Different from Our Expectations

At the regional speech and debate tournament in May the tournament director read a letter from a person who had judged at the tournament. In the letter the judge had written (among other things) that he had come to the tournament expecting a bunch of unruly teenagers, and been surprised by the professionalism and maturity that the competitors had.

Sometimes in life we expect one thing, wish for one thing or want one thing and God gives us something completely different. At the beginning of this year I wasn't expecting to go to nationals, and if I went to nationals I figured would probably go in debate because I hadn't a chance in speech. Well, whadya know, I made it to nationals. Three guesses what I qualified in. Yup, speech and my dramatic interp at that. Me, the girl who was not meant to do well in all types of speech, especially the interps. God sure has a sense of humor, and He is also very good.

But apart from just debate, there have been other areas in my life where I have expected or wanted a particular thing and God has surprised me with something else. Something that I have realized is better. One area of this is my college. This year I applied for two colleges, Hillsdale and the UNO. I really really wanted to go to Hillsdale. It was a good college, I knew I would be challenged there, I could get a good scholarship and I already knew a bunch of people going there. I didn't get in, I got into UNO instead. A college I only applied to after I found out I wasn't going to Hillsdale so that I wouldn't be stuck taking classes at a community college.

But looking at things now, I am very glad I'm not going to Hillsdale this year. Yes the school is good, but the classes are hard, and I don't know if I would have been ready for them. Yes there was a good scholarship, but I'm able to go to UNO pretty much for free and I won't have to take out any loans. Yes I have friends going there, but I now get to stay home with my family and friends here. I can still work with the debate club, judge tournaments and get used to taking college classes without having to go so far from home. I still want to try and transfer to Hillsdale after I finish this year at UNO and I really hope I get in. But I know if I don't, it will be for the best.

So yes, sometimes in life we get what we don't expect and because God is in control it is often better. The judge who wrote the letter had gone to the tournament expecting normal teenagers, and he was surprised for the better. He also wrote that he had gone simply expecting to judge a couple of rounds, but he came away with a conviction to go back to church and re-explore the Christianity he had abandoned. Sometimes what is better, is different from our expectations.

-Nat

Scientist Discover the “Narnia Effect”

By Natalie Schneider

May 6, 2011

Have you ever sat in class and felt like it lasted longer than the specified hour? Do you remember how when you go shopping time always seems to move faster outside of than inside? Well, according to a recent discovery made by scientist you might not be so off on how different the time seems to be.

Scientist discovered what they are dubbing as the “Narnia effect.” It appears that in certain areas, time is actually warped and activities that take place in that area actually move slower or faster than activities that take place outside of it. “It is actually quite spectacular,” Dr. Braden Harm, one of the scientists who discovered this, stated. “For some reason certain events and locations will attract this phenomenon, and time will actually become distorted.” The areas that attract this singularity that have been identified so far are shopping centers, class rooms and debate tournaments. This discovery is being touted by some as one of the greatest discoveries of all time. Dr. Steven Evens, another scientist working on the project, stated. “If we can harness this we can use it to put terminal patients in stasis until a cure can be discovered. Or even travel through time.”

Some people still remain skeptical concerning the validity of these findings. Dr. Jeckle Hyde Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland is a vocal critic of these findings, “The idea that time could be warped like that is just plain ridiculous. We all know that it is just our imagination,” Hyde stated. “We already know that time is relative,” Dr. Harm responded. “So this theory is not that big of a leap from that. Besides, all of our experiments support our findings.”

Regardless of the accuracy of these findings, this revelation has caused quite a stir around the world. Some people have become strongly critical of the project, claiming that it is dangerous if the wrong people acquired it. The Lead Center for Time Travel Discovery (LCTTD), the organization that discovered the phenomenon, has come under heavy fire from activist groups. Mary Little, leader of People Against Time Travel (PATT), organized a protest outside of LCTTD headquarters stating, “These actions are foolish and wrong, we should not be allowing them to try and gain power of time. This will lead to the destruction of our world as we know it.” They have also received criticism from the Vulcan Science Directorate who has already “determined that time travel is impossible.”

The controversy that has surrounding LCTTD has led to some private donors removing their support from the organization. But despite all of the trouble Frank Furrter, spokesman for LCTTD stated that they will, “stand firm behind their discovery” and not “simply push it aside because there is some opposition. All of the great scientific discoveries met with opposition  and if those people gave up too, we would still think the earth rested on the back of a turtle.” 

Easter

Last night I was reading through the story of Jesus' death and resurrection in the gospel of Matthew, and for some reason the story really hit me hard. Maybe it was because I was tired and especially emotional. Or maybe because I have been trying to imagine what it would actually have been like to be the people in the Bible as a read it. But whatever the reason was, I was crying my eyes out as a read the story of Jesus' death, and as I read it, something struck me. Jesus did all this stuff for us. He came down from paradise, suffered so much pain and felt God turn His back on Him, for us. He did all this even then we are no where close to deserving it. Yet, my life, I am not willing to do the simplest things for Him.

I hardly spend any time reading my Bible because I am too busy doing other stuff. I don't want to speak out for Jesus because  I am afraid of being ridiculed. I don't want to witness to people because it is uncomfortable for me. I don't put others over myself, like He asks me, because then  I don't get to do what I want. He went through all that pain to save me, and I am not willing to give up a little of my comfort for Him. He loved me so much, and I chose to ignore Him because I am too busy watching Youtube videos.

So, on this Easter, God has really convicted me. I need to strive to do more for Him. Not to pay Him back, not to try and get even. But because He loves me and  I love Him back.

-Nat

Updates on Tournaments and Such

I haven't posted in awhile, obviously. So I figured it would be a good idea to let you all know that I am, in fact, still alive and that I have not been abducted by aliens or been subject other such occurrence that would prevent me from posting. Nope. Hey, have you ever noticed that half of the time when you read blogs the post contain long apologies about why they haven't posted in awhile because they've been busy? Well, I suppose traditions are supposed be followed so...I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I've been super busy.

So here is an update on what is happening with pretty much the most important thing in my life right now, debate:

At the qualifying tournament in Lincoln got 11th in debate, 1st in dramatic, 7th in impromptu and semifinalist in apologetics. I also received an honorable mention for the spirit award. I'll take a moment here to explain what the spirit award is to those who don't know. The spirit award is an given to one male and one female competitor who exhibit the fruit of the spirit, the person gets nominated for this award and then the leadership decide based off of those nominations who should get the award.

Although I credit God with all of the awards I have won, this one more than all the others is because of God's amazing grace. You see, even if it were possible for a person to achieve anything without God, I would not have gotten this award. This is because I am not not bent toward the actions that got me nominated. The nominations talked about how I was talking to and encourage others, how I would go up to people in the halls and ask how they are doing, and how I had a positive attitude even if things didn't go my way. But that is not me, at least not without God. Naturally I am a very selfish person, I don't like to think of others first, I am also rather reserved and don't like putting my self out there with people, and I hate not succeeding.

But getting this award made me realize the amazing changes God has made in me. Although I am still very selfish, I can see myself putting others first. Because of God I am growing in this area. Even though I still am kind of shy, God has helped me gain a great deal of confidence in myself through acceptance of the completely weird person I am and trusting in Him instead of worry what others think of me. Finally, God has helped to be able to let go of success. I no longer look to that as a goal, or feel like a failure when I don't achieve it. Because of God's working in me instead of success I focus on having fun, learning a lot, growing as a person and bringing glory to Him. God is so completely amazing and I look forward to seeing the other changes He has in store for me.

Moving on now to the qualifying tournament in Minnesota. There I got semifinalist in impromptu, 4th in dramatic, 3rd in Team Policy (TP), 2nd TP speaker and 1st in persuasive. I love sequential awards. ^_^

 And even here I can see God working in me. This speaker award was the first speaker award  I have gotten all year, and because I hadn't been doing as well in speaker points I decided to really work hard at improving my speaking, and it payed off. Also, it was so amazing to get first in persuasive that I had written a couple of weeks before the tournament, memorized the week before, and not expected to break in.

Also, debate people are just the most awesome people on the planet, so I have been having so much fun at these tournaments! I will be so sad to not see them all next year.

So yeah, debate has been pretty awesome and God has been even more awesome. Now I should probably go do something like prepare for the regional debate tournament.

-Nat

P.S. I said I would post more pictures from our MI trip, so here they are:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1northstars/sets/72157626562239286/show/

Also, I am doing this thing where I take a picture every day. So here is a link to what  I have done so far:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1northstars/sets/72157626563037446/show/

Iran Claims Bazookas Would Only Be Used For Peaceful Purposes

March 10, 2011

By Natalie Schneider

Wikileaks has become infamous for releasing information that governments would rather not have see the light of day. Wikileaks recently turned their attention to Iran and a under the table agreement between Tehran and Moscow. The website reported that Iran had allegedly entered into and arms deal with Russia, in which they agreed to pay $1.53 million for 9,000 anti-tank weapons, 5,400 AK-47s and 2,500 assorted hand guns.

Iranian President Mahmud Amadimjad tried to quit the fears of the West by explaining that “there is currently now deal in the works” but if there were a deal they “would only be using the weapons for peaceful purposes. When pressed as to list any peaceful applications for the weapons, Amadimijad replied, “We could use the bazookas for shooting water balloons” and the other weapons could be “modified and used for paintball. We are really bored in Iran and it would be cheaper for us to modify these old guns than to buy new paint ball guns. Those things are expensive.” Russian official seemed to back up Iran’s story, denying the existence of any deal. They also stated that the weapons mentioned were “too old” to be used in battle anyway. But that they would be really effective at shooting paintballs.  

Despite the assurances of Russia and Iran, not every country is accepting their word in regards to this deal. Isreali Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed doubt as to the trustworthiness of Iran, “they have gone behind the backs of the international community before, so we have no reason to trust them now.”

On the opposite side of the coin is the US and President Obama, who expressed his trust in the word of Russia and Iran in a press conference on Wednesday. Obama said, “I am sure that everything is completely legal and above board with Russia and Iran. I trust Russia, after all we have reset our relations with them and we are now the best of friends.”

Some analysts in the US are not as eager to trust Iran as our president is. Dr.  Scotch Taipe PhD Senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Occurrences is inclined to distrust the word of Iran. He stated that, “Iran has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and the West; they have lied in the past in regards to their nuclear capabilities. We have no reason to believe that they are telling the truth now.” Dr. Taipe also added that their whole story about using bazookas to launch water balloons was, “ludicrous.”  


Note: Just to ensure everything is clear, this article is completely fictitious.  No research was done for any of this. 

My Week in Song (A Little Late): On the Road Again -Alvin and Chipmunks

On Tuesday we got back from a 12 hour long road trip to Michigan. We went up there for my Grandpa's 80th birthday. Although it was so amazing to see all those family members that I hadn't seen for so long. I have had enough of road trips. Between that and debate tournaments. I will be happy when I no longer have sit in the car for longer than 30. Well this is all I'm going to post today. I have another tournament to prepare for. But in the meantime. You can enjoy some of the pics I took, and when I finished editing all of them I'll try and put the entire album online.

My Week in Song: How He Loves US -David Crowder Band

(Lyrics at the bottom)

I am exhausted. So exhausted I can't remember how to spell exhausted (thank goodness for spell check on Google Chrome). I got back from a debate tournament at 1:00 Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on how you look at it. Now, you may be wondering why I am still tired when that was several days ago. If you are wondering that, you have obviously never been to a debate tournament. But even though I am super tired, I am so glad I went to that tournament, because I had an amazing time. It is always so much fun to debate, meet new people, dress up in suits. I am going to miss it so much when I graduate.

Now you may be wondering what the heck the song I posted has to do with a debate tournament (my goodness you wonder a lot of things). Well, at that debate tournament I was reminded of how much God loves us, and how much he cares about even the small things. My partner and I broke in  debate for the second time,

getting 6th place and something happened that I never thought would happen. I got first place in something. Dramatic interpretation to be specific. I never even imagined that I would get first place doing and IE. You see, I never thought of myself very highly as a speaker. For the first four years of my debate career I never qualified in speech. I never even really got close. Then last year I was able to do fairly well in a couple of my 

speeches. But I never imagined I would get to the point where I would be good enough to get first.  

God has blessed me so much. Without Him I would not have found that amazing speech to interpret and without Him I would not have the skill to speak like I did. I am just so amazed that He cares about us and loves us so much that He even helps with the small

 things that are unimportant in the grand scheme of things. But I am also amazed by how He also loves us enough to not give us what we want all the time. You see, I also competed in duo interpretation and impromptu. I didn't qualify in those, and I'm glad. This keeps me humble and pushes me to work on those and improve. So yes, He does love us so much and I am so glad I am aware of just how great
that love is.

P. S. Yes, I know it is silly to stay up till 1:30 when I am exhausted. But I have an aversion to going to bed at a reasonable hour.

Lyrics

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

_________
Lyrics courtesy of: http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=11&id=1034792