to do--give glory to Him.
Boldly stood there one daffodil.
I saw our Chinese Maple tree, completely bare of the red leaves of summer days. It seemed to be a skeleton. I couldnt see them from where I stood, but I know there are buds on its branches.
The wind brushed over and through my hair. In all directions, but ever so softly. My skirt danced slightly.
I drank in the fresh air with several deep breathes.
All I did was step into the world on the other side of the door. I stood on our front porch and my soul soared with the birds into the scene of spring. I stood there. Still, quiet, and became a part of God's creation. I just let it absorb me. For a few moments, the beauty of spring was all there was.
I didnt try to preserve it by taking a picture or making a video. I just enjoyed the moment. I lived in the moment.

...and then went inside to live it up by contining research for my creation science paper!