A Brand New Life

Dear Diary,

Well... here I am again... one month after I promised to update you more! O how I have failed... =/ Ah well... this is me updating you. ;)

How different my life is now than it was just a few short months ago! Almost every single aspect has completely changed. From a different bed to a different country, this has been an interesting transition. However, I am finally feeling as though I am settling in. I can sleep in the strange green room without my Thailand lamp on, and I can enter the fridge without feeling awkward. Things have certainly improved. =)

Sometimes I start to feel like I've always been here, that the life in Mongolia belonged to another girl entirely. What a strange feeling it is! I look around and get confused about where I belong. Sometimes I even feel myself beginning to slip up and call my guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Schrader, "Mom" and "Dad"! This has resulted in much inner chuckling.

All this has simply gone to remind me once again, that this world is not my home. This has been the lesson of my life... and now it is an even more concentrated lesson than ever! I only pray that it will serve to make me more heavenly minded and bold in my efforts for the Kingdom.

Til next time,

Love,

Naomi

The Birthday Blues

Dear Diary,

I find myself slipping down into the dumps. You would think that with a birthday on the way I would be excited to say the least, but my birthday is only adding to my melancholy. As the day draws near, my homesickness grows and I can't help but be a little blue.

When I was younger, I never understood how a birthday could be sad. Sure, I understood how growing old and gray was not exactly cloud nine material, but how could a birthday not always be magical? Now I think I understand. It's not just growing older, it's the memory of happier birthdays of long ago that takes the shine away from the current one. How could anything compare with the birthday you had when you were seven? When everything was splendid, down to the last crumb of cake. But the older you get, the more gaps you see in the faces that surround you. Loved ones who should be there, friends who used to make every birthday sparkle. Perhaps this is why my coming birthday is so daunting?

But the trick is to not look for the gaps. Look instead at the people who are with you! And unless you're trapped on some desert island, I'm guessing there is at least one someone who is going to wish you happy birthday. And as I look around, (mentally of course) I discover bright, joy filled, new faces that will make my birthday just as magical as it was when I was seven.

So even though I haven't completely shaken the blues, I believe I've come to a good conclusion.

Love,

-Naomi

How Long Has It Been?

Dear Diary,

My, my, my! How shamefully I have neglected you!

I know not when you slipped out of my mind. Perhaps it was the busyness of life, the moving through different countries, or the slow internet of Mongolia? Nevertheless, I forgot about you and I forgot about you completely. It wasn't until just a little bit ago when I decided to post an indignant comment on someone else blog that, lo and behold, I myself had a blog! Wonders of wonders! For two years you have been dead to me and now, in the fall of 2011, I choose to bring you back to life.

How much has changed! In the time that I have been away I have started a band, ended a band, gone to school, graduated from school, gone to Thailand, and last but not least, moved to the good ol' U.S. of A. Lakeland, Florida to be precise. Talk about new developments!

The past few months have been ones full of change... full of struggle. And yet, the Lord has remained completely and entirely faithful. My older sister is in Oregon, and the rest of my family is still in Mongolia. What a spread out brood we are! And soon it will be my younger sister's turn to fly the nest...

So, hello again my old friend. I look forward to getting to know you once again, and I am sure we have many more exciting times in store for us... =)

Love,

Naomi

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes...

Dear Diary,

What makes a beautiful girl? Is it her hair? Her eyes? Maybe the way she dresses? These are the questions that people all over the world have come to the same conclusion on. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Is this true? Surely it is true in some sense. One man may see limitless beauty in one woman while another man may find no attractive qualities in the same woman. This is the case when dealing with outward appearance. However, I believe that in the body of christ, beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder, but is also in the eyes of the savior.

Let me explain.

Outward appearance is fleeting. We all know this, and no matter how much people try to keep their beauty, they are not going to remain youthful and glowing for all of their days. So the question really is, what is beauty? Of course the world has its own definition of beauty... but as Christians, as followers of the truth, we have found true beauty. 

We are not capable of possessing true beauty outside of the maker of beauty itself. Our Father in heaven is the creator of all things beautiful, and only in him is beauty to be found. A woman may not be blessed with all of the outward appearances that the world deems to be beautiful, but true beauty is something deeper. True beauty comes from the Holy Spirit which lives in us. Once we accept Christ into our hearts, we accept true beauty, and as the Holy Spirit takes over more and more of our lives, the more beautiful we will be. This is the wonderful process of life with Christ. 

I will chose true beauty any day, over the fleeting and fake beauty of this world. When the women who are girls now, turn into wrinkled old ladies, they will still be girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. They will be the most beautiful woman on earth, for they have true beauty in Christ.  

Love,

Naomi

The Sun Shines Through

Dear Diary,

Though the sky may be veiled with clouds, though everything imaginable may get in the way of our view of the sun, the sun will shine when we are trusting Jesus. The sun always shines when we are trusting Jesus. Even if we can't see it.... because eventually God will take away the clouds from our eyes and we will see the beauty that we missed all along. 

Love Naomi

The Factors

No, is a strong word. Yes, is a stronger word. Yes is stronger, because it not only changes the person you say yes to, but it changes you as well. Will you help your friend with their problem/project? If the answer is no, than your friend goes away in the same position, as do you. If the answer is yes, the person leaves with an improved position, and it changes your outlook as well. It changes your schedule, it changes your relationships, it changes your reputation, and it changes what I like to call, your Yes Factor. 

What is the Yes Factor? Every time you say yes to someone who needs your help, or desires your attention your Yes Factor goes up a little bit. Its the ability to say yes, to stop what you want to do, and give your attention to someone else. You will find as your Yes Factor goes up, you will snap less quickly at your siblings, be a more appreciated friend, learn more from the things you say yes to, and last but not least, you will find yourself growing more humble, and less selfish. You will begin to think of others above yourself, and you will slowly begin to change into a servant of all.

Now, if there is a Yes Factor, there simply must be a No Factor. The No Factor, instead of referring to every time you say no, refers to the importance of saying no in the first place. The No Factor is vital to have. Will you hit that person that you are angry with? No. Will you help someone who should be working alone? No. Will you start another project on top of the 15 you already have going? No. Will you use those drugs? No. The list goes on. Which all brings me to, The Discernment Factor.

The Discernment Factor, brings the other two factors together into one very important conclusion. To have the discernment to say yes or no depending on the situation, is a true gift. Not all of us will say yes as much as we should, or say no the the things that we should say no to. But by the grace of God, and through the guidance of his word, we should always be going up in our Discernment Factor, so that when tough yes or no situations come upon us, we will be able to use our Discernment Factor to make the best decision possible. 

Harry Potter, The Gray Area

Dear Diary,

This is for both the movies, and the books. This is not a direct review, but a personal opinion of the controversy revolving around the reading and watching of these series. 

I have heard many opinions. Some say that reading Harry Potter or watching the movies, is downright wrong for anyone. Others believe that it doesn't matter what you read or watch. I believe that these are the two extreme opinions. Here, is my opinion. 

When a 12 year old child picks up a Harry Potter book and begins to read, I believe that the parent has the absolute right to tell their child to put it right back down. I also believe that any child should not be reading these books unless he or she is solid in their convictions and understanding. Depending on how the parents feel about these books, will determine whether or not the child reads it. In this case, for the child it is less personal conviction than it is obedience. 

I do not believe that it is right for someone to condemn another for reading these books, or watching these movies. They are not stamped with the label, "sin". However, I strongly believe that these are not stories you should get into unless you know exactly what you're getting to. 

They are written by a woman who, in many ways, would never be a woman with whom I would want to associate with. The contents of the books may inspire a desire for the theme of magic in your own life, which can lead to more dangerous spiritual desires. Etc etc. 

If you feel, that you will be influenced badly by Harry Potter, do not read the books, or watch the movies. However, all because you feel this way, does not mean that the 30 year old next door feels the same way, or has the same struggle. This 30 year old may pick up the books, and rent the movies regularly, and not be effected in any wrong way. 

Personal conviction is a tricky thing. We must not let ourselves become caught up so entirely in our opinions that we begin to think badly of others who think differently. But we must never ignore our hearts convictions. 

Let me make one last statement. 

In the matter of outright sin, it is not a matter of personal conviction. It is a matter of obeying the creator of the universe. Do not let all of the areas of right and wrong in your life become gray areas, some things are wrong and should not be done. No matter what someone might deceive themselves into thinking. 

Love Naomi