RAM WELCOME!!!

Man, So much stuff has happened over the last couple of days, it's CRAZY! Lets start before Move-In day...
August 17th, 2011; I didn't accomplish anything really. did a 2 mile walk one way, ate, and walked back to my hotel as I waited for my room to be cleaned and available. Then I laid around, dozed, and waited till morning.

August 18th, 2011; I woke up, got picked up by my amazing bathroom buddy; for privacy reasons, well call her Tay. Anyway, Tay is amazing. We got to our dorm, Parmelee Hall, around 7:30. Because we were so early (sign in started at 8) we got to sit inside, while everyone else ended up waiting outside. We were the first people through the line ;) which was amazing. Basically from there, I unpacked the few things I had, and helped Tay and Nic unpack (Nic is my roommate).
That night we had our official "welcome ceremony inside of the Moby Arena.

This is slightly less than half of the Ram class of 2015 and the top left little corner section is where parents and family were seated..


It was a pretty good ceremony. Kind of long, but that's a ceremony for you ;) . Anyway.. this is the same arena I'll be graduating in... kind of weird (I'm assuming they do it by college, cause otherwise there wouldn't be enough room for everyone!!) Afterward was a picnic, and carnival. I did the picnic part and got to know a floor mate of mine, Jess. We ended up playing volleyball for a couple of hours, and then turned in for the night. I got to bed about 10:30.

August 19th, 2011; (yesterday) morning, we got breakfast, then broke off into our individual colleges. I went to the College of AG, of course, and I LOVE THEM!!!! We broke up into majors (mine being Animal Science) and most everyone in Animal Science wants to be a veterinarian. What they did, was have different "booths" that we rotated through to experience different careers. They were things like Reproduction, Meat Science, Food Science, Experimental Research, Showing an/or managing livestock, Dairy Science, and care/treatment of animals. They were all very cool subjects. On reproduction, we learned about the different instruments for ultra sound. Cows and horses are the only animals in which you go in through the rectum. At food science, we swabbed to test areas for bacteria. generally desks and doorknobs are the worst. Experimental Research was amazing!! They had a steer, part of a digestive study, who had a whole in his side, which went to the Ruminant stomach, so they could study him. I was very apprehensive at first about reaching in him, but it was very cool :) . He was warm, and it was.. interesting. We got to see some of the grass under a microscope, and you could see the bacteria eating it, which was the coolest thing I've seen in person.
From there, we went to ARDEC and did some activities... such as..

HOLD TARANTULA'S!! Ewwww right ?? But I'm slowly conquering fears.. slowly...

I have to go for now (again) But I'll be back with a "Cont."

- Lydia S.

18 down, how many more....?

Today, August 14, 2011 I turned 18 years old. My un-planned theme for it was;

The peace sign, and pretty bright pastel type colors. It was funny how it all worked out ;) . So, beside money, gift cards, and cards, I got a few cool things. My auntie gave me a cool peace sign chest with a nice blanket, smelly scents, and sticky whiteboards that are a calendar, and two message boards (one with a peace sign border). A friend gave me a photo strip thing that hangs on a wall, and her boyfriend (my brothers best friend) gave me pepper spray, and the best part..  it was all his idea. I love it when people are amazing with gifts. I fail miserably when it comes to gifts. 

IT'S NOT WHATS "IN" THE CARD, IT'S WHATS "ON" THE CARD!

I am a sucker for inspiration. I was told once by a wise young man (in the FFA, of course ;) that everybody needs love and inspiration, but the most frequent occasion that gives me inspiration is birthdays, on cards. This year was especially inspiring because I'm also leaving for college, and everyone wanted to say those "last, final words" before I'm off to college. It's funny how the most meaningful words come from those whom you love the most... And boy do I love them!! It's crazy to think about life four months, to a year from now. My nephew will be two, my brother another year older, and another year will have come between us and changed us. 

LIFE IS TOO SHORT!!

Live with love, and your life will be dramatically altered. Now, a note to leave you on;

God Bless!!

- Lydia S.

Blog Crazy!!

About a month ago, I would've never DREAMED of blogging. As of yesterday, not only am I in charge and managing this blog, but for some unearthly reason, I created a blog for Joshua's Call, and now it seems that I'm in charge of it also.

How in the world did I go from NO blogs, to TWO blogs???? O dear....

Maybe I should explain Joshua's Call in order for you to understand me a little bit. To me, Joshua's call is turning into my youth group. We want to be there to support and encourage each other through-out college. We hope that with each others support, we'll come closer to God, instead of farther away. I personally am super excited about this. We will do praise reports/ prayer requests, worship night, and many many other things to bring us closer together and closer to Him.

Why "Joshua's Call"??

The story of Joshua is that he had faith and trust in God, so he marched around a town for seven days and seven nights. At the end of those seven days and seven nights, Joshua blew a Rams' horn, and the walls protecting the city came crumbling down. Just like God helped Joshua triumph over his obstacles (the wall), He will also help us if we have faith. By coming together in our faith, we will be stronger than if we simply stood alone.

Well, that's all for now on that front. I am about to have baby pigs tonight apparently.. =/ uh oh...

Lydia S.

Production vs. Unity

I was faced with a harsh reality two days ago.

I've known this very special and talented young woman for an extremely long time. In a way, I grew up with her, as we participated in 4-H together and I followed in her foot steps through the FFA. I was always envious of her, but there was also something that made her slightly difficult to agree with. Two days ago I found out what is was.

The 2011-2012 AK state officer team was holding their "team leadership conference", and I went to visit. Being a past state officer, I was close to a few of the current team members. It was bed time, but before we got that far, we were having a discussion about their team, and its lack of unity and friendship. I talked to the two leaders of the conference, (also past state officers) about trying to get them to open up. One of them agreed, but had no idea on how to go about it. The other, (one I grew up with) disagreed fully. Her reasoning was; "as long as the work gets done, on time, and well, I don't care if they like each other or not."

And this is where I realized the difference between me and her. She was concerned only with production, where I care about unity. The way I see it is as a clock. She's the person that only cares if it works, and that she can read it. I care about the gears, and how smoothly they all run together. In someway you have to only focus on production, but if you can help them smooth out the gears, you need to.

If nothing else, TRY!! You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish by just trying.

Facebook

FACEBOOK IS WHO YOU ARE....

People are a lot of things, but your Facebook resembles the the true, 100%, you. When you post something, you are sharing something about yourself. When you "Like" something, you are endorsing it. When you add or delete friends, you're letting the world know the kinds of people you like to associate with. (Which reminds me that I need to clean out a few of my friends...). 

Mark Zuckerburg created Facebook where you are supposed to have only ONE Facebook, because he dislikes hypocrites. He discourages people separating who they are for their family and work friends, because in actuality, you are one single individual. With one opinion, one past, one view.

Addiction to Facebook is serious!!!

I am coming off of an addiction, but if you can't separate yourself from your Facebook for more than 12 hours, you're addicted. If you check it every hour, you should really fix it. Facebook is a GREAT connection tool, but you need to remember to LIVE LIFE!!!

DON'T MISS OUT ON TODAY BECAUSE OF FACEBOOK!!

Remember you have true friends, not JUST syber friends. You have people that love you, and understand the connections you can make to the community through Facebook. But occasionally they want you to be physically and mentally present with THEM, not somewhere else.

DON'T GET ADDICTED!!!

Lydia S.

The court is never full

Maybe it's because I know in 16 days, I'll never see them again. Maybe its because I don't care what they say, Not asking is definite NO, so what do I have to lose?? Maybe it's because I need to stay active. The reason; I am unsure of. What I am sure of is that lately, if I want to join into a group playing a sport, I'll  initiate conversation and ask to play. When I was younger, I would lurk around, and hope that somebody would invite me to join.

I don't know how, or why I became so bold. I do know that I enjoy playing a million times more than just sitting on the sidelines and watching, so from know on, no more hoping. I will take my fate into my own hands, and play with anybody who says it's okay.

So, a heads up on my future goals, This week, a friends gonna teach me a workout routine, and I'm gonna be as active as possible. She's gonna kick my butt. On the 14th is my birthday party, and the 15th I will be doing a Ride-along with a policeman friend of mine. Late the night of the 16th, I fly out. These are the big events.

BUT... I've Got Great News... (at least to me ;)

For the longest time, as long as I can remember, I have been a size 14-18 in pant sizes (generally 16). Today I went to GAP, found AMAZING jeans, and the are a size 12!!!! like, Holy cow. I'm loving my slightly smaller legs. The muscles aren't gonna allow for ity-bity legs, but they might allow for a 10 or 8..? anyway, thats a big leap in my "Buff" journey. I'll post my workout schedule on here as soon as I find some extra time (teehee, ya right..)

Lydia S.

Fitness Journey

I have decided to get... Buff. I don't mean in that "I'm going to crush you with my bare hands" Arnold sort of way. I mean where I can be buff, and not look buff. I have been a bigger person forever, but I think part of this chapter in life will be changing that. I want to be able to do a few things (I created a list), but you may be wondering "Why Buff?"

WHY NOT.

That's the short answer. The long answer.... because I don't stand a CHANCE against my oldest brother. He could whip me easier than he could kill a fly. And I hate knowing that he could. He was doing pull-ups with 45 extra pounds attached to his skinny waist. Like, really??

GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

I'm gonna do this next chapter in life BIG, HUGE, ENORMOUS even. Because of that I'm going to TRY and become "buff". Here's part of my list, and as the year goes, I'll let you know how I'm doing... (this is a goal for over the next YEAR, not immediately. I know it'll take a while)

- 20 Pull-ups
- 20 Chin-ups
- Bench press 150-200 pounds
- Curl 45-60 pounds
- Run 5 miles in 45 minutes
- Swim 1 mile in 30 minutes

These are a few, and I'm not gonna lie, it'll be tough and It might not happen, but I'm going BIG!!

Lydia S.

Sharing of JOY

It's about 1 a.m., and I am blogging. Mainly because What I want to say will be the foggiest memory tomorrow morning. For some reason, I cannot help myself. I'm quickly becoming addicted to this blog. :/ which is not necessarily the best thing..

Because of Winn Dixie is a wonderful story. I remember reading it a long, long time ago, but I don't remember the book so well. Tonight, I re-watched the movie, and I still cried at the same spot that I did the very first time I watched this movie. There are a few main points about this movie, but tonight I want to cover three; "Litmus Lozenges" and sharing in sorrows and joys, think of others by their greatest assets instead of their mightiest faults, and never giving up.

In the movie Miss Fanny explains to Opal and a friend about her great grandfathers invention of the litmus lozenges. See, her great grandfather went off to the Civil War, and when he finally got home, everyone in his family had died, leaving him with nobody. He was all alone, and all he wanted was something sweet, so he started the "Litmus Lozenges". The Lozenges had a taste, a taste which people described as sorrow, melancholy, or sadness, and everyone would feel free to share their reason, or cause of their sadness. Miss Fanny proceeded to explain that the reason they were so popular is because of the opening they gave for people to share in their sorrows. Towards the end of the movie, Opal realizes that if there is anything more important than sharing in others sorrows, it's sharing in others joys. Throughout the movie she learned about their sorrows; whether it be a rough prison involved past, or an alcoholic one, each and EVERY person she meet was LONELY. Opal gets a wonderful idea, and creates a party in order for everyone to forget about their past, or futures, but to share in the joyous company of others.

The main characters all had a past. From being in prison, an alcoholic, or a grumpy lonely old man, to a sister who lost her brother, a girl who never had anyone, or a preacher who was left by his wife, everyone makes mistakes, or has a sad past. The important thing to ALWAYS remember is to base our opinions of others off of what we know from THEM about them. If there's a man who can play music so well the animals will listen, judge him off of that asset. If there's a woman who hung bottles from a tree in order to keep the ghosts of her past away, judge her for that strength. Not the fact that she drank all of those bottles. To often in today's society we are faced with the judging others because of their pasts instead of their strengths they are using. Granted judging is smart of somebody doesn't realize they were wrong. But.. if they realize it, and are playing on their strengths, it's time to stop judging and love them enough to share in joyous times.

When Winn Dixie ran away during the thunderstorm, and the dad's ready to give up, Opal tells him he didn't even try to look for her mom, and that all he ever does is quit. She was wrong to assume this of her dad, but he had never taken the time to prove it to her. When something would go wrong, and he thought she wasn't looking, he would just try to hide within himself. But she was looking, and when he was ready to quit, she pushed him a little bit farther. Look back on your life... How far have you come? So why, no matter how small the situation, do you think it's "okay" to give-up now???!!! You have already come so FAR! what else do you want to do in life? you ill not get anywhere by giving up, and I don't need a story to reming me of that one.

Share your sorrows AND Joy's, base opinions off of current fact from that person, nobody else, and not based off of their past either, and last but not least.. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Lydia S.

Amazing Grace

As I mentioned in my first post, I am reading a book, borrowed from a friend in faith, that is all about Gods Grace. It is called The Ragamuffin Gospel By Brennan Manning. I wasn't sure if I should type this, when I was 100% done with the book, but my mind is overflowing with all these differently viewed concepts, so I decided to go ahead and start it. I am only on the beginning of chapter four...


Grace - 1) Mercy; Clemency; Pardon: an act of Grace. 2) The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God


Most people with some sort of christian faith or religion, have the Grace of God all wrong. I didn't grow up in a religious house hold. Occasionally as a little girl I remember attending church on big events such as Easter, but no more. However, I was raised to believe that in order to get into heaven, or for God to love me I had to be the perfect child without sin, and I knew that, I was not. When I started attending my current church, I learned that a lot of my perceptions on religion were wrong. God sent his only begotten son to die on the cross in order to forgive the sins of the flesh that people do EVERYDAY. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life, but yet until reading this book I still didn't totally understand God's Grace. 


Today, the American church "accepts grace in theory, but denies it in practice". Jesus dined with sinners and tax collectors. To dine with somebody means to become friends with them, and in His case, to forgive them of their sins. Religious people couldn't understand why he would to this, or for what purpose. All throughout the Book of Luke, Jesus dines with all kinds of sinners, and would place EVERYBODY on the same level. No matter their society ranking or wealth. God LOVES us all the same, and because of his Grace, we are all the same. "The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. (Morton Kelsey)" It is a place for everybody to come, remove their false coverings they place on for the rest of the world, admit they have sinned, and feel the grace of God as they are forgiven. A man who understands Grace, understands that "Once saved, Not always saved". He understands that you will never be perfect and GOD STILL LOVES YOU and you are forgiven BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE!!! Salvation is by grace through faith. Meaning that if you have faith, God has grace, and you will be saved. People need to have faith, not that he exists, but through Trusting Him. 


The most famous saying I heard in church as a child was; "God loves good little children." Well geez, at that rate he would always hate me... But almost every church I have seen or participated in is living in the house of FEAR and not in the house of LOVE. They use things such as; "If you sin once today, God will never forgive you, and won't forget." instead of; "God loves you, if you sin, discuss it with him, and move on." To many people focus on what humans do (the sins) instead of what God does (the Grace). We are humans, mortal, God is amazing and all powerful. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). 


God gave us a mind to shape ideas and a heart to beat with love. He gave EVERYONE grace, so before you judge those around you, think.. If Jesus preferred to dine with them instead of the wealthy, obviously they realized the gift of grace and accepted it, and because they know Gods grace and love, they are ahead of myself.


I don't know if this helped anyone understand Gods grace, like the book is helping my, but I hope it does.


Lydia S.


All of the quotes in this post are from the Book, and if you want the whole concept, he writes it much better than I.

Aim Small, Miss Small

So, I Love shooting. I don't shoot to kill, but I do shoot for fun and practice. Last night I went shooting with my oldest brother and two of his friends. There is most definitely a difference in shooting preference between me and the guys. I was shooting my DiamondBack 6 shot Colt 22 Revolver and they were each shooting their own 45's. I did shoot a couple rounds off with the 45's, and don't get me wrong, I love shooting their guns, but I am and always will be particularly biased towards my DiamondBack. Sadly my Colt is having mechanical issues, (it was my dads when he was a boy, and he gave it to me when I was about nine or ten) so I didn't get to shoot as much as I would have liked

However, I'm not writing to tell you all of that... I am writing to tell you about precision. Precision; 1)the state or quality of being precise 2)accuracy; exactness. I am a precision shooter. I like to be able to hit targets roughly the size of a bottle cap. Now, I cannot actually do this because I'm out of practice and my guns not sited properly (It shoots about three inches to high), But I like to work on this goal, and hope to one day accomplish it.  My brother and his friends are satisfied with hitting the target. Don't doubt them, they are good shots, but they aren't concerned about where they hit their targets.

My brothers best friend made a good point last night about precision vs. hitting, and that was; you aren't gonna be very far away from your target with a handgun. Handguns are for close combat unless forced to use it from a farther distance. I enjoy the precision because if it came to it, and I really had to shot somebody, I wouldn't wanna actually kill them. Wound them, yes, but not kill them. I say this for two reasons; 1) If some body is harming me, or threatening me, it doesn't give me the right to out right kill them 2) If they do something so bad where it would come to killing, I want to hit where I'm shooting, and not make them suffer.

Now, there will always be more to this topic (especially when it comes to killing somebody [In self- defence only of course]), but that is a topic for another time.

I will always believe that consistent precision is better than "just hitting" the target. And I mean this for more than just shooting guns. Aim Small, Miss Small is a philosophy that can be used throughout life. If you plan on reaching a goal, don't look wide for the target. Shoot as straight as you can, and if you miss at least it won't be by much.

Aim for the moon, if you miss at least you'll land among the stars!!!

Lydia S.

Hello Everyone

Hi,
Somehow, I doubt that this will be read by.. anyone, but I still must write it. Why I put this onto my "Bucket List" I have No idea. However, for some random reason I always thought it to be cool to be able to put my thoughts and opinions out there, and to have discussions with people all over the world about it. There's something very thrilling about the knowledge people have that can't be reached in our day to day lives. If you are reading this, I want to thank you, and please feel free to let me know your opinions =).

Now, the first thing on my mind today is this book I'm reading. A friend of faith let me borrow it, and I read about... two pages last night at 2:00 a.m. and I cannot stop wanting to read it. It's all about Grace. God's Grace. My story is an interesting one, Grace has and will always be a HUGE part of that story, and in more than one way.

I will write more later.. For now, I'm off to my nephews first birthday party. The weathers cold, but spirits are high. And for some reason, life will always be about learning to dance in a thunderstorm and wait out the rain just to see the rainbow when the first sun light is seen.

I Hope you have a wonderful Day,

Sincerely,
L.S.