Sometimes the Best Things are the Hardest

As is probably very evident from my posts, I am a Christian. I believe that there is a God who created everything and He sent His Son to die for me and save me from my sins. But sometimes, it can be easy to doubt these things. It can be easy to wonder if there is a God and if I am just tricking myself into trusting in something that doesn't exist. It is times like this that I lament the fact that God does not show Himself. I call out that it would be easier to trust if I could just see Him or hear Him. 

But then I remember that sometimes it is the hardest things that are the best for us.If a marathon were easy, it wouldn't be worth running. If  Mt Everest were easy to climb, there would be no triumph in concurring it. If it were easy to qualify in debate (yes, everything in my life eventually goes back to that) I wouldn't be worth putting a lot of effort in, I wouldn't learn and grow as much, and the thrill of breaking would not be nearly as sweet. 

So, even though it is really hard sometimes, and sometimes the chatter of the world places doubt in my mind, I  think I am going to stick it out. I'll just hold on to trust, and pray for Him to help me through this, because I know at the end, it will  be totally worth it. 

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

And You Though I Couldn't Do It

Ha! I did it! I got a post up this week, just like I said I would. Oh, ye of little faith, you thought I wouldn't get it done, didn't you? Actually, truth be told, I didn't think I would get it done, but we can keep that between ourselves. Okay?

Anyway, my life lately has been pretty crazy. Added to the normal school and debate work I have to get done, was a college application to Hillsdale. Ack! I can't believe I am applying for colleges already! Time really has gone by fast.

Because of all of the work I have been doing for the application (I can't believe they require two 500 word admission essays) I don't really have time to write about a lot. So, I am just going to let you read one of the admission essays I have been slaving on for the past week. I hope you have more fun reading it, then I had writing it.

"What is good character and why is it important? You may cite examples from literature, the arts, science, politics, history, athletics, business, education or your own personal experiences."

According to Webster’s American Dictionary, character is “the…traits that form the…nature of a person.” Therefore, good character may be defined as the righteous and upright traits that shape a person’s nature. Because the essence of government will reflect the nature of the people, it is essential that the individual’s character be of a good quality.

People will transfer their character traits to those they influence, shaping the nature of society. The main vehicle for this transference is the relationship between a parent and their child. A parent plays a vital role in shaping the character of their offspring. Through words and deeds, they provide an example that the child can follow and incorporate into their consciousness. This is the reason children of criminals most often turn to crime. The character that the parent portrayed is one that condones wrong doing.

A nation’s government will echo the heart and nature of its citizens. If the people are corrupt the government will in turn become corrupt. During elections, people often “sell” their votes to politicians who promise them the most benefits. They consider their personal gain above the qualifications of the candidate. This leads to the election of nominees who willingly compromise their principles to win, fostering a political atmosphere where it is nearly impossible to garner support without selling votes to the corrupt political establishment. This summer I volunteered for the campaign of State Senator Dennis Pyle. He was running against incumbent Lynn Jenkins for the Republican spot in the Congressional race. Jenkins’ record showed her continual compromise in Washington. She voted in favor of Planned Parenthood and tax increases, both actions contrary to her campaign promises. In contrast, I was witness to Pyle’s strong character and his unwillingness to compromise his principles. But because Jenkins went along with the established political order and made concessions to gain support, she was the candidate that was elected.

By contrast, a person’s character may also have a profound effect on society for the better. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, William Wilberforce and his small group of followers fought valiantly to end the English slave trade. Due to their determination, Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act in 1807, making England the first Western nation to outlaw the slave trade. It is good characteristics, such as these, that are the most difficult to pass on to others. Human beings have inherently flawed character, and so individuals naturally are drawn towards immorality. Therefore, it is more difficult to transfer the righteous aspects of an individual’s nature than it is to pass on the negative character traits.

Our character is our most important feature; it defines who we are and its effects have far reaching consequences. Individuals with good character can bring about momentous and beneficial change, but if a nation’s citizens are corrupt, they will bring about the ruin of the country. It is for these reasons that good character is vital, and is something for which we should always strive.

Until next time, au revoir

~Nat

The Answer to One of Life's Many Questions: Why Colonel Doesn't Have an "R"

If you have been following my blog for awhile, all two of you may remember a blog post I made awhile ago about spelling, and I complained about the missing 'r' in colonel. For the rest of you, I'll be nice and give you a link so you know what I am talking about. 

Ok, now that you are back from reading my old post, I can move on. 

The other day I was reading The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way (this has become one of my new favorite books. Yes, I do have very weird interests) and I came to the chapter on spelling. Much to my great excitement, this absolutely amazing book explained about why there is no 'r' in colonel!!!!!!! Now, I am going to pass this splendid bit of information on to you. 

"Colonel...comes from the old French coronelle, which the French adapted from the Italian colonello...When the word first came into English in the mid-sixteenth century, it was spelled with an r, but gradually the Italian spelling and pronunciation began to challenge it. For a century or more both spellings and pronunciations were commonly used, until finally...we settled on the French pronunciation and Italian spelling." 

See! I knew the French had something to do with it!

A couple of other interesting fact that I learned from the chapter on spelling:

1) For the longest time people didn't care at all about consistent spelling. In fact, in some cases they would  spell the same word two different ways in the same letter. Why can't things be like that now?

2) During the early 1900's there  was a movement to simplify spelling in the US. The Simplified Spelling Board released a list of 300 words that were commonly spelled two different ways (like judgement and judgment) and endorse the simpler spelling. They were able to get the support of National Education Association and President Theodor Roosevelt, and actually succeed in changing the way words like catalog and program were spelled. Sadly, WWI happened and so a great movement died before it could do any real good.

Well, I think I have thrown enough useless facts at you for one day.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

P. S. I apologize for the fact that I haven't posted for a really long time. Unfortunately there is this thing called life, and it takes up a lot of my time. But I shall endeavor to improve, and post something about once a week. We shall see if I can manage it.

I Think Calvin has the Right Idea

So, yesterday I had my first chemistry class.

It.  Was.  Horrible.

I had no idea how much math was involved.  I spent more time doing math than actually learning about science.  I don't think it's fair that they make you do two subjects at once.  Especially when one of those subjects is math.

Bleck.

I think Calvin has a brilliant idea....




















...Too bad I'm home schooled.

Oh, well.  I'll probably end up learning a lot.  Plus my teacher is a ton of fun.  He makes sound effects when he adds up problems.  He is awesome.  Besides, if I want to go to a good college, I can't really get out of it.  Curse our ridged educations system that somehow thought it was necessary for every child to know how to do scientific notations.

At least I have American Vision and Values to look forward to.  I've only read 29 pages in the book, and it already looks like this class will be epic.

Anyways...
Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Oh Irony

When I started writing my previous post Sunday night, I had no idea how relevant it was.  Since then God has tested the dedication to completely surrender my future to Him, and it hasn't been fun.

On Monday something happened that I had hopped would happen for a while, but never really thought would.  Then on Tuesday, God let me know that now was not the time for it, and that it might not ever be the right time for it.  After two days of excitement and happiness, to find out that it couldn't happen now was very hard for me.  But what made it really difficult was that a short while before He said no, I had felt sure it was the right thing to do, and that God was going to let it happen.

I don't really understand why those two days happened, or why God would give me this, and then take it away.  But I do trust Him.  I know He has a plan, that He is in control, and that even though now it is disappointing, it is for the best.  But sometimes complete surrender can be very tough.

Until next time, au revoir.

~Nat

Like a Child Making Mud Pies

Yesterday, as  I was riding home from dropping my brother off at college, I started daydreaming about the future. I contemplated where I would go, what  I would do, who I would become; and then  I realized something, I was becoming way too attached to my version of the future, when God already has a plan for my life. A plan that may not include any of the things that I want to happen. I can just imagine God, up in heaven, smiling lovingly at my attempts to plan my future. Knowing perfectly well that He had already devised the perfect plan for my life.

Even though I knew that God's plan was already set in stone; I really, really wanted it to fit in with my plans. Thinking back on that moment, I remind myself of the child from the analogy by C. S. Lewis:

"We are...like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea."

Although, Lewis was talking about the gospel, I feel that this also applies to my situation. God has a wonderful blueprint for my life. But I still want to stick with how I laid my life out; even though, any plan I can think up, will be greatly inferior to God's idea. I would be perfectly content to remain in the slums with the life I have planned out, despite the fact that God is offering a holiday at the sea. As I sat in the passenger seat of that car, I realized that I needed to let go of my idea of a perfect life; I needed to commit my future to God.

You know what? Complete surrender is kinda nice. If I step back, and trust God to run my life, I no longer have to worry about how things will turn out. Yes, sometimes I do relapse, and start worrying about how I am going to pay for college, and who I will end up marrying. But for the most part, it is much more freeing. Besides, even if you let go of your dreams, they can still come true. After all, what you want, may still part of God's perfect plan for your life. Just be willing to accept it if it isn't.

Until  I write again, au revoir.

~Nat

Is the Makeup Industry a Scam?

Here is another article from the fictitious Big Blue Cow news. Enjoy!

Makeup Industry Revealed to be Giant Plot to Make Guys Miserable

By Natalie Schneider

Big Blue Cow news, August 22, 2010

On Tuesday, the Federal Examination Department for the Discovery of Undiscovered Plots (FEDDUP) announced that discovered a conspiracy, created by 85 year old Magdalene Dupree, to frustrate guys everywhere. In 1948 Dupree, then 23, was left at the altar by her fiancé, Albert Stockton. Dupree then allegedly decided that it would be her mission in life to make men everywhere miserable. “It started out with small things,” Dupree’s best friend Annabelle, said. “First it was only wearing too much perfume when she went out, or wearing big hats whenever she sat in front of guys at the movies. But soon her activities became meaner and more elaborate.”

Dupree’s activities allegedly culminated in a scheme to expand the makeup industry to such a point that it would become the bane of all men everywhere.  “I think she got the idea from our father complained about how much time we spent getting ready in the morning,” her sister Magnolia Dupree said.  “He used to always say that we spent all of our time, and all of his money, on makeup and hair stuff; and that because of it he was broke and late for everything.”  In the fall of 1949, Dupree started selling her makeup door to door. It was slow going, but after she received the endorsement of actress Olivia De Havilland, Dupree’s 15 step makeup process began to sell more rapidly.  In just a few years Dupree’s makeup company, Vision, became the highest grossing make up companies in the United States. After that, Dupree’s company continued to grow in its success. Until, in the spring of 1993, Dupree suddenly announced that she was selling her company to Cover Girl. With no explanation, she handed over her company and went quietly into retirement.

In the statement issued by FEDDUP on Tuesday; Senior Director of Press Releases, Robert Page explained that Dupree had sold her original company, because her larger plan had come into place. “It appears that since the winter of 1948, Magdalene Dupree had been planning to take over the entire makeup industry, and make it so expensive and complicated that it would ruin the lives of all men affected by it. On April 15, 1993 she achieved her goal, and on the 19^th she sold her company, and went into retirement.”  According to the statement, Dupree had spent most of the money she had acquired from the profits of her company to secretly by up every company that created hair and makeup products. In the end she controlled companies such as Maybelline, Cover Girl, and Herbal Essences; among others.

Dupree declined to comment except to shout through her open car window that this was “another example of men trying to ruin her life.” Her female lawyer did issue a statement saying that “Ms. Dupree is completely innocent of any of the bogus charges the FEDDUP may decide to charge her with. The idea that she somehow had a master plan to take over the makeup industry  and ruin the lives of men around the world is ludicrous.”Stockton also refused to comment on the alleged activities of his former fiancé. But his neighbors say that Stockton is often late leaving the house, because his wife takes two hours putting on her makeup and fixing her hair.