~SR Uber Wootin' Writers Blog #15-Jovanna~

Heya, bloggers!

I know you're all thinking it. It's ABOUT TIME for a new post up here! So I must apologize for holding out for so long. It was difficult for me to come up with a topic, and when I finally settled on one, I was simply too busy to write up a post for you. Three days later, much has happened in my life and as a result, I have a new topic for you! So I shall save the old one for a later date.

Let me start out by telling you that I have been one big ball of stress since the weekend began, and it all originates with an essay I will be writing on Pi of all things. As I started my research, I realized that (1) I know nothing about Pi, (2) I'm not finding much scholarly information on the history of Pi, and (3) the paper is due next wednesday.

Anyone who has talked to me over the past few days knows that I was in major panic mode.

But God is good. All the time. He promises to always provide for us (Matthew 6:31-32) and give us peace in times of panic (John 14:27). Do we always believe these promises whole-heartedly, though? Yesterday, I did not. In my mind I told myself that God would never give me more than I can handle, and yet my heart did not believe it. I sank into a panic that only grew and grew and grew.

One verse, one prayer was impressed upon my mind throughout the day. "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" -- The cry of the father of the boy with the unclean spirit in Mark 9. He cried out in desperation after Jesus had announced that all was possible for those who believed. "Help my unbelief." What a God-honoring plea. This father knew that he could not believe without help from God. We only have to ask, and God will reach out to us.

We are utterly dependent on our Father, and I would have it no other way, for if every decision were left up to me, I would make the wrong ones. If my success depended on my own strength, I would not have it.

This afternoon, I received an email stating that my math paper's due date had been pushed back--and it was almost as if God had added His own post-script: DO NOT WORRY! I am in control!

Where do you need to hand control over to God in your life? What worries do you need to give to Him? What has He had a hand in lately that you need to thank Him for?

~SR Uber Wootin' Writers Blog #14-Kristen~

First off I just want to say I am proud to write post #14. 14 is my favorite number! Haha...

Okay so I have some lyrics this time. I know that pretty much all of you have heard them because they are from High School Musical! :)

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun
Together, were there for each other every time
Together together come on lets do this right

Here and now its time for celebration
I finally figured it out (yeah yeah)
That all our dreams have no limitations
That's what its all about(yeah yeah)

Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong (we make each other strong)
Were not the same
Were different in a good way
Together's where we belong

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun
Together, were there for each other every time
Together together come on lets do this right

We're all here
and speaking out with one voice
we're going to rock the house (YEAH YEAH!)
the party's on now everybody make some noise
come on scream and shout

We've arrived because we stuck together
Champions one and all

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come

We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it

Wild cats sing along
Yeah, you really got it goin' on
Wild cats in the house
Everybody say it now
Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Lets get to it
Time to show the world

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true

We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
There's a chance
That we have
And we take it

Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Let's get to it
Come on everyone!

The reason why I chose these lyrics is because they show us to work together as a team. There is no I in team therefore, when working together it is a group effort. As members of Sheltered Reality we can't do things alone to "Do the Impossible," we have to work together as a group to show that we can "Do the Impossible." So throughout this year lets show the world that we can "Do the Impossible!!!"

So what can you do at your school or work to show that working together makes a difference in lives?

SR Uber Wootin' Writers Blog #13~Dee

Guten Tag!!


First post of this wonderful 2011 year!  Can you believe it?!?! I sure can't.


This post is going to be about bullying.  Today in school we had an assembly about bullying.  Once everyone got in the gym and sat down, this lady started talking to us about depression.  She said that depression is the number one cause of suicide.  Then, she asked us to raise our hands if we know someone that died from suicide.. and I look over and there was so many hands up it was crazy.  Then, she asked us to raise our hands if you know anyone who attempted suicide... more hands went up. 


As I was sitting there thinking about all the students that put there hand up, this guy that was sitting next to the woman talking stood up.  He is 19 years old and he told us a story that happened his freshman year.  (I think his name was Curtis? It was to loud to hear it) He told us how he was a bully and that he would pick on this senior kid.  He said that they used to call this kid polar bear because he was a little big, they would also make fun of him because he was a senior and was still on the bus and that he was very smart.. one of the smarts kids in his school.  One day he went to school and he told us how something didn't feel right.. that something was missing.  He then told us that his teacher was 50 minutes late for class and when she walked in she was crying so everyone started wondering what happened.  On the announcements they said that Andy committed suicide at 8:38 yesterday night.  Curtis had no clue who this Andy person was until his one friend said Andy was Polar bear.  He said that he couldn't even move, speak, think.. anything.  He didn't know what to do with himself.  A few weeks later Curtis went to Andy's house to tell his father that he was the reason for Andy's death and that he didn't mean it.  Andy's dad told him it was alright and that everyone makes mistakes.  In the end Andy's father and Curtis started an organization for helping kids be happy and to get through things and not choose suicide. 


Curtis said it is hard to wake up in the morning and remember everyday that he was a bully and made an amazing person die all because he was being a jerk.  He told us that there are may organizations out there that can help you go through things and change your life around and many people willing to help you.  The last thing he told us was, if you know anyone that is depressed.. talk to them, be there friend.  Tell them that you are there for them no matter what and to believe in themselves that they can help someone.  Right then I of course thought of SR and everything we do. 


Do you think bullying is a big thing happening in this world? What can SR do to stop bullying? 

SR Uber Wootin' Writers Blog #12~Amanda

Hey ya'll!!!!


I see no one has posted in a few weeks so I guess I will post one now. Christmas is Saturday and as I think about this past year I think about how fast it went. When I really think about it I think about how it feels like Mt. Rushmore just happened like 2 weeks ago. It's heard to believe that MTR was the last time I seen most of you. So my question to all of you is what were our favorite memories of this past year. It can be SR related or it can be something at school or anyhting else in your life.

SR Uber Wootin' Writers Blog #11 ~Kelli

Hey guys!


So with it being finals week here at Wartburg I have had a ton of extra (if you can say that) time to think and reflect. I have thought about what I am thankful for, how I have grown over the year, experiences I was able to have, and what college has taught me. The last one has nothing to do with the amazing academics Wartburg has, but the importance of a support system.

As many of you know I have basically been living on my own for many years now being in all my organizations and with my parents running the restaurant. This year is my first time officially on my own, but even though I am technically living alone I don’t feel like I have been alone ever since September 1 when I moved in. I have learned I will always have a group to support me in my Sheltered Reality performance, but since school has started I have only had continuous contact with two people. To make up for that I have found a core group of people here on campus who are always there for me no matter where they are, what time of day/night it is, or what is going on. These people have been able to keep me semi-sane through my first semester at school. They are there as a shoulder to cry on, which I have used often, been my twin, which I didn’t think was possible other than Alex and yes there is another guy like Alex!!!, and will color the night away and spend three hours in the Wal-mart toy section to distress. These guys are like another crazy family to add to my list of amazing people in my life, and I wouldn’t exchange them for the world!

Looking back at these times in the past four months makes me what to thank them somehow, but I’m just not positive how to go about doing it. As Christmas and New Year’s comes around think about who has helped you through some tough times and find a unique way to thank them for all they have done for you, whether you have known them for 52 years, or two days. Let them know how special they are to you, and that you wouldn’t change that for anything.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if I don't see you!  And I can't wait to see some of you over my 23 days of break!  (Jovanna counted that not me, just so you know!!!)

~SR Uber Wootin’ Writers Blog #10- Jovanna~

Happy New Year!


Hey, guys, the last thanksgiving blog didn't get a lot of replies. So if you haven't replied to it yet, stop over there and tell us what you did for Thanksgiving this year, or maybe some of your favorite Thanksgiving memories. :)


Onto this post. I thought it would be nice to wish you all a happy new year, and if you're thinking I'm a month off, well that's partly true. But some of you probably already know that I'm talking about the church's new year! That's right, last Sunday was the first day of advent and also the first day of this new church year! Finally, we've moved out of "ordinary time," which accounts for most of the church year.


I'm not sure if anyone else finds this fascinating, or if it's just because my comp professor has been reading a short book on the church calendar to us as a devotional every class period, but I do find it interesting. I'd like to use this post to briefly go over the church calendar and then ask everyone what their favorite church season is.


As already mentioned, the first day of the church year starts with the first day of advent (which was last Sunday). Advent means the coming of something new, or a birth. So, during the four weeks of advent, we are looking forward to the coming of Christ Jesus and anticipating his eventual return. Do any of you have any advent traditions such as lighting advent candles?


After Christmas comes epiphany, which is the climax of the advent/Christmas season. During epiphany, we remember the three wise men, who "revealed" Jesus Christ to the world as our Lord and King by bringing Him gifts.


In some churches, the season of  Epiphany extends until Lent begins, and in others, the intermittent time is simply called "ordinary time". Regardless, lent begins on Ash Wednesday and spans forty days. It is a time of prayer, repentance, reflection, and preparation to celebrate Easter. It culminates in Holy week (Maunday Thursday, Good Friday) and ends the saturday before Easter.


Easter. How great is our God? I'd like to spend a little more time talking about exactly what Easter means to us since it is so important. Backing up to the days before Christ, the only way one could approach God was by atoning for the sin that stood between them and God's holiness. When sacrificing an animal in atonement for sin, the priests would place the sinner's hand on the head of the animal, symbolizing the transfer of sin to the animal. When Jesus died on the cross, he became the final sacrifice to atone for the sin of all who would accept him as their Lord and savior. Some of you recall that when Jesus died a great darkness came over the land, the curtain in the temple split in two, and the soldiers watching said that surely He must be the son of God. Have you ever wondered why the curtain split in two? It was because the curtain referred to was the curtain dividing the the inner temple from the holy of holies--the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's very presence dwelt. Only priests could enter the holy of holies, and only at very specific times. The splitting of the curtain resembled that we are no longer split from God, but that we may go to him at any time through Jesus.


Whew, that's a lot to keep in mind. But we're almost done. Finally, we come to Pentecost, which comes 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is so cool, guys! Because during Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Hold Spirit upon the disciples. This was God the Holy Spirit literally coming down and 'in-dwelling' in each of us. Remember that God dwelled within the holy temple before Christ died for us? Since Pentecost, our bodies have become the temples of God! Remember that always.


Following Pentecost is ordinary time, which stretches for around 33 weeks until the Advent rolls around again.


Heheh... I'd come here only planning to wish you happy new year and look what you've gotten out of it! Please, discuss your favorite times of the year, post other questions and comments, and again go back to the Thanksgiving post.


Jovanna

~SR Uber Wootin’ Writers Blog #10- Kristen~

In honor of Thanksgiving...here is a post about giving thanks!

Most of us have been with family over the past few days (for me...a week...). With family comes LOADS of great food and family fun. In my family, I get the privilege each year to enjoy 2 Thanksgiving meals with 2 amazing parts of my family. Every day I take the time to thank God for the family I am blessed with. I thank God for the food that we have to eat that many others don't have. And last but not least I thank God for this wonderful SR family that I have been blessed with. Without all of you....my life would not be the same.

 Just because it is Thanksgiving time and you are told to give thanks, doesn't mean it is the ONLY time to give thanks. Give thanks each and every day. Going back to the comment Kelli posted a couple weeks ago....it is the simple little things like receiving a note from an anonymous person saying "thanks for this" are what matters most.

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving....now....it's time for Christmas!!!!!!!! :)